Hello again, and sorry! I know its been forever since I've updated this story, but life has a way of blocking creativity and taking away inspiration, no?

But still a big thanks so everyone who reviewed, you guys are the best! And a special shoutout to neuroticat, who gave a motivating, if not a little threathening, review to get my ass back in gear! I realised I had writing just a bit on this, saved somewhere in my computer, so here you go.

I must warn you and apologize, the following has not been revised or beta'ed, so sorry for any mistakes taking place!

Enjoy :)

"That's a lot of people," the redhead muttered under her breath, seizing up the horde, prepping her mental barriers to protect her mind from an overflow of emotion.

She was well rested, only slightly hungry and had chugged two cans of energy drinks on the ride from Stark Manor to cope with being around the night-time crowds of L.A.

Lucas let out an almost regal huff besides her and she looked up at him, questioning. He only smiled, albeit coldly, down at her and let her into the mass of people. To her surprise the first couple people parted like curtains being drawn, a few turning their head with far-away looks to look at the black-haired man walking besides her. The shift in the crowd was subtle, and if she wasn't trained in picking things up that seemed invisible to the naked eye, she might have missed it; the noise dimmed, people shuffled out of the way as they walked leisurely towards the entrance.

Who is he? She had a feeling something - something she couldn't quite understand - was on play here. What, was he some famous lawyer she had conveniently never heard of? As she shot him a sideways glance, she noticed to completely self-satisfied smirk and the superior look in his eyes as he regarded the crowd like… like a prince or a king would their subjects.

They made it inside, Lucas tugging her along past the line and waiting patrons to the hostess looking like she was thoroughly swamped, though she kept her cool.

"Welcome to Spago, do you have reservations?" she greeted, smiling fakely as the words sounded well rehearsed.

"Yes, we do," Lucas replied coolly, not liking this human's indifference to his glamour.

"May I have your name?" the hostess asked, turning her eyes down to the list on the pulpit in front of her.

Temperance couldn't help but giggle at the annoyed sigh that slipped past his lips as he levelled an agrivated stare at the apron-wearing lady, "Odinsson."

She almost couldn't hear the words past the sneer in his voice. The hostess confirmed the reservation and gestured for them to follow her through the crowded restaurant.

"Odinsson, huh? Sounds Nordic," she mused as they walked past the filled-up bar. Her hand still rested casually on his bended arm, quickly becoming a safety net for her growing unease.

Now she knew why she lived in Arizona; not too many people. The place was packed to the point where a fire marshal would shut it down, all the auras slowly digging into her skull like a prick of panic every time she turned her head.

No, she thought defiantly, raising more mental blockades, I'm stronger than this. All those years in Havasu has really dropped me a peg or two.

"It's my adoptive name," he spoke distracted, immediately looking like he regretted it.

"So you're adopted?" she asked nonchalantly, taking his following silence as a 'yes', "huh. Neat-o."

Why in the name of Yggdrasil would you say that!? Loki berated himself, clenching his free hand into a tight fist, his palms stinging as his nails dug into the flesh.

For a moment he had let his guard down, for a second, and it had been enough to make such a monumentally moronic mistake as to let her know both his family name and how that family wasn't really his at all.

He grew cold all over and had to restrain his own mind for thinking about his so-called family at a time like this, a time when he absolutely did not want to.

They were dead to him.

The insolent bird of a girl pointed them to a some-what isolated table in the corner of the vast room. Loki manages to get his bearings together long enough to help Temperance into her seat before sitting himself across from her, ignorant to the menu placed in front of him.

"Can I get you something to drink for starter?"

"Your finest wine," he replied without taking his eyes off the fair-skinned woman in his sight. He had to anchor his mind to the present and she most certainly did the trick.

"And a glass of ice-water, please," Temperance smiled politely before the chit finally left them alone. She picked up the menu, quietly letting her gaze skim the no doubt expensive index of what was suppose to be exquisite cuisine.

"May I say you look absolutely ravishing tonight," he spoke, his voice coated with magic and charm. It was time he 'got this show on the road', as the humans said.

He was rewarded with another deep, scarlet flush on her round cheeks and couldn't help but smirk at it. It was apparent that this woman had not known true seduction and tribute in a while and he almost revelled in that fact.

"Thank you," she smiled softly, "you don't look so bad yourself."

"Why thank you," Loki smirked. He knew he looked impeccable.

Another waitress came back with their beverages. She brushed lightly against Loki's side when she sat down the glasses, also giving him a not-so-subtle amount of cleavage. He promptly ignored her weak advances, making sure to catch Temperance's eye. He couldn't have her thinking he was anything less than a perfect gentleman.

