“Are you ready?”

  “Yes,” Athena’s voice wavered as she answered.

  Monti stepped into the room and that warmth was back. It crept up Athena’s body from her toes to her crotch to her chest to her neck. But it wasn’t oppressive. It was a nice warmth, and she loved the feeling as it wrapped her in its intensity as soon as Monti stood over her.

  “Right, so we’ll start with your hands today.” Monti sounded nervous. It was the first time Athena had ever heard that from her.

  She winced, knowing that she was the cause of the discomfort. Not that she was unaccustomed to causing that with clients or a court, but to see it written so clearly on Monti’s face when she had done it unintentionally was another thing entirely. Athena waited for Monti to take her hand, her fingers slick with oil.

  “We need to talk about the other day,” Monti started.

  So they were jumping right to it, then. Good. Athena pressed her shoulders into the mattress to ease the tension and awkwardness. “It was inappropriate of me.”

  “It was.” Monti’s voice had a singsong quality to it, but she didn’t sound mad. “I’m not offended by it, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  It had been, at least a little. That comment eased the tension in Athena’s chest a little more.

  “I’m actually flattered in a way. It means the work we’ve been doing has been in the right direction.”

  What work were they doing? Athena bit her lip, staring over at Monti as she slid her fingers up and down Athena’s arm. “Again, I’m sorry.”

  Monti sighed, but she didn’t say anything else.

  Athena’s defenses started to go up. What was Monti thinking? Was she trying to figure out a way to end this relationship as much as Athena wasn’t? Did she feel forced to be here? Touching her?

  “You said you and Kevin were married only for convenience.”

  “Yes. We come from families where particular kinds of marriages are expected. It was easy for us to make this decision and it’s worked well for the last twenty-one years.” Athena relaxed when Monti moved away. That was until she shifted onto the mattress, kneeling, and starting on Athena’s other arm.

  “And you don’t mind that he has relationships outside of marriage?”

  “No, and he wouldn’t mind if I did.”

  “If you did?” Monti flicked her gaze up to meet Athena’s. “So you haven’t.”

  Athena pressed her lips together hard. “No. I haven’t.”

  “Have you ever been with a woman?”

  “What are the twenty questions for?” Athena pulled her hand away from Monti. That space was so important, because these questions weren’t like any that Monti had asked her before. These all had a particular bent to them, and they felt so personal. Which was ironic considering what else they’d talked about.

  Monti bit her lip and shook her head sharply before holding her hand out for Athena’s again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be asking those things.”

  Athena paused. Her entire body was still on fire. It seemed to be every time Monti touched her, and it was more than just being relaxed. She was turned on and aroused. It was so much more than being safe. If anything, what Athena should have taken away from that awkward kiss was that she was attracted to Monti. So why had it taken her until now to understand that?

  Maybe it wasn’t understanding she’d needed.

  Maybe it was simple acceptance.

  Licking her lips, Athena reached out and took Monti’s wrist in her hand. She wrapped her fingers around Monti’s soft skin and gripped onto her. “Why are you asking?”

  Monti’s lips parted like she was going to answer, but she stopped. Athena raised Monti’s hand up, bringing it to her mouth. She took a deep steadying breath as she pressed her lips against Monti’s knuckles in a tender kiss.

  Why did this feel so right?

  Athena turned Monti’s hand, kissing her palm, the scent of the oil overwhelming her for a moment before she moved to the inside of Monti’s wrist. Monti dragged in a staggering breath. “Athena…”

  “Why are you asking?” Athena repeated, pressing Monti’s palm to her cheek for a brief second before she moved to sit up so they were facing each other. Athena held the blanket against her chest and dropped Monti’s hand into her lap. She wanted to see everything Monti wasn’t saying, and she needed to be this close to see it properly.

  Monti canted her head to the side. She dragged her gaze from their joined hands up Athena’s body to her mouth, where she lingered, and then back to her eyes. “I don’t stay in one place for long.”

