Distorted Beauty {Pure Illusion Series: Book 4}

Chapter 9

A/N: Okay, a couple of things: DID ANYONE SEE THE CRIMSON PEAK TRAILER BECAUSE DANG. And two: So I'm off to London for this summer to study! I leave in less than a month which means my updates will be semi regular.

BACK TO OUR STORY - based off your reactions in the last few chapters, I am penning (read as planning) the final book already... mUAHAHHA. Any who, after this chapter we only have 40 chapters left in the WHOLE series! (20 for book 5, 10 for book 6) Crazy right? Anyway, back to one of my favorite chapters and where things really start to change for our characters.

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Even while she picked out clothes for him to try on, her mind was still on the events in the park. She had felt the spark when she had touched him, the way he defended her and she him. It felt familiar being with him, laughing at his antics and even scolding him for a harsh word muttered about himself or someone else. There were so many sides to Loki - she could spend an eternity trying to understand why he was the way he was.

It was when she had finally helped him select a black pair of jeans and a green shirt that she realized what time it was. It was nearly time for dinner and she knew they needed to head back; there was no telling when the Avengers and Jake would be home. Explaining why she was out would not be hard, explaining whys he was out with him would be more complicated. After checking out at the front desk, they walked shoulder-to-shoulder back to the tower, Loki wearing his new clothes to avoid unwanted attention. His quick glances to the woman beside him went unnoticed. Iselda's mind was somewhere else, well someone else.

Jake.

Jacob was her whole world, well at least the world she knew here. He loved her through thick and thin and that was enough. She knew what the Avengers had said wasn't a lie - that she was from Asgard - but she dare not admit that to her fiancé. If it was a matter between choosing Jake and choosing Loki, she would choose Jake. Loki belonged in a life that no longer existed; it wouldn't be fair to pretend that she remembered it all for the sake of quieting his jealous heart. Jake knew her, the her that had woken up on Earth in New York City several months ago. But Loki knew a part of her that she some what wished she could remember. When did life become so complicated?

As the tower came into view, she felt Loki's steps slow to a stop.

"What's wrong?"

The god's eyes shifted towards the door. "I highly doubt that your agents will like that I have been out with you all day."

"And I highly doubt that they will want to deal with me about it. Come on." She responded sternly.

Hesitantly, Loki followed her through the doors. True to form, the agents immediately recognized the god and tensed up, until Iselda made it very clear that should any of them inform anyone of what they had seen, this would be their last job... ever. The mischievous god tried to hide the smile forming across his lips but it was impossible to do so. Thankfully, she didn't see as they boarded the elevator and the top floor button was pressed. He felt his stomach lurch as they raced to the top of the building and immediately his eyes flew to the blonde, remembering the first time he had taken her through the Bifrost.