Page 32 of The Protective Gryphen

When Ian gave the man’s ass a squeeze, he laughed.

“What?” Ian asked.

“Had someone told me two months ago that I’d be in a castle, in Scotland, having breakfast after really good sex with a man I’m stupid in love with, I’d think they were crazy.”

Oh, Ian thought the same thing.

“What are we going to do about us?” Ian asked, as he hopped up to sit on the counter to watch Gryphen do his thing.

Gryphen glanced over.

“What do you want to do?”

Ian paused.

“This is where you might get uncomfortable.”

Gryphen lifted a brow.

“Will I?”

Ian was worried about it. He recalled what happened in the apartment, and he was afraid that they’d have another fight.

“Why are you hesitating?” Gryphen asked.

“Because I’m afraid you’re going to break my heart,” Ian admitted. “I’m afraid you’re going to wake up one morning and decide that I’m not the one when I already know you’re the one for me.”

He found two plates and popped the toast into the toaster.

“Then, I’m never going to be the same again,” Ian admitted.

Gryphen stopped and stared at him.

“You realize, you could do the same to me too, right? That you could wake up when Will Jackson is over and decide that you’re not interested in some bodyguard who protects a Blackhawk. You could walk away and destroy me.”

Ian stared at him.

He was right and wrong. Ian was vested, as in he wanted to take this all the way to the end.

As in when they were both on their death beds in fifty years.

So, he put his faith in Gryphen.

“I want to find my other half, get married, and have a life. I told you I could meet you halfway, but I lied, Gryphen. I don’t want halfway. I want all the way.”

Gryphen wanted that too.

Before Ian, he didn’t give a shit.

Now, he wanted it all.

“Are you proposing to me, Mr. Patterson?” he asked, turning the bacon.

“If I asked, would you marry me?”

Gryphen had never thought about it before. Only, he was so happy in that moment, that he really wanted to hold onto it forever.

“Well?” Ian asked.

---