The Protective Gryphen: The Ravensmire Chronicles

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Friday Morning

Three A.M

Master’s Suite

While he didn’t know the time, Ian knew one thing. Gryphen was out cold. Finally, after countless rounds of really incredible sex, it seemed that the man was worn down.

Oh, and it took a lot.

They’d come back up to the room, and Ian had not even cared that Graham had seen him naked, hanging over Gryphen’s shoulder.

In fact, it just made the lovemaking hotter. The idea that the man knew without a shadow of a doubt that Ian was his to control, turned them both on.

They had been wild, out of control, and uninhibited. They were able to just be free, and the sex was off the charts because of it.

When the man tied him down to work him up, he fought, and while he thought it would scare him due to what happened to him, it didn’t.

He felt safer.

Ian got to see how Gryphen reacted, and in that moment, he realized he was in control. Gryphen was feeding off his energy, and the more he put out, the more the man reciprocated.

And it was true.

They came through that door and there was no going back.

The master of the manor had painted his body with cum, staking his claim, again and again,

Both he and Gryphen had gotten off countless more times as he fucked him, calling him his property.

God.

He wanted to be that.

Oh, Ian craved that more than anything. Belonging to the man gave him such a sense of security. That safety was necessary for him, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was forged in the rape that happened to him.

He’d forever need Gryphen to keep him safe. Without him, he wouldn’t survive.

He wanted to belong to Gryphen, and only Gryphen. Ian knew that for a fact. The man knew how to master his body, and bring out a part of him that he never knew existed.

Now, he understood.

The Blackhawks swung wild, using a sex den, and he got it. They had fun, and they were honest about what they needed during sex, and each one shared their kink.

Ian’s wasn’t so much to be dominated, as much as treated like Gryphen owned all of him.

He needed to be on his knees for Gryphen.

He needed to take his dick, as many times as the man craved.

He needed to be his sex slave because that’s where the power was for him. After what Will Jackson took from him during a rape, Gryphen gave him back, during sex.

After finding his way through it, he was at peace.

Bound to the bed, Gryphen did countless things to his body that he’d never experienced before. He showed him what it was like to be open.

And now, the new Ian couldn’t be put back in the old Ian box. He’d grown too much to fit.

Gryphen kept pushing him, and he loved it.

He’d punished him for daring to let another man see him naked, even though he had no choice.

By punishment, he made him service his dick with his mouth, and Ian gave him the longest blowjob ever.

Then, because he felt he deserved more punishment, he made him ride him until he couldn’t anymore. He made him take his dick that way until his thighs quivered from the sheer amount of exercise it took to get him off.

The punishments kept coming, and Ian didn’t say no to anything. When he dragged him into the shower, and fucked him there, making him brace his hands on the wall for a spanking and fucking…

He’d cum so hard he nearly fell.

Then, as a reward, Gryphen carried him back to bed so that they could sleep.

Now, he missed the feeling of his truly magnificent cock in his ass. If he knew the man wasn’t exhausted, he would have saddled up and used his dick to get off, setting them off all over again.

It proved one thing.

He had all the power.

Yeah, someone was going to die if they kept this up. Oh, but what a way to go.

Gryphen had changed him—for the better.

It appeared that when you found your person, you found yourself trapped between a hot Marine and Nymphomania.

And he loved it.

As for the man he loved more than his own life, Gryphen was on his back, and the soft rise and falls of his chest told him he wasn’t having any dreams. It appeared they wore his fears out. The wine didn’t take him back to a place that broke him.

Ian liked to believe that he anchored him to the here and now with his love.

Gryphen was nightmare free.

All it seemed to take if they drank was to make sure they fornicated like wild animals. Well, that was a sacrifice he’d make.

Any.

Damn.

Day.

As he was enthralled with watching his man, that’s when he heard the noise.

Ian didn’t move.

Holy shit.

Was he really hearing it? Someone was singing in the hallway outside of their bedroom.

For a brief moment, he thought to wake Gryphen, but then, decided to let him sleep. He’d earned it. The man had to have cum at least ten times, most of them in his ass.

Or mouth.

Instead, he’d investigate on his own. With Gryphen out cold, he’d be able to go and get back without him knowing he was gone.

If it was the ghost, he wanted to see if maybe she was trying to tell them something.

IFit was a ghost.

He wasn’t one hundred percent sure he believed that it even existed. He’d yet to see Ceit, and seeing was believing.

Right?

Slipping from bed, he pulled on a t-shirt and jeans. Then, he slipped into his shoes.

Looking back, Gryphen was still asleep, and none the wiser. Yes, he told him to stay right where he could see him, but he’d be right back.

There was no way he could miss this opportunity.

Following Ceit was necessary.

As he opened the door, he was grateful it didn’t make any sound, or it would have woken the sleeping Gryphen. As he listened to the soft melodious singing, that’s when he saw her.

HOLY SHIT.

And there she was in all of her glory.

She was translucent, but he could still make out most of her. She had dark hair, and her eyes were icy blue. The minute she realized he saw her, she focused on him.

He couldn’t believe this.

Ian wanted to get Gryphen, but he knew if he looked away, she’d be gone.

When neither of them moved, he swore he felt the hallway go cold.

He could see his breath just like when they’d been down in the crypt.

Keeping his voice low, he spoke to her.

“What do you need, Ceit? Show me what you need,” he said, his voice barely over a whisper.

She looked back at him, and waved her hands, like she was trying to get him to follow.

Well, it looked like he was following a ghost through a castle at three in the morning.

The witching hour.

This was either the dumbest thing he’d ever do, or he was going to have one hell of a story as he got old.

Tracking her through the silent rooms, at a safe distance, he saw her heading to the part of the castle that wasn’t under construction. It was still in the state it had been when Callen and Chris had bought it.

As she turned, she touched her lips with her finger, and then turned to make her way further down the hall.

Oh, he wished he brought his phone or something to light the way. There was only that one bulb, and it gave off almost no light.

This was definitely dumb.

Really.

Really.

Dumb.

Ian, for some reason, thought to reason with her.

“Ceit, where are you? Your body isn’t in the crypt,” he said.

She moved closer to him, and he gasped as she appeared right in front of him.

“Bring me home,” she said, her voice soft and melodious. It was thick with a Gaelic accent. “Please bring me home. I can’t rest until I’m back in my home.”

Then, as quickly as she moved toward him, she was back in the original spot.

When she turned, Ceit pointed toward a room, and with some laughter, she was gone.

Holy shit.

Did he just talk to a ghost?

Where the hell did she go?

Looking around, he saw the door near where she’d been pointing, and slowly, he pushed it open and walked in. The only light was from the window, and it danced shadows across everything in there.

That’s when he saw the paintings.

It appeared he was in a storage room of sorts. All around him, various pieces of art were left out.

Out of curiosity, Ian checked them out. They were oil on canvas, and incredibly old.

Callen and Chris must have had them taken down when construction started to keep them safe from being damaged.

He hoped they’d be going back up when the castle was fully restored.

Moving closer, he reached for one that was of a man and young boy. It looked chipped like the oil painting was coming off from being so old.

Turning it around, Ian noticed the back. The paper backing was torn, and he could see something inside.

There was her soft melodious laughter all around him, as he could feel her urging him on.

“How is this supposed to bring you home?” he asked. “What is it that you want me to find, Ceit?” he whispered, sticking his fingers into the back of the frame.

At first, there was nothing, but then, he could feel it.

Just as he was about to pull it out, he was grabbed from behind, and pulled into the firm, hardness of a chest.

He yelped.

“Why did you leave my bed, Ian?” Gryphen asked, holding him trapped to his body.

He was turned around, and Gryphen found his mouth with his.

The kiss was possessive, demanding, and left nothing to the imagination.

Wrapping his arms around his neck, he let Gryphen control the kiss. When he finally broke it, he could see his eyes in the moonlight, and he wasn’t angry.

He looked relieved.

“I really don’t like waking up without you beside me, Ian. Do we have to have this discussion again?”

They heard crying.

