Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 26

Xena's POV

I was about to continue questioning Ryder when the door swung open and my next client walked in.

"Hey!"

"Hey, Penelope! This is the future Alpha, Ryder Nash. Penelope is a member of our pack."

Penelope gave Ryder a nervous glance but still showed him the respect due to a future

Alpha. Her caramel skin glowed under the shop lights as she tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

"Please make yourself comfortable. Bathroom's over there if you need it. Let me just finish

sending this email, and I'll be right with you," I said, fingers flying over my keyboard.

"Sure, no problem."

Penelope was a beauty. Long legs, golden hair, and those impossibly sharp red nails that I could never manage to maintain with my work. She had a model's figure but the heart of a sweetheart, and she was one of my assistants.

"Need any help? I'm free tonight," she offered, her smile bright.

"That would be amazing. I'll handle the books if you could take care of these?" I handed

her a list of emails and calls that needed to be made.

opened both sides, and wheeled in her Yamaha YZF-R3-that purple

her motorcycle and pushed it

area.

behind the counter and started on my work. Today she wanted her rear suspension modified, replacing the factory

it," I said, slipping on my gloves and systematically removing the seat, side covers, and rear wheel. As I was setting the

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rear shock, a screw went flying and landed right by Penelope's foot. Ryder saw it too but

chest, but I watched as he immediately lowered his eyes back to his phone. The stark contrast between the intense, borderline aggressive guy who'd been questioning me and this respectful behavior

I gave Penelope a wide smile and continued

the call. He stayed on the phone for the entire

back in, I was photographing Penelope's YZF-R3 while she was updating me on her

on time. They didn't have the blue you selected, so I switched to deep green. It'll still look great with the black and match the theme. We might need some adjustments, so I changed the accents to gold.

but collapsed back down as a sharp pain shot through me. Damn, I forgot about my

Penelope was

hand to signal her to wait. With my eyes closed, I could hear Ryder's footsteps. When he reached my side, he gently wrapped his arm around me and carefully helped

feel so safe? My heart

he confirmed I was steady,

ribs," I

god! I could have

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Chapter 26

I twist. Besides, you've been a huge help!" I sat down to