Chapter 12

Dinner turned out to be fun. We all talked and discussed how our day went and what we did. Bruce and Tony were talking about something in the lab. Nat and Wanda were discussing an upcoming mission. Thor was working his way through an enormous meal, which I gathered was a common affair. Bucky was silent and just stared at me. I would have to say something about that. It was unnerving. Although his blue eyes were amazing. A darker shade of blue than Loki's eyes. Loki's were light, like calm water in the tropics. Bucky's were the darker shade of a stormy sea.

Steve looked at me from across that table. "That was really impressive in the training room today. Do you think you could teach any of us to do that?"

"Do what?"

"That sword thing you did."

"Oh, the shadow fighting? I suppose. I'm not much of a teacher though. But I could try if we have the right stuff and anyone wants to learn. It takes a lot of practice though."

Loki looked at me. "What is this about fighting?"

Steve didn't take his eyes off me but answered Loki's question.

"Ariane was in the training room today with her sword. It was like she danced with the blade. I haven't seen anything like it. It was.... captivating."

"It really wasn't anything special. Just a practice thing to help keep up reflexes. Most Japanese warriors do it. Not a big deal." I frowned at Steve. He was making a big deal about it and I knew it didn't make Loki happy.

All of a sudden I heard Loki's voice in my ear. "Not as captivating as you were that first night in your room. And not as captivating as you will be when you are writhing underneath me my pet."

Since Loki looked like he hadn't moved, I knew he had used illusion to hide him talking in my ear. I felt hot as my imagination supplied that mental image. I took a large drink of my water. I had an interesting, and probably bad, impulse and went with it. Under the cover of the table, I ran my fingers up and down Loki's thigh seemingly absently. His muscle was firm under the leather of his pants. He grabbed my hand when it was high on his thigh and again covered his movements with illusion over us both as he leaned in and ran his fingers down my neck.

"Careful pet or I will take you on this table, everyone else be damned. It is my goal to have you on every surface I can find, but I prefer to have you in my bed first."

I bit back a moan at his words and felt the heat and desire pool between my legs. He was way out of my league. Hell, I didn't even have a league. This man could probably make me orgasm from his words alone at the rate he was going. I decided to behave. I smiled at him and took my hand back. He gave a small playful pout and then we both focused more on dinner and everyone around us. Steve was giving us a suspicious look like he realized something happened but didn't say anything. 

Once dinner was over, everyone went about doing free time things like reading and chess or watching TV. I felt tired as I was still recovering and I had pushed myself during my exercise earlier. I decided to get some sleep and said my goodnights. I started down the hall to my room. Just as I got to the door, Steve came up behind me. 

"Hey, Ariane? Can I talk to you for a minute?"

I turned around. "Sure, Steve. What's up?"

"Well, I was wondering if you had any plans for tomorrow during the day. If not, I wanted to see if you wanted to go sightseeing with me. I could show you around town, we could get some lunch? What do you think?"

"Sure. It sounds like fun. Should we invite some of the others? Thor or Nat?"

"I really wanted to do just me and you."

"Oh... Steve... ok. Yeah."

Steve laughed at my stumbling answer. "Don't worry, it's not a date. I know it's a little soon after that other guy. But maybe keep an open mind about it sometime. So, sightseeing and lunch. Any particular foods you don't eat?"

"Nope. I'm not picky. I prefer something cooked unless it's sushi. But other than that, the sky's the limit."

"Ok. I think I know a good spot. So I will see you at about 9 am? Is that too early?"

"Nope, that should be good. Ok, 9 am it is. Good night Steve."

"Good night, Ariane."

He turned and headed back to the living room. I shook my head. I could see this was not going to go well. I knew I had caught Steve's eye but I didn't see Steve that way. He was a super nice guy. Just not the guy I really wanted to spend time with. I opened my door and went into my room. I bit back a shout as I turned on the light and saw Loki sitting on my bed. I looked closer and didn't see any indent in the bed so it was the illusion of Loki sitting on my bed. 

"What are you doing here Loki? Please don't do things like that. Coming up behind me or doing things like just showing up in my room will get someone hurt. It would be you if you weren't doing an illusion. My first reaction is a disabling or killing move when I'm surprised. I don't want to hurt you!" The thought of Loki being hurt filled me with horror.

 He saw how upset I was and his image stood and came closer.

"I apologize Ariane. I did not think of that. I will endeavor to not startle you in the future."

"It's ok. And once I get more out of the hair-trigger survival reflex reactions, it will be ok. What are you doing here? I'll be honest, I'm too tired for a show tonight."

Loki looked unsure for a moment. I stared as that was a new look for him. He always looked so confident. "I came to ask you a question." He paused.

"Yes?'

His illusion came closer. "Would you go out to dinner with me tomorrow? I find you fascinating and would like to know more about you."

"Like a date?"

"Yes, I believe that is what you Midgardians call it."

"And what would you Asgardians call it?"

"Courting."

I cocked an eyebrow at that. Courting? "Ok, what time?"

"How is 7 o'clock?"

"That will work out. Steve wanted to do a whole sightseeing thing tomorrow morning and this gives me a reason to cut it short."

"You are going out with Rogers tomorrow." 

Uh oh. His voice was low and had an undercurrent of anger. I didn't understand the anger at first. Weren't they all partners? What was the problem? Then it hit me. He was jealous of me spending time with Steve. I felt a little bubble of delight at the thought. How very interesting.

"Loki. Weren't you listening? I said it gave me a reason to end the outing sooner. I look at Steve as someone that will be a good friend, like a brother type. I don't have any interest in a romantic relationship with him. Besides I'm more interested in y... someone else." I blushed as I stammered. Damn it. I tend to babble when I'm tired and I almost let Loki know just how into him I was. 

"Is that truth, pet? You are not interested in Rogers?"

"Not as anything other than a friend. Someone else has my full interest and attention at the moment. Just one and only one."

"And who has captured your interest my sweet?" His voice purred. 

"Nope. That's my secret. And I'm not telling." Not yet anyway 

Loki gave a slow seductive smile. "I will find out who, make no mistake. I would have you know my pet, there will be a day when I will take you, possess you. When I have you writhe underneath me and hear your screams of pleasure as you beg me for more. I will taste you, touch you, and bring you to sweet climax as you scream my name. Then we will see who truly has your interest, little one."

I was sure I was going to catch fire if he made me any hotter. Damn, a man shouldn't be that sexy. But then I didn't think Loki was one to worry about rules except how to break them. Which just made him all that much more sexier.

He grinned at my stunned look. "I will leave you to your rest. You will need it tomorrow night. I have many things planned."

"Wait, what do you mean you have many things planned? I thought it was just dinner?"

With a slow smile and a wink, he walked out of the room through my wall. My legs were shaking, and I barely made my way to my bed before they gave out. Holy hell that man should be illegal. Those words and that voice? He put a 900 number to shame. He was entirely too sexy for his own damn good. Now I found I needed a cold shower. 

 I made it quick and then got ready for bed. As I slid under the blankets I knew who was going to be in my dreams that night, and it sure as shit wasn't Dean. And I also knew that my dreams wouldn't do him justice. I was excited for tomorrow night. I was going to be able to spend some alone time with McSexy. I wondered if he would take the time to find out what I had said earlier. I fell asleep with his face on my mind and his name on my lips.