Page 6 of Seduced by Moonlight (Gargoyles of San DeLain #1)

CHAPTER SIX – K AYDEN

KAYDEN SPOKE to Mika for a few minutes after they arrived back at Kayden’s house, then waved goodbye to everyone. With the front door secured, he went straight to the kitchen and grabbed an ice-cold beer.

The cool glass was refreshing against his warm palm as he twisted off the cap and took a long, satisfying gulp. He’d had dinner before they met with the gargoyles, so he wasn’t hungry.

Changing into his favorite swimming trunks, he headed toward the back patio and his hot tub, taking his beer with him. The smooth stone tiles beneath his bare feet sent a cool sensation up his spine as he stepped onto the deck.

A gentle breeze rustled through the nearby trees, carrying with it the soothing scent of pine. He activated a charm that flooded the area with cool air as he eased into the bubbling hot tub.

The jets hummed softly, creating soothing ripples that lapped gently at the sides. The tension in his muscles melted away as he closed his eyes, letting the warmth seep into every pore.

Kayden let out a deep sigh for a totally different reason this time.

Gods, those jets felt good on his back. He took another big swig of his beer. As he settled deeper into the comforting warmth, his thoughts drifted once more to the meeting with Ward and the upcoming job.

Life sure sucked sometimes.

Kayden looked human. Smelled human. If it walked like a duck and quacked like a duck, then it stood to reason it was probably a duck, right?

Wrong.

Kayden was as far from a human as a human could get and yet still be considered human. Confusing, right? Well, join the crowd, because that confusing bit of nonsense was absolutely how paranormals thought.

They were wrong, of course, but you couldn’t fix stupid.

Kayden was a teek, a term previously used as an insult but now embraced by people like him. While some would refer to Kayden as a psychic, that term encompassed a wide range of talents.

He possessed telekinetic abilities, the power to control matter with his mind. He could manipulate and move objects at will without ever having to physically touch them.

His power was both wondrous and terrifying, allowing him to bend reality to his will and defy the laws of nature. It was as if he held the universe in the palm of his hand, a master of all things physical and material.

But with such immense power came great responsibility—and every action he took had the potential to create chaos. Need a piece of fruit that was in a bowl in the kitchen? No problem, he could float it out to you. Or whack you in the balls with it at terminal velocity.

Was someone’s truck blocking you in a parking lot? Kayden had ya covered. He’d drag that sucker out of the way, no problem. Or implode it. Whatever worked.

For a sufficiently skilled practitioner, the size, weight, distance, and mass of a targeted object seldom hindered their ability to influence it.

But.

There was always a but, wasn’t there? But a practitioner must first convince their mind that the size, weight, distance, or mass of a targeted object didn’t matter.

In fact, he had “mind over matter” tattooed on the back of one hand, and the words “overcome” across his knuckles on the other. Mental state, doubts, and lack of belief in self absolutely could affect a teek’s capabilities.

Having confidence and unwavering belief in one’s skills were crucial. Teeks could lift objects ranging in size from an eraser to an airplane.

They could also manipulate liquids and dispel gaseous substances. Kayden believed a teek advised the Star Wars filmmakers on the scene where an X-wing was submerged in a swamp.

Pretty awesome, right?

Except for the fact that the paranormal community didn’t consider them paranormals. Make it make sense. He was born that way, but people like him occupied a strange gray area, labeled as nonhuman. It was confusing and frustrating. Kayden took another drink of his beer.

Fuck paranormal society and the horse they rode in on.

He wasn’t sure about other nonhumans, but the shifters on his construction team claimed he smelled just like a regular human. But unlike them, Kayden possessed the gifts of faster healing, better hearing and eyesight, a better sense of smell, and a significantly longer lifespan.

Kayden was not immortal, though. He aged but at a much slower rate. Most teeks typically lived up to one hundred and twenty years.

His unique existence often left him feeling isolated, a sentiment not unfamiliar to many who dwelled on the fringes. The paranormal community kept him at arm’s length, and human society, well, they were blissfully unaware of what lurked among them.

It was a lonely existence for someone like Kayden, who just wanted to belong somewhere. Despite this, Kayden had carved out a semblance of normalcy for himself.

His business, Lancaster Construction Company, employed a mixed crew of humans, nonhumans, and paranormals, each selected not just for their skills but also for their ability to accept differences, an essential quality needed to work for him.

They were more than just his crew. In many ways, they were family—found family. The camaraderie among them was unmistakable. They shared jokes, meals, and even personal struggles. It was within this makeshift family that Kayden felt closest to belonging.

He often found solace in that, if nothing else, he’d built a mini sanctuary where those who were either misunderstood—or miscategorized—could find acceptance and purpose.

Mutual respect and shared experiences forged the crew’s bond. They worked together seamlessly, a well-oiled machine that tackled each project with precision and care.

As the soothing waters of the hot tub eased his tense muscles, he finished his beer. His thoughts meandered to the upcoming job that Ward had outlined.

