Xena''s POV


    "Why are you'' so moody this morning?" I couldn''t help asking as we turned the


    corner.


    Ryder nced around to make sure we were alone before pushing me against the wall.


    "No one gets to touch your body but me," he growled in my ear, his arm wrapping possessively around my waist. Images fromst night shed through my mind, making my body heat up involuntarily.


    My heart raced, but I refused to show weakness in front of him. "I''m not going to stop sparring. That wasn''t flirting, it was normalbat training. Though he definitely needs


    to learn some manners."


    Footsteps echoed from down the hallway, and Ryder immediately stepped back.


    "Let''s go,"


    he growled, just as Ama and William rounded the corner.


    "What''s going on here?" Ama asked curiously.


    "Apparently Ryder woke up on the wrong side of the bed today," I said


    sarcastically, though I was nervous about how intimate we''d just been, hoping the others hadn''t noticed my flushed cheeks.


    Ryder rolled his eyes, clearly understanding my implication.


    "Okay..." William gave Ryder a strange look.


    "Come on! I need a shower, and then we''re getting breakfast, and I''m all yours today!" I grabbed Ama''s hand and pulled her up the stairs, trying to change the subject.


    "Who''s in such a good mood this morning?" Amaughed as she sat down on the couch and turned on the TV.


    "Slept well!" I called out as I walked into the bathroom. My thighs were a bit sore, overall I felt great. Memories ofst night came flooding back.


    but


    After my shower, I threw on some athletic shorts and a t-shirt, nothing too fancy, but I still took the time to blow-dry and style my hair. After applying some light makeup, I was


    ready.


    "Wow, all dressall up for me today?" Ama joked, standing up when she saw my carefully put-togettium appearance.


    "Just feeling especially good today," I answered.


    "This waniliin''t have anything to do with a certain someone, would it??"


    "Mance like the change of scenery," I lied.


    Wee hended to the kitchen, where only William and Ryder had arrived before us. I sat ne to Rytter, while Ama took a seat beside William. The food wassid out buffet-style on t


    ssite.


    Help yourselves,dies," William nodded toward the food.


    Awesome!" Ama said excitedly, and I followed behind her. The spread was impressive- sausages, bacon, waffles, pancakes, and even biscuitss and gravy. I poured myself coffee, adding some milk and sugar, feeling content..


    Find what you wanted?" Ama approached me..


    "I did-" As I turned around, I saw that a group off gifts had already seated themselves next to the guys. Disappointment washed over me,, but I tried to hide it, just shrugging and moving to the end of the table with Ama following. Il ffelt an unexpected wave of jealousy and loss, especially after being so intimate with Ryderst night, only to watch other girls surround him today.


    "I could have made them leave..." Ama whisperedl.


    "If you want to sit next to William, you should," I shrugged, pretending to be unbothere


    Ama nced at them, sighed, andi satt aurs from nie. "Are you really going to help me! Ama asked quietly.


    "Of course. I want you to seed;; yanive theen good to me. I don''t know why you''re having trouble here," I said sincerely, putting my own emotions aside for the moment.


    "William wants things done his way, nut how I think they should be done. We''re always butting heads."


    "It''s hard letting someone else take over and do things their way," I said, taking a bite of my cereal.


    "How can you eat that stuff?" Ama looked at my choice with disgust.


    "Because it''s delicious," Iughed, feeling a bit lighter.


    "Are you sure about the red dress?"


    "Absolutely!!" I said with augh, giving Ama a wink.


    Ama cheered, and we both startedughing. "I can''t wait to see her face; it''s going


    to be epic," I said, taking a sip of my coffee.


    "Me too! Let me put some decorations in your hair!" Ama was still excited, her voice unintentionally getting louder, drawing curious nces from the girls nearby.


    "Deal!"


    "Yes!!" She excitedly waved her arms.


    "But not likest time. I looked like a damn rhinestoned frog." I grumbled under my breath.


    Ama burst outughing. By the time the guys walked over to us, we were both crying withughter.


    "What''s so funny?" William asked.


    "Ama''s ability to decorate frogs. Done with your conversation?" I asked, wiping my eyes.


    "Why didn''t youe back and sit with us?" William''s tone actually sounded a bit hurt.


    "You were surrounded by girls and didn''t even notice where we were. Must have been important,” I said, with more bitterness in my voice than I''d intended.