Chapter 13
Being with Jaime was surprisingly easy. Inside Tyler’s apartment, the rest of the world didn’t exist. They spent hours in bed, on the couch, or even on the kitchen floor exploring every inch of flesh and every subtlety of sensation until satisfaction was reached on both their parts. After several reminders that Tyler wanted him there, Jaime finally was comfortable sleeping over on the weekends. Tyler just couldn’t get enough of Jaime.
Outside of Tyler’s apartment was a whole different world. Jaime was surprisingly good at pretending there was nothing between them other than friendship. Even in karate class, whether Tyler complimented his technique or corrected him, Jaime always maintained a neutral yet friendly expression. Even though Tyler had spent hours with him and knew exactly how to turn him on with a look or touch, Tyler couldn’t detect any trace of that intimacy in Jaime’s actions or speech. Tyler was certain no one would have guessed the connection between them.
“Konnichi-wa, Sensei. Konnichi-wa, Sempai.”
The lightness in Jaime’s voice delighted Tyler’s heart. He nodded, not daring to linger too long as he entered the dojo. Class had become their secret foreplay. Having to not let on his growing arousal only heightened the tension. Even though class had yet to start, Tyler couldn’t wait until it was done and he could get Jaime alone in his apartment.
By the time class was over, Tyler was getting ready to spar with Jaime when Sarah approached him.
“Sempai, would you mind helping me out with my kata?” Sarah asked as she bowed.
“Tired of beating up on Randy?” Tyler couldn’t resist teasing Sarah. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jaime and Randy working together.
Sarah smiled. “Sensei Melissa said I only have a month to get ready for testing.”
“I think the years you’ve spent training to get to this point are what count.” Tyler didn’t envy Sarah. Sensei Melissa was a little unpredictable when it came to grading black belts. It required coordination with her teacher, their grand-master. Too often the testing student was the last to know when a date was set up. Considering how much of a nervous wreck most students got when they were given the nod, Tyler wasn’t surprised Sensei Melissa hadn’t given Sarah any more than a month to freak out.
Sarah continued to stare at Tyler, waiting for an answer. As if he would say anything but yes.
“So I thought I’d start at the top.” Sarah fidgeted with the hem of her gi top.
“Good idea,” Tyler said and put her out of her misery. “Let’s get to it.”
“Hai, Sempai.”
It wasn’t exactly how Tyler had planned to spend his time after class, but he wanted Sarah to be as prepared as she could be. He had seen her go from a clueless white belt to getting ready for her black belt. When her time came, Tyler knew he would be as nervous for her as he had been for his own testing. By the time they were done, Randy and Jaime were changed and hanging out in the back of the dojo. At least Jaime had found a reason to hang around. Now all Tyler had to do was wait for Randy and Sarah to leave before he and Jaime could start their evening together.
“Ready to go?” Randy asked as Sarah headed to the women’s changing room.
“Give me two minutes.”
Tyler headed toward the men’s changing room and caught a glance at Jaime. A smile crept on Tyler’s lips when he saw Jaime was watching him. It only lasted a brief second, but it lit up his soul. Tyler hurried off to the changing room with Randy, his thoughts of how he was going to keep that expression in place.
“You want to go to the bar this weekend?” Randy asked.
“Not really.” Tyler was focused on getting out of his gi and into his clothes as quickly as possible without obviously looking like he was in a hurry.
“You seeing someone?”
Tyler froze. “No. Why?”
“You haven’t been around since you broke up with Jenny.” Randy shrugged. “I just wanted to make sure that you weren’t drowning your sorrows in beer and video games without me.”
“No, I’m good.”
Randy continued to stare at Tyler. He knew Tyler well enough to know if he was lying, so Tyler didn’t even bother to make something up. The less he said the better. Whatever Randy saw, or didn’t see, must have satisfied him because he returned to packing up his gear.
“Sarah’s got this friend,” Randy said and Tyler groaned before he could catch himself. “Don’t be like that. She’s really cute, smart, and loves getting outside.”
“Really, I think being single for a while might do me some good.”
Randy nodded but didn’t look convinced. “As long as you are okay.”
“I’m fine.”
“Because a man’s got needs.”
“Stop busting my balls.” Tyler wasn’t doing a good job of hiding his irritation, but he wasn’t about to tell Randy Jaime was satisfying his needs. “I said I was fine.”
“Okay, okay.” Randy held up his hands. “Sarah’s been after me to ask you. She worries. You know how women get. And you’ve never gone this long without being in a relationship. I was beginning to think you were hardwired for it.”
Tyler bit his tongue to avoid incriminating himself any further. If Randy kept it up, Tyler would have to agree to some stupid blind date just to get him to back off. At least Randy would take no for an answer. Sarah might not be so easily satisfied. They were Tyler’s friends and they meant well, but Tyler was having too much fun with Jaime to think about anyone else. Randy wouldn’t understand that. Tyler wasn’t sure he completely understood it either.
Randy didn’t say anything else as he finished changing. Tyler was starting to feel guilty for his reaction.
“We cool?” Tyler asked when he met Randy at the
