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."

I grumbled, but he just

then softened-it swirled in my mind, leaving me dizzy with want. I scrubbed myself clean, knowing I'd just get sweaty again during

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 said with a

His lips brushed mine, soft and

1/3

Chapter 64

training," he murmured.

me. “If this is the warm-up,

more

training sessions.

said, rolling his eyes with that fond, exasperated look I was

tto love

screech of tires split th silence. "Get down!" Ryder roared, tackling me to the ground. Bullets peppered his

of dust

shook as I pushed myself up, forcing the panice down. "You okay?" I asked, my