Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116254 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 388(@300wpm)
“I’m kidding,” Kai laughed. “And thank you kindly. That was quite the compliment.”
Another of those smiles tugged at the corner of Breck’s lips. Just like that, the air between them settled back to easy.
“In all seriousness, though... What happened?” Breck asked again. “Between you and your man. How come it didn’t work out?”
“Hmm.” Kai looked away. Did he want to explain? Not really. But Breck had been open about his life. It seemed only fair. Formulating his words carefully, he dragged a hand through his hair. “Let’s just say that… with Ryan… ambition became a double-edged sword.”
Breck frowned, clearly not understanding. And Kai really had no desire whatsoever to elaborate. All things considered, there was a very real chance that Breck would end up taking Ryan’s side. If that was the case, he supposed it was better to hear it now, instead of down the road.
“Ryan wanted to be a model,” he began, “so New York City was the place to be. He kept bugging me to go with him, and though I didn’t want to, I finally did. We got moved in. A tiny place in Manhattan. In the beginning, it was cool. I didn’t mind it. But then he started coming home later and later after modeling class. After-hours parties every night of the week. At first, he’d bring me, too… but then… not so much. He started making headway, getting noticed, landing gigs. I was so fucking proud of him… but then he stopped taking me to his public events. One night, I came home early from work… and found him in our bed with two of his model friends.”
Kai feigned a smile. “Ryan hadn’t loved me. I’d merely been his support system as he climbed his way to the top.” He chuckled darkly. “That and the total dumbass willing to shoulder all the rent. I’d been happy to do it, though. Ryan was paying for schooling. I’d thought we were a team, but looking back…” He shrugged. “Everything had always revolved around him. We hadn’t been building our future together, he’d been building his.”
Breck didn’t respond for a long, quiet moment.
Kai’s stomach clenched. He’d said too much. Should’ve kept his mouth shut and—
“That dude,” Breck stated, “is a fucking idiot.”
Kai eyed him, heart clenching in his chest. Breck didn’t seem to be sympathizing with Ryan at all. Was it possible he wasn’t like him?
Kai offered a smile. “Jūnin toiro. Ten persons, ten colors.” When Breck stared at him blankly, he laughed. “A Japanese expression. Means to each their own.”
“Oh… Yeah, I guess,” Breck muttered.
“Besides, at the end of the day, it taught me a lot.”
“Like what?”
“Well, for one, that I’m better off without him.”
Breck liked that answer, going by the smile on his face. “I’d have to agree.” He took another bite—then abruptly moaned. “Goddamn. This salmon.” His eyebrows furrowed. “Fuckin’ melts in your mouth.”
Kai grinned and picked his chopsticks back up. “Next time, I’ll make you sushi.”
Breck slid him a look, something glinting in his eyes, as if maybe he liked the idea of there being a next time. “Sushi, huh? I’m detecting you’re big on seafood.”
“I am.”
“Well, FYI, I’m not a fan of uncooked fish.”
“Ever try it?”
“Nope. And I don’t ever plan to.”
Kai laughed. “I’ll start you off with something tame.”
Breck smiled. “As long as tame equates to the opposite of raw.”
The rest of their meal maintained the same easy energy—with Kai steadfastly resisting every urge to poke the bear. Because while Breck was entertaining as hell when flustered, he was far more attractive when he donned that smile. Besides, Kai had gotten another glimpse of him and was beginning to understand the reasons behind his short fuse. Breck was struggling under enormous pressure, his relationship with his dad only exacerbating his stress. The one person on this planet who shouldn’t be making his problems worse. And with that, Kai now found himself wanting to be Breck’s haven of peace.
Once they finished, Kai briskly cleaned up, then headed to the shelving unit and lit some incense. Sandalwood. Breck watched him with an air of anticipation, as if recalling how, at the start of their last session, Kai had begun things in the exact same way.
A prelude of sorts. And he’d be right.
Kai couldn’t stop the memories from surging back into his brain. Of Breck, bound and writhing. And then his beautiful release. He’d been so sublime. A gorgeous young male in his sexual prime. Blindfolded and panting, muscles taut, with his head cranked back. If only he knew what Kai had planned for him tonight. It’d make Friday’s little tryst look like a walk in the park.
Breck could handle it, though. Kai was confident.
And yet, there was only one way to find out if he’d enjoy it.
Meeting Breck’s gaze, Kai gestured toward the living room. “Time to begin.” He smiled wryly. “You ready for dessert?”