Thor had announced a dinner celebrating Darcy's arrival in New Asgard. Jane cringed at the thought. It meant she would have to be near Loki in public and try to not lose her mind.

Jane looked at herself in the mirror and sighed. Darcy had insisted on picking out her outfit and sorted through every item in Jane's closet. None had passed Darcy's inspection, and now here Jane stood in one of Darcy's dresses.

It was not anything Jane would have ever chosen for herself. Not that it wasn't beautiful. The navy blue dress was soft and feminine, and even Jane had to admit it flattered her figure. Her bare shoulders called for a shawl which she didn't have and would have to forego, but she felt like she needed one. The chiffon overlay danced around her when she moved, and all she could think is 'please do not let there be any dancing tonight.'

A knock at the door to her chamber alerting her to Darcy's arrival caused her to falter in her inspection.

"Come in. I'll be out in just a second," Jane called out as she glanced over her makeup and hair again. She might have let Darcy choose the dress but there was no way she was letting her do her hair or makeup.

Jane sighed as she fidgeted with one stray strand of hair that wouldn't stay put. She tucked the strand away before walking into the living room, "I don't know, Darcy. This might look a little too much like I want his attention."

Jane gasped as she looked ahead to find Loki standing rather proudly in the foyer.

"You did say come in," He replied with a smile when he heard her gasp. His eyes were devouring her while his voice began edging towards a more seductive tone, "You look ravishing."

She knew she was blushing as she tried to tuck that same annoying strand back behind her ear, "Thanks. Uhm, I was expecting Darcy."

"Ah yes, she and I ran into each other in the hallway. She said something about how no one would mind if you and I were late to dinner, and then she went towards the banquet hall while whistling," He smiled as he took a step towards her.

'Darcy, I will kill you,' Jane thought as took in this information. Deciding to make light of it, she walked closer to him, "Darcy is a little strange sometimes."

Loki nodded as Jane neared him. As soon as she was within reach, he pulled her into his arms. Jane's breath caught in her throat as his hands traveled along her back, pressing her tightly against him.

"Perhaps Darcy has a bit of foresight," As Loki spoke, Jane noted she was eye level with him, but he wasn't holding her there. Magic. Of course he'd use freaking magic.

"What? What do you mean?" Jane's voice was quivering. She heard it. Clear as day. Which meant he heard it. Great.

"Maybe she knew that I would rather skip dinner all together and feast on you instead," He spoke the words casually while capturing her lips in a soft kiss.

She clung to him as his lips gently caressed hers. As her lips parted subtly, he seized the opportunity to deepen the kiss.

Jane hummed against his mouth, her body violating the pact with her mind to stay in control. This was beyond not good. She wanted this. Wanted him. And his kiss was distracting.

"Loki," Jane expelled his name breathlessly when he finally released her lips.

"Yes Jane?" His voice was soft but his desire etched itself into the words.

"We really should go to dinner now," She whispered, afraid her voice would betray her if she spoke any louder.

"I suppose you are right."

Except he didn't let her go.

Instead, he was kissing her again. And she really didn't mind at all. Except...she could totally lose herself right here and now.

"Loki," Jane tore her lips from his as she tried to recover herself and get back on track to save herself. She took a quick steadying breath, "Dinner?"

Loki met her eyes, and she really wish he hadn't. All she could see in the depths of his mesmerizing eyes was desire. It seemed to be a pure reflection of what she was feeling.

"I suppose this is where our little game begins, hmm?" He pressed one more brief kiss to her lips before moving to her side and tucking her hand in the bend of his arm, "Shall we?"

Jane nodded with a smile as she realized her lips were still pulsing from his kisses. 'Our little game?' Was it possible to really play a game while kinda wanting to both win and lose at the time? She didn't think so. But if the game was about to begin, she decided she was already two or three moves behind.

Interlude*

"Thor, dude, you really didn't have to go to all the trouble," Darcy smiled happily as she stood beside the King of Asgard. Servers fluttered about the banquet hall, placing trays, pitchers and carafes along the tables.

"Nonsense. You've provided a meal or two to me. It seemed only right to do the same," Thor smiled brightly.

"If you call pop tarts a meal," She chuckled as she spotted Loki and Jane entering the banquet hall. She nudged Thor, "So, Jane gave me a brief version of her and Loki. Is that weird for you?"

"Yes."

"That was quick."

"Look, my brother has never been so enamored he would ask for permission to court someone. It's odd seeing him like this."

"I was talking about the fact that Jane is your ex, big guy," Darcy patted Thor on the arm, "But your explaination answered my question anyway."

Thor shrugged in confusion before blasting a smile as Loki and Jane approached.

"Brother, Jane," Thor greeted them warmly.

"Darcy," Jane turned her smile to her friend, "I thought you were going to stop by."

"Well, I was but when the Prince wanted to escort you to dinner," Darcy shrugged with a grin, "Who am I to get in the way?"

"Many thanks, Darcy," Loki smiled while lifting Jane's hand to his lips.

Jane glared at Darcy for a moment before looking back to Loki who was grinning. Yeah she was up a creek without a paddle now.

"Have you arranged any excursions for our guest, Brother?" Loki asked the question, never taking his eyes from Jane's.

"Actually, Sif, Val, and I were talking. We thought we might take some horses tomorrow to the top of Odin's Cliff," Thor answered.

"Odin's Cliff?" Darcy questioned.

"It's the last place we saw our father alive," Thor pointed out, "He said to remember this place. It was home. That's how we decided we wanted to build New Asgard here."

