🥀 4 🥀

~♤~

"Now, where were we before you so rudely interrupted my phonecall?" Loki sneers as the victim cowers against the chair he's tied to in a basement downtown.

Loki quickly runs out of patience on these hits, dragging it out to a certain point until he can't take it anymore.

The man has terror in his eyes but gathers some final courage as he lifts his head to look at Loki.

"Didn't exactly pin you as the girlfriend type Odinson." He mocks and Loki's jaw clenches.

It was a good thing there were no plans to keep this man alive. He barely knew Lyla but he was quickly realising her association with him might not be a good thing.

But it was just dinner. He'd take her somewhere expensive and lavish. He'd impress her.

He'd see what she thought about his offer.

He didn't want to admit that Thor was right, but this really was the easiest and most professional way to deal with women.

A simple arrangement. A transaction. He could handle that.

The only thing Loki feared was Lyla's reaction. Would she be expecting it? He barely knew her but the thought of seeing disappointment on her face made him frown.

He was a monster, but he wasn't for purposefully inflicting pain on innocent civilians. He didn't know if it was too soon to initiate this conversation, but he didn't want to wait and lead her on equally.

Loki had his lawyer draw up a rough agreement. He had paid him extra for the grey nature of it.

His heart still felt tight at the thought of seeing her again. Loki suddenly wondered what she'd be wearing, if she'd be wearing a dress similar to last time that clung to her curvaceous body.

He could almost picture her pink lips if he tried hard enough there and then. And the thought of them around him. She was intoxicating to him and he couldn't quite figure out why.

He steeled himself.

"You're right. I'm not that type. I'm more the murderous villain instead." He smirked as he withdrew his dagger from its holder and sunk it into the man's neck.

Now all he had to do was go home and change himself so he couldn't smell the iron on him, the scent of death. And he would pick Lyla up tomorrow. He already knew where she lived. He'd sent the family's best investigator to follow her for the last few days and report back to him.

He knew her every move.

~♡~

"You didn't tell me you had a date with Thor's brother!?" Nat asked incredulously as she barges through the front door holding dress options she'd found in her closet for the occasion.

"I'm telling you now. It was very last minute. Besides, I wouldn't say it was a date exactly. In fact, I'm not sure what it is." Lyla muses as she feels herself blush.

She hasn't been able to tear her thoughts away from the handsome stranger for the last twenty four hours. And now the date was getting closer, her heart was beating faster. She was still feeling like this must be some kind of joke.

Why the raven-haired God of a man was vaguely interested in her, she had no idea.

Nat rolls her eyes as she immediately starts sizing dresses up against Lyla's body and walks into her bedroom to pull all her make up out.

Nat was better at these kinds of things and Lyla didn't mind letting her do it. Normally she wouldn't be making such an effort, but she'd never been out with anyone as rich as Loki before.

And she felt intimidated.

"I spoke to Thor after the event by the way. He said he'd never seen his brother so intrigued before by a woman." Nat laughs, gesturing for Lyla to sit down to start her make up.

Lyla blushes even deeper than before.

"I'm sure that's not true. Something tells me those two are not short of female attention." She replies, picking at the skin around her nails, a nervous habit.

Nat swats her hand away.

"It's true, I swear. Besides, you're not like all those other bimbos that surround him. You're probably a breath of fresh air. I doubt any of them even graduated high school." She chuckles. Lyla sighs at her best friend.

She never failed to hype her up, but she was still feeling like she was soaked in adrenaline and she felt sick to her stomach at the thought of seeing him again.

"I just want you to be careful though. Obviously have fun, but I'm not exactly sure what those two get up to. I know they're pretty notorious around the city. I want you to be safe." Nat said lowly, suddenly turning more serious.

This did nothing to help Lyla's nerves.

"How much trouble can happen in one night right? Besides you were with Stark for a long time and he had a lot of enemies." Lyla replies as she feels her chest flutter.

The thought of being in danger however, wasn't completely off-putting to her. In fact, she hated to admit that a bit of excitement in her mundane life was a slight turn on.

Especially if it came from Loki.

She snapped those thoughts out of her head.

