Pressing the familiar doorbell sends a flare of barely smothered ecstasy through his chest, even though he knows the passcode, and practically lives here with his beloved.
He taps an impatient foot against the floor, then straightens as the light, hurried footsteps beyond the door approach—the sound etched deep into his very soul.
In that beat, the door swings open, and the most beautiful person in the world appears.
Just like that, the tension in his whole body dissolves, as her doe-like eyes widen in stunned delight.
"You're home!" A squeal escapes his Angel as she throws her arms around him, coaxing a laugh from him as he embraces her.
"I missed you, Angel." He presses his lips to her mellow hair, inhaling the sweet perfume of her floral-scented shampoo. "So... much."
She lifts her gaze to meet his,
a grin playing on her plump, pink lips, immediately tempting him to taste the fruity sweetness they promise.
And once he tastes them, separating feels almost unbearable, every fiber of him craving more, more and more, wanting to consume her entirely.
"I missed you more," she murmurs after they pull apart, her warm, heavy breath teasing his lips,
awakening something dangerous in him that makes him lean in for another kiss.
"Rhett," she laughs, shoving him playfully.
He grins, drawing her close by the waist to kiss her jaw, her cheek, her nose,
before stealing another from her lips.
"You must be cold." Worry flickers on her eyes, her warm fingers brushing his cheek that draws a soft sigh from him.
"Not anymore," he says with a smile, stepping back to pick up the bouquet of flowers resting beside the travel suitcase.
A gasp escapes Neva as she beholds the whimsical bouquet, where pastel hues weave and bloom in a kaleidoscopic dream.
"They're exquisite," she whispers, tracing the velvet petals of the pink cosmos with her fingers.
He always knows how to enchant her with flowers, especially after discovering her particular obsession for roses.
Rhett gives a casual shrug, standing with his arms crossed, that playful grin tugging at the purest melodies of her heart.
"Thank you," she whispers, rising on her toes to brush her lips against his soft ones.
"Come on inside." She lifts the suitcase and wheels it along, the weight of the lush bouquet pressing heavy against her side.
Neva lets out a sigh at the cozy warmth of the living room, Rhett's footsteps echoing just behind her after he slips off his boots.
"How was work?" she asks, placing the bouquet carefully on the coffee table.
"It went rather well," he murmurs, warmth spreading across her back as his arms slide around her waist in an embrace.
"What about you?" He brushes her curls aside, lips pressing small, warm kisses along her neck. "How did your exams go?"
A fussy moan escapes her, followed by a chuckle as she rests her hands over his. "I have a few regrets, but it'll be fine."
He hums against her skin, each vibration coursing through her, sending tremors that threaten to buckle her knees.
"I'm sleepy." He buries his face against her neck, and she melts from within, soaking in the familiar warmth and scent she'd so longed for these past couple of weeks.
They'd only been dating a few weeks when he suddenly had to leave for almost two weeks of business overseas.
It was unbearable, but now, with her exams finally behind her as well, she's so happy to have him back.
They linger in the center of the living room, entwined, swaying softly, floral fragrance dancing with his woody warmth.
"Rhett… are you asleep?" She senses his near-stillness as his weight presses heavy against her. Not that she minds at all.
He hums. "Almost."
"Come sleep on the bed," she says. "Sleeping while standing can't be very comfortable, can it?"
A low chuckle vibrates against her skin. "I'm just going to devour you."
His teeth graze her neck in a teasing bite, sending a shiver down her spine.
Heat rises to her cheeks. "I'm probably not very tasty."
He laughs, easing back just enough to turn her toward him. A smirk tugs at his lips, no doubt at the rosy bloom on her face.
"Do you mind if I find out?" He tilts her chin up with his fingers to claim her lips in a slow, passionate kiss.
She pushes against him. "Don't you get any funny ideas."
She presses a finger to his forehead, his mischievous grin ever lingering.
"Say the vows, and I might just think about it." She winks at him and turns toward their room—only to squeal as he scoops her up into his embrace.
He laughs, stepping into their room with her in his arms. "Seems like it's just right for us to get married now."
"Oh, you wish?" Her arms curl around his neck.
"I dare wish." With a swift motion, he lays her on their coquettish bed, pressing her beneath his heat, the white lace curtains veiling them like their own little heaven.
Desire and love burn in his wandering gaze.
Kissing him briefly,
cheeks aflame, she gently pushes him off.
He lets out a low groan and slides into the space beside her, giving her room to sit up.
"Rest a bit." She pats his chest while he folds an arm under his head.
"There's so much to do… Christmas shopping, errands, the whole list…"
"There's a restaurant I've been wanting to try." She rises from the bed and walks to the study table beside the Antique makeup vanity table, her project papers and stationery splayed across it haphazardly.
Her bucket list goes on and on, but as she straightens the last papers on the table, she catches sight of him—
motionless now, snoring softly, a hint of serenity resting on his handsome face.
Sliding onto the bed, she kisses his forehead and tucks the covers around him.
Then she stills, fingertips grazing the small cut on his cheekbone.
Gosh… what is she going to do with him? He's always finding his way back to her with new wounds to mend.
She smiles to herself, and moves to find some ointment; ever grateful to her Father for bringing him back home safely.