Breck downed the rest of his beer, then shoved to his feet and walked to the trash can. Swish. “And just so we’re clear, I’ve earned the praise.”
“Oh, I’m aware.”
Breck turned around and eyed him. “You are?”
Kai rose to his feet as well. “I’ve seen you play.”
Breck had to admit, that surprised him. “You mean you’ve been to my games?”
“I have.” Kai joined him beside the trash can and dropped off a two-pointer of his own.
Breck eased back, his ass pressing against the counter, Kai’s close proximity making his heart beat faster. “I never pegged you as a college basketball kind of guy.”
Kai turned to face him. “I’m typically not.”
Breck eyed him curiously. “So, what’s with the sudden interest?”
Kai held his gaze. “My assistants talk about it constantly. Made me curious if it was worthy of all the hype.” He crossed his arms, shifting slightly closer.
Breck’s breathing shallowed. Their bodies were barely a foot apart. “And your final assessment?”
Kai grinned a little. “They’re entertaining. Your fans definitely love their beloved monarch.”
Breck lifted his chin. “As they should. I bring the wins.”
“You most certainly do.”
Breck frowned. Was Kai being serious? He couldn’t tell.
Kai chuckled. “Back on the defense. Relax. We’re in agreement. I liked watching you play.”
Breck gripped the counter beside his hips. Feigned a cocky smile. “Of course you do. Everyone does. To witness me play is a superlative experience.”
Kai grinned, his gaze dropping to Breck’s mouth. “It is indeed. You’ve got great moves. I look forward to seeing more.”
Fuck me, those eyes, that smile…
But then his words sank in and Breck went instantly stiff as a board. “You— You mean you’re gonna come to more games?”
“I was considering it.”
Breck’s heart stopped. Oh, Jesus. No, no, no. Kai was a distraction. A big distraction. One he couldn’t afford. He needed total focus for this tournament. For March Madness. Arguably the most important month of his life. He had absolutely zero room for even the slightest preoccupation.
And God knew, nothing stole his focus more than the man before him now.
“Please,” he blurted. “I’d prefer you didn’t.”
Kai met his gaze, his smile ebbing. “Why not?”
“Because…” Breck scrambled for a reason. “What I do on that court isn’t for your entertainment. It’s for my fans. Those who’ve supported me from the start. Those who revere me. And the sport. You are not one of those people.” He frowned at that reality. “And that’s your prerogative. You do you. Just… don’t fucking come.”
Kai regarded him for a moment. “You don’t think I respect you.”
“I know you don’t,” Breck countered. Not that that was the reason he didn’t want Kai going to his game. Nevertheless, it was still the truth. One that seriously chaffed.
Expression pensive, Kai searched his gaze. “And you believe you deserve my respect.”
Breck shifted. “Yeah. I do.”
“Because you’ve earned it?”
Breck opened his mouth, stalled, then irritably closed it again. So he’d been a little arrogant during Kai’s classes. And at times a little petty. And a whole lot standoffish. And so he hadn’t shown a lick of gratitude for Kai’s efforts to teach him. Big deal. So fucking what. Kai needed to get over it.
Breck’s shoulders slumped. God, he sounded like such a prick. No wonder Kai didn’t respect him. Cursing, he scrubbed his face. “Look, I just don’t want you to come, okay? Can you respect that?”
No reply.
Breck dropped his hands.
Kai was studying him. Curiously.
Breck exhaled and glanced away. This conversation had tanked fast.
“I respect you,” Kai finally murmured.
Breck chuckled darkly and cut him a look. “Clearly, our definitions of that word are not the same.”
Kai canted his head. Smiled a little. “You don’t believe me? I’ll prove it to you, jeja. This summer, when you retake my class.”
Breck coughed a laugh and shook his head. “I never agreed to that.”
Kai’s brow rose in challenge. “You never objected to it, either.” Breck had ducked out of that bathroom before giving a yay or nay.
Breck held his stare, determined to fix that fuck up. But goddamn it, Kai’s gaze was smoldering, threatening to make him cave. His close proximity wasn’t helping things, either.
Pulsing quickening, Breck cleared his throat. “’Cause I was drunk… And those guys had just walked in, and—”
“And?” Kai stepped closer.
Breck swallowed. Just inches away, he could smell him. And God, his scent was intoxicating. “I’m not interested in any more public degradation.”
Kai’s midnight eyes flickered. “Was it really that bad?”
No. Yes. “I was the cause of much laughter.”
Kai smiled at him playfully. “So, you’d prefer private sessions.”
Shit, yes! Breck’s dick all but shouted. We’d love private lessons! Let’s go!
“No,” he forced out, scowling. “That’s not what I meant.”
Kai regarded him. “What happened before won’t happen again. I give my word.”
Breck’s chest tightened. Kai was referring to their little tango. The one on Kai’s mats that nearly created a serious mess.