Speaking of muscles, the gargoyle king was stacked. Jesus, he had to be at least seven feet tall in his true form. Also, it just so happened that midnight blue was Kayden’s favorite color. Wouldn’t you know it?

But those piercing brown eyes of Ward’s that reflected light were also fascinating. And sexy. And those wings of his—black and leathery, with clawed digits at the tips—were mesmerizing despite their monstrous size. The thought of them wrapped around him sent a shiver up his spine.

And those leather pants were going to star in some of Kayden’s fantasies. Ward had a tail too. What kind of trouble could that get into, right?

But as good as he looked, Ward’s power was unmistakable. Kayden had sensed it as soon as he’d seen him. It had washed over Kayden like a gentle wave, warm and welcoming… and commanding.

Kayden’s own power had responded. Speaking of that, what the ever-loving hell was that electric spark that happened as soon as they shook hands? That had never happened before, but it looked as if Ward hadn’t noticed it. Good, because that was just weird.

Ward’s muscular, seven-foot-tall gargoyle form totally captivated him. He could admit that. Unable to resist the temptation any longer, Kayden reached down into his swim trunks, his fingers brushing against the growing hardness that strained against the fabric.

He gave in to the primal desires that consumed him. Pulling his cock out, he gripped himself firmly.

He tried to imagine Ward’s powerful hands on him instead of his own. He could almost feel those hands guiding his hips, exploring every inch of his body with skilled fingers and lips.

The thought sent shivers down Kayden’s spine and made his pulse race. He could almost feel the heat radiating from Ward’s skin, accompanied by the sensations of Ward’s gaze boring into him while they moved together.

A tingling sensation spread throughout his body, and Kayden’s hand moved faster, his grip tightening as he stroked himself.

In his mind’s eye, he envisioned Ward pressing up against him, their bodies slick with sweat and desire, while their lips met in a passionate kiss. He imagined tracing every sinewy muscle on Ward’s body with his tongue.

As Kayden continued pleasuring himself, he pictured Ward’s large hands gripping his ass tightly as they fucked, as Ward filled him completely, each thrust sending shudders of pleasure rippling through his entire being.

With every carnal fantasy playing out in Kayden’s mind, he felt himself getting closer to the edge. The once soothing waters of the hot tub now roiled with rising waves.

His body tensed, his grip tightening around his throbbing cock as he came. As the pleasure subsided, Kayden leaned back against the edge of the hot tub, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps.

Yet even as the physical thrill faded, loneliness tugged at his heart. What the hell had he just done? Ward, with all his imposing beauty and regal demeanor, was a fucking king.

And while Kayden might mingle and work alongside such fascinating paranormals, he knew that crossing or blurring certain boundaries would have consequences.

Plus, Ward was his client! He absolutely shouldn’t have done that. That was wrong on so many levels. If he could reach his own ass, he’d kick it. So he found the gargoyle king attractive. So what?

He was also a paying client, and Kayden refused to mix business with pleasure. He had the most to lose if things went south. Him and his crew. So while he may find the gargoyle sexy in the silvery moonlight, he was off-limits.

Off. Limits. Hear that cock? Off-limits. Period.

The sudden splash from the other end of the tub jerked him out of his musings. Opening his eyes, his gaze darted toward the source of the disturbance. For a moment, his heart raced—had something followed him home?

It turned out to be nothing more than a pine cone. He used his power to float it out of the water and tossed it into the woods. Kayden chuckled at himself for being so jumpy. Still, it might be best to stay alert since he was out there all alone in the dead of night.

As he relaxed back against the tub’s edge again, he stared up at the endless expanse of night above him. Alone. He was so alone.

Eventually, feeling drowsy from the heat and orgasm, Kayden climbed out of the hot tub. He dried off quickly in the chilly night air, deactivated the charm, and walked back inside, floating the beer bottle behind him.

He did a brief check of all the windows and doors before heading upstairs to his bedroom. Lying in bed, Kayden watched TV until the early hours of the morning before drifting off to sleep.

WHEN KAYDEN finally woke up, it was late Friday afternoon. He stretched lazily, and his thoughts drifted back to the previous night’s fantasies. A dull ache of embarrassment warmed his cheeks.

With a heavy sigh, Kayden sat up in bed and ran a hand through his tousled hair. He shook his head, trying to clear the remnants of last night’s lust and regret that still lingered in his mind.

The loud blare of his phone’s alarm sounded suddenly, serving as a harsh reminder that the world continued to spin no matter what. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, he fumbled for his phone.

There were several notifications waiting—a mix of emails from clients and updates from his crew—all demanding attention. He sent out a group email, instructing everyone to gather at his home once more. Then, he sifted through emails from clients and promptly responded to urgent ones.

After a quick shower, he dressed in dark jeans and a red shirt with his company logo. Looking at himself in the mirror, he ran a hand through his damp hair, styling it effortlessly with a few strokes.

