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."

grumbled, but he just shut the door behind me

as it streamed over me, I couldn't stop replaying every second 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, knowing I'd just get sweaty again during training, but it didn't matter. I was still buzzing, alive in

was spotless. Ryder had even run the disinfectant machine, the faint hum lingering in the air. "How'd you-?" "Watched you do it once," he

spinning me back to face him. His lips brushed mine, soft and sweet, a contrast to the

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Chapter 64

training," he murmured.

mischievous spark flaring in me. “If this is

more

training sessions.

said, rolling his eyes with that fond, exasperated look

tto love

peppered his car, sharp ping-ping-ping ringing in my ears. My brain froze,, fearing through my veins as shielded me. The attackers peeled away, their taillights vanishing

of

I pushed myself up, forcing the panice down. "You okay?" I asked, my voice tight as I stared at