Page 28

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I got a text from Monroe as soon as I was seated in my car.

But I didn't open it—I purposely threw my phone in the passenger seat, ignoring her text as I started my car.

I didn't touch my phone once during the entire ride to my apartment.

And it severely fucked with me.

Because I did want to know what she said.

Even after how fucked everything went in her office.

I made myself wait until I had entered my apartment, quickly setting my keys down and unlocking my phone to read her text.

I rolled my eyes at her text, noticing it was barely five-thirty so I still had time to cancel.

I started typing immediately, preparing my response to cancel.

I knew the obvious lie would piss her off more than actually discussing what just happened.

But I didn't care—I just locked my phone and walked into my bedroom to get unready before I could change my mind.

I took my makeup off first, washing my face before I did my skincare.

Then I got changed out of my outfit and pulled on a baggy t-shirt with only underwear on underneath as usual.

I checked my phone as soon as I was done.

But there was nothing.

Not a single response from Monroe.

Not even a thumbs-up on my message.

But I didn't care—I just went about my evening, searching through my fridge and cabinets for something to eat.

All I had was cereal and frozen waffles—the rest was a bunch of ingredients, and I really didn't feel like following a recipe tonight.

So I sat at my kitchen island, scrolling through DoorDash for something to eat.

I was between Italian food and doing breakfast for dinner.

But at that point, I should do cereal or waffles if I wanted breakfast.

IHOP did sound good though.

I suddenly glanced up when I heard three sharp knocks at my front door, making my brows furrow slightly.

A part of me wondered if it was Monroe—but she's very literal with time.

She would've been here directly at six, and now it's almost seven.

It's probably Kaia dropping by.

I walked over to the door, standing on my tippy-toes to look through the peephole.

Where she stood on the other side.

I guess I was wrong, she's not that literal with time.

That doesn't mean I'm letting her in.

Right?

I quickly nodded a few times to myself—right, right.

I shouldn't let her in.

Even if the sight of her on the other side of my door made excited knots tie in my lower stomach.

I drew in a deep breath when she knocked again, and that's when I realized I couldn't pretend to not be here.

She has my location.

"I don't feel good," I suddenly called out through the door.

"Open the door, Liberty," she still had the nerve to say, making me roll my eyes as I tried to fight the urge of finding her attractive right now.

I'm not opening the door.

I shouldn't.

But she's also holding a bag—I wonder if she brought food.

No-no, I can just order something or maybe have frozen waffles since DoorDash takes so long.

"Liberty," she repeated herself, her tone firmer with me.

I drew in a deep breath, tightly pursing my lips together when I unconsciously reached for the door handle.

It was like my thoughts were fighting my body, especially as I pulled down on the handle and opened the door for her.

So much for not letting her in.

"What?" I said, my tone short with her as her blue eyes met mine.

She walked past me into my apartment before I could process it, her sweet scent lingering around me as I closed the front door.

"I didn't say you could come in," I sarcastically said, watching as she walked over to my small dining room table, setting the bag down and turning to me.

"Come here," Monroe calmly said, disregarding my words entirely.

I clenched my jaw as I held her stare, remaining still in place for a moment as I tried to pretend the two simple words didn't affect me.

But they did.

They fucking did.

I hesitantly took a step forward when she raised a brow, sighing dramatically when I inevitably walked over to her.

"I'm mad at you," I said simply even if I knew she could read between the fucking lines.

"That's what I'm here to discuss with you, Liberty," she murmured as I curiously opened the bag on the table.

"What is this?" I asked, pulling out one of the clear containers fogged with steam.

"Soup," Monroe said, and that's when I felt her presence verge closer to me, "You said you didn't feel well."

I lazily raised my brows, "I lied," I mumbled, setting the container down.

"I know," she calmly said, now standing behind me.

I drew in a measured breath when I felt her hands grip my waist—or the warmth of her breath against my ear as she leaned in closer to me.

"Monroe," I said, feeling my face burn at her sudden actions, "I'm mad at you," I reminded her.

