🥀 7 🥀

~♡~

Lyla had been up all night since she'd received the contract the day before.

Nat had been round and given it a thorough looking over. She agreed it was comprehensive and covered Lyla enough for anything that could potentially go wrong.

Her eyes, too, had bulged as she read the monthly allowance Loki was gifting her, noting that the brothers must be not far off Stark's wealth.

Lyla, in her excitement at the thought of the money, possibilities and handsome stranger that was quickly sweeping her off her feet, had scrawled her handwriting as fast as she could. Loki had someone come to pick up the document within thirty minutes. The ink was still fresh.

Nat had questioned that Lyla was a hundred percent sure she wanted to do this, but Lyla saw no logical reason not to. It made sense for the both of them.

Ever since it had been picked up however, Lyla had a gut feeling in her stomach that everything in her life was about to change.

And she wasn't wrong.

Whilst her nerves fizzled with excitement at the thought of someone as charming, rich and powerful as Loki even paying her any mind, that part of her brain responsible for fight or flight was still screaming at her that something was wrong.

All she had to do, was think of the feel of his lips on hers however, the smell of his cologne, the sparkle in his green eyes and the logical part of her brain quickly was silenced.

She felt like she was under a spell. Constantly checking her phone at work to hear from him again, flinching out of her thoughts at every sudden noise and unable to concentrate.

"Lyla, are you even listening to me?" Her boss said as she paused her movements, giving her a pointed look.

Lyla shook her thoughts out her head, embarrassed, leaning back over the book that her boss was showing her how to restore properly using a new technique. Lyla could do some alone, but this edition was too expensive with the new equipment to mess up.

"Sorry Peggy, I didn't mean to zone out there." She apologised, as the colour flushed to her cheeks.

The older woman sighed and gave her a half smile, continuing with the press and glue.

"It's a boy, isn't it?" Peggy said quietly.

She had a wicked smirk on her face as she went back to concentrating, her bright brown eyes focusing on what was in front of her.

Lyla cleared her throat. "What is?" She asked, trying to feign being oblivious.

"You know damn well what. You seem happier these last few days. It seems like there's someone new on the horizon for you." She responded again with a knowing half smile.

Lyla sighed, laughing.

"You always could read me too well." She huffed as she relaxed a little, knowing she could trust Peggy.

Giving her the details of the nature of the new arrangement would surely give the old lady a heart attack. But she was always there for Lyla when she needed her. She'd seen Lyla use this library endlessly when she'd needed it in the past, and had offered her a job after college when she needed it.

"People are just like books Dear. Usually you can tell by the first page whether you're going to like them or not. You were no exception when I first met you. You wear your heart and your thoughts on your sleeve, even if you don't verbalise them." Peggy responded.

She put down the tiny brush she was holding steady in her hands and gave Lyla a gentle nudge with her shoulder.

Lyla laughed again.

"I wish people were like books. It'd make life so much easier." Lyla disagreed as she relaxed her tense shoulders a little.

"Some have harder covers than others, some are a little broken and need fixing, but people are generally all the same." Peggy stated, going back to her deft movements.

Lyla loved watching her, down here in the basement away from the public. Just the two of them, whether talking or in silence, mesmerised by the art of book restoration. She felt calm.

"I suppose you're right. Yet I seem to always go for the bad ones." She sighed.

Peggy knew about what had happened in Lyla's past, but chose not to speak of it. Not there in their sacred spot.

Just then Lyla's phone buzzed with a message from Loki.

Lyla, join me for drinks tonight? I'll send a car for you at seven. -L

Lyla's face flushed with instant heat at the thought of seeing Loki again. He had a way of phrasing things as if they were questions, when really they were orders. Her breathing quickens as she types as a reply.

Sounds great. Let me guess, wear something nice? L x

Lyla felt herself beaming as she typed the reply, ignore Peggy's satisfied smile on her face at the change of Lyla's energy which was clearly to do with that message.

Her thoughts immediately went to what she would wear. She couldn't keep calling Nat.

"Another date?" Peggy asks cheekily, not looking away from the task in front of her.

Lyla smiled. "Seven o clock." Was all she could reply through the mixture of nerves and excitement.

She couldn't help but wonder if the dynamic between them would change now she'd signed the agreement.

