All Over Again (Sequel to Wanted Man)

Chapter Twenty-Five

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

The Sølvfoss was one of her favorite places in Asgard-one only she and Loki knew existed-but her mood remained heavy as she sat on the warm pale gold sand and stared out at the silvery water that gave the falls its name.

It was on this same beach where Loki first told her he loved her, just hours before he was remanded back to the dungeons and she to Midgard, neither of them knowing she was already pregnant with Selig. Since then, they returned to the falls many times, made love on that same golden sand or in the warm water of the falls, more times than she could count.

But it was also a place where she came when her thoughts weighted down her mind. There was something so soothing about listening to the water lap against the shore, or to hear the roar of the falls against the silvery rocks. And as Loki was preparing to leave with Thor in only a few short hours, her thoughts were heavy indeed.

Where it had originally been planned for Thor and Loki to leave right after the New Year, Aislinn's early arrival pushed that back by several weeks and for that, McKenna was grateful. Thor had gone on several other journeys, following other leads, he returned empty handed. He'd also met with Agent Phil Coulson, only to come back to Asgard impatient to find the Tesseract. Everyone was getting impatient.

Everyone except her.

A shadow fell over her and Loki sank onto the sand beside her. "I thought I might find you here."

She swallowed hard and forced a smile to her lips. "I had to get away for a little while. Odin is giving Selig a riding lesson, Aislinn is napping. I was going to go crazy if I had to listen to the silence any longer."

"McKenna-"

"I know, Loki. You don't need to tell me. I know you need to go. I know everything is going to be okay. I know it. But at the same time, I remember what happened the last time you had the Tesseract." She rose, brushing the sand off her backside and turned to stare down him. "I may not have been in your life, but I remember it all too clearly. And I was in New York after the battle. I saw what happened. And I can't help but be terrified that it's going to consume you again. Only this time, there may not be another chance for you."

With a low sigh, he rose and turned toward her. "McKenna, I understand all of that. And I do not fault you in the least for feeling that way. But, remember this, back then, I had nothing. Nothing but anger. And hatred."

He reached for her, sliding both arms about her waist. "But I am no longer that man. Anger, hatred, jealousy-they are all in the past. I don't crave power or dominance or any of those things that used to drive me. I want only to find the Tesseract, see it locked away safely, and come home to you and our children."

"Loki-"

His hands slid up her arms, along her shoulders, up to cradle her face, where he swept his thumbs along her cheeks. "That's all I want. Is to come home to you, love."

He said it so seriously, his eyes searching hers, that she felt absolutely foolish for being so afraid. Yet, she couldn't help it. No, he wasn't that same man, but the Tesseract was so powerful, she didn't doubt it could make a saint into a sinner.

Tears stung her eyes. "I'm still scared, Loki," she whispered.

"Don't be." He bent toward her and a cool kiss brushed her forehead, followed by another, and then his lips swept against hers. "I will return safe and sound and without plans for world domination."

She tried to laugh, but it emerged as strangled croak as her eyes overfilled and tears spilled down over her cheeks. Loki's thumbs brushed over them. "Don't cry, darling girl."