Free Cloud Riders (Lord of the Planets) by Debbie Behan

afterwards for them to carry children. They both knew Cassie was only just starting to feel confident and happy again and the last thing she needed was for another blow to hit her just yet. His poor, innocent sweetheart had her work cut out for her once she came into her own but come hell, rain or shine, he intended to see her through it.
    Zoltan trotted out to the paddock towards the portal where the clouds would take Kayden and his team up into the sky and to the stars above. Tonight Kayden was in a good mood and had allowed talking until they reached the paddocks, unlike other nights when he would cut the chatter as soon as they mounted their horses.
    ‘So, our mission, guys, is to make the deal, deliver the Princess Eda back to her home world, the constellation Andromeda, and get back here before dawn,’ Kayden reiterated.
    ‘What, no drinks with Cetus?’ Woody glanced at him and frowned. ‘What’s the rush, boss?’
    Jesus, this secret is really doing my head in. How do I tell them it’s because I have a beautiful woman in my bed? Even the thought of her being in his bed—her smell, her hair falling across the pillow—made him hard. Jeez! Get a grip, man, he thought, moving in the saddle, trying to get himself comfortable. He had to get back to his woman and no way did he want booze on his breath. He already felt guilty enough linking her to him and keeping her in a comatose state while they were gone. ‘Sorry, mate, have a horse in foal.’ A little white lie won’t hurt. Kayden sucked in his breathe as he heard Jason stifle a laugh that the others didn’t notice.
    ‘Jeez, boss, we could have organised Conor’s brother to horse-sit. Shit, it has been ages since we caught up with the duke. We men were hoping to get in a bit of whale watching and maybe have a mermaid or two for a bit of variety. Sex in the water, K, you can’t beat it.’ Woody and Conor pounded fists.
    ‘Guys shush, another time. Enough please. Tonight, we save the princess and drop her off. End of story. Now the lot of you quiet down and quit bitching or you know what happens on the way up if you don’t.’
    There was not another peep out of them. Kayden could make their trip damned uncomfortable and they knew it. He felt bad he was spoiling their fun. Hell, a couple of months ago he would have been the one insisting on a visit to Cetus’s constellation but Kayden had no choice. He had to come clean about Cassie with them, but not now. He wanted to talk to Zoren first. I’ll ring him tomorrow. He’ll understand that it is important for Cassie to feel completely happy before I put all this on her . The last few days she had been quiet, somewhere else. He hoped she was not thinking about leaving him. He cursed himself for kissing her and ruining the trust she had in him.
    The trip was long, giving him too much time to think about her face, her lips and God, that incredible body. I am in love, a goner, from that very first day. She’d been naked and bruised but still the most gorgeous woman he had ever seen. He knew it embarrassed her as he watched her change. But God, I couldn’t believe how perfect she was . Her silhouette was divine, her movements angelic. She captivated me right there. Jesus, why am I unable to commit to her? Just come right out and say it: Cassandra Wyatt, I love you. So simple. Jase is right, I have to grow some balls and tell her how I feel. Tell her what my team and I do . Kayden closed his eyes, remembering the feel of her as she rode with him and shivering, thinking how electrifying it would be to have her there right now.
    Woody’s whistle ripped through his thoughts. ‘Hey, boss, who was that you imagined with you? Have you a hottie you’re not telling us about?’
    Conor coughed, nearly choking himself. ‘Christ, if she’s real you better stop hiding her, man.’
    Oh shit, Kayden thought. The magic must be so strong up here that my guarded thoughts have seeped through to them. Damn it. I’d better