Yuletide Mischief

By Dahlia Rose

He was a heart breaker, a mischief-maker, and that was the way he liked it. His cousins Nicholas aka Santa Claus and Jack Frost had succumbed to the power of human love but not him. He would make sure that his entertainment level was high, and he would spend Christmas in New York. When he saw a woman dressed as an elf stop one of his tricks, he was speechless when she literally called him out. Loki felt as if he was drowning in her chocolate gaze, and instead of causing mayhem for the holiday season, Loki found himself enamored by this woman who knew his true name and nature. Could a woman like her ever love someone like him, especially knowing that it was in his nature to be naughty and not nice?

Vivienne Gallant aka Vivi to her friends was as energetic as her name. She always had the sight and could see through the glamour of beings that were more than human. With her knowledge and her sight when she saw Loki up to his tricks, she was determined he wouldn't ruin the holidays. But at his first kiss, she thought her body would melt, and when she showed up at his penthouse with the excuse she was guarding him, she knew she would end up in his bed. Vivi felt herself falling hard for Loki, but could she prove to him that love wasn’t a curse but a gift she was glad to share?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dahlia Rose
• Release date: Nov 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310309489

Dahlia Rose

Dahlia Rose is the best-selling author of contemporary, military and paranormal romance with a hint of Caribbean spice. She was born and raised on a Caribbean island and now currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her five kids, who she affectionately nicknamed “The Children of the Corn,” and her biggest supporter and longtime love. She has a love of erotica, dark fantasy, sci-fi, and the things that go bump in the night. With over six dozen books published Dahlia has become a reader favorite. Not only because of her writing but her vivacious attitude in talking to her fans online and at various events. Books and writing are her biggest passions, and she hopes to open your imagination to the unknown between the pages of her books. http://hearttoheartwithdahliarose.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/author.dahliarose www.twitter.com/dahliarose1029

Book preview

Chapter One

New York in wintertime. Loki loved it and reveled in the hustle and bustle. Not because he loved Christmas, no, that was for his cousin Nicholas and his alter ego Santa Claus. Not because of the cold—that was more suited to his other cousin, Jack Frost. It was because it made for the perfect atmosphere to cause mayhem—a ruined gift or even a misunderstanding that could put a couple at odds for the holidays. It was an addiction to him and fed his mischievous side, and he simply enjoyed it.

Today looked like a perfect day to cause a little havoc. From his cousin Jack’s penthouse apartment he could see the commotion on the city streets below. Loki threw his scarf over his shoulder in a carefree, jaunty move. It was time to have some fun.

He thought about his family and wondered if he should make the trip back to Valhalla for the holidays. Jack wasn’t going to be able to come to New York anytime soon. Lucy’s second pregnancy showed one thing very early on: The baby wasn’t going to like the heat, so they moved directly back to the snowy North Pole. Nick and Neeva were expecting their first, so everyone was in the family way. Jokul and Odin, mother and father of the gods, were thrilled at the new additions to the household.

If he did go home, he could still play in Asgard. The women and the wine. He grinned at the thought. He made the decision that when he got bored of New York that was where he would head. He looked at himself in the large mirror over the fireplace and changed his looks. Being able to shift had its advantages. Brown hair, brown eyes, and fuller lips worked for him, and he grinned at his reflection before heading toward the private elevators. On the elevator ride down, Loki actually hummed along with the awful music.

Nice to see you, Mr. Loki. Mike, the doorman, tipped his hat.

Happy holidays. Loki was feeling generous and pulled a fifty from the roll of bills in his pocket and handed it to the doorman. You enjoy the day.

Thank you, Mr. Loki! The doorman beamed.

Loki gave him a small wave and exited the building. He didn’t mind the man using his name as a surname. If humans knew the kind of power he wielded in his hands alone, he was sure they would all fear his face. He’d leave falling in love and the family life to his cousins. He was all about the fun. He stepped outside and was assaulted by the scent of hot roasting peanuts, fresh bagels, and hotdogs. The cold, harsh wind blew through the streets that were hemmed in by tall buildings. He watched as people tried to bend into the wind, burying their noses into their scarves and coats and bracing themselves against the cold biting into their bodies. Loki didn’t feel it; he just dressed the part. Their home was in the farthest point of the North Pole, so this was like summer to him.

As he passed people carrying packages moving toward a job or their home, he trailed magic from his fingertips. He chuckled as the mayhem began. A slip and fall there, a bag falling into the dirty water there, briefcases popping open and important papers flying through the breeze. It was just the beginning, and he stopped outside one of the biggest retail stores, their window display bright and cheery, beckoning passersby to come in. Barneys was the perfect place to see what trouble he could get into.

Stepping inside, he found himself in an exact duplicate of Nicholas’s house in the North Pole. Loki bit the inside of his lip to keep from snarling. Tall toy soldiers stood here and there and Santa impersonators were on every floor. People dressed like elves were running around handing out candy canes. It was enough to make him nauseated. He decided to start his mischievous ways on the main level and work his way up to the second floor. He could pick out a few ties while watching the ruckus. An elf came up to him. She was perky, pretty, and the bright glare from her eyes stopped him dead in his tracks.

Don’t you even dare. Her voice was a fierce whisper, and she looked around to see if anyone was close by.

Miss, I don’t have any clue what you mean, Loki said and made a move to step around her.

She blocked his path, and he felt his irritation rise. Oh, you know what I mean. And I’m telling you, not here, not this city, not this holiday.

Could she? Loki pushed that thought aside before he could finish it. She was human, and no mortal had ever been able to see who they really were. Even mortal wives have to be given the gift of sight in Valhalla or Asgard.

Loki gave her a cold look. I don’t know who you think I am, but if you don’t leave me alone, I will call your manager and have you fired.

Go ahead. I’m rich. I work here for fun, she retorted. But don’t think I don’t see you for your true self, Loptr. Or should I call you by the name that myth knows you as? Loki.

He grabbed her by the shoulder and pulled her off to one side where they would be partially hidden. She protested, and he gave her a rough shake to shut her up.

How do you look past the glamour? Loki demanded to know. Tell me, mortal, how do you see me?

She raised her head defiantly. I’ve always been able to. And don’t think that you can wipe my memory or try to make me forget. Vampires can’t do it and neither can fairies. You won’t be able to either.

Her statement left him in shock. You know of the second natured as well?

She gave him a slow smile. "I know about them all and of you, Loptr, not born of Odin but of his giant brother, Farbauti