The city lights reflected off the champagne glass in Sophie’s hand as she leaned against the terrace railing. The crisp night air nipped at her skin, but the excitement and the warmth of the champagne coursing through her made her feel like she was glowing from within. The sound of the New Year’s Eve party pulsed in the background, but for a moment, she wanted to savor the stillness alone.

A sound behind her broke the quiet. Turning, she saw Tom standing there, a curious smile lighting up his face. He was one of the company’s new hires, someone the team had only recently met. Sophie hadn’t had a chance to talk to him yet, but his presence had caught her attention from the start. He was tall, with dark hair and deep brown eyes that always seemed to hold a hint of mischief.

“I didn’t think I’d find you out here,” Tom said, lifting his glass in a casual toast as he stepped closer.

Sophie smiled. “Sometimes, it’s nice to enjoy a bit of quiet before midnight makes everyone lose their minds.”

“That’s true.” Tom nodded, moving into the soft light of the terrace. His gaze swept across Sophie’s bare shoulder, which peeked out from beneath her loose-knit sweater. “But it seems like you’ve found more than just quiet.”

Sophie felt the weight of his eyes on her skin and shivered, though not from the cold. “And you? Don’t you miss the chaos inside?”

“Maybe.” Tom’s voice was light, but there was an undertone of something deeper. “But when I saw you step outside, I thought I’d see what drew you to the moonlight.”

Her heart quickened. She couldn’t tell if it was the champagne or the intensity of his presence, but the moment felt heavier with each passing second. The music shifted inside, the bass thumping in a steady rhythm that matched her breathing.

“I didn’t realize you were so observant,” she said, tilting her head and studying him curiously.

Tom grinned and placed his glass on the railing beside her. “Sometimes, it’s worth paying attention to the details.”

His scent, a mix of something clean and warm, blended with the freshness of the night air as he stood close to her. Sophie’s fingers lightly brushed the stem of her glass, her composure wavering under the weight of his gaze. There was something about the way he looked at her—intense and unrelenting—that made her pulse race.

As midnight approached, the stillness of the terrace shifted into something intimate. The first fireworks of the night began to light up the sky, soft bursts of color painting the city. But for Sophie and Tom, time seemed to freeze. He slowly reached out, his fingers grazing her shoulder. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver through her, and her breath caught.

“Sophie…” Tom’s voice was low, but it resonated within her, tugging at something deep inside.

Her gaze locked with his, and for a moment, neither of them moved. The world around them ceased to exist, leaving only the charged tension between them. Sophie’s heart pounded as she leaned in slightly, closing the gap between them.

Tom leaned in closer, their faces now separated by only a few inches. Sophie’s eyes fluttered, but she didn’t pull away. Another firework exploded in the sky, its glow illuminating his sharp features. He was so near she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin, sending a ripple of longing through her.

When his fingers gently traced her shoulder, Sophie felt as though his touch had ignited something beneath her skin. Her fingers rose instinctively, brushing against the soft fabric of his sweater as they rested on his chest. Tom’s gaze dropped to her lips, then returned to meet her eyes, silently asking: Now?

The answer came without words. Sophie leaned in slightly, and their lips met. The kiss was soft, tentative, yet electric, as if the entire night had led to this singular moment. Tom’s hand slid to her waist, his fingers tracing slow, deliberate patterns as he pulled her closer. The kiss deepened, the passion between them building like the crescendo of fireworks bursting in the background.

Sophie lost herself in the heat of it all. Tom’s lips were warm and demanding, his movements both exploratory and confident. His tongue teased hers, playful yet purposeful, and she responded in kind, her body molding against his as though they were made to fit together.

“You’re so beautiful,” Tom murmured as he broke away briefly, his forehead resting against hers. His voice was husky, his eyes filled with an undeniable hunger. Sophie’s cheeks flushed, her smile shy yet radiant. The words felt like a spark igniting her from the inside out.

The cold terrace railing soon became irrelevant as their passion consumed them. Tom’s hand slid to the back of her neck, his fingers tangling gently in her hair as he claimed her lips again. Sophie’s arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him closer, refusing to let go of this moment.

Tom’s hand trailed down her back, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. His lips moved to her jawline, then her neck, pressing warm, open-mouthed kisses that sent shivers down her spine. Every touch, every caress was deliberate, as if he was memorizing every inch of her.

Inside, the countdown began. “Ten… nine… eight…” The voices and music were muffled, distant compared to the rhythm of their shared heartbeat.

Tom’s hands now rested firmly on her hips, guiding her closer to him as their bodies pressed together. The movement felt so natural, so fluid, as though they’d done this a hundred times before. Sophie tilted her head back as his lips found her collarbone, hot and insistent.

“Three… two… one!” Cheers erupted inside, and another burst of fireworks painted the sky. But for Sophie and Tom, the world outside ceased to matter. All that existed was this moment, their connection, and the shared desire that burned between them.

Their kiss didn’t stop as the new year began. The champagne forgotten, their passion eclipsed the cold night air. When Tom finally pulled back, his eyes locked onto hers, a silent promise lingering in his gaze. This wasn’t just a fleeting New Year’s kiss—it was the start of something new, something real.

Sophie smiled and, with one final kiss, whispered softly:
“Happy New Year, Tom.”

Question for you: If you were Tom, what would you say to Sophie in that charged moment when the fireworks exploded, and everything else faded away? Share your thoughts in your native language – we’ll understand and reply!