The sound was full of pain, and Ian didn’t get it. She’d been laughing seconds ago.

“Oh, Jesus.” Gryphen said. “I’m asleep. I’m asleep,” he said over and over again.

Ian had bad news for him.

“You’re wide awake, and so am I. She’s why I’m up. I heard her,” he said. “I was lying beside you, watching you sleep, and I heard her singing. She was happy, and now, she’s not. I don’t know what changed to make her sad.”

He held him.

When he woke, finding him gone, he didn’t panic. He didn’t freak out. Truth be told, after their evening of sex and lovemaking, and Ian’s declaration of what he wanted, Gryphen felt secure.

There was no longer that fear he’d lose him, since Ian told him he needed him to be free. That bound them together, as they found what they both needed.

Gryphen had someone who craved and needed him, and Ian had someone who brought out all the things he’d hidden about himself.

“You could have woken me up, Baby,” he offered. “I would have come with you despite hating the fact that I’m hearing a ghost.”

“She told me to bring her home, Gryph. She’s lost and she wants to come home.”

He stared at him in the moonlight.

“She told you?”

He nodded.

“I asked her what she wanted, and she told me to come home. Then, she pointed at this room, and I was compelled to come in. Did you really want to chase ghosts in the night with me?”

Absolutely not.

“Of course, Baby,” he said, lying his ass off because if your sexy bedmate wanted to chase ghosts, you chased the goddamn ghosts.

Those were the rules of a relationship.

At his words, they made Ian fall for him all over again. So, he rested his head on his shoulder.

“Oh, Gryphen,” he said, enjoying how strong he was. “I appreciate that. You got quite the workout. I wanted you to sleep. I need you recharged,” he said.

Gryphen smiled.

“For anything in particular?” he asked.

He grinned wickedly.

Oh, he had some ideas.

“What do you think, my Lord?” he asked, enjoying the way the man looked in the moonlight.

He was dashing, rakish, and so handsome.

“Well, then, we can go back to bed…”

He stopped him.

“I can’t. She led me here. There’s something she wants me to find. There are all these paintings in here. There’s only one with people. The rest are all nature scenes, so I think it’s this one.”

Well, then, it looked like they were going to be finding it, because wickedly hot sex-slave Ian was now investigator Ian.

“Do you need my help?” he asked. “Show me the painting.”

Pulling out his phone, he turned on the flashlight, and Ian moved the large painting. It had a very old frame, and looked valuable.

He let the light hit it.

“It’s a dude and a kid. Do you think maybe that’s Duncan and his son?”

There was more sounds of crying in the room, and it got even colder.

“Well, that answered the question,” he said, turning it around. “The paper is torn, and I felt like there’s something in here. I felt it with my fingers, but I didn’t think to bring a light.”

Gryphen shook his head.

“Nancy Drew, you came ghost chasing in a haunted castle without a light? Are you loco?”

He found him amusing because he was right.

“Probably. Let’s see if we can…”

He didn’t get to say anything else. Gryphen pulled a knife out of his pocket, flipped it open, and then cut down the side of the paper, making the opening bigger.

“There you go.”

“Bess, you’re handy,” he joked.

Gryphen pointed.

“Let’s get whatever it is, and get out of here. This place gives me the creeps.”

Oddly, he wasn’t afraid. He felt a connection to Ceit, and he didn’t understand it.

He was invested in this for some reason.

“She’s pretty,” Ian said. “I saw her, and she’s got pale blue eyes and all this dark hair. She looked sad. Maybe someone killed her.”

There was more crying.

Gryphen looked around.

“Oh, Jesus.”

“Ceit, were you killed?” Ian asked, trying to communicate with her.

At first, there was nothing, but then, out of the blue, a painting fell over not far away.

Gryphen actually jumped.

You know it had to be freaking scary when a war-hardened Marine jumped in a room.

“Well, that tells us that. She was killed,” Ian said.

That told Gryphen only one thing. He wanted out of there.

“Get whatever that is, and let’s get our asses moving. I’m about to toss you over my shoulder and carry you out of here, Ian. Test me.”

He got it.

“I think I have it,” he said, fishing around in the paper backing with two fingers.

When he pulled it out, and turned around, he caught Gryphen checking out his ass.

“You can’t possibly be thinking about sex,” he said. “You were just scared by the ghost.”

He laughed.

“Want to bet?” Gryphen asked. “Last night, was the hottest night of sex I’ve ever had. You better bet I’m going to dwell on it. As long as the ghost doesn’t get touchy-feely and you do, I’m good.”

He smiled.

“It was pretty stellar.”

If he wanted to get the man back to bed, he needed to get this over with. He didn’t like ghost hunting. It gave him the willies.

Yes, he was a Marine, but still.

It felt all kinds of wrong.

“What did you find?” Gryphen asked.

Honestly, he felt like someone was breathing on the back of his neck, and this time, it wasn’t Gryphen. Only, if he told him that, they were running for it.

“Let’s go out in the hall, and get back to the lit part of the castle.”

That worked for him.

Ian rested the painting back on the pile it was on, and fixed the one that had fallen over. Then, they headed back up toward the renovated rooms. Once there, they saw the true mess they’d made in the dining room.

Jesus.

“I am totally cleaning this up when the sun comes up. I’m a messy eater,” he said, grinning at Ian, and looking at his crotch.

It made him laugh.

“I’m aware. I was the main course,” he said, loving every second of it.

Who was he kidding?

“The note, Mr. Patterson,” he stated. “Then, we can go back to bed.”

Ian carefully opened it, and he already knew what it would be.

Duncan’s name was on the front, and Ceit had signed it.

Together, they stared at the old paper and read it.

‘My once dearest Duncan,

You have sent word that you are returning to YOUR home, Ravensmire. You have also asked that I take leave, so your new love can make this castle a home.

So I will leave, but not how you want.

Take care of our son, Callum, and one day, tell him how you were married to his mother, and laid with another. Tell him that you kicked me out of our home because of a friendship that went too far.

Had I left, I couldn’t provide the life that Callum deserved, so you shall have to do it. Bury me in the crypt because I deserve at least that. Find it in your cold, dead heart to fight your new love’s decision to place me as far from my home and son.

Until then, know that I curse your bloodline to always have to wade through the blood of the dead. To see them wherever you go in battle and life. Your house shall be cursed until the end of time. You killed me, Duncan. I just did the deed.

No longer yours in life or death,

Ceit.’

Gryphen whistled.

“So she committed suicide?” he asked. “When you asked her if she was killed, she knocked the painting over.”

He pointed at the words.

You killed me, Duncan. I just did the deed.

“I think that’s what she meant. He made her do it. Her heart was so broken that she couldn’t leave. What was a single woman to do with a child in fifteen ninety-four? She’d be disgraced especially if it was an arranged marriage.”

Gryphen didn’t understand that.

“Why didn’t she just go home?”

“Because she was a woman and given to Duncan’s family. She no longer belonged with her family. She was his property.”

He thought about it.

“I feel bad for her.”

Ian did too.

“That’s why she likely haunts this place. She wanted to be buried in the crypt, and she isn’t. How much do you want to bet the new hussy that he brought back had her dumped elsewhere?”

He wasn’t taking that bet.

“Apparently, they didn’t really love each other. I couldn’t do you dirty like that, Ian.”

He agreed.

“Me either, Gryph. Me either.”

“Well, we solved the mystery,” Gryphen said.

Ian went over what they knew.

“She took her own life, the hussy didn’t put her where she needed to be, and instead, she’s far from here and her son. We have to find her.”

Oh, he stared at him and didn’t like where this was heading.

“Nope. We don’t have to do that,” Gryphen said.

When the dining room door slammed, and no one was there, both men jumped.

Ian pointed.

“What were you saying?”

“Apparently, we do,” he said. “Well, now, I’m creeped out.”

Ian reassured him.

“We found out she had a son for him, and that she killed herself, but we have to finish this. She won’t be at peace until we do.”

He knew where this was heading.

“Please tell me you’re not going to make me find her grave, dig her up, and put her in the crypt.”

He stared at him like he was insane.

