Morning

It didn't happen every day. Sometimes less than once per week. But it was the very best part about the gradual but wonderful choice Robert had made to sleep in Cora's bed each night. Well, maybe not the best part. Going to sleep with him beside her after a goodnight kiss and sometimes after making love and usually with a cuddle, that was the best part. But all that was going to bed with Robert. What Cora loved, too, was waking up with Robert.

He almost always woke before her. Sometimes he would stretch and his shifting would wake her as well. But sometimes she slept on. And then he would kiss her awake.

She felt his breath on her cheek as he slowly leaned in. It began with just a brush of his lips on hers. A few of them. Sweet, feathering kisses. And when she began to wake and realize what was going on, she would smile. He always pressed more gentle kisses to the upturned corners of her mouth. And then Cora would hum happily and Robert would kiss her properly. Their mouths moved together in a slow, lazy fashion as they both leisurely went from sleep to wakefulness. Sometimes the kisses would turn into more and Robert would roll himself on top of her and make love to her in that same slow, lazy manner. But sometimes he would just kiss her. She was always content either way.

After the morning kisses concluded, Cora would always look up at him with all the adoration she felt in her heart for this wonderful man. Did he know how those morning kisses affected her? Did he know how she treasured this first waking of the day? She thought perhaps he must.

Going to bed with Robert was the best thing in the world for Cora. But sometimes, the mornings with him like this were even better.