I was curled up behind her, pulling her close with one arm while my leg was draped over her. A ray of sunshine knifed through the blinds directly onto my eyelids, disturbing my sleep and waking me. Unlike her, the sunshine opens me up as it does a flower, its petals spreading open to greet the day.
I nuzzled the back of her head, letting her hair tickle my nose as I breathed her in. She moaned softly and wiggled against me, making me smile. Not wanting to disturb her, I gave her a gentle kiss on her neck before quietly slipping out of bed.
She rolled over into the spot I had vacated, briefly opening one eye to look up at me.
"What's up?" she whispered.
"I'm awake. I think I'm going to the gym for a while."
She smiled and shook her head. "You're cray," she responded as she grabbed my pillow and pulled it against herself, nesting with the intent to sleep longer.
I smiled again as I leaned over and kissed her cheek before grabbing some clothes and leaving the room. After getting dressed, I grabbed my keys and headed out to my car. I stopped at Dunkin' on the way to the gym, grabbing a large coffee to wake me up. I sat in my car for a few minutes once I had arrived, waking up and visualizing my workout.
Fifteen minutes later, I was standing on a lifting platform with a loaded barbell on the floor in front of me. The workout was a series of power cleans, an explosive movement where the bar is ripped from the floor and caught up around the shoulders. I started light and gradually increased the weight until the final few reps were touch and go. It was a short but effective workout.
Once again in my car, I drove the short distance back to the house, finding her still sleeping. I stood and watched her for a moment, the hint of a smile showing on her face as her back rose and fell with her breathing. I stripped naked and went into the bathroom to shower. It took me only minutes, and I opened the door as I stood and dried myself.