"Why don't you take off early? Go and prepare. Its quiet here anyway and we can carry this on tomorrow. My hands are cramping up as it is." Peggy said, as she leans back a little on the small stool she was sitting on, looking at Lyla lovingly.

"Are you sure?" Lyla asks curiously.

She didn't want Peggy to think she was skiving off work for a man.

Peggy laughed and made a motion with her hand to tell her to leave.

"Have fun kiddo!" She waved as Lyla leapt up from her own stool and skipped out the library without a look back.

By the time Lyla had arrived home, she'd gotten a notification from her bank to let her know there'd been money transferred. Lyla frowned as she opened it, before her eyes widened in shock.

Loki wasn't lying when he wrote that contract.

Lyla had never seen so much money in her bank account at once. She was used to living paycheck to paycheck with Nat begging to help chip in, or worse, Melina outright forcing Lyla to take money to cover her rent after hearing Nat moan about Lyla's stubbornness.

Her heart dropped at the sight as it all became real. Surely her company wasn't worth this? The guy barely knew her.

She flings herself onto the soft sheets of her bed, curling up into her fluffy blanket in shock. It felt wrong taking this money. She didn't deserve this. She was a nobody. That's what she'd repeatedly learnt all her life.

Until Loki actually saw her. No one saw her next to Nat. Ever.

No. Lyla had signed that contract for a reason. Loki had enough money to give thousands of people this kind of allowance, surely. She needed to change her attitude, and fast, to prepare.

It was four pm now, so she had some time to make dinner and figure out what on earth she was going to wear to, no doubt, a seriously luxurious bar of some kind.

She groaned as she pulls herself to her feet, deciding to put on her record player and get her out of this insecure funk.

Lyla's favourite vinyl was Rumours by Fleetwood Mac. It'd been one of her mothers favourites. They'd spent several Sunday mornings dancing round the kitchen to Go Your Own Way, blaring at the top of their lungs as they cooked bacon and eggs. Lyla felt like she'd never know happiness like that again, but with that song on, she could try.

Lyla flung out her entire wardrobe onto the floor, knowing if she called Nat she'd be there in a heartbeat, but wanting to do something for once by herself. As she browsed through her limited collection, something caught her eye. She smirks as she imagines Loki's face.

She settled on a satin deep emerald green dress with a relaxed neckline, knowing that Loki was a fan of this colour from his Lamborghini that she'd seen last time. The same green that danced around his mischevious and devilish irises. The ones that plagued Lyla's daydreams.

Lyla found some plain black heels to pair with the dress. She'd not gotten so dressed up so often in a long time. Not since her and Nat were younger at college. She just hoped Loki wouldn't notice how cheap the fabric was compared to his designer attire.

Now that her outfit was decided, Lyla felt a little more relaxed. Going to the stove to heat up last night's pasta bake, she frowns as the gas wouldn't click on.

"Stupid thing." She mutters under her breath.

Just as she went to kick the oven, the light flickered above her. Lyla was suddenly plunged into darkness as her heart plummeted too.

The fucking bills.

Her landlord had been threatening her for weeks now that he'd shut her power off if she didn't pay her rent.

That bastard had only gone and done it.

Lyla throws her hands over her face in exasperation, pulling her phone out for her torch. She made her way to the front door and yanked it open, knowing exactly which flat he lived in.

When she reached apartment number twenty two, she pounds her fist hard against the peeling white wood.

Not tonight. Please, not tonight.

The door opened. Upon seeing who it was, the man immediately held up his hands and began talking.

"Miss Glass, if this is about your electricity I warned you." He said dismissively, as he folded his arms across his chest.

Lyla's anger dissipated into shame at the confrontation. She was never good at these.

"I—I can pay you. Right now." Lyla said quietly, but pleadingly.

She couldn't afford to have no electricity before getting ready for a date. She held out a hand on the door just as he was about to close it in her face.

"Please, Mr Ross. I swear I have the money this time. I can write you a cheque or wire you right now." Lyla insisted as she didn't budge.

"I've heard that before Hon. It's not going to cut it. I think you need to learn your lesson for a while." He laughed, as he forced the door shut in her face.

Lyla's shame turned back to anger as she continued to hammer on the door.

