The First Morning

The world outside the lodge windows is a deep, velvety blue. The sun hasn’t risen yet, and a thick layer of morning mist clings to the pine trees, swallowing the resort in a profound, heavy silence.

In your private uphill cabin, the bedroom light is soft and dim. Lauren is standing in front of the full-length mirror, frantically pinning her hair up into a tight, secure bun. She is already dressed for the training, wearing a pair of high-waisted, charcoal-gray yoga pants that hug her hips and thighs flawlessly, paired with a matching form-fitting athletic top.

You lean back against the headboard, watching her move in the dim light. The compression fabric accentuates every curve of her tall frame, highlighting a supple, soft sensuality she rarely displays so openly.

“You know,” you say, your voice rough with sleep as your eyes slowly trace the line of her hips down to her ankles, “if this is what you’re wearing every day this week, I might have to find an excuse to spy on your sessions. You look incredible in those yoga pants, Lauren.”

Lauren catches your eye in the mirror. A deep, beautiful flush creeps up her neck and colors her cheeks, her naturally shy side kicking in at the direct compliment. She turns around, a playful but flustered smile on her lips as she tugs nervously at the waistband.

“Mark, stop it,” she half-whispers, though her eyes shine with affection. “I’m already nervous enough. My stomach is in knots.” She glances at the digital clock on the nightstand, her eyes widening. “Oh no, it’s 5:15. Dana said the first session starts exactly at sunrise on the main deck, and she’ll lock the doors if anyone is late.”

She rushes over to the bed, leans down, and plants a quick, breathless kiss on your lips. She smells of clean skin and lavender.

“Wish me luck,” she murmurs against your mouth.

Before you can even answer, she grabs her rolled-up mat from the chair and slips out of the bedroom. A moment later, the front door clicks shut, leaving you alone in the quiet cabin as the first faint, golden line of the sun begins to bleed through the dark mountain sky.