As he walked into the kitchen, he was pleased to find the coffee maker had already brewed fresh coffee. After using his powers to fix himself a cup, he strolled into his office to tend to the emails he hadn’t answered earlier.

After an hour of work, he closed his laptop and headed to the kitchen to make a meal. Glancing at his watch, he realized his team would arrive soon.

He tidied up the kitchen and filled a thermos with coffee to take with him. While waiting for everyone to arrive, he played on his phone to pass the time.

When he finally heard his crew pull up in his drive, he grabbed his keys and wallet and headed outside. Since there were so many of them, it was pointless for everyone to take their own vehicle, so they’d carpool from here.

Kayden locked the door and walked to his truck that he’d left parked outside last night. Mika and Lance were already waiting on him. He waved at everybody, then unlocked his truck for them to get in. Lance hopped in the front and Mika got in the back.

“Good morning,” Kayden said.

“It feels weird saying good morning when the sun will set shortly,” Lance joked.

“Right?” Mika said. “I slept terribly.”

“Well, I slept like a log,” Kayden quipped as he drove down his driveway, his crew falling in behind him. “I highly recommend getting a hot tub. Seriously, I feel like a wet noodle when I get out of that thing.”

Lance snickered.

“I swear, your mind stays in the gutter,” Mika complained from the back seat.

“Says the person who knew immediately where my gutter mind went,” Lance retorted.

Kayden drove with a knee while he opened his thermos. Coffee. He needed more coffee if he was going to deal with these two. While he loved them both like brothers, they sometimes got on his nerves.

He listened to them pick on each other as they drove toward the gargoyle’s territory. Traffic was even worse than usual since it was Friday evening.

“So, since I needed to stay up last night, I headed out to Club Nomadic,” Lance said.

A chorus of groans echoed through the cab from both Kayden and Mika. Club Nomadic was well-known in San DeLain, especially among the paranormal set. Raven St. Clair, Master of the City, was the vampire who ran it. It was a pretty cool place with its creepy vampire vibe.

In fact, several of the vampires who worked there walked around in their true form. The humans thought it was all for show—that it was nothing more than a theme in a popular club. Little did they know just what lurked in there.

“I know shifters can’t get drunk on human alcohol, but I’ve heard the vamps serve stuff there that can get shifters drunk. Please tell me you are not hungover,” Kayden said, clutching the steering wheel. “Seriously, Lance.”

“Of course I’m not. I had one drink geared toward my kind and that was it. The rest of the night, I had beer. Come on, man.”

“Okay, okay. My apologies.” Kayden’s tone softened, carrying a hint of sheepishness. “I should’ve known better than to think you’d do something like that.”

“Feeling a little tense, are we?” Mika asked.

“I just don’t want there to be problems, you know?” Kayden’s brow furrowed in concern. “But that was out of line. Just because I had one shifter show up on the job hungover doesn’t mean—”

“To be fair, Glen didn’t know what he was drinking wasn’t human alcohol. So he didn’t intend to get drunk. But, you’re right, he should’ve called out,” Lance said. “But I’m no kid, Kayden. And the last thing I want is a pissed off gargoyle breathing down my neck.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” Mika said. “That whole turning you to stone thing freaks me the fuck out.”

“Yeah, well, the daemon use shadows as portals, and that’s just as freaky.” Lance shivered. “I don’t know if I could date one—don’t know if I could get past the fact that they could pop out of a shadow at any time.”

“That is scary,” Kayden admitted. “But don’t forget, the dragons can breathe fire in their human form. They’re literally a walking flamethrower.”

Lance snickered. “Vampires are pretty cool, though.”

“They drink blood,” Kayden pointed out.

“So? I’m a shifter. I don’t have a problem with blood. What do you think I have all over me when I eat a kill?”

“Unless we want to see my breakfast make a reappearance, we’re changing the subject,” Kayden said.

He honestly didn’t have a problem with the vampires either, but he’d never dated one. After all, vampires were creatures of the night, only active when darkness consumed the sky.

It was a lifestyle incompatible with his own, and he couldn’t imagine altering his entire routine just to match theirs. He knew people did, but he couldn’t fully comprehend why.

The daemons terrified him, hands down. However, he found the dragons fascinating. He was grateful for how they’d treated him and his team during their time working for Hudson.

“So, did you score last night?” Mika asked, leaning forward.

“What are you guys, twelve?” Kayden complained.

“I don’t kiss and tell,” Lance said primly. “But no. I ended up going for a run instead.”

Kayden half listened, his mind consumed with thoughts of the upcoming preliminary assessments and the chance of seeing Ward again. A knot of anticipation, mixed with a tinge of nervousness, unfurled in his stomach.

He quickly pushed it aside. No, he wouldn’t allow himself to entertain those thoughts. Nope. No way. He wasn’t doing that. Off. Limits.

The lively banter in the truck gradually faded into a peaceful silence, broken only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional sound of coffee being sipped.

Outside, the landscape rolled by in a blur of fall colors. The warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, enveloping Kayden as he prepared himself to meet Ward again.