Jaime’s gaze remained fixed on the floor. This was not a conversation he wanted to get into in any detail. Better to play it off as nothing serious. He liked Sempai Tyler enough to give him some explanation.
“I don’t think he likes working with me.” Jaime shrugged with the trace of a wry smile on his lips. “Must think I’m contagious.”
“What?”
The joke sounded a lot more serious saying it out loud. It would be easy to be jaded and bitter, but life was too short for that. He sighed and shrugged.
“Nothing,” Jaime mumbled.
“You mean he thinks he might get gay if he trains with you?”
As Jaime feared, Sempai Tyler knew exactly what he’d meant and didn’t pull any punches about calling Jaime out on the unspoken. The expression on Sempai Tyler’s face was so honest. Amusement built up in Jaime until he let out a lyrical laugh.
“Something like that, Sempai.” Sempai Tyler seemed to appreciate Jaime’s reaction. “Straight guys always worry about doing something I’ll think is gay. Because there’s no way I’d be able to keep my hands off them.”
“I’m sure you’ve got better taste in men than Steve.” Sempai Tyler spoke in an unguarded tone.
“Much better,” Jaime agreed.
“Is that why you don’t change with the other guys?”
Jaime’s smile faded. Another uncomfortable topic Jaime would have preferred to avoid. Sempai Tyler had a way of dragging him into plenty of uncomfortable situations and conversations. It was tempting to close off and refuse to speak about things that were difficult to face. However, he wasn’t sure he could do that without coming off as a complete jerk. The last thing he wanted to do was make things weird between him and Sempai Tyler.
“Guys get a little edgy around me, especially when it comes to taking off clothes.” Jaime shrugged. “I don’t want to make trouble.”
Sempai Tyler frowned, although Jaime couldn’t figure out what he’d said that would trigger that reaction.
“It’s your changing room as much as theirs.”
When Jaime looked at him, the bile taste of anger rose in the back of his throat. Only well-practiced resignation washed it free.
“Are you saying you wouldn’t be nervous getting undressed in front of me, Sempai?”
Sempai Tyler’s lips twitched with a suppressed grin. He seemed to actually be enjoying pressing Jaime in conversation just as he did on the dojo floor.
“Granted, I’m pretty irresistible.” Sempai Tyler puffed up his chest. “But I’m sure I could put up a good fight if you tried to take advantage of me.”
This time Jaime barked out a sharp laugh that drew an irreverent smile from Sempai Tyler.
“How about we do some sparring before you try to seduce me?”
Jaime nodded. “Hai, Sempai.”
* * * *
As soon as they got their gear on, they bowed and faced off in the center of the dojo. It didn’t take long for Jaime to get a little more aggressive with his attacks. Tyler could see him trying some of the moves they had learned in class that night. Unfortunately, his distancing and timing were still off. Tyler used the opportunity to work on some kicking techniques.
The first roundhouse kick caught Jaime off-guard and stopped just shy of his head. He acknowledged the strike, and they returned to their beginning positions. Jaime was a quick study and, unlike other white belts, knew when he was defeated without Tyler having to beat it into him.
Tyler should have known better than to try the same move twice in a row, but he didn’t think Jaime was paying that much attention. As soon as Tyler’s kick neared, Jaime stepped in and caught Tyler’s leg on his shoulder. With a quick sweep, Tyler was falling. Instinctively, he grabbed the lapel of Jaime’s gi. If he was going down, he sure as hell wasn’t going alone. His weight dropped back, Tyler pulled Jaime over him. He weighed even less than Tyler thought. With little effort, Tyler launched Jaime as he hit the ground. At best, Jaime would dive roll and end up several feet from Tyler. He’d have plenty of time to regain his feet.
Instead of letting go as he rolled, Jaime pulled Tyler along with him. A clumsy cartwheel landed Tyler on his back with Jaime on top. Before Tyler could push him off, Jaime pressed a forearm against Tyler’s throat. Jaime’s wide eyes watched Tyler with such intensity, Tyler wondered what he was expecting to see. Whether he searched for anger, fear, or resentment, Jaime never relented his hold.
The first spike of panic hit when Jaime cut off Tyler’s airway. The weight of Jaime’s body on Tyler’s chest burned into his muscles. Tyler knew he wouldn’t black out for another thirty to forty seconds. Plenty of time to find a weakness in Jaime’s hold. A shift of his hips only served to bring Jaime’s face inches from Tyler’s. Those brown eyes of his were filled with concern, but he sank into the shift and increased the weight on Tyler’s throat.
By the time Tyler realized he was completely helpless, his vision was starting to close in. In the instant he tapped frantically against Jaime’s back, the chokehold was released. Exhilaration flooded Tyler’s senses. There were few things as satisfying as being soundly defeated by someone he knew in his gut would never hurt him.
Air filled Tyler’s lungs as Jaime shifted. He settled, straddled across Tyler’s ribs, concern and triumph mixed in equal parts in his eyes.
“Did I go too far?” Jaime asked.
Sitting on Tyler’s ribs, his weight was more a comfort than a burden. Every breath that filled Tyler’s lungs lifted and lowered Jaime.
Tyler shook his head, still trying to catch his breath and unable to look away. A wicked grin crept over Jaime’s lips. He was so confident and triumphant. It was beautiful. Tyler wiped that thought away as soon as it occurred to him. Men weren’t supposed to find
