Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets) (39 page)

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 with 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.

United Amusement–Day Two

The trip to another fun park left them exhausted and looking forward to a little time out before they had to leave for the airport.

Back at the motel, the gang were all going for a bite to eat but Cassie was far from feeling hungry. ‘I want a nice soak in the spa and that’s where I’m heading.’ She grabbed a towel and kissed Kayden. ‘Unless you’re hungry too? I can relax later if you prefer something now.’

‘Your idea sounds just perfect. We can eat later on tonight when we get to Sydney,’ he said, following her out.

‘Sounds good to us too!’ Woody and Ella joined them, only they were more prepared, bringing down a couple of bottles of wine and some glasses. After pouring them all a drink, Woody sat back to relax in the bubbly warm liquid with the rest of them.

Not being able to resist annoying Kayden and Woody, Jason came down as well and slipped in between Ella and Cassie. ‘A thorn between two roses,’ he said as he held up his glass for Woody to fill. ‘As if I’m staying there with those giggling chicks,’ he said. ‘You’re not getting rid of me that easy.’

Cassie giggled at him. ‘We might as well enjoy you now because when we get to the Cross I doubt if we’ll see you for dust.’

‘You’re on the money, honey but definitely not for your eyes or your ears, little sister. I can guarantee that K will keep you as far away from there tonight as he can get you. But hey, I still want to catch up with you guys tomorrow morning. Aren’t we all going sightseeing?’

Cassie suddenly felt nervous for him if he was going to go to the Cross on his own. All the rest of them had partners so it looked as if he would be unaccompanied. ‘Surely you aren’t thinking about heading out by yourself in a wild place like Kings Cross?’ she asked, alarmed that with all the stories they had told her, he would be game enough to go into the untamed jungle on his lonesome.

‘Don’t look so worried, Cass. The guys would never allow me to go and enjoy all the nightly spoils and booty on my own. No, Ethan and Conor need some time out from the girls, so they’re feeding them now. When we touch down, us boys are going down to the Cross for a boys’ night out. Woody’s gone to the light, like Kayden, so my guess is you guys will probably hang out together.’

‘Great plan, shit head. What about their girls? I’m not frigging babysitting,’ Woody drawled and rolled his eyes.

Jase laughed. ‘No way! They’ve already planned to go to some male strip club they know of. So there, sweet, it’s all organised.’

Woody grinned with a sly dog look on his face. ‘Good! Because me and my man K are treating our women to a bit of indulgence and taking them to the revolving restaurant in the city before showing them a little of the nightlife from the comfort of a limo.’

‘Are we?’ Cassie hugged Kayden. ‘Cool,’ she sat back, happily thinking about what they were going to do and was wrapt that they weren’t just going to be sitting in a motel room like she had thought was going to happen.

‘No doubt about our Cassie, she’s easy pleased. Why don’t you come with us, K and let her go have a real treat? She’d have a blast at the strip joint with the girls,’ Jason said, trying to stir Kayden up.

Kayden stiffened and Cassie could tell it made him annoyed that he’d even suggested it. Jason knew how easily led Cassie could be but not tonight. What Kayden had planned sounded just perfect to her.

‘I can’t answer for Kayden.’ Cassie took another sip of wine. ‘But for me, there is no other man worth looking at after seeing my man naked,’ she giggled. ‘There are five men around me constantly with buff, fine-tuned bodies. Why would I then bother to go to some sleazy little hot spot? Looking at something that doesn’t come close to you lot or to my hunky man?’ she asked, closing her eyes. The image of her husband doing his own little strip tease couldn’t stop her from grinning.

‘I’m stunned! You’ve never complimented any of us before. I just had to take a second to see if you were being serious or having a lend of me!’

Cassie sighed lazily. ‘Ella, tell him! Are they or are they not, all drop-dead honeys?’ She grinned.

Ella took a minute. ‘My Woody is my perfect vision, as yours is Kayden but yes the rest of the boys do look well above average on the who’s-hot radar.’ She smiled as Cassie clinked her wine glass together with hers.

Kayden grinned from ear to ear. ‘Right back at you, beautiful! There’s nothing at the Cross for me any longer either.’

Jason was still gob-smacked and sat quietly sipping his drink. Cassie could see his mind going over something. ‘Whatcha thinking, Jason?’ she asked.

He sculled the rest of his drink, pouring another. ‘Remember when we were on the island and I was canoodling with that cutie? Well, she said exactly those words and that’s why I dumped her. I thought she meant that any one of us would do. I really liked her too. Had feelings for her, straight up, enjoying her so much I even took it slow.’ He looked at them and smiled. ‘I know, not me at all. You know I still think about her every now and then. She really pressed the right buttons for me. I must have been crazy to let that one go. Too bad now though. I don’t even know her name or where she comes from.’

Cassie thought about the one he was with that day. ‘Which one? Do you mean the one with the girl-next-door look and hazel eyes?’ she asked.

He nodded. ‘That would be the one but I would hardly call her the girl next door. She was a real hottie.’

‘Well hottie lives in MargaretRiver, our last stop, and her name by the way is Sonia McMasters.’

Jason slapped the water with excitement and drenched them accidentally. ‘Your power to remember names! I forgot about that. We could look her up!’ His grin spread over his entire face as he lay back and sculled his drink. ‘Sonia … that’s right … that was her name,’ he said quietly to himself and the boys both grinned at each other.

‘The boy’s got it bad! Who would have guessed our man Jase would fall for a real woman?’ Woody commented.

Jason smiled again. ‘Little Sonia! The name just rolls off your tongue, don’t it?’ he said again and they all laughed at him going all gooey over a girl at long last.

‘Is this going to spoil your fun tonight?’ Cassie inquired.

‘Hell no!’ he said, sitting up so fast that he almost spilled his drink, making them laugh. ‘My little Sonia may tell me to rack off yet so I better not go loaded,’ he laughed.

Cassie slapped him. ‘You’re disgusting, Jason, stop it,’ she giggled with him.

With the booze gone, they decided to get out of the spa and go have showers before heading off for the airport.

The flight was barely an hour’s trip so it was exciting to be stepping off the plane and seeing a brand new city. Looking down from up in the plane, the city looked awesome with all the lights mapping out just how dense the population was, expanding out over the land for miles.

Kayden asked the driver to drop them off at a luxury hotel called The Observatory. Cassie followed Kayden and the porter up to The Observatory Suite, the most opulent and expensive of all the suites, luxury at its finest, the décor elegant and filled with charm.

Kayden put his arms around her. ‘Living in a castle most of your life I thought you might like somewhere a little bit special to make you feel like a princess for a night.’

‘You know you never have to be so lavish with your money to please me. Just so long as I lie next to you, I’m happy staying anywhere. However,’ she spun around in a circle with her arms out. ‘This is exquisite and definitely does make me feel so very, very special,’ she said, stopping and hugging him.

‘Special, is that all? I hoped I would get maybe great sex for being so thoughtful.’

‘You, my husband, will get more than that if you do a little strip later to make up for me not going with the girls. I want to experience everything Sydney has to offer. That being said, I’d sooner it was you that showed me what I may be missing, not a stranger.’