Page 108 of Tamed (The Courtside King Duology 1)

Breck’s heart pumped faster.

Kai reached the top and entered more codes into another security pad.

Breck followed him through another door, sunlight instantly bombarding him. He blinked, pausing with Kai in a tiny little foyer.

“Take off your shoes, please.”

Breck toed off his slides and nudged them to the side. Then a final single step had them entering Kai’s abode. Breck peered around at the wide-open floorplan. A galley kitchen straight ahead, with maple cabinetry and warm slate flooring. Stainless-steel appliances. Smokey granite countertops. Plus, a sweet-ass custom island flanked by contemporary stools. Above it, three rectangular lanterns hung suspended from a vaulted ceiling.

Breck turned to the left. Against the wall, a shelving unit housed some candles, a few small plants, and a few dozen books. Beyond, a spacious living room with minimal furniture. The windowed wall to the right was faced in all brick, the hardwood floors covered by rectangular woven mats.

“Would you like that drink before we begin? Maybe hit the bathroom? It’ll be a while before you have another opportunity.”

“I’m good. On both.”

Kai nodded. “Alright.” He gestured to the living room. “Then we’ll be working in here.”

Breck followed as he led the way, the soft straw of those floor mats caressing the soles of his feet. He glanced at the area’s simple set up: a crimson couch and coffee table to the right. Two large potted plants. A bamboo floor lamp. And, to Breck’s curiosity, some sage green floor cushions neatly stacked beside a window.

Scratching his cheek, he turned his focus to the left, where a stretch of sliding screen doors spanned the length of the wall. “What’s behind there?”

“Zen.”

Zen? Breck looked at Kai.

Kai grinned. “My meditation garden.”

Breck blinked, then raised a brow. Kai was one of those people? “Ah,” he murmured, but didn’t press. Not that a part of him wouldn’t like to see said garden. If Kai had dedicated a whole section of his living quarters to it, it was probably pretty cool.

He peered toward the far end of the apartment, where three steps led to more of those paneled sliding doors. “And there?”

“My bedroom.” Kai stopped at the coffee table. Slid Breck a look. “Would you like to see?”

Yes. “No,” he grunted.

Kai’s lips twitched, as if he’d been expecting that very reaction. “Okay then. Strip down to your underwear.”

Whoa, what? Breck’s whole body stiffened. “You never said anything about taking off my clothes.”

Kai eyed him oddly. “It’s not like you’ll be naked.”

Aaaaaand now Breck was imagining being naked. With Kai. In the privacy of this apartment. Just the two of them. Fuck.

He rubbed his head. “You sure I can’t keep ‘em on?”

Kai eyed his tee-shirt and long baggy shorts. “Too much fabric. It’ll gather and bunch.”

“Oh.” Breck supposed that made sense. Warily, he shifted his weight.

Kai crossed his arms. “Don’t tell me you’re going commando.”

“No,” Breck answered tightly, scratching his neck. “It’s just… I’m not wearing your typical underwear.”

Kai stared at him blankly.

Breck bit his cheek. “I’m… wearing a jockstrap.”

Kai’s brows hiked.

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