I've Been Waiting for You by Mary Moriarty Read Free Book Online Page A

for Sally?”
    “ Uncle, can you bring a suitcase of her clothes over?”
    Travis smiled into the phone as he stirred his tea. “I’ve anticipated this very thing an d have her clothes all packed. When would you like me to be there?” He listened. “I’ll be there in exactly an hour.”
    Odin put the phone back on the stand and turned to Sally. “Come on, let me shower you .”
    Sally was used to luxury , but this was all made just for them; a his and hers, a shower for two. One shower head was his height, one her height. She watched as he stood under the water. The water going over his muscles looked like it was a waterfall cascading off the rocks. He stood, hands braced on the marble wall, letting the water shower over him. She came up behind him, wrapping her arms around him, letting the water hit both of them as she hugged him, pressing into him. She trailed kisses on his back, letting her hands slide down his side and to his front, letting her fingers find him, feeling him stretch. She heard him moan as she wrapped herself around him.
    “Baby ,” he moaned. It was lost in the sound of the shower.

Chapter 5
    They worked at cutting up the ingredients for the omelets. Sally, who knew her way around the kitchen, was amazed at Odin’s proficiency in the kitchen. They sat down with glasses of champagne. Sitting at a nice older table looking out at the long, sloping lawn and the harbor beyond, Sally was in awe for a few moments.
    “Beautiful isn’t it?”
    Sally looked over at Odin. “Everything is so beautiful right about now. You and me, everything seems a little more brilliant. I can’t describe it.”
    Odin took her hand. “I understand. Even the champagne taste better.” He brought her hand to his lips. Kissing her knuckles he saw her smile and shiver. “I promise it will always be like this.”
    They cooked in the happy quiet. After they finished cooking, Odin decided that they should just sit and eat on the sofa, which faced the sweeping lawn that looked down on the bay below.
    Sally sat chewing her food, watching Odin eat. She knew he only did it to keep her company, not because he was hungry. “Can you tell me about who you are? I’ve heard things over the last couple of years. I know you were created at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, but not much more than that.”
    Odin finished his omelet, watched her finish hers , then after she put her plate down, he pulled her to him so she was rested in the crook of his big arm. Playing with her hair and kissing her head he thought how to best tell her about his first life.
    He could se e it as if it were yesterday. “I was born in the year 991 AD, in Dublin. My mother was Gormflaith. She was as wicked as she was beautiful. She wasn’t the most maternal woman around. Even when she was fifty, she had men lusting after her and she was always stirring up trouble.” He felt Sally snuggle deeper into his arms. When had his life been this comfortable? He had always had a comfortable life, but never one with love.
    “Tell me more.” Sally rubbed his big hands. “How did you get the name Odin? I assume it wasn’t your real name.”
    “No , it was the one I chose. My first name was Olaf, the younger. Thor’s name was Donnchad, we are actually half-brothers. Once my mother had me, she left me in the care of my wet nurse. That woman became my real mother. She and her husband, a Viking from Orkney, were my parents. They taught me how to care for all less fortunate than myself. My other brother was Sigtrygg Silkbeard. He became King of Dublin like our father, Olaf Cuaran, who carried the Raven Banner.”
    Sally sat up straight. “The sign of Odin , is that why you took the name?”
    Odin kissed her forehead. “In part. Since I was the youngest , I didn’t get much except a good training in horses, battle and long ships. My Uncle Mael Morda Mac Murchada, who was the King of Leinster, and my mother’s brother, took me under his wing when I became fifteen. He