Sorcha's Secret World, Part one.

Chapter 21, Killing me softly.

"Not here," I moaned breathlessly. Loki had dragged me into the alleyway next to the pub, pinned me to the wall and was kissing me, my legs wrapped around him as his lips moved down my neck. "They'll see us."

"Of course," he whispered almost as breathless, "you deserve better than a quick shag in an alleyway."

Neither of us let the other go. The music became louder and we froze as voices and footsteps came nearer. We waited as still as we could, his head buried in my neck, my legs wrapped around his waist as a group of people walked past without seeing us.

"My place is closer," Loki murmured as he looked up.

"I have a double bed," I reminded him.

"Your place it is." He gently let me down and stepped away. We were both gasping for air as if we'd run a marathon, and we both started to grin as our eyes met. He took my hand in his and we walked towards Agartha as fast as we could.

"Loki," I spoke softly, the cold air was sobering me up a bit, and suddenly my anxiety got the better of me. "I can't just be a one night stand."

"I know," his face was serious, his brow furrowed. He squeezed my hand gently. "Not you. Never you." His voice was deep and warm, and trembled with emotion. "You are worth so much more than that."

We had to let go of each other's hand in Agartha, just in case anyone would see us, but the moment we stepped out of the portal Loki wrapped his arm around my shoulder. His body was firm, I could feel the hard muscles under his shirt as I put my arm around his waist under his coat.

It was a beautiful night, the moon was out and the stars were shining, but it was lost on us as we only had eyes for each other.

"Not here either," I giggled, as I was trying to open the front door with Loki's arms wrapped around me, his body pressed close to mine. "Just hold that thought!"

"Or here," I whispered in the hallway while shushing him and trying to fend him off at the same time, "Jessie might hear us!"

"My patience is starting to wear thin," Loki growled, but he was grinning despite himself. It felt so deliciously naughty, having to sneak around like that. Without saying another word he lifted me up in his arms and carried me up the stairs two steps at a time. I smothered a squeal against his shoulder.

And then we were suddenly in my bedroom, with the door closed. I half expected Loki to throw me on the bed, but he put me down gently, his eyes fixed on my bedside unit.

"You have the bracelet here?" he asked quietly.

"I forgot to return it after we went to the island," I admitted. The Templars didn't need it to track Loki's movement or activate the collar if it was deemed necessary, they could do that remotely. And I hadn't worn it that night, since Loki was allowed to move around freely in Ealdwic, and my house was considered another permitted area.

He sat down on the bed and pulled me next to him.

"Did you mean what you said earlier? About the collar?" Loki asked me intently.

"Yes," I said, again without hesitation.

"And you would take it off me if you could?"

"I would, but I don't know how to."

"Do you trust me?"

"I do," I know Loki lied almost as easy as he spoke the truth, or even easier perhaps, but he has never done anything to hurt or betray me after that first day we worked together. I trusted him.

Loki swallowed.

"I think I know how," he admitted. I eyed him questioningly.

"Two weeks ago they brought me in to check on the collar, and they took it off for a short while. I think I know how they did it, but I cannot do it myself. If I were to show you how, would you?"