?


    The mysterious prize was a luxurious five-day, four-night trip to Cryostein for two, and a young couple had won it.


    Noticing that N seemed a bit disappointed for not winning, Damonforted her, "If you want to go, we can leave tomorrow."


    N looked at him and shook her head. "It''s okay. I''m too busy with the experiment right now. I can''t leave."


    Damon frowned. "Then when you do have some free time, we''ll take a trip-the three of us."


    "Okay," she said.


    They walked out of the restaurant together. Damon draped a coat over N''s shoulders and took her hand as they made their way to the parking lot.


    Halfway there, snow began to fall.


    N stopped in her tracks, her face lighting up with delight. "It''s the first snow of the year!"


    The winter in Saintornia was cold and damp, and snow was a rare sight.


    N held out her hand to catch the falling snowkes, her eyes sparkling with joy.


    Damon watched her with a gentle smile, his gaze filled with adoration. While she admired the snow, he admired her.


    By the time they reached the car, both their heads and clothes were dusted with snow.


    Damon turned on the heater and reached for N''s cold hand, holding it in his warm palm.


    The moment his hand touched hers, a jolt of warmth spread through her, as if an electric current had passed from her hand to her heart. Her fingers instinctively curled, brushing lightly against his palm.


    Damon felt the delicate touch, like a cat''s tail brushing his hand, sending a small tingle through his skin. He looked at her, his gaze intense.


    His eyes held a possessive, almost predatory look, making N''s heart race. Instinctively, she tried to pull her hand away.


    Before she could, though, he firmly held her hand, their fingerscing together as he leaned in closer.


    Their lips met just as fireworks erupted outside the car.


    Time seemed to stand still.


    N was so caught up in the kiss that she could hardly breathe. When it finally ended, she was left breathless. Her back pressed against the passenger door, and her lips were red and swollen, like ripe cherries-inviting and tempting.


    Damon''s gaze lingered on N''s


    lips, his eyes darkening with desire.


    Her heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively covered her mouth.


    UMS


    "It''s gettingte. Let''s head home," she said, trying to break the tension.


    Seeing the wariness in her eyes, Damon couldn''t help but smile. "Alright."


    After buckling her in, he started the car.


    An hourter, they arrived at the vi.


    Just as N was about to get out of the car, Damon stopped her, pulling her hand.


    "What''s wrong?" she asked, looking at him in confusion.


    Damon pulled out a small box tied


    with a


    didn''bon and handed it to her "


    didn''t n to propose with a ring today, but I got you a gift." "


    N froze for a moment. "But... I didn''t prepare anything for you..."


    She didn''t even realize it was the anniversary of the first time they met.


    "I''ve got you covered. You being by my side is the best gift I could ask for," Damon said with a smile.


    Touched, N decided she would give him a gift to make up for it.


    "See if you like it," Damon urged.


    N took the box and asked, "What is it?"


    "Open it, and you''ll know," Damon replied.


    N opened the box, revealing a beautiful sapphire heart-shaped ne. The soft blue of the


    eine


    sapphire gleamed brilliantly, and she instantly fell in love with it.


    "It''s gorgeous!" she eximed.


    Seeing how much she liked it, Damon smiled and softly said, "I''ll put it on you."


    "Okay," she replied.


    He took the ne from the box, leaned forward, and gently ced it around her neck.