Page 162 of The Protective Gryphen

“Sorry, Graham. You know how it is. The heart loves who it loves.”

Wasn’t that the truth?

There was no doubt the man was smitten. As long as Ian wasn’t bothered by him checking out his ass and thinking impure thoughts, it didn’t bother Gryphen. He was happily entangled with a man he loved.

“Did you find anything at the church?” he asked. “You know, during your research?”

He paused.

“Uh, how did you know we went to the church to do research?” he asked.

Graham clued him in.

“The whole town was talking about the Americans doing research on the castle. Word has spread. Alfie has a big yap.”

Clearly.

Since he knew, he shared.

“Yeah, Duncan asked Ceit for a divorce before the baby was born, and then, Ceit died in March of fifteen ninety-four. I can tell you that Ian will not stop until he finds out what happened to her.”

“During childbirth?” he asked.

“We don’t know. We know there was a son, so…we have to figure out why he divorced her and what happened to Ceit. Ian won’t let it go until he does.”

“I can’t say I blame him,” he said, pouring feed into the stalls, and putting on the heaters so the animals would stay warm.

“As a heads-up, Graham, I told Ian you came onto me, asking me if I was interested.”

He grinned. Oh, he’d gotten the threat in the text message, but he couldn’t tell him that. So, he played along.

“Do I need to sleep with one eye open?” he asked.

Gryphen laughed.

“Probably. I told him because I wanted him to know that we’re good. I shared how you helped me through the panic attack.”

He let him talk.

“If you ever need anything, Graham, I’m here for you. I’d like to say that when I came here, I went home with a new friend.”

The tides had changed.

“I’d like that too, Gryphen. I’m very happy for both of you. Ian’s a lucky man, and you are too. I’d also like to be upfront and honest.”

He lifted a brow.

“It’s not stealing a man if I only think about it, is it?”

He laughed.

“Absolutely not. Before Ian showed any interest in me, I had plenty of thoughts about him. Your mind kink is your business.”

They shook hands.

“I appreciate that,” he said.

Gryphen needed another favor.

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