Yuletide Mischief (7 page)

Vivi whimpered, “Don’t stop, please. I want more.”

By the gods!
Loki closed his eyes and asked for patience. If she only knew how close he was to losing himself and taking her hard. The taste of her brought out a primal need in him so fierce it amazed even him. His tongue roamed hungrily and penetrated her moist core. At the onslaught of his mouth she ground herself against his face, seeking relief, calling his name.

“Oh, yes, I’m going to come,” she moaned.

Loki raised his head and looked at her wild eyes filled with lust. He buried a digit inside her as he continued to fuck her with his tongue. “Don’t fight it. Let me taste you come. Let me hear my name on your lips.”

She shuddered and trembled as he sampled her pussy. Her body arched and tensed as an orgasm claimed her. She came and her juices flowed, much to Loki’s pleasure. He licked at her juices; his groans of pleasure at her taste filled the air.

“I need more. I feel like I’m burning from the inside out,” she said breathlessly.

“Tell me to fuck you with my fingers,” Loki commanded, his voice raw with desire.

“Use your fingers to please me,” Vivi pleaded.

“Look at me. Let me see you come,” he ordered. She opened her eyes, and he looked into their smoky chocolate depths.

He swore that his kisses made her lips fuller. Vivienne was his feast and he intended to sample all of her and take his fill. He brought her to her release for a second time and when she cried out his name as she clutched at his arms, Loki felt invincible. He watched her fall over that crest as she pressed her face against his chest as her body trembled. He groaned when she took his shaft in her hands and stroked him. Unable to resist the building ache to be sheathed inside her, Loki covered her body with his and joined their bodies in one deep thrust.

“God, you feel like hot silk wrapped around me,” he said.

“I feel full, almost completed in a way as if we’re two parts of the same whole,” she said with wonder in her voice.

Loki swallowed thickly because he knew exactly how she felt. Together they were perfect, a unity that he couldn’t barely understand but unwilling to give up. They began to move in unison. Loki took it slowly, trying to prolong the pleasure they shared. But, soon, their bodies met in frenzied thrusts and writhing hips. No words needed to be spoken because they both were striving to reach the end of the race at the same time.

“Do you like how I make you feel?” he asked hoarsely, trying to hold on to his control and not take her too roughly.

“Oh, yes, don’t hold back,” Vivi pleaded.

Loki gave himself over to the swirling mist of desire. He picked up his pace and watched her eyes flutter closed as she was swallowed by pleasure. Her hands clutched his shoulders, and her hips undulated beneath him. Loki lifted her legs higher around his waist and Vivi cried out as he pumped harder inside her. He lost himself in the pulsing need that now drove them both. Loki leaned back on his knees and spread her legs so he could watch how his cock sank inside her. His cock was glistening, coated with her juice. With each plunge she seemed to get wetter, her body trembling. Her hands clutched at the bedding beside her. She arched, calling his name, and to Loki there was nothing more beautiful than watching her in the throes of passion.

“Oh, I can’t stop it. Come with me,” she pleaded breathlessly.

He felt her pussy clench around him, and he gritted his teeth as his balls tightened to an almost unbearable ache, calling for release.

“Oh, yes, oh, yes,” he said harshly.

Her cry was a long, sweet wail that pushed him over the edge, and he spilled his seed inside her. His release crawled along each nerve ending of his skin in delicious waves. His body was taut as he gave himself over to what he could only describe as nirvana. He could stay inside her forever, but he pulled away to lie beside her and pull her into his arms.

“Well, damn.” Vivi gave a breathless laugh. “A girl could get used to this.”

“You’d better, because, Vivienne, now that you’re mine, I will not be letting you go.” Loki kissed her temple.

“I can live with that.” She snuggled close and laid her hand on his chest. “I love you, Loki.”

“And I love you, my darling Vivienne,” he replied.

Her breathing became even, and he knew she had fallen asleep. Loki held her close, smiling in the dark about how his life took a completely different path than he would ever have expected. Would he change it, he wondered, and the answer was a definite hell no. If any man could give up a woman like Vivienne, their lives would be poorer for it. Loki had no intention of being that man.

