🥀 5 🥀

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Loki's heart had been hammering when he'd asked Lyla that question.

The fact that she hadn't demanded he turn the car around and drop her home felt like a miracle. It'd been a long time since he'd felt this way: anxious.

He might be a monster in organised crime, but he wasn't for insulting innocent women like Lyla. He'd seen that brief flicker of disappointment register across her face however, no matter how she had tried to hide it. That hurt him.

When did he start caring about people's emotions so much? Loki wondered if Lyla had been upset this wasn't a proper date. But she would see eventually this was better. She would realise, like all the other women in the city, that Loki was not a good person, nor worth dating material.

As they pulled up to the curb outside the restaurant, Loki got out, handing the keys to the valet before he walks to Lyla's side and opens the door for her, offering a hand to get out of the car.

It wasn't easy to manoeuvre out of. He suddenly felt regret for bringing his most flashy car instead of something more easily accessible. But that narcissistic part of him had wanted to show her how wealthy he was, to make the offer that much more enticing.

Loki couldn't help his eyes trail over the smooth, glistening skin of her bare legs as Lyla flung them out. He needed to get those thoughts out of his head.

At least until he was alone.

Lyla thanked him as she took his arm and stepped into the building, looking around her.

Hundreds of fairy lights were draped across the entrance to the building, creating a warm glow across the foyer. She smooths down the Dior dress, trying to concentrate on walking in the heels again, suddenly aware that everyone seated near the entrance had turned to look at her and Loki.

She even felt the waiter's eyes brush over her body. Self consciously, she tugged her dress down a little lower. Loki notices this and scowls at the waiter, reminding himself to talk to him about it later.

Threaten perhaps was the more suitable word.

"Your usual, Mr Odinson?" The waiter snaps out of his daze from ogling Lyla and smiles politely at Loki.

He smirked as he realises the waiter can't quite look him in the eye after the glare he just sent him. The staff all knew he could get them fired, or the restaurant shut down without lifting a finger, if he felt like it that was.

"Yes." Loki replies curtly as he gestures for Lyla to follow the waiter.

They walked up glass stairs onto the rooftop where a private booth was ready and waiting, sheltered from the rest of the restaurant outside with thin satin curtains draped over the entrance of the booth. Candles sat in elegant candlesticks on the table, their flames dancing in the light summer breeze, and luxurious velvet cushions adorned the seats.

Lyla had never been somewhere so fancy in her life. She stared in amazement as she shuffled into the seat with Loki taking his space opposite her. The waiter put down the menu and wine list before scurrying off, talking lowly to other staff as he left who glanced over. Lyla swallows hard.

"You like it?" Loki asked, raising an eyebrow as he roughly glanced at the wine menu.

Lyla nodded enthusiastically, taking in the view of the skyscrapers of the city that danced on the horizon before her, their lights dazzling and mesmerising. She briefly ponders if Tony had ever brought Nat somewhere like this and how oblivious to this lifestyle she was before tonight.

"It's beautiful. I've never been somewhere like this before." She sighed and Loki detected a hint of sadness.

He placed the wine menu down, calling a waitress over with a slight raise of his hand.

"Your finest bottle of champagne please." He ordered with a tight lipped smile.

The waitress blushed and all but ran off to the bar.

"I feel like the finest bottle of champagne here is going to cost more than I earn in a year." Lyla jokes as she began to look at Loki fully now they were seated facing each other.

The flame from the candle flashed across Loki's features, softening his eyes but hardening his jawline.

Lyla felt her breathing hitch as her eyes trailed down to his lips before steeling herself. Nervously, she picked up the menu, not recognising any of the languages or food on it. To say she felt out of her depth would be an understatement.

"Well, you don't need to worry about that. This is my treat tonight for you." Loki said smoothly as he saw Lyla's eyes frowning over the menu.

He tried to contain his smirk as he realised how sweet she was. The poor thing had probably never been anywhere like this in her life and he'd thrown her in the deep end.

"Need help deciding?" Loki asked as Lyla looked up, blushing deeply.

She hated how hot her face got when she was embarrassed. And she knew Loki saw it too. She felt transparent around him, like he could see through her skin and into her mind.

