Maddy's POV
For a moment, the world seemed to tilt on its axis, but the soft pressure of Nate's lips on mine made me freeze. My mind screamed No! But he tasted so good, those thoughts were drowned out by the sudden tingle that ran through my body, and I did not want the kiss to stop.
My hand, still clasped in his, tightened instinctively, and I felt the answering squeeze, an electric current passing between us that had nothing to do with the city's frantic energy.
My eyes fluttered closed, the bustling street, the memory of Max's vacant stare, Alissa's venomous words-all of it faded. There was only Nate, the unexpected anchor in a storm I hadn't seen coming. His scent, a clean, subtle musk, filled my senses, grounding me. The kiss deepened, a slow, gentle exploration that felt b
