Play it cool. Jaime didn’t want to seem too eager. Yet, he didn’t want to send the opposite message. He was back to playing a familiar game of attraction, but the stakes felt higher than they had ever been.
“I’ve got a busy week of cases and early mornings,” Tomas said. “But maybe we can get together later in the week. I know this great place for a hike.”
“That sounds fun.” Jaime wasn’t sure he’d ever been on a hike, but he’d go ice fishing in January if it were with Tomas. He was sure they’d find some way to keep warm. “I had a fantastic time last Friday.”
“Me, too.”
Jaime grinned so hard, his cheeks hurt. Waiting until the end of the week to see Tomas again seemed like an eternity.
“What are you doing tonight?” Jaime asked.
Tomas sighed. “Booked solid until bedtime.”
Even though he felt a little disappointed, Jaime reasoned he should probably go to karate class and work out his excitement.
“Maybe I can call you later, after I get home from karate class?”
“I’d like that.”
* * * *
Tyler’s mood hadn’t improved by the time he arrived at the dojo. Not even a hard set of basics that had everyone breathless and groaning could improve his mood. Tyler watched the students drag their exhausted bodies out of the dojo with only mild satisfaction. His energies on the other hand were still running high. He felt like he could run a marathon and still be ready to fight.
“Let’s spar,” Tyler said to Jaime when they were the only ones left in the dojo.
“Are you okay?”
The look of concern in Jaime’s eyes only made Tyler want to fight all the more. Anger was building inside him, and he had to find a constructive way to get it out. He felt guilty using Jaime that way. But since Jaime was the source of so much of Tyler’s turmoil, it only seemed fair. Tyler trusted his training enough to keep his emotions somewhat in check, and Jaime’s skill to keep him safe from the rest of it.
“I’m fine.”
Even through the formality of the beginning bow, Tyler felt ready to jump out of his skin. Every muscle strained and twitched, waiting to be used. Before Jaime rose from his bow, Tyler was on him.
At first, Jaime looked startled by his aggressive attacks. Tyler struck a little deeper and a little harder than in their previous matches. Jaime’s apparent surprise only fed Tyler’s appetite for contact. This was a match Tyler wasn’t going to lose. It was a match he couldn’t lose without acknowledging a part of himself he wasn’t sure he was ready to face, let alone share.
As hard as Tyler pressed Jaime, Jaime evaded most of Tyler’s attacks and even managed to take advantage of the openings Tyler didn’t know he was offering until it was too late. The dull thud of Jaime’s fist on Tyler’s ribs was a welcome and familiar sensation. Pain rippled through Tyler’s body, but it did nothing to quench his need for victory. In defeating Jaime, Tyler would defeat the rebellious thoughts in his head. Then he could mourn the loss of Jenny instead of feeling like it was a chance to explore something he never knew was inside him until he met Jaime.
“What’s gotten into you tonight?” Jaime rubbed his jaw as they returned to the center of the dojo.
Tyler had somehow managed to evade all of Jaime’s attempts to bring him to the ground. Tyler was prepared to fight until his muscles snapped and his last breath was spent if Jaime tried to pin him.
“Had enough?” Tyler taunted Jaime, knowing it would only encourage him to press harder.
Panting and bleeding from a few superficial cuts, Jaime smiled as he brushed his long bangs out of his face. He was tougher than anyone gave him credit for, even himself.
“Not even close.”
* * * *
Jaime couldn’t remember the last time he’d been challenged so hard and felt like he could take whatever Sempai Tyler threw at him. He was enjoying the match as much as his opponent seemed to be. As hard as Jaime tried to find an opening to take him down, Sempai Tyler always found an escape and came back with a shot to the ribs or a kick to the head. Jaime had never seen anyone so eager to fight.
Another exchange of punches and kicks brought Jaime to the edge of his endurance. He sucked air into burning lungs and rested his hands on his knees. Sempai Tyler was also struggling to catch his breath, but the look in his eyes warned Jaime he didn’t have long to rest. His rebellious muscles ached from use and several bruises. His only comfort was he appeared to be gaining on Sempai Tyler, who staggered back into a defensive posture. Sempai Tyler was unsteady on his feet and when he moved in with a flurry of kicks, Jaime saw his opening. He moved in for the throw, catching Sempai Tyler completely off his guard. Sempai Tyler’s eyes opened wide, and his jaw clenched as he hit the ground. Jaime moved to pin him.
Sempai Tyler kicked out and knocked Jaime off him before Jaime could secure a hold. Jaime was so caught up in the moment, he didn’t see his own move being used on him until Sempai Tyler wrapped a leg around Jaime’s waist and twisted him onto his back. Sempai Tyler scrambled on top of Jaime and pressed him against the floor. His body molded to Jaime’s. No matter how Jaime shifted, he couldn’t get free. Jaime was trapped by Tyler’s heavier body weight, but he wasn’t ready to submit.
When Sempai Tyler moved to twist Jaime’s arm, Jaime twisted with him. Suddenly, they were rolling. As Tyler lost his hold, Jaime saw something foreign in Sempai Tyler’s eyes. His normal firm but good-natured attitude took a darker turn, and Jaime knew he’d gone too far. Sempai Tyler’s control snapped. Jaime knew if he didn’t control the situation, he was