Or maybe I was reminding myself.

"I wanted the best for you," she whispered so softly, giving my waist a gentle squeeze, "It wasn't something I thought twice about, Liberty. I wanted you to see the best doctor in the area."

I shook my head slightly, "You apparently wanted all of them to see the best doctor too," I pointed out, briefly closing my eyes when I felt the softness of her lips against the shell of my ear.

"I can't change my past, Liberty. And I won't fight the urge to give you best," Monroe said, her voice lowered in my ear, "But I'm sorry darling. I should've informed you first."

I let out a deep sigh, especially when she pressed her lips just below my ear—making shivers run down my spine.

It was the first time her lips had kissed my body.

"You should've," I whispered, my voice breathless as I pressed my hands against the cold table in front of me for stability.

Especially when Monroe drew in a deep breath, openly smelling me.

"You smell really good, Liberty," she whispered so softly, "Is this new?" she asked, pressing another kiss to my skin.

Only this one was pressed to my neck.

I drew in a deep breath at the fact that she noticed my newest fragrance oil.

But that doesn't matter right now.

Or I'm trying to tell myself it doesn't.

"You should've told me, Monroe," I said, disregarding her question as I tried to lean away from her.

Her grip around my waist tightened in response, but not enough to prevent me from pulling away.

It was a silent test.

Like I could step away if I wanted to.

But I didn't want to.

Fuck.

I don't even know why I'm mad—it's all in the past.

And I knew she had arrangments before me.

I just wish she didn't take me where they all had been.

It made me feel... like the rest.

She said this wasn't just a hookup situation, so I'm confused.

"I sincerely wanted the best for you, Liberty," Monroe suddenly said, now grazing her lips against my neck as she inhaled again, "But it won't happen again."

"It won't?" I whispered, gripping the table underneath my hands.

I didn't expect her to give in so easily.

If anything, I expected to be punished for walking out like that.

Monroe hummed, the sound soft in her throat, "I'll find another doctor for you," she assured me, running her hands down from my waist, "But they won't be the best accredited in Seattle."

I let out a deep sigh, feeling conflicted by her offer, "I don't know," I breathed out as her touch trailed down to my thighs, "Maybe I'll just stay," I determined, suddenly feeling like it wasn't that big of a deal.

But I couldn't tell if that was her words... her touch... if it was affecting me.

Then again, I hadn't told her about Kaia, so it felt like we had both lied.

Mine was just... a little worse maybe?

Kaia's still in my life, portrayed to Monroe as only a friend.

"No, I'll take care of it," Monroe assured me, luckily not listening to my words in the heat of this very tense moment. I really don't want to go back to that doctor, "You're not comfortable with it, and that's all that matters."

I felt a warmth burn around me at her words, "Really?" I whispered, taking her words more personally than I should've.

She prioritized me so quickly... so easily.

"Really," Monroe said, trailing her hand under my baggy t-shirt, "I only ask that you allow us to have a real conversation before making your mind up."

I nodded a few times in a row, "Yes, of course," I murmured, my lips parting with a soft gasp when I felt the softness of her touch against my covered clit.

"Don't ever walk out against my word again," she said, her voice firmer in my ear as she teased me through my underwear.

I nodded rapidly, "Okay, I won't," I quickly whispered, determining that I probably shouldn't have walked out on her like that.

I won't do it again.

"Good girl," she calmly said, her praise making my body burn as I arched into her touch.

My breathing grew unsteady, especially when she pressed her lips to my neck yet again.

"I want you, Liberty."

Her words were lowered between us, tracing my clit through my thin underwear.

"Take me please," I whispered breathlessly.

Her touch drew away from my core, "Very pretty manners, Liberty," she complimented, making knots grow in my lower stomach as she impatiently pushed the bag in front of us off the table—

And spilled the soup across the floor.

Then she bent me over the cold table, reaching down to slide my underwear to the side and—

A moan burned in my throat as soon as she began rubbing my clit, tracing it with her fingers.

