Page 6 of The Protective Gryphen

Gryphen waited.

“I don’t like clingy men.”

Gryphen didn’t move, and Ian saw the flash of fear in his eyes.

“That was until I nearly died, and for some reason, Mr. Carter, you became my emotional support Marine.”

“I know I’m going to lose you,” he said, putting his fork down. “Just know that I’m sorry in advance, and I tried.”

He reassured him.

“You’re not going to lose me. I can tell you’re holding back, Gryphen. There’s a man inside I want to know. You can let him out and allow me to see him.”

“And if you don’t like how stalkerish and possessive he is? Because then, the cat is out of that bag, and it’s an ugly cat with lots of issues. Meow.”

Ian touched his hand.

“Trust me. I trust you. Will you ever bash my head off a floor and rape me?”

He gasped and looked horrified.

“NO!”

Ian smiled.

“Then, I’m probably going to stick for the long haul. I happen to like wearing you on the back of me.”

Ian switched their plates so Gryphen could have the other half of his pasta, and he’d finish up the turkey.

“Probably?” Gryphen asked.

“If you show me the real you, Gryph, I’ll not be worried about what I don’t know. I can deal with your idiosyncrasies, just like you deal with mine.”

Gryphen ate some pasta.

Finally, he spoke.

“If I let him out, Ian, I can’t put him back. He’s going to want to run roughshod over you, taking care of you. He’s going to want to hold you, love you, and be a pain in your ass when it comes to personal space.”

Before the assault, that would have annoyed him. Now, after the fact, he liked Gryphen being all over him.

“So? Let him out. You don’t have to pretend with me. I’m not afraid of you.”

He considered it as he finished the pasta, and Ian the turkey.

“Okay. Ian. I’ll trust you. Marines don’t do things the easy or safe way. We tend to be out of control.”

“Please tell me you mean that for sex too.”

It caught him off guard.

Gryphen laughed.

“Yes, for sex too.”

Ian was all smiles.

“I’ll toast to that,” he said, holding up his non-alcoholic drink. “Sign me up.”

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