Page 241 of The Protective Gryphen

When they stopped moving, Gryphen said his name.

“Ian.”

He moved and looked at him.

“We’re safe.”

That was all he had to hear. He found his mouth with his, and kissed him stupid. The adrenaline crashed, and he was just so grateful that he had this man as his.

Yeah.

This was why he said he was his hero. He stayed calm under pressure like driving them back in a snowstorm and saving their asses on the ice.

Everyone needed a Gryphen.

EVERY.

ONE.

When the kiss was broken, he soothed him because he was shaking.

“You good, Boo?” he asked.

Ian nodded.

“I am because of you. I hope you never get tired of saving me,” he said. “Clearly, I’m a nightmare.”

Gryphen didn’t want to hear that.

“Hey. No, you’re not. This was one hell of a memory we’ve made, but if it’s okay, I’d like to do two things.”

“What?”

“The first is never ice skate again, and the second is get up. My pants are wet, and it’s cold. I’m not sure if I pissed myself, or if it’s lake water.”

That was all he had to hear. Ian got up, and he helped Gryphen to his feet. Somehow, they managed to get back to shore and to the stump. There, they took off their skates.

“Well, it’s nice to be able to walk,” Gryphen said, grinning.

Ian was quiet.

Oh, and Gryphen knew why.

“Baby, I’m good. We’re good. I’m a Marine. I’m accustomed to everything going to hell around me. I protect Elizabeth.”

That helped.

“Are you upset I planned this mess?”

He kissed him on the forehead.

“I’m thrilled you did this. We experienced it together, and that was all that mattered. Next time, let’s go to an ice-skating rink. There’s no water underneath.”

That worked for him.

“Okay, good point. Let’s go up though. I’m over the lake. In fact, I’m erasing that from our romantic Christmas movie memories.”

He winked.

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