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“But I’m sure you’re ready—”

“Even if I am, masturbation is a thing for a reason.” Monti lay on the bed, her hair fluttering as she landed. “And if you’ll let me, I’d love to masturbate to memories and fantasies of this and beyond. But if you don’t want me to, I’ll choose something else.”

Athena paused. No one had ever asked her that. She’d never even thought about it. “You want to masturbate to me?”

“Of course.” Monti grinned broadly. “I wasn’t lying the other day when I said you’re beautiful. You’re fucking hot.”

Athena laughed lightly. “I don’t understand you.” She bent down on all fours and pressed a kiss to Monti’s lips. This felt right.

“We don’t know each other,” Monti murmured against her mouth. “Who knows if we’ll ever have the time to properly get to know each other.”

“Come to the Keys with me.”

“What?” Monti stiffened.

Athena lay next to Monti, covering herself with the blanket before she scooted against Monti’s side and relaxed. “I always take a trip before I have to start a trial. I have one coming up in the next couple months and I need a week or two of respite before the real work begins.”

“You want me to go with you?”

“Yes.” Athena slid her hand along Monti’s stomach and then inched her way up slightly. She wanted to touch Monti’s breasts, see how soft they were, if Monti’s nipples were as hard as hers, but she hesitated and then lost her gumption.

“Am I going as your masseuse, your therapist, or…” Monti trailed off.

Ah. That was the real issue, wasn’t it? They had no clue what was going on between them anymore. Athena picked through the options carefully, choosing the most open-ended answer she could give. “Come as someone I want to get to know better, and as someone whose company I enjoy.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means whatever we want it to mean.” Athena stayed still, waiting for Monti’s answer. “You said you were thinking of leaving soon. Think of this as a free way to explore somewhere new.”

“I’ve been to the Florida Keys before.”

“Of course you have.” Athena smiled, not quite sure she wanted to look into Monti’s eyes.

But Monti didn’t give her a choice. She raised Athena’s chin with a finger until their gazes locked. “You realize I can’t play the role of your therapist now, right?”

“Did you ever?”

“Yes.” Monti gave her a firm look. “Yes, I did.”

“It’s not what I hired you for.”

“It’s not.” Monti bit her lip. “But I’m making it thoroughly clear now that our relationship can’t be that anymore.”

“I understand.”

“Good.”

Monti slid in and pressed their lips together. She deepened the embrace, and Athena allowed it. Athena moved her tongue against Monti’s, moaning when Monti nipped at her lower lip and held the back of her neck. Athena could stay like this for hours. Something about being in Monti’s arms was so comfortable.

“I’ll go to the Keys with you.”

Athena grinned. “Perfect.”

“But for now, what are we doing?” Monti traced one finger down Athena’s cheek to her neck. “Am I leaving?”

“Only if you want to. I’d love to stay here for a while longer.” Athena kissed Monti again. “If you’re amenable to that.”

“Seems I have the time.”