Chapter 3 – Just Friends?

The next day, Loki and I spent the afternoon together. I hadn't told Jane about my kiss with him, because it was just a kiss. It wasn't like he had asked me out, at least not yet. Loki didn't seem to mind me being close to him, but he was acting more like a friend. He and I were sitting outside in the gardens together, and he had pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around my waist, holding me from behind. It was nice, but it also made me nervous. I didn't know what his intentions were with me.

I leaned back against his chest and held his hands, holding them against my stomach.

"I rather enjoy sitting with you like this," Loki muttered as we watched the beautiful scenery.

"I'm glad you do," I said.

"It's nice, I haven't had a girl to hang out with me for the longest time," he replied.

"Same with me. I haven't had a boyfriend for six months," I added.

"That's fairly recent," he said.

"I suppose. We were together for three years, though," I replied, thinking of my ex boyfriend Adrian.

"What happened to your relationship?" Loki asked.

"Oh...I'd rather not talk about that," I answered awkwardly.

"How come?"

"Do you want to know that badly?"

Loki just shrugged. "I just want to know a little about your past," he said.

I sighed. "He cheated on me with my friend's sister."

"What a fool!" Loki exclaimed, sounding utterly disgusted, "anyone who treats you like that is mental."
I blushed. "Thanks, Loki. I'm pretty much over it, though, I guess."

"Why do you say that? You sound unsure."

"Well, I don't know. I sort of have trust issues after what happened with Adrian. But I'm trying to be open minded."

"I have problems trusting others, too. That's another thing we have in common."

I smiled at him. "Yeah," I agreed. Loki tightened his arms around me and rested his head on my shoulder.

"Loki, have you ever had a girlfriend?" I asked.

"Well, I have you," he answered.

"We're not really together, though...are we? I mean, it's only been two days since I met you," I said.

"I suppose you're right," Loki replied. "It's just that I feel we have a connection."

I looked into his green eyes, and he looked into my brown ones.

"I feel it, too," I admitted. Loki smiled and gently stroked my cheek with his thumb.

"It's been so long since I've been this happy," he muttered. "I've almost forgotten how it feels."

I felt bad for him. I wanted to cheer him up, make him feel like someone cared about him.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly.

"Don't feel sorry for me. You've been making my life a lot more worthwhile these days," he replied.

I smiled at him, and softly kissed his warm lips. He held on to the kiss for a moment, and ran his fingers through my hair.

"I like you," I admitted. "I didn't expect to find someone in Asgard, of all places."

"I like you too, Julie," Loki said, " my brother's fiance's sister is the last person I thought I would be interested in."

"Funny how that happens," I replied, snuggling close to his chest as he tightened his arms around me.

"Yes, it is amusing, but I am glad it happened," Loki said.

"So am I," I agreed.

Later that day, Jane asked me for a word. She took me to her room to talk, and I knew why.

"Juls, I've noticed you and Loki have been rather friendly to each other since yesterday," she said, "did something happen between you two? And don't lie!"

I sighed. Here we go again, I thought.

"We've been getting to know each other," I said casually. Jane frowned in reply.

"That's it? Are you sure he didn't kiss you?" She asked.

"I'm positive," I lied. I wasn't ready to tell her yet, otherwise she would freak out with excitement and bother me with a thousand questions that I didn't have answers to.

"If you say so," she replied, not sounding convinced.

"Anything else you want to discuss?" I asked.

"Well actually, I overheard Thor and Loki talking about you," she answered.

"They were? What were they saying?"

"I'll tell you if you tell me what really happened with you and Loki."

I sighed. Man, she was stubborn.

"Alright, he kissed me. Are you happy now?" I told her, and crossed my arms.

"I knew you were lying!" She exclaimed, "oh Juls, I'm so happy! Just wait until you hear what Loki said about you."

"Just tell me then!" I said. Geez, she was annoying.

"Okay, okay. He told Thor that no one's ever made him happier, and he thinks you're stunning, and he said that he's thinking of asking you to go to the wedding with him!"

I was speechless. I had never heard anything so romantic.

"I don't know what to say!" I managed, after my heart had calmed down from beating so fast again.

"Say yes when he asks you, obviously!" Jane said. "Trust me, Loki and Thor are going to be so handsome on that night, I might even have to force myself from staring at the both of them."

"Oh god, I'm going to be a nervous wreck," I muttered.

"Don't be silly! Loki really likes you," she said.

"I hope so," I replied. Jane smiled at me and gave me a hug.

"I'm so glad you're here," she said.

"Me too, sis," I agreed, hugging her back.

Later that day, Loki and I met on the balcony. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed me sweetly on the lips. I kissed him back tenderly, and he let out a soft moan.

