We lie apart
Our bodies divided by a thin, invisible line of nothing
The space between

Your steady breathing stirs the hair that lies across
My bare shoulder
Porcelain skin tickled by long blonde tendrils

I stir and wake and turn and stare and see
Your eyes are shut
I want you to open them and look at me

I reach out to you and stroke fingertips down your unshaven cheek
You mumble incoherently
I withdraw my hand and hold it against my fast-beating heart

Wake up
You slowly open your eyes, sticky from sleep
A smile

I catch it and keep it, hold it close to my chest
You sigh
Slide your body across cotton to press against mine

Skin on skin
Hands buried in hair and lips on lips and heavy laboured breaths
Touch, taste, take

The space between has vanished for another day and I miss it
It belongs to me
But I know in the morning, I will wake first and cherish it all over again

You close your eyes
I lay my head against your chest and listen to your fast-beating heart
I close my eyes