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“You said you and Kevin were married only for convenience.”

“Yes. We come from families where particular kinds of marriages are expected. It was easy for us to make this decision and it’s worked well for the last twenty-one years.” Athena relaxed when Monti moved away. That was until she shifted onto the mattress, kneeling, and starting on Athena’s other arm.

“And you don’t mind that he has relationships outside of marriage?”

“No, and he wouldn’t mind if I did.”

“If you did?” Monti flicked her gaze up to meet Athena’s. “So you haven’t.”

Athena pressed her lips together hard. “No. I haven’t.”

“Have you ever been with a woman?”

“What are the twenty questions for?” Athena pulled her hand away from Monti. That space was so important, because these questions weren’t like any that Monti had asked her before. These all had a particular bent to them, and they felt so personal. Which was ironic considering what else they’d talked about.

Monti bit her lip and shook her head sharply before holding her hand out for Athena’s again. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be asking those things.”

Athena paused. Her entire body was still on fire. It seemed to be every time Monti touched her, and it was more than just being relaxed. She was turned on and aroused. It was so much more than being safe. If anything, what Athena should have taken away from that awkward kiss was that she was attracted to Monti. So why had it taken her until now to understand that?

Maybe it wasn’t understanding she’d needed.

Maybe it was simple acceptance.

Licking her lips, Athena reached out and took Monti’s wrist in her hand. She wrapped her fingers around Monti’s soft skin and gripped onto her. “Why are you asking?”

Monti’s lips parted like she was going to answer, but she stopped. Athena raised Monti’s hand up, bringing it to her mouth. She took a deep steadying breath as she pressed her lips against Monti’s knuckles in a tender kiss.

Why did this feel so right?

Athena turned Monti’s hand, kissing her palm, the scent of the oil overwhelming her for a moment before she moved to the inside of Monti’s wrist. Monti dragged in a staggering breath. “Athena…”

“Why are you asking?” Athena repeated, pressing Monti’s palm to her cheek for a brief second before she moved to sit up so they were facing each other. Athena held the blanket against her chest and dropped Monti’s hand into her lap. She wanted to see everything Monti wasn’t saying, and she needed to be this close to see it properly.

Monti canted her head to the side. She dragged her gaze from their joined hands up Athena’s body to her mouth, where she lingered, and then back to her eyes. “I don’t stay in one place for long.”

“I’m not asking for forever.” Athena couldn’t believe she’d said that, but she had no doubt that she’d spoken the truth. “I’m married, and I’m not planning on getting a divorce.”

Monti’s head moved side to side. “You’re married.”

“Legally, yes. But Kevin and I have never…romantically isn’t why we’re in a relationship. It’s never been that way.” Athena traced her fingers over Monti’s hand. “I’ve never been with a woman before. I remember wondering and being curious when I was younger, but after…” Athena drew in a sharp breath to steady herself. She could say this word again. She could name the elephant in her life. “…After I was raped, I was more concerned with other things. I just assumed that I was too broken for anyone.”

Tears brimmed in her eyes, and when she met Monti’s again, all she saw was pity. That was the look she hated. The one that made her want to turn away and disappear.

“Everyone is broken, Athena. Everyone. We’re broken in different ways, but I want you to remember this. We’re never completely broken, and we’re never completely fixed.”

Athena nodded slightly. “I think I’m starting to believe that now.”

“Good.” Monti smiled, her eyes lighting up and cheeks flushing. “And I’m asking because I can’t stop thinking about the other day.”

“You can’t?” Athena couldn’t stop the smile from lighting up her face.

“But I’m not here for that. You hired me to help you.”

“I know,” Athena whispered, the breath sucked from her lungs. “I don’t want you to think that I expected something different from you, that I expected this to happen.”

“If anything, it’s the opposite.” Monti winked and leaned back, stretching her shoulders and back, which jutted her breasts out.

Athena couldn’t help but stare. Monti always wore tighter fitting shirts, and the way she was positioned wasn’t helping Athena’s imagination any. She wanted to move forward and touch, caress, tease. But she held herself still, moving her gaze up finally. Monti was laughing at her.