Kate's Recovery Pt. 03

Moving into the guesthouse with Aiden was an adjustment for Kate. Practically, it didn't change much. They still had their schedule, gym in the morning, tennis in the afternoons and dinner with her parents and whichever family members turned up. But at the end of the night, it was just two of them.

It was Kate's first experience of true freedom. She could come out of the shower naked and ask him to 'dirty her up again' without worries. Theoretically, she should have asked him to sign an NDA, but he was Aiden. He was her childhood friend before he was her lover, and more than anything, she trusted he wouldn't betray her.

She enjoyed exploring her sexuality with him. Their initial experiences and her fantasies of being taken had led Kate to believe she was submissive, but the more she explored with Aiden, the more she realised she was a switch. Yes, she liked surrendering to him, but she also liked taking control and dictating her pleasure.

"So not only are you a spoilt tennis star, but you also want to be the dominant lover," Aiden joked after a particularly intense session where Kate assumed complete control.

"Maybe," Kate shrugged. "Not all the time, but yeah. I like the idea that I can take control, and you will let me."

"I told you from the beginning, it's not about control but being partners," Aiden smiled, pulling her into him.

Kate also noticed a subtle shift in him. He was working to balance his roles as her PT and boyfriend. In the gym, he was in charge and would allow no argument, but when they were alone, he made sure to always talk to her as equals. More than that, he made an effort to spend extra time with her dad when he went to happy hour or was just drinking at home with his friends.

"Aide, are you trying to seek Daddy's approval?" Kate teased. "I think that ship sailed when he agreed to be your godfather."

"But when he agreed to that, he didn't know I'd end up in bed with his tennis star 'Princess'," Aiden joked. "In fact, now I think about it, that happened before you were born, let alone adopted. But seriously. Uncle Mike is important to me. He taught me how to build a fire and how to set up a tent. I can't say he taught me to drive, but he did teach me how to drive a 4x4. It's an adjustment from being his godson to his daughter's boyfriend."

"Partner," Kate interrupted. "We're not fifteen, you're my partner, not my boyfriend."

"Okay, partner, but that adds to my point," Aiden replied. "Do you really think nothing has changed between you and Mum now that we're together?"

"Aunt Mandy loves me," Kate stated confidently.

"She does," Aiden admitted. But do you really think she isn't going to look at you differently now that you spend your nights tempting her son?"

"Better me than those other slags who've shared your bed," Kate smiled. "Talking of spending our nights..." Kate finished, pushing his knees apart and kneeling between them.

By the time they flew to Maun to see her brother, Kate felt like she was in a good place, both tennis-wise and with Aiden. She'd been making steady improvement on the court, and while she still wasn't hitting at full speed, she'd had some positive sessions with some of the junior players in Botswana's national programme. Her satisfaction with Aiden was due to the increased intimacy they had developed on their own. She wasn't looking forward to their separation, but she understood it was necessary to move their relationship forward. She'd made a special request of Lettie to bring a couple of toys when she arrived for Christmas to make their separation easier.

Focusing on the present, she felt excited to see her brother. She loved Will. It was like talking to her Dad, except she could tease and bully him. She also loved her sister-in-law, Caitlyn, but they never got to spend much time together because of her commitments. Caitlyn had earned Kate's love when she'd abandoned her conservative family for her future with Will. She'd earned her respect when she'd publicly embarrassed the then American number one. Mark Dempsey had the world at his fingertips until Caitlyn had publicly shut down his crude pick-up attempt, and his life and career had fallen apart. Women had come out of the woodwork, bringing his predatory behaviour to light, leading his wife to divorce him and sponsors to drop him. She was looking forward to celebrating that over a glass of wine.

Kate was surprised Will wasn't at the airport to pick them up, instead sending a driver. However, Aiden seemed to expect it.

"Kate, when we get to the house, Will and I have an old debt to settle," Aiden said quietly. "Please don't get involved."

"Aiden, tell me, I'm your partner, no secrets," Kate said firmly.

"You'll know soon enough, just let me and Will have this," Aiden said, not meeting her eye.

"Fine, you and my brother have exactly five minutes to settle this debt and bring me and Caitlyn into the secret, or you'll be sleeping in your own tent once we're out in the Delta," Kate said firmly.

"It's not a big deal, I promise," Aiden said, keeping his eyes forward.

Kate wished she had pushed the issue further when they arrived. She barely noticed Aiden hanging back as she hugged her brother and chosen sister. It was only once she had finished with Caitlyn that she realised something was amiss.

"You ready to pay up?" Will asked Aiden in a direct voice.

"Make it quick," Aiden said.

Kate stood there in shock as her brother punched his best friend in the gut before following up with a punch to the chin, putting Aiden on the floor.

"Will what the fuck?" Kate said, stepping forward.

"Kate, it's fine, it's done," Aiden intervened.

"No, it's not fucking done, until you tell us what the fuck is going on," Kate yelled.

"Give us a minute, we'll get some drinks and we'll explain," Will said as he held his hand out to Aiden. "Hey, Brother," he added, hugging him warmly.

Kate didn't understand what was happening as Aiden returned the hug, and let Caitlyn lead her into the back garden where a late lunch and drinks were waiting.

"Do you know why your husband just punched my partner?" Kate asked as Caitlyn poured some wine.

"No," Caitlyn said. "I just know he's been giddy with anticipation since Aiden called about your visit."

"Well, as far as I'm concerned, if I'm not satisfied with their explanation, I'm going on a sex strike. Are you with me?" Kate asked.

"Sorry, Sis, you're on your own," Caitlyn smiled. "We're going into the bush tomorrow. Tonight, I intend to make the most of not worrying if you can hear us in the tent. We're talking about trying for a baby after next year's tourist season, and I'm enjoying the practice."

"Shotgun, Godmother," Kate said quickly.

"We'll see," Caitlyn laughed. "I'm not sure your globe-trotting lifestyle is a match, and I'm going to give Lettie a chance to plead her case."

"Fine," Kate mock sighed, spotting Will and Aiden coming out of the house laughing with a couple of beers.

Kate let them get settled before she focused on Will.

"Dearest Brother, can you please explain why you punched Aiden?"

"Aiden broke a deal we made a long time ago, and that was me enforcing the consequences," Will said sheepishly.

"Will! Explain!" Caitlyn warned.

"Fine," Will sighed. "When you and Let turned thirteen, Aiden and I made a pact that sisters were off limits. He couldn't go after you or Lettie, and I couldn't go after Natalie. He broke the pact, so I punched him."

"Don't you think Let, Nat and I might have had something to say about this?" Kate asked.

"We knew you would, that's why we didn't include you," Aiden laughed.

"Oi, I wasn't talking to you," Kate snapped. "So you punched him for dating me, what are you going to do if we break up?"

"Well, I know Dad has joked with A about abandoning him in the Kalahari, I just reminded him that I actually make my living in the Okavango and I know where the big crocs live," Will laughed with Aiden joining him.

"Oh for fucks sake," Kate laughed despite herself.

The day quickly descended into the sort of fun that was only possible around close friends and siblings. Kate complained when she found out Will had already bought all the food and drinks for their expedition. By sunset, Will and Aiden had regressed to their younger selves and were raising the ante on the drinks. Somewhere around the third tequila shot, Kate and Caitlyn gave up and were watching the two of them with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

"So it appears the sex strike is back on," Caitlyn whispered. "It's our last night of privacy, and our idiots would rather get drunk together than pay us any attention."

"I get it," Kate replied affectionately. "You never really got to see them together before your wedding, and then you moved here. But they hated being separated when we were kids. Even though Will is a year older, he would always pick Aiden over any of the people his age at school. They got older and learned how to spend time apart, especially when Will decided he wanted to be a safari guide, but when they're together, it's all about reaffirming their bond."

"So as Will's wife, I have to compete with his first love," Caitlyn joked.

