Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder)

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Don't Poke the Luna

Chapter 108

Xena's POV

"Time to get up for breakfast," Ryder's voice was a gentle murmur against my ear, his breath warm against my skin.

“No,” I grumbled, pressing my ass against him, feeling his chest rumble with quiet laughter. I could feel the heat of his body against mine, tempting me to stay wrapped in this cocoon of warmth.

"You need to get up and eat a good breakfast. You've got a fight to win today," he said, his fingers tracing light patterns on my bare

shoulder.

That got my attention. "I'm looking forward to it!" My voice carried an undeniable edge of excitement.

Ryder's arms tightened around me, his tone more serious than I'd expected. "You need to focus. Winning this fight will show everyone else not to challenge you so easily."

I rolled over to face him, studying the concern etched into his features. "Who else would dare challenge me? Besides, I'm the one who issued this challenge."

from the bed, suddenly very aware of

felt more natural with each passing day. The vulnerability that once made me uncomfortable was fading, replaced by something

need a shower, but I wanted one anyway. I needed

before the fight. It was strategic-I couldn't afford to let my opponent catch any trace of distraction

the hot spray of water,

is there," Ryder muttered as he stepped into

two people sharing a shower and a conversation. We'd reached a level of comfort I never thought possible. I'd always assumed shared showers were inherently erotic, but this felt different.

rather not see it at all," Ryder replied, his displeasure evident in both his voice and the tense line of his

subject, trying to lighten the mood. "Is Logan

"He should be."

could rinse the shampoo from my hair. "I still can't believe he and Penelope

stiffened instantly at his question, my heart rate accelerating as unease washed over

Penelope isn't. She's a scholar,

you still

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Chapter 108

dad to teach me. After a final rinse, Ryde turned off the shower and handed me a

today," Ryder said coolly, his back to me as he

way downstairs. I hadn't done anything wrong-he'd known about this fight for over a week, and

closing the bedroom door with more force than