Spar

by Nikko Lee

  When Tyler sat back in his chair and closed his eyes, he tried to bring to mind the last time Jenny had gone down on him. He always started their bedroom time off with a little cunnilingus. She usually seemed less than eager to reciprocate. It had been six months ago, his birthday. Jenny didn’t like giving head and had a laundry list of rules about it. Tyler couldn’t touch her while she sucked his cock. She would only do it if he were standing, which made it hard to come. Jenny always spat and brushed her teeth afterward. It left Tyler feeling like he was asking too much of her, but he wasn’t going to refuse those special occasions when she actually offered to blow him.

  Tyler imagined soft lips on his cock. The flicker of tongue that traced the length of his shaft took him higher. But when Tyler looked down, his fantasy girlfriend had transformed into a multicolor-haired man with soft brown eyes. Tyler’s body jerked at the image of Jaime’s mouth on his cock. Shock, shame, and undeniable lust rocked his body until his come spilled over his tight grip and onto the chair. Spasms raced through his body in time with the throbbing in his cock.

  Tyler cleaned up and headed for bed, confident things would make sense again in the morning.

  Chapter 5

  Tyler never did call Jenny before he went to sleep. He just couldn’t bring himself to talk to her—not when the last image in his mind as he came was of Jaime. Tyler wanted to blame it on the beer, but he hadn’t drunk that much. He wanted to blame it on the passing novelty of seeing Jaime and that other man in the alleyway. There was some truth in that—trouble was it wasn’t just a passing thought.

  When Tyler woke up the next morning, it was to dreams of sparring with Jaime. In his sleep-addled mind, they were naked instead of wearing their uniforms. And it wasn’t Jaime’s cup that pressed against Tyler’s ass. It was Jaime’s hard cock. By the time Tyler’s eyes fluttered open, he had stroked his member into a painful erection Tyler felt too guilt-ridden to relieve. He knew he wouldn’t be able to do so without wanting Jaime all the more.

  Instead, Tyler headed to the bathroom for a cool, sobering shower and tried to figure out what he’d say to Jenny. He was no closer to an answer when he stepped out of the shower.

  “I’m sorry.” Tyler sat on the edge of his bed in his towel as he spoke into the phone.

  Ironic his first words to Jenny as soon as they left his mouth were the last words Jaime had spoken to him at the dojo.

  “You didn’t even call me,” Jenny said in a huff. Lately, Tyler had gotten good at getting on her last nerve. “What am I supposed to think? God knows what you do on your karate nights. Then I hear you are at the bar having a beer. You didn’t even think of inviting me, did you?”

  “It was a spur of the moment thing.” Tyler struggled to explain his lack of consideration. It really wasn’t like him not to think of her. “We were celebrating Sarah’s acceptance into law school.”

  “Who is Sarah?”

  “Randy’s wife.”

  Jenny didn’t care for his karate friends any more than she cared for him spending two nights a week training. Tyler didn’t think it was a lot to ask. Just two nights to do something that had been a part of him for most of his life. He spent every other night with her. Tyler even cooked most nights and never complained when she dragged him to some chick flick. At least not too loudly.

  “I told you when we first started going out that karate was something I did.”

  “I know.” Jenny sighed. “I just didn’t think it would bother me so much. You really are a sweet guy. But I might as well not exist on your karate nights. How do you think that makes me feel?”

  Tyler knew where this conversation was headed.

  He spent the next hour trying to talk Jenny down from breaking up with him. Even though he’d had this conversation numerous times before with other girlfriends, this was the first time he’d been on the verge of desperation to hold onto her.

  “I need some time to think,” Jenny finally relented.

  “Okay, I can do that.” Relief flooded Tyler’s strained nerves. “I’ll be here whenever you want to talk about what we do next. Just call me, any time.”

  “Tyler, this doesn’t change how I feel.”

  “I know. I can’t lose you.”

  When Tyler hung up the phone, he felt marginally better. He was convinced he could salvage his relationship with Jenny. As long as he was with her, Tyler knew his interest in Jaime would remain under control and restricted to his fantasies. He would never cheat on Jenny and could have his fantasies as long as they stayed locked inside his mind.