"Only for a few days a year," Kate laughed. "I don't know what you're complaining about. I have to share my man with my brother."

"You win," Caitlyn agreed, clinking Kate's glass.

Somehow, despite his drunken state, Will found the wherewithal to remind everyone to head to bed at a reasonable time, reminding them their trip into the Okavango would begin before dawn.

Will surprised Kate the next morning by tossing her the keys to the 4x4.

"Come on, remind me you haven't forgotten everything Dad and Uncle Don taught you," Will laughed.

"Will, I haven't driven 4x4 since the weekend Daddy taught me, I've been a bit busy to keep up my practice," Kate complained. "Can't you or Aiden do it?"

"A and I are still a bit tender from last night," Will explained. "Anyway, I know you fly around the world for a living, but you've also been visiting the bush for nearly two decades. Just get us to the Moremi gates, and we'll reassess. But I want to make sure you haven't forgotten everything."

"You're the safari guide." Aiden challenged.

"Maybe, but this isn't professional," Will shrugged. "It's a few days with my wife, sister, and best friend. All of you know how to set up a tent and build a fire. A, Dad even says you've moved past the beginner stage on the braai, so I might let you cook your own steak. If it's well done, you'll never touch the tongs again. Caitlyn and I are doing this for free, so we should do the least work. Caitlyn can't drive the 4x4. I've only just cured her American disability of not being able to 'drive stick'. Kate is unfortunately a bit too famous and valuable for Caitlyn to make her first attempt at off-roading this week. I'll step in if you guys do something really dumb. I'm still in charge once we're in the bush."

"William Smith," Caitlyn laughed. "I think you've forgotten who manages our household."

"Caitlyn," Kate smiled sweetly. "Please tell my brother he's being ridiculous, and the point of this trip is for him and Aiden to dote on us?"

"No," Caitlyn smiled. "That sounds like a you problem. I like the idea of getting time in the bush with my husband where he doesn't have to work."

Despite her protest, Kate accepted Will's rules. It wasn't so much about him but their upbringing. For as long as she could remember, the first rule of bush camping was safety. Her brother could tease and joke, but he'd never sacrifice safety protocols to prove a point.

When they got to the Moremi gates, Will insisted that Aiden drive after he deflated the tires.

"Your turn," Will said quietly, directing Aiden.

"Couldn't he have driven from the start?" Kate challenged.

"No," Will said simply. "Driving a 4x4 requires more attention than a normal car. A and I were still hungover. I was never really going to make you drive in the bush. You spend more time in planes than you do behind the wheel. I just wanted to see if you could still do it. "

"What about water crossings? I've never done one," Aiden said.

"Water crossings are easy," Will replied. "Be in low range, keep a steady momentum and never take your foot off the gas or try change gears until we've cleared the crossing. You'll flood the intake and gearbox if you touch the clutch. Whoever floods the engine gets out first to check for crocs and hippos, and if you survive that. You take the blame when we call the insurance company."

"What if it's you?" Aiden asked, adjusting the driver's seat.

"I'm blaming Kate," Will laughed. "It's a company car, I'm off duty, and she's a tennis player; she can afford it."

"Hey!" Kate complained.

"Don't worry, Sis, I have an in with your manager," Will joked. "You know the man I call Dad, and you call Daddy. A couple of beers and telling Mum, Caitlyn and I are thinking about making her grandma, and he might just pay out of pocket. But seriously, it's December, we're not due heavy rains for another month, and Delta won't flood for three. I'll handle a crossing if we really need to, but it's been dry."

"Are we staying at the normal camps, Third Bridge and Xakanaka?" Kate asked.

"We're staying close by, but I'm using my safari license. So we're staying in our approved sites away from the public camps. We might do a night at Savuti," Will smiled. "Plus side, they're quieter, downside, we're more likely to get visitors since, unlike my usual six to eight tents, it's just us four. Oh, and I don't have my rifle. I only bring it with paying guests as it's a legal requirement."

Kate understood Will immediately. In all the times they'd been camping growing up, they'd never had a gun. Her father despised them, and guns were highly controlled in Botswana, and shooting an animal even defensively in a game reserve would result in a very long visit to the police station. Given they weren't on an official paid tour, Will's primary legal defence for having one was non-existent and would put his safari licence at risk. Her presence and fame would add to the scandal. They were going to have to rely on the basic rule they'd learned since before they could understand it.

"So Daddy's rule one, 'nerves are good, nerves mean you're paying attention'," Kate said.

"Actually, that's rule two," Caitlyn replied. "Rule one is a gin and tonic at sundown. Guests don't care about the nerves rule, but they care about the gin rule."

"I don't believe Will prioritises gin over safety," Kate complained.

"He doesn't, neither do our cooks and porters," Caitlyn smiled. "But Will's the guide, they're the guests. Their priority is seeing wildlife and being pampered. He's also your father's son, and for all of your family's claims of not being big drinkers, you, Kate, are the only one I've ever seen refuse a drink. And let's be honest, you're just as bad when you can get away with it."

"You married into our nonsense," Kate smirked.

"Is this my future?" Aiden complained.

"Shut up, you were born into it," Kate snapped. "What about showers and other things?"

"Kate, calm down," Caitlyn said reassuringly. "We do this for a living, we have really nice portable showers and toilets. The tents even have en-suite showers."

Kate smiled at Caitlyn's reassurance while Will asked for silence so he could guide Aiden to their campsite. Despite their early start, they had just missed the early morning peak for game viewing. Kate suspected it was a deliberate move on Will's part since he was so in tune with the bush.

Once he had Aiden on the right track, he turned on his two-way radio.

"What are you doing now?" Kate asked.

"I'm checking in with the other operators on our open channel to see if there have been any special sightings recently," Will smiled. "The guys at the gate are good, but not all sightings make it back to them."

"I thought you were just supposed to know these things," Kate teased.

"I do," Will laughed. "Well, I have a rough idea of where we have the best chance of a sighting. Elephants in the Delta, as you well know, are practically a given. But you are experienced enough to know that nothing is guaranteed in the bush. Predators move; a lion's territory can be anything from twenty square kilometres to four hundred. I'm just hedging our bets a little. The other operators won't cover the same ground twice, so I'm leveraging what they've already found."

"To think I used my influence to advertise your business, only to learn it's based on the knowledge of others," Kate laughed. "When we get home, I'm taking you off the sponsors page on my website. It's bad enough you don't pay for the privilege."

"We'll give you a staff t-shirt as payment when we get back to Maun," Caitlyn laughed. "Two if you stitch our logo onto your kitbag."

"I should get one of those as family anyway," Kate replied. "Just make sure there is no obvious branding apart from your logo, my actual paying sponsors are pretty strict about what I can and can't wear. And you can't be on my kitbag, my racquet sponsors don't share real estate. You being family doesn't override my obligations."

"I'm pretty sure Alex doesn't pay for his 'real estate' on your shirt sleeve," Will quipped.

"Alex's company does pay," Kate protested. "They're my official corporate and financial partner. Maybe they don't pay what I could get on the open market, but he's Daddy's protégé and our old babysitter. Anyway, I get other perks. He manages my money through the Partners' Fund, not the Main Fund."

"Does the privilege ever end for you?" Will laughed. " Do you know how much it sucks walking into a sports shop knowing I can't buy eighty percent of what's on offer because I'm your brother?"

"Will, you don't have to buy anything," Kate replied. "You have a family login to my athlete's equipment portal. If there's an issue, just pick up the phone and call Pheobe or my rep if you need something?" Kate replied.

"That's not the point," Will said. "I'm not saying I don't appreciate the perks, I'm saying my association with your privileged life limits my options. If Land Rover ever approaches you, I'm disowning you. Nothing on earth except Caitlyn and our wedding vows will convince me to give up my Land Cruisers. They even ruined the Defender. The only car they ever made that was actually an off-road vehicle"

"I'm pretty sure Daddy would veto that one, too," Kate laughed.