Temperance had seen the skanky waitress attempt at enticing her date, contemplating either tripping her when she walked past or flooding her with negative energy to make her temporarily depressed. She shook her head; what was she thinking? Was this jealousy? Was she jealous over a man she'd barely met thrice?

Come on, get a hold of yourself, she lectured, trying to smile just a trifle politely at her as she set down the ordered glass of water. The girl didn't even meet her eyes, just kept smiling sultry in Lucas' direction.

He was, much to his credit and her satisfaction, only looking at Temperance with what she thought might be mild interest, that signature smirk playing at his mouth.

"Would you like to order now?" the waitress asked, the question directed at Temperance, though she only had eyes for her male companion.

"Yes actually," the redhead cleared her throat, reluctantly drawing the girl's attention. As she ordered her chosen meal from the rather extravagant menu she noticed how Lucas hadn't picked up his at all. When she frowned at him he only smiled indulgently at her.

"And for you sir?"

"I'll have what she is having," he answered, gently picking up his wineglass and taking a long sip.

When the waitress asked if there was anything else, he waved her away with a hand. Temperance couldn't help but remark the way he acted so regally, with so much superiority and elegance only fitting those high up in a royal hierarchy.

The girl flitted away begrudgingly after having jutted down their orders.

"So, Temperance," the way he said her name sent a shiver down her back, "how are you feeling this evening?"

Despite his sovereign posture she found herself feeling more at ease, the pressure on her brain caused by everyone around her was fading slowly, "I'm pretty good, actually. You?"

"Your mere presence is more than enough to lift my spirits," he smiled smugly, afraid her cheeks would permanently stain scarlet.

Wow, is this guy smooth or what?

She tried hiding her smile, "You're quite eloquent, aren't you?"

"I try," he smirked, lifting the wine to his lips once more.

"Mh-hm," she chuckled, "so, how's your vacation going so far?"

He sat back, considering her question for moment, "It has been… fine." The words were both adequate and lacking; it hadn't been much of a vacation, and yet it had. Regaining his powers were a crippling experience of realising how pathetically weak the tumble through the broken Bifrost had left him. He didn't even have spirit or surplus energy to do his favourite pastime; mischief. And no, he didn't consider indulging in the softer pleasures (and the only one found in mortals, according to him) offered by Midgardian females to be mischief. Not really, anyway.

"Fine?" she gasped with a small smirk, "just fine?"

He huffed; of course that wasn't enough answer for this pecking woman. It seemed she had an interest in everything. And he couldn't afford to let himself believe that it, and her concern, was genuine. Attraction, maybe, but real interest? No. He despised the thought.

But he couldn't help but indulge her a little.

"Well, so far the brightest highlight has been your pleasant company," he almost patted himself on the shoulder.

"Okay buddy, laying on a little thick," she laughed, sipping the wine, finally. He'd need her a little more… pliable if he wanted things to progress the way he wanted them. Not incapacitated, just… loosened.

"Whatever do you mean?" he mocked innocence, allowing her to see the mirth in his eye before he turned the question on her, "but what of you? Has the stay with your cousin been… pleasant?"

"As a matter of fact…"

He listened to her tellings earnestly, fascinated by how mundane her existence actually was compared to some of the questionable characters he'd had run-ins with since he'd fallen from the sky. Her short tales of mostly lying by the pool, going shopping with her cousin, or annoying said cousin's billionaire mate were absolutely unremarkable, and yet the light in her eye when spoke of hers loved ones drew him in enough to actually listen to the words spilling from her full lips. He learned more about her past life, her deceased parents, where she'd gone to school, blah blah. He of course stored the information away for future use, but it didn't mean he was particularly interested in it.

At some point in the conversation, for he too began to share the more applicable happenings in his life - along with a lie or 50 - as the minutes went on, their meal came. It was good, tasty even, but nothing compared to Asgardian standards. Though he thoroughly did enjoy the little mewls and moaned of joy escaping her as she delight in the pinkish fish on the porcelain plate. He'd have go out of his way later to procure those very same sounds from her again, though in a much different context.

By the time he asked her back to 'his place' three full glasses of wine had gone down her pretty throat, and though she was a delicate little thing she could certainly hold her drink, only slightly tipsy when they left the restaurant.

Right where he wanted her, too.

"You lit your brother on fire?" she gasped, a bit exaggerated by the intoxicants in her system, "you bad, bad boy.

