Chapter 42

"Vervain,"a rich, warm voice like spiced cider sipped on a winter night invaded my dreams. "Vervain? I think she's waking up."
I blinked and looked around in confusion. There was a whole lot of blurry faces surrounding my bed, and I couldn't imagine why. I blinked some more as I tried to remember who all these people were. Then it hit me and with the knowledge came the pain.
"Oh, hell,"I groaned; my voice all dry and gravelly, reminding me of the werewolf. "Did someone get the license plate of that semi?"
"What, darling?"Thor's face came into view, and I realized that he was curled up next to me in the bed. "Is she hallucinating?"He looked up, and I followed his gaze to Teharon, who was standing over me on my left.
"I just meant that I feel like I've been run over."I smiled weakly at the Indian. "Did you save my life again?"
"No."Teharon chuckled softly. "You'd most likely have lived this time. All I did was speed up your recovery and make sure you weren't concussed. Now that you're awake, I can finish."He ran a hand over my body, a bright glow emanating from his palm, and the pain disappeared.
"Thanks, bu-u-udy,"I did my best Pauly Shore impression with the finger flutters and all.
It was lost on everyone but Finn and Ull, who both made strangled snorts. I looked around again. There was also Mrs. E and Mr. T, Pan, Horus, Brahma and Persephone in attendance. The gang was all there.
"Aw shucks guys, you didn't all have to come,"I said. "Flowers are always acceptable in times like these. Or even a nice fruit basket."
"We never left."Horus sniffed disdainfully.
"Oh."I grimaced.
"I would've come back to see you if I had left."Persephone sat at the foot of the bed; a large, masculine bed that I was betting belonged to Thor. It looked as if I was back in Asgard.
"Thanks, Sephy."I smiled weakly.
"She gave me a nickname."Persephone giggled and shot a happy look at the others before leaning towards me. "Hey, I heard you kicked wolf booty. I'm so-o-o-o jealous."
"Why? You got a bone to pick with the werewolves?"I chuckled over my play on words and then looked over at my shoulder, expecting to see scars. There was nothing but a red splotch. Teharon had mega talent.
"Oh, I don't mind werewolves at all."Persephone shook her head. "I think they're kind of sexy."We all gave her horrified looks, but she didn't seem to notice. "It's just that I heard they're pretty strong, and you beat one. You're so cool."
"Yeah, Vervain."Pan sashayed up in his usual jeans and T-shirt. The shirt read; By the biting of my thumb, something wicked this way cums. It had a picture of a naked nymph looking over her shoulder and biting her thumb seductively. Pan didn't look half as seductive when he struck a pose; elbows out and hands flat under his chin as he batted his lashes and declared, "You're my hero."
"Shut up, Pan."Persephone hit him in the gut, but he just laughed.
"How are you feeling?"Thor studied my face carefully.
"Like some werewolf just tried to make me into pâté and spread me on a cracker."I laughed at his grimace and turned my head so I could kiss the hand he had against my cheek. "I'm fine, babe. Hey, speaking of the werewolf who almost made me into his midnight snack, did you guys happen to do something with his body or is there a furry corpse for Mulder and Scully to find?"
"Excuse me?"Thor had an expression of extreme pain . . . mental pain.
"Oh, please tell me that you've heard of The X-Files,"I begged him.
"Is that something to do with the American government?"Horus came closer, his interest piqued.
Ull, Persephone, Finn, and Pan were laughing their asses off. At least I wasn't completely alone in a room full of communist bastards.
"You're never going to be able to relate to this woman if you don't start watching some TV."Ull gave his father a pat on the shoulder. "Sounds as if you may want to start with the SyFy channel."
"At least some of you understand my jokes."I sighed. "It's like I'm talking to my Grandpa sometimes."
"Yeah, except Thor's older."Pan smirked.
"Okay, that's disturbing"-I waved a hand—"and a complete tangent. Let's get back to the body in my yard."
"I took care of it,"Thor grunted. "Which reminds me of something else. Nick was curled up around you when I found you so I brought him along too. I'd like you both to stay."
"As in live here?"I felt my eyes go wide.
"Yes, that's what stay means."Thor took my hand. "You're not safe alone in the Human Realm."
"I like my house"-I scowled—"and I don't like the idea of hiding."
"Vervain."Thor took a deep breath. "You wouldn't be hiding, just protecting yourself."
"Sounds like hiding to me."
"You're in danger there,"he growled.
"Don't get mad at me; I'm wounded."I blinked up at him dramatically, but then something occurred to me. "Hey, I've been bitten by a werewolf. Does that mean I'm going to get hairy when the Moon gets full?"
