Loki Read online

  Thinking about the assholes gave me time to think about what happened at my parent's house. It has been a few days and I'm still trying to wrap my head around what happened. I knew my parents were God-awful, but this went way beyond that. Selling me to a man? It's 2019 for fuck's sake.

  She sent me a text shortly after we fled the house. Come back here right now. You can apologize and make it right with Mr. Wilkes. When I didn't respond back to her, they got more frantic. He'll take you even considering what happened. We can't pay him what we owe. You might as well make this easier on yourself and come back now. Still, I don't respond and her final message was another thinly veiled threat. Don't make him come after you, you deserve less than he'll offer you.

  I put both of them from my mind. I'd like to see the dickbag try and take me.

  Loki is a berserker.

  My berserker.

  I saw the rage in his eyes as his fist pummeled into Desmond's face. I'd be lying if I said it didn't turn me on.

  I start to stare at my naked body in the bathroom mirror as I brush my teeth. It’s hard to believe how much I've changed in a few short months. I finish brushing my teeth and start braiding my hair.

  It’s hard to believe that I puked on him and I’ve been feeling nauseous since. Each morning I am throwing up and then feeling fine for the rest of the day. It's almost as if I'm… holy shit. I do some fast math and realize I haven't gotten my period since I met Loki.

  “Shit,” I scream loudly without thinking.

  Loki barrels into the bathroom. Apparently, closed doors and privacy mean nothing to the man. I stare at him. He hasn't touched me sexually since he rescued me and I don't know why. Nor do I like it. I hope he doesn't think something happened between Desmond and me. He hasn't said anything to me about that night, except to ask me if I was okay or not.

  “What's wrong?” He demands, looking around for signs of danger.

  “Nothing, silly,” I say laughing. He finally looks at me. His eyes darken and his nostrils flare.

  “Then why did you scream? You took ten years off my life,” he says dramatically. I put my hands on my hips, which seems to draw his attention to my pussy.

  “I am pretty sure I’m pregnant,” I blurt out. He crosses his arms over his chest and just grins.

  “I wondered when you’d catch up.” His eyebrows lift as if he is making fun of me.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I figured it out a while ago,” he says and I can feel my mouth drop open.

  “And you didn’t think to tell me?” I ask incredulously.

  “They told me not to,” he says while raising his arms in a surrendering motion.

  “Who is they?” I ask using air quotes.

  “My brothers and friends,” he says. “Not Bill, though. He’s going through it right now.”

  “Oh, what happened?” I’ll make him tell me more about Bill later.

  “That’s his story to tell, but it ain’t great,” he says. I nod. I am going to need a gossip session with Erika, Loki’s sister.

  “We should get a pregnancy test,” I say excitedly.

  “I can run out and get one,” he says just as excited.

  “Thank you,” I say as he is leaving the room. I hop in the shower and get cleaned up.

  My mind goes to the fact that I was standing in front of him and naked as fuck. Does he really not want me anymore? I start crying in the shower like a loser and continue hard enough that I don’t hear Loki come in behind me. Fully dressed. He picks me up in arms and pulls me out of the shower.

  “Why are you crying?” He asks

  I am able to get enough control to bring it down to sniffling, but my throat is cloyingly thick and I am unable to speak. Instead, I shake my head for an answer.

  “Tell me now,” he demands with his fingers gripping my chin. I swallow.

  “You don’t want me anymore,” I say quietly as I’m lowering my eyes. The noise that comes out of him after my confession is unexpected. He has the nerve to laugh at me and now tears are threatening to spill again.

  “I literally have no idea what you are talking about,” he finally says when he catches his breath.

  “You haven’t touched me in days. And earlier I was standing before you completely naked and you didn’t do anything. Why won’t you touch me? That jackass didn’t do anything to me.” His eyes harden, along with his grip on my chin. Why does his forcefulness make me wet?

  “Don’t talk to me about that stupid fuck. My not touching you has nothing to do with him. You have not been feeling well and I didn’t want to push you.”