He smirked at her when she giggled, "It was only his arm, and I helped him put it out didn't I?" It stung to talk about his faux brother, but the lies that wrapped around the true story from his childhood helped. Besides, he'd been the fool in bringing up his sibling, giving her yet another piece of himself that he hadn't at all intended to. And he'd come to learn he couldn't not answer her innocent inquiries, though his ability to lie had never served him better. The poking on his mind escalated to a dull throb whenever he remained silent in the face of her otherwise harmless and simple questions, when she softly scrutinized him with her azure eyes, and he found it to be relieved only when she received acceptable answers and her expression again went soft and sweet.

"Hah," she laughed, looping her arm through his, "you're something else, you know that?"

He tensed when her head landed on his shoulder, a sigh escaping her after her laughter died down. It was a far too intimate action, too familiar and caring, setting off alarms all over the part of him devoted to self-preservation. But the wine in his system was enough to loosen his inhibitions and he relaxed, humouring his roguish and careless side as he drapped a light arm over her shoulders, pressing her warm body a little closer to his.

Oh, but she was deliciously warm, slowly but surely warding off the cold left in him by the memory of his brother.

"I can only say the same, sweetling," he murmured, turning his head to that his the tip of his nose just skimmed over her hair. She smelled clean and of coconut, too sweet to be real, but pleasing on his senses all the same.

"Mmh," she hummed, leaning on him a little heavier. Maybe that last glass of wine had been a tad too much. "Thank you for dinner, by the way. It was very nice."

"You are most welcome," he sighed, considering if walking to the apartment would prove too much for her. It was only a block away. Only one way to find out, "Are you able to walk a short distance, dear?"

She drew away from him with a small huff, looking him in the eye, "Of course I can! How drunk do you think I am?" He lifted a single eyebrow at her, "I am not drunk, I swear it." There was something implausibly clear in her eyes, the haze of the liquor seemed almost gone. But that couldn't be, why else would she be so gullible and yielding?

"Good enough," he spoke, a small, slightly confused smile on his lips as he began leading her down the street. She continued to have a soft hold on his arm, humming a quite tune.

Temperance turned her head to glance at him a few times, something akin to desire and excitement in her eyes, but then she would look up at a point above his head and frown, bewildered and maybe a tid bit frustrated.

"Damn, freaky aura, not letting me…" she murmured the words so slurred and quiet Loki almost didn't catch it, though he had a feeling the words weren't meant for him either way.

When she lifted her head again to peruse the seemingly empty space above his head he couldn't resist anymore, "what are you looking at?" To his own surprise, his tone held no malevolence or any of his normal viciousness, nothing but simple curiosity. Had he had that much to drink?

Her eyes snapped to his, widening in surprise before shying away, her cheeks reddening at getting caught, "Nothing, nothing… you wouldn't believe me any way." She sighed and gave him an apologetic smile.

Wait… was it possible she could see through his glamour, the magic disguising both his Asgardian veneer and his Jötuun heritage from mortals and immortals alike? No, it couldn't be, surely she would have been much less… composed.

But if it wasn't that she had somehow seen through his magic, weak as it may, what was it then? Was she simply hallucinating? Spectacular work, oh mighty Lie-smith, he berated himself, you had to go and pick out the lunatic one.

"How can you know if you do not tell me?" he found himself asking, more than a little curious now.

"Because you will think I'm crazy," she laughed, "and I'm not sure I want you to think that."

"Hmm," he mused, looking to the clouded sky. No stars could penetrate the thickness of them, their promise of rain drawing closer and closer. Good thing they were half-way there. "Fair enough, I shall pry no further." For now.

She turned a brilliant smile at him, "thank you."

Her sparkling sapphire eyes caught on his deep emerald ones, and somehow neither could look away. He stopped walked, allowing her to step in front of him. A soft frown grazed his brow when the arm she'd held at the crook of his elbow slid down his arm, a velvety caress against the thin skin on his wrist before slowly taking his hand in his, giving him all the time in the world to pull away as her eyes searched his for any indication of rejection. Shocking, even to him, she apparently found none, and grasped his long, cold digits with her softer, warmer ones.

Loki found himself returned the gentle smile on her face, no longer willing to fight the ease his body seemed to want at the moment. Then his breath slowed considerable when he saw her eye flicker to his lips for merely a split second, but of course he caught it and knew her intent instantly; because it flitted across his mind too.

Slowly, oh so slowly, a simmering warmth sprouted in his gut when she drew ever so closer, her lips parting just barely. His eyes grew hooded as his head dipped lower, and he could smell the sweetness of her skin and perfume as they came but an inch from touching.

"I-I-" Temperance started, her gaze now permanently glued to his mouth, trying to form words no doubt hindering in this progress.

Well, he wouldn't have it.

"Ssh," he hushed, enjoying the way her breath hitched slightly when his hand came up to caress her jaw, gently pushing a stray strand of fiery hair behind her jewelled ear before gripping her chin in a firm grasp, his thumb nuzzling the soft spot beneath her lower lip.

