Elle's head spun at his nearness, making her unable to think straight. She'd never been touched so tenderly or intimately before. The way his eyes clouded with pain and something else she'd never seen intrigued her and made her want to hold him close and hug his bad memories away. But she played with proverbial fire. When he found out who she was-
Thor’s breath hovered so close Elle almost tasted the heat of it on her skin. Her gaze flitted upward, colliding with his- intense with turbulent white lightning that threatened to sting her if she looked too hard. His fingers skimmed the air near her cheek, a ghostly caress that lingered, then retreated too fast.
He leaned in and smelled her hair. Her skin blossomed into an inferno, and she couldn't help the sigh that crawled up her throat. What was happening with her? She'd never experienced feelings for a man before, not that she'd had much opportunity. The only men she ever saw were her father's men. Fire giants. Half giants. And any other thugs he'd managed to dominate. Not one of them looked at her with tenderness or kindness. And none would have dared to touch her for fear of having their hands removed. And their arms. And their-
"Are you okay?"
She blinked. "Yes. Sorry."
"I want to take you somewhere."
She should say no. She should excuse herself and go to her apartment for the rest of her break.
She did neither. "Where?"
His eyes widened as if surprised. "Anywhere you want. You tell me, and I'll take you there."
"I... I don't know anywhere to go."
"Then I'll decide."
"What will we do?"
"Anything we want. What do you like to eat?"
"Uh... the usual things. Food." She couldn't tell him what she normally ate without him figuring out where she came from.
He chuckled. "What about sushi? Have you ever eaten sushi?"
Her eyebrows creased. "Sushi?"
"It's raw fish."
She wrinkled her nose. That sounded terrible. Who would want to eat raw anything?
Thor smiled. Not in the way she was used to. Not a mocking smile, or a leering smile, just a genuine smile.
"Trust me, it tastes better than it sounds."
She peered at him. Was he jesting with her?
"How about tonight? We could-"
"Elle!"
Elle flinched at the sharp tone of Val's voice and moved out of Thor's grip, knowing she would receive the verbal spanking of her life.
Val leapt forward and flicked her wrist blade from its sheath. "Step away from her."
Thor didn't move. "Why?"
Val moved her blade to his throat, and again, he didn't move.
"Val." Elle’s magic wound tight in her belly, and she fought to keep it there. "Val, please stop. Lord Thor said he was glad I made it home safely last night after the... the party at Lady Frigg’s."
Val looked between Thor and Elle, and Elle’s heart pounded. Would Val really attack Thor? What if he hurt her… what if Val hurt him? A surge of protectiveness rippled through Elle, and her magic swirled hotter, racing up her neck.
"Val, I said stop," she commanded. Elle’s mouth almost fell open, realizing what she’d done. She'd never commanded Val to do anything before. Val was her friend, her confidant, and her protector; even so, Elle was the daughter of Surtr, a princess of Muspelheim. And Thor was the Norse God of Thunder. If she didn’t do something, one of them was bound to be injured.
