Page 115 of The Protective Gryphen

“And the right side of the road. I miss that too.”

He laughed.

Oh, he understood that.

Elizabeth Blachawk rolled around in a big, black Navigator tricked-out with all the bells and whistles. She didn’t go anywhere in anything smaller while working. Even Callen had a big truck. The only exception was when she was in Ethan’s or Takoda’s Mustangs.

This little car was an adjustment, especially for two men who were six feet tall, and halfway to seven feet.

“We’ll adjust. You’ll be able to stretch your legs as we walk around.”

That he would.

“Thank you for spending the day with me,” Gryphen said. “I am having an amazing time.”

Oh, he was too.

As they pulled into the quaint town, there were still remnants of the holidays all around. There were lights in the windows, some trees sparkling, and Ian was in his glory.

This weekend was New Year’s Eve.

It was so pretty here with the cobblestone streets and the snow on the ground. He couldn’t wait to ring in the new year with Gryphen.

At midnight, he knew who he’d be kissing.

“You’re happy,” Gryphen said, parking the vehicle in a parking spot not far from the shops.

“I am,” he admitted. “I never thought that after Will Jackson nearly killed me and raped me that I’d have this peace. You told me I would, and I do now. I’m alive again.”

This was exactly why he was glad it happened to him. Ian had found his joy, and it was in a six-foot-six Marine.

Because he loved seeing him filled with so much happiness, Gryphen then lifted his chin to kiss him. It was soft, gentle, and filled with love.

When he broke the kiss, he stared into his eyes.

“You deserve it.”

He did.

He really did.

Now, it was time to unleash Ian on the town, and he was sure it was going to be a good time.

“Shall we get a snack before we do some shopping?” Gryphen asked. “We’ll have breakfast or brunch in a bit. I can’t kilt shop on a full stomach. I’ll be bloaty.”

He snorted.

This man was funny.

“My dude, there’s not an ounce of fat on you. You’re all muscle. You chopped all the wood. You burned like twenty thousand calories. There’s nothing to bloat.”

He grinned.

“And the fucking. Don’t forget the fucking. I got my thrusting workout in.”

He was ridiculous.

“Uh, how could I? You came in me about five times. We’re going to talk about how that is possible,” he said. “Because your longevity is spectacular.”

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