  * * * *

  When his alarm went off the next morning, Jaime didn’t feel any better than the previous night. A second hot shower and two ibuprofens finally washed away the last of his hangover. Dressed and ready for work, Jaime looked around his chic one-bedroom apartment. It was home, but it never felt so empty. Bedding Mr. Military only served to remind Jaime of why he was giving up the club scene. No numbers and no names wasn’t enough for him anymore. Turning over a new leaf was proving harder than he had thought it would.

  Everything had been going well until Sempai Tyler had decided to ignore him. The insult hurt more than he wanted it to, even though Jaime knew he had done nothing wrong. Obviously, Jaime needed some kind of attention and looking for it from his straight karate sempai was not the thing to do. It was only reinforcing Jaime’s crazy crush. It was time to do something Jaime hadn’t wanted to resort to, but he had little choice. He was going to have to swallow his pride and accept Leila’s fix-up offer.

  “Just how cute is your cousin?” Jaime asked as he walked into the studio.

  Leila squealed and clapped her hands. “I knew you’d come around. I’ll set something up for tonight. You’ll love Tomas. He’s the sweetest guy I know and a total hottie.”

  “Perfect.” Jaime tried not to sound as reluctant as he felt.

  Even though Jaime was used to the routine of going out Friday nights, it usually involved stocking up on condoms and lube, not fussing over which tie to wear. Normally he enjoyed getting dressed up in his more serious attire. Suits were a passion for him and the record business offered few proper outlets to show them off. The yearly Christmas party was closer to a drunken orgy with open bar. A few times a year, the VP of marketing dragged Jaime to some swanky dinner party with the big wigs of the parent company. Jaime loved the finer things, much finer than he could afford on his salary.

  Cigars, brandy, and Italian suits; Jaime caught a glimpse of the world he would belong to someday. Of course, the gay-factor was a boon when it came to marketing. The record industry was still trying to figure out how to tap into that market besides the techno-punk and rave ruckus.

  Tonight, Jaime opted for the grey herringbone with lavender paisley tie. It was no Tom Ford original, but it was the best suit Jaime owned, and it made him look like he belonged in a Bond movie. Conservative but still attention-getting. At least it should get the attention of anyone who knew anything about style.

  Leila had set the whole thing up, probably fearing Jaime would back out if she just gave him Tomas’s number. Jaime’s reputation was well-earned around the office. His reputation also earned him a lecture about not giving out the milk for free on the first date. Jaime wasn’t too thrilled about being alluded to as a cow since he was usually the one doing the milking. Considering Jaime had to deal with Leila on a daily basis, he pledged to be on his best behavior.

  The reflection staring back at Jaime from his car window looked perfectly respectable. Certainly the only trace of mischief that remained was a glint in Jaime’s eyes. He’d even forgone his standard stock of condoms. Tonight, he was going to actually get to know someone before deciding if he would sleep with them.

  By the time Jaime arrived at Cleo’s, Tomas was already waiting for him. It wasn’t too hard for Jaime to pick him out of a crowd since Leila had shown him about twenty pictures of her cousin. He was even more perfect in person. His eyes sparkled with a polite yet playful gleam as he spoke with the y
oung waitress hovering over the table. She clearly had eyes for him, and he was too polite to flat-out reject her. Instead, he smiled and nodded until his drink, a tall European beer, ran out and she dashed off to the bar to get him a refill.

  Okay, Jaime, don’t screw this one up. The man looked like he’d been poured into his slim fit suit. Everything about him was pressed, polished, and poised from his Caesar haircut to his clean-cut and rather square jaw. Perfectly respectable with a hint of trouble. The trick was not going to be an attraction but making sure he didn’t drag the man into bed on the first date and ruin everything. Jaime knew if they ended up in bed together that would be the end of it. Nothing thrilled Jaime quite like the chase, and few things bored him more than a second date.

