Page 279 of The Protective Gryphen

Gryphen kissed him on the lips softly.

“Yeah, I want to watch the sun go down with you, my love. I want to see it disappear, and know it’s the first of so many yet to come.”

That was so sweet.

Ian kissed him, and when he broke it, he stared into his eyes.

“You were silent the whole ride back,” Gryphen said. “Did I go too far?”

He reassured him.

“No, you didn’t. As far as I’m concerned, you didn’t go far enough. You’ll know when you’ve reached the line. I’ll say no.”

He stared into his eyes.

“Then, I’ll spank you. Once we sign the contracts, I won’t let you say no, Mr. Patterson. I told you. Once you let this out, I can’t put it back into the box. You fed it, and it’s bigger than both of us. This is the real me. Make sure you think about this as we ride out.”

Oh, he would.

Trust him.

Ian fanned himself.

“Jesus. Now I want to get fucked in a stable again. I’m sorry, horses.”

Gryphen was caught off guard and laughed.

“I mean, they like a show,” Gryphen said, as the one horse made neighing noises. “See?”

He snorted.

“Well, they’ll have to wait. I want to see the sunset with you. We had better hurry,” Ian said, getting nudged by the white horse. “I think she picked me.”

Well, that was good since the black one was a bigger horse, and could handle Gryphen’s weight better.

“Need help?” he asked, as he held out his hand and Ian used them to boost himself up.

He used the fence to get up on the black one.

“What are their names?” Ian asked.

He knew he’d get a kick out of this.

“You won’t believe me if I told you,” he said. “Apparently, Callen named them for when Elizabeth comes here.”

“What?” he asked.

“This is Romeo,” he said, sitting on the black horse, “and you’re on Juliet.”

He was amused.

“That fits,” he said, as Gryphen nudged the horse, and Juliet followed her mate. It was a slow walk through the snow, but Graham was right. They pretty much took the walk on their own.

“I’m at peace,” Ian admitted, holding out his hand as the two horses walked side-by-side so they could hold hands.

“Are you?” he asked.

Ian nodded.

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