Heaven Sent (Loki/Asgard Fanfiction - Aislinn's Story)

Chapter Twenty

Aislinn was in his parking space.

Steve grinned as he eased the Denali into the other space instead. It felt a little weird, since he parked in the same spot for almost seven years. Then he rolled his eyes. It was just a damn parking spot. As long as the silver Jetta was in front of his unit, he was happy.

The humidity thickened as the day went on, heavy gray clouds hanging ominously in the sky. According to the local talk radio station, it was raining steadily in South Jersey, and those storms were expected to make their way into his neck of the woods over the next several hours. Which meant tonight probably wasn't ideal for being at the boardwalk.

The velvet-covered box was tucked into the center console. Maybe it'd be better to give it to her after Tracy's birthday. He really didn't want to steal his sister's thunder. It was tough enough being one in five kids and always fighting for attention. He didn't want her birthday to become about him. And he knew his parents--his mother especially--would go ape when they found out that he was finally getting married.

Finally. As if thirty-two was ancient. Hardly. But to hear his mother tell it, she despaired of him ever settling down. He wasn't exactly sure what she thought he was doing, but she seemed convinced that he was sleeping with different women every night. Where she ever got that impression, he didn't know, as he was usually in a committed relationship. He just saw no need to get married.

At least, not until meeting Aislinn, anyway.

He climbed down from the driver's seat and made his way inside. All was quiet. "Ash?"

Nothing.

He mounted the steps. "Aislinn?"

Only silence.

He rounded the corner to his bedroom and paused in the doorway.

She was asleep. Curled up on his side of the bed (closest to the door) and sound asleep.

He leaned against the doorjamb, arms crossed and smiled. His goddess--er, demigoddess.

Christ, she was so beautiful.

And she loved him.

How the hell did that happen?

With that, he pushed away from the jamb and crossed over to sink onto the edge of the bed. Her hair was cool and silky to the touch as he stroked it away from her face. His fingers lingered along her cheek. Her skin was just as cool. A Frost Giant. Just when he thought he'd heard everything. But he was learning. With Aislinn, there seemed to be no such thing as having heard everything.

He shifted to stretch out next to her and as he eased his arm about her, she sighed in her sleep and murmured, "Steve..."

He smiled. His name sounded so elegant on her lips. And when her voice had that airy quality to it... he was a goner.

She snuggled against him, draping her arm about his hips. The coolness from her body seeped into him, but then, to his surprise, she grew warmer. And warmer. And when he tried to move away before he overheated her, she tightened her hold on him.

"Faker," he muttered as she eased her hand beneath his NY Giants tee shirt and it rested cool against his stomach.

She let out a snore in response.

Then, the hand on his stomach moved. Her fingertips brushed him. Brushed down below his navel.

His eyes closed as she teased along the waist of his jeans.

His blood warmed by a few degrees.

Then she rolled away from him.

He chuckled, sliding his arm about her waist to pull her to his chest. "I know you're awake, honey."