  “But I want to be pushed,” I say smiling.

  “Does my perfect little kitten want to be fucked?”

  “No,” I moan as his fingers leave my chin and trail down to pinch my nipple.

  “No?” he questions with a smirk on his face.

  “No, I need it,” I say just before his lips crash down on mine.

  He sets me on the counter, he peels off his shirt. It lands behind him on the floor with a wet plop. He opens his jeans and I slap his hand away. I feel his perfect, hard, and throbbing cock. I lick my lips as I guide him to my opening.

  “Fuck, yes Kitten. Take my cock. Use it for your pleasure,” he growls. Our coupling is fast and hard. I scream his name as he fills my pussy.

  “Should you now wait to do the test in the morning?” he asks as he is pulling out of me gingerly.

  “No,” I say laughing. “Sperm doesn’t affect a pregnancy test. It’s looking for a specific hormone. Now get out and let me pee in peace,” I say.

  “Fine,” he says with a pout, but does as I ask. He comes back in as soon as I flush. “Well?” he asks as soon as I set it down on the counter and wash my hands.

  “It takes a couple of minutes, babe.” When we look at the test, of course it’s positive. Loki lifts me and swings me in the hair.

  “I fucking knew it,” he shouts. We spend the rest of the night celebrating.

  The next morning, Cymion’s doctor says she can travel, so I sit with her while Loki makes the travel arrangements.

  “I am so ready for a change, Tabs. You have no idea. Thank you for letting me stay with you until I get on my feet.”

  “Think nothing of it Cym. I love you would do anything for you.”

  “I can’t believe I had no idea, Tabs. None at all. He just kept telling me I was ugly and that’s why he wouldn’t have sex with me. Three years of hearing that, I started believing it.”

  “That’s awful. You are gorgeous and I’m sure your confidence will come back to you. Sometimes all it takes is the right man to make everything better,” I say, taking her hand in mine.

  “You mean like, Loki?”

  “Yeah, Loki became everything to me very quickly and I was scared at first. Don’t be scared, Cym. If something amazing comes along, go with it for your own sake.”

  “I will. Kenton didn’t completely break me down.”

  “That’s good.”

  When Loki returns, he declares that we are ready to go. He was able to get three seats in first class on a direct flight to St. Paul where his car was parked.

  “I’ve got Sven coming to pick Cymion up. My car is too small.”

  “That’ll be perfect,” I respond, helping Cymion out of the bed. She has been dressed and ready to go for about an hour now.

  “Sven?” Cymion questions.

  “My youngest brother,” Loki responds.

  “He’s a good guy,” I say when I notice Cymion’s face has paled. We get home in about three and a half hours. Sven is waiting by his car. I watch as my sister gasps.

  “Tell me that’s Sven?” she asks in a whisper.

  “That’s Sven,” I whisper back. Sven has done nothing but stare at Cymion.

  “Holy hell!! He’s nothing like my husband,” she says a little louder than she intended. Her face immediately turns red and I try to stifle a giggle..

  “What husband, sweetness?” Sven asks eyebrows quirked. He o
bviously heard that. “You’ll forget all about him. Guaranteed.” Sven says pulling Cymion to his side. In a very Sven-like fashion, he dramatically opens his car door for her and gestures to get in. My sister’s face flushes even more, but apparently, she is finding her inner vixen. Good for her.

  “Do you think you’re man enough to do that?” she asks sassily, putting one hand on her hip her other on his chest. I am momentarily stunned and definitely didn’t see any of this coming. The tension between these two is highly charged and hot. I feel like I’m eavesdropping on an intimate moment and they are just talking. Woah.

  “I know it, sweetness. And soon, you will too.”

  “Take care of my sister,” I shout as Loki all but drags me over to the parking garage.

  “Count on it,” he says tipping his non-existent hat to me.

  “Loki, should I be worried about her? I mean Sven isn’t exactly the settling down type of guy. Ya know.”

