Balance (Off Balance 1)

“Yes, sir!” I joked, trying to lighten the mood. Holly and Sarah snickered from the side, while Reagan gave me a death stare.

I wasn’t sure why, but I was in a playful mood this morning. However, when I turned to Coach right before going again, he most definitely was not.

Just another prime example of my mouth getting me in trouble, even when it was closed.

It was the end of the day, and I was dead exhausted. After a long session on bars, I worked beam, which was a blessing in disguise considering how much I hated it. Hardly any abuse was done to my hands. It was a nice little break until I got to vault. The pain had s

ubsided since this morning, but I wasn’t stupid. I’d have to take care of the rips properly.

Everyone had gone home for the evening and here I was, stuck in the gym after hours, waiting on Coach for one of his “not stretching, but stretching” drills. I rolled my eyes hearing his voice inside my head saying it.

“I hope that eye roll was not for me,” Kova stated, swiftly walking past me. I had no idea where the hell he came from. The man loved to appear out of thin air.

Keeping up with his long stride, I nearly had to power walk to keep up with him. “Uh, nope. I just have some chalk in my eye.”

“Right,” he responded, drawing out the word. He knew I was lying.

When we made it into the therapy room, he flipped on the lights and got right to it.

“I think an hour in here will do, but Adrianna, I do not teach you these drills for fun. I expect to see and hear that you have been doing them. You have to trust it will help down the line.”

Hayden’s voice drifted through my mind about trusting my coach. I nodded and decided to go with the truth. “To be honest with you, I don’t feel I get the same effect doing it myself. You applied a lot of pressure and held me in the position. I can’t do that myself in the same manner you can.”

Folding his arms across his chest, Coach studied me. I hoped he saw the conviction in my eyes. While I could do the drills, what I confessed was the truth. I didn’t get the same result from doing them myself.

Kova strode over to where I was standing. He captured my gaze and stood inches from me, placing his hands on my biceps. Affection laced his voice as he said, “If you need me, all you have to do is say something. That is what I am here for, Ria.”

Heat rose to my cheeks as the intensity of his gaze thickened. Truth was, I did need him, and he clearly knew it.

His hands slowly slid down my arms to just above my elbows. My heartbeat quickened and I inhaled through my nose to steady my breathing. He gave me a gentle squeeze before releasing me, and ushered me over to the therapy table.

Even after hours of training gymnasts, I could still smell the faint scent of his spicy cologne.

“You will only set yourself back if you do not use what is readily available to you. Me.”

Him?

“That is what I am here for.” He cleared his throat. “What Madeline is here for. Use us, ask questions.”

I bit the inside of my lip. He was right. “I just try not to ask too many questions, you know? I like to show I can do things on my own.”

He raised a brow and countered me. “You?” A sexy grin slowly appeared on his face and my cheeks grew hot. “You love to talk back. Is it not almost the same thing as asking questions?”

I lowered my face, trying to hide my growing smile. I bobbed my head, agreeing with him. Kova slipped two fingers under my chin and raised my head so our eyes met again. His touch was thrilling and caused a rush of heat to stream through my body. My heartbeat picked up and the energy in the room grew thicker.

My lips parted as we stared into each other’s eyes, unsure what to think. This man was beyond confusing, and his touch left me with questions. Questions I had about myself and my reaction to him. Thing was, I began to like the attention he showed me, liked the touch of his hands and the way they seemed to linger on me.

“Remember to use your resources, Ria. I am sure your dad would agree with me on that.”

Yeah, I was pretty sure he didn’t want me to use my resources in the way my body wanted to at the moment. Especially not with the way I stared at my coach’s mouth.

“Why do you call me Ria and not Ana like my parents?”

He paused. “It suits you better. Ana sounds like a child’s name, Ria.” His thumb caressed the side of my face. “And you are no child, not to me at least.”

Kova dropped his hand and walked to the side of the table, murmuring under his breath in Russian. My heart was nearly in my throat and my eyes were huge. Never once had Kova touched me so...so...I wasn’t even sure what to call it. Adoringly. Affectionately.

“Okay, we are going to do the same drills as last time, but add in a few more that will be helpful to you. Get on your back and bring one leg to your chest. Hold it for me.”