"Yeah, but something tells me these two are into worse shit than Stark, Ly. Just have your wits about you ok? And I'll have my phone on all night. I wanna hear when you're back home safe. Or at his home safe." She winked as she said the last part, getting the foundation out to apply to her best friend's face.

"I can handle myself." Lyla replied as her stomach flipped in anticipation.

Nat stilled her brush for a second, looking her in the eyes.

"I know you can. But that last guy you were with—I won't say his name— I don't want you to get hurt again." She said softly.

Lyla swallowed down the lump in her throat at the painful memories that she'd pushed so far down into the depths of her soul. Her eyes ever so briefly blinked back tears.

"Well he can't hurt me anymore." Lyla says, clearing her throat to regain her composure.

Nat looks like she regretted her actions, so carried on applying the make up, as if she never said anything.

"Where is he taking you anyway?"

"I've no clue. He just told me to dress nice. What does that mean? How fancy?" Lyla groans, rubbing her temples.

She hates surprises and not feeling prepared.

"Ooh, surprise. I like it. Well I've got a really cute black number I think you'll like." Nat replies as she gestures to the bed where a Dior dress lies.

Lyla shakes her head.

"Nat, I can't wear that, it costs a fortune." Lyla protests but Nat silences her.

"Well, Tony got it for me when we were together, so might as well put it to good use." She shrugs as if it was no big deal.

But there's still hurt flickering across her own face, buried deep down.

A couple of hours pass and Nat was taking photos of Lyla in awe of her own work.

"You look fucking hot!" She squeals as the flash goes off again.

Lyla laughs with her.

"OK, enough. He sent me a text saying he'd be here in five, so I need you to go ok? You'll cause trouble." Lyla says as she hurries her out the door, giving her a kiss on the cheek.

"I want details! Stay safe. Use a condom. I love you!" She shouts down the corridor, hurrying off.

Lyla checks that none of her neighbours are in the corridor to hear her mouthy friend.

Suddenly, Lyla's flat buzzer rings and her head rings with it.

"Hello?" She answers tentatively, trying to make her voice sound relaxed.

She wobbles slightly on the heels Nat leant her, not fully comfortable but trying to look as fancy as she can. She has to admit, Nat has done a great job.

Her breathing catches in her throat at the sound of his liquid gold voice.

"Lyla, I am downstairs. Would you like me to come up to meet you?" Loki asks in a low tone which sends heat all over her body, but makes her shiver at the same time.

Lyla cleared her throat, trying to shake out the nerves.

"I'll come down. Let me just grab my purse." Lyla replies as she hangs up, not giving him time to come up.

She presumed he lived in some fancy high rise somewhere, and the fact he even had to see the outside of her run-down building was bad enough.

How did he find me? She suddenly thinks to herself.

She couldn't decide if it was insanely hot or super creepy. She'd forgotten to ask Nat. Maybe she'd told Thor.

Lyla took the steps two at a time whilst trying to be careful not to fall. Her legs felt weak at the thought of his face. She wondered if what she was wearing was enough....or perhaps too much. As her head was spinning with thoughts, she pushed open the building door to the street.

Her stomach dropped to her feet at the sight of him. Lyla had never seen anything so handsome in her life.

Loki stood outside of a deep emerald green Lamborghini, the passenger door open as an invitation to Lyla, leaning beside it in his sleek black blazer. His usual Rolex was glinting under the street lights and Lyla saw he was wearing black slacks and shiny lace up shoes. He looked heavenly.

Well, heavenly was the wrong word.

Hellish. In all the right ways.

All of Lyla's fears heightened and crashed at once as she realised she would blindly follow this man into the lion's den, if he led her there.

He walked forward slightly to meet her, kissing her hand like he had the other night. His eyes twinkled with mischief as he looked right into her soul. Lyla suddenly felt extremely bare, like she couldn't hide any feelings from him if she tried.

He tore his eyes away from hers as he glanced over her body in the tight black dress she wore. Loki bit the inside of his cheek. He wanted nothing more than to tear it off her body. It would look even better on the floor of his car.

"You look ravishing, Darling." He cooed and Lyla bit her lip.

