Execution (Off Balance, #2)

by Lucia Franco

"Listen, human nature is fucked up. It’s more honest, and more humane, to just lie."

"Don't be mad." "I'm not," I said breathlessly. And I wasn't. I was more surprised than anything. "I had to. You deserved to be kissed, especially when you look this stunning," he said, whispering for only me to hear.

"If you cannot feel your muscles screaming in pain, then you are not working hard enough. Your mind will tell you to stop, that you had enough. Only then should you push harder and give it more than you thought possible. Trust me. You will surprise yourself."

"Yes, we all know what it feels like, but use her mistakes to improve yours. Leave your feelings at the door. You have one job to do, one chance to get it right. Adrianna, you will never get a second chance at a first impression. One chance, Adrianna. Make it count. Emotions will just screw you if you let them take over. Regret forms. It drives you in a direction you are not meant to go in. Block it out. Do not let that happen. Harden yourself and keep your eye on the prize. Ruthless, yes. Cruel, yes. You need to shut down inside and only allow your love for gymnastics to shine through. Only feel the sport and the motions and use all of it to express yourself in the best way you can. That is what you need to get ahead. Trust me. It will be worth it in the end. I give you my word."

"We are a team—I exhale, you inhale. We fight together. We work together. It is an amazing feeling when you find someone who shares the same passion as you. The possibilities are endless. I am the beast beneath your beauty, pushing you. From here on out, we do it together. You come to me for anything and I will do everything in my power to make it happen."

"YA takoy ublyudkare'. Proklyatyy, yesli ya proklyat, yesli ne budu." Then, he smashed his lips to mine. "What did you say?" I asked between our pressed lips. "I am a bastard." I chuckled lightly, melting on him. "You are." I loved hearing his accent. It was incredibly erotic when he had a raspy intonation woven in the words. "Proklyat, yesli ya delayu, ya proklat, yesli ne… Damned if I do, damned if I do not."

I will always be by your side, that is, if you will have me.

"Pozhalyusta prosti, menya," he said that prosti word again and I started to wonder why he repeated it over and over with such suffering. Settling himself between my legs, he looked deep into my eyes while he positioned himself at my entrance. "You deserve so much better," he said, then slowly but firmly pushed inside.

"By the way, I would find you anywhere." I tilted my head to the side in confusion. "You said you are going to move so I cannot show up whenever I wanted. Ria, I will always find you. You have a part of me that no one has ever had, as I do with you."