Page 105 of Tamed (The Courtside King Duology 1)

Breck frowned and eyed him oddly.

“The name you entered in my cell phone?”

Breck’s expression flickered, but then he quickly tamped a smile. “Right. Didn’t want you to forget who you’re dealing with.”

Kai chuckled. “As if you’d ever let me.” He gestured for Breck to enter. “Your highness.”

Breck smirked and stepped inside. He seemed in a promising mood, which Kai supposed made sense. Graduating from college could have that effect on a guy.

It certainly had for Kai, back in California, when he’d walked across the stage for his business degree. He’d felt so liberated. So independent. So self-empowered. Then he’d gone on to construct a life plan, executing each step. Methodically, prudently, patiently. Appreciating every milestone along the way. There’d been potholes, of course, and unforeseen setbacks, some bigger and more painful than others, but he’d prevailed. Finally reached his goal. He’d purchased a commercial building, transformed it into a formal training hall, then started his own martial arts school.

Breck drew to a stop beside the mats and turned to Kai. The very same place he’d stood over a month ago when he’d descended on Kai in a rage. A few feet over was where they’d shared that scorching kiss. Kai’s body roused at the memory. At where things could’ve gone. If only he’d let it. But the timing. The energy. It’d been all wrong. Two meteors on a volatile collision course that’d finally made impact.

He frowned, questioning yet again his decision to seek Breck’s help.

The kid was young and clearly didn’t handle infatuation well.

Maybe Kai was courting disaster. He eyed Breck from the entryway.

Too late to worry about that now.

Relocking the door, he turned and joined Breck, looking him over. Gorgeous as ever. All lean and cut. Snug gray tee. Black basketball shorts. Adidas slides.

His eyes lingered on Breck’s dark, naked toes. How he’d love the opportunity to make them curl…

He forced himself to focus. “So,” he crossed his arms, “the reason I texted you.”

Breck crossed his arms, too. “To cash in that favor.”

Kai smiled. “Correct.

Breck shrugged. “Well, here I am. What’s the damage?”

“I’m in need of a model. My usual canceled, and now I’m kind of in a jam.”

“You need a model?” Breck’s brows furrowed. “For what?”

“I teach Shibari. A type of Japanese rope art. But since I use my own designs, I conceptualize them ahead of time on a model. The creation process needs to be solid in my mind before I can present it to my students.”

“Why can’t you use a mannequin?”

“Because I need feedback. Can’t get that from mannequins.”

Breck frowned, his brain palpably churning. He shifted his weight. Flexed his folded arms. Cleared his throat. “So… what you’re saying is… you wanna practice this stuff on me.”

Kai nodded.

“And you’ll be doing what exactly, with this rope?”

“Binding you. It’s bondage art.”

Breck blinked, then coughed a weak laugh. “Wait, bondage? This is a joke, right? You’re fucking kidding me.”

Kai shook his head. “Think back to Scott’s that night. When I took on Max’s sub. I told you I’d been prepping him. Do you remember how?”

Breck went silent, then muttered, “By tying him up.”

Kai smiled a little. “And not just his wrists.”

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