Page 129 of The Protective Gryphen

Like he’d told him.

He gave him purpose.

“Yes, he does. He’s my world.”

Now that he was calm, Gryphen felt bad that he’d ruined the kilt experience. Ian had been looking forward to it all day. He should have fought harder through that panic attack, or he should have kept his guard up.

Once more, his broken world cut and hurt someone else.

“Then can I suggest something?”

He nodded, his eyes never leaving Ian so that he could make sure no one went at him or hurt him.

“Let him be that way of getting through it, Gryphen. He seems to be a smart man, and he picked you. Clearly, you aren’t the mess that you believe yourself to be. You’re his treasure.”

That was the truth.

He knew what Ian felt for him was nothing but absolute love and adoration.

Now, he needed to make up for how he’d wrecked an important moment for the man.

“I need a favor, and I don’t deserve one, since I’ve been scowling at you like you were going to steal him away.”

He laughed.

“What? I never noticed.”

Gryphen patted him on the back.

“You suck at lying.”

Oh, he was aware.

“Okay, so maybe I noticed you shooting me daggers for being within twenty feet of your man. You don’t need to worry. I don’t cheat or break up couples, and for the record, I’m more likely to try to steal you away instead. Interested?”

He didn’t even flinch.

“While flattering, he’s my heart. There will never be anyone but him. He’s the center of my world.”

Yeah, Graham thought so.

“Well, Laddie, I tried. Anyway, what’s the favor?” he asked.

Gryphen needed to go big.

He needed to go so big that it made up for taking that moment from Ian.

“Can you prepare a romantic dinner tonight? I know I told you that I’d cook for him, but I want to redo the kilts experience. Now, he’ll always think of this when he sees it. I need to change that.”

“I can do that.”

“Thank you. Tonight, I’ll wear mine, so I can have that moment with him that he deserved.”

“Do you want to leave the menu to me? I can serve it in the formal dining room, and you can surprise him.”

That worked.

“I’ll need a distraction tonight to put some space between us so I can sneak away and get into my kilt. Can you distract him?”

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