  “Kitten. Sven is wholly misunderstood. As the baby, he is spoiled and used to getting his way. But trust me when I tell you, we are all born and raised to settle down. My parents would not stand for it any other way. If he sets his sights on her, she is as good as claimed.” He tells me with a kiss.

  “Kind of like how you did me. Huh, Tom.”

  Grrrrr!!! “What did I tell you about calling me another man’s name.” Laughing as he lifts me out of the car and spanks my ass. I love working him up.

  My mind still pulls to my sister and Sven for a second.

  This should be interesting!

  9

  Loki

  Two Weeks Later

  It’s been two weeks since we took the test and confirmed Tabby is pregnant. Even though she took a test at the hotel we both decided we wanted to have it confirmed by the doctor. So, after being home 24 hours, she got an appointment with the doc.

  Being nervous is an understatement. Not about the pregnancy. I am not looking forward to the late night cravings and the crazy mood swings either of course. It helps that I have been surrounded by pregnant women for the better part of two years now. No, my reticence comes from the knowledge that none of this is in my control. After what happened last year with Max Crawford's wife, Rosa, all the men have been a bit more aware that in the blink of an eye, we could lose everything. Everything, being the women we love and our children.

  As we sit in the doctor’s office and are looking at the screen with a little blob while listening to the heartbeat in surround sound aquarium style. I knew I wasn’t going to waste another second.

  Pulling up to Jorgensen Jewelers, my heart is playing badminton in my chest. I know without a doubt she is it for me. From the moment I saw her, I knew she was my eternity. Her effervescence and flare for life are contagious. Things I haven’t enjoyed since I was a teenager, she breathes new life into. And now at nine weeks pregnant, she is giving life to my son. No. I have no doubts at all. Just anxious to have this thing locked up.

  “Loki. It’s about time I see you in here.”

  “Shut up Torran. Show me the Elite.”

  He goes to the back and pulls out the rings that are only stored in the safe. These are the rings from the estate of our ancestors. They are the most precious of the Jewels our family business has to offer. They are not for sale however. Just for family.

  “Hey Torran,” I yell to the back of the store.

  “Yo. I’m coming. Damn it. Give me a minute.” He is such a drama queen.

  “No you ass. I was going to ask where the hell Sven is. That boy lives here.”

  “Yea bro. I don’t know. Ever since you guys came back from Boston, I noticed he has been disappearing more and more lately. No clue. Erika says he hasn’t been home much either. She did say she came home early one day to grab something and heard him with what she assumes was a woman in his room. Maybe the little scamp is finally getting some. Anyway, here you go.”

  Interesting. It doesn’t take a genius to know who he has been with.

  Hmmm…..Wonder if my kitten knows about this. Ready to focus on the task at hand, I look down at the rings in front of me and the one meant for my woman is front and center. I point to the one I want.

  “Great eye bro. It’s a 1920s Alvadora Diamond ring with a bezel-set center gem surrounded by ethereal latticework, and a halo of diamonds. The center stone weighs in at a whopping 2.5 carats. Total weight is 3.5. This is not including the diamonds that surround the band. She is going to love it. Make sure to give her this card as well. It tells the story of our ancestor Freyja Osmund. She is said to be the descendant of the Goddess Freyja, who was the goddess of Love and Beauty. You chose well my brother. I am happy for you. Tabitha is awesome. We all love her. Even mom.”

  “Thank you, Torran. That means a lot to me. I have to go make one more stop. See you later.”

  I walk out feeling more confident. Knowing the history behind the piece that called to me, makes it feel Kismet. I walk the two minutes around the corner to Jorgensen’s Floral Palace and for the final touches.

  “Hey, big bro. What brings you in here today?”

  “I just left Torran.” she gasps and puts her hand over her heart.

  “Loki. it's about damn time. I am so happy. What do you need?”

  “I need 67 orchids delivered to my place within the hour.”

  “67. Holy shit!! You’re going to wipe me out.” she laughs. “Can I ask why 67?” I debate for only a second whether to tell her, but what the hell. I want to shout it from the rooftops.

