Release (Off Balance 3)

"There you go," he whispered. His thumb slowed. "You were about to pop a blood vessel."

"You make me that way. I swear you bring out the worst in me."

The corner of his mouth tugged up. "You are so beautiful when you are fired up."

"See? Contractions would be useful there."

"You're beautiful when you're fired up," he said, the words so foreign to him I grinned.

My head fell forward onto his chest. I tried not to laugh, but when I replayed the words in my head I chuckled quietly. Kova's hand slid up my neck, his fingers threading through the hair at my nape as he took a small step toward me.

"Say it again," I asked, eyeing his other arm hanging at his side. Kova had this one prevalent vein I loved that wound around his forearm like a tattoo. It was so hot, and my fingers ached to touch it.

"You're beautiful when you're fired up."

I chuckled again. This time when he said it, there was a funny incline in his tone when he said you’re. Like he was trying different variations of the word to see which fit the best. Without thinking, my hands came up to rest on his hips. I grabbed him, holding on as I laughed, and felt the ridges of his strong muscles.

"You sound like a robot."

"You called me Kova," he whispered, his lips pressed to the top of my head. His fingers stroked my scalp, soothing away the tension.

Fucking hell. I hadn’t even realized I’d slipped.

"I don't think clearly when I'm around you," I admitted, feeling defeated. I looked up and our eyes met. "You make me so mad sometimes, but then other times I just want to let it all go and forget and just be us again." My words were a murmur, but I wanted him to know how he affected me.

"I know the feeling all too well," Kova replied, barely above a whisper. "You look sad."

"I am," I replied honestly. We were close enough that I could breathe in his words and allow them to wrap around the organ thumping in my rib cage if I wasn't careful enough.

"I do not like seeing you like that." I stayed silent. "I know you probably do not believe me, but it hurts me to see you this way. You have looked sad for weeks."

I had to wonder if he knew he was the root of my sadness.

"Does that feel good?" he asked, still massaging my head. I nodded, wishing he was massaging my entire body.

"Hmmm… I think I need to call a chiropractor and schedule a full body massage. Will your friend be back anytime soon?"

"Who?"

"The doctor… Ethan. He can do a full body, sports kind of massage. I could use it. He suggested it, remember?"

Kova peered down at me, face blank, but his eyes bore into mine with such intensity it left me breathless. Much to my astonishment, I stepped closer until there was no space left between us and wrapped my arms around his back. I let out a long breath and sagged against him.

"If you need a deep tissue massage"—he gave me a casual shrug—"I can do it for you."

He didn't hint at something more, and he wasn't his usual bossy, over-controlling self, but I was taken aback by my quick response.

"Okay," I replied so easily. "I should probably do another round of blading before I go back to Texas too."

He nodded, and I dropped my chin to his chest. His fingers mellowed me out, my eyes heavy with fatigue. Exhaling, I let out a long sleepy breath.

"I need you to do me a favor," he said, like he was begging for me not to argue with him. I looked up to see Kova's face shift into a handful of different emotions that made me want to ask what he was thinking about.

"I need you to stay home until you see your doctor. I am not asking for a doctor's note for you to come back. I am going to trust that you went. I just need to make sure you are okay and healthy. It is my main priority."

I wanted to fight him on this, because I needed to be in the gym, training as hard as I could, but I was so tired that all I did was nod my head in agreement.

"Spasibo," he said in Russian.