Chapter 6

Imogen was busy stripping Thor's bed of his sheets when he barged eagerly back into his chambers. A beam was still on his face, fresh from what Imogen had done to him back in the Hall and what she'd inadvertedly promised him for later. Later had come.

She glanced at his abrupt entrance, her fingers pausing briefly in their work. Her hair followed over her shoulder as she stared at the god blankly. She looked ... almost bored.

Thor was confused: where was the tempting vixen from the Hall?

He froze in his tracks, the smile starting to slip. "What... what are you doing?"

Imogen turned her back on him and gathered the rest of the sheets up in her arms in an unceremonious bundle. Thor watched, perplexed as she straightened up and walked around the side of the bed, dumping the sheets down harshly on the floor on the same spot she'd slept on that one night before. Thor couldn't stop the frown edging into his features.

She dropped to her knees and started to spread the material. "Getting ready to sleep." she mumbled bitterly.

Thor felt like she'd thrown a bucket of cold water over him; frustration speared through his heart. His eyes fluttered shut with a groan. "Imogen."

She didn't stop.

The god felt his irritation start to spike from through his washed out passions. His eyes started to narrow as Imogen started to stretch out on the floor, moulding the sheets over her barely clad body. It took every ounce of his will not to stride over and rip them off her.

"I don't understand." the growl started to creep in his voice as he wondered forward a few steps. He didn't trust himself to get too close though; his blood was raging.

She brushed her hair off her shoulder and it stung Thor as if it were he she was brushing aside. Her top half was help upright from the floor by her arms, her exposed middle twisting at the waist. Her mouth was pinched in the corners as she glanced at him over her shoulder bluntly. "What's not to understand?" she said drollingly. "I'm tired. I want to sleep. Is that so difficult to comprehend?"

"But the Hall..." The prince fumbled for words, his mind washing blank. He didn't want to say he felt hurt but... he did. No more manly anger or lust - just hurt. "You played me." it finally set in.

"I played my part." she clarified starkly. "As you so graciously reminded me to do that day in the corridor."

The god felt his spirit harden darkly. "And this is your revenge?"

"This is my retribution."

Thor wasn't satisfied with that. His teeth gritted and instinctively took an aggressive step forward before he stopped himself. Imogen didn't flinch. "I have caused you no ills." he snarled more viciously than he would normally dare unleash on a woman. This was Imogen though, stronger, and more than deserving after how humiliated she now made him feel. He didn't like being taken for a fool. Not by anyone.

Her eyes pierced coldly into his. "You made advances onto me that day in the corridor. I remember it."

Thor's mind scoured back until he retraced the memory: how he'd held her after they'd argued, their furies temporarily fuelled into passions as their hips and bodies fused together. He remembered. "And that merits such a cold rejection?"

Perhaps it had not been his wisest persuasion tactic but compared what he'd really wanted to do to her he'd been a perfect gentleman.

Vulnerable hurt flashed through Imogen's violet orbs. "You broke your word!"

"I did not." he denied fiercely. "I admit the action was brash, but it did not harm you nor did it breach you. I have broken no trust between us. Any insecurity that exists has been created by your own imagination."

"That," she shrieked, her eyes suddenly blazing to angry life again as her arm flew out to point at him. Or, more importantly, his groin. "Is not my imagination!"

Thor glanced down and cursed. His trousers were too small again.

His eyes shot up to hers again, trying to hide the twinge of embarrassment with his anger. It wasn't that hard. "You did not reject me at the time."

"And that makes it alright?!"

"No, but..." Thor sighed and ran a hand over his face. Gods, this woman... where did he begin?

She'd caught him again, ensnared him into her trap. But he himself was to blame. Though his advance had indeed been harmless, he couldn't deny it had been an advance nevertheless. He could understand her betrayal and - reluctantly - her retribution. He sighed again, trying to tap into his empathy. How did he feel? Used. She couldn't have felt used.

Although, a voice pointed out. You didn't see her again after that. You ran off to battle to avoid it!

Suddenly, 'used' didn't seem so farfetched anymore. Thor suspected it was that, perhaps combined with her pride and a touch of vulnerability, that had stirred her scorn. Looking into her orbs, clashed with hurt and anger, Thor knew he'd hit the mark.