Chapter Six

The halls of Valhalla echoed with laughter, and Vivi looked around in awe. Instead of spending Christmas in New York, she had begged Loki to take her to his realm and she was not disappointed. Traveling there was like a pop through time that left her breathless. She could look outside the massive windows and see the unblemished snow of the North Pole. It was a blanket of white across the landscape and though you could freeze to death outside, in the great halls there was not a cold corner.

Massive hearths seemed to grace every room and the stone floors seemed to radiate heat. The smell of pine and fresh garland filled the air. Christmas trees with all handmade ornaments lent a hand to the picturesque scene. If Vivi didn’t know better, she would say she was dreaming. But she had pinched herself quite a few times since their arrival, so the sore spot on her arm told her she was awake.

“The family is in the room of souls, where homage is paid to those lost in honorable battle,” Loki said. “We’ll first go there, and then I have a surprise for you.”

“What kind of surprise?” Vivi asked. She tucked her hand through the crook of his arm as they walked.

Loki leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “Have patience, Vivienne. My family may be a bit distant, but don’t be offended. My past is not quite forgotten here.”

Hearing that irritated her to no end and she spoke stiffly. “If people can’t let go of something that happened thousands of years ago, then they have their own issues, not you.”

Loki chuckled. “This should be interesting.”

They stopped walking when they came to a set of massive stone doors. Carved scenes of war throughout the years were etched on either side—a tribute to those who died in glorious battle. Loki pushed open the doors and they moved easily, belying their monumental weight. The scene inside was just as festive as everything else she’d seen, but it was the people who stood or sat close by that caught her attention.

A man bigger than anyone she’d ever seen sat in a chair that she was sure had to have been handmade. He was at least seven feet tall and his beard was white and neatly combed. He didn’t have to say a word; Vivi knew he had to be Odin. Sitting on the arm of the chair was a stunning woman with long hair the color of a raven’s wing. Vivi looked at her and Odin’s wife. She smiled at them both as they stood in the doorway.

“Loki, you came home after all.” She got up, smiling widely, and walked toward them. “And you’ve brought a guest. Is this the lovely Vivienne?”

Loki bent to kiss her cheek. “Yes, Mother, meet Vivienne.”

“It’s wonderful to meet you.” Vivi held out her hand and it was ignored. Instead, Joko pulled her into an embrace.

“It is more than an honor to meet you,” Joko whispered close to her ear. “Thank you.”

Vivi didn’t have to ask why she said thank you. She could see the honest and pure love the woman who Loki called mother had for him. She wanted his happiness as much as Vivi did.

“Come meet the rest of the family,” Joko said warmly. “Everyone, this is Vivienne and she is with Loptr.”

“She does understand who he is, right?” a man with hair as white as frost said drily.

Beside him, his wife slapped his hand and rolled her eyes. Her round tummy showed that there was an addition to the family on the way. “Pay him no attention. My name is Lucy and this is Jack.”

Jack’s words stuck like a bone in her throat, and Vivi couldn’t help but respond. “Pleasure to meet you both, and, yes, I do know who he is. Just like I also know some weather issues we had a few years back was not just a blizzard of the century. You were a little punchy with the snow that year, weren’t you?”

“Right hook and Jack goes down.” A tall, handsome man with black hair roared with laughter and stood. He was wearing red pants and a coat to match. Santa was a looker, that was for sure.

“Serves him right too,” Lucy muttered. “We’ll have a talk about it later.”

“Hey, who said it was gang-up-on-Jack day?” Jack demanded to know.

“I taught you to think before you speak,” Joko murmured. “Now accept it.”

Vivi watched Odin’s smile widen, but he had yet to speak. She wondered uncomfortably what he might be thinking and what he would say.

“I’m Nick, and this is my wife Neeva,” the man in the red pants and coat said. He motioned to his wife who was sitting close by sipping from a cup. “Looks like you have got yourself a mate there, Loki. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“You know I live to prove you wrong,” Loki said drily.

“I’d get up, but the morning sickness is kicking my ass,” Neeva said and Vivi instantly fell in love with the lyrical melody of her voice.

“Is the tea not helping?” Nick was instantly at her side, looking worried. “Mother—”

“Give it time,” Joko said. “She just started the cup.”

