Page 100 of Thor

IfollowedThorthroughthecabin, my heart still hammering against my ribs. When we reached the door at the end of the hall, I froze. It stood open. In all the time I'd known Thor, that door had remained locked when he wasn't inside, protecting his sanctuary from the world. But now it gaped wide, as if inviting me to witness something he couldn't say in words.

Thor paused at the threshold, his massive frame silhouetted against the light from inside. "Come on," he said, his voice gentler than I expected.

Thor's hand covered mine, engulfing it completely. His skin was warm and rough, the hand of a man who worked with tools and engines and wasn't afraid of calluses. But his touch was gentle, almost hesitant.

"I've been thinking a lot about you," he said. "About us. About what happened." His eyes met mine with an intensity that made my heart skip. "About what comes next for you."

He guided me toward a small desk in the corner of the room. Several papers were spread across its surface—business plans, I realized as I got closer. Financial projections. Forms for business licensure in the state of Colorado.

"What is all this?" I asked, confusion momentarily overtaking emotion.

Thor leaned against the desk, arms crossed over his chest. His massive frame seemed to fill the small corner, but he was careful not to crowd me.

"You don't have to hide who you are anymore, Mandy," he said, his voice deep with conviction. "The photos are out there, yes. But what if instead of running from it, you owned it?"

I blinked, trying to follow his logic. "Owned . . . being exposed? Having my privacy violated?"

He shook his head. "No. Owned who you really are."

His finger tapped one of the papers—a business plan, I realized, for an accounting firm. One with a focus I'd never seen before.

"Start your own accounting firm," Thor continued. "One specializing in clients from the lifestyle—Littles, Caregivers, DDLG couples. There are more than you'd think, and they all need someone who understands, who can be discreet, who won't judge."

I stared at the papers, my mind racing. The business plan was detailed, thorough. Projected income statements, marketing strategies, client acquisition plans. Thor had clearly put significant thought into this.

"People would agree to hire me knowing . . .?" I couldn't finish the sentence.

Thor nodded, his blue eyes steady on mine. "Not just agree to hire you—they would seek you out specifically because you understand their world. Take the power back."

My fingers brushed over the papers. The idea was audacious, terrifying, and yet . . . I felt a spark of something I hadn't felt in days. Hope.

"I wouldn't have to hide anymore," I said softly, testing the idea.

"No more hiding," Thor agreed. "No more begging sleazy builders for the chance to manage their accounts. No more worrying that someone will find out and use it against you. They already know. Now you can use it to help others like you."

"It would be a risk," I said, my analytical brain already running calculations. "Most new businesses fail in the first year."

Thor's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Good thing you're not most people. And good thing your boyfriend—" He hesitated, then continued, "—has connections and resources. The Kings would support you. Duke already said he'd be your first official client. No more moonlighting in the shadows. The MC is always expanding."

I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped me. "Duke said that?"

"Among other things. Most of which I won't repeat because his language ain't fit for little ears." Thor's eyes softened as he said it.

He reached into his pocket and pulled something out, holding it cupped in his palm. "Found this in the couch cushions after you left."

He opened his hand to reveal my unicorn keychain—the small, sparkly token I'd attached to my keys when I was feeling little but wanted to carry that comfort into my adult world. I'd been looking for it for days, assuming I'd lost it somewhere.

"This is who you are," Thor said, placing it carefully in my palm and closing my fingers around it. "Strong, professional, brilliant with numbers, and also a Little who needs care sometimes. Both sides, equally valuable."

Tears welled in my eyes as I clutched the keychain. It was such a small thing, this cheap little trinket with its faded rainbow mane. But in that moment, it felt like the most precious gift—acceptance of my whole self.

Thor took a deep breath, then did something that stopped my heart. He dropped to one knee before me, his massive frame somehow looking vulnerable as he gazed up at me.

"I was going to wait," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "But I realized something these past five days without you. Life's too short for waiting."

My breath caught in my throat. I couldn't move, couldn't speak, could only watch .

"I don’t have a ring,” he said, voice raw with emotion. “I thought I’d lost you. I was gonna email you the plans for the business and move on with my life.”

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