Page 67 of Shameless Expectations

“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.”

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