"I can get it to you in cash. I just need some time to go withdraw it. Please Mr Ross, please turn it on!" She said, her voice wavering with tears.

Lyla knew it was her fault, for always asking for more time, for always promising she would owe him double next month. It had finally caught up to her.

The annoying thing was with Loki's money she could pay off her debt to him. But she'd never be allowed to withdraw that much money in time. Banks had limits.

Lyla backed up against the wall opposite the door she'd just knocked on, sliding down until she was sitting down, clasping her knees to her body. Maybe she was vulnerable, maybe that's why Loki had chosen her. Whatever self esteem she'd had for a short minute had evaporated.

With a sigh, she pulled out her phone reluctantly.

Nat picked up on the fourth ring.

"Hey Ly, what's up babe?"

"Hey Nat, sorry to disturb you—wait, where are you?" Lyla asked confused, as she heard booming laughter in the background.

"I'm just with a friend, what's up?" Nat answered with a tint of a lie in her voice.

"Nat, who are you with? Why are you being evasive? We both know we're each other's only friends." Lyla tried to laugh to stop the tears coming.

She couldn't wait to shove the wad of cash under the old man's nose and be done with him. But that'd have to wait.

"OK ok—" Nat began in a hushed tone. "Don't freak out, but I'm actually with Thor in his office. We're just going over the poker party details." She said with too much calmness in her voice.

"You big fat liar. That's not the only reason you're there, is it! I knew you two had a thing." Lyla wiped her eyes as she laughed properly now.

Nat joined in, knowing she couldn't resist telling her best friend the truth.

"It's not a thing, it's not like your thing anyway. It's just...well I'm not sure. He's fun, I like him." Nat said, even quieter this time, as she was obviously moving away from the scene behind her.

Lylas heart swelled for Nat, but she knew how all her relationships ended, if you could even call them that. Thor seemed like a nice guy, friendlier than his brother that was for sure.

"Whatever. Anyway I don't wanna disturb you, so it's fine." Lyla said as she stood up and headed back to her apartment.

If she had to do her make up by torchlight, so be it.

"No, you sound upset what's going on?" Nat pressed.

Peggy was right, Lyla was an open book.

"It's just...the stupid prick actually cut my electricity and gas off. I went to cook and everything went out. I told him I could pay him, Loki sent me the first lot of money but I can't withdraw this much cash right now. The dick won't even talk to me to fix it." Lyla rambled, as she pushed open the door to her apartment.

Luckily, throwing back the curtains there was still enough daylight to see what she was doing in the living area.

"That bastard! Are you ok? I can bring round some cash, or I'll pick you up and bring you to mine." Nat said loudly this time, and the voices in the background quietened down to listen in.

Lyla suddenly felt stupid, ringing her best friend to rescue her.

"It's fine. I'm meant to be going out with Loki at seven. I just need to get ready whilst I still have daylight and I'll grab a McDonald's before we go out." Lyla explained, as she went to get her make up from her room.

She plonked down on the sofa in the daylight, peering through her windows and sighing.

"Um, OK hang on a sec Ly." Nat said suddenly as there was muffled talking on the other end.

Lyla frowned, trying to make out what was happening. After a couple of minutes and some raised voices, Nat returned.

"What was that?" Lyla asked as she rushed to put make up on simultaneously, whilst she still had light to do so.

Nat gulped. "Ok, don't worry its about to be sorted."

Lyla narrowed her eyes at her friend's tone as she stopped rushing to put mascara on.

"What?" She asked again, more pressing this time.

"Nothing, it's fine. You keep getting ready I'll check in in a bit, OK?" Nat said as she rushed to end the call.

Lyla said goodbye, leaving her feeling more confused than before. With her make up nearly done as best as it could be, Lyla went to put on her dress.

~♤~

Loki stormed up the stairs two at a time, trying to control the burning rage inside of him.

He was so angry, that he paid little mind to the run down state of the interior of Lyla's building, which he'd been so desperate to be inside before now. To see where she lived, to know more about her.

But not under these circumstances. Loki thought about sending one of his men out to have a word, but he couldn't trust anyone with knowing how precious his little lamb was.

Loki had been in the room discussing the poker party, completely uninterested when he'd heard Miss Romanoff's concerned tone towards her. He instantly knew something was wrong.

