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I saw Kova in a completely different light. I was at odds with myself for wanting more of him. I hungered for his knowledge. His uncanny ability to see what I needed to succeed and to bring out the elite gymnast in me without a second thought. No one got me the way he did. His training was harsh at times, and he rode me hard in the gym, but it was because he had a bird's eye for precision. I knew it from the beginning, but to see this approach made me feel different toward him. It made me admire him more than I allowed my heart to, and that worried me.
I promised myself I would try my hardest to not look at him in that light anymore. Promised myself I would stay away, but when Kova took the time to look me in the eyes and break it down and feed me what I needed to thrive, I found him sexy as hell. Addicting. Kova had a potent hold over me and I wondered if he even knew his power.
A lot could be said about the man standing next to me, probably more negative than positive, but there was one thing I knew for certain—today showed he cared about my success in the sport. He did have my best interests at heart. Kova wasn't a man who divulged much about himself, but today said more about him than he knew.
Once the meet ended, I stood awkwardly off to the side as gymnasts were congratulated on their hard work and effort. Reagan was knocked down to bronze, a tenth of a deduction separated her from placing fourth. Holly held silver, while Sarah placed sixth. The men's team would compete after us.
The team, parents, and coaches all had dinner together—and thankfully a fast one. Now I was back in my room alone while the girls had gone to stay in a hotel near the airport with their parents. Holly offered to stay with me, but I politely declined and reminded her that I lived alone and liked it.
Today had been overwhelming and I needed the solitude more than anything to relax.
I'd been so angry with Kova for forcing me to attend the meet he so ruthlessly pulled me from. I thought it was a cruel game he was playing and didn't want any part of it.
Turns out, I was naive. Kova wasn't as despicable as I thought he was.
My heart still burned with vengeance because of what he did, but now I realized I misjudged his intentions and the fire raging inside me slowly dimmed.
I had everything packed for the early flight home tomorrow and now I had a bath running. My goal was to clear my mind. I was insanely eager to get back in the gym with the newfound information I had. The strange thing was, I'd already had the knowledge, but I'd seen it through a different perspective today and that changed things for me big time.
As I undressed, a light knock sounded at my door. I groaned inwardly, hoping Holly hadn't decided to come back.
Grabbing the robe hanging on the back of the door, I quickly pulled it on and tied a knot around my waist. I wasn't tall enough to look through the peep hole, so I carefully opened the door.
"Kova?" I whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"May I come in?"
My eyes narrowed at the ridiculousness of his question. I swallowed hard and clutched the robe tight to my neck.
He wants to come into my hotel room with other coaches and gymnasts around!
"I really don't think that's a good idea."
With a tilt of his head, he gave me a pleading look. "It will not take long. I promise. Just a few minutes, pozhaluysta."
I flattened my lips and amusement lit in his eyes. He got me. I resigned and stepped aside, letting him in.
The sound of running water had Kova glancing toward the bathroom. "Do you need to turn that off?"
I ran to the bathroom and quickly turned off the water and redressed. Stepping back into the room, I found Kova seated in one of two chairs at the round table near the window. Lounged back like he was the king of a fortune five hundred empire, he casually spread his legs wider as he scrolled through his phone. His dark wash jeans fit him to perfection. The way the denim molded his thighs screamed for me to climb him like a tree. My eyes trailed up his long-sleeved black shirt and paused on his biceps. One flex and the seams would give.
Then I noticed the ball cap…and I was done.
So simple. So easygoing. So fucking hot.
Damn this man and his sexual appeal.
A startling need to go to him and sit on his lap and just talk pulled at me. We could talk about anything, meaningless things. The weather. The future of the sport. I could teach him contractions or listen to him speak Russian. This need had absolutely nothing to do with sex and everything to do with a deep connection to someone.
I didn't know why, but the urge to capture this moment hit me like a ton of b
ricks. It wasn't the best idea, it was downright stupid, but I didn't care. I had to have him like this—natural, easy, relaxed. Like it was normal for us.
Quickly and quietly, I pulled my cell phone from my back pocket and snapped a photo of him.
Kova lifted his eyes from his phone and leisurely dragged them up and down my body without moving his head. I felt the heat from his avid gaze roam every inch of my body. One side of his mouth tugged up ever so slightly, and I snapped another photo as he watched. The man looked divine in a ball cap; I could stare at him all day. A smirk tipped the corners of his mouth as I captured another shot. Then he bit down on his bottom lip and dragged his teeth up. I swallowed hard and a soft exhale escaped my lips.
I managed to take one more picture before he motioned me to the chair opposite him. That stupid imaginary string pulling me toward him as I took a seat. Kova placed his phone facedown and sat up straighter, turning toward me.