“Uh, no. We’re going to find her and dump this in Callen’s lap because he bought a haunted castle with Chris, and they need to clean this shit up before Elizabeth gets here and loses her nut.”

Well, he liked that idea.

“And you really want to figure this out?”

He nodded.

“Don’t you?”

Gryphen almost said no, but then, he realized that Ian really was having a good time, and he wasn’t thinking about Will, or what was going on back in DC.

“I do, but during daylight hours. Can we at least handle this when the sun is out, and the ghosts are not?”

That seemed fair.

“Well, as a heads-up, Gryph, I have something fun planned for us later.”

He stared at him.

“Uh, I have something planned too,” Gryphen said.

That made him laugh.

“Well, then I guess we have a really busy day ahead of us,” Ian admitted.

He grinned.

“Well, then, how about we go to bed?” he asked, taking his hand, and walking him back toward the kitchen. Once there, Ian stopped remembering that he’d forgotten to put the paper in the journal with the others.

“Can you go up to bed? I’ll be right up.”

Gryphen lifted a brow.

Yeah, he didn’t like the sound of this. He really hoped his man wasn’t going to play games with ghosts.

“Where are you going, Nancy?” he asked.

Ian laughed.

“Relax, Bess. I need to put this in the journal in the library. I forgot that I can’t keep it. That’s all. Go, Gryphen. Really. I’m locked in a castle, and it’s just you, me, and Graham. After the show you gave him…”

He stopped that.

“Me? Oh, trust me, it was your spectacular ass that he saw. Not mine.”

Yeah, he saw something much worse, but he was taking that to his grave.

“I’ll be up. I promise.”

Because there was no way he’d let this go, and he’d already gotten him to play ghost hunter in the daylight, he gave him this.

Instead of arguing, he gave him a kiss.

“Okay, Baby,” he said.

Heading toward the stairs, he turned and blew Ian a kiss, and the man caught it.

“I love you, Gryph.”

He winked.

“I love you too, Baby.”

Then, he was gone.

So he wasn’t away from Gryphen long, Ian hurried to the library.

When he went in, he found the journal, and placed the note inside. They’d found four pages, and a good bit of information.

When he turned, Graham was standing there.

He jumped.

“Hey,” Ian said.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up and scare you,” Graham admitted. “I tend to walk lightly.”

Yeah, he absolutely was a ghost himself.

“Did we wake you?” he inquired.

The man sighed.

“No, I don’t sleep well. I was going to make some coffee, and I heard you. Can’t sleep?” he asked.

When he closed the door, trapping him in with him, that was when Ian started to panic. Now, he really wished he didn’t tell Gryphen to go to bed.

Ian didn’t move.

“Hey, are you okay?” Graham asked, seeing the man looked wary.

Graham wasn’t sure why.

From where he stood, Ian fought through the panic that was rising.

“Yeah, I’m good,” he admitted, lying.

As Graham moved closer, Ian automatically moved away from him, putting things between them.

“Are you sure? I saw what he did to you. Do you need me to call Callen and Chris, and get you away from him?” he asked, keeping his voice low.

Ian shook his head.

“No. That’s the opposite of what I want.”

The man was watching him, and Ian didn’t like being trapped in a room. Only, he breathed through it, and he made a mental note to stick to Gryphen like glue.

“Because if you need help, Ian, I can get it for you. If he’s making you feel trapped, there’s a way out.”

Absofuckingloutely not.

Ian stopped that then and there.

“I’m going to be pissed if you do. He didn’t do anything to me that I didn’t want. Gryphen and I have a spicy sex life, and he would never hurt me.”

It was clear that Graham was worried about nothing.

“I could see that. As long as you’re okay. That’s all that matters. I just wanted to get you alone to make sure you were good. I’ll let you go to bed now.”

Ian realized he’d been silly.

Graham wasn’t a threat.

“I appreciate your concern.”

He smiled.

“Never a problem, Ian. I’m glad you had a good night with your beau. If you need anything…,” he said, turning to leave.

Ian lowered his voice.

“Actually, I may need a favor.”

He was curious as to what the man might need.

“Is it don’t tell anyone what I saw? Because it was an eyeful.”

He snorted.

“I don’t care about that. You can tell the world. I’m not ashamed of our sex life.”

“Okay, then what is it that you need from me?” he asked.

He couldn’t believe he was doing this, but he was compelled.

“I need to get a tattoo. Only, Gryphen’s not going to let me out of his sight for a second. I want it to be a surprise for him. Is there anyone you know who can come here to do one? If so, maybe you can distract him so I can get it done?”

He considered it.

“I mean, Molly’s boyfriend does ink. He has a shop in town. I could get you an appointment.”

Again, there was a problem with that.

“I can’t go to the shop. He’ll be all over me. I’m going to propose when the ring is done, and this is the other part of that proposal.”

Glancing at his watch, he knew he’d have to catch Molly before she left to come here.

“Well, Molly is coming this morning to clean. I can ask her to sneak him onto the grounds, and have him give you one here. I can try, but it’s difficult to keep your man away from you.”

Ian was well aware.

He had to come up with a plan.

“I know. Can you possibly keep Gryphen busy with some manual labor?” he asked. “Like cleaning this up, and maybe more firewood? Some animal chores? He won’t be suspicious if you ask for help around here.”

That might work.

“Will he be shirtless and in a kilt?” he asked, “because, beg my pardon, but the man is hot.”

Oh, he was aware.

“Get your own kink, Graham. That one is mine,” he joked.

Oh, Graham wanted that kink of his own, but unfortunately, living here at the castle didn’t drop many opportunities into his lap.

“I think I can keep him busy for you,” he said. “There is always firewood to chop.”

“Perfect. He won’t think anything of it. Make him chop a lot.”

Honestly, he trusted Gryphen to never hurt him, and if the man wanted some eye candy, he was more than welcome to help himself.

God knew he did all of the time.

He grinned.

“Wood it is.”

“The burning kind, right?” he asked, making sure since the man did offer himself up to Gryphen.

He snorted.

“Aye.”

“Then, carry on.”

Oh, he appreciated that.

“Fake sleeping in,” Graham offered. “When Neils is done, Gryphen will be wrapping up the chores. Hopefully, it’s just a small tattoo or your surprise will be ruined.”

He already knew what he wanted to get. The man was covered in ink, and this would be his one and only tattoo.

For the man he loved.

“I can do that, and for the record, it’s his name,” he said, not telling him more. The man already saw way too much. Then again, if he somehow caught a glimpse like last night, he’d definitely see it.

“That sounds like the perfect gift,” he said.

Since he had the man there, Ian was curious.

“We just had a run in with Ceit,” he admitted. “Are there any graves on the property?” he asked.

Graham thought about it.

“I don’t know for sure. I’ve only been here a few weeks. I haven’t explored much.”

He was curious.

“Where would the furthest part of the property be? Like the property line?”

Graham considered it.

“I’m going to say it would be by the valley. This property is massive, but it stops there.”

Ian would have to do some research.

Only, since he’d been down there too long, Ian knew he had to get moving.

“I have to go. Gryphen will come looking for me,” he admitted.

It made Graham curious.

“Do I make you nervous being closed in with me?”

Yes, yes, he did.

Just not for the reason he thought. He was a victim of sexual assault. Honestly, the ONLY man he felt safe with was Gryphen.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry that you feel this way.”

He shrugged.

“I’m working through it. It’s not you, Graham. It’s my past, and sometimes, that’s hard to overcome.”

Oh, he was aware.

He stepped aside, and Ian left. What he wanted was to be back in bed with his sexy man.

As he hauled ass through the kitchen and up the stairs, Gryphen was just opening the door to come find him when he reached the Master’s Suite.

“Oh, there you are,” Gryphen said. “I thought the ghost absconded you.”

He smiled.

“Not quite. I ran into Graham, and he was asking if you might be free tomorrow morning to work on some of the chores here.”

Gryphen didn’t mind.

It was the least he could do since they were being allowed to stay here. He liked to earn his keep.

