It was a few seconds well into the New Year when Karl had finally pulled himself away, leaving only a fraction of an inch of spare space between them.
He still didn't want to stop, to have her walk away or say anything that would make things seem lesser than they were now, his hold on her still apparent. His hand held firm to her hip while the other was still in her hair, forehead resting against hers as he breathed in oxygen.
Even so, 'what now' hung heavily in the air as he closed his eyes and savored a moment.
"Happy New Year," he said with a chaste kiss to Alyssa's lips, not even bothering to hide the smile lacing his lips.