"So. How is it that the honourable Anastasia Blythe-Scott becomes plain Anna Scott? There must be some story behind that, and not just the death of your parents. You loved them, that would make you want to stay with what everything was like before. There is something else, something not on your file."
Anna rolled her eyes. This was the third night they had had dinner together since he found out her identity, and every evening he would try to gain more information about her life. She was remarkably unforthcoming.
"S.H.E.I.L.D. must have known that something had happened in your life. How did you get away with not telling them? How did they recruit you? Did you apply?"
Anna continued to eat her lemon tart. It was very good and if she concentrated on it very hard she could almost block out Loki's unceasing questions. She did not know what to make of him. She had seen footage of him coldly gouging out a man's eye, and felt him slice a knife into her arm, and heard him threaten her life, and yet he could be so charming when he chose to be. And sexy. She could not deny that the combination of tall dark and handsome was doing it for her. Even just looking at him she was beginning to feel a little hot under the collar. He had ditched the armour for something that looked like viking/modern fusion. A long green tunic-like shirt, black trousers and high boots.
Abruptly he stood up, pushing his chair in under the table
"Dance with me," he said simply, holding out his hand.
"I can't dance." She replied, automatically.
"Don't try to lie to the god of lies, Miss Scott," he said. "You spent your whole life being schooled in every social grace. Of course you can dance."
Whether it was because she felt starved of physical contact, or because she had drunk too much wine, or because at that moment with his hand outstretched Loki looked like the perfect gentleman, Anna didn't know, but she took Loki's hand, and did not resist as he pulled her firmly into him. In the background she could hear slow music begin playing; old style jazz.
He could feel her tense in his arms, unable to relax though her feet knew the steps and she ably followed his lead. I'm dancing with a murderer she thought. What am I doing?
"Relax" he said "It's just a dance." His words soothed her, as he knew they would; after all,he was filling them with magic.
Gradually, as they swayed around the room, he felt her relax into his hold. The music washed over them. Anna could feel Loki's hand on the small of her back, burning into her, filling her whole body with warmth.
He held her closer, changed the steps into a sultry blues dance, she followed. He could almost feel her racing heartbeat as they danced close, cheek to cheek.
He breathed into her ear.
"You want me" She flushed scarlet at his words.
"I do not." she whispered back, her voice faint and uncertain. Their dance swayed to a stop.
"You burn for me" he whispered knowingly, and he kissed her neck.
She tried to wriggle away from him, but succeeded only in exposing more of her neck and shoulder.
"I do not," it sounded more like a plea than a statement.
"You do"
She gave a sigh as he wrapped his arms more firmly around her, and wound hers round his neck, reaching hands up into his hair, which was smooth as silk. Loki tailed kisses up Anna's neck then took her face in his hands, stroking his thumbs over her cheekbones. He leaned in closer and closer.
Abruptly a voice cut through the sultry atmosphere, shattering the atmosphere.
"Sir, there are several unscheduled incoming aircraft"
They broke apart, Anna stepped away from him quickly, looking ashamed of herself.
Loki cursed.
"What sort of aircraft?"
That moment the building was rocket by an explosion.
"It's S.H.E.I.L.D.!" exclaimed Anna, looking elated.
"Is it S.H.E.I.L.D.?" asked Loki, looking only slightly worried.
"No sir, the craft are decidedly Alien in appearance"
Loki's demeanour changed in an instant. His casual arrogance drained from his face to be replaced by a look of pure terror.
"The Chitauri!" he exclaimed. "They've found me!"