Y/N turned the key in the lock, feeling the soft resistance of the deadbolt before the door clicked open. Her apartment—a shared space with her boyfriend, Caden—welcomed her with the familiar scent of home: a blend of Caden's cologne, their shared meals, and the faint trace of a lavender diffuser.
The day had been long and grueling. Meetings had stretched into overtime, and she had spent most of it longing for the sanctuary of her apartment. She dropped her keys into the ceramic dish by the entrance, slipped off her shoes, and barely had time to hang up her coat before she was tackled.
A solid, warm presence engulfed her, nearly lifting her off her feet. Caden's arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her into a desperate embrace. His lips found hers with an urgency that took her breath away. The kiss was deep, a collision of longing and relief. It was as if he had been holding his breath all day, waiting for this exact moment.
"I couldn't kiss you all day," he murmured between kisses, his voice husky with a blend of frustration and desire. "So let me make it up to you."
Her initial surprise melted into laughter, muffled against his mouth. "Caden, what—" she started, but his lips silenced her again. His hands slid up her back, fingers threading through her hair, pulling her closer until there was no space left between them. His heart thudded against her chest, a wild rhythm that echoed the pounding in her ears.
Caden's desperation turned to tenderness as he slowed the kiss, savoring it. He tasted like the mint gum he always chewed, a sharp contrast to the softness of his lips. She could feel the day's stress unraveling from her body, replaced by the warm cocoon of his embrace.
Eventually, he pulled back, his eyes dark with emotion. "I missed you," he confessed, his thumb brushing lightly over her cheek. "All day, I kept thinking about you. About this."
Y/N smiled, her hand tracing the line of his jaw, feeling the slight roughness of his stubble. "I missed you too. More than you know."
He rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. "Work was insane today. Meetings, deadlines... I just wanted to be here with you."
She nodded, understanding completely. "Same here. But we're home now."
Caden's eyes softened, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, we are." He kissed her again, softer this time, a gentle promise of the evening to come.
They moved to the living room, still entwined, their steps uncoordinated as they refused to let go of each other. The couch welcomed them with open arms, a familiar nest where they had spent countless evenings talking, laughing, and just being together.
Y/N curled into Caden's side, her head resting on his shoulder as he wrapped an arm around her. The exhaustion of the day faded into the background, replaced by the simple joy of being in his arms.
He tilted his head to look at her, a playful glint in his eyes. "So, how was your day, really?"
She chuckled, the sound vibrating against his chest. "Long, but now it's perfect."
Caden kissed the top of her head, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on her arm. "Let's forget about work. Tonight, it's just us."
"Agreed," she murmured, closing her eyes and letting the warmth of his embrace lull her into a contented haze.
For the rest of the evening, they stayed wrapped in each other's arms, talking about nothing and everything, sharing stories, and finding comfort in each other's presence. The outside world faded away, leaving just the two of them, and the promise of tomorrow seemed a little brighter.
As night fell, Y/N found herself drifting off to sleep, her heart full and her mind at peace. Caden's breathing was steady beneath her ear, a soothing lullaby that guided her into dreams. Home was not just a place; it was a feeling, a state of being. And as long as she had Caden, she knew she would always be home.
