Page 105 of Seduced By Moonlight

Whoever the author was, they had a great sense of humor. Taking the book with him, he found an armchair and got comfortable. He was about halfway through when every nerve in his body came alive.

“Getting lost in a book?” Ward inquired as he leaned against the library’s entrance.

“Something like that.” What was it about that voice of Ward’s? It was so deep and gravelly. Kayden held up the little book. “This is amusing.”

Ward laughed at the title. “Interesting choice.”

“It caught my attention because I wanted to talk to you about something.” Kayden quickly filled Ward in about doing handyman jobs around the castle.

“That would certainly work. Definitely lots of small jobs that need to be done around here. Yes, I think that would be an excellent idea. Mika and Lance get a paycheck, and I don’t have to bully Tank into doing the minor repairs.”

“So you live in a castle… what now?” Kayden echoed the title of the book with a smirk.

“What now indeed?” Ward crossed the room to Kayden’s side, then settled onto the arm of his chair. “Why do I feel you’re about to rope Lance and Mika into all kinds of projects?”

“They hate sitting around.” Kayden leaned into Ward’s comfortingly solid form. “They’ve got bills to pay like everybody else and need a paycheck.”

“It’s for their safety that they’re saying here. I would’ve willingly paid their bills, you know.” Ward brushed his fingers through Kayden’s hair.

It was an impulsive but tender gesture that made Kayden shiver.

“I can’t see either of them accepting that kind of handout,” Kayden said, unable to keep the affection out of his voice.

“You care about your friends, your workers. I like who you are,” Ward replied.

Kayden tilted his head back. “Well, what do you know? I like who you are too. I appreciate the offer, but they wouldn’t take it. But thank you for caring.”

While they remained cozily side by side, feeling at ease, time drifted by until Kayden’s stomach rumbled loudly enough to make Ward arch an amused eyebrow.

“Lunchtime already?” Kayden asked.

“It appears so. Do you want to do the tour before or after you eat?”

“I’m starving, so let’s do it after.”

AFTER LUNCH, Ward showed off his castle.

Kayden followed, charmed by his enthusiasm. “Let me guess,” he said, eyeing the winding corridors and tall ceilings. “At least half of these rooms have secret trap doors.”

“Not quite half. But enough to keep things interesting.”

Kayden followed Ward to what could only be the grand ballroom. Its floor was an expanse of polished marble, and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.

“This is magnificent,” Kayden mused, taking in the enormous space.

“It has a certain flair, doesn’t it?”

“And what—no surprise cellars or collapsing floors? No ‘squeaky’ portcullises and ‘unruly’ moats?”

“Not in this pristine corner of the kingdom,” Ward replied with a grin. “Just excessive opulence. Although there was once a moat. It was more hassle than it was worth.”

“It’s incredible, Ward. Really.”

They continued through the castle, and Kayden delighted in every reveal. Ward opened a hidden panel to expose a narrow, spiraling staircase. It led to a glass dome observatory, its views breathtaking.

“The best place to watch the stars,” Ward said softly, gaze not leaving Kayden’s expression.

The castle was like Ward himself: full of surprises and warmth and history—strong yet welcoming.

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