by Debbie Behan
She had never seen Kayden in a suit and he took her breath away. He was so handsome. She noticed that the tie and hanky in his jacket pocket matched her dress. The wedding planner hadn’t missed a thing to make them look just perfect together.
Saying their vows was a most enlightening moment. Kayden was so sweet and loving that it brought tears to Cassie’s eyes. How lucky she felt today, marrying such an adorable and genuine man.
When the priest announced them man and wife and said that he could kiss the bride, he pulled her back into his arms and gave her the biggest smooch. As he pulled away he smiled. Stuff the buffet! I want to eat you, he said telepathically to her and they both busted up laughing. She slapped him playfully. Nobody but the Cloud Riders knew what he had said and Cassie could hear them cracking up laughing.
‘You’ll keep,’ she grinned.
They faced the crowd and she pinched his backside. Woody saw what she did and had to stifle a laugh with a cough. Kayden couldn’t stop grinning, thinking he was so funny.
With the vows taken and snapshots for the family album out of the way, the DJ started playing songs, marking the beginning of the reception. After the wedding waltz, Cassie had a dance with Woody so they could catch up.
‘So you married the girlfriend-stealing mongrel,’ he smiled.
She nodded. ‘So you’re back with the bitch from hell. Is she drinking wine or a saucer of milk?’ she chuckled.
‘Touché! We hate each other’s partners. Let’s just admit it and call a truce.’
‘Anyway, have you told I’m-so-gorgeous-my-love-puffs-don’t-smell about us yet?’
‘Ella knows everything,’ he said, trying to be serious. ‘The anger she once had is gone and yes I finally have her respect. Unlike you, she treats her man with a delicate tongue.’
‘Get lost, Woody.’ She pushed him playfully. ‘I’ll give you a delicate tongue. Go find your licker then and leave me the hell alone so I can go seduce my damned husband.’ She chuckled and he walked off laughing so loud he attracted everyone’s attention.
Cassie was glad she and Woody were back to normal and nothing had changed between them. Later that day she eventually spoke to Ella and even though they would never be great friends they were putting the past behind them for Woody’s sake. Ella even told Cassie how stunning she looked and Cassie knew that that was a big compliment, coming from her.
Aldebaran and Aqua had to leave early, but not before they enjoyed some of the reception. Cassie hung off him as they laughed and joked together about the fun they had during their visit to Aquarius. Aqua seemed to enjoy the reception as well, even getting Kayden up to dance while Aldebaran held his daughter lovingly and danced her gracefully around the floor. Before leaving, Aldebaran asked Kayden where he was taking his daughter for their honeymoon but Kayden said they were unable to go anywhere in case they were summoned to stop an attack.
Then you could have knocked her over with a feather: Aldebaran gave them a wedding gift far beyond anything money could buy. He not only promised to cease all attacks but said he would also peacefully handle anything else that came up for one whole week. This was so that Kayden could take Daddy’s little girl anywhere in the universe that she wanted to go. Kayden was blown away as they shook hands on it.
Aqua suggested they spend a couple of days at the end of the week on Aquarium, neutral ground. She thought the four of them could kick back, have some fun and it would give Cassie and her father a chance to have a bit of time together again. Kayden didn’t seem to think that would be interfering with the order of things if they were on a neutral star. Aldebaran was ecstatic at Aqua’s suggestion; wrapt when Kayden accepted.
As Cassie and Kayden waved them goodbye, Kayden surprised Cassie further by telling her how much her dad’s personality was similar to hers in so many ways and that it was hard not to like the guy, making her happy he felt that way.
‘So, my Mrs Hunter,’ he turned to her. ‘We have five days to go wherever your heart desires. Tell me, my gorgeous wife, where you would like to go on your honeymoon?’
‘You’ll probably think I’m crazy for even thinking this but it’s probably been centuries since you or any of the guys have had a full week away anywhere. Let’s use this opportunity for us all to take a break.’