When Nat explained what happened, Thor smugly looked on as he realised Loki had heeded his advice about the arrangement.

He'd wanted to smack the look off his face, but the thought of someone purposely leaving someone as sweet as Lyla with no electricity triggered his sociopathic side.

He'd done his research on the girl. He knew where she'd gone to school, the grades she'd gotten, he learnt that she grew up without a mother, had moved in with Natasha's mother as a teenager, he knew her scores from university, her classes.

But it wasn't enough.

These were things on paper anyone could learn with enough digging and the right resources. He wanted to learn something that couldn't be read on a piece of paper. He wanted her to be the one to tell him these things.

He wanted more. Needed more. She was intoxicating to him. So sweet and innocent, he wanted to corrupt her in every way possible.

As he got to the right number, he banged on the door impatiently. A sweaty older man answered the door, clearly not expecting to see such a dangerous looking man on the other.

He looked around Loki, confused.

"Can I help you?" He asked as he stood defensively, looking Loki up and down.

Loki smirked, but his eyes were cold and hard. Loki knew the effect of his unwavering stare on people. His special talent was unnerving.

The man before him gulped hard at his demeanour.

"Here's the money in cash for Miss Glass' rent she owes." Loki said throwing a pile of money at the balding man before him, with disgust.

"You will turn her electricity on before I've gotten to her flat. Or else there will be trouble. You will never bother her with such pathetic actions again. You will answer to me. Do you understand?" Loki sneered as he took a step forward into the man's flat, his fingers automatically inching towards his concealed blade.

"Who—who are you?" He tried to sound nonchalant but it came out terrified.

"I'm a fucking Odinson."

Loki's voice was practically a growl, and with the reach of his dagger; the landlord suddenly paled.

People knew who the Odinsons were in the city. And you never wanted to find yourself on the wrong side of one.

The man knew Loki could easily buy out the entire block of flats and kick him out on the streets by the morning if he wanted. He'd seen it happen before.

The man looked up as he towered over him, swallowing hard and nodding profusely.

"Th-thank you for the payment." He muttered as Loki smiled and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

Just a little too hard for comfort.

Mr Ross whimpered.

"You have about fifty seconds to get it back on for the girl." Loki said as he stepped backwards, never breaking eye contact with the scared man who simply nodded as Loki retreated.

Loki knew which apartments was Lyla's. But even as his hand hovered over the old wood, he couldn't help but feel like he was intruding being there.

Lyla still didnt realise that Loki had found out where she lived through private investigators that had followed her, and continued to do so (from a distance).

He knew Lyla was a private person, and the sudden realisation that he stood, uninvited, outside of her door dawned on him how wrong it was.

That was until there was a shriek from inside her apartment, and the door was being flung open. Lyla was so deep in concentrating on getting out that she ran straight into the wall of muscle before her, shock rippling up her face as she saw who it was.

"Loki??" She asks surprised.

Loki suddenly realised he had no excuse to be there that early without explaining the situation. He opened his mouth to speak however, when his eyes glared over Lyla's state.

The way the emerald fabric clung to her hips, the delicate skin on her collarbone exposed to him, the plum lipstick across her divine mouth. He bit his lip at the sight. So dressed up, so beautiful, and all for him.

Lyla's face flushed as she realised Loki was taking her in, catching her off guard from what she was doing.

"Are you ok? What was that?" Loki asks concerned, his eyes looking past Lyla and into the apartment.

Lyla, coming back to her senses, feels her throat dry up at the vision of God-like beauty before her. His navy Armani suit fitted perfectly against his figure, and that scent that drove her wild. She snapped out of it.

"Oh, um, it's a long story but my electricity was off and it just came back on, making me jump." Lyla tried to explain, without the embarassment of telling Loki about her situation.

Loki looks down sheepishly at her as his mask slips. Lyla takes a step back into her apartment. Leaning against the door frame, she studies his brief display of emotions.

"Do you have something to do with that, by any chance?" She asks, feeling braver than she had before.

Especially now she can see the effect she's having on the man before her, who can't take his eyes off her figure. Loki wonders whether to tell her the truth before deciding it was probably for the best.

