Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets)

by Debbie Behan

  Cassie kissed Jason. ‘Thanks for being the best friend ever to both of us.’

  As Woody dropped her off, Cassie kissed him and wished him luck. ‘Go get your girl,’ she said as he grinned sweetly at her.

  Angel Gift of Mine

  Kayden heard a car and went out, ready to face the music. He had kissed Cassie and begged her to come home and he knew Woody was there to take revenge on his dirty-arse tactics. ‘Hell, I even sent him off on a bullshit mission to get him out of the way. I can just imagine how this is going to go down with his temper. Nevertheless, she is mine and he had better just start getting used to it. I found her, you bastard!’ he muttered as he watched the car approach. ‘She’s mine … mine!’

  The nights he had agonised over the image of her asleep in Woody’s arms—not his—twisted his guts even now. He can smack my frigging head in if it makes him feel better but at the end of this day, I swear she will be mine again.

  The car pulled up a little way away from him and Kayden watched, confused as Cassie kissed Woody while saying something to him. They were smiling at each other. What the hell! Don’t tell me she hasn’t told him yet. Jeez, Cass, he has to know! If you’re coming home to me I won’t be giving you back, ever! She’s my girlfriend, woman-thief. That’s right; I’m doing the thieving this time. Shit, it feels good. Bastard! Stop kissing my woman.

  He stood, wondering how, if she had told him, he could hold and kiss her with so much tenderness and walk away with a smile, knowing he had lost her. I knew she was an angel but she must be a gift from above if she’s able to break up with someone so amicably. God hear me now, if she is coming back to me, I promise never to let my foolishness ever hurt one of your angels again . Please give me a chance to show you I’m worthy of such a gift.

  Woody turned the car around, his face giving nothing away. As the dust shot out from beneath the tires, Cassie stood in front of him, just as he had found her that very first day, red dirt floating all around her. The powdery residue lightly settled onto her hair and her delicate, cream-coloured skin. She had the most adorable look on her face: so shy, so innocent. All that time and she hadn’t changed a bit. She was pure and sweet. God, I love her. His eyes filled up, knowing without her having to say a word that she had come home to him.

  Kayden wrapped her up in his arms. Just the feel of her body against his broke his hardcore act and a very unmanly sob broke from his lips as he found hers. Her love poured into him with the magic she was capable of. It was like an explosion of dynamite bouncing off every wall inside his body.

  She was waking him up from a long sleep and every part of his love dissolved back into her. For so long now he had not even been able to hold another woman and God knows he’d tried, just to get through the loneliness. But they were not her, he thought as he intensified the kiss and moaned from the pure pleasure she was able to give him.

  Had she felt this good before? Yes she did, you goon, you didn’t appreciate just what you had. He cursed himself. Jeez, I can’t shut my mind off. He was so excited, yet he knew that they had to talk. Yet as they walked inside together, feeling as he did about her, he doubted either of them would be discussing anything rationale for a while. He shuddered as the tingle of the thought of making love to her made him urgently find her lips again.

  Later that afternoon, Kayden knelt down and proposed for real, putting the biggest Goddamned diamond that he could find on her finger. So that every bastard in the universe knows she’s mine!

  Not giving her a chance to get away this time, he called a local priest to come out the next afternoon and marry them. He asked if there was anyone special she wanted as a witness. Hell—today she can ask for the moon and stars! And she did. She asked for Aldebaran.

  Jason offered to take the message which she handwrote so that her father would know it was from her—no tricks.

  Hi Pops,

  I’m getting hitched tomorrow and would love you to be there. Nothing fancy, just with the friends you see me with. I would love to see Aqua again too if you wanted to bring her.

  Love,

  Your daughter, Cassandra xx

  Mr & Mrs Kayden Hunter

  On Jason’s return, he and Kayden put their heads together to organise the wedding. All Cassie knew was that Jason had talked Kayden into holding the wedding at the boys’ home next door. With the gorgeous outdoor paradise set around the gazebo, she had to agree it would be perfect. She wasn’t allowed to worry about anything so while they huddled over the kitchen table she took a nice hot bath. She had so missed Kayden’s bath, his shower, his bathroom, his bedroom, his house, him! Well, everything.

  She could barely wipe the smile from her face, Kayden was making her feel so happy. The only other thing that would make her day complete would be if Woody and her father turned up. Even so, she refused to let their absence spoil her day. She was marrying the man of her dreams and nothing could pull her down from the blissful cloud she was on.

  Kayden had pre-organised everything from Cassie’s dress to the flowers and the wedding cake. He’d been planning it for weeks, waiting until he had it all organised before he came for her. Cassie was amazed at how patient he must have been, planning all this behind their backs and coming to visit, acting like nothing was happening. Seeing her with Woody must have been hard, yet he never showed it. He said she was worth waiting for and he wanted everything just perfect this time before he made his move.

  ‘How did you know I still loved you?’ she asked. ‘Even I didn’t know.’

