Page 5 of Thorulf
“Jade?” Aunt Elsie asked, ripping her from her reverie. “Seriously, are you okay?”
She frowned at the beer she’d taken out of the refrigerator but hadn’t opened. The truth was she didn’t really want it. She was just trying to kill time.
“All’s well.” She forced a smile and twisted off the cap. “Up for another movie?”
If nothing else, maybe she could make contact with Thor again.
Aunt Elsie smiled in return. “Sure, if you stay awake this time.”
She might not like why she had to behave so well, but shedidlike seeing her aunt more relaxed and happy. Maya and her mate Dagr had done well when they Forged in Fire, somehow stabilizing Maya’s sisters’ vibrational levels. It made all the difference for their poor aunt, who had looked after them for years. So despite Jade’s ulterior motives, relaxing some and spending quality time with her aunt was a good thing.
It was also a practiced thing that took more effort than she let on.
While yes, she wasn’t off-the-deep-end-restless like she’d been when she took a stranger’s boat for a joy ride and ended up in the local jail a few days ago, shewasstill teeming with unspent negative energy. Some of it was likely her eagerness to make Thorulf’s life a living hell, but the other was still her vibrational level going a bit haywire. Maya might have improved things, but they weren’t a hundred percent yet. Not based on her edgy inner dragon. Her overwhelming need to hit the local bar and rile up some trouble.
Usually, when she felt this way, it was because she was filtering negative energy for her sisters, but this was different. More of a craving to cause a little chaos instead of just running it off. To make life interesting in a whole new way.
“Chaos, is it?” came a familiar rumble before her aunt froze.
Literally froze in time.
“You do it a little differently than Thor,” she mused, enjoying the jolt of awareness she felt at a visit from a god that suited her mood. And her womanly instincts. “Good to finally meet you in person, Loki.”
She didn't need an introduction. She knew who he was. How could any hot-blooded woman not?
Built much like Thor and little like his television version, Loki stood at the deck door clad in supple black leather. Unlike Thor, he had a slightly dark aura and oozed sensual trouble. He obviously had no issues interrupting her Forging in Fire with a Sigdir based on how he eyed her.
“Nice to meet you as well, Jade.” He swaggered her way, still eyeing her like a tasty little dragon treat he intended to thoroughly enjoy. “And trust me, I doeverythingdifferently than Thor.”
“Is that an invitation?” She looked him over with equal interest, just fine skipping the Forge if she could enjoy the god who created it. “Because I could use a little stimulation.”
“I imagine you could.” He stopped behind her and murmured in her ear. Taunted. His hot breath fanned her neck. “Right here? In front of your aunt?”
Normally, having a godly piece of sinfully delicious towering man this close behind her would have more than just her blood flowing, but her body remained alarmingly unresponsive. Or should she say, her inner dragon? Because she felt her inner traitor-of-a-beast bristling. Testy. Not liking what Jade thought to do with Loki.
“The state I was in a few days ago, I wouldn’t have cared what I did in front of who.” She turned and looked up at him, waiting for the warm gush of pleasure she should feel at his proximity. The sweet anticipation of things to come. “But now?” She shrugged. “Despite Aunt Elsie being stuck in one of those otherworldly dimensions you Norse gods are so good at, not so much.” She pouted, honest because she was frustrated. “Why aren’t I all over you?” She ran a finger down his strong chest, visualizing how he’d touched Revna, the head seer, not that long ago. “I should beallover you. On my knees, bent over this counter,something.” She shook her head, dismayed. “But no.”
He seemed equally perplexed and fully aroused, his logic amusing. “Would you like me to take you anyway?” A twinkle lit his eyes. “Free will is not something we Norse gods adhere to like your one God.” He shrugged. “So if you would like me to bend you over the counter regardless or force you to your knees, it would be my pleasure.”
She couldn’t help but chuckle, mainly because he was so serious and hopeful. And again, based on the impressive ridge straining against his pants, aroused.
“While I find the way you think...interesting, I’m pretty sure you asking permission to take me against my will defeats the purpose.” She tilted her head in question when the old her would have at least dusted her finger flirtingly over everything he had to offer down there. “What’s going on with me, Loki?” Because she suspected he knew every bit as much as Thor. “Why aren’t I flirting properly? Taking advantage?” She frowned. “Tell me it’s not the whole Forge in Fire thing.” She shook her head. “Even worse, that it hasanythingto do with the half-Celt you’re letting infiltrate your ranks.”
They both narrowed their eyes at that. Why had she said it? What did it mean?
“I can only assume I’m the half-Celt you’re talking about, woman,” came another familiar rumble from the doorway. “Now I need to know why I did it.”