I’m pretty sure it was identical to the hotel room doors we have in the states but I keep that thought to myself.
I haul our bags into the room and nearly knock Charlie over when she abruptly stops in front of me.
I’m about to ask her what’s wrong when I realize what she’s staring at.
Either Sweden has a different definition for “king-size bed” or the guys were wrong. Because the bed sitting in front of us is most definitely a queen.
Now normally this wouldn’t be such a big deal. If I was sleeping alone.
But considering I’m six-three and Charlie is five-eleven, and we’re world-class athletes with a decent amount of muscle, it might as well be a twin bed.
Setting our bags down, I move around Charlie and lean against the small desk that lines the wall opposite our bed.
“Well, it’s better than the Village.”
It’s the only thing I can think of to say. Because it’s true. It’s smaller than we were anticipating but it’s still nearly four-times the size of the beds the Olympics provided us with.
Charlie huffs out a laugh. “Really setting the bar low there, Luke.”
Her eyes are still focused on the bed, panic clear in her eyes. Pushing myself off the desk, I grip her chin gently with my thumb and forefinger and turn her face so she’s looking at me.
“Hey, it’s okay.”
She forces a swallow and my eyes are transfixed on the way her throat bobs as she does. Finally, she nods but I can tell she’s still not convinced.
“There is plenty of room here. I’ll take the floor like I originally planned. Or I can sleep in the guys’ room on the floor. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
I drop my hand from her face and my fingers immediately itch to be touching her again.
Charlie shakes her head at me. “No. That’s stupid. We’re adults and I’ve known you basically my entire life. I trust you. I’m not uncomfortable. I was just…shocked is all.”
“Are you sure?” I ask, still not convinced she’s okay with this situation.
Honestly, I’m not sure I’m even okay with this situation. If I could barely handle standing next to her in the elevator, how the hell am I supposed to keep my shit together when she’s inches away from me in bed?
I’m an Olympic fucking athlete. I am just as mentally prepared as I am physically for the Games. If I can handle the pressure of being on the world’s largest stage, I can handle a week of sharing a bed with Charlie.
“I’m sure.” Her voice interrupts my internal pep talk and I nod once.
Charlie moves to the side of the bed next to her and I can’t help my outburst.
“That’s my side.” It’s sharp and firm, totally not how I intended it to come out, so I try to reel it back in.
“Sorry. That came out harsher than I meant. It’s just that when I share a bed with the guys, I usually take that side.” I try to come up with an excuse that doesn’t make me seem like some weirdo attached to one side of the bed. “I have a bad shoulder so sleeping on my right side is easiest, especially when I’m not alone.”
I don’t dare tell her that the reason I need to sleep on that side of the bed is because it’s the closest to the door.
It’s obnoxious but if some lunatic broke in here, I’d like to be between them and Charlie if only to give her an extra line of defense.
My god, I’m a simp for this woman.
Charlie eyes me curiously. “Uhh, okay. I’ll take the other side then I guess.”
She moves around me awkwardly, her shoulder brushing mine as she does. One little touch and I’m ready to throw her on the bed and have my way with her.
Keeping my urges in check is going to be harder than I thought.
We both start putting our clothes away. Another thing this room has that the Village didn’t is an actual closet and full size dresser to store our stuff in. Oh, and a private bathroom. Although the idea of sharing with Charlie isn’t half as bad as sharing with random athletes.
