I folded my arms across my chest, starting to lose my patience. Jin continued to browse through the refrigeratorās contents, taking his sweet time, seemingly unaware that he was obstructing my path. Finally, my boyfriend settled on a bottle of sparkling water, grabbing it and straightening up. I let out a relieved sigh as he stepped back and I moved towards the fridge, but he shut the door just before I reached it. When he looked back at me, he found me wearing an annoyed expression I couldnāt hide.
āOh, sorry, Navya .ā He apologized with a smile, unscrewing the cap from his water. A fizzy hiss escaped the bottle. āDid you need something out of the fridge?ā
A sassy remark immediately came to mind, but I held it back. I was trying to bake him a welcome home treat, but his broad shoulders seemed to block me at every turn in my cramped kitchen.
Choosing not to respond, I only sighed again and quickly pulled open the door to fetch the egg carton. As soon as I turned around, I saw Jin leaning against the counter, casually sipping his drink - right in front of the drawer I was just about to open.
I drew in a slow breath. I was trying not to overreact, I really was. I loved my boyfriend, and I loved having him home. These nights together were far too infrequent; he was often gone for work for weeks at a time and I missed him like crazy until he returned. But, to be perfectly honest, every time he was gone, I got kind of used to him not being around. So when he was around, there was always an adjustment period. It took me some time each time to remember how to share my home, and I had to remind myself often to not get upset with Jin and his shoulders for simply taking up space.
āExcuse me, Jin.ā I said as calmly as I could, approaching Jin and touching his arm. āI need to get by you.ā
He didnāt hesitate to slide over, allowing me access to the drawer, but instead of moving to his right, as Iād anticipated, he moved to his left - and stopped directly in front of the oven.
My sigh was unmistakably exasperated this time.
āWhat?ā Jin asked, his eyes widening. āWhat did I do?ā
I pinched the bridge of my nose.
āIām sorry but could you just⦠not be in the kitchen for a while?ā I asked.
āI just wanted a drink.ā Jin frowned. āAnd to hang out with you, my amazing, beautiful, wonderful, smart, loving, talented, patient girlfriend who Iāve missed so much.ā
I felt a pang of guilt - which I suspected was exactly his intention.
āFine. But if youāre gonna stay in here, please try to keep out of the way.ā I said, marching towards him. When I reached him, I leaned around his frame to punch the buttons to set the oven to preheat.
Jin made a crisscross motion over his heart, but his face wore a small smirk.
āAnd here,ā I added, holding out a well-worn recipe card towards him, āMake yourself useful and read me the instructions while youāre at it.ā
āIām nothing if not useful.ā Jin quipped, taking the card from me and scanning the recipe.
āWhat about handsome?ā I joked as I organized my ingredients and tools on the counter, hoping he could tell I wasnāt really upset with him.
āUseful and handsome.ā Jin agreed, and the corner of my mouth lifted.
I glanced at him, and he returned my faint smile, his eyes telling me he wasnāt offended. He then brandished the recipe card, clearing his throat, and my hands hovered over the countertop, poised and ready.
āStep number one,ā Jin recited in his best MC voice, āGive your baking assistant a kiss.ā
āWhat? No, Jin, just read me the instructions! Please.ā
āI am!ā He exclaimed. āIām reading them word-for-word!ā
āIāve made this recipe a million times, I know for a fact it doesnāt say that.ā I accused him, reaching for the card, but Jin held it against his chest, shielding it from my view.
āYah, Iām just reading what it says!ā He laughed, swatting my hand away. āIt says right here,ā He pointed to a random spot on the card, āThat you have to give me a kiss before we start or the whole thing will fail.ā
āWhatever.ā I huffed dramatically, rising to my tip-toes to quickly peck Jinās smiling lips. āThere. Step one complete. Now, whatās step two?ā
Jin pretended to study the recipe.
āHmm, step two is⦠repeat step one.ā
āJin!ā I groaned, shoving his shoulder. āCome on! Seriously, could you stop messing around and just read me the recipe? Please?ā
Jinās teasing expression faded, and he reached for my waist, gently pulling me closer.