"It's sorted, that's all that matters." He spoke soothingly, as he tried to glance past Lyla again, to get a brief look into her world.

Lyla shuts the door behind her some more so that it covers her messy apartment. Her home was her sanctuary. She'd let a man in before and it hadn't gone well. She had no plans to do that again.

"I was...handling it. Thank you though Loki. I got your money. I was going to pay him." Lyla said, starting off angry, but quickly realising she had no right to be when it was his money that would be getting her out of the mess.

This is the feeling she didn't want to have: that she owed someone something. That people could hold things over her.

Powerless.

"I do apologise. I was with Thor and Miss Romanoff when you rang, I just...I wanted to fix it." Loki tried to explain, steeling himself back into his usual demeanour.

Why did he suddenly feel guilty and so protective over this girl he'd only met twice, and spoken to a handful of times?

Lyla rolled her eyes, realising what Nat's parting message had meant now.

"I really do appreciate it. And the money you sent—and everything. I just, I'm not used to that." Lyla tried to explain as she smooths his hands down over the satin fabric.

Loki's eyes followed her movements as he felt his breathing hitch. He loved the sound of her thanking him coming from her lips. He just wishes it was under different circumstances.

"I didn't mean to overstep. I apologise for that. Seen as you're looking ravishing, why don't we go out early? I'm presuming you haven't eaten yet?" Loki asks, trying to clear the creeping dirty thoughts from his head.

He hadn't stopped thinking about the kiss, but he didn't want to scare her off just yet.

Lyla nodded her head appreciatively.

"Sure, let me grab my things."

Lyla, instead of inviting Loki in, closed the door behind her whilst she rustled around inside the apartment. Loki wished that one day she would invite him into her world. A world so different from his own. He would make sure of it soon.

The door pried open again as Lyla locked it shut behind her, smiling sheepishly at the breath-taking beautiful man before her. He put a hand on the small of her back, the feeling sending shivers down her spine, and led her down the stairs.

"Just to be clear, when you say you sorted it, you didn't..." Lyla began as they descended, Loki's firm touch leaving goosebumps on her skin.

Loki raised an eyebrow at the implication.

"Go on. Finish your sentence Pet." He ordered and the dominating tone made Lyla's core ache.

She cleared her throat.

"You didn't...hurt him did you?" She asks quietly, as if she was embarrassed that the thought entered her mind.

Loki knew she was intuitive, she didn't need to know much about him to see he was a menacing type of person. He smirked.

"Of course not, Darling. We just had a little chat is all." Loki reassured her, leading her out to his car.

Loki was driving a more subdued silver Aston Martin today. He liked the English-made cars. They were sophisticated and non-garish like the others.

Lyla tried not to freak out when she saw the luxurious cream leather interior, once again not imagining herself in anything as fancy in her wildest dreams. Loki held the door open for her, ever the gentleman, as she settled in, before going round to his side.

"What are you in the mood for?" Loki asked innocently, but saw the way Lyla's body tensed at the double entendre.

He bit his tongue at the sight of her squirming for him. Divine.

"Actually—" Lyla began as she laughed a little. "I was going to get a Maccies before we met."

Loki's brows furrowed in question which only made Lyla smile even more.

"A McDonald's." She explained as his face showed understanding.

This made her giggle even more.

"Darling, we can go anywhere in the city for food, do you really want to go there?" Loki asked half serious, half joking.

Lyla clutched her side at his expression. A man of his wealth and position, so opposed to the idea of fast food.

"Yes! Why don't you slum it with me and then we go to your fancy bar of choice for drinks?" Lyla suggested as she licked her lips flirtingly.

Loki watched the action as he felt his cock harden. She could ask for anything and he'd oblige.

"As you wish." He stated, pressing hard on the gas.

Loki looked bemused at Lyla's laughter.

"What's so funny, Pet?" He asked curiously, looking between the road and her.

His eyes trailed continuously over that beautiful dress he wanted to shred to pieces.

Lyla sighed.

"Just the thought of you eating fast food. When was the last time? Surely you don't eat at five star restaurants twenty four seven?" She pressed cheekily, as Loki's hand found its way to rest on her leg, as it had the last time they were together.

Loki's lips twisted upwards a little seeing her so amused. There was so much about him she'd never know.