"I know, but my point is, putting a 4x4 drivetrain on a luxury vehicle doesn't magically turn it into an off-roader," Will said.

Kate was surprised by the campsite; she'd never seen the private parts of Moremi. Even though Will had done his apprenticeship at one, it was the family rule never to set foot in the luxury lodges. The normal campsites had large berths with basic ablution blocks; this was a small glade with trees on either side. She was surprised when Will instructed them to remain in the truck while he found his snake hook and a catching bag.

"I need to check the trees for leopards," Will said seriously. "Keep my door open in case I need to make a hasty retreat."

"What's the snake hook and bag for?" Aiden asked.

"I'm also going to do a snake check," Will laughed. "I'm mostly worried about adders, a diesel V8 makes most snakes move, but they're lazy shits. The hook also gives me something to create some distance if I do have to retreat from something big with claws."

Everyone remained silent as Will cautiously explored the camp. Kate admired her brother's calculated movements as he made sure their camp was safe.

After about five minutes, he returned to the car with a big smile.

"We're good, nothing I could see in the trees and no scat or tracks. Let's get the tents set up, and then it's time for a Klippies," Will smiled.

"It's not even eleven yet," Kate laughed.

"Bush time," Will smiled. "It's a medicinal for last night, and we didn't bring enough tomato juice to have Bloody Marys on the first day. Just don't ask me if I sacrificed the tomato for the coke."

"I swear sometimes when you speak, I could close my eyes and hear Daddy," Kate said, getting out of the car.

The tents took a bit longer than Kate expected. She quickly realised that they weren't using the standard tents her parents kept, but the commercial ones Will and Caitlyn used for clients. She appreciated the increased space but wasn't happy about the extra set-up time.

"I've only set these up a few times," Will said. "Normally, our camp porters and cooks drive ahead and do this for me while I look after the clients. When I'm scouting on my own, I just use a pop-up tent or a rooftop tent if I have the energy to attach it to the vehicle."

"Then why are we using them?" Aiden asked.

"I like sleeping next to my wife," Will shrugged. "It's a lot easier to set up a double camping cot with an air mattress in one of these. It's easier for you two. You're sleeping in singles. I'm not giving you the opportunity to defile my sister in my presence."

"Will!" Caitlyn and Kate snapped in unison.

"I'm joking. If Mum and Dad can accept it, I can tolerate it. We brought a double for you as well."

Will took an extra few minutes to set up the showers and toilets in the private areas attached to the tents before he looked after the practical details of making the fire circle and making drinks.

"There," Will said, settling into his camping chair. "Now we can waste the day away. We'll head out for a drive once the day cools a bit. We had a wild dog sighting not too far from here a few weeks ago. Hopefully they're still in the area."

Kate relaxed as she settled into camp life. While she had gotten over the awe of seeing the wildlife years ago, there was something deeply relaxing about being in the bush. Some things still excited her; a leopard was always thrilling with their elusive nature, and in all her years of visiting Moremi and the Delta, she'd only seen wild dogs twice. A lion hunt was a majestic blend of chaos, violence, and brutality if you were lucky enough to see one. They weren't for everyone, but Kate couldn't see the point of visiting the bush if a person couldn't accept nature in its rawest form. But she preferred the small things; the serenity, the lack of modern convenience. Even though Will had set them up with luxury tents, they were still in the wild with no protection, but it didn't scare her. She knew predators typically tried to avoid humans; some might get a little curious, but she knew how to manage her emotions, and they typically left the vehicle doors open during the day as a quick escape route if one showed too much interest. Anyway, her brother was one of the best safari guides in Botswana.

She'd never admit it to his face; boosting his ego was not something a good little sister did, but she had read his TripAdvisor reviews. Not just since he and Caitlyn had started their enterprise, but going back to when he was an apprentice guide at one of the lodges. It was her way of keeping up with him when his chosen life mostly kept him off the grid.

Kate was just beginning to think about food when Will asked her to help him.

"I pre-roasted some chicken for sandwiches or a salad if you're going to go all tennis on me in the bush, and we'll prep an oxtail potjie before we go on a drive," Will whispered. "I love them, but A and Caitlyn will focus on a recipe. You understand a potjie is made with feeling, not rules."

"Of course," Kate laughed, helping herself to a knife and the vegetables.

"We haven't really spoken since you got injured," Will said quietly as he settled next to her. "You good, Nnake?" he asked, switching to Setswana.

Kate paused. Setswana wasn't her strong suit; she could hold basic conversations but rarely kept up with longer conversations. Talking with Will was easier because he still sometimes mixed in English, but their father was borderline fluent, and Lettie was the closest to matching him.

"Yeah," Kate said quietly. "It's been hard, but I actually feel more secure in life now than I did before I got injured."

"Love does that," Will laughed. "I'm glad it's A. He's probably the only man in the world I'd trust with you or Let. I know it's your decision and I'm supposed to support you, but I'm also your big brother. Some things are subconsciously ingrained."

"Thanks," Kate replied. "Does that mean you'll back off with the overprotective stuff?"

"Mostly," Will said. "I'm still going to remind him that he has gym muscles and I have bush strength, and if he hurts you, I'll put him in the hospital. But yeah, I'll leave you be, I've had my fun."

"Thanks, Morwarre," Kate smiled.

"You're welcome," Will said gently. "I'm sorry I haven't seen you play much and won't be there when you make your comeback, but it was our first year operating, and unfortunately, we make our money when you do, March to November."

"So are you going to be this overprotective if or when Let ever settles down?" Kate asked.

"The man who tames our sister is definitely not afraid of me," Will laughed. "Honestly, I feel sorry for him. Dad's mind, Mum's force of nature. He'll get my prayers and best of luck."

"She's not that bad," Kate said, defending their sister.

"To you maybe," Will said. "You're twins in all but name and genetics. You're the same age, and your birthdays are two months apart. You've been attached at the hip since the day the social worker brought you to us. The rest of us just do our best not to get on her bad side. A sharp wit and a legal mind is not a combination to be trifled with. I'm just happy she's using her gifts for good and working in legal aid. Lettie in a cutthroat corporate environment is a terrifying thought. If Dad ever decides to step down as your manager, she should be the first one you call."

"Sports law is a bit different from defending the underprivileged," Kate smiled. "But I'm pretty sure Daddy has her look over some of my contracts before I see them."

"How do your actual legal teams feel about that?" Will asked.

"They probably don't care as long as they get their retainer," Kate shrugged. "Lettie or Dad making a change to a contract is just more billable hours for them. I know they have an ethical duty to represent me to the best of their ability, but I'm under no illusions about it being a personal relationship. Maybe that's why I picked A to be my trainer. It's such an intimate relationship, you're trusting someone with your body and keeping you fit. Knowing he's personally invested and I'm more than just a pay packet to him is reassuring. I don't get a lot of that."

"A doesn't charge you," Will pointed out.

"I didn't know that until recently, and I'm surprised you do," Kate grinned.

"He was my best friend before you corrupted him with your womanly wiles," Will laughed.

"So I take it you knew about his feelings for me?" Kate smiled.

"Yes, I even told him I was cool with it, with the caveat I was still going to enforce the pact and punch him if it happened."

They spent the rest of the afternoon casually sitting around, generally catching up. Kate smiled when she learned that Will and Caitlyn were looking to add another guide for when their second season started. She was even happier to discover that now they had a reputation and didn't have to undercut competitors, they were using the shoulder seasons to offer discounted rates to actual Batswana, and Will was planning weeks for school groups.

Will finally declared it was time for their game drive and took over. It wasn't the most exciting drive of her life, a drive without a predator sighting always felt like a disappointment. But she enjoyed seeing her brother in his element, managing the driving while somehow being completely aware of everything around them and spotting things that weren't obvious to the rest of them. She only half listened as he explained how Eland behaviour was different in the delta environment compared to the Kalahari. Instead, she lay her head on Aiden's shoulder, enjoying the fact that for the next few days they were cut off from the pressures of the world. Will had his radio and satellite phone for emergencies, but he made it clear that if the satellite phone came out for Kate's career, she was paying the expense of using it with a premium for ruining his holiday.

