by Debbie Behan
Kayden raked his hand roughly through his hair. ‘It wasn’t just from that, idiot. Our princess had never been … um … kissed either. Sorry, Cassie but he needs to know. Didn’t you feel her?’ All of a sudden he sounded grumpy.
Jason looked at Cassie with regret, before turning to Kayden with a puckered brow. ‘In my defence I was drunk and come to think of it, yes she did freak out when I French kissed her. I thought she was having me on. Anyway, I have already apologised to her. Stop trying to make me feel worse.’ He looked back at Cassie. ‘You forgive me, hey princess?’ He slid off his chair and knelt on the floor, holding her hand between his in a begging gesture.
Cassie touched his face with her free hand and smiled sweetly. ‘Jase, it’s okay, let’s just put it in the past. I looked a mess when you found me. It’s perfectly understandable you would have considered me to be of a feral nature. Please believe me when I say many of my bruises are from my trip here and the rough handling. I think they forgot to put, “Handle with care” on the outside of the crate and instead it said, “We will pay you double to throw this one around”.’ She giggled, trying to lighten the moment and not wanting the subject to ruin a perfectly enjoyable night.
Jason’s eyes softened. ‘We’ve been so cruel to you, thinking you were just a plant sent in to spy on our group. This has happened to us a few times before and I’m afraid you’ve borne the brunt of other liars who came before you. I hope you can forgive us,’ he said sincerely.
‘Group?’ Cassie asked, confused.
Kayden cut in. ‘Later. Let’s just enjoy a truce and talk about details another day.’
Jason kissed the back of her hand, treating her like a true lady and showing her how he felt about her now. It was a nice gesture and Cassie giggled at his smooth charm. Glancing back at Kayden, she could see in his eyes that he wasn’t completely sure about trusting her yet.
Entertaining Companions
Cassie had been on Kayden’s farm for a couple of months. All of her bruising had gone and she felt happier than she had ever thought possible. She was even learning how to cook although Kayden only let her do the easy parts, like stirring the pots and helping him roll out the dough for bread rolls and so forth. Mostly she sat at the bench and her job was to chat and keep him amused while he prepared the meals. Kayden still grumbled about having to do everything for her even though Cassie knew he actually enjoyed taking care of her more than he let on. When he took over a chore that she could barely get her head around or when she made a fuss of his male ease at doing it, his face would break out into the cutest smile.
Cleaning the house was the only chore he left her to learn on her own. She was fascinated that even after so many months there was still one monster that hid in the laundry and refused to work with her. The dreaded washing machine! As she told Kayden, it seemed to have a vendetta against her. He just laughed when she told him that it had big teeth that snarled at her and kept eating the washing.
Much of their time on the property they spent outdoors, like today. It’d been a nice day. Kayden had taken Cassie for a ride on his horse, Zoltan, for a couple of hours. They stopped near a lovely stream that flowed with fresh, cold water so the stallion could have a drink. Kayden left Zoltan by the water’s edge and walked Cassie over to a log to sit and enjoy the view. They both laughed at Zoltan who seemed to be making a big deal about how to get close enough to drink without getting his hooves muddy. Finally, he drank the water and settled down. Kayden had only just begun to broach the subject of Cassie’s unusual gift when a sound by the river stopped him in mid-sentence. Both swung their heads toward the noise.
A pack of wild dogs had advanced on Zoltan while he drank. They were creeping up and around him, poised and ready to attack. A large, black, longhaired mutt came from behind a bush and snarled. With the pack leader making his move, the others closed in on Zoltan. Frightened, the steed made a loud noise and reared up, thrashing his hooves in their direction. Kayden had already jumped up and let out a call to scare the dogs and at the same time, ran towards Zoltan.
Cassie’s senses came alive with the danger. Without thinking she threw up her hands aiming them towards the pack. The impact of the power she sent towards the snarling animals hit them like bricks, hurling them backwards, slamming them into the trees and bushes over the other side of the stream.
They made yelping, painful sounds, leaving her feeling bad as they scurried off. The ones on the other side of Zoltan ran from the fear that they felt from the rest of the pack’s agonising howls.
Kayden already at his horse and Cassie noted his speed was so much faster than a normal human’s or maybe in the confusion it just seemed that way because she was shocked. She had gone and used her power again when she knew it was bad to do so. Yet as it did prevent the attack, she thought Kayden might not be too cross with her.
Cassie was shaking and rocking, waiting for the punishment she usually received from her parents for using the curse she had been born with. Instead, Kayden shocked her by picking her up and swinging her around. ‘You little powerhouse! Remind me never to stir you up and get you angry at me.’
‘You’re not mad?’ Cassie felt stunned by his reaction.
‘Mad? I’ve been waiting to see what you could do and I was starting to think your altercation with Jason was a fluke. That was excellent!’ Kayden hugged her before hoisting her back onto his horse. ‘Let’s get Zoltan out of here before the mutts come back,’ he said, still excited at what he had just witnessed.
Cassie was still dumbstruck. Kayden’s reaction was not what she would have expected. She had grown up feeling ashamed of her powers and knew the use of them was forbidden. Yet amazingly enough he wanted her to use them and had actually been waiting patiently to see what she could do.
