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“Whatever?” Athena pushed, cascading her hand purposely down the front of Monti’s body, over the swell of her breasts, to the curve of her waist, and the slope of her hip.

“Yes, whatever. Whether it’s sex, kissing, cuddling, massaging.”

“I can always go for another massage.”

Monti laughed, the sound freely echoing through the room. “I’ll give you a massage whenever you want.”

“What if I want one in the middle of the night?” Athena pulled Monti back to her by the belt loops in her pants.

“Well, then definitely.” Monti’s voice dropped, the tones seductive and arousing.

Athena bit back her smile, but barely. She was enjoying this side of Monti, and of herself. She’d never been the flirtatious type, at least not in recent memory. She was almost coming back into the person she used to be.

“What about at dawn? On the beach?” Athena trailed her fingers up Monti’s stomach, reaching for her breasts and circling them.

“On the beach? Don’t you think that’s a bit public?”

“And the bathroom on the airplane isn’t?”

“That has a locked door.”

“True.” Athena looked up into Monti’s eyes. “Are you sure you won’t mind?”

“Anywhere and whenever, Athena. The choice is always yours.”

“Good to know.” Athena dragged Monti back in for another kiss, humming her pleasure so Monti would know exactly what she was feeling and how much she was loving this. Eventually, she slowed the embrace and nipped Monti’s lower lip, sucking a little, before finally releasing her. “I should go shower.”

“Probably. Otherwise you might not make it there.”

“Is that a threat?”

“A fun one.” Monti put her hands up by her sides and took a step backward. “Go on. I’ll be here waiting when you’re done.”

Athena debated whether or not to actually leave. She was enjoying their time together so much that she didn’t want to break the spell. With one last kiss, she slipped from Monti’s hold and walked to her bedroom. Closing the door with a definitive click, she locked it and put her forehead against the cold wood.

What was going on with her?

It was like she’d never had sex before in her life. She couldn’t get enough of Monti, of the touches, of her kisses, or the teasing. Smiling, Athena shuddered. She was ready to go again and again if only Monti would let her. And for some reason, the fear she’d had before about what to do and where to touch was mostly gone.

Although she was pretty sure that it’d come back full force as soon as she was put into the situation that sex, real sex, was actually going to happen. Athena dragged in a slow breath, steadying herself. She really needed to get into the shower.

Stripping off her clothes, she folded them as she went. Settling them into the laundry basket in the en suite, Athena started the water and let it warm up. She studied herself in the mirror. She almost didn’t even recognize the woman she’d become. She’d aged since the last time she’d truly looked at herself, the wrinkles around her eyes and lips far more prominent.

She was a middle-aged woman, no doubt about it. Her father had retired when he turned fifty-five, and she only had ten more years to reach that. Though she hadn’t planned on retiring any time soon. She was happy with her workload, but more importantly, she was happy with the work she was doing.

Helping people find justice.

Athena sucked in a sharp breath. Perhaps her justice was simply living and finding joy in the life she’d been handed. That would certainly tilt her whole world on its axis in a new way. But today she’d been touched, and she had enjoyed every single moment of it. Every single glide of fingers against skin. She’d loved having Monti inside her, consuming her, possessing her.

Closing her eyes and leaning over the counter, Athena let the lingering sensations float through her. She hadn’t even been self-conscious about what she looked like. The thought hadn’t even flown through her brain that Monti would care or that it would make a difference.

Athena straightened her back, this time seeing herself in the mirror anew. She didn’t want to be who she’d become over the last twenty years. She wanted to be that girl from the past. Maybe not that girl exactly, but she wanted to experience life with such joy and excitement and fervor as she had. Rubbing her hands together, Athena stopped.

Why was she still wearing her wedding ring?

She’d rarely ever taken it off, but it wasn’t like Kevin wore his. She frowned at it, sliding it from her finger and staring at the large diamond that had been passed down through six generations after being won in a gambling match. She’d never liked it. Never appreciated the family significance behind it. Spinning the ring in her fingers, Athena dropped it into the small jewelry bowl on the counter.

Enough was enough.