When they returned to camp, the hot water for the showers was ready, and Kate was excited. She wanted to try out Will's fancy toys and see what his clients paid for. She was just about to step into the shower when she spotted a snake in the tree that just overlooked her and Aiden's 'ensuite'.

"Will! Snake!" Kate yelled while stepping back into the tent and zipping it up.

She'd recognised it as a python, and from the size, it was probably a harmless juvenile, but she had no intention of finding out. Out of her siblings, she was the only one who'd inherited their father's phobia. There was something about how they moved and knowing how quickly they could strike that made them unappealing to her.

"What is it?" Will asked quickly as he entered the tent with his snake hook and a catching bag.

"A python, I think it's a juvenile," Kate whispered.

"Daddy's Girl," Will laughed, dropping the hook and bag. "If you're going to scream and let the animals know we're here, make it something worth the noise like a cobra or adder."

Kate didn't laugh but tightened her towel as she let Will pass her.

"It's only a baby," Will laughed when he returned a few minutes later holding the snake. "They like the trees because they're less susceptible to other dangers, and there are always birds, squirrels and rodents to feed on. I'll release him down by the river and we'll have a gin to calm your nerves before dinner."

"What could go after a python?" Kate asked.

"Come on, Kate, you know this," Will laughed. "Babies like this one are small enough to be attractive to eagles and mongooses. Honey Badgers are their natural predators, and nothing in the bush wants to deal with an angry honey badger. Fully grown pythons, leopards, and even lions give the paranoid schizophrenics a wide berth. I mean a hippo or buffalo wouldn't really care about a badger, but that's only because they have bigger personality issues."

"Give me a few to get dressed and I'll come with you," Kate smiled weakly. "I'm not keen on the snake, but I've always loved the Delta at sunset.

"Sorry, no. I know it's only a few hundred metres, but it's still the bush, and I'm still unarmed. I need to keep my head on a swivel without worrying about you. This is a guide's burden," Will said seriously, before smiling. "But I'll make sure we do a sunset dinner near the water and go on a night drive."

"I thought night drives were banned?"

"For tourists and overlanders, yes," Will said. "For safari operators, no. It's a way to elevate the experience."

Throughout the evening, Kate remained close to Aiden as the bush sang its evensong around them and they watched the fire flicker over drinks and food. She'd take his hand as Will and Caitlyn told stories of overly demanding clients. She'd squeeze his thigh and kiss his cheek softly when she got up for her turn to collect a round. She was aware she'd ignored him slightly throughout the day as she focused on her brother. Part of her thought Aiden deserved it for doing the same the day before, but she was aware that part of her motivation for this trip was to enjoy him away from the real world. All too soon, Will would be driving them back to Gabs, and they would be surrounded by the commitments of the festive season and their unavoidable separation.

In their tent, she kissed him deeply.

"Part of me wants us to have sex just to piss Will off," Kate smiled. "Bush sex is a romantic thought, but I also know Will is going to have us up and moving before dawn, so you're going to have to just be happy in my presence."

"Does that mean the ' no clothes in bed rule is being suspended?" Aiden laughed.

"That rule is going to remain firmly in place long after I lose my athletic body and turn into middle-aged mum with saggy tits," Kate laughed.

"Mum?" Aiden said, raising his eyebrow.

"Don't worry, that's a while away yet," Kate said, kissing him again. "It won't be before I retire and start having normal periods again. I don't even know what my cycle really looks like. Periods have always been weird for me with staying in shape for tennis, so I've been on the implant since I was about fifteen."

"Okay," Aiden said softly, removing his top and moving towards their cot.

Settling in next to him, Kate realised her admission wasn't as vulnerable as it had initially sounded. On a professional level, as her trainer, Aiden probably understood how her body worked better than she did. Apart from a few non-committal chats with Lettie, she had never openly discussed her desire to be a mother before, but she'd always wanted it. Away from tennis, her life had been defined by having a large, deeply supportive family, and she had never been able to imagine not having her own. Will and Caitlyn were already thinking about it, and she knew she'd love being an aunt; she also knew she'd want to give their brood cousins. Maybe it was biological, maybe it was just nature and societal expectations. It was probably a combination of the two, with a little of the abandoned orphan in her thrown in for good measure.

Orphan. That was a word she'd always avoided in relation to her adoption. Her mother found the term heartbreaking and had always reassured Kate they'd always been her family, they just had to find each other. But by definition, that's what she was, a person who'd lost her family before she could develop memories of them.

She hadn't realised or understood she was adopted until she was about ten. She had parents who loved her, and she had siblings who fought with her and indulged her in equal measure. Then the whispers at school started. 'Why did the tall, blonde girl have a mixed-race dad and a petite brunette mother?'. Not understanding it, she'd thrown more than one tantrum and started just as many fights. In the end, her parents had sat her down and explained as appropriately as they could the story of how she found them.

She hadn't fully understood why people were more understanding of her mother than her father until she was sixteen. By then, the whispers had stopped, but Kate was more aware of the looks when they attended her tennis events together. Her father gave her a book, Fiela's Child, which followed a mixed-race woman who'd adopted a white foundling child in early 20th-century South Africa, her fight to keep him.

"Kate, there is one thing I want you to know," Mike said seriously when she finished reading it. "Fiela lost Benjamin because the system was against her. I would have used every penny I have to destroy the system before I'd let anyone put you through that trauma."

Even though she still had subconscious insecurities, that was the last time she questioned her parents' devotion. Smiling at the memory, she made sure the mosquito net covered them and pushed the blankets away before kissing Aiden's shoulder and settling down to sleep. She loved the feel of his skin against her, and sharing a blanket in the heat of the Botswana summer was uncomfortable.

Their days in the bush followed the familiar rhythm she'd first experienced as a four-year-old. Will would wake them up before the sun with coffee, campfire toast and the promise of a bigger breakfast when they returned from their morning drive, but not before he pointed out the hyena tracks that proved they'd had visitors while they slept. All of them were experienced enough to know that this wasn't a risk but a reality of the environment. Hyenas, while accomplished hunters, were leery of humans but more than happy to explore their camps once everyone was in bed, looking for scraps. Sometimes, as they prepared to go to bed, Will would flash his torch into the bushes to remind them they were being watched. They were always visible, observing, waiting for their chance to scavenge.

Other experiences barely affected Kate. It was truly an incredible feat to enter the Delta and not see an elephant. Will and Kate would laugh that the tourist who managed that was truly inept. Hippos were the same. Dombo Pool was famous for its permanent hippo population. They were so habituated to human presence that there was even a viewing platform and picnic area. Aiden joked that it was the only place in the bush where their presence wasn't truly terrifying.

"They're still terrifying," Will corrected. "There's a reason I bring my clients and you lot here at lunch time and not for sunrise and breakfast like many overlanders do. I've got no interest in showing off a hippo when it actually wants to be active."

"You don't mean that, surely a hippo on land is a great sight," Aiden challenged.

"If I find one, I'll stop and show it," Will agreed. "But while you take your pictures, I'm assessing our escape route. I can read a lion's body language, even get out of the car to change a tire if I have to, as long as I have an eye on it. Those bastards in the water will turn on me for breathing in their direction, and they don't care about whether or not the truck will stop them."

"How do you manage the pressure?" Kate asked.

"I am very, very good at what I do," Will said confidently.

"Huge insurance premiums and iron-clad liability waivers," Caitlyn laughed in correction. "No safari business takes a client who won't accept any liability. We can curate an experience, but we're the visitors here. Surely you sign tournament waivers, releasing the organisers from liability if you get injured."

"I do," Kate smiled. "But I didn't sign a waiver for this."