  ‘The second night I visited I saw Woody kiss you in the kitchen, remember? And you looked up from his kiss, towards me, like you had just kissed your best friend or brother. I just about grabbed you there on the spot, I was so excited. You see, I know what your face looks like after you’re kissed by the man of your dreams and I realised right then and there that I was still that man and it was not too late. I went home and planned carefully how I would steal you away and make you mine forever.’

  The next morning, their wedding day, they checked the horses before joining Jason at their place. Conor and Ethan had just finished cooking breakfast on the BBQ so they were just in time to enjoy a relaxing meal before they got lost in the day.

  The house was already buzzing with hired hands bustling around with fine china and flowers. In fact, she’d never seen so many flowers. Kayden had been secretly working with a wedding planner who knew exactly what he wanted and had it all organised, just waiting for his okay to go ahead.

  Cassie had thought Kayden was joking when he said he wanted to marry her straight away. She hardly believed anything could be organised so quickly. However, as he said, money could move mountains.

  Today, he moved that mountain.

  Hair stylists, nail technicians, makeup artists and the dress designer all fussed over her until she stood elegantly dressed and made up, standing in front of a full-length mirror. The luxurious, white-satin gown she wore was covered with super-soft see-through material and as she moved slightly, it glistened in soft pastel shades like the colours she saw when going into the clouds. The dress was off the shoulder: a snug fit to the hip line and then slightly flared and trailing out behind her. It was the prettiest, softest wedding dress she could have ever dreamed of being married in. It made her feel sexy and even more grown up. The image of a very elegant woman was reflected back at her.

  Her hair was up with just a few curls twisted here and there to soften the look. There was no veil. Thank goodness. It would have so spoilt the look. Instead she wore a delicate tiara of diamonds that picked up the glimmer of the beading in the pretty gown. She had thought that the only way she would ever look so beautiful was by way of the magic horse but today she felt like a flower that had just bloomed and for once she really felt like a true princess. She had come from royalty and for once in her life she accepted her rightful place in the world: a princess on her way to marry her prince.

  The wedding planner came to collect her, walking her down the stairs and out on
to the patio.

  The pool fence and tables had massive white flower arrangements tied together with soft bows that reflected the same pastels as her dress. The pool itself was covered in floating stars with candles, representing the skies they travelled in and the gazebo was stunning with the laser lighting forming the shapes that they saw before moving through the portal. Her man had thought about everything and the attention to detail was exquisite.

  She felt every face turn as she stood viewing the enchanting décor. She noticed that not only family was here but that all their party friends had turned up as well. The guests went dead quiet as Cassie appeared before them. The only sound was the tweeting of birds and the flutter of their wings in the trees. She could see Kayden waiting in the gazebo and she finally grinned, the sight of him settling her nerves.

  Her handsome man wore black pants with a satin white shirt under a white jacket. He looked stunning while calmly waiting for her.

  Feeling more relaxed she glanced around, seeing her father intently watching her. Cassie had dreamed of this day, to be married and have her father walk her down the aisle. Well, maybe it wasn’t exactly an aisle but to have him share her special day was more than she could have ever dreamed and she shed a tear of happiness as she held out her hand to him.

  He patted Aqua’s hand that he held and let her go to be with his daughter. He smiled so affectionately when he reached for her that she knew their love for each other was real too. She knew he was going to be there for her regardless of their battles in the sky.

  He kissed her cheek. ‘You look even more beautiful in your own world, Cassandra. Thank you for inviting me. I think you know how much it means to me to be here, don’t you?’ He was tenderly holding her hand.

  She gave him a quick hug. ‘I really wanted you to be here, Pops. I love you,’ she whispered before letting him go.

  Her eyes watered and he smiled. ‘Don’t you go spoiling your beautiful face with tears today. If I don’t see anything but smiles I’ll have to steal you from them and take you home with me where I will endeavour to make you smile for the rest of your life,’ he chuckled.

  She giggled at him and his humour before slipping her hand through the arm that he offered her. He pulled her closer to him.

  ‘You’re not nervous too are you, Pops?’

  He turned and let her see the love he felt in those big dark eyes. ‘I have dared to dream since you were born, that you would want me by your side on your special day. I’m in seventh heaven, honey.’

  He kissed her hand and they walked along the glistening path covered in fairy dust that led to the man she wanted to spend forever with. As they walked, Cassie’s eyes drifted to Woody, her special friend that stood with Ella, his caring smile showing how happy he was for her.

  She stopped and hugged him on the way past. ‘You look beautiful, sis,’ he said and she smiled, so happy they were okay again.

  Letting him go, she faced Kayden, amazed when Aldebaran put out his hand and shook Kayden’s as he wished him every happiness for the future with his daughter. They were polite, which was all Cassie could ask for.

  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 where 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 shit 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 anym
ore. 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 MargaretRiver to visit the wineries?’ Conor agreed with him.

  Jason was just about jumping out of his skin by the time his turn came around. ‘Bullshit, it’s 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.’