Page 15 of Tamed (The Courtside King Duology 1)

Kai’s eyes slid to his.

Lingered.

Breck’s whole body tightened.

Couldn’t help it. Good God. His gaze was intense. Dark as midnight. Keen as razors. Yet in its depths, pure alpha male.

Breck’s pulse quickened.

He swallowed.

Kai’s lids hooded imperceptibly. And that’s all it took for Breck’s tenuous attention to completely disappear. Whatever Kai said after that? No comprende. Didn’t compute. The only thing he registered were those mesmerizing eyes.

Charlie muttered something under his breath.

Breck blinked and averted his gaze.

Damn. What the hell.

He didn’t stare at guys so openly in public.

Or at least, he didn’t used to. He shifted his weight.

Kai resumed his spot in the center of the mat and proceeded to discuss the Theory of Power. Evidently, its components were key to Taekwondo. Reaction force, concentration, equilibrium, breath control. Mass, speed, and some principle of strike and relax.

It was a lot to absorb, but Breck had to admit, Kai knew his shit. And his shit sounded pretty badass.

Kai smiled and looked around. “Any questions?”

No one spoke.

“Alright then. Let’s begin by going over the basic forms, starting with joon bi, ready stance.” He lifted both hands to his midsection, palms facing up, then spread his feet. Balling his fists, he jutted them downward. “Joon bi. Now you.”

The class imitated his action.

Breck did, too, but felt stupid. Like a rookie out of his element. It made him uncomfortable. He’d rather play basketball and be king of the court.

Kai went over a few more stances. “Now strikes.” He extended his arm. “From fist to forearm should be a straight line. Only punch with your largest first two knuckles.” He gave a slow-motion example. The students observed, then repeated the action in kind.

Kai nodded once and assumed the ‘horse stance’ he’d taught them. “Now, straight punch.” He thrust his fist forward while tugging his other elbow back. “Ai-yah!” he barked sharply. “Bahro chirugi.”

“Oh, yeah. Now we’re talking,” Jegs growled, mimicking the move.

Kai glanced his way.

Jegs beamed and did it again. Kai nodded in approval. But then he looked at Breck—and waited expectantly.

Great. Breck didn’t want the guy critiquing him just yet.

And now he could feel his peers’ eyes on him, too.

Jaw clenched, he squared his shoulders and gave it a go.

Kai’s lips twitched, but that was all the reaction Breck got.

No nod, no nothing.

Not fucking cool.

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