Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets)

by Debbie Behan

  ‘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 always 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!’

  ‘Bullshit, 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 bitch 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.

  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 t
o 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.

  United 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.

  In the bedroom, Cassie sorted through her clothes, hanging up what needed to be hung. She thought how glad she was that Woody had kept his promise about buying her designer clothes. When she had moved in with him, he’d organised a dressmaker. He had spent hours with her, going over magazines and picking out outfits that would suit her. He always appreciated her making an effort to look nice. But today she was spending it with her man and wanted his full attention so a little mischief outfit was required.

  Pulling on a short, box-pleated skirt and a halter-top she smiled at the look on Kayden’s face as he came out of the shower.

  ‘That’s very cruel, honey. I can’t believe the way I am feeling! You’re going to tease me all day in that cute little number.’

  She went up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. ‘I want you with me all day. I’m using the clothes’ power to make sure you don’t leave my side for a minute.’

  He laughed and snatched her into his arms. ‘You don’t need a skirt on to have power over me, my beautiful wife!’

  Her evil plan backfired and the mini skirt was just too much for him. It was another hour or so before they finally made it down to the foyer where the others were all waiting.

  Conor, Ethan and Jason had gone surfing after waking them up and the girls had gone out shopping. Ella and Woody only just joined them, making Cassie not feel so bad they may have held them up. She did make a little excuse saying they’d drifted back to sleep but she doubt if it washed, especially because Kayden couldn’t wipe the smile from his face.

  Just then the cars turned up and there was a mad rush to get into them, all of them now looking forward to spending as much time as they could at Sea World.

  The fun park was amazing to walk into. Cassie wanted to touch and look at everything at once. They only just arrived in time to watch the dolphin show. The crowd cheered as the dolphins leaped high out of the crystal-clear water in unison, showing off their skills. The show escalated when two dolphins towed the keeper, who barefooted it around the perimeter.

  ‘Can we go see them?’ Cassie dragged them after it was over and once she had felt them for real, snatched the schedule up in her hands.

  ‘To the sea lions!’ She had the team all under her power so they could do nothing but follow her. They all knew it and even using all their powers combined couldn’t break free from her magic so they could hit the rides.

  Kayden felt them try to power up. You know she doesn’t know she’s doing it and it’s our little secret so let’s keep it that way, okay? I want her using whatever she has, even unconsciously. It may come in handy to her later. Just suck it up and enjoy the ride.

  Unable to do anything else, they all sat quietly and watched the entertainment, astounded at how excited they became when Cassie did. She was getting more powerful and they all knew it; what had them stunned was what this was for. What was coming that only she was being given an extra boost for, and not them? The thought of her not being with them and working on her own stressed them out and yet she kept diverting their thoughts, keeping them as happy as she felt. They clapped and cheered as the sea lions counted with their flippers, nodding and shaking their heads when answering questions. The whole act was to find the golden ball and the sea lions made it funny. Cassie made it a very different experience and they left, glad they had watched it with her.

  She didn’t have to ask Jason and Ethan twice to feed the sharks so she could watch. When lowered into the underwater aquarium, they waved excitedly to their team who watched from the viewing room that was on the other side of the glass wall. Both boys were on tenter hooks as the sharks already smelt food and started passing close to them, their large noses butting up against the cage in a frenzy to get to them, not caring about the food but wanting the boys for dinner. The boys were annoyed that they were unable to use powers in front of so many onlookers, both wanting to punch the suckers just for fun.

  The keeper gave Jason and Ethan a fish each to hold up so that the sharks could feed from them. A loud crack on the cage door sent chills down the spines of all the onlookers as the sharks smashed with full force into the cage door as they snatched the fish. They took off angrily and bit in, sending white fish flesh spewing around the cage, attracting other large sharks and causing a feeding frenzy. The fish suddenly became aggressive and for safety reasons, the cage lifted quickly as it was battered and butted up against, all the way to the surface. Jason and Ethan were positive Cassie had something to do with it to give them some excitement, but when confronted she just smiled and still on a high, dragged them off to the ski show. The cars and general skiers kept the boys happy while Cassie enjoyed the skit, clapping and laughing as the boat turned a car and drove up onto the beach. Afterwards the girls had photos taken with the male actors, leaning up against one of the lovely old vehicles. Not to be outdone, the guys took off their shirts and got photos taken with the female actresses and loved the attention they got, not only from the girls but from the crowd that clapped and cheered for more.

  ‘Show offs,’ Cassie grumbled as she linked arms wi
th the girls and strode off, making the boys run to catch up.

  When the men finally reached them, Kayden laughed, lifting Cassie up in his arms. ‘Come here, little jealous one, no way are you going anywhere without me, ever again!’

  She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. ‘Promise?’

  ‘You have my heart and my word,’ he said, putting her down and grabbing her hand. ‘Now, your punishment for running away?’ He considered, his eyes darting around. ‘To the rides with you, young lady!’

  ‘Now that kind of punishment I’m going to love.’ She grabbed his hand, dragging him to the fastest ride she could see. With that, the spell was broken. It was her time with Kayden and the rest of them now got it. She wanted them to enjoy and appreciate things they would otherwise have taken for granted. They were chuffed as they grabbed their partners and went to do their own thing; chuffed that she had wanted them with her that much, even if she had just dumped them for the boss. They took off in different directions, free, yet so very happy for the experience.

  Back at Surfers Paradise the girls went fashion shopping while boys went down to the beach to catch some waves and do a bit of surfing. Kayden and Cassie hit the mall, preferring to enjoy the atmosphere that surrounded them. Two girls in skimpy gold two-piece outfits stopped to chat and they found out that they were the fabled Gold Coast meter maids. A silver statue moved and startled them, making both laugh as they saw it was just a man covered in silver paint.

  Tables of patrons from restaurants filled the air with noisy chatter and laughter. Upwards, there were skyscrapers that towered around them like alien monsters protecting this little part of the world. As they strolled hand-in-hand taking it all in, Cassie had the feeling this would have to be one of Australia’s happiest holiday destinations.