Chapter 14

Loki clapped and rubbed his hands together. "Well doll, where should we vacation? Anywhere you want. We can hit the sand in Hawaii, pop on over to Dubois." He pursed his lips and wiggled them around, "Paris, London baby why don't we go to Kokomo..."

She laughed. "I guess I haven't been anywhere with a warm sandy beach in a long time." He poked her. "Hey, keep your pants on! I'm thinking over here. If you can zap us anywhere, what about Thailand?"

He wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her temple. "You always keep things interesting don't you..." he mused. "Why don't you get packed and let me know if you don't have anything you want for our stay."

Sam's closest held everything she could practically need or want. Bathing suits, sun dresses, sex toys, sunglasses. The drawers were actually labeled. She filled her suit case and changed into the pink two piece and tied a sarong around her waist. She glanced at herself in the mirror and realized she did look cute in pink! She looked so much better than when Loki had found her. She had put on weight, and the dark circles under her eyes had almost completely gone away.

Sam actually took the time to put a little concealer under her eyes and brush her hair again. She looked fresh, normal, and human.

They met in the kitchen and breakfast was waiting for her. Two eggs, a piece of toast and fruit. Next to her were about 10 books. She sat down at the island and felt Loki's eyes on her. "Well, don't you look nice." He was wearing a Tommy Bahama button down with short khaki shorts and his elvis glasses around his neck.

She blushed at his compliment. "Thanks." She picked up a piece of toast and began looking through the books. She noticed they were all fantasy novels. Lord of the Rings, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell, Game of Thrones... "Are these suggestions or mandatory?"

Loki snorted at her, "Hardly. You can bring any books you'd like. You know how I like themes." Sam pulled a couple of the Harry Potter books closer to her. They finished their breakfast and he stood up and took her hand. "Ready?"

"As I can be." She replied.

In a flash they were in front a modest villa in Thailand. Sam gasped as the warm air hit her skin and she closed her eyes in the blinding sun. Loki pulled out a pair of sunglasses from his pocket and handed them to her. The sun was bouncing off Loki's golden skin and hair and he looked beautiful. She wrapped her body around him and squeed. Vincent barked at that moment and she reached down to pat him on the head. He laughed and spun her around. "Let's go chica," and pinched her butt.

They walked up the stone path to their getaway house. Once inside, the space was almost completely open to the sea in front of them. The kitchen was off the left and a bedroom to the right. She walked past it all and found herself on the patio. Vincent ran past her and was already sniffing around the beach marking his territory. There were hammocks tied to palm trees and a cabana with a large bed in the center. It only took a few steps before she found her feet in the warm sand. She turned around to see Loki watching her with his hands on his hips and he looked happy. A look she didn't think she had ever seen on him.

She smiled at him and walked back towards him. He didn't bother asking if she approved. He just cocked his head to the side and said, "Sugar, I'd give you the whole world." She knew those words to be true, she placed her hands on his face and kissed him gently on the lips. She pulled back slightly and his eyes were still on her mouth. "Last one in the water is a rotten egg!" She took off but stopped abruptly and shouted back, "... but not literally!" Loki was hot on her heels and swooped her up over his shoulder and ran towards the water.

"No, no no!" Sam yelled, but it was too late. She was officially dunked. She burst out of the water and playfully lunged at Loki and he allowed himself to be submerged. They played in the water splashing and diving for shells. Sam was on her back floating and Loki came up and placed his hands on her underside and was spinning her. She repositioned herself and wrapped her arms and legs around him. "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

"My pleasure. Are you getting hungry?"

"Yessss."

"Race you to the shore?"

"Nah, carry me." She grinned at him and splashed her feet..

He eyed her wearily. "I have created a monster."

"Fine." She dismounted from him, "I'll carry you." At first he didn't budge, but he acquiesced. It wasn't much work until the water was above her knees. She then bent over and lifted him onto her shoulder. He was heavy, but it wasn't a difficult task.

He hollered from behind her, "You can put me down Samsquatch!" It was only until she got to the stairs did she put him down.

"Easy peasy." Sam swiped her hands together, maybe a little out of breath.

"Thanks?" He chuckled and kissed her chastely.

"Such a quick kiss for such for my physical feat." She teased. "My reward for you would have been greater."

Loki stood before her, then pulled roses from behind his back, "Doth these make your heart more settled?" He handed them to her.

Sam held them to nose and breathed in deeply. "Indeed, my knight of mischief." She then touched the flowers down on his right shoulder, and then his left.

He sobered a bit and said in a slightly serious tone, "Before I would have traveled the less feared path, now you shall have my bravery. I endeavour to defend you, and be loyal. As you are the chink in my armour, my lady."

His words were a vow, that much was clear. The moment was over as quickly as it came when Vincent dropped a large stick in front of them and barked. Good timing dog.

Loki tossed the stick and they entered the villa. Lunch was an assortment of fruit, cheese and deli meat. He chimed up, "What do you want to do tonight?"

"I'm not sure. What do people do in paradise?" She responded.

"Make love on the beach until the sun comes up. Buuuut, we aren't normal people are we?" She blushed and shook her head. "We can have a bonfire and play 20 questions! Or we could play truth or dare!"

She laughed, "Play truth or dare with you? I'd rather exorcise a demon."

He hung his head dramatically and pouted, "Am I really that bad?"

Sam threw a strawberry into her mouth, "Yup!"

That evening when they laid down to sleep, hope lingered in the air. They were finally at ease and fell asleep in each other's arms.