  “I’m not asking for forever.” Athena couldn’t believe she’d said that, but she had no doubt that she’d spoken the truth. “I’m married, and I’m not planning on getting a divorce.”

  Monti’s head moved side to side. “You’re married.”

  “Legally, yes. But Kevin and I have never…romantically isn’t why we’re in a relationship. It’s never been that way.” Athena traced her fingers over Monti’s hand. “I’ve never been with a woman before. I remember wondering and being curious when I was younger, but after…” Athena drew in a sharp breath to steady herself. She could say this word again. She could name the elephant in her life. “…After I was raped, I was more concerned with other things. I just assumed that I was too broken for anyone.”

  Tears brimmed in her eyes, and when she met Monti’s again, all she saw was pity. That was the look she hated. The one that made her want to turn away and disappear.

  “Everyone is broken, Athena. Everyone. We’re broken in different ways, but I want you to remember this. We’re never completely broken, and we’re never completely fixed.”

  Athena nodded slightly. “I think I’m starting to believe that now.”

  “Good.” Monti smiled, her eyes lighting up and cheeks flushing. “And I’m asking because I can’t stop thinking about the other day.”

  “You can’t?” Athena couldn’t stop the smile from lighting up her face.

  “But I’m not here for that. You hired me to help you.”

  “I know,” Athena whispered, the breath sucked from her lungs. “I don’t want you to think that I expected something different from you, that I expected this to happen.”

  “If anything, it’s the opposite.” Monti winked and leaned back, stretching her shoulders and back, which jutted her breasts out.

  Athena couldn’t help but stare. Monti always wore tighter fitting shirts, and the way she was positioned wasn’t helping Athena’s imagination any. She wanted to move forward and touch, caress, tease. But she held herself still, moving her gaze up finally. Monti was laughing at her.

  “Did we break the glass so now it’s impossible to hide feelings anymore?”

  “Perhaps,” Athena answered with a sigh. She wasn’t doing a good job at holding back. Because she didn’t want to. Smiling freely at the realization, Athena touched Monti’s knee in a small challenge to herself. “Maybe I just don’t see the point.”

  “Oh, are you a forward lover?” Monti teased lightly.

  “The possibilities are endless.” It was the easiest way to get out of answering the question, because Athena didn’t know if she was a forward or a timid lover. It had been so long since she’d allowed anyone to get this close. “What about you?”

  “What about me?”

  “Are you a forward lover?”

  Monti hummed, this time purposely dragging her gaze all over Athena’s body. The difference was stunningly sharp. Athena’s entire body was on fire just from that one simple look, and she wanted Monti’s fingers to follow the same path. To touch. To tease. To soothe.

  “I love to take control,” Monti finally answered, her voice raspy. “I don’t suppose you like to give it up.”

  Athena had no doubt that their previous conversations led to that conclusion. Was that why she was being so forward now? Was that why she wanted to pick Monti’s hand up and press it to her breast, show Monti how to tease her nipple? Athena held back her moan, but barely.

  “What are you thinking about right now?” Monti’s voice was soft, a balm again. As if Athena could say anything and there would be no judgment. Monti had proven that time and time again to be true. Why would today be any different?

  With her heart in her throat, Athena did exactly as she imagined. She wrapped her fingers around Monti’s long, slick ones and started to lift her hand. “Let me show you.” Athena dropped the sheet she held against her chest and pressed Monti’s palm directly against her. She used her thumb against Monti’s and moved it in slow circles against her already peaked nipple.

  The rush that went through her was a thrill she’d never felt before. Every single swipe of Monti’s rough thumb sent shockwaves of pleasure through her, ending right between her legs. Athena removed her fingers from Monti’s hand, glad when Monti took over the tender motion on her own. She danced her fingers up Monti’s arm to her shoulder and back down again.

  “Are you sure?” Monti asked. “Because we shouldn’t be doing this.”

  “I understand the rules we’re breaking.” Another thrill ran through her. Was that what part of this was? Breaking the rules was erotic. Athena had lived according to the expectations of others her entire life, and here she was, breaking every single one of them. “I want you to touch me.”