Lyla bit her lip, nodding slowly as she smiled.

"This place is so fancy, I don't know which fork to kill myself with." She joked and Loki let out a genuine laugh for the first time since they'd met, taking Lyla by surprise.

"What do you usually like to eat?" He asked as he reached over to the table and took her menu, turning it so they could both see it.

His cool fingertips grazed Lyla's palms as he did so.

"Cheeseburgers?" Lyla said again, relaxing a little more as she humoured him.

Loki realised she wasn't like the usual women he brought out when he had the time or desire. She wasn't trying to be anything other than herself, and he liked that.

"OK, so maybe steak? What about Pasta dishes, do you like those?" He pressed again as his eyes flickered over the menu once more.

He had leant in closer to Lyla to share the menu, and she could smell the expensive aftershave on him. He was so close she could kiss him...

"I love pasta." Lyla responds with a beam.

Loki loved the way her eyes twinkled when she smiled like that. He nodded his head.

"The seafood linguine is rather good here. Or the pomodoro if you're fancying something less...exciting." He whispered the last part, the implication lingering heavy in the air.

Lyla could feel the heat on her face and rushing down to her stomach and thighs. She tried to remind herself this was just an arrangement. She wasn't special.

"I'm here to try something new. So I'll go for the seafood." She concluded, just as the waitress came back with an expensive bottle of champagne and a serviette draped over her arm.

She carefully placed the flute glasses down, tentatively pouring a sip into Loki's for him to sample. Lyla saw anxiety in her eyes and wondered what kind of reputation Loki held, even in this place. It should've scared her off, but she ignored the shivers it sent down her spine and pressed forward.

Loki swilled the champagne around his mouth before finally smiling dryly and nodding for the waitress to continue to pour. Lyla noticed her hands shaking a little as she did, splashing some onto her bare leg which made her jump. The waitress' face went ashen and she apologised profusely.

"I'm so sorry Ma'am. It was an accident. Let me clean it for you!" The young woman spluttered as she got the serviette and handed it to Lyla.

Lyla reached out to her arm.

"It's fine don't worry! It happens to the best of us." She tried to reassure but she caught Loki's clenched fist out the corner of her eye.

If looks could kill, this would be a crime scene right now.

"Leave the bottle and go." Loki said through gritted teeth as he tried to regain control.

Lyla cowered a little at his tone. The poor waitress hurried off looking like she'd burst into tears.

"Loki, she didn't mean to. It was just a drop." Lyla stuttered as she saw him stand up and come round to her side, scooting into the booth next to her.

Her heart fell to her toes at the proximity.

"Did any get on your lovely dress?" Loki asks as his eyes scan over her body, lingering on the splotch of champagne that had trickled down her thigh.

Lyla shook her head, entranced as he quickly smoothed his finger over the wet patch to get rid of it. The feel of his fingers on her thigh sent a wave of lust through her she couldn't ignore. She tried to hide the flinch that happened but she knew Loki saw everything.

This was only magnified when Loki didn't use a napkin to wipe his finger, but instead brought it to his lips to suck off the alcohol.

"Can't waste good champagne." He murmured as Lyla realised she'd been holding her breath.

Whatever effect Loki was aiming for was clearly happening.

Its just an arrangement Lyla. This is business.

A separate waiter came over to apologise profusely and told Loki he would waive the fee of the Champagne for him off the bill. Loki thanked him but didn't seem fazed now.

Lyla thought he mightve gone back to his side of the table, but instead he remained close to her. She was sure the heat radiating off her could be felt a mile away.

Loki placed both their orders then cleared his throat as he put an arm out behind her, resting it there. Lyla took a deep breath in.

"I want us to get to know each other a little better, but first I think we should go over the contract, don't you? Get all that unpleasant business out the way." Loki's voice echoed into her ear.

Lyla felt her chest tighten.

If things were going to get complicated legally, she didn't feel equipped. She was smart, but surely not as smart as Loki. She suddenly wished she'd had Nat here to speak to. Lyla had gone into this date extremely naive.

