Every time they’d inadvertently touched. Fists glancing off arms, grazing abdomens and chests. Shoulders bumping. Legs connecting. Hips knocking. Plus, all of those times when Breck would stumble backward and Kai would grab his dobok. Sometimes he’d tug too hard and their chests would collide, and Breck would clutch his chiseled biceps to steady himself.
Lean, dense, powerful male. Not a trace of fat.
Breck’s sudsy hands roamed lower, his dick starting to stir, as the heady memories lured his thoughts even deeper.
Kai’s voice came through next, all purring through Breck’s mind. So true to form, the sound even held that hint of teasing. The one that always put him on guard. Although, mostly it just turned him on and made him hyperaware. Of every move Kai made. Of every sound he emitted. The scent of his skin. The way his lips parted whenever Breck came near. Stealing Breck’s focus without even trying, ever beckoning him closer.
And damn if he didn’t always want to heed.
To advance on the man with his mouth instead of his fists.
Rivulets streamed down Breck’s abdomen as his body tightened. Shit. What was he doing? He needed Kai out of his brain or he was going to bust a boner right there in the shower.
Besides, lusting after the guy was pointless. Breck may be bi, but he wasn’t stupid. He had one chance at going pro, and very few athletes made it, as it was. He couldn’t take unnecessary risks. Couldn’t ever indulge in that part of himself.
Even if he craved Kai more than he’d ever craved any woman.
Palming the tiles, he exhaled and let the water wash over his head.
Simply put? He was dying to see Kai’s face again.
Yet at the same time, he was also dreading it.
— 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?