“If I’m cutting wood, want to watch?” he asked, wiggling his eyebrows.

Now came laying the groundwork for his plan.

“Well, normally, I’d say yes, but I was kinda hoping to sleep in.”

Gryphen stared at him, as Ian got undressed in the Master’s suite.

Now, he was concerned.

“Are you feeling okay?”

He reassured him.

“Uh, Gryph, I’m on vacation. I want to sleep in a bit to be ready for spending the day with you. Why do you think something’s wrong?”

He calmed down.

He forgot this was a vacation, and not everyone slept as little as he did. Even back home, Ian liked to sleep on the weekends to catch up. Plus, they had been up in the middle of the night the last two evenings.

Someone had a point.

“If that’s all it is, nothing is wrong,” Gryphen admitted.

“Really, that’s all it is. Besides, you have a dining room to clean up. You promised you’d do it, and then, Graham needs help with wood, and bales of hay or something like that.”

Gryphen pulled off his clothing.

“If you feel like you need to sleep, you should. I’ll get some work done, and get in a workout. At some point, I have to go back to protecting Elizabeth, and I can’t let myself get flabby.”

“I don’t think you could go flabby, Gryph. You’re all muscle. If you did, you’d still be the hottest man I’ve ever seen in my whole life.”

And he needed that.

Those words mattered to him. It was nice to have someone like him for him. He didn’t want to be ogled for his body and tats. He wanted someone to want his heart.

And Ian did.

Feeling better, he climbed into bed.

It was nice that his partner did enjoy him. This was the first time in his life that he truly believe he was perfect. Ian had made him whole.

“I don’t mind helping Graham out. I did make a huge mess in the dining room.”

Yes, he did, but that memory alone…

Perfect.

Luckily, Ian had his window of opportunity. Now, to not get caught. That was going to be the hard part.

As they got situated in the big bed, Ian nuzzled him as he tucked himself into his body.

“Give me a kiss before you leave to go clean up the cum apocalypse. I won’t sleep too late. I’ll come find you when I’m up.”

He wasn’t wrong with calling what went down in that dining room that. There had been a mountain of cum.

“I will, Baby.”

He was so comfortable in bed with Ian, that Gryphen yawned, and let himself drift.

Fortunately, it didn’t take long for him to fall asleep, and as Ian laid there, he had his fingers crossed.

He hoped Graham pulled this off.

More than anything else.

This was something he wanted Gryphen to have.

Forever.

* * * The Ravensmire Chronicles * * *

Friday Morning

Seven A.M.

The Master’s Suite

Oh, Ian felt him get out of bed, and he could hear him pulling on his clothes nearby as he prepared to go get some castle chores done.

As soon as he was ready, Gryphen came around to the other side of the bed, kissed him softly on the lips, and told him goodbye.

The whole time, Ian faked sleep, muttering that he loved him, and then rolled over to wait and bide his time.

As soon as the door was closed, and he was sure Gryphen wasn’t coming back in, he was up.

Ian headed into the bathroom, grabbed a quick shower, and got dressed.

It wasn’t long before he heard the soft tapping on his door, signaling someone was there.

When he opened it, there stood Graham and a stranger.

“Here’s Neils. He’s Molly’s boyfriend, and he’s going to do your tattoo. You guys have to be quiet because Gryphen will be in the kitchen washing dishes in a few minutes.”

Oh, he could do that.

Honestly, he was grateful.

“Thank you so much,” he said to both men. “I appreciate you doing this last minute for me.”

The stranger shrugged.

“Aye, not a problem.”

Graham gave him the heads-up.

“I’ll go keep him busy until I can get him outside to do some wood. When you’re done, come find us, and I’ll know it’s safe to sneak Neils out of here.”

Oh, he would.

“Did we get much snow?” Ian asked before he could head away. He was curious if they’d be able to make it into the town to talk to people at the pub.

“No, it’s not bad. We’ll be plowed out this afternoon, and it will be business as usual.”

That was good because he wanted to hit that pub to ask some questions about Ceit, the ghost.

They could hear the echo of Gryphen whistling in the kitchen.

“Hurry,” Graham warned, and then closed the door to go keep a Marine busy.

When the man came in, he had a tablet, and he was ready to go.

“Graham said you want a name.”

He clarified.

“I kind of want a sentence.”

The man sat.

“Aye, that’s cool. Font?”

Ian had been thinking about this all night while he watched Gryphen sleep beside him. The whole time, the man had been holding his hand possessively.

It was another perfect moment.

“I want it to be something specific,” he said, showing him on his phone. He’d found a similar tattoo online, and he’d been researching when Gryphen slept.

“Is this possible?” he asked.

Neils checked it out.

“Aye, I can do that.”

Now he needed to know.

“Can you freehand it? I know this was sudden and I really need this done this morning.”

Neils had been hesitant, but Molly, his lady, had been adamant that they not let her bosses down. She had a good paying job she loved.

“Can do. What name do you want?”

Ian couldn’t believe he was doing this. He swore he’d never get tattoos. Only, now, he had a reason to.

“L-O-R-D and then C-A-R-T-E-R,” he said, spelling it out to make sure he didn’t misspell it. The last thing he wanted was a bad tattoo.

Hiding it would be impossible.

The man started drawing it on the tablet, and showed him. The whole time, Ian was excited to be giving his man this. Oh, if his mother could see him now, she’d definitely excommunicate him.

Oh, wait…

She already had.

“That’s perfect,” he said when Neils finished it. The man had a steady hand.

“Where would you like it?” he asked.

He told him, and it left little to the imagination as to why it was going there.

“Okay, can do.”

Neils told him the price, and he went to his wallet where he had some of the cash from the Blackhawks.

“If you can get it done faster than you’ve ever tattooed before, I’ll double it. Trust me when I say that you don’t want him coming through the door and catching you in here with me. He’ll lose his mind.”

He reassured him.

“Graham already warned me. Let’s get this started. Bend over, Lad. We’re about to get rough.”

That was the plan.

Only, not with him.

With a certain lord of the manor.

* * * The Ravensmire Chronicles * * *

Downstairs

Kitchen

KP Duty

Because they’d really wrecked the joint, it took a while for him to straighten up the room.

Now, Gryphen was washing dishes, and Graham was drying them. They were making short work of the mess from the previous night.

Oh, and it was a mess.

BUT…

Gryphen made it, and this wasn’t his castle, so he wasn’t going to wreck the joint. The Blackhawks were kind enough to let them head here, and he was going to respect it.

For family.

As he stood there, Graham kept him company, placing everything where it needed to go.

When the last plate was washed, and then dried, they called that task complete.

Honestly, Gryphen couldn’t wait to see Ian again, and start spending his day with him. He was thinking about him, and how much he missed having him by his side.

“Well, that’s done,” he said, drying his hands. “Thanks for helping me get the room ready and clean it up afterward.”

Graham knew he needed to stall.

“It’s no problem. I’ll take that it was a successful seduction?” he asked. “Because you’re calm today. In fact, you’re the calmest I’ve seen you since you arrived days ago.”

Oh, he was aware.

Love did that to him. The nightmares were gone, he’d been able to have some wine with Ian, and was happily sexed. For the first time in his life, he had a partner who loved him for him.

It was a good day in his world.

Gryphen agreed.

“Yeah, I’m pretty calm. I feel safe here, and that’s paramount for Ian.”

He was glad.

“Ravensmire is a good place,” he admitted. “You can feel it when you come here—despite Ceit wandering around cursing the place.”

Yeah, he wasn’t sure he bought stock in that. Things were black and white to him. Ceit was all kinds of gray. Even though they experienced what they experienced, he didn’t want to believe that a soul could be trapped.

If that happened, what if he died and couldn’t be with Ian? That scared him to no end.

The man was his world.

“I agree on that.”

They both took a minute to have some coffee, and Graham had to keep this distraction going.

“It looked like your man had his hands full with you last night,” he said, joking around. “No wonder the poor lad needs to sleep in.”

He laughed.

“I was the one with his hands full. Ian keeps me absolutely focused. He’s the best thing in my life. I can just live and not think.”