"Actually, I do. If you can afford it, why not? And as for your question, I honestly can't remember." He admitted, that tiny mask slipping just a fraction, as he wracked his memories for an answer.

They'd always had an in-house chef as children.

"Wait, are you telling me you've never done the whole 'dunk your fries in a shake' experience?" Lyla asked, gasping and clutching her chest in fake shock.

Loki couldn't help but chuckle as he saw more of her personality creeping out between her shyness.

"Fries in a milkshake? That sounds grotesque." He complained, stealing a glance at her, her eyes sparkling.

"It is, but it's a rite of passage. C'mon, find the nearest drive thru. There's a first time for everything." Lyla said, as she quickly saw a sign for a nearby exit.

Loki continued to be bemused by her simple and sweet nature. He sighed in defeat as he indicated.

"That there is." He whispered to himself.

Ten minutes later and the two of them were parked up, sitting with various bags of things, as Lyla insisted they order nearly everything on the menu to try.

"Here pry open the lid and try it, just one dunk I promise." Lyla joked as she held the strawberry milkshake out to Loki's disgusted face.

"Don't push it. One try and I'm done with that." He responded, watching Lyla rummaged for the fries.

The way her fingers gripped a couple and handed them over to him, their skin brushing, sent electricity up both their spines.

Loki grinned wickedly as he did as she said, scrunching up his face, but smiling as he put it in his mouth.

"And?!" Lyla asked, waiting in anticipation.

She was surprised Loki had even agreed to do this. It didn't seem in his nature at all.

"And....that is vile." Loki said as he swallowed hard, handing her back the milkshake.

Lyla laughed.

"OK but you've tried it, and for that I'm so proud of you." She said teasingly as she winked at Loki.

She dipped her own fry in the pink liquid, savouring the mixture of flavours on her tongue.

"I don't understand how anyone enjoys that." Loki retorted, as he watched her face light up in pleasure.

If he'd have known she'd be this happy from a drive thru, he'd have done it from the start. All the women he'd been with before would die rather than be seen here.

And here Lyla was, warm with life and happiness before him.

Loki laughed suddenly.

"What?" Lyla asked, through a mouthful of fries.

Loki lifted a finger and tapped his nose.

"You have some milkshake on you." He pointed out, his steely exterior softening slightly.

Lyla couldn't believe that she was sitting with someone like him in a parking lot, letting go and being goofy like this.

Lyla blushed red and tried to wipe it off, but Loki shook his head at her failure.

"Come here." He said, reaching forward.

Lyla's nose filled with his musky scent as he glared deep into her eyes. Her breathing picked up at the proximity, her heart hammering so hard, she thought he could hear it.

He faltered as he got closer. Lyla thought he'd swipe it off with his finger, but her heart took a nosedive when he held the back of her head firmly, kissing the tip of her nose and sucking the milkshake off.

Lyla gasped a little at the contact. His lips were pure magic. She'd never had this reaction from being kissed before.

Loki's corners of his mouth tugged upwards, smirking, as he heard the little mewl escape her plump lips and had to readjust himself. He hovered slightly before trailing down to her lips, kissing her gently, at first.

Lyla parted her lips to allow him access as his tongue firmly pressed into hers.

She could taste the artificial strawberries from both of their mouths mixing together in one, as she put the milkshake down between her thighs, trailing a hand up across the side of his cheek and through his raven locks.

The warning part of her brain was sounding the alarm once again, but her lust quickly silenced it. Lyla groaned when he pulled away, just as he had done the other night. Her body taking over and desperately wanting more.

She'd never felt so alive. Her whole body was explosive.

Loki smiled, as he slowly released the grip on the back of her head, his long fingers trailing down her bare arms and making her shiver. Suddenly, Lyla was starving for a different kind of need.

"It's gone now." Loki said jokingly, as he began to throw the rubbish into the backseat.

He knew that he'd have to get the car valeted tomorrow to get rid of the stench, but he didn't care right now.

"Th-thanks." Lyla stammered as she slowly touched her lips, already missing the contact.

"I think I'm about ready for a drink, are you?" Loki asked, moving his hand to her thigh once more, and turning on the engine.

Lyla could barely get any words out, so she simply nodded.

