Page 39 of The Protective Gryphen

As he watched Ian, he wanted to tell him that was useless. They were going to mess it up again shortly when they fell into bed.

Since waking up, Gryphen wanted so much.

He wanted all this man could give him, and he wanted to give it back.

“I’m ready,” Ian said, pulling a hoodie on over Gryphen’s way-too-big t-shirt after he straightened up the bed.

“Then, let’s go explore,” he offered.

Holding out his hand, Ian took it, and together, they walked down the stone stairs and into the kitchen. There was a door in the castle kitchen, and Gryphen wanted to see where it went.

He needed to learn the lay of the land in case an emergency came up and they had to hide or move.

Was it extreme?

Yes.

Could he help himself?

No.

“This is so exciting,” Ian admitted.

As they walked through the door, they found the garage. Inside, like they’d been told, there were some vehicles for them to use while they stayed there.

Graham hadn’t been wrong about that.

Just through the massive stone garage, there was another door that led to the outside of the castle.

If his bearings were right, it led to the back of this stone monstrosity.

When they went through it, and he’d been right, Ian stared in amazement.

Why?

Well, because there was a courtyard with a fountain, and what looked like a small maze of shrubs. The snow kissed them, and the whole place looked magical.

God.

This place was ridiculous. The more they saw, the more it felt like a dream.

“You don’t see that every day,” Gryphen admitted, staring at the mini maze of shrubbery and the fountain in the middle of the courtyard.

He wasn’t wrong.

“I need to know more about this place,” Ian said. “That statue looks old, and this place has to have some history.”

Gryphen figured as much.

A smart man like Ian? He’d be curious to learn about everything he encountered, and honestly, that was sexy in a partner.

He thought back to earlier when they arrived.

“Graham said there was information in the library, so we can dig around there later or tomorrow. We can do some research if you want.”

Oh, he did.

That definitely worked for him.

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