Page 134 of The Protective Gryphen

“Want me to explain?” he asked.

Oh, well, that would be a good start.

“YES.”

He told him how the man calmed him down, and how he pulled him from the panic attack.

“Well, shit. Now I can’t be angry.”

“He just said I am more his type than you, and asked if I was interested.”

“And you said?”

“What do you think I said?” he asked, laughing. “Ian, come on. I have this wild man in my bed. Of course, I declined that offer.”

“And you’re telling me because?”

That was easy.

“No secrets, right? You’re my ride or die to the end of this crazy journey.”

That made him smile.

“Hell, yeah, I am, Marine.”

For the first time in his life, Gryphen knew he’d never be alone again.

His man would take on a Black Watch soldier for him. That was batshit insane, but he appreciated it.

That was love.

Crazy.

Mad.

Love.

And it was finally his.

Chapter Seven

Town

Brunch

Thursday Noon

Luckily for them, there was a quaint little bistro in the shopping district that had emptied out for the morning, proving that during the week, the Scottish ate early. That worked in their favor.

When they went in, needing some sustenance, the employees working there were more than happy to seat them.

Gryphen ordered for them, and Ian didn’t mind. He liked when the big man fed him. He ordered them both a full Scottish breakfast.

Whatever that was.

As they sat there, drinking coffee, waiting on their food, Ian ran his leg up and down Gryphen’s under the table.

“I hope you weren’t doing that on the other one first. I wouldn’t have known,” he joked.

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