Page 230 of The Protective Gryphen

Oh, boy.

Never let it be said that a Marine couldn’t read the room, because this one picked up on subtle things that were off.

“It’s telling me you saw the real me, and you hated him. Now, you’re leaving. I’m trying to breathe through it,” he admitted.

Okay, well, at least they were communicating.

“Gryphen, I swear that’s not what is happening. I just worked hard on this surprise, and I REALLY want to do it with you.”

Gryphen listened.

“Trust me when I say that I love sex with you, but I am about to make a memory for us. That matters too. You’re more than someone I fuck. You’re my partner and deserve to feel special. I’m trying to do something romantic. I need you to trust me. If I didn’t work hard on this, we’d be naked in bed.”

He stared into his eyes, seeking the truth.

“I didn’t fuck it up?” he asked.

Ian reached out and squeezed his hand.

“No. You did everything right.”

There were times when Gryphen needed that reassurance, and this was one of those times.

“Promise me you’re not pulling away because I’m too clingy and overbearing?”

Someone damaged this man’s heart, and for that, Ian wanted to protect him even more.

He moved closer, still holding his hand.

“Gryph, I love you like that. I never want that to change.”

To prove it, he took his hand, and placed it over his dick.

“I’m hard, and you can’t fake that. I want to be in this shower with you, but when you see the adventure, you’ll understand. You have to trust me just like I trust that you’ve planned something romantic too.”

At his explanation, he relaxed.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. I get…”

He stopped him.

“Baby,” he said, calling him that to ground him. “It’s okay. You didn’t go to a dark place and lash out. You told me, and we worked our way through it. You did good. That’s how it’s supposed to be. You told me your concern, and I reassured you. If you want, tomorrow, we can spend the whole day in bed fucking like wild animals.”

He lifted his brow.

“The whole day?”

He was going to propose later if the ring was ready, so that was his plan,

Plus, once he saw the tattoo…

“Yes. All day. You. Me. Cum. In bed.”

Gryphen felt better and that darkness was pushed back down, where he could keep it caged up.

“Deal. I’ll hold you to it.”

Ian was good with that. They’d averted a battle.

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