He kissed back, a firm warm press of lips as his hand slid higher, wrapped the nape of her neck to bring them closer, the roots of her hair warm and silken under his fingers. Wouldn't pull--some kind of pins in it, something that held it in that pretty arrangement, didn't want to hurt her.

And it might be good to let her breathe.

"Christine." A breath of his own. Definitely tasting her name.