āNavya,ā He chuckled softly, touching my face, āIām sorry. I didnāt mean to upset you. Usually you donāt mind it when I mess around⦠Is something wrong? Did you have a hard day?ā
āIām just trying to do something nice for you.ā I pouted. Ā āI just wanted to make you something sweet to welcome you home, but youāre making it difficult.ā
āJagiā¦ā Jin smoothed his thumb across my cheekbone, āIām sorry, I didnāt know⦠I really appreciate you wanting to do something sweet for me⦠but you should know that you are the only sweet thing I want right now.ā
I looked up into Jinās eyes, and found him gazing at me with such sincerity - such pure, unadulterated love - that my heart instantly melted, and my pout became a repentant frown.
āIām not being very sweet, though.ā I admitted guiltily. āYouāre being sweet and Iām treating you like a brat.ā
Jin smiled slowly, cupping my face with both hands, and pressed a kiss to my forehead.
āBut youāre my brat, and I love you.ā He exhaled, inclining my chin. He then lowered his head, his eyes slipping shut as he sought out my lips, and a pleasant shudder ran through me when he found them.
Jin kissed me sweetly at first, taking his time to enjoy the feel of me in his embrace again after so long, but his hands gradually trailed down my body as his soft lips pressed to mine, his languid kisses slowly burning hotter the lower his grasp travelled. My blood rushing, all thoughts about baking or wanting Jin to stay out of my way rapidly fled my mind, until finally, he reached the backs of my thighs. Breaking his mouth away, Jin hoisted me up and turned around, sitting me on the counter in one quick movement, before I even had time to gasp. He then fit himself between my legs and anxiously reclaimed my lips, parting them with his tongue as his hands kneaded my hips.
And it was at that precise moment that a loud beep sounded over the pounding of my heart, indicating that the oven was done preheating.
āThe oven,ā I remembered, reluctantly tearing myself away, āThe ovenās ready and I donāt have anything to put in it.ā
Jin regarded me with a smoldering expression as both of us panted, trying to catch my breath.
Then a mischievous spark glinted in his eyes.
āI have something to put in your oven.ā He purred, and before I could react, he hefted me up over his shoulder.
āJin!ā I cried, laughing as he started carrying me out of the kitchen and towards my bedroom. āWhat about your dessert?!ā
Jin continued striding confidently down the hallway.
āItās right here.ā He replied, patting my bum with his free hand.
I giggled, swinging my arms and legs lazily, not really fighting him.
āAt least turn the oven off!ā
I couldnāt blame him for his appetite, and I was in no mind to deny him. Because honestly, the way heād just kissed me⦠Heād awoken the same hunger in me, too.
Reaching my bed, Jin slid me off of his shoulder and carefully deposited me on the edge of the mattress.
āYouāre right, Navya, Iāll turn the oven off. Itās about to get hot enough in here as it is.ā He grinned.
I rolled my eyes, but I couldnāt deny the heat I felt spreading throughout my body.
āOkay, go ahead. If youāre sure you donāt want anything sweet tonight.ā
Jin bent down to press a lingering kiss to my lips, and a wave of pleasure surged through me.
āI told you, Navya,ā He whispered, his face hovering close, āYouāre the only sweet treat I want. Tonight and every night.ā
I smiled up at him, and stole another kiss, my teeth grazing his plump bottom lip.
āHow about sweet and spicy?ā I teased.
Jin straightened up, holding his tummy as he laughed his signature laugh.
āI like the sound of that.ā He chuckled, making his way towards the door. āJust hold that thought, Iāll be right back.ā
āWait, Jin?ā I called after him, and he paused in the doorway.
āYes, Navya?ā He asked.
āIām glad youāre home.ā I smiled sweetly, and I truly meant it. Even though I'd been unjustly annoyed with him earlier, now I wanted nothing more than for Jin to share all of my space.
Jinās expression softened, his gentle smile reaching his eyes.
āMe too, Navya.ā He agreed. āMe too.ā
āI love you, Jinnie.ā I said.
āI love you, too.ā Jin says.