  Athena could see the moment Monti gave in, the switch that flipped and made her completely okay with whatever was happening. Athena had seen that look on so many faces before in courtrooms. But seeing it here, in the intimacy of her bedroom, when they were talking about sex and pleasure, an entirely different sense of satisfaction ran through her.

  Their mouths touched. This kiss wasn’t unexpected, not like their first one. Athena leaned into it fully, the pressure of Monti’s lips against hers warm and inviting. Monti’s tongue was slow as she peeked it between her lips before exploring. Athena moaned and cupped Monti’s cheek, keeping her as close as possible.

  Athena sank into the embrace, losing herself in it and creating new memories to draw back on. She slid her hand through Monti’s soft hair, tugging lightly to see what kind of reaction she could get. The growl was so welcome, and it sent another thrill through her. Monti shifted closer, sliding her hand from Athena’s breast to around her back and pulling Athena in toward her.

  Moving up onto her knees, Athena changed the angle on everything. It was awkward and odd as she walked on her knees on the mattress until she could straddle Monti’s lap. She was higher now, more in control, and she loved this feeling. She slid her hands through Monti’s hair, as they continued to kiss.

  Athena was completely bare except for her underwear, pressed into Monti’s body, and she didn’t even care. Monti touched her, fingers dragging from Athena’s upper back to her lower back, her hips, her ass. She squeezed. Heat rushed through Athena, an inferno burning so hot that she wasn’t sure she could control it. She was certain it was about to consume her.

  “Stop,” Athena mumbled. Her heart was racing so fast that she couldn’t keep up. She pressed her forehead into Monti’s shoulder, clinging on for what felt like dear life. She clutched her hands to Monti’s upper arms and clenched her eyes shut. “Stop.”

  Monti barely moved. She held Athena, her fingers making circle patterns against Athena’s back. Focusing on that, on the way the circles didn’t change, on the pressure of Monti’s hands against her, Athena took deep steadying breaths.

  “You’ve got this,” Monti whispered into her ear. “You’re in charge.”

  Why was this so much easier when she was by herself? Touching herself was one thing, but Athena didn’t understand why adding another person into the mix made it damn near impossible for her to fully relax and let go.

  “We’re not doing anything you don’t want to. I promise you.”

  Athena whimpered and clenched her eyes closed a bit more. She kissed Monti’s hot neck, then her cheek, then her lips, but she kept the touch brief. “I don’t know why this is so hard. Masturbating is so easy.” God, why had she said that?

  “Are you masturbating?” Monti asked, but again, there was no judgment in her voice.

  “Yes.”

  Monti smiled and leaned back slightly to look Athena in the eye. “Masturbating is easy because it’s trusting just yourself. Which I’m glad to see you’re doing. That’s the first step.” Monti palmed Athena’s thighs, her thumbs moving back and forth just below the crease of Athena’s hip. “Sex is trusting someone else, and that’s a hell of a lot harder.”

  “Oh.”

  “Yes, oh.” Monti brushed a strand of hair behind Athena’s ear. “We’ll never do anything you don’t want to do.”

  “But I’m sure you’re ready—”

  “Even if I am, masturbation is a thing for a reason.” Monti lay on the bed, her hair fluttering as she landed. “And if you’ll let me, I’d love to masturbate to memories and fantasies of this and beyond. But if you don’t want me to, I’ll choose something else.”

  Athena paused. No one had ever asked her that. She’d never even thought about it. “You want to masturbate to me?”

  “Of course.” Monti grinned broadly. “I wasn’t lying the other day when I said you’re beautiful. You’re fucking hot.”

  Athena laughed lightly. “I don’t understand you.” She bent down on all fours and pressed a kiss to Monti’s lips. This felt right.

  “We don’t know each other,” Monti murmured against her mouth. “Who knows if we’ll ever have the time to properly get to know each other.”

  “Come to the Keys with me.”

  “What?” Monti stiffened.

