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Athena gave a wry smile. “Because you’re a free spirit, Monti. And I don’t want to force you to be anyone you’re not.”

“Oh, Athena.” Monti pulled her in for another kiss. “Whenever you’re in a relationship with someone–friendship, romantic, work, or whatever it is–you change. I’ll change. We’ll both become someone new. This is about us going forward together with open eyes and open arms.”

Humming, Athena licked Monti’s neck. “I think I know what I want in our immediate future.”

Laughing, Monti slid her leg around Athena’s side, effectively trapping Athena against her. This was right where she wanted Athena, and it was right where she wanted to be. “And what is that?”

“I want to fuck you into tomorrow.”

thirty-six

“Seems we have a late night in store for us.”

“Or an early morning,” Athena countered. She bent down and kissed Monti deeply. She was so happy. She couldn’t even begin to describe how elated she was, but it filled every nook and cranny of her body. She was willing to try anything tonight, because Monti would catch her when she fell.

And she would fall.

Athena had no doubts of that. They both would. But to know that someone was there to catch her? If she was there to catch Monti? They could limp through life together. Monti dragged Athena’s shirt up and over her head, tossing it over the side of the couch and onto the floor. Her bra followed seconds later.

Monti cupped her breasts, palming them and teasing them. Athena whimpered and bent down to capture Monti’s mouth in another bruising kiss. She wanted this. She’d wanted this so much and for so long. She just hadn’t ever thought she’d find it. Before she knew it, her pants were halfway down her thighs and Monti was sliding her fingers up and down her legs and between them, always a slight tease at first.

“How do you want me?” Athena asked, not even sure what she was doing. But she wanted to render her heart to Monti in this moment. Monti had given her all the power in every sexual encounter they’d had so far, but for this one, Athena wanted to give the same.

“What?” Monti looked up at her, eyes wide with surprise.

“How do you want me?”

“Every way possible.” Monti dashed her tongue across her lips, as if she was already imagining those ways.

“Right now.”

“From behind.”

Athena’s lips parted, and her heart moved right into her throat, clogging it up. She almost told Monti no. She almost shook her head and asked for something else. To allow Monti to move behind her would be the ultimate submission.

“Yes,” Athena answered finally. She moved back onto her butt and pushed her pants the rest of the way off.

Monti stayed where she was, watching Athena as she finished undressing. When Monti didn’t move, Athena held her hand out as if to help her get up.

“I changed my mind,” Monti said.

“What?” Athena furrowed her brow. A lick of fear lashed through her that Monti didn’t want her anymore, but when she paused to think instead of feel, she knew that was ridiculous after the conversation they’d just had. “You don’t want to do that anymore?”

“No, I want to. I want to do everything with you. But you…” Monti trailed off, her gaze tracing Athena’s curves before flicking to her eyes. “I don’t want to trigger you.”

“I agreed to this.”

“I know. I just…” Monti stopped and winced. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” If anything, this boosted her confidence that she had made the right decision. Athena pulled Monti until Monti was up on her knees and pressed their mouths together. She parted her lips, slowly deepening the kiss as she pulled Monti back into the moment. She wanted Monti to know without a doubt that this is what she wanted. “Take your clothes off.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Monti teased, but she was already moving to the edge of the couch so that she could stand up.

Athena blew out a breath as she gathered herself again. Allowing Monti to do this was a huge step, but she couldn’t imagine what it would be like to truly have no control. Monti skimmed her hand up Athena’s back and over her hip as she leaned in and kissed Athena’s shoulder.

“Lean over the arm of the couch.”

Athena moved in silence, preparing herself internally for what was about to happen. She dragged in a cold breath of air, held it in her lungs for the count of three, and then blew it out. Her knuckles were white as she gripped onto the edge of the couch. Turning her chin over her shoulder, she made eye contact with Monti. “Ready whenever you are.”