“Aye, so you’re into kink.”

He leaned against the counter and sipped his coffee before heading out into the chill to work up a sweat.

“I don’t know if I’d say that. We like what we like, and we’re a new couple. We’re trying to navigate our way through this, finding ourselves.”

“Well he looked like you were definitely doing something right.”

Gryphen stared at him. He wasn’t sure why they were having this conversation, but it felt off to him. Oh, he might not be the smartest man in the room, but his gut saved his bacon more times than not.

“Is there something you want to say to me?” he asked. “I feel like I’m missing something.”

Graham knew it was difficult to hoodwink a soldier, and it was only a matter of time before the Marine caught on. Hopefully, he wouldn’t start swinging.

“Seriously, what do you want to say to me?”

Graham had to distract him. He went with the obvious to distract from the not-so-obvious—that Ian was upstairs with a stranger.

“Have a brother?”

It took a second, but then, Gryphen actually laughed.

“I don’t know the answer to that, honestly, so I can’t say yes or no.”

Graham was confused.

“You don’t know if you have a brother?” he asked. “That’s odd.”

Was it?

Maybe.

“No, I don’t know. My parents abandoned me at the age of four. I woke up to find them gone, and then, I went into the American foster system. Honestly, I don’t know what happened to them.”

What was this?

Graham couldn’t imagine.

“And you don’t want to know?” he asked, curiously.

Gryphen shrugged.

“I never thought about it. Would you want to find the people who bailed on you on Christmas Eve?” he asked. “Who walked away from a four-year-old and left him alone in a house to be found when he was screaming for his mother?”

Oh, boy.

Someone had been hurt.

No wonder he clung to his man unapologetically.

“Probably not,” he admitted.

“Yeah, me either. I have my family now, and it’s bigger, better, and perfect for me. I have a bunch of Marine brothers, a woman who is like a mom, and I have Ian. I’m happy, and I can’t wait to start our life when we get home.”

Graham was honest.

“Callen didn’t tell me everything, but he did say Ian was in hiding. Thus, when I had to get you here under the cover of darkness.”

He shared.

“His ex attacked him, sexually assaulted him, and left him for dead. He’s testifying when we go back. He’s got a battle ahead of him.”

And that explained why he was uncomfortable in the room with him when he closed the door. He’d done it in case Gryphen came down, but now, he saw why the man was afraid.

“Bless him,” he said.

Gryphen stopped that.

“Don’t feel sorry for him. Ian is the strongest man I’ve ever met in my life, and that’s saying a lot since I hang with Marines and Blackhawks. Honestly, he makes me look weak.”

What could he say to that?

“As for the kink, Graham, don’t we all have something that gets us heated up?”

He laughed.

“Oh, I do.”

“We all do, and maybe it’s refreshing to just enjoy it and not worry who sees it or hears it. If you’re offended…”

He stopped him.

“I’m not. I was a soldier. I saw a lot of naked men. What I saw last night didn’t offend me. I will be honest though,” he said.

Gryphen waited.

“I saw Ian last night, and when I asked him about the chores, I asked if he was okay.”

Gryphen said nothing.

“I asked him if he needed me to get him out of here and away from you.”

Graham saw the man’s body ripple in displeasure.

“Did you now?”

“Calm down. Wouldn’t you have done the same if you saw a man carrying someone over their shoulder with their hands bound and their ass red?”

Okay, he had a point. Gryphen absolutely would intervene.

“And Ian said?” he asked.

“That he’d be pissed at me if I did try to get him away from you. I think he might have kicked my ass.”

That gave Gryphen so much peace that the man he loved felt the same about him.

“He used to be a Secret Service Agent, Graham. He protected the President of the United States. Don’t look at him, see his calm demeanor, and assume that he couldn’t grab a gun and do the job. He would. Ian simply defers to me, since he knows I am a control freak.”

He appreciated that in a person.

“Aye, so you found yourself a warrior.”

He had.

“In bed, he lets me lead, but Ian is no one’s pushover. Trust me. He’d do the job.”

What could he say to that?

Instead, he knew it was time to get him out of the house to buy Ian some space to surprise his man.

“You up for some wood?” he asked, changing the subject.

Gryphen paused.

“You mean the kind you chop, right? I need to clarify because you have a Gryphen kink.”

He actually laughed because Ian had said something similar the night before and he absolutely did. He was a sucker for a soldier.

That was his big downfall.

He liked a big man with a wild streak.

“Uh, yes, unless you’re interested in carrying me around on your shoulders,” he said. “Because the answer is yes. That’s why I asked if you had a brother.”

Gryphen gave him the bad news.

“You’re a bit too much like me for me to be sexually attracted to you. Ian’s my type, but I’m sure there’s a man out there for you.”

He laughed.

“Ouch,” he said, covering his own pain. At one time, there had been, and that man had broken him. At one time, he’d trusted and loved. It didn’t end well for Graham.

It broke him badly.

He patted him on the back.

“Sorry, Graham, but the heart wants who the heart wants.”

Yeah, he was well aware.

Unfortunately.

* * * The Ravensmire Chronicles * * *

Upstairs

Master’s Suite

Same Time

Oh, holy shit!

This wasn’t fun.

How the hell did people do this all the damn time, and how did they get their whole bodies done?

There was nothing enjoyable about needles going in and out of your flesh.

Not.

Even.

Close.

From the second that Neils began, to the point where he was now, it was taking Ian all that he had not to scream in pain.

Oh, and telling him to go fast…

That was a bad idea.

Already, he wanted to tap out.

Only, this was for Gryphen, and he would get through it. The man deserved to know that Ian was going to be his forever, no matter what. Each time he saw it, it would be a memory of their Scottish vacation, and how they learned how to become a unit.

As he lay there, naked from the waist down, face down on their bed, he prayed it was almost done.

He didn’t have to worry about liking this and getting hard. His dick was not coming out with this kind of pain.

Screw.

That.

“You got this,” Neils said. “You have to stop tensing, I’m free handing as it is, and if you want it to look decent, I need you to relax and breathe. Your man will love it.”

He knew he was right.

Once Gryphen saw this, he was going to go wild.

“If I pass out, don’t go get him. He’ll lose his nut. Just tattoo me and get it done.”

Neils reassured him.

“Aye, you’ll be fine. Breathe for me, and let me get this last part of the name done, and you’re finished. Then, it’s only the shading.”

Why did that sound worse than anything?

Christ.

Ian closed his eyes, and started thinking about when Gryphen saw the tattoo. He knew that it was going to be the highlight of their vacation—well, and the proposal.

For that, he’d get through it.

This wasn’t the worst pain he’d ever felt.

He was strong.

Gryphen told him so.

And he believed it.

* * * The Ravensmire Chronicles * * *

Thirty Minutes Later

Outside

Fortunately, Ian was now sealed up, and the tattoo was protected with a clear covering that Neils had brought with him.

Apparently, he was good to go.

Nothing would get on it, and it was protected under his clothing. All he hoped now was Gryphen didn’t slap him on the ass.

Jesus.

He’d cry.

His hope was that later, Gryphen would take him to bed, and stumble upon it.

Yeah, he wanted that surprise.

There was no doubt that someone was cumming a whole lot when it was discovered.

Heading out, he grabbed a cup of coffee, and helped Neils go out the front door to walk down to the gate. With his accomplice gone, it was time to find his man.

Once outside, he walked through the courtyard, and stood by the fountain.

That’s when it hit him.

Here.

This was where he wanted to marry his man. Ian was going to have to arrange that with Elizabeth, and then, make this the spot where they said their vows.

It would be perfect.

Ian could see his sexy man in his kilt waiting for him at the end of the aisle, and there was no doubt that he’d have his Marine buddies as his best men.

Ian needed to work on picking the people to stand by him. He was thinking Elizabeth, Noah, and Lawless. They’d saved him after his assault, and without them, he would have died.

When he got home, he’d ask them.

Focusing on the here and now, Ian could hear the grunts of a hot man doing manual labor.

Well, sign him up.

