~ Chapter 20 ~

Finally out of the house after three weeks of resting and healing, Loki had taken refuge at one of the local bistro's. Since school was still out of order there was more youngsters walking around the streets and the buzz of business was moderate. With her hair pushed back behind her ears, Loki drank slowly from her Coffee Au Latte.

Dressed in snugly fit black pants and a matching black low cut shirt with a white linen peeking out under, together with brown leather boots to match her jacket.

She didn't want to go home.

But she didn't have anywhere else to go.

"May I join you?" a slick voice asked from the street.

Loki looked up to see a man standing there in a suit, one hand in his pocket and sunglasses on. His short black hair was styled and with a round beard to match the confident face.

At first Loki just stared at the man like she still hadn't realized he was there. Deciding to

ignore him, she closed her eyes and continued to drink her cooling coffee.

"Looks like I didn't make any impressions." the man walked forward slowly. "Tell me, what can a man do to capture the attention of a beautiful woman such as you?"

"Restraining jacket would be a good start." Loki said offhandedly. "It's best if you don't get close to me. I have a reputation of being unstable."

He pulled up a chair. "Surely those are just jealous words." he smiled. "I find those words often comes with big barks and tiny bites. So tell me what a beautiful woman such as you are doing here?"

"I blew up school and it's being repaired." she put down her cup. "Or so the rumors goes." She looked him squarely in the eyes. "What about you?"

"What about me?" he asked teasingly.

"You stand out like a broken neck, and the dress code is not that strict." Loki pointed at his suit.

"I've been called worse, but you are right. I was on my way to a meeting when I saw you and I just couldn't stop myself from calling out."

"Shouldn't you hurry unless you want to look for a new job?"

He smiled slyly. "The meeting will not start unless I am there, and I'm in no hurry." He had made himself completely comfortable and showed no sign of giving up or leaving.

With green eyes taking in how she was not about to get rid of him the normal way she threw a card knew would make him run for the hills.

"Look, I'll give you a fair warning. I'm a nut case. I was kidnapped as a kid and it messed with my head. I've been in and out of the institute for years and my reputation is more trouble than it's worth. So before the shit hits you I suggest you leave."

"I'm a playboy womanizer who has a daddy complex."

"Everyone in this town hates me."

"Half the world already hates me already due to my job."

"Nothing good will ever come from associating with me."

"Did I mention that I have an affair with Jack Daniel's."

They stared at each other.

"I'm not going to get rid of you." Loki stated as she already knew the answer.

"Glad we understand each other." he smiled at her confidently. "Can I get you anything?" he gestured to her coffee.

"Buy me something to eat and you can join me." she was getting peckish.

"Great." He reached forward his hand. "Tony Stark."

Still suspicious of the man, Loki took his hand and shook it. "Loki Odinson."

Surprisingly the hours walked by with ease as Loki for the first time in years had a friendly, although very flirty, talk with anyone. What she was happy about was that he was not bothered by the strange looks they were given, or the hated glares she was receiving. And while Tony was full of himself, he knew how to treat a girl.

He followed her to a clothing store and while she was in the changing room he prepared a little surprise for her.

When she came out with a pair of new Jeans, he was waiting there with several bags in the hands of a staff member, and another one with a large white box with a golden sigil at one of the corners, and he was dressed in a black tailored suit.

"Have you decided on those?" he gestured to the Jeans.

"Yes. I'll just pay for them and then-"

"I..." he took the Jeans from her and handed them to another staff member. "Will pay for them while you..." he took one of the bags and held it out to her. "Will change into this because I'm taking you out for dinner." he looked confident. "Unless you have other plans of course."

Thoughts about Thor waiting for her at home made her heart beat painfully. "No." she whispered. "Not at all." and walked back into the changing area without any protest.

When she came out she wore a beautiful mid-thigh purple dress which hugged her body perfectly. It was the first dress in years she could remember which fit her properly. Matching high-heels came with it to show of her long legs.

"Looks fantastic on you." Tony commented as he walked forward with a necklace in his hands. "And with this..." he locked it around her neck. "You will be perfect." he stepped back to take in the view. "Now..." he offered her his arm. "Shall we go, my beauty?"

It was already long since dark when Loki walked through the doors to her home. After what could only be called a perfect evening, Tony had been a perfect gentleman and taken her home.

"Where have you been?" Thor asked when she walked by his room. He came out not looking too pleased.

"Amber's." Loki answered.

"With your new sugar daddy?" he hissed.

It caused Loki to stop, turn around and glare. "And what makes you think that?"

"A man came by to leave a heap of bags with clothes. None of 'em from a cheap brand."

"What he brought was on his own decision. I never told him to do anything."

Thor snarled. "Is this what you are going to do now? Sell yourself to the highest bidder?"

Shaking her head, Loki turned around to leave. "It's not the worst I've done."

"Don't you dare." Thor growled.

Reaching out and snatching Loki's hand, he pulled her back. But the strength he used was too great and it caused them to collide. Their noses was barely apart when they regained their balance and it felt like the air between them stilled.

They stared at each other, or what they could see when they were so close. Chest pressed against breast, and they could feel everything.

Loki felt numb when she realized she could almost feel those lips on hers and although she knew it was wrong, she didn't feel the guilt. But it was not something that could never be.

She stepped back, gently pulling her hand free from her stunned brother, not even looking at his face or betraying any emotions as she walked into her room and closed the door between them.

Not even caring about the new heap of bags in her room, she walked over to her bed and collapsed on it. Still able to feel Thor on her, she wrapped her arms around her and buried her face in the bedding to escape reality.

TBC