"No,"Teharon's soft voice reassured me. "Werewolves are born, not created like vampires."
"Well, that's a relief."I sighed dramatically.
"Damn it, Vervain!"Thor jumped off the bed so he could tower over me. "I don't want you unprotected."
"It's too soon for us to live together."I glared at him. "We haven't even been on a date yet."
"Again with the dating thing!"He threw up his hands in frustration. "That's it, everyone out!"
Thor shooed the God Squad (as I was affectionately referring to them collectively inside my head) out the door before turning back to me. I could hear Pan bitching all the way down the hallway.
"What are you doing?"I eyed Thor warily as he approached the bed.
"I'm taking you to dinner."He threw back the sheets, and I was shocked to find that all I had on was one of his shirts.
"I think I'm going to need some pants for that"I smirked at him. "I know some restaurants have a policy of No shirt, no service, but I don't think they'd serve me without pants either."
"I'd love to serve you without pants."Thor waggled his brows.
"Hmm, maybe after dinner."I laughed at his shocked expression. "What; you thought I was holding out for marriage?"
It could be my near death experience, but I was beginning to think that I should start living for the moment, and at the moment I wanted Thor.
"No, I, uh..."He blinked rapidly. "Are you up for it?"
"Dinner or sex?"I laughed again when his legs gave out, and he sat heavily on the bed.
"Both."He swallowed visibly. "Either."
"Why do I get the feeling that discussing sex is difficult for you?"
"Not difficult."Thor shook his head. "I'm just not usually so blunt about it. I either flirt or seduce. I don't know what to say to a woman who talks about sex in the same sentence as dinner and with the same nonchalance."
"You say; yes."I gave him a devilish smile.
"Yes."He leaned in to kiss me.
I'd been concerned that I might not be recovered enough to make love to Thor, but his kiss removed all doubt. Adrenaline filled me with his very first touch; spreading from my lips to my belly and then even lower. His hands on my back kneaded away any remaining tension until there was nothing left but pure, hot desire.
I pulled back, gasping. "Maybe we shouldn't wait until after dinner."
It was his turn to laugh at me. "Absolutely not. I'm taking you on a date. I don't want to hear any more talk about us not being good together. We'll do this the human way."
"Humans have sex before dating."What the hell was wrong with me? I could wait a few damn hours.
"Yeah, it's called a one night stand."Thor got up and went to a large wooden trunk set against a wall. He pulled out something green and a belt. "I don't want a one-night thing with you."He handed the clothes to me. "I want the real thing."
"Wow."I stood up; clutching the garments to my chest. "I . . . uh, yeah; that sounds good."
"Then it's decided."He ushered me toward the bathroom. "Go and change; that tunic should be long enough to serve as a dress for you and the belt will give it some shape."
"Okay."I stumbled through the doorway.
The tunic fit great, though the sleeves were a little long and had to be pushed up. It hung to my knees and looked pretty good when I belted it. Of course, the belt was too long and had to be angled into a loose knot, but it ended up looking as if it had been designed that way. I splashed some cold water on my face, lamenting my lack of makeup, then finger-combed my curls. Lastly, I bit some color into my lips and went back out to Thor.
He had changed into tan dress slacks, a matching jacket, and a pale green shirt. With his hair brushed and shining down his back, he looked amazing. I wanted to hide my face and run away in shame. People were going to think that I was his sister or maybe his sugar mama.
"What is it?"Thor came rushing over. "Are you okay? Do you need to rest some more? I knew this was too soon. Here, let me help you back to bed."
"No."I pushed my insecurities aside and smiled. "I'm fine, let's go."
"Are you sure?"He lifted a brow.
"Absolutely."I smiled brighter.
"Okay then."He took my hand and started leading me out of the bedroom. "Where would you like to go? London? Venice? No; the Venetians hate everyone but themselves. Paris? Hmm, no; the French are just as bad. How about Brazil? Or there's Germany."
"How about Hawaii?"
"I can take you anywhere in the world, and you want to go home?"He cocked his head.
"I want my focus to be on you tonight, not the scenery."I pulled him toward the tracing room. "If we go someplace I've never been, I wouldn't be able to give you the attention you deserve. No, that's not true."I rolled my eyes at my own weakness. "I wouldn't be able to give the scenery the attention it deserved."
"We'll save Brazil for another time then."Thor had that grin men wear when it finally dawns on them that a woman wants them. You know they're completely clueless until it reaches the obvious stage.
"I know a great place in Kailua."I grinned back at him.