Her other hand held the back of my neck, applying more pressure to my clit as I gripped the table underneath me with a deeper moan.

"You're very wet, Liberty," she murmured, now quickening her pace as I whined at how sensitive I still felt.

"Monroe," I whimpered, squirming underneath her as she pressed into me deeper.

"Tell me what you want," she calmly instructed as my breathing grew more rapid, trying to squeeze my legs closed.

She used her foot to separate my legs further away from the other, exposing me even more to her touch.

"More," I tried my best to say between moans, squirming underneath her as my clit ached unbearably.

She slid two fingers past my folds at my words, making a whimper burn in my throat as I gripped the table even more.

I felt so warm around her—I could even feel how wet I was.

"You're taking it perfectly, Liberty," she murmured, making another moan echo from my lips—inhaling a series of breaths.

Especially when I felt her fingers spread inside of me, deepening her strokes as I moaned and whimpered underneath her.

I shot up toward my peak before I could process it, squeezing my eyes tighter when everything burned around me.

"Right there," I forced out when she curled into me, her grip tightening on my neck.

I felt myself tighten around her fingers, engulfing them as she continued her deep and quick pace against my spot.

Until finally—

"Monroe, don't stop."

She went faster in response, making more whines and moans burn in my throat—trembling under her entirely.

"Perfect, Liberty."

Her words echoed around me as I drew in rapid breaths, my orgasm washing over me as I released onto her fingers.

I could feel the wetness between my thighs, riding out my orgasm as she continued a steady pace.

And instead of pushing me directly into a second or third orgasm, she slowly slid out of me instead.

I remained still for a long moment, a shiver rolling down my spine as I moved my legs slightly.

Monroe gently let go of my neck as I pressed myself away from the table, rising back to my full height.

That's when I glanced over at the floor, noticing the mess caused in the heat of the moment.

"I guess we aren't having soup," I whispered, noticing the spilled containers of soup on the floor.

But I couldn't care less—I'm not actually sick so soup wasn't what I wanted for dinner.

Not after looking at pasta.

"I'll order something else," Monroe determined, walking over to the sink to wash her hands.

"Pasta?" I asked her with a small smile growing on my lips.

"Do you want pasta?" she asked me, her blue eyes meeting mine as she washed her hands.

I nodded immediately, "Rigatoni sounds perfect right now," I said as she tore off numerous paper towels.

"Grab my phone," Monroe instructed, walking over to the spilled soup and leaning down to lay the paper towels over the mess.

I walked over to the table where I noticed her phone sat with her keys—along with a small cardboard box.

"What's in that box?" I curiously asked, walking back over to her and handing her the phone.

"You'll see," she casually murmured, immediately piquing my interest.

"I will?" I asked with a small smile, watching as she focused her attention on her phone.

"Yes, Liberty," she said, her lips twitching up as she glanced up from her phone to meet my stare, "Now grab me the usual cleaning products you use."

I immediately nodded, "Yeah, I'll clean this up while you order the food," I determined, walking over to the closet by the kitchen.

"No, I'll take care of this," Monroe determined as I grabbed the Swiffer mop to help clean the mess up quickly, "You pick out what you want and order it."

I nodded, pursing my lips to fight my annoying smile as I handed her the Swiffer and took her phone in exchange.

As she handled cleaning up the mess and picking up the trash, I worked on putting the order together.

She wanted me to order her Cacio e Pepe—something I had never fucking heard of, but I made sure to find it on the online menu and add it to the order.

Her card details were already provided in DoorDash so all I had to do was place the order.

Then I focused on helping her with whatever was left of the mess before heading to the bathroom and cleaning up the mess she had made of me.

By the time I came out, Monroe was seated at my dining room table which I probably hadn't used more than a handful of times.

Her sleeves were rolled up to her elbows, her heels off, and her long hair now up in a messy bun with her bangs framing her face.

Although, a messy bun on her still managed to look as neat as ever.

