Page 5 of The Protective Gryphen

Gryphen held his there.

“To your vacation,” he said.

Ian stopped him.

“To OUR romantic getaway where we get to know each other and see where this wild relationship will go.”

Gryphen’s heart skipped.

“Too forward of me?” Ian asked.

Gryphen was honest as he peeled back the plastic on the microwave food.

“I have to put this out there. I’m going to screw this up, and I’m likely going to make you want to run from me. I’m a mess,” he said.

“So you keep telling me,” Ian admitted. “Maybe let me decide if you’re a mess or not. Maybe I like a challenge.”

Gryphen stared into his eyes.

“Anything I do won’t be to hurt you. I’m just doing battle right now.”

Ian was curious.

“What are you fighting?”

His cheek twitched.

“Gryph, talk to me. I don’t want you to worry when there’s nothing to worry about.”

“I get…possessive. I’ve lost everything, Ian, so when I get something, I lock on and I will annoy the hell out of you.”

Ian began eating half of his pasta.

“Is that why your last relationship ended?”

“I texted too much. I smothered him, and I think I scared him. I come on strong. One might call it a huge red flag fest. I’m just accustomed to losing everything.”

He was curious.

“Are you going to stalk me?”

He shrugged.

“If I’m not working, likely. Don’t be shocked if you go to your office and I’m there.”

“In a kilt?” Ian asked, grinning.

It stopped Gryphen dead in his tracks.

And made him laugh.

“Likely not at the workplace. That seems like a whole other set of red flags. You know, the kinds that get you committed.”

He snorted.

Then, he sipped his apple cider.

“I’m going to be honest.”

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