Chapter 10

It was a three hour drive to the cabin and it was eleven o'clock in the morning when we started getting ready to go. I stepped into the living room to find Loki just zipping up his duffel bag. He had reverted to his Asgardian form only after we had breakfast.

He had shifted nervously and pulled absently at the web of his thumb but he tried to act normal, I think because he thought it made me happy. Which it did. I carefully avoided mentioning it and he seemed happy with that. He even kissed me, which was an interesting experience. I wasn't sure if it was the cold or something about his powers but my lips tingled.

Now, we packed the things into the truck and grabbed some snacks. Once on the road, Loki turned the radio to the jazz station, his new favorite genre. I rolled the windows down and looked over at him. "So what do you want to do up there?"

He looked at a loss for a moment. "I don't know. There are those hiking trails I mentioned and some nice places to eat. Oh, I forgot! How much do you like Jane Austen?"

I smiled. "Love her. Favorite author."

"Good." He leaned over to dig around in his duffel bag, which sat on the backseat. "I procured tickets to a drive through showing of Pride and Prejudice. With your card, actually. I'm surprised you didn't notice. Would you like to go?"

"Sure! Since you bought them already." I mock glared at him but they couldn't have been that much money so whatever. "And we can just stay inside and chill by the fire if there's nothing else."

"I'd quite like spending the entire weekend in bed but that wouldn't really help in courting you." He smiled suggestively. I rolled my eyes and laughed.

"We're not spending the entire time in bed. And we're not sharing. You have your own room." He muttered something under his breath but I only smiled. "You'll find I'm immune to your sorcery and seduction."

He laughed. He had this strange laugh that he only seemed to give when he was comfortable. His laugh around others was a little more subdued, like a chuckle. But his normal one was cute. His tongue stuck out just a little. It was kind of short and repetitive. His eyes would light up and he'd lean back, thoroughly enjoying himself.

I shook my head and smiled at him. "You can try but you will fail."

"We'll see about that." He laughed again.

We talked about everything and nothing for most of the ride, stopping once for gas. We went into the station really quick and stocked up on an extremely unhealthy amount of candy and soda. About twenty dollars worth. We stuffed ourselves during the rest of the drive, going into a serious sugar rush. I had to pull over at least twice we were laughing so hard over something totally random. At about one, Loki fell asleep. He'd figured out how to lower the seat so he stretched out and turned on his side, knocked out.

I was stopped at a red light when I looked over and found myself staring at him. His hair was always perfectly slicked back but now it was a little mussed, strands falling over his pale face. I was about to reach out and fix it when a horn honked. He jumped and looked up at me. I turned and pressed the gas, hoping he wouldn't realize I was staring.

"You have quite the habit of gawking, pet. I know I'm gifted with amazing looks, but you don't really try to hide your fascination." He grinned up at me, his eyes shining with amusement. I sighed and slapped my hand over his mouth.

"Shut up. I was just looking."

His green eyes narrowed in a grin and he chuckled. I didn't move my hand for a moment and suddenly I felt something warm and wet brush my palm. I jerked my hand away and looked at Loki, eyes wide. I returned my eyes to the road but didn't miss him smirk and lick his lips. He turned away and I expected him to go back to sleep when he spoke again.

"You taste good."

I reached out to jab him in the side. "I'm gonna stab you in the face." I muttered.

He muffled his laughter in the seat. We were maybe twenty minutes from the cabin now. I tried not to think about how that one spot on my palm still felt warm.

We arrived a little after two. Tyler, the owner of the cabin, had left the key on the screened in porch. I opened it up while Loki, after much coercing, pulled the luggage in. I called Tyler and told him we had got in just fine and were settling in. He said he'd stop by tonight to pick up the money. Loki and I settled in and unpacked, planning our stay. We'd go visit the town and maybe hike, see the movie and have a nice dinner Sunday night. We'd leave Monday evening, after dinner. For now, I decided to head to the store before it got too dark.

I left Loki at the cabin and eased the car down the winding roads. There was a small supermarket in town and I just walked through, grabbing snacks and necessities for breakfast and lunch. I was in the checkout lane when I saw Tyler. I only recognized him by his picture on the website. I went over and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hi, I'm Ebony."

"Oh, hey!" He said, smiling. We shook hands and I told him I could pay him now. "Yeah, that's great. That way I don't have to drive up those roads. Be careful up there, especially at night." I nodded and handed him a small envelope in my bag.

"Thanks so much." I said. I smiled and got back into my line. I went back to the cabin, pulling in and dragging all the bags inside. Loki was nowhere to be found. I put the things away and then went outside, calling for him.

"There you are." He said. I jumped and turned around, finding him on the small roof above the porch. He held out a hand. I climbed on the porch railing and grasped both his hands. He pulled me up, grunting with the effort. I yelped and landed on top of him, sprawled on the little roof. He straightened us out and we lay back with our feet against the gutter to keep us up.

"What are we doing up here?" I asked, laying my head on his shoulder.

He waved his hand and a small cloth appeared beside him. He handed me a plate piled with rice and chicken and veggies. A small tilted table that fit perfectly on the roof appeared and he rested two glasses of wine on them, smiling at my amazed expression. "Go on," He said. "Eat."

I smiled at him and grabbed the fork he handed me, digging in. We ate in comfortable silence, watching the sun drift across the sky and the clouds float past. Finishing up, I laid my head on his shoulder. He waved his hand and the dishes disappeared.

"Where do they go?" I asked curiously.

"Scattered into atoms." He explained quietly. He pulled me closer and wrapped his arms around me, still staring up at the sky. I looked up at him and smiled at the contentment in his eyes.

"What is the sky like on Asgard?"

"The most beautiful sky there is. The stars shine brighter than ever and the moons loom large on the horizon. It's a purplish blue sky that gets lighter during the day and darker, almost black like yours, at night. I could sit and stare at it forever and never grow tired."

I leaned up and looked closely at him. "And what about our sky? I think it's pretty dang amazing."

He smiled down at me and reached up to gently raise my chin. "I'd be more than content to lie here and look at the stars with you for nights on end." He kissed me gently, his hand cupping my chin. I turned in his arms and returned the kiss, sighing as he pulled back. He tugged me closer and turned so that I was lying halfway underneath him. He kept one hand on my waist while his lips lowered again to capture mine. This time there was more force behind it.

The world seemed to take a turn around the sun at least once before we separated. He smiled against my neck, waiting for his breath to return to normal. I laughed suddenly. His eyes shot up to mine.

"Look at us," I said. "Making out on the roof."

He chuckled. "Shall we go inside then? I make no promise that I'll behave once we make it to the bedroom. I've only barely managed to be civilized now."

I smiled. "You're so cute when you try to be sexy."

He wrinkled his nose, pulling away. "I am not cute. And damn you, I am sexy. As many women can attest to." I rolled my eyes.

"Wow, talk about your old girlfriends to me, smooth." I laughed when he cringed. "C'mon mister sexy. I'm goin to bed. And no, you're not invited."

"Well then," he growled, pulling me back down, "I should take advantage now, shouldn't I?"

His arms wrapped tight around my waist and I let him roll me back under him for another breathtaking, heart-stopping kiss. But I knew my limits and if the pressure against my hip was anything to go by, he was nearing his.

It was near dark when I gently pushed him away, gasping for breath.

He closed his eyes and groaned quietly, sliding to rest his forehead on my shoulder. "By the gods, you could bring me to my knees with that mouth."

"Bedtime." I sighed, sitting up. He smiled hopefully as I maneuvered to jump down. "Still not invited."

"Damn it all."