There it was again, that nickname that melted her into a puddle of honey.

She bent down and climbed into the sports car as he shut the door behind her and walked to his side. He couldn't hide the smirk on his face.

Lyla tried to take in the interior. She'd never been in such a car before. It was exactly like in the movies. She felt the eyes of jealous passerbys on her within the vehicle and blushed. This was far beyond her means.

Loki got into the car and pulled away with ease from the sidewalk. Lyla took a deep breath in, feeling her curled hair tickling the back of her shoulders and trying to focus on that feeling.

"So, I'm curious, how did you know where I live?" Lyla finally asks as she turns to study Loki's face.

He was clean shaven and his light skin reflected in the moonlight beautifully. Loki turns to her quickly, taking his eyes off the road.

"I have my sources." He said tapping the side of his nose.

Not the answer Lyla wanted, but she'd let it go for now.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going at least?" She smiled sweetly, but Loki saw the way her fingers twitched against her purse as she tried to calm herself down in his presence.

It thrilled him.

"I'm going to take you out for a lavish meal at one of the best rooftop restaurants in the city. Because I sense its what you deserve, but have never been given." Loki stated as he looked back at the road.

Lyla was suddenly glad she'd borrowed Nat's designer dress.

"If you think that's what I deserve, you don't know me very well." She tried to joke but her throat was so dry.

Her fight or flight was kicking in, as if her nervous system was warning her to a danger that was yet to come.

"Oh my Pet, I know more than you think. Besides, I'd like to get to know you more if you'll let me." He murmured.

Lyla hummed, unsure what to say to this powerful man sitting beside her. The car felt like a vacuum in space, sucking in the air.

"We'll see how tonight goes I suppose." She replied, trying to be cheeky but it came out more pleading.

This man had a serious effect on her already and he knew it.

"How is work going?" Loki asked, suddenly changing the subject.

Lyla was unsure if he actually was interested or was being polite. Small talk looked strange on him.

She studied him a moment more before speaking.

"It's the same as every day. Although we did get some old editions of some classics in yesterday that need restoring, so I'll be helping on that which I like. It's soothing in a weird way." She surprised herself at that little admission.

It was boring to the outside world and she quickly regretted how mundane it sounded. But something about watching her boss press the books, glue or stitch the bindings back together and dust them fascinated her. It was like restoring a piece of history. She liked to imagine all the hands the books had been in and the events it'd seen.

Loki turned to her again, his eyebrow raised in intrigue. Lyla felt that small feeling again. Like she was two foot tall.

"Sorry, I know that's not very exciting. Probably not compared to whatever you've been up to anyway." She whispers, feeling embarrassment wash over her.

Loki suddenly placed a cool hand on her thigh which made her breathing stop abruptly. The connection of the skin set her nerves on fire. But she loved it.

He smiled.

"I think it's sweet. Which books were they?" He replied, looking back to the road but keeping his hand on her thigh.

Normally this affection on a first date would creep Lyla out, but her body was literally dying for his touch. And now she had it she didn't want it to leave.

"We have an early copy of Alice in Wonderland. And the illustrations are insane even though they're faded. We also have a 2nd edition of Bram Stoker's Dracula. It's in pretty bad shape but once it's restored it'll look beautiful." Lyla gushes again, before she can stop herself.

Loki relished the sound of her voice when she spoke about something that made her excited. He hadn't heard someone talk like that in a long time. It was refreshing.

"I was going to wait until dinner to bring this up, but since we're talking about your work..." Loki starts and Lyla notices brief concern wash over his features.

If she wasn't panicking already, she was now.

She turns to face him, her heart hammering in her throat as she waits.

"What we spoke about the other night. I know you don't get paid as much as you deserve there. You seem like a nice person. I'd like to help you out, but there's a catch." He clears his throat again.

Lyla notes how bizarre it was to see such a powerful person so nervous. Her whole body froze, looking down at the hand on her thigh in realisation. Loki notices this and removes it, not wanting to make her uncomfortable.

