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

Chapter Forty-Four

She brought him to the precipice and when they went over it, it was gentle and deep and he cradled her against him even as his head spun from the pleasure of it. She trembled against him, her breath coming in short gasps.

"Easy, honey," he whispered, stroking her back with just his fingertips.

She snuggled against him, her head tucked against his chest. "I missed you so much, Steve. You have no idea."

"I probably do," he murmured back, kissing the top of her head once more. "I was miserable without you, Ash."

"Me, too." She lifted her head to meet his gaze and her eyes were soft as she added, "I couldn't bring myself to come get my things because that would mean it was really over and I couldn't bear the thought of that being true."

He curved his hand against her cheek, letting his thumb brush along her cheekbone. "It's not true, honey. I'm a miserable son of a bitch without you. And I don't want to be without you."

"I don't want to be without you, either."

"So," he had to fight to keep his smile at bay, "are you still willing to marry a short, underpaid Midgardian gym teacher who lets his jealousy get the best of him from time to time?"

"That depends." Her fingertips brushed down the middle of his chest. "Are you still willing to marry an Asgardian-Jötunn-Midgardian ice queen who tends to trust a little too easily sometimes?"

"We're going to make one hell of a couple, Princess Aislinn. And you're not an ice queen. You're warm with me."

"I trust you."

She said it so softly, he wasn't certain he'd heard her right. "You can trust me, Ash. I'm not going to hurt you. Not ever. Besides, if I did, that Royce guy threatened to kick my ass."

She smiled. "He's very protective of me. Like Volstagg is of my mother."

He had no idea who Volstagg was, but the thought of Loki allowing it made him smile. "Really?"

She nodded. "He's got a soft spot for my mother and Royce has one for me. He and Heimdall both."

"Because believe it or not, Princess, you happen to be very lovable." He grinned. "Especially for an ice queen."

"Careful, Midgardian," she growled, although her emerging grin gave her away. "Or I'll freeze your man part right off."

"You wouldn't dare. You like it too much." He tugged her back to his chest, wrapping his arms about her and planting a kiss into the top of her head. "Now, why don't we go upstairs and go to bed? I haven't slept more than two or three hours a night since I got home and from the shadows under your eyes, I'd bet you haven't, either."

She shook her head. "If I had two hours a night, it was a good night."

He bit back a groan as she eased off him and stood. In the soft light coming from the kitchen, she was every bit the goddess, her skin ivory and flawless, her hair raven and silky. He rose, catching her by the waist to pull her against him. "Have I told you how fucking beautiful you are, Aislinn?"

"I'm a train wreck, as Celia would say."

He shook his head. "You're gorgeous." He leaned to kiss her and without warning, swept her up into his arms.

He carried her upstairs effortlessly, and set her gently in the middle of his rumpled bed before slipping in beside her. As she snuggled up against him, he whispered, "This is the first time this damn bed has been comfortable in weeks."

"Tell me about it." Her head came to rest on his chest and with one forefinger, she traced a small circle about his left nipple. "Steve? Who was the redhead?"