"Sure, sounds good." She muttered as her hand anxiously reached out for the champagne, taking a larger swig than she expected to try and settle her nerves.

Loki watched her lips separate from the glass, sensing her nerves. He should've done something to help settle them, but it was so appetising to him. He loved the effect he had on her.

"I will get my lawyer to send you a copy when we've agreed on the terms. The rough gist is, I'd like you to accompany me to social functions, I have an appearance to maintain and a reputation to uphold, so there will be some rules around those.

No shop talk. I won't talk to you about my family business. Its better that way for you anyway. I will supply clothes, accessories, anything you need for these functions. They might be last minute so I need you readily available for me, and in exchange I will pay you a monthly salary on top of the expenses. How does that sound?" Loki states, his tone going into a less playful one and more serious.

Lyla got a brief glimpse into how he must be when he is giving orders.

She didn't hate it.

Lyla nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat that was lodged there. In lust, anxiety or excitement, she wasn't sure. But it was the most alive she'd felt in a while.

Lyla couldn't quite believe this was happening. She was still expecting a camera crew to come out and tell her she was being pranked. Despite all this, Lyla did have some questions. She wasn't sure she was ready for the answers however.

"You want to ask something." Loki noted as his eyebrows drew together and he leaned even closer to her.

Lyla hadn't realised how deep green his eyes were until this moment.

"I understand we don't talk about your family business. I don't need all the details but....am I safe around you?" She hesitates as she asks the last part, her heartbeat fluttering in her chest.

Loki thinks about this for a moment before sighing.

"I cannot guarantee full safety, but nothing in life is guarenteed. Would that change your mind?" He quizzed.

Lyla found herself shaking her head quickly before her brain could compute.

"No." She breathed.

Loki winks back at her.

"Good girl. I didn't think it would." He murmured and the praise nearly sent Lyla over the edge.

"You're right that I can't tell you more. It's for your own protection. But let me tell you something, no one messes with anything of mine and gets away with it."

Lyla could've combusted there and then at the possessiveness. Every fibre in her body was telling her to get out. To remember Natasha's words about being careful. Screaming at her that this was dangerous, but the adrenaline going through her suddenly felt like a heroin addict getting their fix.

She took another swig of champagne, staring at Loki.

"I understand." She replies obediently.

Loki smiled wider at that.

"I do have another question. It might be really stupid." She sighs as Loki stays staring intently at he, waiting.

Lyla wasn't sure how to phrase it without sounding like a complete idiot. She plays with the hem of her dress.

"Go on." Loki encouraged, curiosity playing on his features.

He loves the way she squirms through her words, afraid of what to say next.

"Is this a...how do I put it. Um, is this a physical thing?" Lyla averts her gaze as she downs the champagne in her glass now, needing the buzz to numb her racing thoughts.

Loki took a deep breath in, putting two fingers under her chin to turn her to face him. She couldn't escape if she wanted to. Reluctantly she brought her gaze up to his emeralds.

"Do you want it to be?" He asks quietly.

That treacle soft tone spiralling down to her core.

Lyla bit her lip in thought.

"I'm...not sure. I just don't want to cheapen it." She sighs, not knowing which way her mind and body wanted to go.

She wasn't a prostitute. She didn't want to be one. Everyone is entitled to their own choice of work, but it just didn't sit right with Lyla's life views.

Yet here she was, wishing he'd take her there and then on the table.

"My dear. What do you want? I know I'd like nothing more than to kiss you right now. But we can leave it at that. Whatever you're comfortable with. I'm not forcing you into anything you're not whole-heartedly in." Loki explains.

He gets the bottle of champagne and tops up Lyla's glass himself, not trusting the waiting staff to do an adequate job.

"I think....I'd like to kiss you too." Lyla breaths as she subconsciously moves her face closer to Loki's.

She could smell the champagne on his own breath, and the faint waft of cigars. He still held her chin firmly with his two fingers as he pulls her in towards him, colliding their lips together in a gentle but firm manner.

Lyla felt instant sparks in her stomach, shooting down to her fingers and toes. His lips were soft but had an edge to them. Like a knife that could be flipped over at any point to cut you.

