Chapter 177

Christina's POV His lips met mine with quiet determination, unhurried. Cold from the air but quickly warming against mine. I tasted the mint from his after-dinner tea. His arm wrapped around my waist, fingers pressing through my coat, grounding me. The alleyway was narrow, dark brick on either side. The kitchen exhaust fan hummed behind a metal door, but the street noise barely reached us here. The snow continued to fall, gentle and steady, blurring everything around us. At the end of the alley, the amber streetlights made the melting slush glitter. I kept my eyes open. I wanted to remember everything—the slight tilt of his head as he deepened the kiss, the way he breathed through his nose, the light scratch of stubble on his jaw against my cheek when I leaned in. His hand tightened, then relaxed, as if he didn't want to rush. As if he didn't want this to end. I felt the cold seeping through my boots, but his chest was warm against mine. As his arm moved, the umbrella tilted, allowing