"Sounds like fun."

"Would you fancy a ride, Dear?" Loki asked Jane like it was the most casual question in the world.

Of course, Jane had heard the question in the context of their game.

First point goes to Loki.

Deciding to simply ignore his innuendo, she sighed, "I'm not really into horseback riding. There's just something about giving over control to a powerful animal with a mind of its own that terrifies me."

"How utterly disappointing," Loki's voice reasonated with nonchalance but Jane could sense a ripple in that certain creek she was in, "Perhaps you haven't had the proper mount. A steed confident enough in his own prowess and stamina that he gives complete control to you. So much so that when you squeeze him with your thighs and dig in your heels, he knows exactly what you want him to do."

Points two, three and four...also, Loki.

Jane knew she was blushing. How could this man take a simple topic and turn it into fifty different kinds of sexual innuendo?

Darcy winked at Jane, "Maybe you could ride with Loki. Let him have the reins."

Jane wanted to scream 'shut up' at the top of her lungs, but she refrained.

"An outstanding idea," Loki smiled with a flirty wink to Jane.

Jane sighed. She was well and truly outnumbered. If she was going to stand a chance, she had to pull it together. So...with a cocky smile and a quirk of her head, she spoke the next words with encouragement, "Why not? It might be about time to get back in the saddle again."

Darcy's eyes widened as she bit her own lip. Jane could practically hear the expletives Darcy had dropped in her own mind. Thor cleared his throat as he politely made his exit to join Val and Sif nearby.

For his part, Loki smiled and bowed his head in quiet acknowledgment.

And Jane's back in the game!!

Interlude*

The dinner had proceeded without points being scored on either side. Jane didn't know if they'd just called a time out or if this was a tactical decision on Loki's part. Of course, there were the lingering brushes of the hand as wine glasses were filled, the whisper of his fingertips along the back of her neck as he draped his arm over the back of her chair, and the way he'd leaned closer to her and only smiled.

The smug jerk.

Once the meal had been cleared, Jane wondered if she might be able to make the great escape. It would put Loki off balance and put her back in some sort of control. When Thor had cornered Loki for some official business, Jane seized the perfect opportunity. She'd ducked out of the banquet hall, hoping Loki would be busy for some time.

As she rounded the corner and turned down the hallway to her suite, she stopped.

So much for that idea.

Loki was leaning back against her door with his arms crossed, looking as if he'd been waiting a while, "You weren't trying to leave me without a goodnight kiss, were you?"

"Now why would I do something like that?" Jane asked as she approached him. If she wanted to regain control, now was as good a time as any. She leaned against him as he dropped his arms to encircle her waist while hers wound about his neck.

"Just to continue to tease me, that's why," Loki reminded her, lifting her against him as he stood to full height.

She gasped as he turned to press her back against the door. She didn't know if he had something to do with it...maybe she'd actually given up a point...or ten...because somehow her legs might have found their way around his waist. She was destined to lose this 'game'.

"I'd like to have that kiss now."

He was daring her.

Ok, time to get serious. What could throw The God of Mischief off his game? Hmm, this might work...

"Shouldn't you be figuring out how you can say something to me and make me believe it?"

He cracked a slight grin, "I don't know. I'm rather enjoying watching your mind and body war with one another."

Time to go to plan B. Or was she already on Plan C? Or D? Or Z?

Jane licked her lips slowly, enjoying that his eyes were capturing her actions, "My mind will win. Every time."

"Hmm," Loki murmured as his eyes met hers, "With your stubbornness, I don't doubt that statement."

"Make me believe," She met his lips in a gentle chaste kiss, "And then my mind will surrender."

"I highly doubt that statement is accurate," He cocked an eyebrow, "Is this how it is to be with us for eternity? A battle of wills? A constant struggle brimming below the surface?" Loki asked as he breathed over her lips, "I have to tell you...if that is supposed to discourage me, it's doing quite the opposite."

Jane half smiled, "I'm past the point of trying to discourage you."

"So you have given yourself to me even if you won't say the words," He grinned, "Good to know."

"That wasn't what I said," She attempted to back track her words but she knew that was wasted effort.

"Close enough," Loki pressed a tender kiss to her lips, "So, my goodnight kiss?"

"You've already had two," Jane stated calmly.

That same quirky eyebrow smile flashed at her every time he scored a point. She really wanted to smack him right now.

"Keeping score, are we?" He eased his lips to her ear, "How am I doing so far?"

"You're about to get ejected for a penalty," Jane drew his eyes back to hers, "Three words, Loki."

"One kiss, Jane."

It wasn't the one kiss she was worried about. It was about where that one kiss could lead. She needed to keep firm control...which she knew wasn't likely.

Jane leaned into him and kissed his cheek, "Goodnight, Loki."

When she pulled back with a quirky grin of her own, she caught the flash of laughter in his eyes without ever hearing it aloud.

"Well played," Loki slowly slid her down his body until her feet touched the floor.

Jane turned to open her door only to find Loki's hand upon hers, stopping her. She started to turn to face him again, only to feel his breath upon her ear.

"I'll look forward to tomorrow," He pressed an echo of a kiss to her ear, "When I will have a firm grip on the reins."

Jane definitely needed to respond to that one. She spun on her heel only to find she was alone in the hallway.

"Jane, you are so screwed," She sighed to herself as she walked into her suite, knowing that tonight's final score was way too embarrassing to admit.