Chapter 11
11
Oblivious to Pepper’s polite annoyance, the middle-aged chap turned to also beg pardon from her lunch date. As he started to speak, he suddenly became aware of just how beautiful the woman whose hand he held was. A small gasp preceded a gulp and wide eyes.
“Forgive me, Miss. I have never seen anyone as gorgeous as you. Are you an actress? A princess? Maybe a model? You’re not American, are you?”
Luka only smiled, amused by this mortal’s babbling. “A princess, yes. But, more importantly for you, sir, I am a goddess.” She took her hand back and picked up her glass of wine. “I would see to it that your young friends behave themselves a bit more decorously when visiting an establishment such as this. It appears to me that the normal patrons here appreciate a genteel atmosphere. They come to enjoy an excellent meal, relax and thus, peace and quiet are most desired.”
Looking chagrined, he bowed his head for a moment. Then what she had called herself sank in.
His head popped back up and he asked, curiously. “You really are a princess? Anyone as beautiful as you are is definitely a goddess in my estimation.”
Pepper interrupted, “Yes, Lady Luka is a princess. But when she said ‘goddess’, she meant it. Literally. She is one of Thor’s people. Though they look as human as the rest of us, they aren’t.” She picked up a fork and pointedly cut a piece of her fillet. “Now, if you are done, we’d like to finish our meal.” It was very apparent she was still annoyed.
“Of course, of course. Again, I apologise for the noise. But, just let me leave my card with you.” He handed a small, slick, printed beige rectangle to Luka. “Lovely lady, if you would ever like some professional photos done, I would be delighted to help you. And the designers I work with would love to make some special outfits just for you. They’ll drool over you! And fight each other for the privilege!”
Luka’s eyebrow lifted as she examined the card. After the man left, she grinned at Pepper. “How interesting. Do you think he was serious? Is he one of those people like the ones in that movie we saw?”
“It did sound like it. Or at least, he knows some.” Oh, no! This is going to cause problems, I think. She will love being fussed over, but Thor is not going to be happy. I need to check this guy out, too. Make sure he’s legit. How do I warn her? “May I see his card? When I get back to the office, I can have Happy check him out. Make sure he is who he says.”
“Is there a concern? You seem hesitant.” Luka gave Pepper the card. The mortal had no idea it was a copy, the original having disappeared into a hidden pocket in a fold of Luka’s gown.
“Well, there are some real sleazeballs out there. Especially in this industry. And, well, you are an innocent when it comes to business practice. I wouldn’t want anyone to take advantage of you.”
“Very kind of you, Pepper. But do not forget who, and what, I am. No one is going to ‘take advantage’ of me!” Luka’s hand to her chest didn’t hide the amusement in her face.
The ladies finished their lunches without further incident. Pepper told Happy to drop Luka at the Tower and then her at her apartment. She was done with work until Monday, tired from the late night and the stress of Luka’s impromptu visit, sure Bambi had reorganised everything in her usual efficient manner.
The drive back to Manhattan was uneventful, if long. It was late afternoon and the city was waking up for the weekend. People heading to dinner, shows, home after a day out, etc. The traffic was terrible; typical of the city on any day and worse at this time of day.
Pepper found herself trying to keep her eyes open, almost dozing off several times. The last, she heard Luka chuckle and she touched the CEO’s knee. “Go to sleep, minn vinr. I understand you have had a long, stressful day, and not much sleep before. I will sightsee while you rest. All is well, Lady Pepper.”
Half-smiling, Pepper nodded and curled into her corner of the limo. Luka took off her cloak and spread it over the smaller woman. Mortals, they are so fragile. It’s a shame they spend so much of their short lives unaware of their surroundings. Luka sighed and watched the city pass by until the car pulled up outside Avengers’ Tower.
*
Wisely, Happy had called Tony while he was waiting for the ladies to come down from Pepper’s office. Tony let Thor know where Luka had gone before the big blond panicked and tore up the city looking for her. They were both waiting in the lobby when she sauntered in. As soon as she spotted Thor, her moseying became a swaying strut. The expression on her face was all smug satisfaction.
The full breath the god had taken to chastise whooshed out in an exasperated sigh. He knew she would not tolerate being censured in front of any mortals. The lobby was full of them, coming and going, asking at the reception desk for directions, and so on. Also, Tony stood right beside him.
Before either spoke, Tony jumped right in with his usual babble. He’d sensed the tension between the pair of gods and hoped to head off a confrontation. Knowing the two of them, it might level the building.
“Hey, Lady Luka! Didya enjoy your lunch date? Where’d ya go? How’s Pepper? Did she come back with you or did Happy drop you off? The inventor rushed forward, taking her hand and leading her back to Thor. She looked a bit stunned by his blather, as if she couldn’t decide which question to answer first.
Grinning at her adopted brother, Luka snickered quietly. “My, my! How do you do that without breathing?”
She laughed at Tony. “I am well. Lady Pepper took me to a lovely place of feasting near her work. We had a delicious meal and an informative conversation. Unfortunately, the poor dear was overcome by lack of sleep, stress from last evening and a rather full belly. She fell asleep in the back of your private conveyance, so I covered her with my cloak and told Karl Hogan to take her to her home.”
“Karl? No, his name is Happy,” Tony started.
Thor interrupted, explaining, “Karl is a title, Tony. It means a free man, neither a leader nor a thrall, a slave.”
“Oh, okay.” He scratched his head, wondering. “So I’m a karl, too?” He thought it wise to leave the question of thralls for another time.
“No, minn fjol. You would be a Jarl; you are a leader of your business and your companions here. Actually, so is Thor, although he is a prince, a konungsson, as well.”
“Huh. Learn something new every day. Whyn’t we all head back upstairs? You two prob’ly wanna catch up somewhere quiet, yeah?” The inventor figured it best to let them sort out whatever needed sorting in the privacy of Thor’s apartment.