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

get the princess out of my head while we’re up here. Being so close to the team with all this magic is amplifying my feelings. Shit, shit, shit! If they think I have someone they’ll want to hang out with me when we get back. They’ll use any excuse not to go home until I give.
    Jason turned to them. ‘He ain’t got anyone. Just a new girlie at the whorehouse he saw. You can all visit anytime you want. They’re open twenty-four seven. Get your heads back in the game and stop pissing him off.’
    Good save, Jase. Man, I owe you one.

To Love Someone
    It had been a few days since there had been any fog in the paddocks so it was all back to normal. Cassie wanted to ask Kayden why the fog made her sleep so many hours and while she slept, why her dreams were so bizarre. Maybe it is just my head injury still healing . She shrugged inwardly, helpless in knowing the reason behind it as she helped Jason set the table for dinner. The three of them had been having a lot of fun and why that thought had just popped into her head surprised her. Although maybe it’s just the stress of loving someone I can never have, she reasoned with herself, eyeing Jason as he joked with Kayden. Maybe I could try to love someone else to take my mind off him. Jason is a sweet and caring person. Maybe …
    ‘Hey, girl, where’s your head? I just asked what you were doing on the weekend. I was thinking about having friends over for a BBQ. You interested?’ Jason asked, putting his arm around her and grinning. ‘Will you come?’
    Yes, it’s time I moved on . She felt that Kayden didn’t need her hanging around like a lovesick puppy. She nodded. ‘Sure, love to.’
    Jason looked happy with himself as he helped Kayden finish dishing up. After his invitation, the air between Kayden and Cassie was thick. Maybe he guessed she was giving up. However, she thought, that should make him happy, not annoyed. As soon as Jason goes, I’m going to sort this out. If he doesn’t want me here anymore, he only has to say.
    Before Jason left, he placed Kayden and Cassie’s hands together.
    ‘What are you waiting for, K? Just let nature take its course. Even on my date she couldn’t stop thinking about you, mate. If she knocks you over the other side of the room just suck it up and get back on the horse, so to speak.’ He laughed and left.
    Cassie stood and went to clean up the dishes from the table. ‘Jason is no fool but he really had that all wrong. You should have told him you only see me as a friend, Kayden.’
    ‘Is that what you think, Cassie?’
    ‘Kayden, please. I slept in your bed for two weeks and you barely touched me after we kissed. I know you think I’m just a bit of fun to have around and that is fine. Honest. I would sooner keep you as my friend than not have you in my life at all. Forget about Jason’s stupid comment but next time just tell him the truth so he drops it.’ She tossed her exasperation at Kayden.
    ‘Cassie, sit down and talk to me. I can see I’ve hurt you and we need to talk.’
    He pulled out the chair next to him for her to sit.
    Cassie stayed standing at the bench, unable to talk to him so close. ‘Kayden, you have nothing to apologise for. It was my first kiss: always the most unforgettable, no doubt. I’m new at all this and impressionable.’ She tried to smile, doing what she could to prevent him from seeing how truly wounded she was from his rejection. ‘I’m young and sure I’ll find another that will make me feel as you did. Only hopefully next time they will feel as I do too.’ She wrung her hands in the tea towel, not wanting to sound ungrateful. Pulling it together, she gave him a nice polite smile. ‘Although I have to admit you will be a hard act to follow.’
    He glared at her, speechless. Under his gaze, she felt embarrassed for saying so much. She hurried outside to get some fresh air, cursing for being so open and still feeling his eyes that had burned into her as she spoke. What’s wrong