‘Whatever you think, gorgeous. Just so long as we’re together, I don’t care who’s around me. I’ll just see what the men want to do.’ Kayden telepathically spoke to his team. His ability to leave one or more of his team or the horses from his telepathic thoughts allowed him to speak to his men and leave Cassie from the conversation.
Cassie’s gone off the rails and wants you block-heads to come on our honeymoon. You can come if you nick off whenever I want to ravish her and I don’t want you to touch her, kiss her or even look at her or you’ll be put on the next plane home. She’s mine now and I’m not bloody sharing anymore. Tell her what I just said and you’re dead! Just get yourselves packed and get your selves on to the plane in an hour or you’re not coming.
Cassie heard cheers and yahoos coming from around the backyard. She had no idea what Kayden had just said but it obviously sounded like they had agreed. They took only seconds to gather around them.
Kayden slung his arm around Cassie protectively as they both moved in to hear where they were going. ‘It will have to be somewhere here in Australia just in case something goes wrong and Aldebaran reneges on his deal he made with me. Seeing there will be none of us here to answer Zoren’s call we’d better make sure we’re no more than a six-hour plane ride away.’ He smiled down at Cassie. ‘The where is up to my new wife. Just name it, gorgeous and we’re there.’
‘I don’t know,’ she grinned, looking around at them all. ‘It’s your country. I’m sure each one of you has somewhere fun you want to visit.’
Woody stood with his arm around Jason. ‘Well, the guys and I have always wanted to go back to the theme parks on the Gold Coast in Queensland. We had a blast years ago when we were there. Maybe we could stay in Surfers Paradise and check out a nightclub. In the morning, while the ladies shop us men can hit the surf.’
Ethan butted in. ‘What about a road trip down to Margaret River to visit the wineries?’ Conor agreed with him.
Jason was just about jumping out of his skin by the time his turn came around. ‘I vote for Sydney all the way. Staying at the Cross, gambling, and doing as many ladies as we can. I want some bloody fun for a change.’
Kayden put his hand up as they all started arguing over whose pick they would choose. ‘Okay, guys, we only have five days. However, if we leave now it gives us six nights. How about two nights in Surfers Paradise, two nights in Sydney and two in Margaret River. That way, you, my gorgeous bride, get to see a tiny bit of Australia. And the rest of you get a taste of where you’ve been nagging me to let you visit for a very long time now.’
‘What about you?’ Cassie asked Kayden a bit apprehensively. ‘I’m sure you’ll have somewhere in mind as well.’
‘I got the girl,’ he smiled. With that, Kayden told them they only had moments to get ready. ‘Guys, come on. If we want to be on a plane by late this afternoon you had better get moving. We have reservations to be made, gear to pack, guests to say goodbye to and Tremaine needs to be okay with minding the horses while we’re gone. If you want your girlfriends to come, tell them that what they can’t find upstairs in the wardrobe, we’ll buy for them. No time for anyone to be racing home first. I want us out of here in an hour.’
Woody dropped his arm from around Jason and took off with the others. Cassie smiled as she watched them jumping around, hugging each other.
‘This is going to be the best honeymoon and holiday ever,’ she said happily to Kayden once they were on their own again.
He agreed. ‘That it will be, my sweet and by the way, I saw you dancing and laughing with Woody before. You both seemed no different to the way you’ve alw
ays been. I’m glad there’s no hard feelings.’
‘He’s a good mate. He’s with Ella now and very happy.’
‘And you, Mrs Hunter, are you happy?’
‘Yes, Mr Hunter but it’ll be some hours before I get to show you.’
‘Bloody hell! A man does the right thing and gets married and his woman is already putting him on rations!’
‘My very naughty tiger man, we haven’t the time. You’ve only given us, well, half an hour now to get packed and on our way the airport. Behave!’
‘No way dream girl, I’ve got time. Lean up against me for a second and it’ll be all over. You look such a sexy hot minx. I’ll take what I can get at this point. Don’t tell me no!’
