Nick and Vanessa Spend NYE Together!

The main attraction at the MTV's live New Year's Eve party in Times Square may have been the dropping of the ball, but for Nick Lachey and TRL host Vanessa Minnillo, the main focus seemed to be each other.

Just before midnight, the two – who've been dating for eight months – took their spot in the window facing down on the crowd and discussed the end of 2006 and the big bash going on below them for the MTV cameras. But off camera, things heated up between the lovebirds.

Lachey whispered into Minnillo's ear and kissed her neck. The occasion appeared to overwhelm Minnillo, who responded by dabbing away joyful tears. Minnillo later said she was pent up with emotion because "everyone that is important in my life is here. I literally choked up. I'm just so happy."

Lachey complimented his date, who wore a gold sequined dress that swept the floor, saying, "Vanessa always looks gorgeous." At midnight, the couple kissed passionately. The whole room watched as they looked into each other's eyes and, between sips of champagne, whispered and kissed some more. Later the pair moved on to an after-party at New York's Marquee club where they celebrated until after 4 a.m.

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