"And we have evidence you requested it and the fact you've been doing this as a private citizen with family for two decades," Caitlyn countered. "I mean, we shouldn't need the waivers. The risk of venturing into the bush should be obvious, but people will sue for anything."

True to his word, Will arranged dinner on a river plain close to sunset with a night drive on their final night. He'd taken special care to set it up in a way where the fire protected them on one side while the vehicle protected their backs, and he had his eye on their vulnerable flank.

As they settled into their steak dinner and the exclusive bottle of South African red she didn't know he packed, Kate had a thought and burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" Aiden said in surprise.

"This," Kate giggled. "In any other world, the setting would make it a romantic double date. But this is a family dinner. Instead of close couple friends speaking in flirty innuendos like the movies, we're avoiding it, because while Caitlyn and I talk about it openly with accepted boundaries, you and my brother are ignoring the fact that we're an adult sexual couple. It's like discussing sex with your parents, it's awkward and uncomfortable until you try for a baby, and then it's like getting a parental blessing to have unprotected sex."

"We can talk about sex if you want, Kate," Caitlyn smiled. "But do you really want to understand the true extent of how far I've debased myself with your brother?"

"Can we just eat and do this drive so we can get back to camp and I can drink properly before you traumatise me," Will complained. "Sex may be openly discussed in our family thanks to Mum, but details never are."

Having made her point, Kate shifted her attention to kissing Aiden before thanking Will and Caitlyn for the experience. It wasn't just an expression of gratitude but a fundamental piece of safari etiquette. Whether it was family or a professional experience, you always thanked your travelling partners in the bush for sharing it with you.

By the time they returned to camp, Kate was astounded. They'd come across a rogue male lion feeding on a scavenged buffalo. She'd seen a lion feeding before; that wasn't new. It was the fact that it was a rogue. Lions were hard enough to find, rogues were something else, until they could find a pride to take over, they were almost as reclusive as leopards. It was a true testament to the nighttime experience over the more traditional sunset drive. While they didn't find it, they even heard a leopard. It was a different sound from what Kate expected. It was like a saw roughly working its way through a tree limb.

"Leopards have more vocalisations than any other big cat," Will explained. "He or she is just warning us we're getting a bit too close."

"Do you know where it is?" Kate said excitedly.

"I could make an educated guess, but even with the spotlight we're not going to spot it unless it wants to come out into the open."

Instead of pressing him, Kate accepted the answer and shifted her attention to returning to camp. It was their last night, and Will had promised they could stay up a little later.

By the time they'd made it to bed, Kate was full of affection and wanted to channel that into her connection with Aiden. Admittedly, she was a little tipsy. It had started with Will pointing out to Aiden that they had an unfinished case of beer; then he argued he couldn't return the half-empty spirits, so they needed to be finished during the camping trip. Kate laughed because she knew his excuse was flimsy, but it gave her an excuse to shed the tennis player and be present. Something she was doing a lot more now that she and Aiden had moved into the romantic realm.

"You know the tent means we'll be heard," Aiden teased, kissing her shoulder.

"Not if you make it tender and loving like our first night together," Kate whispered. "Now, if Will and his wife have the same idea and get a bit loud, I fully expect you to fuck me into an unrestrained state. All jokes aside, that's a sound I never want to hear, and you have a duty to help me drown it out."

After a day in Maun to reset and change vehicles, Will drove them back to the capital. Kate spent most of the journey napping on Aiden while Caitlyn controlled the music. Her dreams on the journey were troubled. When Will pulled up at their parents' house, the countdown to their separation would begin. The increased family presence and upcoming festivities meant she would already have less time with him. She'd still have to practice, and with his parents joining them, they couldn't just retreat to the bubble of their rented guesthouse. Kate didn't voice her thoughts, though; it was pointless. She'd entered into her relationship with eyes wide open, and her complaints wouldn't change the situation.

She was, however, surprised when they got home to find Aiden's family already there.

"Aunt Mandy, I wasn't expecting you for a couple of days," Kate said as she got her hug.

"I would have been here weeks ago if I could have gotten away," Mandy laughed. "The second your mother told me you'd shifted from my tennis-playing goddaughter into the tart that plans to steal my son, I was looking at flights."

Kate laughed awkwardly, while Mandy lowered her voice to a whisper.

"I'm so happy, sweetheart, I won't have to train you into a good daughter-in-law, you already know how to keep me happy."

"Thanks," Kate whispered. "I'm really happy too."

Instead of replying, Mandy shifted into the role of co-host. It may have been her parents' house, but Mandy was her mother's equal in every way and at times more overbearing. Within an hour, they were all settled on her father's deck to watch the sunset, while more people arrived. Before long, the women in her family had taken over the house and were directing their husbands to make their vision for the night a reality, which primarily involved ensuring that food and wine were always available while they gossiped, setting the tone for how the next few days would unfold. She knew that for the actual holiday, her father would arrange a catered meal at the clubhouse. It took away some of the tension of trying to create the perfect day when over thirty people were expected.

In the days that followed, Kate began to feel frustrated with the lack of alone time she was getting with Aiden. She was ramping up her tennis training and spending less time in the gym with him, then came the need to be present away from training, as everyone came together. It got worse when Lettie and Natalie arrived. Seeking respite from the pressure of home, Will and Caitlyn moved into the guesthouse next to Kate and Aiden, while Lettie and Nat took the one on the other side. The communal area around the attached pool became their spot to debrief after the day's events, but by the time they made it to bed, Kate was typically too tired to push for more than just sleeping next to him, before they did it all over again.

Instead, she used the court to channel her frustration. She was now hitting with Botswana's men's number one. He wasn't a professional, but he had the pedigree of having attended a Big Ten University in America. He bridged the gap between their talent by being quicker and having more natural power. Away from the tour, Kate preferred hitting sessions with men. It forced her to rethink her natural inclination to play on the front foot and be more strategic.

She'd shift back to practising with women once she rejoined the tour. Kate had always found tour practice partners complicated. She needed the time to get better, but she was also aware she might have to face them one day and didn't want to give away too many of her habits.

The night before Christmas, Lettie finally gave Kate the items she ordered.

"I still can't believe you made me bring this," Lettie laughed, handing over the boxes. "You can afford any sex aid in the world, and you asked for a 'clone a willy' kit."

"I only want Aiden," Kate shrugged. "This will have to make do on the really lonely nights when we're apart."

"I suppose that makes sense in your weird world of committing to one person," Lettie continued, still laughing. "Now, according to the charming girl in the shop, the best way to get a good result is to use a cock ring. It restricts blood flow and keeps him hard while the mould sets. I got you a mix of sizes since I didn't want to guess. You owe me big for this. I've thought too much about Aiden's equipment recently, and that thought made me squeamish before you became a couple. I don't want a tour memento, I have enough of those. I'm thinking a bottle of Dom, no younger than us or the phone number of that dishy Spanish number one who's been making waves."

"It'll be the Dom then," Kate laughed. "You're not bringing your hedonism into my professional sphere."

"I'd sign the NDA no questions asked," Lettie protested.

"But I'd know," Kate said firmly. "But I'll see if he can sign something for you. It's cheaper than the Dom."

Kate didn't bother with showing Aiden his gift on Christmas Day. They had long abandoned the principle of presents, except for the younger family members. Throughout the year, Kate sent little trinkets she picked up on her travels to Auntie Sharon for that purpose. It was more about coming together. Anyway, it was pointless. Her father and his friends were almost certain to start some form of drinking contest after the meal, and while she was mostly exempt due to her profession. If she got too involved in the banter and goading, then they had no issue with challenging her to step up to the plate. Aiden, however, was very much a free target for the stupidity, with or without the banter. She had very low expectations of him coming to bed in a reasonable state. Instead, she made plans for their last night together. He'd be going home just before the New Year, and her professional face would come back on.