Kayden’s voice interrupted the thought she was reaching that maybe there were others like her that he knew of; that in this country her curse was normal. ‘Can you use your gift at will or only to defend yourself when you feel threatened?’
She shrugged, not used to talking about it so casually. ‘I have no idea. I was a child last time I tried.’
They stopped again a little further up the track.
‘This spot should do it.’ Kayden helped her off Zoltan.
He chose a spot where soft grass and pretty pink and white wildflowers carpeted the ground. Pulling off his backpack and laid out drinks and snacks for them, chatting as he organised their food. He could see how freaked out she was so made an effort to make her feel comfortable about what she had just done.
It was working. As they ate Cassie told him how she had feared using her ‘gift’, as he kept calling it and how for years it had only brought shame on her folks and given her nothing but grief.
‘You should be proud of who you are, Cassie. Talents such as your’s should never be squashed.’
She smiled. ‘You’re the first person who hasn’t hated me for what I just did.’
‘That’s because you lived with people who obviously had no idea how special you really are, girl.’
Cassie giggled. ‘I think you’re just being kind,’ she said before looking more seriously at him, remembering. ‘You understand because you are a bit like me. Am I correct, Kayden? I just saw how fast you moved to get to Zoltan.’
He nodded. ‘Yes, I too have gifts but your’s absolutely fascinate me.’ He took a swig of his drink and pointed. ‘See that old tree over there? It needs chopping down. Can you knock it down?’ he asked.
She thought about the tree, put her hand up and nothing happened. ‘Nope, looks like you’re just going to have to use an axe,’ she chuckled.
Kayden shook his head, amused, and cupped her face in his hands. ‘Cassie, concentrate and think of someone or something that makes you angry.’ He urged her on, removing his hands and pushing her hair back from her face so he could watch.
Cassie thought about home and how her parents made her angry. She could suddenly feel her insides power up. This time when she threw her
hands at the tree it was with emotions deep within her and the tree shattered into sawdust that floated through the air and settled around them. She sat up straight, shocked that she could direct it so well.
Kayden kissed her hands. His eyes and voice filled with emotion. ‘You’re so valuable. I can’t believe you just walked into my life and that you’ve been happy to stay.’
Cassie smiled at him as his eyes sparkled. His gaze, behind those long lashes, captivated her with secret thoughts. In some kind of trance she felt a magnetic pull towards him as if he was linking them together somehow. She could feel, just for an instant, every emotion he was feeling and by the look on his face she felt sure that he was also feeling her.
Did I really feel his strong feelings for me or did I just imagine it? Cassie felt bewildered as Kayden stood and started packing up the remains of the picnic lunch, closing off from her and acting as if the exchange had never happened. I guess if he did, we would be still here in each other’s arms. Feeling a bit young and stupid for wishing they would be together, she sucked it up. If he was only ever going to look upon her as a friend, Cassie intended to be the best one he ever had.
A funny thought struck her. Maybe he was worried that she might zap him like she did to Jason.My thinking is probably way off. As if a strong male like him would be scared of a pint-size girl like me. Followed by an even worse thought. What if I am just that to him? A girl, a princess, too young and not womanly enough for him?
When they arrived home after their ride they saw that Jason had come for a visit and had been waiting at the house for their return. ‘I’ve come to ask the princess if she’ll accompany me to town on a dinner date,’ he said, smiling sweetly.
‘Whatever saves me from looking after her.’ Kayden’s mood changed. He became aggravated and impatient with them both and dismissed them as if he had put up with enough. He practically pushed them out the door together.
Cassie was so surprised at Kayden’s reaction. The final hope that there would be more to their friendship crashed around her. The fact that there had been no protest and he hadn’t cared about her being in the company of another man at all got her dander up so she swallowed her hurt pride and went with Jason. He was charming as always and chatted all the way into town. He had become a good friend and it wasn’t long before he’d eased her anguish about Kayden and they started to enjoy themselves.
As much as Cassie adored Jason, he was not Kayden and many times during the night a little part of her strayed, wishing it was Kayden she was on a date with. How mean and insensitive is that? she thought pushing it to the back of her mind and concentrating on Jason again, becoming attentive for as long as her brain would allow before diverting again.
They had a banquet of different flavoured foods that Jason made her try. She loved the way he constantly made the effort to educate her in Aussie culture to help her fit in. He told her silly jokes that made her laugh through most of the courses so she ate heartily without complaining about everything she put to her lips.
After dinner he held her hand and walked with her through the streets, showing her the different styles of double-brick housing in those parts and how they were fully air-conditioned to handle the rugged and harsh West Australian heat waves which were common up north and explaining how the strong-framed houses are constructed to hopefully withstand the cyclonic months where rain, floods and terrible winds ravage the landscape.
When they arrived home, Jason said that he had enjoyed himself and kissed her cheek, thanking her for the lovely night. He was a prince among princes but he was not Kayden and Cassie felt bad that she hadn’t felt anything more than friendship as he held her hand and kissed her goodnight.
