As we pulled up in front of my house, I could already tell something was off. Normally, my parents would leave a light on for me, a small habit they hadn't grown out of even as I'd gotten older. But tonight, the entire place was dark.
I shot a glance over at Ciara, who was already watching me with a curious expression, the faintest hint of a smile playing on her lips.
"Are they out?" she asked, nodding toward the darkened windows.
"I... I guess so?" I mumbled, furrowing my brow. "But they didn't mention anything about going anywhere tonight."
I walked up to the door, twisting the handle out of habit, but it didn't budge. Locked. That was definitely unusual.
My parents were always predictable, almost to the point of boredom. Still, I supposed there was always a first for everything.
I slipped my key into the lock, and the quiet sound of the door unlocking seemed to echo in the silence around us. I turned back to Ciara with a shrug, gesturing for her to follow me inside.
As we stepped in, the familiar comfort of my home welcomed us, but it felt different with Ciara by my side. The normally quiet, everyday rooms seemed infused with a strange warmth, her presence making everything feel just a little bit brighter.
Ciara stepped closer, her fingers grazing the small of my back as we moved through the entryway, sending a pleasant shiver down my spine. "So, this is where you grew up, huh?" she murmured, her voice low.
"Yep," I replied, feeling a rush of warmth flood my cheeks as I led her through the hallway, pointing out the little details of my home pictures on the walls, the well-loved furniture, the cozy nooks my parents loved to relax in.
I could feel her gaze lingering, taking it all in with a mix of interest and affection that made me feel oddly shy. It was a strange thing, letting someone into the more personal parts of my life, sharing the everyday details that made up my world.
When we reached my room, I hesitated for a moment, looking back at her with a soft smile. "It's nothing fancy," I said, feeling a little self-conscious, even though I knew Ciara wouldn't judge me.
She just grinned, her fingers slipping into mine and giving them a reassuring squeeze. "If it's your space, then it's special," she said simply, making my heart do a little flip.
I opened the door and stepped inside, flipping on the light to reveal the cozy, familiar room I'd spent countless hours in.
My bed was neatly made, my desk cluttered with books and notes, and the soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm, inviting light over everything.
It felt different with Ciara here, though. Somehow, the room seemed a little smaller, a little more intimate with her standing in it.
She closed the door behind us, and for a moment, there was just silence as we looked at each other, the weight of the evening settling around us.
I took a breath, suddenly feeling a little nervous under her gaze, but her eyes were warm, filled with that mixture of mischief and affection that was so uniquely her.
"Come here," she murmured, reaching out and gently pulling me into her arms. I went willingly, letting myself sink into the comforting warmth of her embrace, feeling the steady beat of her heart against mine.
We stood like that for a while, just holding each other, the soft hum of the house around us the only sound. Her hands slid up my back, her touch light and gentle, as if she were afraid I might disappear if she held on too tightly.
I looked up at her, my heart pounding as I took in the soft curve of her lips, the intensity in her gaze as she looked down at me.
"I love you," I whispered, the words slipping out before I could stop them. But I didn't regret it. It was the truth, a truth I'd been carrying with me since the night she'd proposed, a truth that felt like it had been waiting to be spoken.
She smiled, that rare, genuine smile that softened her whole face, making her look almost vulnerable. "I love you too," she murmured, her voice low and a little rough, as if the words were as overwhelming for her as they were for me.
Her hand came up to cup my cheek, her thumb brushing softly over my skin as she leaned down, her lips meeting mine in a kiss that was soft and slow, filled with a tenderness that made my heart ache.
I felt myself melt into her, my hands finding their way to her shoulders as I leaned into the warmth of her body, letting the world fall away around us.
The kiss deepened, her fingers tangling in my hair as she pulled me closer, and I felt a soft sigh escape me, my whole body tingling as she held me, as if I were the most precious thing in the world. Her lips were warm and soft against mine, each kiss a silent promise, a whispered vow that only we could hear.
When we finally pulled apart, breathless and a little dazed, she rested her forehead against mine, her eyes closed, a small, contented smile playing on her lips. I felt a laugh bubble up in my chest, the sheer happiness of the moment overwhelming me.
She opened her eyes, looking down at me with a mixture of amusement and affection. "You're something else, you know that?"
I just grinned, leaning up to press a quick kiss to her lips. "I could say the same about you."
We stood there, wrapped up in each other, the warmth of her body grounding me, the steady beat of her heart a comforting rhythm beneath my fingertips. It felt like we were the only two people in the world, like nothing else mattered except this moment, this connection between us.
Eventually, she let out a soft sigh, her arms tightening around me as she rested her chin on top of my head. "I could stay like this forever," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Me too," I replied, closing my eyes and letting myself sink into the warmth of her embrace, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest beneath me, the gentle rhythm of her breathing soothing me, grounding me.
We stayed like that for a while, just holding each other, savoring the quiet intimacy of the moment, the unspoken promises in each touch, each kiss. It was a kind of peace I'd never known before, a sense of belonging that went deeper than words.
Eventually, she pulled back just enough to look at me, her eyes soft and filled with that familiar spark of mischief. "So," she said, a playful grin tugging at her lips. "What's the plan for the rest of the night?"
I felt a blush rise to my cheeks, but I couldn't help but smile. "I was thinking… maybe we could just stay here. Together."
Her smile softened, her eyes filled with a warmth that made my heart skip a beat. "I'd like that," she murmured, her fingers brushing gently over my cheek, her touch light and tender.
We shared a soft, lingering kiss, the warmth of her body pressed against mine, the steady beat of her heart a comforting rhythm beneath my fingertips.
It felt like a promise, a vow that only we could hear, a silent declaration of the love that had grown between us.
Then we pulled apart, and the cool air between us was like a spark to a flame. My pulse quickened as I took in the sight of her, her eyes dark and wild, her hair tousled and loose, her soft curves pressed tight against me.
In an instant, her kiss deepened, her lips moving urgently against mine. I felt a rush of need as I met her, my tongue slipping into her mouth with hungry desperation. She moaned against me, her hand slipping down to cup my ass, her nails digging in with a delicious ache.
I felt the warmth of her hand slide between my thighs, the sharp edge of her nails tracing a light trail of heat across my flesh. I shuddered as she slipped inside, her fingers curling against me in a steady rhythm.
I gasped as she pressed deeper, the sensation building inside me like a fire burning out of control.
Then her teeth were at my neck, her mouth moving with hungry possessiveness along the curve of my throat. I moaned as she bit down, the sting of her teeth sending a rush of pleasure through me.
I felt myself fall back against the wall, the cool wood at my back a stark contrast to the heat burning through me. Her hand tightened around my throat, her thumb tracing light circles along the sensitive flesh beneath my ear.
" Do you want to do more than that?" said Ciara