Cloud Riders(105)

She put her head in her hands and sighed. ‘I thought you didn’t love me, Kayden. I’ve led Woody to believe he and I have a chance by letting him kiss me. I’m so confused.’

He came back over to her. Just his touch sent electrifying sensations through her. ‘We love each other, Cassie. We always have and always will. I’m going to go and let you work out how you want this to go down. But I‘ll not take no for an answer! I’m not letting go this time and if you’re unable to tell Woody then I will. It’s better he gets hurt now rather than later when he’s taken you to his bed. You have nothing to give him because you know you will always keep yourself only for me.’

He kissed her again. Her heart just about thumped out of her chest and her body wrapped around him, feeling every curve that she had missed so terribly. She groaned.

‘I love you. Come home, baby,’ he whispered. He let her go and got out of the spa.

It was late when Woody and Jason arrived back. Cassie was still up, tortured by what had happened. She tried to act normal but what was normal? She was falling apart with guilt and old feelings. Jason took his leave and Woody came over to where she sat and put his arm around her. ‘What’s up, Cass, did you miss me?’ he joked, trying to break down the barrier he felt around her.

She looked affectionately at her best friend and wondered how she could ever break his heart and live afterwards. ‘Kayden came over today.’

‘He’d better not have upset you! No wonder the bastard was in such a good mood. What did he say?’ he asked angrily.

‘He came to get the boys to go to the horse races but they were busy with their girls so I went.’

‘You what?’ He stood up, angry. ‘He hates the horse races. I knew there had to be a reason why he started to sleaze back over here. He wants you back, doesn’t he?’ He paced.

‘I told him I loved you and was committed to our relationship but …’

He grabbed her by the shoulders and taking one look into her eyes, he knew. ‘He bloody kissed you, that sneaky son of a bitch!’ He was pacing again. ‘I’m going over there to knock some sense into him. He sent us off so he could be alone with you. That lying, cheating mongrel!’

Jason came out. ‘What’s going on, mate? What’s all the yelling about?’

Woody was furious. ‘We put her back together and she just gets happy again and his frigging highness comes over and tries to steal her back. Bloody kissed her as well! Of all the dirty tricks, he sent us off so he could spend the day with her.’

Jason shook his head. ‘You knew it would happen, Woody. We all tried to tell you a love like theirs would find its way back. I guessed it tonight when I saw that sparkle back in her eyes that has been missing for months.’

‘Thanks for the bloody support, mate!’ Woody growled angrily. He went over and swinging Cassie up in his arms carried her inside and up the stairs to his room.

‘Don’t do anything you’ll regret, Woody!’ Jason warned. ‘Let it go, for all our sakes.’

Woody laid her gently on the bed and lay beside her as they had done many times before. He looked at her for a long time and then rolled away, lying on his back and putting his arm over his eyes. She cuddled up to him, feeling his pain, while tears ran down her face for the hurt he was feeling. He felt her quiver with silent sobs and he cuddled her until she stopped.

‘I love you both,’ Cassie sobbed. ‘I’m sorry. He tricked me. I thought I’d buried all those feelings. You’re my most favourite person in the whole world and I can’t bear the thought of never talking to you again. Your friendship is so deeply set inside me. You’re the voice in my head and I can’t believe this is happening to you—to us.’

He kissed her gently as he had done so many times but he became more urgent and she let him, hoping he could change her mind. But as he started to take off her clothes, she froze. He flung himself back on the bed.

‘I’m sorry, try again. I’ll control it. Make me love you instead,’ Cassie begged him. She kissed him again but he went cold.

‘Your love for him is deep in your soul. You can only give me some of your heart and it’s not enough for me. I have to move on and find someone who loves me. The only way that is ever going to happen is to make a clean break.’

‘But I do love you. Please don’t take your love away from me. I’ll never see him again, I promise. Stay with me, Woody. I choose you,’ she sobbed as she begged him.

‘You’re breaking my heart, princess. But I’m not the one you want and I can’t see how I can ever get over you if I try to stay your friend while watching you with him. It doesn’t work that way and you know it.’