Cassie slapped his arm playfully. ‘Quit it and go get ready. Tremaine needs to be informed and I have to pack.’
Kayden laughed with her before ducking off to organise a sitter for their horses. Cassie went upstairs, amused by her mad-dick husband, knowing life from now on was going to be a whole new ball game. Kayden was really coming out of his shell and Cassie loved the new him. She quickly changed and packed enough clothes for the trip, still chuckling every now and then at how much fun the day had been as it continued to consume her thoughts. Once ready, she went back outside to say goodbye to the guests. News of them leaving had all but cleared the place out. The wedding planner already had the staff cleaning and the evidence of a wedding was barely visible. By the time Cassie left with the guys to go pick up Kayden at his ranch, the house was spotlessly clean and all that was left was to lock up.
She glanced back before getting in the car. It might look like nothing had gone on in there today but in her mind the wonderful memories of her wedding day would always stay as fresh to her as they felt right now.
Chapter Thirty
United Amusement
She sat in the plane listening to Jason and Conor chat. They’d be touching down in Queensland around nine in the evening. It was roughly an hour’s drive to the Gold Coast. They’d book into the hotel, dump their bags in the room and hit one of the nightspots. They’d planned it down to the last detail as they always did, once a course of action had been decided on. To ensure all this went down smoothly they had insisted Kayden change into a dark suit before he left his house.
Cassie didn’t have to be told as she had already noticed the girls were still dressed in formal dresses so she changed into a light blue cocktail dress with matching shoes.
The hotel was in the centre of Surfers Paradise. Looking out over the balcony, Cassie could see the beach to the right. The reflection of the full moon over the water and sand was not allowing the couples any privacy tonight. Soft light illuminated over the waves allowing her to pick out silhouette figures still surfing. Along the beach, lovers strolled hand-in-hand while others sat together in the sand.
Below in the mall, she could hear music that attracted her attention and she looked to the festivities below. The many restaurants spilled seating out onto the footpath where people dined and she watched as others wandered around window-shopping. Buskers were singing on each corner and attracting small crowds of onlookers. She could only just hear their music over the pub band below.
Kayden joined her, soaking in the view as she had done. ‘This is the real world, gorgeous. This is what we fight to protect.’
Everywhere they looked, lights gleamed and life and laughter surrounded them. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s beautiful and alive. I love it.’
‘Me too! All the cities have their own characteristics and charm. But I have to admit this is one of my favourites.’
Cassie closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could almost taste the sea, never mind smell it. That, mixed with the aroma from the kitchens below and the spirits and beer that were flowing, made her excited to go down there and experience every bit of it.
‘We can stay here and enjoy it from our room if you prefer, gorgeous.’ Kayden kissed her neck, running his hand down her spine. She opened her eyes to a cheeky grin.
‘As tempting as that is, below us is the famous Cavil Avenue that is beckoning me with its restaurants, night clubs and the waft of food and fun.’ She smiled. ‘Do you mind?’
‘Mind? I want to throw you down on the bed and love you to bits!’ he joked with her. ‘Really though I don’t mind at all. I want to be the one to show you what the nightlife here is all about.’ He slipped his arms around her waist and danced them inside.
‘With you in it, it’ll be perfect.’ She smiled at his good mood as her attentive husband waltzed them out of the door to the elevator.
The streets were lit up and the joy of being on the other side of the country with no responsibilities was putting them all on such a high that they could scarcely wait to begin enjoying it. The nightclubs and pubs were in full swing. The sound of the music and the noise of hotted-up cars filled the air. Some slowed down, checking out the single girls who stood in groups, giggling and enjoying the attention.
They picked out a reasonable-looking nightclub and went in to check it out. This one was clean, had good music, attentive bar staff and was full of loud and obnoxious drunks. They figured they would fit in here just nicely. Pleased with their choice, they parked their butts on some stools by a tall round table.
