Cloud Riders(14)

‘Wait,’ he said, rustling around in the box of clothes Jason had brought in and pulling out a dress and some matching underwear. ‘Try these.’

Cassie shyly took them. Boy, how embarrassing to have clothes chosen for me in front of Jason. Still, she had asked Kayden to tell her how he wanted to see her dress. As much as she appreciated his help, in front of the guest it was a little humiliating. Swallowing her pride, she smiled politely and almost ran towards the bathroom to hide the crimson that crept into her cheeks. The hot water streamed over her and the heat washed away her trivial cares. Light-heartedness sent another wave of emotion over her as she remembered how Kayden had told her that she was old enough to live wherever she wanted. Overwhelming joy surged through her knowing that she never again had to return to her homeland or to her horrid parents.

Cassie’s feet barely felt the floor she was so delighted. Everything was now out in the open. They’d accepted her for who she was. Putting on the new underwear and frilly pastel-coloured dress, she decided it was maybe a little too snug. However, it did show up her shapely figure and as she spun around she admired the cut of the skirt, watching it spin out as she twirled in front of the mirror. Brushing her hair, she clipped it up and was amazed at what a difference the small amount of fresh air had made to her complexion. The pasty look was gone, replaced with a slight tan and colour in her cheeks as if she had just applied foundation and blush. She threw her dirty clothes into the basket and made a note to ask Kayden how to use the washing machine in the morning. She opened the door and both of them turned and seemed to freeze.

‘What?’ Cassie looked down and second-guessed what she had on.

Kayden coughed. ‘Looks fine, we just haven’t seen you dressed up before. It’s just a boy thing.’ He turned around grinning and continued cooking.

Jason nudged him. ‘Never looked that good on sis.’

Cassie shrugged and walked to the kitchen. Being around men was a challenge. She now understood the reasoning for the title of the book she had seen advertised once stating that men were from Mars. Maybe I should have read it. She grinned to herself. ‘Want some help?’ she asked.

Kayden took her hand and steered her back to the table. ‘You just sit way over here until Jason’s hormones settle down,’ he laughed.

Cassie cocked her head to the side and wondered if she would ever understand the way they talked. She had no idea what she had to do with Jason’s hormones and didn’t want to embarrass herself further by asking a question that she should probably know the answer to at her age. Yes, she thought, and girls my age raised under normal circumstances, would talk and giggle together and go to real schools and would know all about men by now. She sighed. How uneducated I feel.

Cassie eyed Jason as he chatted to Kayden in the kitchen, allowing his charismatic nature to shine through. His age was hard to pick. His fair hair was long, yet shaped, framing his face perfectly. He was clean-shaven and his fair skin was flawless as if he were no older than his early twenties, yet his stunning blue eyes showed her that like Kayden he was an old soul and had been around for a long time. Her eyes were drawn to his male shape that was buffed and toned. With such good looks she wondered if he did any modelling although he hardly looked the type to strut his stuff in front of a crowd. She smiled at the thought.

So many questions I have. Yet if I ask, will they want more from me in return? Cassie decided that time would reveal all. Tonight was not a time to dredge up old lives, but the beginning of a new era, with new memories to make, far more memorable than those left behind.

Kayden and Jason brought dinner over and during the meal, Jason was so nice to Cassie that she hardly remembered what he had been like in his drunken state. She finally felt as if fate had played a part in finding these two men who seemed to like her. Listening to them made her heart feel at peace. She was filled with gratitude as they included her in every topic as if they were actually interested in what she had to say.

‘Hey K, we should take the princess for a ride up to the Wittenoom gorges tomorrow. What do you reckon, man? She’d love it if she hasn’t been outdoors before.’

Kayden shook his head. ‘She still needs a couple of day’s total rest.’

Jason’s face lit up and the smile he directed at Cassie was stunning. ‘Hey, if it’s the foot you’re worried about, K, I can carry her easily. Problem solved.’

If Cassie were aware of the impact she was having on him she would have blushed at his blatant advances. However, Cassie’s natural innocence left her merely flattered that he was being so sweet.