Save Me From Me

"Hey, glad to see you made it, Tiger."

I rolled my eyes and turned to look at Bryan who was looking sickeningly dry as he shook out his umbrella. "I'm only here under duress."

A smirk tugged at his mouth as he looked me up and down. Somehow, it felt oddly dirty and took way too long. "Just a tad wet there, aren't you?"

"I got to take a shower and do laundry at the same time. What's not to love?" I bent down and began to take off my shoes, wishing he would follow the other students soon.

"Um, since I can see puddles forming around your feet, better take off the socks, too. You won't be needing them, anyhow."

"Ah, Sean. I'm glad you could join us."

I glanced up at the teacher with barely concealed venom as I finished peeling off my socks and stuffing them in my shoes. "Yeah, as if I had a choice."

"The world is full of choices. No one made you come here today. You just did not like the consequences of the other option so you chose to come." The bastard actually smiled at me. "The choice was always yours."

"I love it when he manipulates people!" Bryan laughed.

"Bryan, please take our newest student to the back and get him a gi. Class will begin soon, see to it that he is ready."

"Yes, Sensei." He grinned at me, looking altogether too pleased with the situation. "Ready, Tiger?"

"Would you please stop calling me Tiger? My name is Sean, ass wipe."

"Sean, you just earned yourself thirty minutes extra training today." The sensei smiled and walked back to his little office. "Remember to play nice, boys."

"Dick."

"Who? Me or him?"

I glared at Bryan and headed back to the locker room, carrying my soggy shoes with the socks stuffed in them. "I'm beginning to think both."

The back room looked like a kindergartners class with cubbies! Where the hell were the lockers? Did people actually think this was safe? What if someone kidnapped my Venti White Chocolate Mocha and held it for ransom? I just might have to kill someone before the day was through.

"Here, put this on while I find you a belt." Bryan tossed a plastic covered white gi, the packaging saying small.

I frowned down at the garment in my hand. He hadn't even asked what size I was. I didn't look that anorexic, did I? I stripped down to my briefs and unceremoniously began ringing out my clothing on the floor. I wasn't going to shove it into the cubby just to sit in a puddle of water. Without even attempting to fold the mass of wet cloth, I shoved it into the nearest empty cubby, gingerly setting my mocha in front of it after taking a loving sip.

Okay, the pants part of the outfit was fine. One leg, then the other. It was the top I was having problems with. For some reason, my sleep deprived mind could not seem to wrap its self around how the four ties hanging off of it were supposed to go together to get the damn thing to close. With a growl of frustration, I'll admit it was childish, I grabbed the strings in each hand with a vicious yank and kicked the nearest bench.

"Fudge buckets, froogle frat!" Didn't know I had a tendency to make up my own cuss words, did you? Well, now you know.

With my big toe throbbing, I hopped up and down holding my foot. Just as Bryan came around the corner with a white belt in his hand, a look of curiosity as to what all the commotion was, the foot I was hopping on found the damn puddle I'd made when I was ringing out my clothes. In the span on two seconds, I was flat on my back, the air knocked completely out of me as I stared up at the ceiling.

Stifling a laugh, Bryan rushed over and knelt beside me. "Are you okay?"

I bit my lip and counted to ten. It was either that or very rapidly become uncivilized. A deep breath in, I tried to ignore the fact that he was still trying not to laugh, whereas other students still in the locker room weren't quite so restraint. "I should have known. I'm sure if you look at the paper and read my horoscope it would say not to leave bed for today will be hell otherwise. The rain should have been my first warning. Then the fact that Starbucks had to remake my mocha three times before they got the damn thing right. But no, I blew all that off, ignored that little voice in my head that said today was not going to be my day, and I came here." I raised my arm to look at my watch and sighed. "Oh, look. It's hardly even nine yet. Goody. That means I still have several more hours of Chaos before this day will officially end. Who knows? Maybe I'll get lucky and a bus will hit me early so I don't have to suffer the rest of the day. Wouldn't that be nice?"

No longer trying to hide his laugher, Bryan rose up, grabbed my arm and hauled me to my feet. "Optimistic guy, aren't you, Tiger?"

