Chapter 201
Xena’s POV
“Sore and stiff, but not too bad, I sewarad entity, trying to
“Good. Lie down and III have come breakfast sand ay for a Poterimstad the gives want me to just on soit my so I could recline comfortably, then positioned on onday akeh wa rang than * * cantor de mife Chest on ente
stood up.
“You’re not leaving, are you?” I asked pretty, the wineving in mynda vadimitiae mua ta my des depended on anyone like this, and I hated the feeling. A annamed that created ing my eye, *** those terrible memories world come flooding back.
Ryder’s body instantly stiffened. Its turned to look at me, his ayes ring with something the brush Bioche leaving you for a very long time. He headed toward the bathroom.
Trying to relax became parder, Not because of the pain, but bacana Govt want to be done, Desjta sy anxiety, every second Ryder was out of my sight made me increasingly unexo
“What’s wrong?” Ryder asked, emerging from the bathroom. He wore only shorts, making the brakes on kis body de Some had yellowed, but others were fresh, showing black and blue.
Why do you have bruises like that? Some look old, but some are new I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the watson
“I needed to work out some frustration last night. Logan and I sparted. He’s probably the only one who could keda ma to state.” Ryder said it like it was nothing. He lay down on the bed but didn’t touch me.
“Will you hold me? I requested. The old me would never have shown such weakness, but right now I needed his warsto, tended to
feel safe.
Ryder grabbed the remote and turned on the TV, then rolled over. He shifted closer, his arm resting above my head to his hand could play with my hair. He seemed to be getting as close as possible without actually touching me. With both my ass bared, be couldn’t lie on my other side either. I breathed in his scent, so close yet maintaining distance, the thoughtless mating my heart flutter slightly.
He flipped through channels before settling on America’s Got Talent About twenty minutes later, I couldn’t hold it anymore. Using the bathroom would be difficult, but I couldn’t delay any longer.
Using my sore muscles, I sat up as quickly as I could. “Oh, that hurts I groaned. Straighteráng my elbows wasn’t painted, but å forsk a moment to let my shoulders relax, keeping them at an angle.
As I stood, a knock came at the door.
“That’s probably the food,” Ryder said, heading toward the door while I made my way to the bathroom. He waited un inside before opening the door. Always so considerate, even in small things.
Since I was wearing only underwear, pulling them down to pre was slightly easier. The trickier part was…
“Are you okay?” Ryder asked through our mind link. I must have taken longer than expected.
“Yeah, just not the easiest thing to do right now. Eanswered white looking at myself in the mirror, trying to move my shoulders, Maybe some exercise would loosen them up. After about five minute, all I’d managed to do was cause myself more pain. 1 gritted my teeth, hating my weakness in this moment.
“What are you doing? Ryder opened the door to find me rotating my shoulders.
1/2
Chapter 201
Trying to ease the soreness, but it’s not helping, 1 admitted, the frustration evident in my voice.
“Here, let me help you.” Ryder Stood behind me. Taking hold of my arms, I let them relax as his fingers pressed into my muscles, the sensation both painful and reliving. I surrendered to his touch as he loosened my arms in ways I couldn’t manage myself
“That helps,” I said when, Ryder set my arms down.
“Good. After we eat, I’ll ice them. Do you want to try a bath?‘ he asked, concern filling his eyes.
“After we eat,” I said, feeling unsteady on my feet and needing to sit down.
“Alright. Ryder guided me to the sofa. He had prepared a picnic–style meal on the coffee table. There were various fruits and vegetables, along with cold cut sandwiches. “Turkey or roast beef?”
“Turkey, thanks.” Ryder grabbed the plate with turkey and added some fruit while I settled comfortably on the sofa. His body suddenly tensed before continuing to put things on the plate as if nothing had happened.
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