I landed the triple layout perfectly with a smile on my face. The crowd cheered and rose from the stands. Applause erupted from the arena around me. I couldn't help but let the laugh that was brewing in my throat out. I rushed off the floor and was immediately enveloped in a hug by my teammates. "Payson Keeler has won the Olympic gold in the All-Around." the speakers blared. Tears fell from my eyes as the cheering continued.

I snapped out of my day dream just soon enough to step out of the way of Lauren's landing. She stuck it perfectly and began to unwind the gauze from her wrists.

"You alright, Pay?" she asked.

"Yeah." I nodded.

Sasha strode across the gym to where Lauren was chalking up and began critiquing her. I watched as he crossed his arms over his broad chest, the muscle's rippling under his cotton shirt.

I snapped my eyes away quickly before the blush could fully develop on my cheeks. The clock on the other side of the gym told us it was nearly six and way over practice time. I slipped on my sweat pants over my legs and then my jacket. As I hoisted my bag onto my shoulder Sasha stepped into my line of sight.

"I didn't see you practicing much today Payson." He said.

"I was conditioning today." I tried hard not to stare at his body. He's your couch. I chastised myself.

"How's your back." He nodded with his muscular chin. I wanted to run my fingers down the stubble that he always kept there; wondering what it would feel like brushing against my face as he…

"It's fine." I stepped around him.

"Don't lie to me Payson." Sasha grabbed my elbow. "I saw you wincing today."

"The surgery completely healed me. I'm golden." I promised him.

Sasha released me and sighed. "I don't want to see you getting hurt again."

He cares about me. "Don't worry, I won't."

It was all I could do not to run out of the gym. I bit fiercely at the bottom of my lip as I folded myself into the driver's seat of my car. I sat there for a moment just trying to calm myself.

"How can you think he's hot, Payson? He's Sasha for god sakes." I scolded myself. I slammed my hand against the steering wheel and sighed. What was I doing?

Someone rapped on the window and I almost jumped out of my skin. I looked over to see Sasha standing beside my car. I rolled the window and smiled like nothing had happened.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

"I'm fine." I lied through my teeth. I wanted so badly to grab him and pull him into the back of my car right now.

"You look upset." Sasha stepped a little closer to the car and my breathing sped up. "Are you sure everything is alright?"

His British accent sounded enormously sexy when he lowered his voice. I needed to get out of there before I embarrassed myself.

"Yup." I swallowed.

"Well, if you ever need to talk…" he left the end of the sentence open.

I nodded and started the car. Sasha stepped back and waved. I tried so hard not to throw the car into reverse and go back to him. But instead I kept my eyes on the road and not eh deliciously beautiful man watching me drive away.

I was grateful the next day was Sunday. I could use that day to pull myself together and stop these useless girly feelings I was having. I went for a run before my parents were even up. As I climbed to the top of the trail I could look out over Boulder.

Someone was already at the top of the hill. His blond hair reflected in the sunlight, seeming to give him a glow. I didn't think anything about it until I got closer and saw that he was wearing a Rock jacket.

Sasha heard me coming up the trail and turned around to face me. "Fancy seeing you here." He said.

"Yeah." I was out of breath as I sat on the bench to the side of the road. Sasha came and sat down next to me. The length of the bench didn't give us much room and Sasha's thigh touched mine as he sat. My breath stopped for a moment as I watched out legs brush.

"Do you run this often?" he asked.

"What?" I snapped out of my trance.

"Do you run this often." Sasha repeated.

"Yeah, all the time." I starred out of the view.

"Gorgeous." He murmured.

"Yeah it is." We sat in silence for a moment before Sasha turned to say something.

I snapped my head to the side and kissed him. It caught both of us off guard. His lips were surprisingly smooth for how rough and ridged the rest of his looked. Sasha froze, not wanting to move and I gathered enough energy to pry myself away from his lips.

I stood from my spot, not being able to stop the blush this time. We didn't speak but Sasha just starred off into space behind me. Finally he seemed like realization hit him and he tried to reason with me.

"Payson…" he said.

"Sasha, I am so sorry. I don't know why I did that. I-I have to go." I turned and ran down the hill before he could say another word.

"Payson!" Sasha shouted after me but I continued to push my legs harder.

I stood in the middle of the gym starring at the uneven bars. It was too early for anyone to be in the gym, and the silence was soothing. My hands were chalked and ready to go but for some reason I couldn't move forward. I knew that once I was on the bars my mind would be completely empty but getting up there would be the problem. Finally I closed my eyes and jumped forward. My hands caught the bar and I swung forward. I snapped to the higher bar and brought my legs up to push me to the top. As my body swung down I opened my eyes and caught a glance of Sasha watching me. I let go of the bar and didn't catch it fast enough. My entire body slammed down onto the mat below me. Pain stung through my arms and legs but I ignored it and stood back up.

"Payson, can I talk to you in my office?" a British accent boomed across the gym. I closed my eyes sighed. This was going to be fun.

Sasha was leaning against his desk with his arms crossed when I walked into the office.

"Close the door." He instructed and I pulled the sliding glass shut.

"We need to talk about yesterday." He said.

"Listen, I don't know what happened to me. I think I was just light headed from not eating." I gave him excuses.

"It's ok, Payson." He stepped toward me.

"What?' I looked up at him.

"It's ok." Sasha sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Payson, you're an exceptional woman. You have such a grace about you that no one can replicate."

"So…"

"So that's why I can't be your coach anymore." He blurted.

"What? No! I'm sorry. It'll never happen again." I pleaded.

"That's the problem. It's going to happen again. I can't be around you Payson." Sasha frowned.

"Why?"

He backed my up until I was flat against the wall with his chest pressing into me. "Because I liked it far too much when you kissed me."

"Sasha…" I breathed.

"I know, Payson. This I crazy; but I can't help the feelings I have for you." Sasha's lips were inches from mine.

"But, we can't." I whispered.

"I know." His lips made contact with mine and my heart stopped. Having him kiss me back was even better than kissing him. Sasha exuded so much energy and grace. His body pressed me hard against the wall and I responded to it. I could feel his erection poking into my stomach and my hips bucked against him. Sasha growled against my lips, sending electric vibrations through my body. He pulled away from me for an instant to unlock the back of my leotard.

I slipped my fingers under his cotton shirt and felt nothing but hard muscle and smooth skin. I raked my nails across his flat stomach and watched as he shivered. Sasha picked me up and I wound my legs around his waist. He sat me on his desk and slid my leotard down over my shoulders. I grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it up. He discarded it and once again claimed my lips. I ran my fingers across his broad chest and sighed.

Sasha unclipped my bra and my breasts bounced free. He palmed my smooth skin and something snapped behind his eyes. He leaned forward and sucked one of my already peaked nipples into his mouth. I moaned and my head lolled backward. I twirled my fingers into Sasha's hair and held him firmly to me. He used his fingers to give the other breast attention also. Sasha moved his kisses lower and I felt his hands sliding up my inner thigh.

Hot desire pooled in between my legs and I felt his fingers inch closer and closer. Sasha kissed my leotard right over my hot core and I could feel his hot breath on my skin. Suddenly he pulled back and took in a heavy breath.

"Not here." He said.

"What?" I was almost crazed.

"I don't want it to be like this." Sasha said.

"I don't mind."I tried to pull him back to me.

"No." Sasha smiled. "But soon." he pulled his shirt over his head, kissed me lightly, and walked out of the office.