Page 229 of The Protective Gryphen

As Gryphen began stripping down, Ian watched, and it was spectacular.

“So what do you have planned?” he asked. “Because tonight, I have something planned for us at sunset.”

“You’ll have to wait and see,” Ian admitted. “Dress warm after your shower.”

That made him curious.

It had to do with something outside if he needed to dress warmly. Honestly, he expected a holiday movie in bed. This was going to be interesting.

As he dropped his jeans and boxer briefs, he was erect, and Ian licked his lips as he thought about the magnificent night they’d spent together.

“What to join me?” he asked, as his erection bobbed. “I do love some shower kinkery.”

God.

Did he ever?

But then, that would ruin his surprise.

“If I join you, it’ll be a whole day of sex, and I really want to have this adventure with you. So, as difficult as this is, I’m going to keep my ass dressed.”

At his words, Gryphen just stared at him.

He hadn’t expected that.

Had he done the sex wrong last night, and now, Ian was putting space between them? His heart told him no, but his brain…

Oh, his brain told him he’d fucked this up, and he was losing Ian. That panic came, and it came hard. That darkness reared it’s ugly head out of nowhere.

“Okay,” he said, not able to say anything else.

When he walked away and went into the bathroom, Ian heard that tone, and he was worried.

Had he hurt the man’s feelings?

“Gryph?” he asked.

Instead of answering, Gryphen did battle with the demons and got into the shower. He leaned against the wall to keep his balance, and tried to talk himself down.

He was going to lose Ian. He’d crossed the line. His brain was battering him with a million doubts, and each overwhelmed him.

“Are you okay?” Ian asked.

Gryphen said nothing.

“Gryphen, look at me,” Ian said.

The man did.

When he had his focus, Ian laid down the law.

“We are not going back to this,” he said. “We had this happen back home. Don’t hide. You told me we fuck or fight it out. Talk to me. Are you okay?” he asked again.

He took a deep breath and put his faith in Ian.

The last thing he wanted was him walking out on him, and having to play ‘find the man in a foreign country’.

“I’m trying,” he admitted. “First, you wanted to sleep in and not join me, and now you turned down sex. I’m trying to not be paranoid, but that demon is screaming in my head that I fucked something up. I’m battling a panic attack.”

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