"I love it when you kiss me like this," he muttered, and stroked my cheek softly. I smiled at him in agreement and kissed him again. Loki's kisses grew even more passionate and intense, as he slid his tongue into my mouth. I kissed him back eagerly to show that I was enjoying the moment. Loki's hands moved down to my chest, and I let him explore that area. He started softly sucking at my neck and I smiled as he did. I couldn't believe I was actually kissing a handsome dark haired prince like him, whereas I was just an ordinary girl related to the future princess of Asgard.

"You are so beautiful," he whispered into my ear as he kissed my cheek.

"Not as much as you," I replied, letting him kiss my neck again.

"No, I think you are much more beautiful than me," Loki said, as he held me in his arms.

"If you say so," I said, and kissed him again.

We stopped kissing after a few more minutes, as I was getting breathless. Loki embraced me and just held me there for a while, as a hundred questions swirled around in my head. Was he really my boyfriend? Were we just friends with benefits? Did he want something more?

"Julie, have you been thinking about us at all?" Loki asked.

"What do you mean by that?" I answered.

"Well, I...I just wanted to know how you feel about having a...a man," he said.

"I don't know," I replied. "I really enjoy being with you. I just don't want to rush anything."

"I understand," Loki said with a nod. "However, the wedding is coming up in almost a week, and I was hoping you would accept my invitation to accompany me to the event."

I blushed. Jane was right! He was thinking about asking me after all.

"Of course, Loki. I would love to go with you to the wedding," I replied. Loki smiled and leaned in for another slow kiss.

"I am looking forward to seeing how you look on that day," he said.

"You won't be disappointed," I told him.

"Good, I hope not," Loki said, and I chuckled in reply.

"Julie, I have to ask you one more thing," he muttered.

"What is it?"

"Well...since we enjoy being around each other like this so much...I wanted to ask you to be my girlfriend," Loki said as he looked into my eyes.

I blushed deeply. I could not believe he was asking me this! All I could do was nod, and apparently that was enough for him. Loki smiled and placed another kiss on my lips.

"I am one lucky man," he muttered as he held me close.

"Loki?" I asked.

"What is it, my dear?" Loki replied.

"Do you think we could keep our relationship secret for a while? I just don't want Jane to bother me with a million questions like she did when I told her we kissed," I said.

"You told her that?" Loki asked, raising his eyebrows. I just sighed.

"Only to get her to shut the fuck up about it," I answered. Loki laughed.

"I understand. If that is your wish, my dear," he replied.

"Thank you so much."

"You are welcome, sweetheart."

I smiled. Loki treated me much better than Adrian ever did. I let Loki kiss me and touch me wherever he liked until it got dark.

"Shall we go back to my bedroom, then?" Loki asked.

"Yeah, it's getting late," I answered.

"Follow me."

Loki took my hand and we left the balcony. Soon after, we entered a large bedroom that included a living room and a fireplace. I was amazed.

"Wow. This is incredible, Loki!" I said.

"I'm glad it pleases you," he replied. "Will you stay the night with me?"

"I would love to."

Loki grinned at me, and soon we were kissing each other all over again.

*****

The next morning, I woke up in his arms. He looked so cute when he was asleep. I smiled and kissed him good morning. Loki slowly opened his eyes, and kissed me when he saw I was awake.

"Good morning, my love," he said sleepily. "Did you sleep well?"

"I had the best night's sleep ever," I replied. "How about you?"

"It was more than relaxing," he said, as he gently rubbed my back.

"We should go downstairs for some breakfast," I replied. "We don't want our siblings to get suspicious."

"You're right. Let's get changed," he said.

Loki helped put on my dress, and I helped him put on his outfit for the day. I had the same dress that I wore last night, but hopefully Jane wouldn't notice anything.

"Good morning, you two," Jane said as she saw us entering the dining room. "You're late!"

"Your food is getting cold," Thor added. "Perhaps the maids can warm it up for you."

"Thank you, Thor," I replied. Jane was staring at me and Loki. We were trying to make it look casual as if we didn't just sleep together.

"So, Juls. I see you're wearing the same dress as yesterday. Was there a reason for that?" Jane asked me.

Shit.

"No. I just realized I was late for breakfast, so I put on the dress that was closest to me. I just happened to forget to put it away last night," I said.

"Are you sure someone didn't get a little fun last night?" Jane asked, emphasizing on the word fun.

"Jane, darling, don't make your sister feel uncomfortable," Thor said. I wanted to hug that man!

"Thank you, Thor!" I replied. "Thor is right, Jane. I think you should listen to him."

"Fine. You're still not going to get away with it," Jane said.

Loki and I glanced at each other. This was going to be difficult...

A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read and favourite my story! And thanks for taking the time to review as well:)