As Cassie came over to place some more dishes on the table, Kayden pulled her onto his lap. ‘What have you done with my helpless little princess? Who is this grownup impostor?’ he laughed.
Cassie grinned happily. She could only give thanks for the day when two loving angels picked her up and took her into their lives unconditionally. She had learned so much more than how to cook: she had learned the most important lesson of all—how to treat a man—and she would never forget the experience it had been watching the love Ruby and Jim had for each other.
‘You better taste it first.’ Cassie smiled and kissed Kayden’s lips softly before getting up to finish serving.
Ethan tasted his omelette and at the same time stuffed a pancake in his mouth and grinned. ‘She’s definitely a keeper!’ he said, devouring more pancakes.
After breakfast Woody and Jason did the dishes. There was a rule that those who cooked did not have to help with the dishes and Cassie liked that rule already. Kayden sat with his arm around her, contented and relaxed while they talked to Ethan. Cassie was having a bit of fun with the whole ‘brother’ thing. She had no brothers or sisters and was surprised when Ethan admitted he was the elder brother.
‘I thought Jason was older,’ she said and received a playful scowl from Jason for saying so.
Ethan explained the height difference, saying he was more like his dad’s side of the family in appearance: slightly shorter and stockier. Ethan gestured towards Jason. ‘He may be taller than me but I can still hold my own.’ He grinned mischievously at Cassie, his blue eyes alive with a challenge. ‘I can take him down any day.’
‘I heard that. You’re on later, short-stuff.’ Jason’s voice came from the kitchen.
Conor sat back down, giving Cassie a chance to admire his tattoos. He told her that every time he had a new woman, he’d add to his body art. ‘I just love the pain they cause me,’ he said. He grinned at her reaction, showing her his most recent tattoo of a scull and a black rose. ‘See, like this one, her looks were as perfect as a rose but she was all dark and evil in the bedroom,’ he said and Cassie, not used to bedroom talk of any kind, flushed crimson at his honesty. He laughed at her shyness. ‘She’s cute, Kayden,’ he said, slapping his leg where the tattoo sat proudly. ‘But have we got our work cut out for us toughening her up enough to put up with us five blokes!’
Kayden pulled Cassie back into his arms. ‘She’s perfect just the way she is and she needs no educating from you lot.’
Cassie nuzzled into Kayden’s body, enjoying having a protective man to care for her. He had become everything she dreamed he would be. She couldn’t help but lap it up a little.
Woody and Jason finished in the kitchen and sat at the table shuffling a pack of cards.
‘Who is in for a hand or two before we hit the road?’ Woody glanced straight at Cassie with a smirk.
She put her head down, amused. She thought that with his red curls and his emerald eyes that shone like gems, he looked all mischief. Cassie knew that he had seen her at the gaming tables and surely would know there were some skills hidden within her. Surely he isn’t thinking he can beat me? The challenge was too good to refuse. Cassie squeezed Kayden before jumping up with enthusiasm. She grinned when she heard Kayden’s muffled chuckle. ‘I’m in,’ she said, joining them at the table.
Kayden knew only too well what Woody was up against and came to join them. ‘Count me in. Wouldn’t miss this for quids.’
Conor and Ethan grabbed a bottle of Bundaberg rum and shot glasses before they joined them.
‘We’re in.’ Ethan pounded fists with Conor after pouring everyone a shot. ‘Just a nip, that’ll get us in the mood, hey, man?’
Woody gulped his down. ‘Ah … damned good stuff.’
Kayden pulled his arm from around Cassie so he could take his cards and drink down his too. ‘Yep, that hit the spot,’ he sighed, handing it back for a refill.
Jason urged Cassie to join them in a shot, his big eyes glowing. He and Woody wore the same playful expression. ‘Let’s see what the new girl’s got.’
‘Come on, Cass. Bottoms up for our new beginning together. You’re one of us now.’
Cassie picked up the shot and smirked. ‘Just don’t think a little rum is going to stop me from beating you guys,’ she said as she swallowed the liquid, feeling its heat as it went down.
High-fives, fist pounding and ‘Bring it on, girl!’ filled the air as the games began.
A few hours later, Kayden called it a night after Cassie had won again. ‘That’s it, guys. She’s too good for us tonight. Get some shuteye and we’ll finish this off another night.’