This Time Around (Sequel to All Over Again)

Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

Much as McKenna loved the Jersey Shore, that was nothing compared to the beauty and splendor of Asgard, the Realm Eternal. Each time she came into Heimdall's gatehouse, the sheer beauty all around her never failed to leave her awestruck, even after all this time. And although she was used to the Bifrost, it still always snatched her breath from her lungs when that invisible hook grabbed her around the midsection and yanked.

"Welcome home, Lady McKenna, my lord," Heimdall greeted them in his deep baritone. "I trust you enjoyed your holiday?"

"It was wonderful, Heimdall. There's nothing like the Jersey shore," McKenna told him, smiling as she cast a sidelong glance at Loki, who grinned down at her and squeezed the hand he held.

"It is nice to see you both still so happy, after all this time." Heimdall glanced in the direction of the palace. "And your children will be happy to see you, period."

"Tell me Selig wasn't a handful," McKenna said, unable to keep the sigh out of her voice. He could be a very strong-willed little boy at times.

"No more so than usual. He challenges the Allfather and I think the Allfather relishes it."

Loki gave a gentle tug on her arm. "We should go rescue him, either way."

They bid Heimdall goodbye and stepped out into the bright Asgardian sunlight. The palace was a good hour's walk from the gatehouse, so Loki led her down to the small stable of horses just outside.

She smiled at the soft nickering coming from inside the stables. She wasn't much of a rider, but somehow, it didn't matter when she and Loki were on the same horse. Even now, she couldn't hold back her inward sigh as he emerged from the darkness astride a massive black gelding. He and the animal looked almost as if they were one mystical creature, the sun dancing along the gelding's glossy black coat and Loki's thick black hair. It never failed to snatch the breath from her lungs, just how handsome Loki was and how it still sometimes boggled her mind that, of all the women in the nine realms, she was the one he had fallen in love with.

He guided the gelding over to her, tightening his grip on the reins as the horse stepped sideways and tossed its elegant black head. Within minutes, Loki had the horse calm and he grinned down at her as he leaned forward to slip his arm about her waist. "Up you get, love."

He lifted her easily and she sighed against, settling in between his legs and leaning back against his chest. The arm about her waist tightened, his breath warm on her ear as he said, "My favorite way to ride these days."

She grinned at him over her shoulder. "So I feel."

"Are you complaining?"

"Hardly. I like knowing I have this kind of power over you."

He laughed as he guided the horse back to the Bifrost leading to the palace. "You have since that first night, darling girl."

"The night you zapped my phone into the next dimension?"

"The night I came upon you in the kitchen. It was dark. You were only half-dressed. It was tempting."

"You did stand a little closer to me than was really necessary."

"I know. You smelled good."

She laughed, snuggling even closer. "Loki, you are the only man I've ever met who could be turned on by shampoo."

His fingers tightened on her belly. "Only your shampoo. I will forever associate coconuts with you."

"I don't know if that's good or bad."