Execution (Off Balance 2)

Always. It would always be like this with Kova.

We both stepped inside my room. Kova walked toward the door and I made my way to the bathroom to freshen up. When I came out only a few minutes later, he was standing by my dresser. I stalked over to him.

"What are you doing?" My eyes were huge. "You need to—"

He cut me off by swiftly maneuvering himself behind me with his hand over my mouth and his other hand on my stomach securing me to him. My heart flew into my throat. I instantly reached to pull his hand away, but he gave me a little shake and jerked his head in the direction of my bedroom door.

"Listen," he breathed into my ear. His chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. I nodded. He slipped his hand from my mouth and ducked his head into my neck.

Male voices carried in the hallway that I immediately identified as Michael and Conner, followed by Xavier. I couldn't make out exactly what they were saying, but I picked up some words. Pussy. Gator. Blue and black. I didn't know what any of it meant and I didn't care to. I swear those guys had their own language. All I cared about was the fact that we could've been caught.

When the voices drifted further down the hall, my head relaxed against Kova’s chest and I exhaled a sigh of relief. His hand on my stomach loosened.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

Kova stepped out from behind me, his hand trailing along my lower back to rest on my hip. He faced me. Without saying a word, he leaned down and pressed a light kiss to my cheek, his lips lingering for a few seconds. My eyes rolled shut. I didn't like the feeling of this kiss. It felt too much like goodbye.

He lowered his head and jammed his hands into his pockets. "Another time, another life… You look absolutely breathtaking tonight, malysh."

He turned and left without another word, softly closing the door behind him, and rendering me speechless.

* * *

Once outside, I made my way back to the tent. I spotted my parents with Kova and Katja, each with freshly filled tumblers and their laughter filling the air. Dad saw me and lifted his crystal, and smiled. Both Mom and Kova turned my way. My stomach contracted with anxiety but I kept my face neutral. Mom turned her head the other way while Kova looked at me for a split second before returning his attention to Katja.

His entire demeanor changed and my stomach revolted against it. His vibrant emerald eyes flashed with excitement and lust. I swallowed hard and looked to find my friends, who stood an arm length away.

Hayden saw me first and met me halfway, followed by Avery and Holly.

"Where did you go? I looked for you," he said, low but concerned. He placed his hand on the small of my back and drew me closer to him.

Naturally, I lied. I relaxed my face and slid on a peachy smile, though shame ate away at my insides. I knew without a doubt, he'd been waiting on me when the ball dropped.

"Oh, ah, I heard one of the servers saying they couldn't locate the champagne glasses."

"And did you pour all of them and serve them too?" Avery asked jokingly. She looked tipsy.

I laughed. "They needed help, so I offered." I eyed Avery, hoping she'd get the hint to shut the hell up and cover my lie. Eighty-seven years later, understanding finally dawned in her glossy eyes. She knew I was lying.

"I was looking for you when the countdown started," Hayden said, staring into my eyes, but there was another pair of eyes I could feel even stronger on me.

"I'm sorry I wasn't back in time," I said, feigning remorse.

Hayden's eyes softened. "If I'd known we would've missed our kiss, I would've found you sooner." I blushed, and averted my gaze to the grass. "Or at least made our earlier kiss more worth it."

"Adrianna," Kova called my name firmly. I looked over at him. His eyes were as hard as the grip he had on his glass of clear liquid. "I was just telling Frank, even though you are not competing in the meet that you should still come and watch. You can see what you are up against." He took a drink, his eyes hard. Telling.

He heard what Hayden had said about our kiss.

The last thing I wanted was to go to the meet as a spectator, not to mention, it was an asinine thing to suggest. Typical Kova.

"I don't think it's necessary to tag along. I've been to plenty of meets and know what to expect. I'd rather stay back and train."

Kova eyed me, downing the contents of his glass in one gulp.

"Would you like another vodka?" Katja asked him.

He looked at her. "Yes. Get one for yourself as well."