Guilt swamped through him hard, drowning out any remaining fury. He would take what he deserved. Whatever she deemed he deserved.

His brow furrowed, troubled and his eyes drifted to across the room. He was at a loss now. Rarely did he find himself in a position like this, where he would be asking another to pardon him. If he was indeed at fault, people often refused to acknowledge it, bowing and scraping as if to point out he'd made a simple error would have him ordering their execution!

"Pick up the sheets and get in the bed." he said stiffly, gaze still averted across his chambers.

He could still feel her tense even if he could not see it. "Did you hear what I said?"

Thor swore in his head, reading the suspicion in her voice. "Did you?" he snapped before he could help himself. He caught his tongue before anymore betraying words could escape him. He ran a hand through his hair, collecting himself before he went on more calmly. "I have wronged you," he said clearly so she could not mistake him. "And now I am trying to compensate for it. Please," his hand gestured towards his vacant bed ahead of him. "Get in the bed."

Imogen didn't move from her place on the floor.

"Please." Thor tried again, tentatively roaming his eyes to hers again. The anger was gone; it was replaced with confused disbelief. Flecks of hurt still crept through though, and he knew he was not forgiven yet.

Thor sighed for what felt like the hundredth time and swiftly tapped at his armour until it fell away from him, a touch of Mjolnir soon having his scales shed similarly. Divested of the metal - and ignoring Imogen's cautious flinch - he tore his shirt over his head so he was stood in just his boots and trousers.

He stepped forward towards the maiden on the floor and held out his fisted shirt to her with as gentle an expression as he could muster.

"You are as good as naked in that attire." he offered in simple explanation when Imogen stayed still. "This will shield you better. I shall have a fresh gown brought to you before you depart in the morning."

Still, she hesitated.

Thor cursed himself. He was truly upset now - had he really blown her trust so much that even when he was kind to her she didn't believe him?

She set his mind irrefutably at rest when her fingers finally reached out and tentatively eased the material from his palm. Her eyes flickered to his, suddenly bashful as she clutched the shirt to her chest. A blush spread on her cheeks.

"Thank you." she mumbled, eyes dropping down to the shirt in her hands to avoid staring at his bare, muscled torso. The glimpse was enough to send her heart racing though; he really was a god! Every inch of his broad chest and well-toned abs packed with so much powerful muscle it made her head spin!

She hauled the shirt over her head. The hem pooled around her hips on the floor. Yes, she was well covered now.

"I meant what I said." the prince went on, trying to pick up her gaze with his. She stubbornly kept it down. He reached down his hand again instead and hope pricked when her eyes lifted to his fingers. "I will feel much better if you would sleep in the bed for tonight. I will take up the floor. I have behaved appallingly and would like to treat you as the lady you are."

Her gaze flickered up to this and Thor read the glisten in her arms. He wasn't sure what it sent through him. Guilt? Regret? The suspicion that her hurt somehow ran deeper than any mere actions of his?

Either way, his heart clenched hard in his chest when he saw it. "Please."

Her eyes lowered again to his outstretched hand. Her fingers slowly followed. Thor's closed tenderly around hers and he helped ease her up to her feet, Imogen rising with all the grace of a queen.

When she was upright, Thor moved her hand up to his mouth and pressed a chaste kiss to her knuckles. He didn't fail to notice how she held her breath. The god's eyes locked deep with hers. "I offer my most sincere apologies." he murmured softly against her skin. "It was never my intention to offend you."

He waited patiently for her chest to start moving beneath his shirt again, watching her fight to keep the blush out of her cheeks and the flustering out of her eyes. He'd flattered her.

Once upon a time, he might have taken that as his cue to go ahead. Tonight though, that was far from his intentions; he just wanted her to forgive him.

Finally, she gulped. "I'll accept them." she said, clutching his fingers and drawing her hand closer to her at the same time. She took a step forward to accommodate it. Her eyes gleamed up at his like a lost child's. "If you sleep with me tonight." It wasn't seductive, it wasn't lustful. It was honest and pure, and Imogen gave a tiny shrug of her shoulders. "It would weigh on my conscience to take up a place of luxury at your expense." She explained simply.

