“Why? There were elevators.”
We stumble inside.
“Tucker’s claustrophobic. If he woke up in the elevator, he would have probably woken up the entire building.”
“I don’t blame him. I hate small spaces, too.”
Colsen navigates his way through a large open space kitchen and living room, opening one of the doors off of a short hallway on one side of it.
The room is dark like the rest of the apartment; but it’s possible to see enough to make out the shapes of the furniture thanks to the eco-lights coming in from the full-length patio doors that lead outside.
We lower Tucker onto the king-sized bed that dominates the room, and once Colsen turns on a light on the nightstand, I get to take a better look at the room.
The bedroom wouldn’t look out of place in any nice hotel.
There’s a stuffed chair on one side by the patio door and a desk with an office chair on the opposite side of the bed.
Two other doors are probably leading to an en-suite bathroom and a closet.
“Let’s take his shoes off.” Colsen pulls the black sneakers off Tucker’s feet, then stops to look at his friend. “He would probably be more comfortable if we got him out of these clothes, but I’d rather let him sleep. He seems so peaceful.”
“Aww,” Tucker’s blue eyes pop open, a lopsided smile appearing on his lips. “You don’t want to see me naked?”
Colsen’s lips curl in a smile of his own. “I get to see you naked more than enough in the locker room. I think I’ll pass on any extras.”
“Fair enough.” Tucker yawns, pulling his clothes off with surprising dexterity. “I’m so tired.”
He crashes down into his pillows and I can’t help but notice that his long, muscular body is a work of art.
Taut, big muscles are carved everywhere from his defined shoulders to his powerful pecs and washboard abs. A sexy V leads into his tight boxer briefs. I fight the urge to examine the big bulge in the front of his underwear but continue my perusal of his thick thighs and long legs.
He has several tattoos on his side and down one arm, but I don’t have time to take a closer look because Tucker’s eyes pop open again.
“Will you tuck me in?” He asks with another yawn. “You promised earlier.”
His eyes flutter closed again, and I can’t help but notice his long, blond lashes.
“Of course.” I grab the side of his bedsheets and comforter. “But to tuck you in, I need you to move and get under the covers. Come on.”
Tucker rolls onto one side, and I part the covers, lifting them over him once he settles onto his back.
“Try to sleep well.” I murmur, noticing how with his eyes closed, he looks much younger, almost boyish. “And I’m sorry.”
He half-opens his eyes, the blue of his irises peaking from under his eyelids. “It isn’t your fault. And I really wanted to kiss you goodnight, but I’m too sleepy.”
I lean forward without even thinking about it and brush my lips over his forehead. “Sweet dreams, Tucker.”
When he doesn’t speak for a few seconds and his breath has evened out, I know he’s more than likely going to sleep until morning.
Colsen is standing by the doorjamb, his hand on the door handle.
“It’s gonna be fun to wake him up in time for practice tomorrow morning.” He murmurs, moving to allow me to leave the room and closing the door behind him.
While I was helping Tucker into bed, Colsen turned on a floor lamp beside one of the two couches that fill most of the living room space.
The room is bathed in a soft light and my eyes wander around the light wood of the brand new furniture. The couches are upholstered in light teal and baby blue fabric that matches the curtains and is echoed in the dark blue rug that covers most of the light wood floors.
“This is really nice.” I walk to the patio door, looking at the sand right off a small deck and the sea a little further away as the tide must be out. “Your living quarters are right on the beach.”
