Page 111 of Tamed (The Courtside King Duology 1)

“What’s it called?”

Something flickered in Kai’s gaze. Then his voice dipped. “It’s a secret. If I told you, Breck, I’d have to kill you.”

Breck rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

Kai grinned and took the rope back. Evidently, he wouldn’t be providing him with a name to that dive. Breck scowled. Kai still thought of him as a kid. Too young to even know about ‘grown-up’ establishments.

His body stiffened in irritation.

Kai pulled out his cell and walked to his music dock. “Teflon Sega okay with you?”

Breck eased, exhaling. He actually loved that artist. Alternative R&B with killer synths and reverbed vocals like an earthbound god. If Breck couldn’t be a basketball star, he’d want to be Teflon Sega. He nodded. “Yeah, Teflon’s cool.”

“I’ll put on a playlist.” Chill tunes rose up and filled the room.

Kai moved to light an incense stick next. Its scent wafted past Breck’s nose. He inhaled its slightly sweet aroma. Woodsy, yet warm and buttery. He relaxed even further. Damn, he liked that stuff. He liked it a lot.

Kai headed back over. “I presume you don’t have any physical conditions?”

Breck shook his head.

“Good. Ready to begin?”

Breck’s heart thumped. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Kai regarded him for a second, then gave a nod. “I’m doing a floor tie. You’ll be standing for the first half. Grasp your forearms behind your back.”

Here we go.

Breck couldn’t believe he was doing this.

He reached around back and grabbed hold of his arms.

Kai moved behind him. “Gonna start with a takate-kote, so the first thing I’ll be doing is binding your wrists.” He was standing so close. Breck could feel his breath, like warm phantom kisses along his skin.

“A takate-kote,” Breck rasped. “What exactly is that?”

“An upper and lower arm box tie.” He touched Breck’s triceps to illustrate. “Takate.” Then his forearm. “Kote.”

“Ah.”

Breck detected the sounds of fibrous cords rubbing together. Kai must be unwrapping a bundle of rope. A heartbeat later, said rope was winding around his wrists. A fluid collaboration between fingers and hemp. Three trips around his forearms, then two brisk little tugs as Kai fastened a knot. His upper arms came next. Kai bound them snuggly.

“How’s that feel?”

Breck tested his restraints. Completely secure. He swallowed warily. In the span of sixty seconds, he’d been rendered defenseless. “Um… It’s fine.”

“Not too tight?”

Breck shook his head.

Kai’s hands settled atop his shoulders. “Do you trust me?” he murmured.

Good question.

Breck contemplated the answer. Did he trust him? “Evidently.”

Kai chuckled. “Then breathe.”

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