She moved to step back, the pressure in their held hands warning Thor that she was going to lead him to the bed with her. He stuck to his ground fast.

"I promise I will respect your wishes." he vowed, ensuring she was looking into his eyes as he said it - albeit, a little confusedly as to why he was resisting moving to the bed. "I will not make any sort of movement whatsoever without your express permission."

A small smile pricked at her lips, and Thor's heart simply melted. She wasn't the iron willed woman he knew of her most. Now she was tired and vulnerable. And she needed Thor to take care of her, whether she knew it herself or not. He was resolved to do just that.

"I know." she murmured.

Thor scooped up the sheets as he let Imogen lead him forward to the bedside, and threw the material accurately over the mattress. It settled in silence.

Her hands moved to her hips and for a moment Thor was alarmed. Had he not made clear that he was to be a gentleman tonight? He watched her, frowning tentatively. The last thing he wanted was for her to misinterpret him now.

Through his shirt, she pushed the belt down her hips until it and the transparent skirt pooled on the floor.

"That's better." she sighed, blushing when her eyes lifted to the bed and saw Thor's hand frozen in mid-air, holding the sheets open for her. Her hand flattened the hem of his shirt around her mid thighs before she shyly slipped underneath them. "That thing is not as comfortable as it looks."

Thor's eyes widened as her uncovered legs delicately folded under the sheets, the glimpse of unblemished, creamy skin sending his heart racing.

She sent him a coy smile, noticing the trail of his admiring gaze. She scooted along in the bed, freeing the space she'd just slipped into. Her hand patted it encouragingly. "Come on."

Thor couldn't kick his boots off fast enough.

He felt uncharacteristically nervous as he slid into the bed beside her, closing the sheets over them both. His eyes didn't leave Imogen's.

His heart thudded hard in his chest as he let his body relax and felt the unmistakable warmth of Imogen's skin on his, their arms pressing together. Thor knew he'd just have to stretch an arm over her shoulders and he could share even more of her delicious body heat. He stayed still though; he wouldn't do anything unless she asked him to.

Although the way she snuggled up against him, head on his shoulder and hand on his chest, could be argued to be asking enough without the words. The prince drew in a shuddering breath, trying to calm himself - no doubt she could feel his racing heartbeat beneath her delicate palm. He screwed his eyes shut, gulping in restraint.

But Imogen wanted the contact as much as he did: her fingers wound down his chest and stomach before crossing to his far hand. Her fingers laced with his as she pulled it towards her.

Thor held his breath as she lifted from his body and turned to lie on her other side so her back was to him, switching his hand to her other one as she did. Once she was settled, she flattened his warm palm on her waist. Thor breathed in sharply, suddenly anxious. His emotions raced. His fingers ached to roam around her tiny waist or down to her hip, to caress her sweet body as he pleased.

He stayed still. "You want this?" he breathed, hardly daring to guess what answer she would give him.

A sigh left her. "I want this."

Thor took that as the confirmation he'd been seeking. His thumb rubbed delicate circles into her waist before he moved himself, rolling onto his side to snuggle her back against his chest. Then his hand stretched down over her taut stomach, basking in the softness of her skin.

His nose buried in her hair, breathing in the scent of her from her neck. He breathed deep. His arm tensed and couldn't take it anymore: his hand flattened her firmly against his body.

A quite moan left Imogen's lips as her bottom hit Thor's prominent bulge in his trousers. His hips rolled softly into hers.

Imogen's fingers flew to Thor's hand over her stomach and clenched hard, though to hold him closer or pull him away, Thor couldn't tell. When his palm stayed on her body through his shirt, he took it to be the first.

His arm stretched around her fully, encasing her in the warmth of his body.

His sigh of content matched hers and he tried to roll his hips as gently and delicately into her body as he could. It was like sending a current through him. His nose nudged the hair from her neck and he pressed firm, tender kisses against her skin. He wanted to keep his promise but his body seemed to have a mind of its own: his hand on her stomach trailed lower down her body, until his fingertips touched the space between her hip bones. He felt her tense and stopped.

"Have you ever done this before?" he breathed into her ear, fingers massaging the outside of her womb.

