Page 85 of Seduced By Moonlight

But there was respect there. Even he recognized that, despite his lack of knowledge about the influential figures in San DeLain. He wasn’t part of those social circles, but damn. He glanced at Ward. If he was considering a relationship with the gargoyle, he was about to become part of them.

And woo wee, was he ever outclassed.

Raven and the other two vampires wore what Kayden could only describe as Victorian goth. It was very cool, but being that buttoned up would drive Kayden straight up a wall.

Give him a pair of broken-in jeans, a comfortable T-shirt, work boots, and he was good to go.

Though there was a certain appeal to dressing up. But Ward and his gargoyles in their human form seemed to prefer comfort. Kayden would describe it as business casual—slacks, neat shirts, and dress shoes.

But what was really throwing him was Ward’s human façade. Not that he wasn’t sexy as a human. He was. Most definitely. Absolutely. His luscious brown hair cascaded down to graze the tops of his shoulders—shoulders that appeared much slenderer and more delicate in this form.

And, okay, his neatly tucked-in dress shirt accentuated a trim waistline, a stark contrast to the more robust form Kayden had grown accustomed to seeing.

The dark pants clung to his sculpted thighs, showcasing their definition with each step, unlike the tree trunks Kayden was used to. He kind of missed the grand, powerful wings that unfurled with majestic grace, casting expansive shadows.

And the horns that spiraled elegantly above Ward’s head, adding an air of mystique and authority. Then there was that incredibly long tail, slithering around like it had a life of its own, its movements unpredictable and captivating.

Not to mention that Ward, in his true form, was an imposing presence that loomed over him. Kayden had no idea he was into looming. Go figure.

But yeah, whatever secrets Raven was guarding, Kayden wanted no part of it.

Ward read whatever was on that piece of paper and then handed it right back to Raven. No emotion crossed Ward’s face either, giving nothing away to what he was thinking.

“Do you understand now?” Raven asked.

“I do. I’ll pass the information on to Rihanna and then never speak of it again.”

“Thank you. Felix will escort you back to your vehicles. Your coolers are waiting for you there. If you need anything else, anything at all, even if it doesn’t have to do with Rihanna, please reach out. I mean that, Ward.”

“I will. Please do the same, Raven.”

They shook hands, and Kayden couldn’t help but think about the first time he’d offered Ward his hand. So maybe it wasn’t as unusual as he’d thought.

“Have a safe journey back,” Raven said.

The return trip to the SUVs was mostly silent. Just as Raven had mentioned, the coolers were ready for them upon arrival. As soon as they stepped out of the building, Kayden swore he heard a crow or something calling. Which was just weird. Didn’t birds sleep at night?

They packed everything up. Tank drove and Scarlett sat up front. Seemingly lost in thought, Ward gazed out the window with a contemplative expression. Kayden wanted to ask if he was okay, but he didn’t know if whatever was on his mind had to do with that meeting or something else.

Towering trees cast dense shadows along the road back to Ward’s territory, and the headlights of their SUV cut through the settling fog.

Since Ward didn’t seem interested in having a conversation, Kayden’s mind turned to his feelings for the male sitting next to him. His heart had always been simple and straightforward.

Love something? Chase it. Afraid of something? Face it. Yet now, sitting beside Ward, it was as if he were trying to find his way through a maze with no guidance.

Ward finally broke the silence. “You’re awfully quiet. Is everything okay?”

“Funny, I was thinking of asking you the same thing,” Kayden admitted, turning to look at him. “I was just thinking about that meeting. That was heavy. I’m not sure my friends and I should’ve even been there.”

“You and your friends are under my protection. I wasn’t going to abandon you in the SUVs. I don’t care how capable the vampires think they are.”

Ward sighed, his gaze returning to the passing scenery.

“Certain actions carry significant consequences—ones that may extend far beyond our immediate surroundings. That meeting was a prime example of that,” Ward said.

“I’ll be honest with you. I’m glad I’m not in a position of power,” Kayden replied.

Ward glanced at Kayden. “Oh, I don’t know. In a way, you kind of are. You are the leader of your construction crews.”

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