Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 98336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 393(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Kai’s lips twitched as he set it aside. “Alright. Time to stand.” He gripped Breck’s arm and gingerly helped him get up.
Circulation tore back into business.
Breck grimaced. “Holy shit. My fuckin’ knees.”
Kai chuckled. “Give them a minute.”
Breck groaned with a nod.
Kai moved to his back and started untying his torso. Circling his body, again and again, undoing his magic. Leaving lines like lingering shadows across his abs and ribcage. Like some Shibari version of graffiti, announcing, We were here. All proud and boastful and shit that they’d detained him.
Liberation came to Breck’s pecs a moment later. He tamped down a moan as blood flow zealously resumed. Kai’s eyes met his. Then his gorgeous lips curved. The most breath-taking smile Breck had ever seen. Kai had shown his pecs one hell of a time—and the man fucking knew it. Hell, even now, Breck’s nipples were still erect.
Speaking of… He peered down at them and frowned. “These are gonna go back to normal again, right? Like, hopefully soon?”
Kai laughed. “Yes, very soon.” He moved around back again and started unraveling the final stretch.
Which Breck was glad for. He was. His shoulders were aching.
Except… once Kai finished, Breck would be done with his debt. Something he should be excited about. Thing was… when would he ever see Kai again? Now that his dues were paid, there weren’t any reasons for them to reconnect. His insides twisted, his happy dimming. He fought back a frown. The notion of going their separate ways after today actually bothered him. A lot. Like something deep down was telling him their journey wasn’t finished. That they had more to do together. That they needed more time.
Which, Jesus, made no fucking sense. He must be losing his mind.
And then another thought circled around. One that unsettled him just as much, but for a whole different reason. In the days ahead, as their paths diverged, Kai would be with other men. At that district place. Touching them. Feeling them. Smelling them. Experiencing them. And with that kind of regularity, it was only a matter of time until he found someone he liked. Enough to share his sexually energy with. Someone he’d see as more than just a model, but a partner. Someone he’d absolutely play with. All the time.
Breck’s stomach constricted. Before he could stop himself, he blurted out gruffly, “So, you don’t ever play with your models like this?”
He didn’t know why he asked. What purpose did it serve? What Kai did or didn’t do with other men was none of his business. Thing was, now a part of him suddenly needed reassurance. Yeah, Kai had said before that he didn’t engage his rope models, but after the incredibly intimate exchange they’d just shared, Breck really needed to hear the man say it again.
Kai paused in the middle of working loose a knot. “Not to date, no.”
Not exactly the reply Breck had wanted. He glanced over his shoulder. “So, you might then? Like, in the future?”
“That would depend.”
Breck frowned, his heart thumping heavily. “Depend on what?”
Kai went quiet as he stood at Breck’s back. When he spoke again, his voice had softened. “For one, the model would have to mean something to me. He’d also have to be totally okay with those kinds of displays. Not everyone’s cool with doing things in front of others.”
“But you are?” Why was Breck asking this shit? It made no difference either way.
“Some stuff, but not all. Some things are meant to be private. Shared between lovers and nobody else.”
Well, Breck certainly felt the same about that. He couldn’t imagine doing what they’d just done in public. Still, just the thought of Kai with anyone—doing anything even similar to what they’d just done—made him feel sick.
Kai shifted behind him, then posed a question of his own. “Why do you ask? Feeling the urge to try this again… out in public?” His tone was teasing, but still Breck tensed at the mere idea.
“Hell, no.” He could never expose himself like that. For shit’s fucking sake, he couldn’t even let on that he was bi.
“Hmm. That’s too bad.” Kai sounded amused. He got back to that knot. “I had the impression you enjoyed yourself.”
“Oh, I did.” Breck chuckled softly. “I totally did. It’s just… I just can’t do that kind of thing. I can’t go public.”
“Because of basketball. Your aspirations.”
“For the most part, yeah.” Not even his friends knew he swung both ways. Certainly not his parents, and most definitely not his teammates. God only knew how his fans would react to that knowledge.
“And you’re fine with that? Keeping that part of you a secret?” Kai’s tone wasn’t happy, but at least he didn’t sound judgmental.
“I guess...” Breck frowned. “I mean, it’s not like I do it often.”
“Mm. That’s right. I feel kind of special.” Now Kai’s tone sounded playful.