Page 104 of Shameless Expectations

“As sure as I’ll ever be.” Monti brushed her fingers through Athena’s wet hair.

Athena moved in, pressing a delicate kiss to the front of Monti’s thigh. Then to the other thigh. She breathed in deeply, her heart hammering away as she readied herself for this exploration. Monti’s skin tasted like salty water, still damp from the ocean and whatever free-willed baptism they’d given themselves outside.

Using her teeth, Athena scraped a trail and hummed when Monti groaned in response. That was exactly what she wanted to hear, the sounds of pleasure, the soft quiet moans of a woman enjoying herself. Athena wrapped her hands around the back of Monti’s thighs as she held on and pressed in closer. She nuzzled her nose through Monti’s damp curls.

“Yes,” Monti breathed the word. “Athena…”

This might be the most beautiful thing she’d ever experienced. Athena breathed deeply, steadying the final nerves that ran through her. Reaching her tongue out, she tasted. Flavor blossomed on her tongue, Monti’s unique flavor and her scent, the taste of the water they’d bathed themselves in. Athena’s heart calmed, and she dug her fingers into the backs of Monti’s thighs, not letting go.

“Oh God,” Monti mumbled.

When Athena looked up, Monti’s eyes were closed, her head thrown back, her chest heaving as she dragged in a breath.

“You’ve barely even touched me,” Monti murmured, her voice disappearing as she sucked in a sharp breath. She parted her legs and planted her hand on the top of Athena’s head. She curled her fingers into Athena’s hair. “It feels so good.”

Athena said nothing as she pressed her face in closer. She wanted to do this right. She flicked her tongue in a tease, happy with the resounding gasp Monti gave her. Rejuvenated with hope, Athena intensified her teasing. She held on as tightly as she could and closed her eyes, focusing on doing everything she could to pleasure Monti.

“I have to get on the floor.” Monti dropped to her knees and then her butt, her eyes wide as she blew out a breath. Her cheeks were flushed, her skin no longer chilled. Monti sent her a cocky grin as she leaned back on one hand.

Athena canted her head to the side, not quite sure what to make of Monti’s sudden move. And once again, words caught in her throat.

“You made my knees Jell-O,” Monti said with a slight laugh. “Please, don’t stop.”

Athena warmed at the compliment, the little boost to her confidence exactly what she needed. Monti lay onto her back and spread her knees. Athena climbed on top of her, kissing her lips and then trailing a path down her neck to her chest.

“You make me have hope,” Athena whispered, glad she was able to talk again. She could do words. She could say anything to sway people to her argument, but to actually say words that had meaning, meaning from what she was feeling, was so difficult. And yet, here she was, once again telling Monti exactly what her heart desired. “You help me find peace.”

“Make peace,” Monti corrected.

“Yes.” Athena scraped her teeth over Monti’s hip bone before dipping between her legs again. She didn’t want to give this up, not for anything. What she’d found here made her exactly who she wanted to be.

Athena covered Monti’s clit with her mouth, sucking gently. She moved her hands up and down Monti’s legs, down to her ass, and then she shifted. She slid her fingers deep inside Monti’s body, curling them, pressing in a slow tease of exploration. Monti gasped, her hips rising up as she pressed her body harder against Athena’s mouth.

Athena doubled down in her focus. They were so close, weren’t they? Close to finding each other, close to breaking down those last barriers? Except it still felt as though something was holding Monti back. Athena didn’t stop. Monti’s gasps got louder, little grunts and noises became more frequent.

She was doing this, and she was doing it right. Athena kept going, pressing in more as Monti rubbed against her. Once again, Monti’s fingers dug into her hair, tugging and pulling as she writhed. Then she clenched, her body jerking as her voice reverberated through the room. Monti chuckled as she relaxed. She pulled Athena up as she sat up. Monti moved their mouths against each other.

“You are amazing.” Monti said it with so much care.

Athena cupped her cheeks and deepened the embrace. She fluttered her eyes closed and settled into this moment. She danced their tongues together, completely surrounded by Monti in ways she’d never been before. But this was exactly what she wanted. It was what she needed.

“I can’t get enough of you,” Athena said, cringing as she heard the words out loud. She was so very close to saying exactly what she didn’t want to say. They weren’t ready for that yet. Monti no doubt didn’t feel the same.

“You’re just as addicting.” Monti skimmed a hand behind Athena’s neck and pulled her in more, falling back onto the floor. “But we’re not done yet.”

thirty-three

Monti coaxed Athena up her body until Athena straddled her face. Smiling, Monti shook her head. Now this was bliss. Screw the cold nighttime dive in the water, finding herself planted in between a beautiful woman's thighs was exactly the peace she wanted for tonight.

“This is my favorite position,” Monti murmured, turning her cheek to press a kiss to Athena’s inner thigh. “I can smell your arousal. It’s heavenly.”

Athena rocked up slightly, as if expecting Monti to go straight for it. But that’s not what this was about. Monti wanted to take her time, to share everything she’d figured out in that cold dip outside. Closing her eyes, she kissed Athena’s thigh again. Her skin still had a slight chill to it, as if she hadn’t warmed all the way up yet.

“You are so much stronger than I am.” Monti loosed her first confession, and she felt as though there was a click in her heart unlocking something she wasn’t even aware was hidden away.

“What?” Athena asked, her voice wavering.

When Monti looked up their eyes locked together. “You are. If it hadn’t been for you, I think I would have kept running.”

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