Dismount (Off Balance 5)

I never thought we would come to this. Nodding, my jaw trembled in his palms. I wanted to make him promise he would come for me.

Drawing in a breath, my words shook as I cried softly. "I wish things were different and you were coming with me."

He didn't respond. He couldn't. Tears blurred my vision again. I glanced over my shoulder at the escalator. Once I stepped on, there was no turning back. Knowing I was running out of time, I started to panic.

I looked back at him. "You said you sold the gym. Come with me," I whispered.

"No, Malysh."

My heart sank. Kova’s eyes shifted back and forth over mine. I'd seen him suffer in the past, but nothing compared to how he was now. He was bleeding love and drowning in it…like me.

"You are going alone."

"But you said you sold the gym," I said, a cross between a beg and a whimper.

My eyes filled with fresh tears and his gaze softened. Heat bloomed in my cheeks from the blood pumping through my veins. I was scared to leave him. Scared to leave us. Scared to go on this journey alone. Scared I’d get too sick to live with him.

"Come with me," I begged. "Please."

Clenching his eyes shut, a low growl pushed through his chest.

"I'm scared I'll never see you again," I said, baring my heart. "And if I do, what if you've moved on?"

Kova slammed his mouth to mine and plunged his tongue between my lips. He let go of my face and hauled me to him. He said I love you without breaking the kiss. His fingers grasped my braid, twisting it as he deepened our love.

My heart dropped.

I knew what this was.

This was a goodbye kiss.

Kova was kissing me goodbye.

Unleashing his emotion, Kova kissed me ruthlessly, passionately, all him. There was no shame in his fiery strokes that stormed my mouth. I fell into him, and released a sigh savoring this moment.

Kova severed the kiss and shoved me away. I stumbled back, stilling in shock. My jaw fell open and I stared at him, unblinking.

All I could hear was the sound of my heart beating in my ears.

No.

"This is not over, Adrianna. It will never be over between us."

I shook my head vehemently and ran to him. Kova caught me, but he didn't let me speak.

"This is only goodbye for now," he said.

A breath hitched in my throat. Kova's lips were on mine again, and I knew in my heart it was the last one.

He broke the kiss again and took a step back.

Tears were flowing from my eyes. I couldn't stop crying.

This was it.

He was leaving, and so was I.

"No." I panicked and ground my teeth together. My feet carried me to him. "I'm not ready to leave yet. I just need a little more time."