I pursed my lips into a small smile as I approached her, noticing the bottled water she took the initiative of getting us.

"Come here," she said, glancing away from her phone as I halted by the chair beside her.

"I am here," I said with a raised brow.

"Here," Monroe emphasized, motioning me closer.

It made my face burn up, unconsciously taking a few steps closer to her as she reached out to grab my waist.

The heat around me grew when she guided me to sit down on her lap, running her arm around my waist.

She reached her other hand up, gently caressing the stray curls away from my face.

"My beautiful girl," she murmured, now grazing the back of her hand against my cheek.

Her words made my face grow warmer as I relaxed under her touch—leaning my side further into the front of her body with my legs hanging off her lap.

"How do you feel now?" she asked me, her blue eyes trailing my face, "Are you content?" she added, referring to the earlier situation.

I nodded immediately, "Very content," I didn't hesitate to say, glancing between her eyes.

"Good," she whispered, running her hand down from my cheek to briefly squeeze the side of my neck, "I have something for you."

A smile curled on my lips, "Like a gift?" I asked her, glancing over to the small black cardboard box.

"You could say," Monroe murmured, lowering her hand from my neck to grab the small box, "Here."

I immediately took the box from her extended hand, carefully lifting the flap and opening the lid.

The black Amex card glistened under the dim lighting, the sight of it making me almost speechless.

I felt entirely caught off guard, contemplating if she meant to give this to me.

"You only use this card from here on out," Monroe said when I remained speechlessly silent, "There's no limit on it."

I blinked a few times, suddenly wondering if this was because of the shopping trip I mentioned today.

If she thought about it deeper than me.

I unconsciously shook my head, "I can't take this," I whispered, glancing over to her.

"Yes, you can," she calmly said, briefly squeezing my waist, "That's what this comes with darling."

I blinked a few times, "But-but..." I trailed off, glancing back to the card.

"You won't depend on her anymore," Monroe said, her voice softened between us.

And I knew the she that Monroe was referring to.

My mother.

"I'll take care of everything, Liberty. I mean that," she softly whispered, caressing my covered waist as I tried to process this.

Her gesture... her words, they made my chest grow tight.

And before I knew it, my eyes grew heavy with annoying tears—dropping the box in my lap to hug her.

I sniffled as I buried my face in her chest, wrapping my arms around her torso.

Monroe's grip around my waist tightened, reaching up to caress her other hand against my covered back.

It was enough security to make more tears burn in my closed eyes, squeezing her closer to me.

"My sweet girl," she whispered when the tears escaped my eyes and dampened her blouse, drawing in deep breaths, "I didn't want to make you upset."

I sniffled, more tears weighing down my eyes, "No... no, I," I paused, the tightness in my throat making it hard to form any words, "No one's ever done this for me before."

I didn't want to be crying over something so small.

But this meant more than she could've imagined

"Shhh," she softly soothed me when my crying worsened, caressing her hand up my back, "Everything is okay, Liberty."

I nodded a few times at her words, pulling away from her chest with teary eyes and flushed cheeks.

Monroe pursed her lips as she stared down at me, reaching up to gently cup my cheek and wipe any stray tears away.

"You deserve this," she said, her tone lowered between us and her stare not wavering from mine, "Repeat it back to me."

I sniffled, staring up into her eyes, "I deserve this," I whispered, letting out a deep breath as she wiped more of my tears away.

"You do," she calmly said, her eyes trailing my face for a moment, "Did you want to show me what you got today?"

A smile slowly grew on my lips, sniffling again, "You want to see?" I asked her.

Monroe's lips twitched up slightly, "Of course," she didn't hesitate to say, wiping the rest of my stray tears away.

"Okay, but it has to be like a fashion show," I told her in a soft murmur, "Like I come out and you judge the look."

Monroe pursed her lips when her subtle smile grew, "I'm very biased," she said, tucking a stray curl behind my ear and making my smile grow even more, "But I'll be your judge."

I hummed happily, picking the box up from my lap, "I'll be right back then," I said as I stood from her lap, "Stay right here."