Kayden was in bed. Not wanting to wake him, Cassie tried to undress in the darkness of her room and jumped straight into bed. Kayden heard her and stomped to her room, pushing the door open. Cassie sat up and saw his heated look.
‘If you’re going to go out until all hours the least you can do is be courteous and keep it down. Next time do your damned kissing and canoodling in the car, not on my front porch,’ he said, gnashing his teeth and stomping back into his room.
Kayden had riled her up, provoking her to stomp irritably into his room. ‘He kissed my cheek, mister! Don’t think I’m one of your horses you can farm out to your friends for entertainment just to give you a break. Next time you don’t want me around, say so! I will gladly prefer to sleep in the barn for the night.’ She scampered back to her room in a huff and threw the blankets over her head, feeling just as moody as he was.
Cassie woke up early. The light was not yet peeking over the horizon. She rolled over and moaned. God, what a nasty piece of work I was last night. The way she had retaliated towards Kayden was childish and uncalled-for. It is his house and I should have more respect. No way does he bring girls here and flaunt them in my face. She knew she could be so damned hot-headed sometimes.
Feeling bad that they were fighting, she sneaked into his room. It wasn’t the first time she’d gone to him to apologise and she felt a little nervous in case he might reject her. After all, she had upset him. Sliding under the covers, she hugged him remorsefully.
‘Sorry,’ she whispered and was so glad he pulled her closer and hugged her back.
‘I’ve been waiting for you, little one. Thanks for forgiving me,’ he whispered.
Contented to have their friendship again, they fell straight back to sleep.
When Cassie woke, still embraced in Kayden’s warm arms, the sun was pouring through the window. He must have felt her wiggle, preparing to get up and readjusted his hold. It felt so warm and natural that she settled back into his arms with a sigh.
‘Don’t go,’ he said in a husky voice.
His lips found hers. The kiss was so soft and tender that Cassie thought she was going to pass out from the sweetness of his mouth. Her breath quickened and her body was strangely wrapping around his. His lips moved from hers and smiled, his eyes sparking like chips of bottle-green glass, the brown in them intensifying the colour. She knew she was under his spell and didn’t ever want him to stop.
‘Was that a better first kiss?’ he smiled and his eyes still danced as he watched her.
God, does he want me to answer that? She had never felt anything so divine.
Kayden gazed into her eyes and she followed them as they settled back on her lips. She melted under another of his kisses and this time the feeling gave her tingles all the way down to her toes and her mind liquefied, the feeling, sensational. Her body was having extraordinary sensual desires as his tongue moved deeper inside her. She heard him groan as he hardened against her, matching her slow movements. The urge to have him naked and feel his raw passion made her feel light-headed. Her lips missed his as soon as he pulled back and rolled away from her.
‘Come with me, princess. I have to check the horses before the morning gets away from me.’ His voice was deep and shaking. Cassie wanted to drag him back to her lips. Grinning and pulling her up, they walked back to her room. His thigh pressed against her, the strong taut muscle and the feeling of his masculinity made her insides tremble.
‘Get changed and I’ll meet you at the car.’ He looked down at her with a tormented expression. ‘Cassie … oh shit,’ he said, kissing her again. When their lips parted he lifted his head up and she saw him close his eyes as if he was struggling too.
She sighed. ‘The horses—they need you, don’t they? I can feel you almost communicating with them.’
He smiled. ‘How do you know that?’
‘Womanly intuition. I’m right, aren’t I?’
He nodded. ‘Well, if you know I’m being dragged from you, you also know not to keep me waiting. Move it, princess!’ He slapped her gently on the behind and chuckled as he shut the door.
He left Cassie feeling dazed and unable to function. As her heart slowed, she began to register what she had to do and quickly dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. She went to the bathroom and splashed water on her face
, which still tingled from the sensation of his kisses before racing out to join him.
The horses were grazing when they arrived except one that moved with a slight limp towards them when they pulled up. Kayden grabbed his bag out of the car and worked on its hoof. Unable to fix it completely they brought the mare back to the stable which was nearly full of horses he’d treated lately. This won’t be their last run, she thought as he readied a couple of stallions to go back into the paddock.
That morning was the first time she had ever made breakfast. Cassie setup a makeshift table on a bale of hay and told Kayden not to expect this kind of service every day or she would have to start burning it and make him come and help again.
He rolled up the morning paper and tapped her with it, encouraging Cassie to retaliate and attack him and sending them both rolling in the hay together. Cassie loved the way his eyes glazed over just before he kissed her again. The sensation of his hold and those yummy lips didn’t last. At that exact moment, the horse Kayden had been attending kicked up a fuss about its sore hoof. Kayden pulled them both up out of the hay, drinking down his coffee and focusing his efforts back on the mare.
Cassie started sleeping in Kayden’s bed but he never took their relationship any further. After a couple of weeks she realised he didn’t want her the way she wanted him so she didn’t go in to him anymore.
Cassie understood by his lack of commitment that she was just company and a bit of fun. She needed to snap out of the fantasy she had of them being a couple and realise that he would never want more than friendship. What he offered her was more than she had ever had. She had to stop being selfish by wanting more.
