Page 120 of The Protective Gryphen

That worked for Ian.

If the luck the man was talking about was the same lucky that he’d just gotten in the stable…

Sign.

Him.

Up.

Heading there, Gryphen pulled two American coins out of his pocket, and handed one to his mate.

“So they know who was here,” he said, winking at him. “Make a wish, Ian.”

Oh, he knew what he was going to wish for. There could only be one thing.

He wanted a lifetime with this man.

Ian wanted to wake up with him, go to bed with him, and love him until the day they were parted by death. Then, he wanted to find him in the afterlife and love him for all eternity.

Closing his eyes, he sent that off to the universe and tossed the coin. He was able to catch Gryphen doing the same thing.

When their coins sank to the bottom, with the countless others, Ian caught a familiar face out of the corner of his eye.

It was Graham, going into the jeweler there.

Shit.

Grabbing Gryphen by the front of the peacoat, he pulled him to him, and planted one on his mouth. He kissed him like his whole plan to surprise propose counted on it.

Because it did.

As their tongues tangled, Gryphen moaned in pleasure as he was kissed senseless.

When he was set free, he stared at Ian.

“Well, my wish came true. Now, let’s find a place to get naked, and I can call it a day.”

Ian laughed.

“Absolutely not. Cold and balls don’t mix. Your wish will come true when we get back to the castle. Then we get naked.”

That made the Marine smile.

“I love you,” he said, realizing he wasn’t having to force it. The words came naturally, and more importantly, he meant them.

Gryphen meant them with his whole heart.

“And I love you, Gryph. Forever.”

For the first time in his life, he believed someone would love him forever.

They spent the next minute just staring into each other’s eyes as people walked around them.

“It’s like your holiday movies,” he admitted. “Only, without the fighting, arguing, or someone’s bakery going out of business.”

He snorted.

“Most of the time, it’s an inn.”

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