Page 106 of The Protective Gryphen

He’d punch them in the face, and then beat them within an inch of their lives.

He was trying to figure out how to navigate the man’s self-loathing.

He knew it well.

He was a pro at it.

“I’m just being honest with you, Gryphen. Don’t be angry. It’s the truth.”

But it wasn’t.

“You’re sexy, Ian. I’m not attracted to men like Graham. He’s not even on my radar. He doesn’t have the things I want in a partner. You do.”

That was sweet, but the truth didn’t bother Ian. It was something he had to come to grips with, and now that he had, he’d work extra hard to show this man how lucky he felt.

“I appreciate you saying that, but I’m not buying it. I’m weak. I was attacked and I couldn’t defend myself. Look at me. I’m hiding now. Men like you don’t hide. Men like me do. The worst part was I guarded the president, and here I am, cowering. That’s not sexy.”

And that was the straw that broke the Marine’s back.

Without a word, Gryphen got up, put down his travel mug, and went back to cutting wood.

He.

Was.

Angry.

Yeah, it was clear that he was pissed, and he made the wood pay for it too.

As he cut the wood, Ian just sat there, not sure how to navigate this. So, he just let Gryphen work through it. When he wore himself out, and the anger was abated, they’d talk.

Fifteen minutes went by, and still, Gryphen said nothing.

Okay, so maybe that plan wasn’t going to work. It appeared he had to smooth this over.

“Are you going to be angry with me all day?” he asked, finally breaking the silence.

Ian wasn’t sure he was going to answer him. When he was about to give up, he did.

“Possibly.”

Oh, boy.

One-word answers.

That was never good.

“I don’t understand why you’re pissed. I’m being honest, Gryph. You’re what everyone considers a man. I’m barely passable. I’m just telling you how I view it.”

“And I’m telling you that you’re making me angry. I’d stop before I do something incredibly irrational. I’m just about there.”

Okay, this was escalating to a point that scared Ian, and he didn’t want to fight over something ridiculous.

Getting up, he moved to stand behind Gryphen, and when he stopped chopping wood, he wrapped his arms around him from behind to hold onto him.

The man was tense.

Ian apologized.

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