Don''t Poke the Luna


    Xena''s POV


    "Did William do all of this for Ama too?" I asked, gesturing at the beautiful starlit pic setup as we gathered our things from the


    nket.


    “No, he did his own thing. I just helped clean up the site. If anyone helped me n this, it was Logan, Ryder admitted, folding the nket with practiced efficiency.


    "Oh... that''s unexpected,'' I murmured, surprised that my brother had a hand in creating this perfect moment.


    Ryder packed away everything we needed, and we climbed back into the golf cart for the drive back to the pack house. His eyes lingered on me as he started the engine.


    "Your hair looks beautiful right now," he said, his voice low and appreciative.


    "That''s entirely your fault. Who told you to wrap your fingers in it?ined, though I still tried to smooth it down. I knew I probably looked like a madwoman who''d just crawled out of bed afterst night''s passion.


    "Ah, yes, but it was absolutely worth it." The wolfish grin spreading across his face sent tingles down my spine.


    "Was it really?" I asked, suddenly feeling a twinge of insecurity.


    "Why are you anxious aboutst night?" Ryder asked immediately.


    My jaw dropped in surprise. I''d forgotten he could feel my emotions now, just as I could feel his. A wave of amusement washed over me, but I realized it wasn''t my emotion-it was Ryder''s. This bond was both intimate and unnerving-every feeling I had was now


    "That was my first time," I admitted, crossing my arms and turning my head away from him.


    Ryder reached out and pulled me closer to him. His hand rested on my inner thigh, warm and possessive. I wrapped my arm around his, resting my head against his shoulder.


    "We have brunch, then Ama has arranged some activities for you girls, and then the ball. We need to be there around 5:30," Ryder exined, outlining the day''s schedule.


    Disappointed that he hadn''t acknowledged my confession, I decided to let it go. "Sounds good."


    "Why do you feel disappointed?" he asked, his voice gentle.


    "I''m really going to start hating this emotion-sharing thing," I sighed


    Ryder smiled and ced a kiss on my forehead. "So?"


    "You didn''tment on what I said about it being my first time. Obviously, you''ve had experience." The words came out more


    vulnerable than I intended.


    Ryder mmed on the brakes. If not for his hand on me, I would have been thrown forward. “Listen.” He lifted me up and ced me so I was straddling hisp. Our eyes locked, and his burned with an intensity I''d never seen before.


    "I have never felt more alive than I do now. Last night was the best night of my life. I love you, Xena. I''ve never felt this way about anyone. You are my life, my world. Never doubt that." Ryder kissed me passionately, and I could feel all the love pouring from him through our bond, so intense it nearly overwhelmed me.


    "I love you too, I whispered. Those three words had always terrified bie, made me feel vulnerable and exposed, but in this moment, they flowed from my lips as naturally as breathing.


    "Hmm, I heard that''s difficult for you to say..."


    "It is," 1 admitted.


    Ryder kissed me tenderly, then helped me slide back to sit beside him. His hand returned to my thigh as we drove back to the pack house. Thankfully, no one was around to witness my "walk of shame


    The cart came to a smooth stop in front of the house. Ryder got out and deliberately moved slowly while I ran ahead. Unfortunately, I didn''t have the code to unlock the door.


    "0725," Ryder''s voice echoed in my mind. His voice was even sexier in my head, the deep timbre sending electricity down my spine.


    "Do you want to shower first or should I?" I asked as we entered.


    "Don''t want to shower together?" Ryder teased as we walked inside. He closed the door behind us and locked it.


    “That''s an interesting proposition..." I was still sore fromst night, but I told myself to push past the awkwardness. This meant showering with your mate. "Hope you like scalding hot water."


    Thankfully, Ryder didn''tment on my internal struggle. "Does it have to be that hot?"


    I walked straight to the bathroom while Ryder went to get towels. I turned on the shower before he entered. Since he wasn''t in the bathroom yet, I quickly stripped off my clothes. Fortunately, the water was hot.


    "Seriously?" Ryder asked as he entered, his eyes immediately drawn to my naked form.


    "What? It feels good." I stood there,pletely bare, with my eyes closed. The water cascaded over my head, running down my body. I tried to focus on the soothing sensation of the water washing over me, attempting to rx and not feel self-conscious about my nudity, but in the bright light, I still felt a flicker of unease and shyness.


    "I know what feels even better." His hands gripped my hips firmly, pulling me toward him. The cool air made my nipples harden, and I could feel his hardness pressing against me. A familiar heat spread through my body, and I knew that no matter how many times we were together, every touch would intoxicate me. Chapter Comments


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