Her hips eased forward into his hand, drawing a soft mewl from her lips. "Once," she sighed. "Too much mead, an empty barn - ah." Her sweet moan was everything Thor wanted to hear. "But he was not nearly as gentle."

Thor pressed another kiss to her neck, letting his lips linger there. His fingers trailed lower until he hitched up his shirt on her body, and returned to his spot, flesh on flesh driving the heat to a whole new level. Gods, she was so warm, he thought in bliss. He felt her body relax fully against his and felt proud of himself, that he could ease her into such pleasure.

His hand dipped lower, his fingers slipping between her legs. Her damp heat against his fingertips was divine! The heel of his palm pressured firmly over her clit, his fingers brushing unmistakably over her heat.

Imogen's back arched and her head tipped back against his shoulder. Her sighs sped up. "Oh, Thor."

The god tried not to feel the glimmer of pride that she'd finally used his name for the first time, but he couldn't help it. It shot straight to his groin. His hand pressed more firmly against her, easing her hips back so her bottom ground into his manhood. His body replied with relish.

His deep groan drowned out Imogen's, her thighs clenching around his hand. Her hips rolled into his touch as if to nudge his fingertips into her opening.

Thor held off.

"You are a virgin?" he asked, kissing the juncture of her jaw softly.

Imogen hitched in a breath. "No." she shuddered, warm fingers finding his wrist. "The empty barn was too good an opportunity for him to miss."

Thor felt a growl rumble in his chest. He did not like the idea of another man lying with his woman. He subdued the feeling fast. "Not all pleasure has to be violating." His fingers started to rub light circles over her womanhood. Her hips ground hard into his hand. "I can be gentle." As if to prove his point, he wound his other arm around her body and his palm found her breast through his shirt. Perfect fit, he sighed in his head. His palm kneaded it in a feather light touch.

Imogen's hand covered his as if to urge him of but Thor kept it soft and gentle. He did not want to raise her passions to make her need something she might regret. Right now, he just wanted to ease her tension. To give her pleasure so she could relax. So far, it was working.

"Yes." she sighed, her voice whining from her chest.

Her thighs parted and Thor's fingertips slipped dangerously close to her wet heat at her next hip roll. He changed tactics fast; his hand pulled away to her hip and he rolled her over, so the front of her body pressed against his. His hand wound to the small of her back, exposed from his hitched up shirt. His fingers crept down to her backside.

Imogen's eyes were fluttered shut, her lips parted as shuddering sighs left them. She looked in absolute bliss.

Thor's fingers stroked through her hair and he planted a soft kiss on her forehead. The hand on her backside roamed lower to the back of her wondrous thighs. Thor sighed heavenly; they were every bit as soft as he'd imagined. His palm ran lower, easing her thigh up along his as he did so. When he hit the inside of her knee, her thigh rested over his hip.

He could feel the exposed heat of her centre through the material of his trousers, and Thor's arms clenched around her body tightly. His eyes fluttered shut and he let his other senses guide him.

His hips rolled forward gently into Imogen's and they both gasped.

Imogen's arms wrapped around his neck, pulling her body flush against his as their hips ground together softly. Her head tucked over his shoulder, and Thor could feel her ragged breaths against the skin of his neck.

Her thigh leaned outwards, opening her more to him as her hips bucked hard and she groaned.

Thor's hand shot to her backside to still her. "Gentle," he reminded her, easing his hand as her hips relaxed. He pressed his lips to her shoulder. "Nothing has to be rushed this night."

Imogen merely sighed in response.

Thor wasn't sure how long their hips rocked slowly against each other, sending comforting zings of warmth through them both. Honestly, he didn't care. He didn't care about going further either. He was content how he was, his need massaged by Imogen's, her body cushioning his painfully pounding heart.

The pleasure pooled through her body like Thor was right there in her heart, comforting her from the inside out. But that was the beauty of it - he was firmly on the outside. Not once did he move to remove his trousers or probe his fingers into her clenching womanhood. He let their movements ease them, satisfying them in the most gentle, intimate way possible.

And she loved him for it. She let his motions lull her to sleep, the soft, loving smile plastered dreamily on her lips.