Tamed (The Courtside King 1)

Breck’s heart picked up, every muscle tightening, the sight of Kai in combat mode triggering something deep inside. Something primal, and hungry, and virile. Breck swallowed. Gripped his hips. Shifted his weight. His body affected in ways he’d never experienced before.

The demonstration continued for several more minutes, then Kai turned to the students. “Pair up to practice. One strikes, one blocks.”

The best part of the class had finally arrived.

Breck faced-off with Jegs again, ramped and ready to go. Smirking, he raised his fists. “You’re blocking, Chan.”

Jegs grinned. “Bring it, playmaker.”

“Gamhan. Stop.”

Breck peered over his shoulder. “Grandmaster.”

Kai eyed them both. “Always bow to your partner.”

Breck and Jegs swapped looks.

“Right,” Breck muttered. “Forgot.” But just as he moved to give his buddy a ninety-degree body solute, Kai shook his head. “No. You’ll spar with me.”

Breck stilled.

Kai gestured for Charlie to join Jegs. “You two work together today. Bow.”

Breck watched his friends comply, then slid his gaze back to Kai.

Kai smiled, and damn, that smile was hot.

Both bowed.

“You wanted to work on punches,” Kai prompted, “so I’ll block.”

Breck’s heart sped up, watching him assume position.

He was sparring with the master.

Who was badass at this shit.

He glanced around.

People were watching. Lots of people.

Just fucking great.

Clearing his throat, he fell into position, too. “Okay.” He threw out a straight punch, then a double.

Kai blocked both. “Gamhan. Stop.”

Breck frowned. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“You’re not rotating your fists.”

Kai stepped close and gripped Breck’s punching arm with one hand, its fist with his other. Breck tensed at the contact, warm tingles sweeping through his body.

Kai moved his elbow back, then turned his fist bottom-side up. “Keep it this way,” he murmured. “Don’t swivel your wrist until the end.”

Breck nodded, transfixed by their close proximity.

Kai moved his arm through the punch in super-slow motion. “You see? It stays upturned until the moment of impact.”

Damn. His voice. Like warm, lush velvet. Breck could all but feel it sliding over his sensitive skin.

But then the sound of distant murmurings stole his attention. Peering around, he spotted even more people watching. He pulled his arm away, “Okay, whatever,” and tersely stepped back. “What’s it matter anyway? A punch is a punch.”

“Well, for one,” Kai resumed his stance. “If you turn your fist too soon, it throws out your elbow and exposes your ribcage.”

“Oh.” No arguments there. Breck knew from experience that rib shots hurt.

Kai gestured for him to continue.

Breck threw another punch, swiveling his wrist like he’d been shown.

Kai blocked it. “Good. Again.”

Breck threw a second. “What’s the other reason?”

Kai blocked that, too. “It keeps your elbow from hyperextending. But it’s also just inherently a more painful.”

“Really?” That was surprising. Breck threw another.

Kai deflected that one as well. “As your fist connects, it pushes the punch deeper and twists the skin like a drill.”

“No shit?” Breck grinned. “That’s sick.”

Kai chuckled. “Yeah, now don’t forget to shout.”

Breck’s smile fell. “Shout?”

“When striking. To focus your energy. I went over this earlier with the class.”

“Oh… Right.” Breck glanced around. More eyes staring.

Shit...

Clearing his throat, he squared his shoulders, then launched his fist. “Ai-yah!” he belted.

“Good.” Kai nodded. “Now do a combination.”

Breck threw out a double, then a triple, then a high.

“Pull your opposite arm back harder,” Kai corrected. “Reactionary force. It should snap back just as sharply as your fist thrusts forward.”

Breck scowled, starting to sweat, but adjusted his motion.

“Rotate your fist, just like the other.”

“I did.”

“No, you didn’t.”

Breck ground his molars.

Kai eyed him. “Try again.”

Breck held his tongue. He’d rather be shooting hoops.

After several more minutes of the same, Kai stepped back and nodded. “Now you block.”

Breck exhaled—finally a reprieve—until he realized what that meant. Kai’s crazy-fast fists coming at him.

Pulse quickening, he wiped his forehead with the back of his arm. Assumed blocking stance. “Alright, Grandmaster. Let’s go.”

Kai’s lips curved infinitesimally, his midnight gaze glittering. He let one fly. “Ai-yah!”

His deep bark made Breck jump.

And miss the block.

Kai’s fist paused just centimeters away from his face.

Breck coughed a laugh.

Kai pulled his arm back. “Focus.”

Breck frowned. He was focusing. Or trying to, anyway. In his defense, his partner made concentrating really difficult. Up close like this, Kai’s allure was downright potent. But he was also a little intimidating, Breck wouldn’t lie.

The way he loomed like a jungle cat, ever ready to pounce. The way his eyes bore into Breck’s being, as if scrutinizing his soul. And his voice, always emanating calm but somehow still coming out a rumble. Seductive, yet ominous. Both a dare and a threat. At once completely ramping Breck up while stressing him out.

Breck drew in a breath, did a refresh in his skull, then squared his shoulders and nodded. “Okay. I’m cool.”

Kai’s dark eyes sharpened.

A heartbeat later, he gunned for Breck’s abs.

Breck thrust a low block to stop him but—way too late.

Kai’s knuckles kissed his stomach.

Breck sucked in a breath.

Kai went for his sternum.