"Anything you say," Monroe murmured, clasping her hands together in her lap as I ran off to my room.

Excitement coursed through my body as I stripped out of the t-shirt I wore, pulling on one of the outfits I picked out today.

It was a dark red ruffle halter top with matching flare pants.

The top emphasized my chest and cleavage, the red contrasting perfectly against my tanned skin.

It also tied around my waist, emphasizing the curves of my body

My nerves managed to grow as I exited my closet, unconsciously smiling to myself.

"Oh ten immediately," Monroe said as soon as I walked out of my room, giving her a small twirl, "Bonus points for presentation."

I smiled as I approached her, "You're totally biased," I said, stopping in front of her.

Monroe reached for my waist, pulling me closer, "I tried to warn you," she said, running her hands up the sides of my waist as she openly took in the outfit.

"Ten is your final answer?" I asked, trying to ignore the heat around me that her actions caused.

"I would like to give it more," Monroe said, subtly lifting the bottom of my shirt and running her delicate fingers across my belly button piercing, "Very attractive," she murmured.

My smile grew, "Focus," I whispered, guiding her hand away from my stomach.

"I'm very focused, Liberty," she assured me, nodding a few times even if her stare continued trailing my body.

"I meant up here," I said with an amused laugh.

Monroe glanced up immediately, but only to stare at my exposed chest, "Up here?" she subtly asked, trailing her hands up my stomach.

"My eyes," I clarified, jokingly putting a hand on my hip.

Monroe immediately grabbed my hand from my hip, glancing up to meet my stare as I stood over her.

"You're very dangerous in this outfit, Liberty," she said, pulling me closer to her by my hand.

"Dangerous?" I emphasized, feeling my face burn at her words.

She nodded, guiding me down to straddle her lap.

"Monroe," I whispered, smiling wider as she gripped me closer by my hips, "I need to finish the show."

She only hummed, "I should finish you first," she said, pressing her lips to my neck as she grabbed my chin and tilted my head further back.

"Monroe," I whined, hating that she had managed to turn me on so easily.

And only one outfit into this fake fashion show.

We'll probably never finish this show now.

"Okay then," she said, pulling away to meet my stare, "Get off my lap before I take this off of you, Liberty."

Her words made my face grow hotter, unconsciously remaining still on her lap.

Maybe I wanted her to take it off of me.

Monroe raised a brow at my obvious actions, "Very bad, Liberty," she said, making me feel weirdly embarrassed as she reached for the string holding my top together.

Only to gently tug it loose.

I drew in a deep breath when the top unraveled, allowing her to slide it off of my body entirely.

Her blue eyes shifted down from mine, trailing across my bare chest as she threw my top aside.

"Beautiful girl," she calmly said, making tingles shoot down my spine.

I reached for her shoulders, growing breathless when her hands pressed against my bare stomach, roaming up to grip my breasts in her soft hands.

My nails dug into her covered shoulders when her thumbs ran over my nipples, hardened purely for her, making me shift against her lap.

I don't understand how I'm this turned on after she had me bent over the table less than twenty minutes ago.

"Let me play with you, Liberty," she murmured, swirling her fingers around my hardened nipples.

"Play with me?" I whispered breathlessly, unsure what she meant by that.

Monroe glanced up from my chest to meet my stare, "Sit still and let me play with you as I please," she clarified better for me, "I'll reward you when I'm satisfied."

I blinked a few times, feeling my face burn up as I unconsciously nodded, "Okay," I whispered, giving in to her entirely.

"Good girl," she calmly murmured, focusing her attention back on my chest.

And just as she claimed, she quite literally played with me.

Almost as if I were a toy.

No matter how much I squirmed or how loudly I moaned, her attention remained on my chest, flicking and rubbing my nipples as she watched me struggle underneath her.

She liked it.

Even beyond her calm demeanor, I could see the tick behind her eyes.

Or behind her actions—purposely flicking my nipples faster when she noticed how much it made me shift and squirm against her.

