Page 11 of Loki

“Well, you better decide,” said Loki. “Your girl took off her apron and is headed for the lofts.”

Elle had almost reached the bottom step. Val finished wiping down the counter and tossed the towel in the sink. She said something to the other bartender and jumped over the bar.

“Looks like Val is heading that direction,” Loki prodded.

“Deal.” Thor jumped from the table.

Loki slid from the booth. “Heimdall.”

Heimdall nodded to Loki.

Loki wound through the tables and stepped in front of Val as she rounded a pillar.

“Val, fancy meeting you here.” Loki smiled and smoothed his tie.

She reminded him of a commando barbie in her black tank top and pants. Arms bare and fit, breasts round and perky underneath her tank, it took everything inside him to keep from grabbing her, pinning her to the pillar, and kissing her into submission.

Val stopped. “Did you need something?”

Loki stepped forward and ran his finger down her arm. The goosebumps that pebbled her skin made him smile inwardly.

“Just wondering how you slept last night.”

Her eyes narrowed, and she folded her arms over her breasts before raising an eyebrow. “Just fine. You?”

He grinned. “Like a baby.”

She nodded. “So, lots of crying and fear of being alone?”

Man, he liked her sharp tongue. Loki imagined several things he would love for her tongue to do to him.

She tried to step around him, but he sidestepped, forcing her to continue to engage him.

“In case you didn’t notice, this is my off time, so if you need anything else, you should talk to the hostess on duty.”

“You’re on a break? Perfect. How about we go somewhere to continue our conversation from last night?”

“What conversation? We met. You gave me what I needed. Business concluded.”

“Yes, but now that I think of it, I never got paid. Perhaps we should discuss payment over a bottle of... whatever you want?”

“If you have a bill, send it to me.”

Loki’s courage wavered, which rattled him. She rattled him. Why? He wanted to know why. Needed to understand why.

“What?” she demanded.

“What, what?”

“You. The way you were staring at me.”

“Was I?”

Val rolled her eyes. “I don’t have the time or patience for games. I’ve got—” She glanced at the clock. “Another twelve minutes, and I’d like to take them in peace if you don’t mind.”

“Of course not. Where are we going?”

Val growled. “You are so irritating.”