Cloud Riders(130)

‘Ald,’ he said quietly. ‘She came across as the hottest hottie I’d ever met and she was lucky I didn’t kidnap her myself. I had a hard time not getting up and kissing that sexy mouth. I am sorry if that offends you but she was something else. I’ve been in lust with her ever since and yet looking at her now, butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. I find it hard to believe the two are the same girl.’

Aldebaran threw his head back and laughed. ‘You keep your devious little hands off my daughter.’

Conom put his hands up in a submissive gesture. ‘Hey man, well warned but you can’t stop me having fun with her. She’s a blast. What’s big lug hubby like when he’s not plotting against us?’

‘The son-in-law I always dreamed for her. You’ll like him, Conom, give him a chance. Okay?’

He patted him on the back. ‘For you, I will try and that’s all I can promise. But hey, good luck with the rest of it because I wouldn’t want to be you when she wakes up from this spell.’

Aldebaran looked at him seriously. ‘When this is all over and I send them home, Kayden will make her break all ties with me like last time, regardless of what I do here today. So I hope you’re right, old friend and she does challenge me because it will be better than never hearing from her again.’ He looked around and saw them both getting into the tequila slammers. ‘You’ll have to excuse me. The kids are getting into it early and if I don’t slow those two down you’ll be seeing a lot more of the Cassandra you saw the other night.’ Aldebaran grinned as he walked away.

Conom laughed. ‘Bring it on, I say! This place could do with a bit of livening up.’

He is so much like me , just wanting excitement in his life. Aldebaran would normally agree with him but this was different. This was his daughter who had pushed his buttons and he could feel himself change the minute he looked into her eyes. He magically felt so much older and now wanted to be the best father he could be to her.

He went over and Kayden passed him a slammer. ‘Come on, Dad, join us?’ he asked, stirring Aldebaran and waiting for him to slam and raise his glass with them. Aldebaran was so shocked that he called him Dad that he slammed with them and drank it down. Cassandra put her glass down and passed him a beer and he sculled that as well.

‘Go Pops,’ she giggled. He shook his head and smiled. ‘Now, you two, go mingle. You won’t last the night at this rate,’ he chastised them and watched as they laughed like two naughty kids and wandered off, chatting to the guests.

Aqua finally arrived with the twins Gem and Mini from the Gemini constellation. Conom was quite partial to both girls and unable to decide between them, generally left with both. Cassandra was excited to see a face she knew and walked around with Aqua and the twins as they went from guest to guest, mingling.

Meanwhile, Aldebaran noticed Kayden talking to Pollux and Caster, the rulers of two of the larger stars in the Gemini constellation, both bodyguards to the twins, Gem and Mini. They were safely engaged in a conversation with Kayden, discussing growing their Gemini group and the politics they faced in trying to bring new baby stars (undeveloped protostars) into their domains to grow and develop them within the guidance of their constellation. Kayden had lots of knowledge on this subject and Aldebaran could tell he was enjoying himself.

When it was time to sit down for dinner it was obvious that Conom was looking to finish off that card game but he was going to get her good and plastered first. During the meal he constantly filled Cassandra and Kayden’s drinks. The three of them became quite noisy, joking and hanging it on each other. By the time the meal was over, Conom had them both in the palm of his hand as they took their party out by the pool.

When Aldebaran finally made it outside to them, Cassandra jumped up happily, slipping her arm through his. ‘Hi Pops, we haven’t seen you all night. Great party!’

He looked over at Conom who had a smug look, knowing he was checking up on him. Aldebaran glared at him to behave and just smiled at Cassandra. This is what I want: her to be happy, and while she is, I see no reason to interfere. ‘Glad you’re having a good time, sugar. Just came out to see if you needed anything.’

‘No, we’re good. Conom here is keeping us entertained with his travel adventures.’

Being called back inside, he left them to their fun. Not without his own tricks though, once inside he gestured for the band to play louder and it was not long before Kayden had Cassie up dancing. Sniggering at Conom and getting the finger from him, he sat back to watch as Kayden brought his new bride onto the floor. I won this round.