Yanking my arm from his grip, I glared at him. It was prudently apparent I was not going to get him to stop calling me that ridiculous pet name. My friends never gave me a nickname, so I wasn't sure why this guy felt compelled to do so.

With a sigh, I realized my pants were now damp from landing in the puddle. Oh, yes, this day was certainly looking up. "I couldn't figure out how to get this damn thing tied and things went bad from there. How optimistic should I be?"

"Well, you didn't crack your head open, that's a plus, right?" As the students started heading out into the dojo, Bryan stepped closer to me and grabbed the ties, a smile still on his lips. "Here, let me help you."

I was on the verge of pulling away and telling him I wasn't a toddler that couldn't figure out how to tie their own damn shoe when I realized that's exactly what I was. It would just be foolish to push away his help. But that odd fluttering in my stomach was back. Man, I hoped I wasn't going to hurl. That would really just top off the moment for me.

"This one goes here with this one," He pulled a string on the left over to the inner right, his fingers brushing across my abdomen, making the muscles jump. "Ticklish?"

"Um, no not really," I said, staring at the ceiling. Oh, that was far from a tickle I'd felt. What the hell was wrong with me? I hated this guy (not to mention the fact that he was a guy) so fluttery feelings were not welcome! I really needed to cut back on the caffeine.

Before I knew it, he had my top tied. "My very own ninja pajamas, just what I've always wanted."

On a snicker, Bryan began to put the belt around my waist. "Now watch. One square knot is all you need and there you are! All set."

"Great," I said without much enthusiasm.

Bryan swung his arm companionably around my shoulders, leading me to the door. "Don't worry. I'm sure the class will go easy on you so you won't go home with too many bruises today."

My ever present glare swung in his direction. "Yeah, that just makes me thrilled to be here."

*****

Thud!

I'd already lost count how many times I'd hit the floor. All I knew was that I hurt and I didn't want to do this anymore. It was my good fortune to have come into the class the day they were doing sparing for blocks and throws. The Sensei took pity on me and gave me to one of the newer recruits. The bastard actually told the kid to try and take it easy on me since it was my first day. One would think I'd get to learn some of the moves before being thrown to the lions, but NO! To add insult to injury, the kid I was sparing with was a goddamn girl at least a year my junior, if not more. I think it was only my bruised and battered pride that kept me getting up for more as snickers from some of the other students needled me.

"Okay, hold on." Will, who was apparently high up enough in the ranks the Sensei let him help teach and guide the students, came up behind me. Wrapping his arms around me, a hand hooking onto each wrist, he maneuvered my arms. His feet kicked lightly at mine, moving me into the stance he wanted. "Now, move like this. Becky, come at him slowly."

My face was burning with humiliation, but I didn't say a word as he moved me like a doll. His day would come, oh yes, it would come. Karma was funny that way.

When he finally let go, I took four steps away from him, glaring daggers at him. He stood there with his arms crossed over his chest. "Go ahead and try to block her, Sean."

Why did I have this strange impulse to stick my tongue out at him and tell him I didn't want to? Still, I put myself into the stance he'd shown me and when she came at me, I blocked.

Will shrugged. "Sloppy, but at least you did it."

"Oh, go screw yo-"

I was cut off by the sensei calling out the end of the class. Thirty more minutes and I was out of here.

As students went into the back to change and began filing out, I watched the sensei disappear into his office to take a phone call and Will going over to help two other students who'd stayed behind. Bryan hurried over to me with his ever present grin. I wondered if he even knew how to frown.

"So, how was class, Tiger? Looked like you were having fun," he said with good natured sarcasm.

If it were possible, I think my glare actually got darker. "I hate you."

"What did I do?"

"You were chipper." I walked past him to the cooler full of water and plucked out a bottle. My body hurt from head to toe. How did people call this fun, I wondered.

Apparently, he'd followed me. I jumped a little when I felt his hand on my neck, gently massaging the tense muscles there. God, it felt like heaven! With a little squeeze, he motioned his head back out into the room. "Come on, I'll spar with you a bit."

"And I would want to do this why?"

"Well, it's either me or Will and you are here for another half hour. Promise you I won't be too rough."

With a scowl, I realized he was right. I'd gotten the distinct impression that Will didn't like me, so I was probably safer with Bryan. Pain wise, anyhow. "Fine."