Eventually, it grew unbearable, but I wanted to be good for her—I wanted to give her what she wanted.

So I remained still, feeling almost degraded by her actions or words.

How she would tell me how good I'm being for her.

Or that she could feel how wet I was through the pants I wore.

My legs were spread wide around her, moaning and whimpering under her touch as I waited for the moment her hands would trail lower.

It took countless minutes for her to finally grow satisfied, trailing her hand down past my pants and underwear to touch my clit.

I was so fucking sensitive, that I was already ready for her—ready for my orgasm.

It was the most intense experience... within seconds Monroe had me at my peak for a second time tonight.

My moans were louder, my body burning hotter than ever as she held my hips in place against her fingers that played with my clit.

My breathing was rampant, leaning into her entirely as I basked in my second orgasm.

I hugged her for seconds on end, even after I came down from my peak, processing the tingles roaming through my body.

She didn't rush me to pull away or stand up, holding me just as close as she caressed her hand up and down my bare back.

But eventually, I stood up on my loose legs to get off her lap, wanting to finish the fake fashion show for her.

Monroe reached down to grab my top, handing it to me as I headed back into my room to change into my next outfit.

First I had to clean myself up yet again—then I got dressed in denim jeans that I specifically bought because my ass looked so good in them.

I also bought a Dior baby tee to pair with them.

"Ten," Monroe immediately said when I walked out.

This time I made sure to purposely keep my distance.

I don't think I could handle a third round with her right now.

"Although, I can't tell if it's a full ten with how far away you are," she subtly said, making an amused laugh fall from my lips.

"This is as close as I'm getting," I determined, giving her a small twirl, "Do we like it?"

Monroe nodded immediately, "We do," she didn't hesitate to say.

A happy smile formed on my lips at her words, walking back into my room to change into my next outfit.

There were only two more left, so this fashion show would be a little shorter.

But luckily, our food got delivered while I was in the middle of putting on my last outfit.

I barely showed it to her for more than ten seconds, given I wanted to change and eat my pasta.

It felt nice pulling my baggy t-shirt back on—walking out of my room toward the dining table.

She already had my food waiting for me with my water open and ready to drink.

"Thank you," I said as I sat down beside her.

"You're welcome," she calmly said, taking a brief sip of her water as I picked up my fork to eat.

The rigatoni was perfect—nearly melting in my mouth as I hummed contently.

I couldn't help but glance over to Monroe when she grabbed her fork, twirling it in the pasta against the spoon she held.

As I chewed my food, I unconsciously watched her take the first bite of hers, wondering what her pasta tasted like.

Cacio e Pepe.

I've determined I would definitely try it so I can understand her better.

"Here, Liberty," she said, sliding her bowl closer to me.

I shook my head, "You don't have to," I said, realizing I was probably staring at her to a point where it made her feel obligated to share.

"I know," Monroe stated, sliding the bowl closer, "Take a bite."

I glanced away from the bowl to her, causing Monroe to motion her head at me, silently telling me to take a bite.

I pursed my lips, transferring my fork from the Rigatoni pasta I had to her bowl to try a bite.

She instinctively held her spoon against my fork as I twirled the pasta just as she previously did.

Then I leaned over the bowl, taking the bite she helped me prepare.

The pasta tasted cheesy and creamy, the hint of seasoning making my mouth water for more.

"That's so good," I said, chewing a few more times.

Monroe reached her fork over to my bowl, "It's my usual," she determined, poking her fork into the rigatoni noodles before taking a bite.

And I swear it could've been anyone else trying to eat my food and I would've been irritated.

But with her, it weirdly made me smile.

She thought whatever food I had was worth trying and that makes me smile, I don't know.

"Do you like it?" I asked as she swallowed, unconsciously watching her throat move.

"Yes," she said, glancing over to meet my stare, "It's really good, Liberty."

I hummed at her words, smiling wider as I took another bite of my pasta.

This was totally better than toaster waffles.