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

Chapter Forty

Unchained Melody, by the Righteous Brothers, was unfamiliar to most of the people on the dance floor, but Aislinn knew it well, since her mother was Midgardian and fond of it. For the first time ever, Aislinn actually heard the words as she met Steve's gaze. In the low, golden light of countless flickering candles, his eyes looked almost black, but they glittered and swirled with emotion as he said, "What's on your mind, Ash?"

"Nothing. I just never realized how pretty this song is." She tilted her head slightly to the left, smiling up at him. "And it's really quite beautiful."

His fingers tightened about hers and his hand on her hip felt warmer still. "We can use it as our wedding song, if you want."

"Wedding song?"

He smiled, brushing her forehead with a kiss. "You know, the song we dance our first dance to." He drew back far enough to give her a long look. "You don't do that here?"

"We do. I mean, Selig and Celia did. And I think my mom and dad did as well. My mom says Jersey Girl, by Bruce Springsteen is their song. Selig and Celia danced to Crazy for You. Ce said it was the first slow song she and Selig ever danced to." She let her fingertips graze along the back of his neck, up into his hair, silky and cool against her skin. "Isn't it supposed to be a song that means something to us?"

"Usually. Don't tell me we don't have a song, Ash."

"We don't. We've never gone dancing."

He tugged her closer, the hand on her hip tightening now. "Do you remember what was playing in the pizzeria the night we met?"

She pursed her lips as she thought back to that magical night. So perfect in every way and she knew there was something playing on the pizzeria stereo that night. Trouble was, she couldn't quite remember.

Then, she smiled. "It was by John Lennon, wasn't it? My mom loves him almost as much as she does Bruce."

His thumb stroked hers. "Woman."

"But, that's not really a couples' song, is it?"

"Maybe not, but it fits. You put up with a lot from me, Ash."

"You're hardly a test, Steve."

"You sat in the bleachers in ninety degree heat to watch me run a football camp, baby."

"Yeah, but you looked so good in those shorts, with your tee shirt stretched so tight across these beautiful shoulders." She slid her hand down his neck and along his right shoulder for emphasis. Even through his suit jacket, the muscles of his shoulder were easy to feel--strong and firm beneath his skin.

He smiled and it was enough to take her breath away. She'd never seen him look as handsome as he did that night, with the candlelight dancing over his dark hair and making his dark eyes sparkle like polished tiger's eye. And she knew she wasn't imagining the stares and double-takes done by the women of Asgard. Steve might think he paled in comparison to Asgardian men, but that obviously wasn't the case, as her mother would say.

"What's wrong, Ash?"

"Nothing's wrong. You just take my breath away, honey," she said with a grin.

He bent to brush her lips with his, whispering, "Now you know how I feel whenever I look at you, baby."

Those words, in his growly whisper, sent a shiver along her spine. Without thinking, she slid her hand from his to wind her arms about his neck. "I love you."

"I love you, too, baby," he said, his lips brushing hers.

She melted against him as what started out as a gentle kiss slowly deepened. It didn't matter that they were amid a sea of people. It didn't matter that her mother and father were right there on the dance floor with them. The only thing that mattered was that she was in Steve's arms and that was where she fully intended to stay.