“Bring your woman here,” Odin said to Loki in a commanding voice.

Vivi watched Jack roll his eyes and Lucy pinched him this time. Nick grinned all the while rubbing his wife’s shoulders.

Loki took her hand and together they moved toward Odin. They stood in front of him silently for what seemed like minutes, and Vivi shifted uncomfortably.

“Stop it,” Joko commanded her husband. “You’re not fooling anyone with that scowl.”

Odin’s face split into a grin. “Finally brought home a woman, and a fiery one at that. I approve.”

“I’d be with her even if you didn’t,” Loki replied.

“That worked real well last time,” Jack said drily.

That’s it!
Vivi whirled around and pointed directly at Jack. “Okay, Snow White, I guess you have never made a mistake in your life. If I recall correctly, I’ve seen you in your glamour around New York City being playboy extraordinaire. If you or anyone has a problem with Loki, then you have a problem with me. We can take our happy asses back to New York and you can sit here stewing in your pious self-serving soup. I rightly don’t care. But, if we’re staying, enough with the little caustic remarks.”

“I forgot to mention she can see the second natured,” Loki said mildly.

Odin roared with laughter. “I like her.”

“Serves you right,” Lucy said. “And if I wasn’t your assistant before we got married and set up most of those dates she’s talking about, we’d be heading to our room for a talk.”

Jack held up his hands and a smile hinted at his lips. “Loki, you seem to have a defender. I’ll refrain from the caustic remarks as she said. My apologies.”

“Loki, you’ve chosen well, but there may be a problem,” Odin said. “In trying to find unity, an invitation was sent to Madge for the great feast. I do not expect she will attend, but you should know.”

The name from his past made her heart lurch. Did he still have residual feelings for the woman who almost cost him his life?

“If she stays out of my way, I’ll stay out of hers. She no longer has the control she had over me from long ago,” Loki answered.

“Well, then, with that said, let us pay homage to the fallen and invite them into the halls for the feasting,” Joko said with a smile.

The ritual was a simple one. Odin sat at the head of the table and the men of the family took their seats on either side. The women set the table and since Neeva was not well, Vivi took her place. Empty chairs were left in front of plates piled high with food. All the food on the table was for the fallen warriors. Mugs were filled with ale and Odin invited the fallen to eat at his table. No one touched a piece of food, but stood and left the plates where they were. This was the one day the spirits were allowed to take corporeal form. Odin and Joko left first while the others followed behind. Vivi looked back just before the doors closed, and she swore she could see men and women dressed in garb of old and warrior’s armor sitting at the table, all smiling and laughing. It proved that Valhalla was more than meets the eye and all the myths were true. The dead were honored and never forgotten.

Later, they were sitting in the most impressive greenhouse she’d ever seen. The scent of hundreds of flowers filled the air. The warmth of the building reminded her of the spring and summer months in the Caribbean. She and her parents used to visit each year and one thing she could remember was the air being thick with the sweet smell of fruit and flowers. Unexpectedly, Loki pulled her into his arms and ravaged her mouth with a kiss. When they finally broke the kiss, both she and Loki’s breathing was ragged.

“Hold out your hand,” he said. “It’s time for your gift.”

Vivi held out her hand to him with the palms facing up. He lifted her hand close to the blooming flowers they were sitting under and gave a delicate bloom a shake. She watched as the liquid pooled on the petals fell into her hand. Loki closed her fingers and then held his hand over hers.

“You are the rarest person I’ve ever met,” Loki said huskily. “I am deeply honored to be the one you love. You deserve to have something just as amazing as you.”

He then opened her hand and a gem sat in the center of her palm. It was milky white and in the center there was a miniature image of the flower it came from. It hung from a silver chain and he placed it around her neck, fastening it at her nape.

“Be my wife, Vivienne,” he asked.

“I could never say no,” she whispered and cupped his cheek. Vivi kissed him and felt elation and happiness fill her until she was brimming with pure joy. “You’re stuck with me now, Mr. Loptr.”

Loki grinned. “Now let’s go to my room so I can see you wearing nothing but your gift.” Her laugh echoed as he pulled her close and they disappeared from the greenhouse.