Rude Awakening

ROMAN

When morning came, I woke to find Valerie still in my arms, her hair spread across the pillow, her lips slightly parted in sleep. I watched her for a while, memorizing the way her eyelashes fanned against her cheeks, the way her chest rose and fell with each breath. Then I leaned down and kissed her awake.

"Good morning, Beautiful." I whispered.

She opened her eyes slowly, a smile spr