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 bricks. 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.
"You know you probably shouldn't be here, right?"
Kova shrugged carelessly. "I am not concerned. No one will question me."
I raised a brow in skepticism. "That kind of arrogance will backfire on you one day."
"Ria, pozhaluysta," he said suggestively under his breath. "When will you learn that I make the rules?"
I feigned a groan and smiled. "What's so important that couldn't wait until Monday?"
Kova chuckled and I felt it deep in my belly. "I want to know what you thought about today," he said in a low tone. "If you learned anything new."
"Of course I did."
"Like?" He motioned his hand for me to elaborate. He was too comfortable in that chair and it made my heart hammer.
"Like I need to tighten and clean my routines." I leaned forward. "Get any noise out that will distract the judges. I need to be innately mindful of everything I do. If I can feel it, they can see it. The girls made simple, careless mistakes. The kind I'm sure I make too." I looked him directly in the eye. "I need to