The day passed much like Kate expected, with various challenges being thrown out. Aiden gave a valiant effort, but he was overmatched. The key thing was that he didn't back down, and the women stepped in often enough to ensure that no actual harm was caused. Still, she had to remind Aiden to drink some water before he crawled into bed while Kate shut the house down.

Waking up, she left Aiden sleeping with another bottle of water and a couple of paracetamol before taking a jog, thinking about her plans for their final night in the calm of the morning. Taking the slightly longer route around the estate, she thought about her decision. She wanted to give him something deeply vulnerable. Something to reassure him that no matter what he saw on camera, she'd never betray what they'd found together over the last month. She still wasn't sure what that was. After about two miles, she came to her parents' house and, hearing noise from inside, she let herself in.

Her father was making coffee with his laptop on the kitchen table.

"Hey, Princess," Mike said with a weak smile. "You sleep alright, or did you have a premonition I'd need a private moment today?"

"Before you tell me why you need a private moment, can you please explain how you're functioning while Aiden is suffering?" Kate asked.

"Experience," Mike said, with a slightly stronger smile. "I know it looks like I drink at a quick pace, and I suppose to a certain extent I do, but it's mostly for the show, when the eyes aren't looking, I manage my pace carefully. Days like yesterday are rare, as you well know, I can't get drunk when I join you on tour, because I become your manager, and when it's just me and mum, we rarely do more than share a bottle of wine."

"Okay. Now, why do you need me?" Kate asked, helping herself to a cup and sitting at the table.

"I know what you were hoping," Mike said slowly. "But you aren't going to be able to come home between Australia and America. I tried, I did, but if you're serious about returning in Miami, your sponsors are demanding you fully buy into the pre-tournament atmosphere and attend all their events. It's Miami, it's as much about the show as it is about your performance. If you come home, I can't give you the training block you need to get back up to speed and meet your commercial obligations. It'll get easier as the year goes on, but this is your return, the first chance to show that your star hasn't faded while you've been away."

The professional in Kate understood immediately. This was the part of her life she tried to avoid, but it was no use. Her injury hadn't stopped her sponsors from paying her fee, and social media only went so far to return the investment in her. Not dwelling on the professional side, she looked for a solution.

"Could I come home for a day, maybe two?" Kate asked.

"Kate, you know as well as I do that returning to England from Australia would put you out of commission for two days in normal circumstances," Mike said sadly. "Flying on to the States almost immediately is asking for trouble, given the rate you need to get back up to speed. Take the logical route, Melbourne to LA, and Florida from there. You know as well as I do it's not just jetlag, it's time in the air. Otherwise, I'd offer you a stop in Abu Dhabi or Dubai and pay personally to give you that time with him."

"Can I charter, just this once?" Kate said, taking one more roll of the dice.

"Kate, the private jet rule isn't just to ground you, it's a financial reality," Mike said. "You don't get paid enough. You're rich, but you're not wealthy. Alex and I are working to make sure that when you do eventually retire, you will be wealthy. You have a ten, maybe fifteen-year earning window. Without a grand slam pedigree and long-term top ten ranking, you'll become one of the thousands who made some money but never enough to live the life they expected. If there's one thing I know about people, it's that they struggle to go back to their previous lifestyle once they've experienced something. I can't stop you, it's your money, hell, you can even use your starter fund I gave you and your siblings, but understand that if you spend $200,000 today, you are saying goodbye to money that will be worth over $300,000 in a decade. You're fund can take the hit, but it's the sort of spending that can become a gateway to living beyond your means. Kate, your sponsorships and investments are what will eventually give you wealth. Your prize money and appearance fees cover your day-to-day expenses and the costs of being on tour. If I can find the money in that account, then fine, we'll charter you a jet, but it's going to cost. That $200K I mentioned just gets you back to Europe. If you fly any route other than Melbourne-LA, you're effectively doubling the distance, and they will charge you accordingly."

"It's okay, Daddy," Kate said quietly, before having another thought. "I knew I was grasping at straws with the jet. Can I suggest a different idea?"

"As long as it makes sense," Mike smiled.

"What if I don't actually spend the full two weeks in Australia?" Kate said. "I'm not playing, so I'll just go for the pre-tournament social events and the first week. Be visible enough to remind the world I exist, and hopefully find a coach? The second week gives me time to fly home and see Aiden before I head to the States."

"You can do that," Mike smiled. "Anything else?"

"Can I have an account you don't oversee, something I can just use if I want a week away with Aiden in the Maldives without having to explain it later?"

"You're an adult, Kate, you don't have to ask for that," Mike smiled. "Tell you what, set up an account with Revolut or something. I'll have your starter fund transferred to a separate portfolio, which you'll control. Initially, you'll only receive the interest and dividend income, but I won't have any oversight if you make a withdrawal. We can also afford to allocate approximately 5% of your general monthly income without compromising your financial goals. Once you have a bank account, we'll get you your own private AMEX. We'll start with a platinum one, and if I don't get a panicked call saying you've maxed it out, you get your old ranking back. I won't argue when they offer you a black card even though it will be more to do with your celebrity than your eligibility."

"Surely, I qualify," Kate quipped.

"You brand does," Mike clarified. "You're private persona does not. Outside your professional life, you spend maybe £50K a year. Any accountant who can push through your personal holidays with Aiden as a business expense is not one I'll allow on your payroll."

"I'm starting to see Aiden's point about us not doing things the way the rest of the world would," Kate laughed while kissing her father's cheek.

With her plans in place, Kate hung around the house long enough to see her mum before jogging the final mile back to the guesthouses.

Aiden had woken up and was sitting on the shared veranda with everyone. He still looked a little green. Kate thought about teasing him now that he was actually awake, but it was clear their sisters had already started the process. Instead, she kissed his cheek and went to the shower.

Feeling refreshed, she joined the group before asking for everyone's plans for the day.

"I need to spend the afternoon on the court, but let's do something as a group tonight away from the old people," Kate smiled. "I want a private night with Aiden tomorrow, so it's our only real chance to do something that's just us."

"I suppose we could do the Bull and Bush," Will replied.

"Deal," Kate smiled, putting her head on Aiden's shoulder. "I'll pay. Now I know this is a pointless request. But if you lot are going for a 'medicinal' session at the clubhouse while I practice, can you at least pace it, so I don't feel too much like a sober sally while you have fun. I've been drinking too much recently as it is."

"We'll keep the boys in check," Lettie smiled.

Despite her sister's words, Kate wasn't reassured. She was well aware that in a certain mood, Lettie could be just as bad, particularly if it meant showing off her relative freedom against Kate's professional burdens.

The night out with everyone was fun. She was aware that they probably had nights like this without her before Will moved to Botswana, and her tennis career was all-consuming. Choosing the Bull and Bush was a masterstroke. It was a Gaborone institution that predated their father. It wasn't fine dining, it was bar food, like ribs, wings and pizza, while Kate insisted they get some salads to balance the excess.

"Then order your own food," Will laughed. "Chips are vegetables, and so are onion rings. I'm not wasting a night here with rabbit food."

"How about this?" Kate smiled. "I'll have them separate your food from the tab, and you can pay for yourself?"

"Just keep my beer on your tab, and you have a deal," Will smirked while signalling for another round.

Kate rolled her eyes while Aiden squeezed her hand under the table.

Back at the house, Kate slipped into Aiden's arms.

"Make love to me tonight, we have to make the most of the time we have left," Kate whispered, breaking the kiss.

"Your wish, my command," Aiden murmured, kissing her neck while pulling at the hem of her shirt.

Kate had no desire to take control. She just wanted to savour his touch and let him lead her where she wanted to go. He had developed a second sense for her arousal and knew how to push her buttons in a way that drew out her pleasure. It was as if he knew that she would cum for him, and so he took his time before he delivered the inevitable. She could feel the first knot of orgasmic tension as he slipped his hand into her knickers and drew his finger up her slit.

"I don't want to cum on your finger, I want it to be when you're inside me," she whispered.