Jason attracted a following as soon as they arrived. He was the only one without a woman and being tall and well built, coupled with his adorable blue eyes and shoulder-length blond hair, he had the girls swooning all over him. Unfortunately, Jason had no time for most women, only wishing to taste, not buy. He much preferred his call girls, saying it was better than having to put up with tears and tantrums when he tossed them aside in the morning light.
The evening rolled on and so did the drinks. Cassie was having a blast, dancing and enjoying herself with Kayden. Woody and Ella were right there beside them putting any grievances aside as they too let their hair down. Cassie had to admit that Ella and Woody did make a stunning couple. Conor and Ethan’s girlfriends danced on their own during the night as the two boys hung out with Jason. They were true party animals and the girls had been around them long enough to know not to interfere with boy-time. They were both a couple of sweeties although she doubted they would have lasted as long as they had if they hadn’t been so ditsy and non-confrontational.
When the boys were inebriated to the point of holding each other up, Kayden and Cassie walked them back to the hotel. Jason made a call on the way and when they walked into the foyer there was a lovely, classically dressed blond waiting for him. He dropped his arm from around Kayden, gave Cassie a kiss on the head goodnight before he casually headed for the woman and seductively called her name. She turned and he put his arm out to her as he walked her to the elevator. When the elevator stopped on their floor, he gave them the biggest grin as he walked her to his room. Cassie giggled at him and he turned, winked and closed his door.
‘He’s just so happy not to have to commit. He’s a strange one,’ Cassie commented.
Kayden picked her up, pretending to carry her over the threshold even though they weren’t home. Lovingly gazing into her eyes he smiled. ‘He will find you one day and it will blow his mind. Before I held you for the first time I was exactly like him. I never wanted a woman around for companionship. I always considered them obnoxious, annoying even and only good for one thing.’ Sitting her on the bed, he bent down to take off her clothes. ‘Then you came into my life like a whirlwind and shook me to the core. I couldn’t get enough of you.’ Unzipping her, he slipped off her dress. ‘I remember the first time I held you,’ he began to divulge, while hanging up her dress. ‘I thought I was feeling an angel and right there, that minute, I never wanted to let you go.’ Coming back to her, he pulled the comb from her hair, kissing her neck.
Cassie turned shyly. ‘I didn’t know I was your first love. I thought with your hunky body and face you would have lost yourself in love
many times over considering your age. Pardon the pun, old man.’
Standing up, he removed his clothes. ‘Only once, and I’ve just married her. Now come here and I’ll show you old man. I’m going to kiss, lick and love you till dawn, gorgeous!’
She chuckled and jumped up on him so quickly that he only just caught her, falling back on the bed with her, both laughing. Cassie quietened down first and moved his hand down so he could slip off her knickers. He suddenly went from being jovial and mucking around to a quivering mess. She knew he’d wanted her since their wedding vows. All he whispered out next was her name before he claimed her lips and his hot sweet passion swept them both away. He drew a lust from her that she never knew before. He was attentive and loving, leaving no part of her unloved. Cassie wondered if every couple experienced such a sense of throwing caution to the wind on their wedding night. Nothing more to hide, just the raw need for each other that pushed the boundaries well beyond the limits to an experience she could never have imagined.
Chapter Thirty-One
Unit Amusement
(Day One)
Cassie could hear ringing. Shaking herself she grabbed for the phone.
Hanging up, she rolled back into Kayden. ‘It’s just the guys giving us a wakeup call. They said they don’t care if we’re newlyweds or not, if we don’t get ourselves downstairs in half an hour they’re all coming up to drag us out.’
She groaned and kissed Kayden’s sleepy face. She threw the sheet back and sprang happily out of bed, throwing herself under a hot shower.
Kayden begrudgingly joined her, still groggy and tired. ‘You were a knockout last night, honey. I’m still getting chills,’ he said quietly in her ear as his hands started to roam happily.
She giggled and slapped him playfully. ‘The gang’s going to be here knocking at our door any minute.’ She slipped out from his arms and getting out, flicked off the hot tap, leaving only the cold-water running. He smiled while he scolded her for the way she tried to cool him off.