"No, it was a different portal. A bigger one."
"A different portal?"
Thor studied her for a minute. "You're aware the one in the Raven Weaver isn't the only portal, right?"
She dropped her gaze.
"There are many portals in and out of Helheim."
"Can anyone come through?" Panic tinged her voice.
"No. There are Helborn guards. They know every soul and being in Helheim. They also know when someone hasn’t obtained permission to be there, and they deal with them."
She nodded. "Wow. Hel thought of everything."
“Not really Hel.”
“What do you mean?”
“Helheim is a part of the bigger realm that is the Underworld. Many deities of death have places there. But they are all overseen by Lucifer, the Midgardian version of Hel. He made the original realm. He granted Hel her portion to rule over. But even she has to answer to Lucifer.”
“Who does he answer to?” she asked.
He chuckled. “That is up for debate. Come on. We have a reservation." He straddled his bike and motioned for her to sit behind him.
Elle slid over the bike. Thor grabbed her wrist and pulled her close against his back, pressing her hand into his stomach.
"Hang on to me," he said.
Her other arm snaked around his waist, and she clasped her hands together. He sucked in a breath at the warmth of her body against him. How long had it been since he’d been touched by a woman? Or better yet, wanted to be touched by one?
"Relax into me," he said, his voice raspy. "Let my body lead you."
She scooted closer, and her arms tightened around his waist as her body molded into his, and she set her chin on his back.
Thor turned over the engine and kicked the kickstand up. The bike rumbled beneath him, sending tiny vibrations up his thighs. The sensations mixed with her scent and the feel of her body against his made his chest squeeze. He remembered how she’d looked at him the night before. Like she’d wanted to kiss him or ask him to stay, but also something else. A tinge of fear had creased the corners of her eyes. So he hadn’t done either. He’d simply left. Well, not truly. He’d spent fifteen minutes waiting at the top of the stairs to make sure she was okay and then another hour down in the bar with Heimdall before convincing himself that no one meant her harm. Then he had left.
Thor put on his blinker and pulled into traffic. Her entire body tensed around him like a form-fitting glove. The sensation made every nerve pay attention. Even the inconvenient parts of him.
Knock it off. It's not like a woman has never touched you before.
Thor rode down the street, and as they turned corners, Elle's body moved so easily with his, he couldn't tell where his body ended, and hers started. A feeling of oneness came over him, making Thor no longer want to go to dinner. As Thor leaned into a curve, the winding road beneath them seemed an endless ribbon of possibility. Elle's thighs pressed against his with a familiar warmth, her presence both a comfort and a sweet torment. Her scent- an intoxicating blend of something warm and spicy and flowers cut through the cool night air, making it hard for him to concentrate. He wanted to cruise to the coast highway and ride with her as far as they could go. Just the two of them. Away from everything and everyone else. Take her to a beach to watch the sunset and kiss her on the sand.
Elle’s breath quickened as they turned another corner, leaning low to the ground. Her fingers shift, gripping him tighter and hooking her thumbs into his belt loops. The touch sent electricity skittering up his spine.
Thor exhaled sharply. A barrage of thoughts storms through him: Stop here. Hold onto this. Let this night unravel into passion.
Instead, he turned a corner and pulled up in front of a Japanese restaurant. He turned off the bike and put down the kickstand. He removed his helmet and realized Elle still hadn't released her grip on him. He patted her hands.
"You can let go now, we're here."
She lay her cheek on his shoulder, and he barely heard her whisper, "What if I don't want to?"
His gut clenched, and he wanted to tell her not to. Wanted to turn around and pull her lips to his. To kiss her on his bike, not caring who saw them. Screw dinner, they'd grab something on the road.
Again, Frigg’s words floated back, and he sucked in a breath.
"We can do it again. After we eat."
