Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

Chapter 64

He climbed up beside me, his weight pressing against the counter as he hovered over me. “You okay, little one?" His voice was softer now, tender in a way that caught me off guard. Little one? No one had ever called me that before, and damn if it didn't make my chest ache.

"Yeah," I panted, my words stumbling over each other. "Completely... fine."

"Good." He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle. "You should shower before we head out."

“Uh-huh,” I mumbled, but my limbs felt like jelly, refusing to move.

"Come on, William's waiting for you to train." He smirked again, that playful edge returning.

I groaned, propping myself up on shaky elbows. "You drain me dry and expect me to go train? Seriously?"

Ryder laughed, a deep, rich sound that warmed me from the inside out. "Damn right I do."

He hauled me to my feet, steering me toward the bathroom with a nudge. "I'll clean up here. You go wash off."

he just

of what had just happened. His kisses, his hands, the way he'd taken control and then softened-it swirled in my mind, leaving me dizzy with want. I scrubbed myself clean,

the disinfectant machine, the faint hum lingering in the air. "How'd you-?" "Watched you

face him. His lips brushed mine, soft and sweet, a contrast to the fire from

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Chapter 64

training," he murmured.

flaring in me. “If this is the warm-up,

more

training sessions.

eyes with that fond, exasperated look I was

tto love

of tires split th silence. "Get down!" Ryder roared, tackling me to the ground. Bullets peppered his car, sharp ping-ping-ping ringing in my ears. My brain froze,, fearing through my veins as

haze of dust and

"You okay?" I asked, my voice tight as