The bar they arrived to was luxuriously decorated, similar black and gold themes to Loki and Thor's club. Lyla quickly learned that Loki owned this establishment too. As they sauntered in, he was greeted by "Sir" and "Boss".

She had to admit, seeing everyone be so submissive to him was a huge turn on.

Loki seated them in a booth, away from everyone else, knowing that prying eyes were always on him wherever he went.

He loosened his velvet black tie at the heat of the bar, taking off his suit jacket and rolling his sleeves to his elbows.

Lyla's eyes followed the movements, appreciating the veins that danced up his forearms like spider webs.

She truly had never been with someone so handsome and attractive in her life. And she couldn't figure out why she deserved this now.

"Loki, I know I said it before but I really am grateful for the money you sent. I just want to make sure you're happy with our company. I'm really not that interesting." Lyla joked.

Just then, the bar staff brought out an aged bourbon for Loki, that she was sure would cost upwards of $1000 a pop, and a vodka lime soda for her.

Loki waved a hand dismissively.

"What did we speak about Pet? No more negative talk about yourself. Or else." He said with finality.

Lyla took a massive gulp of the drink before her, appreciating the slight burn of the alcohol and needing the liquid courage.

Her eyes glanced around the bar at whisperings and pointings in their directions. All the attention was a little unsettling. Especially with her past...

"I hope you enjoy my company too. And getting to know each other more." Loki said as he raised his glass clinking it with Lyla's.

Her focused immediately shifted back to the man in front of her who could captivate her so easily.

"Tell me more about yourself Lyla." He demanded as he shuffled closer to her, his arm protectively round the back of the side of the booth they both sat on; his back shielding her from onlookers.

He wanted to keep her secret. His own private pleasure. That, and rumours were a pest. He was never seen out with the same woman twice.

"Not much to say, as I've said before really. I've had a very boring life." She laughs as she takes another big gulp.

Loki waves down a waitress asking for another round of the same, quickly learning Lyla drinks fast out of nerves. A second glass was placed down before she'd even finished her first, which she was grateful for.

"Where did you grow up?" Loki pried, already knowing the answer.

"In Brooklyn. With Nat and her mother, as I lost mine. Her Mom's from Russia, so she is a very spirited and outspoken person. Kinda like Nat I guess, which is what I like. I like people when there's no other layers to them, just what you see is what you get. Although she was a little harsh on us to get good grades." Lyla laughs.

A memory filled her mind, of Natasha failing maths and desperately trying to forge Melina's handwriting on the parent slip, so she didn't have to actually confront her out of fear.

Or the time they'd been caught smoking at sixteen, despite the fact Melina would go through a pack a day and she both threatened to make them eat the whole pack if they didn't stop.

"You mentioned about your mother before. Do you mind me asking what happened to her?" Loki asked, as he saw her eyes slightly flicker to sadness, instantly feeling bad for asking.

Again, he already knew the answer. But he wanted to hear it from her lips. Some sick part of him got pleasure from knowing she trusted him with information.

"She had ovarian cancer. It was a short fight, but it won, as it usually does." She sighed, downing her first drink and picking up the other.

Loki saw how quickly she stored it back into the recesses of her mind again. Where everything that brought her pain resided. He wished he could go into those parts and sit with her there. Although he wasn't sure why.

He snapped himself out of such ridiculous notions.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Loki muttered.

Guilt stabbed into his heart. Something unfamiliar to him. Lyla's wide eyes looked back up at him, their greens matching each other.

"What about your mother? What's she like?" Lyla asked timidly, afraid it would tip him over the edge, into brief glimpses of anger she'd seen before.

She knew it was risky prying too much. He was a private person after all.

Loki sighed, taking a sip of his whiskey thoughtfully.

He had never spoken about his mother before with anyone. Especially not women. But he could tell Lyla was different. She cared. She wanted to hear the answer. She understood. Well, partly.

"Brain tumour." He simply replied as he reached for another sip, not wanting to go into it further.

He said it so matter of factly, so cold that it made Lyla flinch a little. She could sense it was a mask, for protection. She wanted to push a little further against it though, determined to crack it.

He, too, went to the back of his mind, and placed it back into a box. A box of gruesome and hideous things that were far too much to release.

