"And when you win, I have a surprise for you, moya lyuba." Iryna's face was unreadable.
"A good surprise?"
"You will have to win to find out."
It was Saturday morning again. The week had passed. Iryna and I talked and texted every night, just like a couple of silly teenagers. On Thursday night we did a little experiment, where I headed straight over to Iryna's after work. It'd been lovely. We made dinner together, snuggled on the couch and watched some show on Hulu. At bedtime we walked back to our room, where we got ready together in the bathroom. News flash, international tennis stars brush their teeth like normal people. Weird.
We climbed into bed and made love. Not earthshaking, hours long, mind bending love, just normal weeknight, I'm so happy you're here with me love. It was nice. And I fell asleep in her arms, which was even nicer. When the sun came up I awoke feeling her warmth next to me. By the time I was finished with my morning ablutions, Iryna was sitting up in bed.
"Good morning, moya lyuba."
"Good morning." I wasn't wearing anything, and I didn't care, which was a novel experience for me I never walked naked in front of my ... anyone ... before. From middle school gym, through all the tennis teams I'd been on, if I'd absolutely had to shower with my teammates it was as fast as humanly possible. And never in front of my boyfriends. During sex was one thing, but afterwards, no way.
But I knew she was watching me as I sauntered across the room. Oh, and I did saunter. Absolutely. Her gaze, it didn't make me feel cheap, or judged, or objectified. I was empowered, beautiful, and strong. I put on a little show as I got dressed, which earned me a deep throated growl that sent a delicious chill throughout my body.
Iryna slid out of bed, wrapping herself in a robe and walking with me out to the kitchen. She started coffee as I toasted a muffin, and we went through the morning together. As I went out the door Iryna kissed me deeply. "Have a good day, and hurry home." I almost floated to my car, the word 'home' caressing my heart.
We were even able to have lunch together that day, after her PT was finished. It had to be on the down low, or at least we had to behave ourselves. I didn't really care for that, but I understood.
When I got back to her place after work she'd ravished me right there in entryway, feasting on my neck while her fingers had dipped into my scrubs and brought me to a quick orgasm. That hadn't been difficult, especially since I'd gotten uncomfortably wet just thinking about her on the drive over. When the aftershocks passed she lifted me up, me wrapping my legs around her waist, and carried me to the couch, where she stripped me naked and slowly brought me to bliss with her tongue.
After I came back to earth I stretched languidly. "Oh, I could get used to that kind of welcome home." I'd pulled her to me and kissed her deeply.
"I am glad you enjoyed it."
"My turn." I'd started to pull up her shirt, but she'd stopped me.
"No, moya lyuba. That is all you get tonight. You have a match in the morning, and you must be ready."
Even my best pouty face accomplished nothing, but despite my frustrations we managed to have a lovely evening. We made chicken and whole wheat pasta, and Iryna talked strategy with me.
"This woman you are playing, she plays how? What are her strengths?"
"She's a counter puncher. She's not real tall, but can run anything down. She's frustrating." We'd talked about how to deal with someone like that, and when we finally went to bed, she steadfastly refused to let me get past first base. But she did hold me, whispering in my ear.
"You are strong, fast, and powerful, moya lyuba. The court is yours. She cannot defeat you. Every ball she returns only prolongs her demise." I fell asleep with her voice in my head, and I dreamed of victory.
And now it was morning. Match time. I opened the car door and stepped out. Martin popped the trunk and I removed my tennis bag. There was a small crowd at the entrance, obviously waiting for Iryna with things for her to sign. She squeezed my hand once before turning to her fans. That was fine with me. I was focused, slipping inside without looking back.
On the court, I was a goddess. I played perfectly, my best in months, maybe years. All the things Iryna and I had talked about I executed flawlessly, and I took the match 6-0 6-1. The feeling was amazing, right up until after the final handshake, when Penny, my opponent, had gone over to the stands for a consoling hug from her boyfriend. My own lover was standing right next to the pair, and I hated that I couldn't go to her. She blew me a small kiss, which was nice, but I wanted to be holding her, in front of everyone, consequences be damned.
I forced myself to return her smile and went to the locker rooms. As I stood under the shower my emotions ranged between elation for how well I'd played, and frustration at not being able to share it. I tried to tell myself when we were alone it would be fine. I'd be back in her arms and all would be well.
I dressed and made my way back out to the courts, but as I did any resentment I felt melted away as I saw Iryna. She was on the court with a racquet, somewhere she was definitely not supposed to be, gently hitting with a young girl on the other side of the net.
"Oh! A big forehand! Very good shot!" Iryna clapped a hand to her racquet as the ball sailed past her. She pulled another fuzzy yellow ball out her pocket and held it in front of her. "Now you can do that with your backhand?"
I settled onto the bleachers and watched her for a few minutes. One of the boys, about thirteen or so, wasn't as impressed as he should have been. "I bet I could ace you."
"You could try."
"I can ace my mom, and she's really good."
"OK. Go ahead." Iryna motioned back to the far baseline and turned towards her own, catching my eye in the process. I gave her a stern look, but she just smiled innocently and took her position. The boy, I think his name was Graham, was bouncing the ball, ready to serve. Iryna's eyes changed, their friendly light intensifying into a vicious gleam. Graham was oblivious in that stupid, adolescent way. If I were across the net, I'm pretty sure I'd fake a sprained ankle.