Tabula Rasa (Unlike Loki: Book Two)

Chapter 23

(Anna)

We laughed as we fell into the tub, Loki still with his clothes on.

I eventually did wash myself. Loki got out of the tub, stripping off his drenched clothes.

I got out, Loki running to me, our wet bodies clashing. He spun me around, both of us laughing and slipping.

I fell, but he caught me, pressing me against him.

I hugged him tightly, smiling again this chest.

"I love you, Anna, darling."

I began to cry. "I'm just so happy you're back. I love you so, so much."

He took my hand and led to to a chair that sat in front of a mirror. He sat me down, and then picked up a comb. He proceeded to brush my hair, slowly, running his fingers through it.

I watched him fondly in the mirror. It didn't feel awkward that either of us wet completely naked. It felt natural. Thrilling.

He kept combing my hair, humming to himself. I continued to watch him. I still couldn't believe he was alive. He was here. All of him. Loki was Loki and nobody else.

I was just worried that there might be a catch.

Or maybe, just maybe, for once in my damn, sucky life, I was getting a break.

Loki stopped combing my hair and wring it out. He held out his hand, and I took it, getting up. I was still a little sore, but I felt tons better than I had before.

He smiled at me, his white teeth gleaming, and led be back out to his room. It was cooler there and I began to shiver.

Loki let go of my hand and jogged to my wardrobe.

God, he was beautiful.

He came back, handing me a green and black dress. I went over to the bed and began to put it on. I heard him behind me, ruffling through his own clothes.

I couldn't stop smiling.

After I finished dressing, and brushed myself off. The dress was comfortable and left part of my lower stomach exposed. I watched as he put on his shirt. He was wearing black pants and a green and golf jacket over a black shirt. He shook his hair out, and picked up a knife, and began cutting it.

I was shocked for a moment, but realized that his hair was as long as mine. Of course he'd want it shorter. He cut it the way he wanted, just below the shoulders. He flipped his head over and ruffled his hair with his hands.

He flipped back over, his hair slightly curly now. He reached for a hair tie and began putting his hair up, but then he stopped, turning to me. "Would you?" he held out the hair tie to me.

I laughed and took it out of his hand. He knelt down in front of me, his hands on my waist, and began kissing my stomach as I put my fingers through his hair.

I tried not to faint from my nerves exploding. What was it about Loki that made my head spin from a single look, let alone a single kiss?

I finished his hair, putting it half up, and giving him a thick braid on the side.

I held on to his shoulders as he kissed me a few more times, before standing up, brushing his nose up my stomach, between my breasts, up my chest, my jugular, and then, finally his lips met mine.

At first, the kiss was soft, comfortable. Our mouths fit perfectly together. It wasn't sloppy and it wasn't rushed.

It was perfect.

He kept kissing me, holding me tight. We shared each other's breaths.

I eventually pushed away, rubbing my eyelashes against his cheek.

I wrapped my arms tightly around his neck, burrowing my face in the crook of his neck.

And then I broke down.

"I'm so sorry." I mumbled.

He pulled me closer, "Shh, stop. It wasn't your fault. I'm fine. Your fine."

"But I killed you."

"No. No, your brother did. it was wrong of him to use you."

"I've been so scared."

"I know."

"I've missed you so much."

His body trembled. "And I have missed you."

********

We cried, holding each other.

I let out my grief and my relief.

We pulled away and dried our tears.

He looked at me, tilting my chin up with his finger. "I suppose we better find Thor."

I rubbed his arms, smoothing out his jacket.

He began walking, taking ahold of my hand. "Because I have quite the story to tell."