Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder) novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39

Xena’s POV

We stood at the top of the hill, overlooking the city we’d just left behind. The view took my breath away, and I knew it would only be more beautiful at night.

“What do you think?” Ryder came to stand behind me. I only had to lean back slightly to feel his chest against my back. My heart immediately picked up speed, a strange sense of security enveloping me.

“It’s beautiful,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite my heart hammering in my chest. “This view is unbelievable. How did you find this place?”

“My family has owned this land for generations. We haven’t used it in a while, though, and don’t have any particular need for it. We’ve been considering building some sort of venue here to generate some income. But we haven’t checked on the land in years. My father asked me to see if it was feasible, take some soil samples to check for

contamination.”

“Just how much land do you own?” I asked curiously, privately marveling at his family’s

wealth.

Ryder wrapped his arm loosely around my waist, turning me to face him. His touch sent a small shiver across my skin, and I forced myself to focus on his words rather than the warmth of his palm.

“About fifteen feet from the bottom and stretching for a few miles in each direction.”

“How many miles is a few?” I pressed, trying to grasp the scale of it.

“I think we have about five hundred acres.”

“Jesus.” I took Ryder’s outstretched hand, and we began to walk together. Holding his hand felt both terrifying and comforting at the same time.

“There’s a forest over there, and if I remember correctly, there’s a waterfall,” he said.

“Really?” We walked hand in hand into the forest until the path narrowed. I followed behind Ryder as we walked about a mile down the trail until I could hear the sound of

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Chapter 39

water.

“Do you hear that?” Ryder asked.

“Yeah.” The breeze blew against my face, feeling comfortable, and I wasn’t even sweating. We walked another hundred yards, and the forest opened up to reveal a gorgeous waterfall flowing into a stream below.

“Wow, it’s beautiful,” I said breathlessly, captivated by the sight before me.

“Just like I remembered.” Ryder walked over to a rock by the water and sat down. I followed and sat next to him, still with a bit of space between us, but close enough.

“When was the last time you were here?” I asked.

“Oh, it’s been years. I think I was in elementary school.”