"It sounds worse than it is. But I know you're aware of the...arrangement Miss Romanoff and Tony Stark had. I thought perhaps we could have something similar, if you'd like. We can set all the rules together. Nothing you're uncomfortable with. I'd love your company, but I'd also love to compensate you for your time, as I know it's precious." Loki finishes explaining as he anxiously turns to check Lyla's face for signs of hurt or offence.

She chews on her lip. She couldn't say she was shocked. Of course there'd be a catch. There's no way he was actually interested in her was there?

Although he had chosen her when he could've had anyone.

Was this because he saw her as vulnerable?

"I really don't say this to offend you." Loki began as he saw her face falter, his own heart plummeting.

Perhaps he should've waited until dinner when they'd gotten to know each other beret. But he didn't want to give her any false pretences. Lyla looked up at the handsome man. Perhaps she was right to have been so scared. She should've listened to her body warning her.

"I just....I mean...I'm not surprised I guess. Its just a lot to take in. I have to know, why me? You could have any girl to pay for their time. I'm... I hope I haven't given off the wrong impression that's the way I am." Lyla blushes, hurt tinging her voice.

Loki suddenly swerves the car, pulling over to the side of the road, causing others to blare their horn at him. He shoots the drivers a death glare as they pass which silences them.

He takes Lyla's hand in his. Staring intently into her eyes. She feels pangs of embarrassment wash over her. She wasn't sure what to think. But she feels stupid.

"I promise. I do not think you can be bought, nor that you are cheap or able to be manipulated. It's just...I was very taken with you when we met. I'm good at reading people, and I like what I saw of you, however brief. I'd love to spend more time with you. But I also know that I cannot provide you, or anyone for that matter, with the classic archetype of dating. It doesn't work like that with me, and my work." Loki trailed off as if lost in thought.

Lyla saw genuinity in his eyes and she softened a little. He'd said the last part like it stung him.

This wasn't about her. This was about him. Of course he didn't date girls. Whatever he was involved in didn't allow for it.

"And to answer the question of why you. I'm not sure....you're different. I enjoy talking to you. I have a lot of wealth Lyla. You're a good person I can tell, and I'd like to share it with you in return for your presence. It doesn't have to be a sexual thing. I promise. Like I said, we will work out whatever is comfortable for you. Equally, if you think I am a complete fuckwit for asking you that, let me know and I'll take you back home, no need for explanations." He sighs as he brings a hesitant hand to stroke her cheek.

Lyla wanted to tell him to go to Hell.

But that touch felt divine.

And she hadn't felt like this in such a long time.

Now he'd explained it, she supposed it made perfect sense. It was the same reason Nat and Tony had set up their arrangement. And it had worked well, until feelings got involved.

"So this is like a sugar baby situation?" Lyla finally asks, laughing and cringing at the words that left her mouth.

Loki looks relieved to see her smiling and loosens his shoulders slightly as he withdraws his hand from her face. Lyla wanted to grab onto it, and plant her lips on his. But that wasn't what this was.

Not yet anyway.

"If you want to call it that, but it's rather foul when you describe it that way." Loki said through gritted teeth, his eyes never leaving hers as he waited with baited breath.

"Let me spoil you Lyla. I really want to. And if it doesn't work or you hate it, there's no pressure." He murmured and there was that velvet smooth voice that wrapped around her and sent heat throughout her body.

Her last relationship had gotten her hurt. Badly. There was a reason she hadn't dated again. Perhaps this was the solution. Although her pride hated the fact she would take money off someone to go on dates with them, she could really use the money with her landlord threatening to kick her out. It meant she could protect herself too, emotionally.

She smirks and blushes, taking a deep breath and still not quite believing this is how her evening was going. It was all happening so fast, she barely knew the man before her. But every fibre in her being just wanted any excuse to be in his presence, no matter how. She felt alive.

"If that's what you want, we can figure out the details over dinner I suppose. I like spending time with you, well the short time we've spent. I'd like to continue to do so, and if this is the way I can do that then let's try." She mutters as she picks at her fingernails again.

It doesn't go unnoticed by Loki as he squeezes her arm and pulls the car off again.

Neither realised that the other was trying to protect themselves from getting hurt. When fate did not have that planned for them.

——