A sweaty Gryphen was a hot Gryphen.

As he made it to the gate that led to the stables and wood pile, Graham was heading his way.

As soon as he saw him, he gave him a fist bump as he passed him, and neither man said a word.

Now, it was time to ogle a man.

As he reached the stable, he was able to watch his man hoist a giant bale of hay onto his shoulder, and carry it up a ladder into the loft.

His body may have been covered by his flannel shirt, but it rippled.

He could see it.

God.

Someone was so fluid in motion.

When he came down, he turned and saw him. A giant grin spread across his face. It appeared he’d been waiting for him to show up.

When he motioned toward him, Ian put his coffee down in the snow, and headed his way.

“Hey, you,” he said, pulling Ian into his body, and holding him by grabbing handfuls of his ass.

He flinched as Gryphen unknowingly manhandled his new tattoo.

Christ that hurt.

Of course, he caught it too.

“Are you okay?” he asked, seeing it.

“Someone got spanked. That’s all,” he said, lying his ass off.

Gryphen relaxed.

“Well, in my defense, his ass is amazing, and I can’t help myself.”

“Well, my Lord, you’re a wild man,” he whispered, only to be kissed like he was the last man on earth. It made his body come alive being near him.

His arms went around his neck, and he was pulled into his body even tighter, as Gryphen devoured him with that kiss. It was like he was starving.

The second he’d called him that, the switch flipped, and that possessive man was free.

When he broke the kiss, Ian was dizzy.

“I warn you, Mr. Patterson, but when you call me that, it reminds me of our night, and makes me go right back to wanting to be him.”

Oh, well, he figured as much.

Or at least, that was what he was hoping.

“Oh, no, don’t ravage my body by putting on that kilt and making me your sex slave again. What ever will I do?” he asked, monotone.

Gryphen laughed.

This man was his absolute treasure.

“I love you, Baby,” he admitted. “You’re my world.”

Ian rested his head on his shoulder and wrapped his arms around his waist. He enjoyed the scent of man and feel of his body.

This was home.

Gryphen was his safe place.

No matter what he’d be feeling, one hug and kiss from him erased that pain.

“I know, Gryph. I can’t wait to spend my life with you. I love you so much it hurts.”

He nuzzled Ian, rubbing his scruff against his forehead, enjoying it himself.

“I could just hold you all day long,” he admitted.

Only, Gryphen wanted to get the work done, so they could spend time together doing couple-y things.

“Let me finish up. I have a few more bales to get up for Graham, and then I have to carry the feed up.”

Ian was more than happy to watch.

“Carry on, sexy man. I’ll go watch the Gryphen show,” he said, winking at him.

When he went back and sat on the log, he did just that. As Gryphen did the heavy lifting, Ian just had a good old time.

When Gryphen looked back at him, he raised his mug in salute.

Ian couldn’t help himself.

“Bend with your knees. It makes your ass stick out,” he said.

It made him laugh.

How could it not?

“Someone’s incorrigible today. I think I like this side of him. Ogle me more.”

Yes, yes, he was, and yes, yes, he planned on it.

He’d never get enough of this man.

Ever.

When Gryphen hefted the hundred-pound bags of feed onto his shoulder, and didn’t even strain to do it, Ian fanned himself.

“SO goddamn hot,” he yelled, making Gryphen chuckle in amusement. “I absolutely have a type, and this is it.”

When Gryphen used a rope and repelled down the side of the stable instead of the ladder, Ian had an erection.

Yep.

This Marine was definitely his type.

His only type.

Heading his way, he pulled his jacket back on, and brushed the hay from his jeans.

Before he could do anything, Ian was on him, jumping up, and wrapping his legs around his hips. He plastered himself to the front of his Marine.

Luckily, Gryphen caught him, adjusting the weight on his prosthetic.

“I could have dropped you, Baby,” he warned. “A heads-up next time, or we’ll be on our asses in the snow.”

Ian stared into his blue eyes.

“Never. You’ll never drop me. I know that now. You’ll forever be my hero.”

His words wrapped around his heart, making it so strong and protected. It gave him everything he’d always assumed was just out of his reach.

It hadn’t been.

He’d just needed to find the right man.

“Oh, Ian. You’ve healed me. The holes in me are gone now because you filled them with you. I’m finally whole again.”

Gently, he kissed him.

They stood there in the open, just sharing that moment with each other. When Gryphen broke the kiss, he remembered how dirty he was.

“I’m sweaty,” he warned.

“And I like you that way. There’s something so masculine about the way a man smells after he works,” he said, running his fingers down his cheek. “It’s musky and I dig it.”

Gryphen couldn’t get enough of him.

“How about I go clean up, and we can enjoy the day? I want to be presentable for my man.”

Ian had news for him.

“Uh, you are presentable. I like you sweaty, clean, dirty, and wicked. Just be you.”

Gryphen was so glad.

There was no way he could put what came out last night away again. He’d been himself, and he liked it—maybe a little too much.

Ian reminded him.

“Like I mentioned in the middle of the night, I do have something planned for us.”

That worked for him.

Hand-in-hand, they began walking toward the castle. Once inside, they found Graham.

“I’m heading into town,” he said. “Do you need anything?” he asked.

“Not really,” Ian said. “We’re going to spend some time here, and later today, we’re heading there ourselves. I want to learn more about Ceit.”

“Well, have fun,” he said, as the two of them headed toward the stairs, and he grabbed the basket he’d put together for them. He needed to get it down to the ice, where Ian had wanted it.

The two men laughed and joked the whole way up to their room. When got there, it was tidied up, proving Ian had been up a bit before he headed down.

As Gryphen began stripping down, Ian watched, and it was spectacular.

“So what do you have planned?” he asked. “Because tonight, I have something planned for us at sunset.”

“You’ll have to wait and see,” Ian admitted. “Dress warm after your shower.”

That made him curious.

It had to do with something outside if he needed to dress warmly. Honestly, he expected a holiday movie in bed. This was going to be interesting.

As he dropped his jeans and boxer briefs, he was erect, and Ian licked his lips as he thought about the magnificent night they’d spent together.

“What to join me?” he asked, as his erection bobbed. “I do love some shower kinkery.”

God.

Did he ever?

But then, that would ruin his surprise.

“If I join you, it’ll be a whole day of sex, and I really want to have this adventure with you. So, as difficult as this is, I’m going to keep my ass dressed.”

At his words, Gryphen just stared at him.

He hadn’t expected that.

Had he done the sex wrong last night, and now, Ian was putting space between them? His heart told him no, but his brain…

Oh, his brain told him he’d fucked this up, and he was losing Ian. That panic came, and it came hard. That darkness reared it’s ugly head out of nowhere.

“Okay,” he said, not able to say anything else.

When he walked away and went into the bathroom, Ian heard that tone, and he was worried.

Had he hurt the man’s feelings?

“Gryph?” he asked.

Instead of answering, Gryphen did battle with the demons and got into the shower. He leaned against the wall to keep his balance, and tried to talk himself down.

He was going to lose Ian. He’d crossed the line. His brain was battering him with a million doubts, and each overwhelmed him.

“Are you okay?” Ian asked.

Gryphen said nothing.

“Gryphen, look at me,” Ian said.

The man did.

When he had his focus, Ian laid down the law.

“We are not going back to this,” he said. “We had this happen back home. Don’t hide. You told me we fuck or fight it out. Talk to me. Are you okay?” he asked again.

He took a deep breath and put his faith in Ian.

The last thing he wanted was him walking out on him, and having to play ‘find the man in a foreign country’.

“I’m trying,” he admitted. “First, you wanted to sleep in and not join me, and now you turned down sex. I’m trying to not be paranoid, but that demon is screaming in my head that I fucked something up. I’m battling a panic attack.”

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.

“God, I hope so.”

Setting Ian’s hand free, Gryphen soaped up, and Ian hopped up onto the counter to watch him. His discomfort must have registered.

“I hurt you,” Gryphen said. “I’ll ease up on the spanking.”

Honestly, his ass didn’t hurt from that.

