Henri – 34

 

Henri was about to say no.

 

But why? It's not like he's only got one bedroom, with one bed, and is asking me to share it with him. Not that I'd refuse. He realized that was the truth, and it didn't really surprise him.

 

"All right. If you insist," Henri replied.

 

"Good. Come on. I think you'll like the one overlooking the courtyard. It's quieter."

 

"Let me clean up first."

 

"It's got its own bathroom," Taegan told him.

 

"I meant…" Henri picked up the plates to take them to the sink.

 

Taegan laughed. "I know. Leave them. I'll get them later."

 

They were halfway up the stairs when Henri realized Taegan wasn't planning on going to bed himself. He had the gallery to run. "You're going to be dead on your feet by tonight."

 

"Not really. It's not as if I expend a lot of energy working. It's more mental than physical."

 

"Yeah. Right."

 

"Would I lie to you?"

 

"I hope not," Henri replied seriously.

 

"I wouldn't. Ever." Taegan opened the door to one of the bedrooms. It was bright and airy, and as promised, looked out over the courtyard below. Not that Henri cared at the moment. One glance at the bed with its thick mattress, and all he could think of was crawling into it and passing out.

 

"Bathroom…here," Taegan told him, putting his hands on Henri's shoulders to steer him in the right direction.

 

"Could it be much bigger?" Henri asked sleepily.

 

"Only if I knocked out the wall that separates it from mine."

 

"Then it could… Aw, never mind. I'm beginning to babble."

 

"Then go to bed. You can babble again when you wake up."

 

"Sounds good. Wait, I don't babble."

 

Taegan laughed as he walked Henri over to the bed. "By your own words, you do. Now get undressed and into bed."

 

Henri took off his shirt, shoes and socks before hesitating.

 

"You are wearing underwear, I presume," Taegan said, his gaze roaming over Henri's torso with obvious approval of what he was seeing.

 

"Yes." Henri turned his back to Taegan before stripping off his jeans.

 

"Nice ass," Taegan commented. "What I can see of it." He wrapped his arms around Henri, pulling him against his chest. "Stop being so shy," he murmured, kissing the nape of Henri's neck. "I'm not planning on taking advantage of you, despite the circumstances. First off, you're way too tired. Secondly, anything we do will be by mutual consent."

 

Henri turned in Taegan's arms to look at him. "If I had it in me right now…"

 

"You would consent?"

 

"Yes. But…" Henri brushed as kiss over Taegan's smiling lips.

 

"Falling asleep in the middle of things would be sort of demoralizing for both of us. I understand." Taegan kissed him gently. "Later though…"

 

"I think…definitely."

 

"A slight hesitation there, but I'll put it down to your tired brain not running on all cylinders," Taegan replied with a grin as he pulled back the covers on the bed.

 

Henri got the message, settling on the bed. He looked up at Taegan, beckoning with one finger. "Another kiss?"

 

Resting his hands on the bed, Taegan complied. When they broke apart, he murmured, "Sleep well."

 

Before Henri could answer, Taegan was gone. Damn, he moves fast. I hope it was because he was resisting temptation. But, as he said, I'm too… He was asleep before he could finish his thought.