Page 33 of Tamed (The Courtside King Duology 1)

Kai blocked them and smiled. “Good.”

Breck smiled, too.

Such a breathtaking sight.

Kai leapt back, then lunged forward with a roundhouse kick. Breck blocked it and landed two punches. Chest hits. Kai grinned and threw a high kick to the side of Breck’s head. No hard contact, just a grazing. More of an alertness check. Breck scowled—then retaliated with a similar kick.

Not the smartest move, but he’d clearly been rattled and was letting his anger get away from him.

Kai ducked and threw a back kick.

Breck stumbled, landing on his ass.

Jegs cackled.

Charlie snickered. “Every. Class.”

Kai soberly peered down at him. “You lost your focus.”

Breck glared but didn’t reply, just shoved to his feet and got back into stance.

Sparring time was over, though.

Kai motioned to stand at ease.

Breck clenched his jaw. No doubt, he’d wanted to redeem himself in front of his peers. Although, that intense, almost restless look in his eyes made Kai curious. Breck wasn’t looking at the others, nor was he checking to see who was watching. His stare was locked solely on Kai, and Kai alone. As if, in this fleeting moment, Breck only cared about proving himself to him. Not out of anger, or retaliation, but rather… a need for Kai’s approval.

Kai’s chest warmed. And just like that, he wanted to give Breck whatever he needed. Anything to catch one more glimpse of that heart-stopping smile. But he couldn’t. He had to deny him. They’d already surpassed their hour together by a good ten minutes.

Reluctantly, he bowed, then turned to the others. “Hae cho. Class is over.” The students bowed. He reciprocated. “You’re looking great. Go home and practice, and I’ll see you on Monday.”

Chatter filled the hall as everyone headed for the locker rooms. Kai watched Breck walk over and join his friends.

Before he could stop himself, he called to him. “Breck.”

Breck glanced back, looking surprised.

“I’d like you to stay after.”

Breck frowned. “For what?”

“To go over a couple of moves again. Without the noise.” It was a valid reason. Still, Kai wondered why he was doing this. He rarely worked with students outside of class. Was it really so important that he give Breck another go?

Evidently, the answer to that was yes.

He wanted Breck happy when he left his class.

Breck regarded him. Shifted his weight. Glanced at his friends. “But I came with my crew.”

“It’s cool. No worries.” Jegs clapped him on the back.

Charlie grinned. “Yeah, man. You totally need it. Catch up with us later.” Making a smoochy face, he pointed to the mat. “Have fun kissing it.”

Breck narrowed his eyes.

Jegs laughed.

Then the two lumbered off.

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