"Don't sound so enthusiastic there, or I'll half to hose you down."

Thirty minutes later, I was even more sore than I had been when we'd begun. With all too much laughter, he'd thrown me over his shoulder and knocked me to the floor countless times, the bastard. He was actually enjoying this! And of course, he would soften the blows enough so that I knew what he was doing but could do nothing about it, cushioning my fall with a foot or pulling me back up just before I hit the floor.

The other students were still engaged with Will when I stormed back into the locker room.

Bryan followed me in, taking off his belt as he went. "You know, we could always have a rematch, if you'd like."

"Screw you, buddy!" Having been humiliated, beaten more efficiently than the jocks could have, and all around having a bad day, I let my anger again get the better of me as I turned around and pushed him into one of the lockers. I was so not in the mood for his condescending tone, his chipmunk smile, and sickeningly optimistic outlook on life! With a not so rare flare of anger, I shoved him into one of the lockers, the sound ricocheting around the empty locker room. "I hate you! I hate you so much it hurts! Do you know that, you happy-go-lucky bastard? Go fuck yourself ten ways from Sunday with a jumbo dildo and then lets see you're new outlook on life!"

"Damn you're sexy when you're angry," he laughed. I barely had time to go "Huh?" when he grabbed the front of my gi in a fist and pulled me in for the most electrifying kiss I've ever had the pleasure of receiving.

Resistance never even entered my mind as I griped his shoulders, holding on for dear life as he literally sucked the breath from my lungs. His tongue plunged into my mouth, taking no prisoners as it dominated me, making me rise to the occasion in a matter of seconds.

When he pulled back and took in a deep, shuttering breath that matched my own, I opened and closed my mouth several times. I'm sure I wanted to say something to him, but for the life I me, I couldn't figure out what that something was. Backing up until I hit the bench, I shook my head, turned and grabbed my Mocha and walked out of the locker room headed for the door. The only thing I knew was that my coffee was cold and I needed to leave right then and there before I did something I would regret, even if I was highly tempted.

I heard him open the door behind me. I knew he was watching me leave, not daring to say anything with the other students still in the room. It was better that way for me. If he had said one word, just one, I probably would have turned around and jumped on him, audience or not.

It was still raining outside and I really didn't notice it until I stepped into a large puddle with my bare feet. "Crap!"

The only thing I'd grabbed from my cubby was my coffee! My clothing and shoes were still there probably sitting in a wet puddle of their own. I could either turn around and go back in to grab them, or leave them there and hope they were still there tomorrow. Hmm, decisions.

The walk to the coffee stand left me soaked to my skivvies. Coffee won in the battle of whether I should retrieve my clothing or not, so here I was without a dollar on me, in a wet karate gi, no shoes, and a hell of a temper.

"I'm sorry, sir, but without shoes on, I can't serve you."

Alright, that was it. Reaching across the counter, I grabbed his lime green polo shirt and pulled him until his face was a mere inch from mine. "Listen, you little prick. I come in here every day, you know this. I order the same thing at least three times a day. You know this, too. I have had a really bad day an it's not even noon yet, so I need my damn caffeine. Give it too me now and put it on my student comps."

He plucked my fingers from his shirt. "Maybe caffeine is the last thing you need."

"I swear to God!" I nearly launched myself over the counter, but he held his hands up and began readying my order. Not many could get away with this abuse, but I could tell he saw I meant business. Never get between me and my White Chocolate Mocha.

Ten minutes later, I was laying on my bed, happily enjoying my Mocha, still in my wet clothing when I snapped. I can't explain it any other way, really. I had to have lost my mind, it was the only thing I could think of.

I picked up my cell phone, called the student directory, and found Bryan's number.

"You prick! You bet you're ass we'll have a rematch! And after . . . After . . . Well, after that! You deserve to have you're ass kicked and soundly. I play dirty, I'll have you know, so don't think you'll take me down so easily!" With a deep breath, I let my head fall into my hand. "When you get this message, please just delete it, forget you ever heard it, and know it was a complete moment of insanity that had me calling you in the first place. Don't even mention this message to me, for I will not remember it by sheer force of will."

Click.

How dumb was I? What in the hell possessed me to call him? Jeeze!

Imagine how badly I jumped when not three minutes later, someone was knocking on my door.

