Kai moved to web Breck’s other side. More gentle pulls and tugs. More wicked teasing from all those titillating knots. Breck clenched around the one against his hole, his erection singing, his body shivering from the stimulation.
Kai kept working. “That didn’t happen until I moved here, actually. Until I met Scott.” A tiny smirk tugged on his lips.
Breck stilled. “Tad’s Scott? He got you teaching Shibari?”
“Not directly.” Kai pulled his rope through another loop. “He did, however, introduce me to The District.”
Breck’s ear perked. The District. “What’s that?”
Kai stilled, as if realizing he’d just fucked up. “Um… An establishment... of sorts.”
“The dive you were talking about before?” Breck pressed. “The District… As in, like, the capital? The District of Columbia?”
“No. Different district.” Kai didn’t elaborate.
Breck scowled. It was like pulling fucking teeth with this man. “Okay, but it’s the same place you teach at now.”
“Yes.” Kai inclined his head, pulling at a length of his rope, the sensual drag along Breck’s groin making him suck in a breath.
He forced himself to focus. “How’d Scott know about that place?” He didn’t seem like a Shibari-dive type of guy to Breck.
“Through his roommate,” Kai offered, tightening a cord.
Aka Max. Meaning… The District involved BDSM. Which made sense since this Shibari stuff was all about bondage. Breck’s curiosity churned. But before he could ask another round of questions, Kai changed the subject.
“But enough about me. Congratulations on your graduation.” Kai fed his rope through another loop and gave the thing a tug. Breck gasped as those knots sent him reeling.
He quickly cleared his throat again and forced a nod. “Oh... Yeah…Thanks.”
Kai moved around back and secured the ropes to the binds of Breck’s wrists. “What’s your major?” he asked, abruptly pulling things nice and taut.
Breck’s whole body tightened. Holy mother of fuck. Those knots. He struggled to concentrate. “Um… Computer science.”
“Really.” Kai returned around front. “Never would’ve pegged you as the programmer type.”
Breck just nodded, too fucking horny to think. “Yeah… I mean, no… I mean, I’d be more of a software developer.”
“Nice.”
Breck’s eyes dipped to Kai’s mouth. “Figured it a good idea to have a solid plan B.”
“In case your aspirations as a basketball star don’t pan out?”
Breck frowned. Then lifted his chin. “Oh, they will.”
“I have no doubt.” And yet, Kai didn’t sound happy about that.
Breck regarded him. Was Kai jealous of his success? Not want him to succeed?
No, he sensed it was something else....
Kai averted his gaze to scan Breck’s body, scrutinizing every knot. And just like that, Breck could feel the path of his heated gaze.
“All done,” Kai finally. “How do you feel?”
Every nerve ending thrumming, Breck peered down his body. “Constricted.”
Something flickered in Kai’s eyes. “What else?”
Breck met his gaze, suddenly feeling wary. “Completely defenseless.”
“Hmm.” Kai canted his head and regarded him. “You told me you trusted me.”
Breck’s heart thumped restlessly. He swallowed. “I do.”
“So, you believe that I’d keep you safe.”
Breck thought about that. He didn’t know why, but he was certain Kai would. “Yes.”
Kai’s lashes lowered. Then so did his voice. “And how does that make you feel? The knowing that, while in my care, I won’t let anything bad happen to you.”
Breck’s pulse raced faster as he contemplated Kai’s question.
“Valued?” Kai offered softly. “Treasured?”
Something deep inside Breck’s chest went soft, a yearning sparking to life that he’d never experienced before. “Yes.” He nodded, his voice barely a rasp.
Kai smiled. “And how does that make you feel?”
Breck’s insides swelled. He smiled, too. “Feels really good.”
Kai’s midnight gaze glinted with warm satisfaction. And just like that, those captivating eyes swiftly drew Breck in. They were beautiful, he realized. Kai’s midnight eyes. Not just penetrating and intense. But downright beautiful.
His pulse slipped to blissful thumping.
Kai’s lids hooded lower. But then he stilled and quickly cleared his throat. “Mind if I take a couple of pictures?”
Breck blinked. Do what? Kai’s words sank in. He stiffened. “Pictures?”
“Yeah. For me to reference. It’s what I do with brand-new pieces I don’t have memorized.”
Breck stared at him. “You’ve got to be joking.”
“Why?” Kai laughed, looking bemused. “I won’t show them to others. I promise.”
And for anything else, his word would be enough. Thing was, at this place in Breck’s life, he couldn’t afford to make stupid decisions. What if someone grabbed Kai’s phone and looked through his stuff?
“How about I only do body shots,” Kai suggested, “and make sure not to include your face?”
Breck’s tension eased. Yes, that would definitely be preferable. But then he tensed again and peered down at his big ole K for Kappa tattoo. A surefire way to identify him, even without his face.
Kai regarded it, too. “I’ll angle my shots so that won’t be seen. And I’ll show you all the images once I’m done. Any you’re not cool with, I’ll delete.”
No face or ink. Plus, veto power. That seemed reasonable. Breck relaxed with a nod. “Alright, yeah. That works.”