“Now, let’s not do anything crazy,” Ian said. “I liked it a lot, and that makes me wild. If you hurt me, I’ll be the first to tell you. You didn’t.”

He was honest.

“I mean, I kinda like knowing you’re still thinking about it,” Gryphen said. “I know I am.”

Oh, Ian was too.

Maybe too much.

At some point, he was going to have to be very honest with Gryphen about the previous night. Now that he’d had that kind of sex, and it had been the best in his life, he didn’t want to go back to vanilla.

He wanted all kinds of chocolate and kink.

“My Lord, I’ll be thinking about it for the rest of my life,” he said, purposely using that name for him.

Why?

Calling him that made Gryphen’s erection stand.

His too.

Now, Ian’s erection was throbbing, and he had to fight it. Oh, it was so hard to do that too.

From where he stood in the shower, Gryphen was grinning. It was wicked and masculine.

“I think you know how to get my attention,” Gryphen said. “That’s it. Call me that, and he’s coming to the party.”

“Good to know.”

Oh, he was pretty sure their sex life was going to be that for the rest of their lives.

As Gryphen rinsed off and shut off the water, he got out to dry off. When he put his leg back on, then, and only then, did Ian hop down.

“Okay, let’s get you dressed,” he said, heading to the bedroom to start their date.

Gryphen was curious. Now that he knew Ian wasn’t disappointed in their previous evening, he was dying to know what their plans were.

“What have you arranged for us?” Gryphen asked, as Ian handed him some clean clothes.

“Oh, let’s just say we’re going to laugh our asses off, and hopefully, not piss our pants in the process.”

He stared at him.

“Mr. Patterson. Is that a kink?”

Ian snorted.

“Absolutely not. Well, maybe you laughing is. I love the sound of it. When you laugh, it’s like warm whiskey on a cold day. It sends chills through my body.”

Oh, Gryphen knew what else would send chills through his body.

He lifted his chin, and gave him a kiss. It was deep and passionate.

As Ian automatically moved into him to touch his body, he realized what was happening, and he had to fight it.

Ian broke the kiss.

“NO! Bad man!” he said, backing up. “You almost lured me to bed with that monster,” he said, pointing at his dick.

Gryphen laughed.

“So close,” he said, wiggling his eyebrows. “I admit that was my plan.”

Ian wasn’t having it.

“I’m standing over here. I know you. I’ll be blowing you and you’ll get me naked in seconds. I’m weak when it comes to you.”

Thank God for that.

As he pulled on his clothes, Ian handed him a pair of winter boots, and pulled on his own.

“Are we hiking?” he asked when gloves and a hat appeared.

The hat had a puffball on it, and was the color of Gryphen’s eyes. Ian’s was green, and it matched their coats.

“Nope,” Ian said.

Gryphen got dressed and he had no clue what they were doing. Ian wasn’t an outdoors kind of a guy, so this was a mystery.

“Ready?” Ian asked when Gryphen was bundled up in his winter gear.

Gryphen nodded.

“Take me to our adventure, Baby,” he said.

Taking Ian’s hand, they headed down to the kitchen and outside toward the stables.

Immediately, Gryphen was disappointed.

He was planning for a ride later when they got back to watch the sunset. It appeared Ian had beaten him to the punch.

“Close your eyes,” Ian said, turning to face Gryphen.

When he did, he found where Graham had stashed the sleds and got them out.

“Hold out your hands.”

Without hesitating, he did.

When Ian handed the object to him, Gryphen opened his eyes and was surprised.

It was a sled.

Immediately, it registered. He’d told his man that he’d never done this, and of course, sweet Ian wanted to give him this.

“Oh, Baby,” he said, overjoyed.

His lover explained.

“You said you’ve never gone sledding before, and I wanted to change that. Want to sled with me? We can make a new memory together.”

And there it was.

Love.

Why he ever doubted that the man was his was beyond him. Here, he’d been worried he was pulling away. Instead, Ian was just trying to give him this.

“I love this,” he said. “No one has ever thought to do this for me.”

Tears fill his eyes.

“We’re going to have so many memories, Gryphen. If you think I’m pulling away, remember this. I might just be planning something romantic.”

He got it.

“I see that now, and the answer is yes. I want to go sledding with you. I can’t wait to experience this.”

Ian smiled at him.

“Keep saying, yes, Mr. Carter. I have more fun planned for both of us.”

He lifted a brow.

“Do you now? Does it perhaps involve a ring?” he asked teasing him. “Because I’m feeling very yes-y today. You know, in case you were in the mood to get you a man for the long term.”

He snorted.

Oh, he was definitely getting a man long term, but he needed to surprise him. Gryphen deserved that.

“You won’t know when or how, but that day will come,” he said. “Hopefully, you’ll still be feeling yes-y.”

Oh, he would.

Gryphen was just waiting for him to propose so he could do the same.

“Let’s play in the snow,” Ian said.

Heading out of the stable, they dragged their sleds to the top of the hill not far from the path that led down to the lake.

“How do we do this?” Gryphen asked. “Is there a technique?”

“You sit your ass down, and you let the world fly by. See you at the bottom, Marine,” he said, hopping onto his sled, and sliding down the hill so fast.

Gryphen watched, holding his breath, and when he saw Ian was okay, he chilled out.

In fact, when Ian reached the bottom, he wiped out, and began laughing like a nut.

It was beautiful to see.

Well, now, it appeared to be his turn.

Gryphen sat on the sled. He had to adjust his prosthetic, but once he did, he shoved off, and held onto the sides.

Oh, and he screamed like a girl.

That bitch went fast.

At the bottom, he wiped out, too, and found himself laying in the snow next to Ian.

“Oh, that was fun,” he said. “Now I get why people do this in the cold.”

Ian got up.

“Come on. Now we have to schlep back up to do it again. Once we flatten out all the snow, the hill gets slick and that’s when the chaos begins.”

That sounded like a plan.

Racing up, they both kept doing it until they were going so fast down the hill, that it bordered on being dangerous.

As they reached the top of the hill, Ian stopped him before he went down again.

He had an idea.

“Let’s make snow angels.”

Gryphen glanced over.

“Like in the Christmas movie we saw?” he asked, remembering it.

“I know it’s silly.”

He stopped Ian, and kissed him on the tip of his chilly red nose.

“I want silly. I want silly with you.”

That was all he had to hear.

“Come on. Leave the sleds,” he said, as they stuck them into the nearest pile of snow, and headed over to a clear patch that they hadn’t walked in.

Then, Ian dropped backward, and the snow poofed around him. He began moving his arms and legs, making the snow angels.

When he was done, Gryphen helped him up, so he could see the angel.

It was perfect.

“Your turn,” he said, as the man turned, and when he landed, he mimicked what Ian had done.

“Help me up, Baby,” he said.

Ian did, and they stared at their angels.

This was another first for Gryphen, and he couldn’t imagine a better moment.

This was their romantic holiday movie. They were living a fairytale, and there were moments he couldn’t believe it. When he’d watch the movies with Ian, he never thought they could come true.

And here he was in a castle with the man of his dreams.

“God. I’m so happy,” Gryphen said, staring at the simple snow angels that were side-by-side. “I never thought I’d have someone to do this with,” he admitted.

“You do forever,” Ian admitted. “We’ll still do it when we’re old and moldy.”

He laughed.

“I’d like that.”

“Tomorrow, if you’re up for it, after staying in bed and having copious amounts of sex, we can watch more movies,” Ian offered.

He grinned.

“Deal.”

It might give him some ideas on how to woo Ian even more.

“Let’s sled some more,” Ian said, racing toward the sleds, knowing the next part of his memory making was about to happen. He needed them to flatten this part of the hill so he could end up going further down toward the lake.

“I’m going to get a running start,” Ian said, needing some speed.

Running, he landed on the sled, and it took off. He went flying down the hill.

That’s when Gryphen saw he wasn’t going to stop.

“Ian! The lake!” he shouted, as the man he loved went further than they had gone before, ended up on the trail, and was sliding down over the edge.

“Gryphen!” he shouted, needing him to follow.