  Athena lay next to Monti, covering herself with the blanket before she scooted against Monti’s side and relaxed. “I always take a trip before I have to start a trial. I have one coming up in the next couple months and I need a week or two of respite before the real work begins.”

  “You want me to go with you?”

  “Yes.” Athena slid her hand along Monti’s stomach and then inched her way up slightly. She wanted to touch Monti’s breasts, see how soft they were, if Monti’s nipples were as hard as hers, but she hesitated and then lost her gumption.

  “Am I going as your masseuse, your therapist, or…” Monti trailed off.

  Ah. That was the real issue, wasn’t it? They had no clue what was going on between them anymore. Athena picked through the options carefully, choosing the most open-ended answer she could give. “Come as someone I want to get to know better, and as someone whose company I enjoy.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means whatever we want it to mean.” Athena stayed still, waiting for Monti’s answer. “You said you were thinking of leaving soon. Think of this as a free way to explore somewhere new.”

  “I’ve been to the Florida Keys before.”

  “Of course you have.” Athena smiled, not quite sure she wanted to look into Monti’s eyes.

  But Monti didn’t give her a choice. She raised Athena’s chin with a finger until their gazes locked. “You realize I can’t play the role of your therapist now, right?”

  “Did you ever?”

  “Yes.” Monti gave her a firm look. “Yes, I did.”

  “It’s not what I hired you for.”

  “It’s not.” Monti bit her lip. “But I’m making it thoroughly clear now that our relationship can’t be that anymore.”

  “I understand.”

  “Good.”

  Monti slid in and pressed their lips together. She deepened the embrace, and Athena allowed it. Athena moved her tongue against Monti’s, moaning when Monti nipped at her lower lip and held the back of her neck. Athena could stay like this for hours. Something about being in Monti’s arms was so comfortable.

  “I’ll go to the Keys with you.”

  Athena grinned. “Perfect.”

  “But for now, what are we doing?” Monti traced one finger down Athena’s cheek to her neck. “Am I leaving?”

  “Only if you want to. I’d love to stay here for a while longer.” Athena kissed Monti again. “If you’re amenable to that.”

  “Seems I have the time.”

  twenty-one

  “Did you have sex with her?”

  “Oh my God. What?” Monti froze in her tracks as soon as she walked into Athena’s house.

  “She’s taking you on her trip. Did you have sex with her?” Fallon crossed her arms and stood up on her toes, trying to make herself taller than Monti, but that hadn’t worked since Monti was sixteen.

  “I didn’t have sex with her.” Monti ducked her chin, because it had been damn close. And if Athena hadn’t stopped them, she would have. She would gladly have sunk between Athena’s legs and not stopped until they both came.

  “That look. Right there.” Fallon pointed at her sharply. “What’s that look?”

  “It’s nothing.” Monti tried to push past Fallon so she could walk to Athena’s office. Their flight was in a few hours, and the car was supposed to pick them up here. Athena had told Monti she could leave her van at the house while they were gone.

  Fallon snorted. “You said the same thing when I caught you with a hickey on your neck after a night out with Rosie Gruber.”

  “Jesus,” Monti muttered and shook her head. “Athena is a client. There’s nothing—”

  “Even though it’s been twenty years since your night with Rosie, you’re still a shit liar.” Fallon grabbed Monti’s arm and dragged her toward the library, slamming the door shut. “What happened?”

  Monti sighed heavily and dropped her duffel bag on the floor. “You know I can’t talk to you about anything.”

  “Bullshit. You like her, and you can talk to me about that.” Fallon poked a finger into Monti’s shoulder. “You’re falling for your client.”

  Monti groaned. She sighed heavily and tugged on her hair sharply. “It’s unethical.”

  “It is.” Fallon crossed her arms, eyeing Monti over thoroughly. “Why is she taking you to Florida?”

  “I don’t know. She asked, and I needed to get out of here, and it was a way to escape.”

  “Escape?” Fallon’s voice cracked. “What could you possibly need to escape?”