  “Another Heineken.” the waitress’s bubbly smile was sweet enough to rot teeth. “There’s a great little after hours club just down the road if your date doesn’t show. I get off at ten. Maybe I can help you get off a little later.”

  “Sorry, sweetheart,” Jaime said as he sat down. He was feeling a little territorial; after all, he was trying to make a real connection and here was this waitress offering exactly what he promised himself he wouldn’t have on the menu—at least not tonight. “Looks like you’ll have to find someone else to help you get off. I’m sorry I’m late. Parking is hell around here.”

  Jaime extended his hand to Tomas, completely shutting out the waitress, who gave a little sigh and stepped back from the table.

  “I’ll be right back for your drink order,” she said in a resigned tone. Jaime could practically read her thoughts. All the good ones were taken or gay, and that’s exactly what Jaime wanted her to think.

  “Take your time,” Jaime said before introducing himself. “I’m Jaime Pierce. I’m surprised Leila didn’t tag along just to make sure this date happened.”

  Tomas let out a laugh so unselfconscious, Jaime felt his heart skip a beat. Perfect. The wholesome, boyish good looks Tomas sported in Leila’s pictures was rounded out by a very manly casual confidence.

  “Actually, I had to make her promise not to spy on us.” Tomas winked. “I told her if she did I’d never let her set me up on another blind date. It’s kind of her hobby.”

  “Oh? Does she have a lot of eligible bachelors for you?”

  Jaime wondered just how much competition he had for the man. Once he set his sights on someone, he didn’t give up until he got what or whom he wanted. Easy now, Jaime. The thrill of the chase was not going to tempt him into an early home run that might win the inning but lose him the game.

  “No.” Tomas took another sip of his imported beer. “Between getting established at the law firm and coaching, I actually don’t do a good job of keeping an active social life. You could kind of say that I’ve been married to my job, especially after my last relationship.”

  “Yeah, Leila warned me not to break your heart.” Jaime chuckled to lighten the mood and to ease his own nerves. This conversation was getting a little too heavy for a first date.

  Tomas stared at the swirling beer in the tall pilsner glass as he tilted it back and forth.

  “It was rough.” Tomas kept his solemn gaze on the pale lager. “Life’s never easy, right? I mean, I spent my childhood trying to gain my father’s respect. He died of a heart attack before I even finished law school. I thought if I made partner in the firm, I’d be set to support a family. But it turned out my own partner wasn’t ready to settle down.”

  As Tomas’s voice trailed off, Jaime struggled to find an appropriate avenue to steer the conversation down that wasn’t so serious. Between his nerves at going on an actual first date and his urge to bolt whenever things got serious, Jaime was trying his best to remain in his chair with an amiable smile on his face. He was actually relieved when the waitress returned and took his drink order.

  After a brief discussion about what looked good on the menu and placing their order, Jaime was back to trying to find a conversation thread that was more light-hearted than dead fathers and cheating partners. Not that Tomas went on about the subjects, but just touching on them unsettled Jaime. He wasn’t used to sharing that much personal detail, especially not with someone he had just met. Unfortunately, he wasn’t good at semi-casual yet meaningful conversation. Jaime remembered now why he hated first dates. They were just as awkward as the after-sex moments.

  “So, what got you interested in the recording business?” Tomas took the lead, much to Jaime’s relief.

  “I’ve always loved music.” Jaime lit up as he talked about his favorite topic, next to sex. “My mother said the only way she could get me to sleep was to play the loudest music in the house. No lullabies for me. I wanted beats and rhythm. Ever since then, music has kind of been my obsession. Sometimes I can even see the notes and pitches as colors and shades.”

  When his ramble came to an end, he was surprised to see how intently Tomas listened. The typical what do you do question was so often just a polite line of small talk. No one really listened to the answer. Usually Jaime encountered glazed eyes when he spoke about his love of music in any detail. Instead, Tomas seemed almost entranced by Jaime’s wonder. A spike of heat rose to Jaime’s cheeks as he took a sip of his drink.

  “I know it sounds weird,” Jaime mumbled into his glass.