"I'm sorry, Loki. I know your pain. It's the worst thing in the world. What was she like?" Lyla pressed and Loki was surprised.

She was more curious than he'd given her credit for.

He studied her for a moment, before deciding to continue.

"It was her decision to adopt me. She was everything good in this world. She loved art and poetry, food and wine, singing and dancing. She was life." He murmured, feeling his defense walls begin to crumble.

He quickly built them back up. People couldn't be trusted. No matter how sweet they seemed.

"She sounds great. My mum was similar. That's where I got my love of literature." Lyla agreed sadly, but gathered herself again.

Loki shook his head.

"I don't think my mother would be very proud of me if she could see what I've grown into." He said quietly and with sorrow.

It completely took Lyla off guard, so much so she thought she must've dreamt it. Loki quickly turned to her, smiling again.

"So, tell me about work, which books have you been working on?" Loki changed the subject so fast it nearly gave Lyla whiplash.

But she was grateful for the change of topic. She didn't like feeling vulnerable and it seemed they had this in common.

Lyla and Loki spent the next hour talking about the new book restoration techniques, and Lyla spoke highly of Peggy, explaining how her and Melina were like her chosen family.

Lyla's face lit up as she spoke about hers and Natasha's teenage years and what kind of students they were. Loki shared no details of his life once again, but laughed along with Lyla, enchanted by the light inside of her.

"Stop me at any point if I'm boring you to death." Lyla said, suddenly becoming aware of how long she'd been talking, feeling the effects of her now fourth drink taking over her a little.

Loki laughed, smile lines creasing next to his eyes, a rare sight.

He felt a pang at the fact she felt the need to say that however, noting someone must've shut her down in the past.

"Not at all, my Love. I love hearing about you. And getting to know you. It just proves that my instincts were right to want to spend more time with you. I'm so glad we could come to the arrangement."

Lyla's heart sank at the mention of that word again, forgetting her place. But his words were kind and she could tell he seemed interested.

"Me too." She said, trailing a hand to Loki's, twirling his fingers in his.

He seemed surprised by the contact, his instincts telling him to pull away. Such a simple gesture felt too intimate.

She bent forward, spurred on by the alcohol and Nat's advice to just enjoy herself whilst she had this. His mouth was addicting to her, and she needed more.

Loki was taken off guard by the little lamb making the first move, but relaxed into the kiss as his other hand gripped the bare skin on her thigh.

He wasn't sure how she'd have responded to him physically, but he knew she wouldn't be able to resist eventually. It was just happening quicker than he predicted.

Lyla made that deliciously sweet groaning sound again, which made him harden in an instant. Soon, their kisses were becoming sloppier and more need-filled.

Lyla pulled away, keeping her grip now on Loki's chest as he leant towards her.

"I'm not this person. I'm not...I'm not a slut." She said scrunching her face up at the term.

Loki gripped her chin with two fingers angling at him. He wanted to laugh at her innocence, but thought better of it.

"I never thought you were." He said sharply, as he made sure she knew he meant it.

He could tell from when he met her. But there was no denying it. He wanted her badly.

"It's different with you though." Lyla said again, before she kissed him lightly on the lips, stroking his jawline.

Loki tried to control his breathing, knowing full well he could take her there and then on the table, and shoot anyone who dared to look or listen. His thoughts were so black and impure, he'd scare her off if he acted on his instincts.

"Oh yeah. How so?" Loki murmured between kisses as his pants continued to get tighter.

Lyla looked down briefly at his discomfort as her smile grew, pleased with the reaction. Only this forward because of the alcohol, but desperately wanting it all the same.

"Because I want to be that way for you. I know we spoke about the physical side of it, but I want you Loki." She breathed as she leant back in and greedily stole his oxygen again.

Her nerves were on fire, from her fingers to toes. She could've combusted there and then.

Loki growled and gripped her jaw firmer this time pulling away.

"That's like music to my damn ears Lyla." He purred, as his fingers crept higher up her thigh and under her dress.

Lyla's breathing stopped as she felt herself melt at the touch.

"Now, be a good girl and be quiet for me. Let's see how much you really want this." He whispered into her ear as his fingers trailed over her. She whimpered.

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A/N: Sorry to leave on a cliff hanger but i promise you haven't been robbed ;)