"I planned for you to do both," Aiden replied, pulling her closer to him while he continued to manipulate her most sensitive spot.

They were still standing when Aiden took her past the point of no return. She wrapped her arms around his neck for support before she lost all sense of stability as she came.

Aiden continued to hold her tightly as she rode her pleasure wave. He waited until she opened her eyes before kissing her deeply and motioning her towards the bed.

It wasn't their longest or most intense session, but Kate didn't mind. It was more about being connected to him. She didn't expect his best effort when it had been days since they'd had sex. She was still aroused enough from her previous orgasm that she managed to cum with him, which is what she really wanted before they fell asleep.

Kate skipped her practice so she could finalise her plans for the night alone with Aiden. She wanted it to be special, but she also didn't want to risk another date where they were interrupted by a fan. So she bribed her siblings to stay away from the guesthouses for the night and keep Aiden busy for the afternoon. She arranged their dinner through the clubhouse restaurant, all she needed to do was serve once it was delivered. Happy with her work, she went shopping. She needed two sets of lingerie. One would be cheap and not meant to last, the second would be far more seductive.

Pleased with her plans, she rehearsed the conversation they needed to have before he went home. She slipped on her new 'disposable' underwear before getting dressed in her usual uniform of training shorts and a t-shirt. She had the wine chilling when Aiden arrived right on time, an hour and a half before their food arrived.

After kissing him, she directed him to the chair opposite her and poured him a glass of iced tea.

"I have wine for dinner," Kate explained. "But we need to have a sober chat first."

"Okay," Aiden said hesitantly. "I thought tonight was meant to be making the most of our limited time left."

"It is," Kate clarified. "It will be. But this is important."

Aiden didn't reply but took a sip of his drink before nodding to give Kate the floor.

"A, one week from now I'm going to be back in the tennis world," Kate said slowly.

"I know that," Aiden said quickly.

"Yes, but I need to address your fears," Kate said seriously. "You're afraid of falling into the background of my life. I promise you, I will never let that happen. When you join me on tour, you will have the same prominent role in my life you have now. It's what's going to happen while we're apart that I need to prepare you for. Tennis isn't just the matches you see on TV; I have to attend pre-tournament events. Mixers hosted by my sponsors, that sort of thing. Naturally, these events are exclusive, and there are cameras everywhere. The press loves a story, and where there isn't one, they're happy to make one. You know most rumours about me aren't true. But that won't stop the press if I'm photographed having a close conversation with another man. It can be something innocuous, a whispered joke with a fellow pro about how much we hate those events. It won't matter that it will be meaningless, but if it looks even slightly scandalous, the rumours will start. No matter what, I need you to trust me."

"Kate, I trust you, I do," Aiden replied carefully. "I know you have to play a role in these events. Will and Caitlyn have warned me about their experiences with you at these things."

"Good, but I want to go one step further and give you something tangible to prove my commitment to you and us."

"How exactly do you plan to do that?" Aiden asked.

"By giving you a gift that could ruin my career if it became public," Kate said, standing and losing her top. "I'm going to give you the messiest, sluttiest blowjob imaginable. I'm going to choke, I'm going to gag a little, and when I'm done, I'm going to paint my face with your cum. If I've done my job right, I'm going to be a mess. My mascara will have run, my face will be covered in a mix of saliva and cum. Then you're going to take a picture. It's yours to do with as you see fit. If I'm ever unfaithful, you have my consent to release it."

"As fun as that blowjob sounds, I'd never do that," Aiden replied seriously. "Forgetting the fact that your dad and brother would probably follow through on their threats to end my life. I know how hard you've worked, I could never destroy that."

"That's not the point," Kate replied. "It's not about whether or not you would, it's about giving you the power where you could. So don't delete it, keep it. It's my safeguard against a stupid decision when I'm feeling lonely on tour. Please."

"Okay, I'll keep it," Aiden replied.

"Good," Kate smiled. "Now, stand up. We've only got a small window for you to degrade me before I jump into the shower, and we can enjoy the date part of tonight."

Kate removed her shorts to reveal her flimsy lingerie before going to her knees and working his belt buckle. Pushing his jeans and boxers to his knees, Kate turned her attention to his hard-on. Kate kissed the tip gently before beginning her task. Her blowjob technique still wasn't refined, but she had gotten better and could typically get him off fairly easily, but she'd never pushed herself in the way she was about to. She started slowly to get comfortable before trying to take all of him. She struggled the first time she gagged and choked, but reminded herself she wanted to do this for him. She was a pro athlete; a little discomfort never got in the way of what she wanted.

Finally, she found a rhythm and was able to ignore her watering eyes, the excess saliva, and focus on his release. When she felt him tense, the first signal she was close to her goal, she doubled down on her efforts and grabbed his arse, pulling him towards her.

He only lasted another minute before Kate heard his warning that he was close. Pulling away, she finished the job with her hand until he covered her face and chest with his seed. Not satisfied, smeared the remaining fluids against he cheek before smiling at him.

"Now take a picture of your dirty slut, take a few," Kate whispered, smiling at him.

Kate stayed perfectly still as Aiden took his picture before she smiled at him again and checked the time.

"Food's due in thirty, I'll just hop in the shower and we can start our date in twenty."

In the shower, Kate thought about what she had just done for Aiden. She knew why she wanted to do it, now she could take a minute to think about how the experience had made her feel.

Once she had gotten over the initial discomfort, she had actually enjoyed it. She didn't think she had unlocked a degradation kink. But she enjoyed knowing she was prepared to push her limits purely for his pleasure. Even though what she had done was an inherently submissive act, Aiden had allowed her to dictate the terms, and she loved that about him. He never tried to guide or pressure her; it was her choice. He could have taken control and fucked her face, and she would have let him, part of her even thought they might have to explore that later. But what she needed in the moment was the choice and ability to do it herself. He had understood that without words.

Smiling to herself, she made sure she was completely clean of his essence and shut off the shower. Getting dressed, she put on the proper lingerie she'd picked for the night before digging into her suitcase and finding one of the few tennis dresses she kept in her travel gear. Slipping it on, she went to join him.

"Kate, why are you dressed like that?" Aiden asked when he noticed her.

"Well," Kate said coyly. "You've had me as your partner and childhood best friend. I thought I'd give you an exclusive night with Kate Smith, the tennis professional. The one that men in their mum's basements fantasise over. I've heard that in the right company with the right social lubricant, she can be pretty willing. It's an exclusive club. There's only one member, you."

Over dinner, Kate blended being the coquettish tennis player and ensuring her personal connection with Aiden wasn't lost. The coquettish tennis player gave him a behind-the-scenes look at the tournament locker rooms.

"It's not quite the fantasy men have," Kate admitted. "Yes, we do run around in Lycra shorts and sports bras. There is also a fair bit of nudity due to the fact that the showers are constantly in use, and most of us are desensitised to it. But there is also the fact that most of us are in our little world, focusing on our next match or what we need to work on in practice."

"Have you ever looked?" Aiden smiled.

"Of course, I'm not blind to an attractive athletic body," Kate smiled. "Especially when you first join the tour, you see these women in magazines and things, then suddenly you've been assigned a locker next to someone you admire. It's not really sexual."

"Do any disagreements make it back to the locker room?" Aiden asked.

"No," Kate laughed. "Obviously, not all the girls are friends, and sometimes, things can get tense. But it's a massive breach of professional protocol to bring personal disagreements into a shared space. A lot of the hugs you see at the end of the match are definitely fake. I don't like the hugs, honestly. It's one thing when you've just had a tight match against someone you genuinely respect or you're trying to encourage an upcoming junior, but I don't see the point in doing it every time. Tennis ends with a handshake. The idea that women have to hug every opponent is pointless. Most of the time, I just want to get off the court and move on. I'm either pissed because I lost, or have a stupidly small window to recover and move onto my next match."

