Page 32 of Tamed (The Courtside King Duology 1)

— SIX —

“Good, jeja. Now faster.” Kai held out his punch mitts as Breck came at him again, blocking his right strike, then his sidekick, then finally a roundhouse.

Students sparred all around them, their curt shouts echoing, emphasizing each connect of their feet and fists. The class had been going at it for a while, and in Kai’s opinion, Breck was performing exceptionally well. Gaze fierce. Carriage determined. Never backing down. Intentions clear. To keep pace with Kai, yes, but even more so, to walk out of class with pride intact.

Because as always, the kid cared more about his image than learning the craft.

Nothing new. That’d been his MO from the start. And the reason Kai was currently making him sweat. Nothing over the top, of course. Just pushing Breck’s boundaries. Encouraging him to extend himself in order to grow. Granted, with Kai as his partner, he was getting more than the average student, but he could take it. Was taking it, albeit irritably.

Breck wasn’t an idiot, after all. He obviously knew Kai rode him the hardest. Knew it, yet never complained. Or at least, not in front of his peers. Probably considered it equivalent to conceding to the enemy.

Such a fiery front.

Kai shook his head and gestured. “Again.”

Breck came at him with a front skip turning kick. Kai sidestepped and responded with a push kick combo, a solid hit with the sole of his foot to Breck’s chest protector. Breck tottered but quickly righted himself and advanced on Kai again. Kai countered with a chambered side kick right to Breck’s sternum. Brisk but jarring, knocking him instantly off balance. Breck stumbled into his friend.

“Whoa!” Charlie yelped, nearly toppling into Jegs. “Damn, B. Check yourself.”

Jegs cracked up laughing. “Short stuff’s dancin’ again. Make some room.”

Breck flipped them off, then turned his glare to Kai.

Kai sighed. Always so quick to assume the worst of his intentions.

He was used to Breck’s reactions, though, and motioned him forward. “Come. Try again.”

In fairness, he had been working Breck harder than usual. Hadn’t planned to, but when the senior walked in looking exceptionally cavalier, it’d triggered some deep-seated reaction to step things up. Not merely to reiterate whose domain Breck had entered, or even to remind him to show respect, but to illustrate how, yes, even now, he still had room for improvement. So Kai had been forcing him to give it his all and not just ‘participate.’

Which was the problem with Breck. He could skirt by with minimal effort and still do better than half the class. Kai could see this. There was a reason Breck strutted around like a champ. Because he was one. And knew it. But that was in basketball. If he wanted that status here, he had to earn it.

Breck glanced at his classmates, then lifted his chin and squared his shoulders. Kai met his eyes. God, how they blazed. With agitation. And anger. Breck was flustered again.

And flushed.

Kai’s pulse spiked, his lashes hooding, fighting the allure of that magnificent sight. Did Breck know… could he possibly know… how fiercely beautiful he was?

Breck stilled, as if Kai’s expression had just derailed him.

And then Kai felt it again. Those potent vibes. The ones Breck always emanated when things got intense.

Kai held his stare, his body heating of its own volition.

Breck swallowed.

Kai tracked his Adam’s apple.

Jesus. What was he doing? He needed to concentrate.

Clearing his throat, he instructed, “Pahro.” Back to ready stance.

Breck blinked. Then quickly straightened and cracked his neck. Assuming position, he lifted his fists.

Kai nodded. “Attack.”

Breck advanced with a turning reverse kick combo.

Nice delivery. Controlled and smooth.

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