Tyler had looked relieved at the suggestion they might spar again.
Jaime tried to tamp down his excitement as he drove home. He had to stop short a couple of times when the car in front of him slammed on the breaks or took a sudden turn. At least that’s how it felt to Jaime. His mind was still back in Tyler’s bedroom. He was still in a fog when he heard his phone ringing.
“Hello.” Jaime took the call through the Bluetooth unit in his car.
“Jaime,” Tomas’s voice came through the car speaker as clear as if he’d been sitting next to Jaime. “I hope I didn’t wear you out too much yesterday.”
“No, no,” Jaime stumbled over his words. He couldn’t help but think of how his day had started, thinking about Tomas. Then came Tyler, and every good intention Jaime had about finding a stable relationship went out the window. That didn’t stop him from feeling guilty. “I’m doing much better today.”
“Good, then I’m taking you out to dinner.”
Jaime wasn’t sure he could go from being in one man’s bed to eating dinner with another in the same day. Not that he hadn’t done it before, but this time felt different. He actually liked Tomas. And what was Tyler to him? What was he to Tyler?
“Unless you already have plans,” Tomas’s voice was playful but his words ate at Jaime’s conscience.
“No.” He was drawing a blank on a good excuse. “But I’ve had a busy day.”
“How about Monday night?”
“I’ve got karate.”
“I’m busy the rest of the week.” Tomas sighed. “It shouldn’t be this hard to schedule some time together. How about lunch? I can probably sneak away for an hour or so.”
Usually after the first ‘I’m busy’ Jaime’s one night stands got the hint. He was going to have to be a whole lot more direct with Tomas.
“I think maybe now is not the best time for either of us.”
“I can make the time, if you can.”
There was nothing Jaime could say that was more damning than the silence he let fill the ether between them.
“Are you sure?” Tomas was more of a gentleman than Jaime deserved.
“I’m sorry.”
“So am I.”
Jaime pressed the hang up button on his steering wheel. Whatever was going on between Jaime and Tyler, he knew he couldn’t get into a serious relationship until he saw it through.
Chapter 11
They didn’t exchange numbers. They didn’t kiss goodbye. For all intents and purposes, Tyler and Jaime had just had another casual sexual encounter. Yet Tyler kept replaying every minute he had spent with Jaime when he least expected. In the shower or bed, it was a given. But Tyler hadn’t expected to think about going down on Jaime while washing his car or brushing his teeth. Tyler was looking forward to the next karate class with an eagerness he hadn’t felt since he had first earned his black belt. Class had always been a special time for him, but now it was also an opportunity to interact with Jaime. After their last parting, Tyler felt more confident than ever that he could have the best of both worlds, a kickass training partner and a sex fiend with an insatiable appetite.
Like too many guys he knew, Tyler was often at his girlfriends’ mercy when it came to sex. A few of them had even voiced objections when he masturbated. Now he had Jaime to play with, his libido was working overtime. It was probably best Jaime hadn’t given Tyler his number. Even though Tyler had it on the karate call-out list, the fact that Jaime hadn’t given it to him meant Tyler was in control of the next time they got together. Jaime was like that girl you wanted but who kept just out of reach. Only Tyler knew Jaime would give in to him if he showed enough interest. Jaime might be a cool customer, but Tyler was getting the hint Jaime liked being seduced as much as he enjoyed seducing Tyler.
* * * *
Monday night, Tyler arrived at class early. The delicious thoughts of Jaime that had kept him up at night and busy during his free moments needed to be tempered with a little physical exertion. Otherwise, he was afraid his body would betray him the moment Jaime walked through the door.
Tyler had already spent half an hour running through basics when the first students started to arrive. To his surprise, Steve and his buddies were the first through the door. Once they got changed, Tyler led them through their katas until they were all soaked in sweat. Tyler didn’t even notice Jaime come in until he was dressed and on the dojo floor working with Randy.
Between kata steps and making corrections to the students who followed him, Tyler managed a few casual glances in Jaime’s direction. He needed to know Jaime was going to be okay for class. With intense concentration, Jaime listened to Randy’s every word. Each correction was met with a formal bow and acknowledgment. The more reserved Jaime was in class, the more Tyler longed to break that reserve the next time they were alone. Although Jaime remained formal, Tyler didn’t see the same tension in his shoulders he carried last class. Tyler wouldn’t know for sure until he saw Jaime’s eyes.
Tyler had started to give up hope of catching Jaime’s glance when he looked Jaime’s way. It wasn’t long enough or direct enough for anyone else to see but Tyler. When he saw the confident acceptance in Jaime’s gaze, he had to fight the urge to smile.
As soon as Sensei Melissa arrived, class started. She was in a fighting mood, and they spent most of class working on sparring drills. Near the end of class time, the students partnered up to practice combinations.
On the third round of partner switches, Jaime
