Page 22 of Shameless Expectations

Was this Athena’s room? Or a spare room?

The small touches here and there, the phone charger on the nightstand, the mug of cold tea, it all meant Athena slept here. Suddenly Monti felt like an intruder. Even when she’d been in a clinical setting, she’d never felt like this. She stayed put, her heart racing.

What was the right step?

What was she supposed to do next?

Athena folded her hands together. “I suppose I need to get on the bed.”

Monti cleared her throat. “Uh. Yes. Um… put your head at the foot of the bed, on top of the covers.”

Monti moved to the door to shut it, the resounding click of the knob mechanism sealing her fate in. She wasn’t sure she should be doing this. It was inappropriate, outside normal boundaries. But Athena seemed more relaxed in this room already, and if her ability to take her jacket off that swiftly was any sign, this was truly the only safe place that Athena had in this house.

They needed to honor that.

Monti needed not to screw it up.

Athena was different here. Somehow confident. Not that she wasn’t confident before, but this was a self-assurance that she lacked elsewhere. Monti shook her head. No—that wasn’t right either. This was Athena comfortable with herself. Sliding her suddenly clammy hands along her thighs, Monti looked Athena over.

“Do you mind if I lock the door? I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I really don’t want interruptions like last time either.”

Athena pressed her lips together tightly, flicking her gaze from Monti’s face to the doorknob three times before she nodded sharply. “Yes, that’s all right.”

Monti turned the lock and walked away. The satchel she wore had three oils in it, one she was pretty sure Athena would choose, but she’d brought backups just in case. It seemed as though she’d actually made her mind up about this before she’d gotten out of the van. Hell, if she really thought about it, Monti had decided to help Athena as soon as she’d started driving in the direction of the house.

Setting the satchel on the desk, Monti pulled out the vials of oil. “I think you’ll like this one.”

Athena stepped in closer, standing almost side-by-side now. The light in the room was low, lamps on the walls instead of an overhead. It was the perfect mood setting for a massage. At least Monti wouldn’t be fighting that as well. Athena took the vial, twisting the cap off to bring it to her nose.

She hummed in pleasure. “Yes, I like this one.”

“Want to try some on your hands to see if the feel is okay?”

Athena hesitated for a moment before she nodded. Monti leaned against the desk, squeezing the contents of the plastic vial into her fingers before rubbing her hands together to wet them. She held her hands out for Athena, and then she waited.

She already knew by now that this woman had a very complicated mental process she had to go through before she made any physical connection. And sure enough, as if on cue, Athena settled her hand into Monti’s waiting fingers.

Monti started the same way she had the last two times. Often with people who clearly carried trauma, especially when it came to physical touch, the routine was the best way to keep things on an even level. So Monti worked Athena’s palm and then each of her fingers, moving around the giant diamond ring that she now took a much closer look at. She massaged one finger after the other.

“How does it feel?” she asked finally.

“Good,” Athena answered.

“Perfect.” Monti dropped one hand and snagged the other. She stayed seated at the edge of the desk, her back to the window and allowing Athena to have complete control of the room. She could walk away any time she wanted. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but it would help immensely if you could take your bra off. Keep your shirt on, please, but the bra can make it more difficult to relieve your muscles.”

She could feel the instant Athena tightened. The way her muscles moved in repulsion against Monti’s suggestion. She’d specifically waited to have her hands on Athena’s before she suggested it, so she could see exactly where Athena held that tension.

“But if you’re uncomfortable at all, please leave it on.”

Athena’s pulse raced under Monti’s deft fingers. Monti waited, giving Athena the time to work through everything internally before she said anything out loud. Athena pulled her hand away from Monti, the oil still slick on her skin.

“It’ll be fine.”

“I’ll wait outside until you’re ready.” Monti started toward the door.

“Don’t worry about it. Stay here.” Athena stepped toward an en suite, shutting the door quietly.

It wasn’t long before she emerged. Monti was grateful for that because if it had taken Athena any longer, she really would have started to worry. Athena had her arms crossed over her chest as she stood by the corner of her large bed. It was too large for one person, but Monti wasn’t going to say anything. There was no way that bed would fit in her van.

---