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.
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.
Kai watched Breck glare at their backs. Under that glower, he looked nervous. Which amused Kai a little, but mostly he just found it endearing. “Don’t worry,” he reassured. “This won’t take long.”
Breck slid him a look and muttered, “Uh huh. Promises, promises.”
———
Some ten minutes later, the last of the stragglers headed out. Five minutes more and Kai’s assistants took off, too. Breck frowned as he watched them leave. Guess they had places to be. But, damnit, so did he. Like home in the shower. He’d made plans to go drinking with Ned, Tad, and Jay. Was supposed to meet up with them at eight and he still had assignments to do.
So why had he agreed to stay after with Kai? He didn’t care about this class. And he sure as hell didn’t owe the guy any favors. This was stupid. He should’ve said no. He scowled at himself.
Big idiot move.
Standing at the door, Kai turned the dojang’s sign from ‘open’ to ‘closed,’ then headed over and joined Breck beside the mat.
Silence surrounded them.
Kai smiled. “Much better.”
“I’m used to the noise.”
“Yes, I guess you would be. Basketball stadiums can get deafening.” Kai slid on his punch mitts and eyed Breck’s dobok. “You took off your chest guard.”
Breck shrugged. “Figured this was casual, and that thing is annoying.”
Kai’s lips curved as he tightened the wrist straps. “Okay. Light contact. And we’ll be working with the techniques we practiced today.” He motioned to the center of the mat. “Shall we begin?”
“Sure.” Not that it’d make a lick of difference. Breck had already all but mastered the stuff.
They moved to the middle and assumed position.
Kai nodded. “You attack first. We’ll go from there.”
“Okay.”
And just like that, they were dueling, with the whole place to themselves. No one watching. No one judging. Just the two of them. Breck and Kai. Student and teacher. Apprentice and master. Getting physical. Swapping hits. Breck’s heartrate climbed. Which was no surprise. Like always, Grandmaster asshat was driving him hard.