  “Yes. One for every day she has been carrying your nephew.”

  “Holy hell. When you go all in, you go balls deep huh!!! Pun intended.” She says chuckling.

  Smart ass.

  “Got that right little sister. Can you do it?”

  “Of course I can. Get out of here and go make that awesome girl my sister, already.” I give her a quick hug before I go and race out of the store. I have exactly 45 minutes to get home, shower, make sure the flowers get arranged and get ready for Tabby to get home from work.

  I barely make it. I get stopped in traffic by a damn busted water pipe. Then I make it home only to have the flowers arrive as soon as I pull up, so I have to wait to shower. Then my mom calls because my siblings have big fucking mouths. Mama wants to make sure that I don’t drag her off to Vegas and let her plan the wedding. By the time I get in and out of the shower, she is walking in as I am walking into the living room.

  I know the moment she looks up because her keys fall from her hands and she stops dead in her tracks.

  “Loki?” she asks out of breath from the shock.

  “Hey, baby. I missed you.” I say, pulling her in for a kiss to calm her down before I do this. I want her with me and if she gets worked up it will be a second before she can focus. I let my mouth and hands soothe her, while I explore and eventually move over to her stomach. Each time I touch her belly I am in awe that my kid is planted there. All the love in my heart goes to my child that is nestled safely and growing inside the woman of my heart.

  “Loki. What’s going on?” Now is as good a time as any I think. Dropping to one knee, I tell her exactly what is in my heart.

  “Kitten, you moved me. You walked into my restaurant, that was my life and literally moved everything inside of me. The first step was from behind a wall to being in front of your face, so I could admire and gaze upon your beauty. Then you moved and propelled me to claim and find a way to tie you to me forever. Now, you are moving me to make all of it a reality. You have made me a better man and soon a dad. I love you my sweet, beautiful, sexy, and exasperating woman. Tabitha Gentry, will you do the incredible honor of being my wife?”

  Through the sniffles and a cascade of tears, she nods her head yes, before throwing herself at me and saying it again between kisses. I open the ring box and she starts crying harder. I have a moment where I worry that she doesn’t like it. Until she says, “Oh my God Loki. It’s perfect.”

  “Thank fuck. Now put it on woman and kiss me.” She do
es both. Annnnnd a little bit more.

  10

  Tabitha

  A couple of nights later, I am surrounded by my girls. All of them! I love how the ladies all stick together. Acadia, a waitress at the dinner, decided Bleakers, the dive bar on Main Street, would be our setting for tonight. Though, I am not sure why. Most of us are in various stages of our pregnancy and the others are too young to drink in public. The only one drinking is Erika and she is drinking enough for everyone to be honest. I wonder what’s up with her. She doesn’t usually imbibe this much.

  The only absent face is Elaine, Bill’s wife. She filed for divorce six months ago and can’t be in our circle anymore. I say good riddance. She was a mean bitch and I think Bill is better off without her, but that’s just my opinion. Stacy, Loki’s mom isn’t here either, but she hates being away from her husband for any amount of time.

  “Let us see the ring again,” Migan announces from the other side of the table. I grin and hold my hand out for the third time tonight. They ooh and ahh like it’s the first time. I can’t wait to be Loki’s wife.

  “What was the proposal like?” Kennedy asks rubbing her little baby bump.

  “Oh yeah, we need the details,” Jacquie says laughing.

  “Cough it up,” Penny says excitedly.

  “Yeah, don't leave us hanging,” Rosy chimes in. It's hard to believe that five months ago my only friends were my sister and my brother Payton. Now, I'm lucky enough to call these amazing women my friends.

  “It was so unexpected. When I got home there were orchids everywhere. My absolute favorite flower. Sixty-seven of them to be exact. He knelt and asked me. I said yes because honestly, I can't imagine my life without him.”

  “How awesome,” Carrie-Ann says.

  “Loki is adorable,” Penny says laughing. If she wasn't so happily married, I'd scratch her eyes out.