Free How to Seduce a Gargoyle in 10 Days by Saranna DeWylde Page B

lady,” he said back to her.
    Aradia gave a pretty blush. “Pish.” She waved him off. “What about you, Slade? Don’t you like Ginger’s suit?”
    It was official. Ginger was going to die. But not until after she’d murdered Aradia.
    The gargoyle’s eyes raked over her.
    It was official, she was dead.
    “She looks very soft.”
    Soft? Did he mean fat? No, she wasn’t dead. She only wished she was.
    Aradia laughed. Yes, her humiliation was complete. She supposed she had it coming since she’d been such a turbo twat lately.
    “Soft is a good thing, isn’t it, Slade?” Aradia prompted.
    “A very good thing.” His voice was deep and smooth.
    “So, um, what’s with the extra security?” Ginger wanted desperately to change the subject.
    She positioned herself on the lounger next to Aradia’s.
    “Oh, you know. Usual political garbage. There’ve been some threats. The Chancellor was worried.”
    “Are you all right?”
    Aradia arched a brow. “I think the better question here is are you all right?”
    Ginger cringed. “I know I was a perfectly horrible beast at the tea.”
    “Just at the tea? Ging, you’ve been rather wretched for the last twenty years.”
    “I know.” Ginger sighed and perched her chin in the bowl of her hand. “Can we talk?”
    “Sure.” Aradia eyed her.
    Ginger had hoped she’d understand that she wanted to talk without the gargoyles present, but she didn’t take the hint.
    “Well?”
    “Nevermind.” Ginger sighed.
    “I know what you need.”
    “Besides a good lay?” Ginger’s eyes widened, and she turned her face further into her hand. She couldn’t believe she’d actually said that.
    Aradia laughed. “Well, yes. That’s what I was going to suggest. You need decide what you’re going to do about Gavin, but if he’s having a good time, you should be, too.”
    “I wish I could be as bold as you.” Why wouldn’t Ginger’s mouth obey her? First rule of witch society? Never, ever admit weakness.
    “So be as bold as I am. What do you want that you think you can’t have?”
    Besides Slade? Ginger was so glad that statement hadn’t actually made it to her mouth.
    “You’ve taken your life on your terms with absolutely no care for what anyone else thinks, and you’re still Aradia Shadowins—one of the most feared witches in society.”
    “That’s because my magick is more powerful than practically any other witch. If they make me angry, I’ll turn them into toads. Full on wicked witch style. So yeah, I do pretty much whatever I want.” Aradia grinned.
    “I’m divorcing Gavin,” she said quietly.
    “He was never good enough for you anyway.”
    She realized Slade was still standing there, waiting for something. Most likely Aradia’s dismissal. His appraisal still burned her skin, or maybe that was the sun. She hadn’t been out in direct sunlight like this for years. Even at the tea, it had it been magickal light and didn’t burn.
    “Aradia, can you help me with—” She wanted sunblock, not oil.
    “Slade will help you.”
    Without a word, the giant gargoyle’s shadow spread over her and his clawed hands stroked down her back covered in the oil.
    Aradia sighed as Valerian massaged more oil into her skin. “This is the life, isn’t it?”
    Ginger took a long drink of the pineapple concoction before she could say anything stupid. But it didn’t help. “I think I need a security team like yours.”
    “I think you do, too. Until you get your own, I could spare Slade for your personal guard. Say, ten days?”
    He worked his hands down her back expertly, hitting that spot where all of her tension seemed to hide. He was firm, but gentle. Obviously mindful that his powerful claws could easily pierce her skin.
    Somehow, that made her feel safe.
    “I couldn’t possibly.” What would she do with behemoth when she got him home? If it was awkward here, what would it be like when it was only them? Ginger had fired her servants and kicked Gavin out.
    “Of