Deadly.

She let her breath go, coming out as a soft moan as Loki moved his hands to the back of her head, carefully running through her loose waves. Lyla felt her fingers moving into action, slowly creeping up his chest.

Loki pulls back before it can go any further, smiling and looking deep into her eyes.

"Hmm." Lyla breaths as she blushes pink at the loss of contact and realisation she was probably far more into the kiss than Loki.

It didn't feel terrible. Far from it. It felt divine. This couldn't be wrong if it felt so right surely? So what if Loki was generously compensating her for their time together. No one was getting hurt.

"Was that alright?" Loki asks with a light in his eye.

Lyla laughs and nods her head.

"More than alright." She whispers as she wishes she had the confidence to pull him back in and continue.

No one had ever turned her own so much from a peck on the lips before.

"I'm glad. We can see how it goes as we progress. You decide." Loki notes as he looks up to see the waiting staff carrying their food over.

The girl from before was however no where to be seen.

"That sounds....reasonable." Lyla murmurs as she smiles, smelling the delicious food in front of her.

"But Loki, I wasn't joking earlier. I genuinely don't know which fork to use." She laughs and Loki swore he could listen to that sound forever.

He wonders briefly what Thor would think now that he'd taken his advice. He'd probably never hear the end of it.

He was right, it was more clinical this way.

Purely transactional.

The two of them spent the next two hours drinking and enjoying each other's company. Loki didn't talk much about himself, occasionally jumping in with opinions on literature or politics but he asked thousands of questions to Lyla.

He surprised himself that he was genuinely interested in the conversation and finding out more about this beautiful stranger. Ever since he'd kissed her he couldn't get the taste of her vanilla lipstick out his brain.

Loki signed the check at the end of the night despite Lyla's feeble protests. It was adorable how horrified she'd been when she caught a glimpse of the bill between him flicking the leather booklet open. Loki was fascinated by her simplicity and kindness.

That pang of guilt threatened the edges of his mind at the thought of her being associated with him. He'd have to ensure his private investigators and security were stepped up around her, without her knowing of course.

Before they left, Loki had told Lyla he needed to speak to the staff about something and to wait for him by the foyer. Lyla's heart had skipped a beat as she realised quickly that Loki was likely getting that young girl from earlier fired.

She couldn't prove it, but the look of remorse on the managers face and the way Loki towered over him threateningly was all she needed to know.

Getting into his car, Loki placed his hand on her thigh again, as he had done briefly on the drive over here. Lyla didn't protest. She longed for it. It took every ounce of restraint not to grab his hand and move it higher.

Parking up outside her building, Loki once again got out to escort her to the door. Lyla felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her at the thought of Loki once again seeing where she lived. He didn't voice his opinions however, no matter what he was feeling.

"I shall send you a copy of the agreement to sign tomorrow. Any issues, give me a call. I hope I see you again sooner rather than later." He whispered as he felt himself being drawn to her once more.

Lyla's back was pressed against the glass door to her building and she quickly realised Loki was very much taller and stronger than her. Alarm bells rang once more but all she wanted was for him to press her into the door further with his hips.

Loki put an arm on the door, resting it next to her head and cornering her in. Lyla reaches a hand up to stroke Loki's face, hesitating when he flinched at the contact. She supposed he wasn't used to someone else initiating.

Before she knew it, his lips were on hers again, but this time there was slightly more need. Lyla opened her mouth slightly, testing the waters and Loki took the invitation, pressing his tongue to the back of her teeth and enveloping her in his beautiful taste.

Lyla moved her hands down to his neck, feeling his pulse steady underneath her fingers as Loki moves his free hand to the side of her hips ever so lightly. Lyla felt like groaning again, but as before, Loki pulled away, eyes sparkling once more with a wicked grin on his face.

"I'll be in contact Pet." He murmured as he stepped away and back towards his car.

Lyla was definitely going to have to have an extra long shower tonight.

Little did she know Loki was headed home for the exact same thing.

——

A/N: bit of a slow chapter for now. This will pick up soon though and I hope you enjoy 🖤 please comment if you've read it.

L, xo