Odin (Alien Adoption Agency #5) - Tasha Black Page 0,43

of relief.

For a long time, his beautiful mate stood in the sunlight.

Then she turned to him and the clouds slid back into place as if in answer.

“He was right,” she said softly. “It’s like he knew somehow.”

“What do you mean?” Odin asked.

She touched her hand to her pocket, like he’d seen her do from time to time, but this time she pulled out a tiny hologram tab.

Wordlessly, she set it on her open palm and activated it.

The image of a man appeared in miniature and Odin realized that this must be Wyn. This was the man Liberty had loved with all her being, the man who had nearly kept her from opening her heart again.

Emotions warred in Odin’s chest - jealousy and sadness, waging war on a deep surge of gratitude that she would share her broken heart with him.

He listened as the man told Liberty in a kind voice about all the dreams he had for her, including travel and motherhood.

But it was hard for Odin to focus on the hologram when Liberty was in front of him, her eyes shining with happy tears.

“Listen,” she whispered to Odin. “Listen to this part.”

Don’t hold a torch for me forever, Liberty, the man said. You have too much love. Find someone to share it with. Someone who can burn down the walls you’ve built around your heart.

“That’s you,” she said. “It’s always been you.”

Odin knew it was a coincidence, it had to be. Wyn would have had no way to know who he was, or what he would come to mean to Liberty.

But somehow it made him feel better anyway, better for himself and for her about what he knew he had to do now.

“Liberty,” he breathed. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been a fool.”

She gazed up at him, listening.

“I can’t bring back the people we cared about,” he went on. “But we’re lucky enough to be together, right here, right now.”

“So lucky,” she murmured.

“Will you accept me as your mate?” he asked her, feeling wild and reckless and deliriously happy. “It doesn’t have to happen today - not until you’re ready - whenever that day comes.”

“Yes,” she told him simply.

“Yes?” he asked, unable to believe it.

“Yes,” she squealed and wrapped one arm around his neck, the other still cradling Colton. “Yes, of course. I was starting to worry that you wouldn’t ask me again.”

37

Odin

Later that afternoon, Odin watched Cora and her father walk down the path, with Colton in his hover-stroll.

It was incredibly strange to let the whelp out of his sight, even knowing he was in the company of the most highly skilled babysitter in the galaxy.

“He’ll be okay,” Liberty murmured from the bed.

“Yes, but will you be?” he teased, turning to her with an expression of ferocious hunger.

She looked a little alarmed, but mostly amused. “So this really goes on for…?”

“Days,” he told her again. “This goes on for days. The hired hands will take care of the sheep. Cora will take care of Colton. Was there anything else on your calendar?”

She shook her head.

“Are you having doubts?” he asked gently, sitting on the edge of the bed. “We don’t have to do this now. We can just enjoy some downtime together. Maybe we’ll cook a nice meal and take inventory of the barn—”

But she crawled up and sealed his lips with a kiss that took his breath away.

“I’m tired of other people giving me lists,” she whispered. “I’ve got a list of my own.”

“I want to hear the list,” he demanded.

“First you’re going to remove your shirt,” she told him.

He scrambled off the bed and tore his shirt off, loving the way her eyes went helpless with lust at the sight of his flesh.

He was a dragon warrior - born and bred to be strong and broad. He hadn’t done anything to earn this form, but he was glad if it gave her pleasure.

“Now the rest of your clothes,” she said, her eyes sparkling as she enjoyed her power.

He slid his thumb down the tab of his breeches slowly, then released it with a flick.

Her pupils dilated slightly, and the dragon chuckled.

He made quick work of the rest of his clothes.

“What else is on your list?” he asked, when he was finally standing before her naked.

“Now I need to be naked too,” she said, gazing straight into his eyes.

He slammed his hands down on the bed and she squeaked out a surprised giggle.

Crawling for her, he saw the glee in her eyes. She wasn’t really afraid.

At least no