Don't Poke the Luna (Xena and Ryder) novel Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Xena’s POV

“Yeah. I just find it hard to open up,” I finally said, breaking the silence between us. “I

want to. I want you to hold me and kiss me and tell me everything will be okay. But what happens when Friday comes and you can’t give me that anymore because you’ve found

your mate? Where does that leave me?”

My voice trembled slightly despite my efforts to keep it steady. I’d never been this

vulnerable with anyone before. It felt like I was cutting open my chest and showing him

my heart, not knowing if he’d protect it or crush it in his hands.

Ryder sighed, turning to face forward, hands resting on his knees. “I’m sorry.”

The rejection stung worse than I’d anticipated. I stood up, ready to leave, to run away from this suffocating feeling of worthlessness that threatened to consume me. But Ryder

grabbed my hand before I could take a step.

“Fuck it,” I heard him mutter under his breath. Then he yanked me back, his movement so sudden it caught me off guard. One arm circled my waist, pulling me toward him; his other hand wrapped around my neck, fingers tangling in my hair, gently tugging my head back. And then his lips crashed against mine in the most passionate kiss I’d ever

experienced.

The moment his lips touched mine, I melted into him. My arms instinctively wrapped around his neck as I surrendered to his embrace. A soft moan escaped my throat, my eyelids fluttering at the intensity of sensations flooding through me.

This reaction was something I’d never felt with Samuel. It sparked hope within me – hope that Ryder could be my destined mate. Deep inside, a certainty I’d never known before began to grow. Maybe this was fate’s guidance? Maybe he was the one?

Ryder bent down, his hands encircling my thighs. He lifted me up, pressing me against a nearby tree. The rough bark against my back was a stark contrast to the softness of his lips as they moved from my mouth to my neck.