As a black belt, Tyler helps his students face their fears, but he has yet to come to terms with his own bisexuality. When he finds a new sparring partner in Jaime, an openly gay man struggling to find his place in the dojo, Tyler is surprised at how right it feels to be intertwined with him.<br><br>Determined to put his partying days behind him, Jaime returns to martial arts training and swears off one-night stands. He is finally ready to look for something more when Tyler approaches him with a request - help Tyler explore his new found sexuality. Their physical relationship intensifies in secret. It isn’t long before their time together becomes about something more than just sex.<br><br>Despite their growing closeness, Tyler refuses to acknowledge their relationship in public. Now Jaime must choose between returning to his former lifestyle and falling in love with someone afraid to embrace him in front of their friends. Tyler doesn’t want to lose Jaime as a student, much less as a lover, but can he overcome his fears and accept his new identity?

Spar

Tyler slipped under the covers and draped them over Jaime. Despite the queen-sized bed, Jaime curled upon the edge. He didn’t want to crowd Tyler. Then he felt Tyler’s hand along his back and lips kissing his shoulder.


“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.” Tyler sounded disappointed.


“I’ve never slept over with anyone.”


Tyler moved in closer, molding his body to Jaime’s. Instead of feeling trapped, Jaime felt comfortable. His body finally relaxed and he allowed himself to enjoy the physical contact that was more intimate to him than any sexual act.


“Never?” Tyler wrapped his arm around Jaime and linked his fingers in Jaime’s. “Why not?”


Jaime took a deep breath. His instincts had always served him well, but he wasn’t sure exactly when he had started keeping the men he slept with at a distance. “I don’t know. It always just seemed easier that way.”


As Tyler continued to stroke Jaime’s hand, Jaime nestled into the crook formed by Tyler’s body.


Chapter 49