  “No, no.” Tomas reached across the table and stroked Jaime’s hand. The contact was electric and too brief for Jaime’s liking. “Your passion for what you do is amazing. It’s not too often I encounter people who see their job as anything more than a means to an end.”

  “You don’t like being a lawyer?” Jaime asked.

  “It’s all right.” Tomas shrugged. “Tax law doesn’t exactly take my breath away or inspire me.”

  “What does inspire you?” Jaime asked.

  The waitress arrived just in time to prevent Tomas from answering. Jaime was curious to know just what made this tax lawyer tick. He seemed so open and honest about everything, but now he was being coy.

  “I think the salmon here is probably the best in town.” Tomas seemed more interested in dinner than in answering Jaime’s question.

  It seemed so innocuous.

  “So where are you from originally?” Tomas asked. “Leila said you moved to town to work at Harlequin Recording.”

  “Oh, no you don’t.” Jaime wagged his fork at Tomas. “It was your turn to answer my nonspecific get to know you question.”

  Tomas tried to pull off an innocent denial look, but Jaime was an expert at spotting avoidance. That only made Jaime all the more curious as to what Tomas was hiding.

  “What was the question?” Tomas took another bite of salmon that was almost as pink as his cheeks.

  The more he played coy, the more Jaime was interested.

  “You were going to tell me what inspires a tax lawyer,” Jaime prodded.

  Tomas’s playful smile dimmed a few watts and he took a sip of wine. He was stalling but Jaime wasn’t about to push the man. Jaime got the impression that whatever Tomas was about to say was going to come straight from the heart. It was hard to believe this man was a lawyer. He must be the most honest lawyer in his firm.

  “I’m sorry.” Tomas started playing with his butter knife, flipping it over on its side and back again. “I’m avoiding the question.”

  “Yes, you are. And now I’ve got to know.”

  Tomas smiled. “Tenacious, aren’t you?”

  “When I want something, I go after it with guns blazing.” Jaime was pleased to see Tomas nod his apparent appreciation. “And there’s no pleading the Fifth where I’m concerned.”

  “So you believe in honesty?” Tomas seemed to be testing the waters. “Even if it’s not exactly first date material?”

  Jaime shrugged. He couldn’t imagine Tomas was the serial killer type or problem gambler. What exactly did he think was not first date material? Maybe he was into some hardcore BDSM.

  “I promise not to hold it against you.”

  Tomas nodded. “Family. I want to start a fa
mily someday.”

  Definitely not first date conversation material. Jaime felt the hair on the back of his neck stand at attention. The old Jaime would have been looking for the exits. Instead, Jaime went for his white wine, wishing he’d ordered something a little stronger—like a sedative. More and more of Jaime’s college buddies had been leaving the club scene. He was getting to that age, but he’d never even considered the all-American family as a part of his agenda. Two-point-five children just never figured into his lifestyle, let alone biology.

  “I know it sounds pretty lame.”

  When Tomas finally looked up from his glass of beer, Jaime saw the sincerity in his eyes.

  “Not lame,” Jaime struggled to find the right words to reassure Tomas but not give the man the impression that was the answer he was looking for. “Just unexpected.”

  “Most straight men my age are still sowing their wild oats,” Tomas admitted his shameful secret. “I’ve just always wanted to have my own family. Not exactly an easy task for a gay man. But some day I might just meet that lucky man who actually wanted to settle down. My mother’s always asking when she’ll be a grandmother.”

  “Optimistic,” Jaime couldn’t help but marvel at the denial some people lived in. “I guess there’s always adoption.”

  Tomas nodded. “So I got the degree, the good job and fell in love. The only problem was, he wasn’t ready to commit. I just wish he’d been honest with me about not wanting a family from the beginning.”

  “That sounds rough.”

  It was the only thing that came to Jaime’s mind other than run. This was far more information than he knew about anyone, let alone a man he had just met. He certainly wasn’t sure he wanted a second date, never mind thinking about starting a family. It was all well and good that he was trying to get more serious, but there was little more he was willing to commit to.

  “Are you all right?” Tomas asked as Jaime took a good long drag, emptying his glass of wine.