Bryan stood there, laughing of course, with my wet clothing and shoes in his hand, cell phone in the other hand, and water dripping from his hair into his face. "So, I guess I shouldn't mention the message or the rematch you so admirably challenged me to? And why are you still in your wet gi?"

Well, this was just too much temptation, what with him looking all wet and sexy. I grabbed him and pulled him into a kiss, moaning low in my throat when he dropped my clothing into a wet puddle in the hall and pulled me closer to him. Walking backwards into the room with him, I heard him push the door closed with his foot.

"I still hate you, you know," I said against his mouth in between kisses.

It was like a war of the tongues, both vying for domination and this time, I wasn't about to lay down and roll over. He struck something in me I couldn't describe. It was better than any girl I'd screwed over the last five years. Granted, some of them were pretty good and one of them I still badly wanted to get back with, but Bryan was in a different category all together!

With very busy hands, he soon had the top of my gi pulled down to my biceps, effectively pinning my arms. My breath hissed between my teeth as he nibbled at my collar bone.

"You want to hate me, but you can't can you?" He teased my left nipple with the tip of his tongue before sucking it in to his heated mouth to torment it with gentle tugs. "Most people don't throw themselves at me when they hate me."

"I didn't throw myself at you!" Pushing him back against the door, I nipped at the side of his neck, making him quiver and take in a ragged breath. "You started this, remember that."

"Jeeze-us! You do play dirty," he whispered, gripping his bottom lip between his teeth.

"Damn straight." With a few well placed shrugs and wiggles, I managed to dislodge my imprisoning top, leaving it bunched around my waist. I tugged impatiently at his wet sweater, pulling it over his head with a vicious tug. When it plopped onto my roommates bed, I began to attack his jeans. I wanted him badly; I wanted him naked and I wanted it right now. His own hands were trying to untangle the knot he'd created in the drawstring of my pants with his shaking hands. It was empowering knowing that I was having as much of an effect on him as he was having on me. Made me smirk when I had his pants undone around his ankles while he was still wrestling with mine.

Pulling his hands away, I turned him around and shoved him onto my bed. I think he managed maybe one bounce before I pounced on him, taking his chilled skin in my hands, feeling it pulse against my palm.

He sucked in a breath and bucked his hips.

"Ooo, impatient, aren't you," I smirked, sitting on his legs. He jumped and I remembered that my pants were soaked and probably cold as all Hell. My smile just widened.

"Fuck, what are we doing?" He pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes, trying desperately to get his body back under his own control. "I planned on feeling you out first, then maybe a little romance, a bit of wine, some seduction. And here we are with you jumping on me? What the hell, Tiger?"

I leaned in close, licking his ear lobe, delighting in his shiver. "I've no idea, but I'm enjoying the hell out of it, aren't you?"

"Oh, God, yes," he breathed when my hand began to move again. I loved watching his face tense almost in painful ecstasy. The emotions, the lose of control in my partner was one of the most rewarding things about sex to me. I loved every moment of it as I took him to the brink only to bring him back.

Moving over to his other ear, I let my tongue trace every sensitive part. "I'm going to fuck you, you know that, don't you."

"If you don't, I may die right now."

With a yank, I managed to pull my pants off, busting the drawstring in the process. I settled myself in between his legs, pulling his knees up to wrap them around my waist. With a grin, I entered him in one thrust.

Crying out, he lifted his hips, gripping the bed under him forcefully. His ass convulsed around me, making me grit my teeth in response. When his muscles began to loosen, I began to move, penetrating him deeply. With every thrust, I hit his prostrate.

"Yes, Tiger, yes!"

"Say my name, Bryan."

"Mmm," His lip was clenched between his teeth again, his eyes scrunched up tightly."

"Show me those beautiful eyes and say my name," I panted over him watching every emotion flicker across his face like the pages of a book.

With one last mighty thrust, I felt him begin to come as he cried out loud enough for everyone on the floor to hear him, "Sean!"

As he came, he clenched around me sending me over the edge. His orgasm was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, and even as I was loosing myself in my own, I swore to myself I'd see him come again.

Several minutes later, we lay there panting together, holding hands on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I looked over at him with a grin. "So, you ready for another rematch?"