Her eyes slowly lifted to meet his now hungry gaze, her tongue dipping out of her mouth to wet her lips so suddenly dry, and the warmth in his stomach flared and his restraint was no more. In a touch as soft as a feather's he let his lips brush against hers, muffling the surprised gasp she exuded and she melted in his arms a second later, pressing against his front. With a growl he drew her impossibly closer, loving the way her body moulded against his as his hands settled on her waist.

Reason faded away under the force of the new hunger he felt, the taste of her only leaving him wanting more, and he felt an sudden keen greed. Loki bit down almost harshly on her lower lip, sucking it in between his teeth. She gasped and her hand, having snuck up to play with the silky fabric of his shirt, clutched it now, tightly. A moan escaped her and he took the opportunity to delve into her mouth, challenging and dominating her tongue, tasting her fully as she completely gave in to his demands.

By Ymir, but she was addicting! It made him both angry and ravenous at the same time, and it was frustrating! He wanted to push her away, watch as she fell confused to the ground, maybe cast a curse on her because of how she made him hunger for her. But at the same time he wanted to just whisk her away to a private place and tear her clothes off before taking his time sampling and savouring every inch of her fair, spotted skin, and ravish her until they both fell, sated and exhausted from-

Get a hold of yourself! He snarled in his mind, gripping her too tightly as his temper dashed outside his reach, his tongue coaxing hers into his mouth before biting it viciously.

He wanted her to knock him away with that brutal right hook he knew she had, to look at him in disgust and call him malicious swears down on his head, to engage in yet another fight with him, just so he could be justified in either leaving her beaten on the ground whilst he walked away never to gaze upon her again, or so he could take what he wanted freely first, then walk away.

But all she did was groan with the pain before somehow adapting to it, turning it into seemingly pleasure as she silently begged him to do it again with her lips locked on his. And for all the treasures in the worlds he couldn't get himself to pull away from her either, as much as he controlled the pace and roughness she had inexplicably chained him to her, and the key thrown into oblivion.

"Lucas," she managed to rasp out, and the lie stung much more than it ever should have. He wanted it to be his real name on those kiss-bruised lips, his name she praised with her panting breath fanning his face and her eyes matching her hair in fiery intensity.

Someone across the street had apparently seen them and felt it necessary to completely ruin the intimate moment, and effectively pissing of the green-eyed god, "Get a room!"

Loki turned towards the sound with a violent growl, eyes searching the crowded sidewalk, but not finding the culprit. He almost startled when the woman in his arms shook with laughter.

"You find this humorous?" he spoke lowly, levelling a suspicious glare at her.

She completely ignored it and went on ahead staring up at him with amusement clear on her face, "Yes. You don't?"

"Hardly. I do not find being mocked entertaining," he seethed, still holding her close, finding himself unwilling to let go of her warm body.

"Oh relax, big guy," she chuckled, lightly kissing him again. When he leaned in to deepen it she pulled away with a smirk, "maybe you should lead the rest of the way to your apartment."

He was just about to protest and draw her back, but she twisted gracefully away from him with a smirk, pulling him along by their still joined hands.

Somehow the tables had turned, he realised; she was now leading while he trailed behind like a young colt.

Refusing to be lead around by a mortal wench he took a few longer strides to catch up to her, yanking his hand from her grip and draped his arm over her shoulders instead, pulling her into his side.

She glanced up at him, a teasing smile and a glint in her eye as she shook her head at him, clearly seeing through his display of force.

They made it to the building in relative silence. When Temperance looked away into the traffic he waved a hand over the lock, holding the unlocked door open for her and following her into the elevator.

"Nice apartment complex," she smiled standing besides him in the small cabin, her fingertips ghosting over his hand as she swayed with the movement of the machinery.

"Mh," he acknowledged, glancing at her sideways. Her lips were still red and plumb from his greedy kisses, the lock of hair he'd brushed behind her ear hanging freely against her cheek once again. The sight, so littered with evidence of his ministrations, fuelled the slow burning in his abdomen and compelled him to do it over and over again.

Just as he'd decided that's what he was going to do, the 'ping' alerting them that they'd reached their selected floor halted his movements. Cursing his own hesitation he walked on ahead, making sure to block the view as he unlocked the apartment door with another wave of his hand.

Aaaaand, there we go! So, next chapter, whenever it may come, might be a lemon (le gasp!). So sorry to disappoint all you folks thinking Tempi was stronger than that, she is only human after all! xD

R&R, if you please, pretty please? It makes me ever so happy :3

Until next time!