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."

pulled myself up from the bed, suddenly very aware of

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

shower, but I wanted one anyway. I

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

I ducked my head under the hot

may not have issued challenges yet, but the possibility is there," Ryder muttered as he stepped into the shower behind me. I almost rolled my eyes at his

someone might defeat me?" I asked, working shampoo through my hair while Ryder washed his body. It struck me as strange-intimate yet not sexual-just two people sharing a shower and a conversation. We'd reached a level of comfort I never thought possible. I'd always

all," Ryder replied, his displeasure evident in both his

lighten the mood.

"He should be."

from my hair. "I still can't believe he and Penelope became mates. Wonder how Keira feels about that." 'Is Keira

his question, my heart rate accelerating as unease washed over me.

Aut Penelope isn't. She's a

you still fight," Ryder

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Chapter 108

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

care of today," Ryder

downstairs. I hadn't done anything wrong-he'd known about this fight for over a week, and I'd issued the challenge before we'd

Ryder walked out, closing the bedroom door with more force