He didn’t even take the sled.

Instead, Gryphen began running down the hill, scared shitless that he’d slide onto the lake and the ice would break.

If anything happened to Ian, he’d be devastated.

As he raced down the other slope, he saw the track marks and headed around the curve.

That’s when he saw him.

Gryphen slid to a stop, and he noticed that Ian wasn’t hurt.

Not even close.

Instead, he was standing there with a thermos and skates. It was clear that he’d planned this.

There were lights around the side of the lake, making it look magical. Since it was cloudy out, they twinkled, inviting him in.

“Oh,” he said.

When he stared at Ian, the man he loved smiled.

“Memories.”

That was all he had to say.

He moved at him, and when he reached him, he found his mouth, and kissed him. Tears dripped from his lashes, as he was caught up in his emotions.

This was love.

This was Heaven.

When Ian broke the kiss, he dropped the skates to wipe his cheeks with his mittened hands.

“This is the piss our pants portion of the memory. I can’t skate for shit,” he admitted.

Gryphen had news for him.

“Well, I certainly can’t. I can barely stay upright with this leg on a sled. Imagine skates.”

“If you can’t do it, we don’t have to.”

He stopped him.

“No. We’ll do it, or piss ourselves trying,” he stated. “And thank you, Ian. No one has ever done this for me. I see you had help and I’m going to bet you didn’t want to sleep in this morning. You were scheming.”

Oh, the irony.

He had been, but not about this. Yeah, this was all Graham helping him but yesterday. Apparently, Ian had been scheming a whole lot.

“Are you upset I was scheming?” he asked.

Gryphen wiped a snowflake off of his cheek.

“Absolutely not. This is the kind of scheming I can get behind,” he said. “Keep it coming. I like memory making with you. Just no scheming with other men. I’ll let it go that it was Graham, but that’s it.”

Oh, boy.

“I promise. Let’s skate,” Ian said, hoping being alone with Neils didn’t come back to bite him in the ass.

Gryphen stopped him.

“Is it safe?”

The man looked over at the ice that Graham had cleared.

“My helper said it was solid.”

Oh, well, that didn’t matter to Gryphen. As a Marine, you didn’t trust anyone’s word. You made sure or your ass was grass.

“I’m going to check the ice,” Gryphen said. “I don’t trust anyone but me with your life.”

He figured.

If anything, Gryphen was consistently protective.

“Use the broom to clear it,” he said, pointing.

As he did, Ian watched the most amazing man check for their safety. He couldn’t help but smile. With the other men he dated, none wanted to watch cheesy romantic Christmas movies, or make snow angels.

They didn’t want to hover and make sure he was safe. They fucked and ran.

Now, he had a real man. He had a strong man who loved with all he had.

Yeah, he was grateful to Will. When he testified against him, he was going to make an impact statement and thank him for giving him love.

Gryphen’s love.

Without that assault, there wouldn’t be this. Gryphen wanted every moment with him.

He cherished them.

“Want to make snowmen later?” he asked, just wanting to prove a point.

“Oh, Mr. Patterson, I am an expert snowman maker. The Blackhawk kids make an army of them. Sign me up. I’m going to make a sexy one that reminds me of you.”

He grinned.

Yeah, he was marrying this man.

It didn’t take long for Gryphen to finish.

“The ice is clear!” he called. “It gets thinner in the middle,” he added. “We’ll stay over here.”

That worked for Ian.

Sliding his way off, it was time to see if they could do this. Gryphen knew he was going to be a spectacle.

Sitting down, they parked their asses on a log that Graham had put there, so they could sit.

They put on their skates, and it was no easy task getting upright in them.

Somehow, they managed, and that was when the laughter began.

Ian went down, and Gryphen tried to catch him, falling beside him.

They were sitting on the ground, laughing.

“Jesus, we suck at this,” Gryphen said. “Don’t break anything.”

Oh, he was aware.

Unfortunately for him, he landed on his ass, and a new tattoo.

Yeah, this wasn’t fun.

“Come on. We can do this. We’re grown ass men. How hard can it be to skate?” Ian asked. “They make it look easy in the movies.”

That they did.

Together, they got up, and they wobbled their way further onto the ice. When Ian pushed off, he managed to skate in a straight line.

He somehow turned, holding out his hand. He was wobbly as hell.

“Okay, Mr. Carter. Get to me,” he said.

Gryphen was determined to do this. Oh, and it wasn’t easy with a prosthetic, but nothing was keeping him from making memories with Ian.

He pushed off with his actual foot, and moved across the ice as he tried to balance.

Ian caught and stopped him.

“This is ridiculous,” Gryphen said, laughing. “We’re both certifiable.”

His man laughed.

Ian knew that was a fact, but he was watching his Gryphen’s face, and the joy there…

It was indescribable.

It was something he’d never forget.

EVER.

“How the hell do we get back to the shore?” Gryphen asked, as Ian slipped and he caught him, making him go down on the ice too. They ended up with Gryphen flat on his back and Ian over the top of him.

They were laughing so hard.

“Come here often, my Lord?” Ian asked, giving him a kiss.

In that moment, neither moved, but instead just made out on the ice. Gryphen had his hand on the back of Ian’s head, and he wouldn’t let his mouth go.

When Ian moaned, Gryphen set him free.

“You’re goddamn lucky I’m on skates and it’s cold as balls out here, or we’d be having sex. You know what happens when you call me that.”

Oh, he was aware.

“You don’t say?” Ian teased. “Let me help you up,” he said, somehow getting to his feet. Then, with Gryphen’s sheer strength, he managed to get him up too.

They wobbled all the way to shore.

“We’re not that bad,” Ian admitted, “but I’m beginning to believe they lie in the movies when they say that it’s their first-time skating.”

He snorted.

“You think?”

Yeah, he did.

When he got Gryphen back, Ian tried again, determined to get the hang of it. He slid away from Gryphen, and immediately, the other man warned him.

“Baby, stay over here,” he said, getting worried. “The ice is thinner over there.”

Ian turned.

“I’ll be okay,” he said, moving more, and that’s when they heard it.

There was cracking.

Ian stopped moving, frozen in place.

Gryphen had heard the sound, too, and he knew what that meant. Ian was going to go in if he even moved.

“DON’T MOVE!” he ordered.

That wasn’t happening.

Ian was frozen.

“How bad is it?” Ian asked, trying not to freak out, but from Gryphen’s tone, he knew it wasn’t good.

His man was honest.

“If you go through and under, you’ll get trapped beneath the ice, Ian. I won’t be able to get to you,” he stated. “I need you to listen to me,” he said.

Ian was staring at him.

“What do I do?” he asked, tears in his eyes.

The last thing he wanted was to get trapped under the ice and die. Then, Gryphen wouldn’t be okay.

The man’s training kicked in.

“Slowly, go to your knees. Then, lay absolutely flat on your stomach. I need you to disburse your weight evenly across a larger space. It’ll keep the ice from cracking.”

He put his faith in Gryphen.

“Once you’re flat, you’ll be okay, and the ice won’t break. Now, slowly, Baby. SLOWLY.”

Ian started moving, and with each motion he made, he could hear more cracking. His eyes were huge, and Gryphen was staring into them, ready to move. He’d go in and save him, but there was no guarantee he’d get to him.

In water this cold…

One of them might not make it back.

It would be him.

He’d make sure Ian survived. He was the stronger of the two of them. Gryphen couldn’t live without him, but Ian was a survivor. He’d make it.

He hoped.

The whole time the man moved, Gryphen kept talking to him.

“I love you, Ian,” he said. “Focus on me, and only me. I have you. No matter what. I have you.”

That was exactly what the man was going to do. He had to put his faith in Gryphen.

“You know how to do this, right?” he asked.

“I do, Baby. I got you.”

Well, here went everything.

Ian moved to his knees, and then, he laid perfectly flat on his stomach, the whole time watching Gryphen.

“It’s cracking,” he whispered. “Gryphen, I’m going in.”

And this was exactly why he never ice skated.

He didn’t want to die.