She couldn’t say it. Athena grimaced. This was too embarrassing. She knew what was happening. Deep down in her chest, she knew exactly what her body was telling her, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to share that with Monti.

“Anything you say in this room, stays here. Judgment free zone.” Monti flashed another smile, and Athena believed her. Monti had never once judged her or any of her odd quirks.

“I’m feeling aroused.” Athena whispered the words, unleashing them. She couldn’t bring herself to say it any louder.

Monti’s eyes widened slightly, her lips parting before she sighed. Her hand stopped its gentle movement on Athena’s arm for just a brief moment before picking back up again. “Oh.”

“You said…”

“Yeah, I did. It’s not impossible or abnormal, Athena.” Monti looked at her directly, leaning in.

Athena’s heart skipped. Was Monti going to kiss her? Athena had thought about that. The last time they were this close, when the intimacy between them was scorching. Her breath caught in her throat, but the block that was normally there was gone.

“To me it says that you’re comfortable with me. Perhaps that you trust me.” Monti stopped her gentle motion, curling her fingers around Athena’s wrist.

Why did Athena want Monti to hold her wrist like that as Monti pressed her face between Athena’s legs? She had to hold back the moan as the image and the sensation flashed through her mind. It had been so long since anyone had done that.

“If you’re uncomfortable, we can stop,” Monti murmured. “But I’m comfortable with continuing if you’d like.”

“I…” Athena paused, her heart racing so much.

“It’s rare anything beyond some physical discomfort happens.”

Physical discomfort? Did Monti even know what Athena was feeling? The way her labia tingled with imagined touches and licks, how they were damp and desperate for Athena to reach down and just see what they felt like. Or better yet… Monti—

Nope.

Athena sucked in a breath, locking her gaze on Monti’s. “And if more does happen?”

“Then that’s normal, too. When you feel relaxed and close to someone, when all those walls fall down that you’ve been holding up, it’s normal to feel connected.”

“But you’re my massage therapist.”

“I am.” Monti grinned. “Which is why I’m comfortable with continuing if you’d like.”

“It’s an ethical issue for you,” Athena pointed out the obvious.

“Not if you understand our roles.”

“I’m a lawyer, Monti. It’s an ethical issue.”

Monti sighed heavily and squeezed Athena’s arm again before letting go. “We can stop if you want. There’s no need to argue it.”

Athena clenched her jaw. She didn’t want to stop. And she didn’t like women this way. She never had. Kevin was the gay one. “Let’s finish.”

Monti grinned, her stunning features lighting up as that moment of joy hit her. Athena relaxed as Monti sat up and adjusted herself again. She started with gently applying pressure to Athena’s chest, the muscles that seemed to always be tense beyond her control. As soon as Monti started touching her, though, the same sensations floated through her body.

Athena couldn’t stop herself from moving. Her hips wiggled side to side. She stared up into Monti’s eyes. She’d been right earlier. Monti had so many secrets to tell. Athena gasped, her entire body lighting with the fire of pleasure. She hadn’t expected that. She’d trusted what Monti had told her, that it wouldn’t get to this point. But she was so close.

“Monti,” Athena murmured, closing her eyes as she arched upward.

“Does that hurt?”

Athena groaned and shook her head. This wasn’t pain at all. This was pure unadulterated pleasure. Athena dug her fingers into the sheets, gripping onto them to hold herself as still as she could.

Monti hesitated. Athena could tell. Her hands waited a moment before she started to massage again. A groan ripped from Athena’s lips, louder than she’d ever heard herself before. Monti took in a deep breath, the sound loud in Athena’s ears. She couldn’t concentrate on anything except Monti’s body next to hers, the firm feeling of Monti’s fingers on her skin, her steady breathing.

“Athena, don’t hold back. It’s not good to keep everything bottled inside.”