When the conversation turned to their personal connection, Kate explained her plans for managing the distance between them.

"Obviously, we'll FaceTime. You also have to leave me a t-shirt you've worn and your cologne," Kate said, smiling.

"I get the t-shirt, but why does it need to be worn, and why do you need my cologne?" Aiden asked.

"Because I've gotten used to sleeping next to you," Kate explained. "I need something to sleep in that smells of you. I need the cologne for when the smell starts to fade. You can buy a new bottle at Duty Free on the way home."

"Any other requests?" Aiden sighed with a smile.

"Yes, tomorrow we're going to clone your cock," Kate laughed. "Lettie bought me a kit. I want something that feels like you. I would have got you a kit for me, but Fleshlights don't really work like that, and they haven't invented a sex toy for men yet that significantly improves on a little lube and their dominant hand."

"You brought Lettie into this?" Aiden groaned.

"Yes," Kate said bluntly. "I have needs, I want an almost perfect replica for when I can't have the real. Botswana doesn't have sex shops, whereas she lives in London. I could probably get one in Australia, but I'd be missing the key ingredient. You."

"So I'm stuck with my imagination, while you get a silicon replica," Aiden teased.

"I'll send you a nude whenever you need more inspiration, maybe even a video of me using 'fake Aiden'," Kate offered.

"We'll see," Aiden laughed, before changing to a serious tone. "About what you did earlier, what's your guarantee I won't stray while we're apart?"

"Honestly," Kate said. "I just want to trust you on that. I live in a world where I have to second-guess people's intentions toward me. I don't want that with you. I trust you won't seek it out, and you will shut down any flirtation."

"I love you," Aiden replied simply.

"I know," Kate smiled. "I'll reiterate my love for you later."

They finished the date by sitting on the edge of the pool, their feet dangling in the water, eating ice cream topped with Amarula, when Aiden changed the subject.

"How are you really feeling about going back?"

"I don't know," Kate admitted. "I've never had a big injury before. I've had niggles or skipped a tournament for a mental health break. But by the time I get to Australia, it will have been seven months since I've been in the tour bubble. I've always defined myself by tennis, but I've also enjoyed the time away. It gave me the time to realise my feelings for you. It gave me time with my family, which I usually miss. I honestly don't know if I'm ready."

"At least you're not playing," Aiden offered.

"I know, and that does one layer of pressure away," Kate agreed. "But it's such a different environment, you're being pulled in every direction. If you're not playing, you're either at practice, in recovery or analysing your next opponent. Then you have the media, agent check-ins. Honestly, one of my favourite places is my sponsor's tent. It's players only, all you have to do is go in, make your request, help yourself to a drink, and watch whatever game is on the TV while they get what you need. It's the one place where no one is expecting anything of me."

"Doesn't the tournament provide a players' lounge?" Aiden asked.

"Yes, but they're not as private as you think," Kate explained. "Anyone with the right credentials can get in. Think of it more like an exclusive restaurant where you can eat in private. They're really good for meetings with agents, but everyone has a phone these days. You say the wrong thing or snap, and it's on the news that night. The tournament staff might have strict confidentiality clauses, but a rival's assistant? It's what happened to Caitlyn. I think it was more released to embarrass Mark, but who knows? It could have been to hurt me. There was more than one phone out that day."

"I never realised," Aiden said. "We never really talked about it."

"That's because Daddy used every trick and legal threat in the book to paint Mark as the aggressor and kill the story before it reflected too badly on Caitlyn," Kate laughed. "It worked. Now stop. I don't want to think about that world right now, I want to enjoy tonight and tomorrow with you before you head home."

"And what's your plan for that?" Aiden smiled.

"Well, I say we have one more glass, and you can have me in this tennis dress," Kate said seductively, kissing him. "Then I want to lead for a bit, I can't let you have all the fun."

"Of course not," Aiden whispered.

Despite her plans to make it back to the bedroom, it never happened. As she walked in with Aiden trailing, Kate made the impulse decision to flash him the thong beneath her skirt. Part of it was playful teasing, but Kate was still amazed that Aiden saw her as sexy. Yes, she now knew he held a torch for her, but until she'd felt the same way, she had been his client. As much as she'd teased him, there was nothing intimate about a recovery massage or stretching session. They were a painful necessity; the fact that she was barely dressed during them was ignored.

Now, a simple flash of some skin and he was all over her.

He caught up with her as she passed the sofa, and before she knew it, he was bending her over the backrest while she playfully protested but made no attempt to stop him. She even wiggled her hips to help him pull her thong down.

"So it appears it isn't just pervs on the internet who want to fuck me while I'm in a tennis skirt," Kate teased.

Kate let out a little yelp when, instead of replying, Aiden bit into her arse cheek. It wasn't forceful or painful, just a sharp little nip. Before she could complain, his fingers were on her clit, and her protest died in her throat. Focusing on the sensation, she spread her legs a little to give him more access.

Kate was a mess of incoherent thoughts by the time Aiden entered her. Part of her wanted him to take his time so she could embrace the illicitness of having sex in her professional appearance. The other part, the part that was winning, was overtaken by Aiden's lust for her, and how much it turned her on to have her body betray and give in to him.

It was only once their climaxes faded that some semblance of normal thought returned to her. Looking up, she realised they hadn't closed the curtains or even fully closed the sliding door that led out to the pool.

"Babe, I'm gonna need you to lock up before our siblings walk past and we traumatise them," Kate laughed.

"How do we know they haven't already?" Aiden teased.

"You're still breathing, and we haven't heard Lettie cheer us on," Kate laughed again. "So we can safely assume that they aren't back yet. But we can't have long."

Kate shed her dress as Aiden did as she asked. She waited for him to close the curtain before she stood up and exposed herself with just her bra remaining.

"You bastard," Kate laughed. "If you'd been patient, you'd have seen me in the full set, but I'm not sure where the thong has gone, so the bra is now basically useless."

Kate lost the bra as she turned towards their room. She would've turned around to coax him along, but she knew her man would follow.

Kate slowly teased Aiden's erection back to life before climbing on top of him. He'd had his fun; now it was time for hers.

Taking his face into her hands, she maintained eye contact and kept her upper body still as she rode him, just using her hips. A recently discovered benefit of having elite core strength. But this wasn't about her release or his. They would have time for that. Tonight was about the eye contact. She needed him to see beyond the intimacy. The intimacy was just a physical representation of her feelings, a vehicle for her to express them. Her eyes told the truth. The truth was that her world only made sense if he was a part of it.

After they climaxed together again, Kate made no effort to roll off of him or get up. She was going to absorb every last moment she had him to herself. When they woke, she'd have to share him again. It was his last day, and there was no way she'd be able to keep him away from the final family gathering of the season. Kissing him goodnight one more time before making herself as comfortable as she could with her head on his chest, before falling asleep.

Their final day went exactly as Kate expected. By the time they'd finished packing up the guesthouse and arrived at her parents' house, the braai was in full swing. Kate squeezed his hand before allowing herself to be swept into the familiar rhythm of participating. She fell in beside her sister to help make the potato salad, while the mothers gossiped around them.

Through the window, she could see Aiden take a beer from her brother. She laughed briefly as Aiden reached for the tongs, only for Will to swat his hand away. It appeared he still had some time before he was considered one of the family's 'tong masters'.

By the time the shuttle arrived to take Aiden and his family to the airport, Kate had already compartmentalised her feelings about their separation. She couldn't compartmentalise her love for him. That pervaded her sense of being. Their separation was nothing more than a business trip. Couples managed them all the time. She knew it would be hard, but things being difficult was her comfort zone.

Holding onto this thought, she waited for her final hug.

"I'll text you when we land," Aiden whispered.

"Have a nap first, with the time difference, I'll probably be at practice," Kate replied.

"I'll text anyway. I love you," Aiden said, squeezing her.

"I love you, too," Kate said, squeezing him back. "Now fuck off before I cry."