"Do you prefer a pretty and tall girl?" She asked him as she leaned on his chest, smelling her favorite thing of his, trying to ignore the unfamiliar pang of insecurity that swept over her again.

She had no idea whether Lucas was just messing around with her or not. She had known him for two years now, but he never talked about girls to her before. He rarely showed any interest toward any girls around them. It usually them who head over heel for him. And she never really gave heed about that. It only now she realized that sooner or later Lucas would probably date someone. And she found the idea of him getting a girlfriend very dreadful. Scratch that! She hated the idea of him having a girlfriend. She didn't think she could stand being apart from him. Lucas—

"Are you seriously asking me that question?" She snapped back to reality and looked up just to find his face several inches away from hers, watching her closely with an amused expression, both arms possessively wrapped around her small figure, preventing her to escape. Yes, she tried and failed miserably.

"Um...that's not how it works. You supposed to answer my question..." she let out a whiny protest while attempting another escape from his arms.

"You're driving me crazy, did you know that?" he murmured as he drew closer to her.

She blinked furiously under his intense gaze. Heart leaped with a mixture of panic and anticipation. Slightly trembling, she opened . "Xuxi—" But before she could finish her lines, he closed the gap between their faces, crashing his lips against her unguarded lips, kissing her. Soft. Slowly. She could feel this weird tingling sensation spread throughout her body to the tip of her fingers. Electrifying. For a moment, she stayed still, feeling his touch, grasping her feeling, trying to register what happening.

Before long, the reality set in. Freaking out, she pulled away from him, breaking their contacts. She could feel blush seared through her cheeks the moment their eyes met. For a minute, she thought her face was on fire.

"What?" he whispered, refusing to let her go. She squirmed, trying to avoid his penetrating gaze, which came off as a useless attempt since she nestled perfectly against his chest. There was not much room or view between them.

"You...what...do you...think...doing..." She spluttered, losing the ability to compose a full sentence.

"Kissing you..." he said with a nonchalant expression. She mentally groaned as her heartbeat soared at his response. Did he have to say that out loud? "And I'm not done yet..." he mumbled again. There was a sulky edge from his tone. She stared agape at him for a couple of seconds and went if possible even redder than before. What the hell is wrong with this overgrown man? Is he trying to give her a heart attack?

"Wh-what?" She croaked. felt exceptionally dry. "Y-you can't..." she stuttered and cursed herself for not being able to come up with a better response.

Ignoring her panic reaction, he leaned closer to her. "I can't what?" he asked, resting his forehead against hers, a playful grin plastered on his lips. He seemed to enjoy the whole thing.

"You know what..." she grunted, trying so hard to regain her composure.

He let out a soft chortle. "Why? Do you hate it?" He implored afterward.

She blinked a couple of times, pondering his question. "It's not like that..." She reflected after a while, darting her eyes everywhere but him. Well, it's true! She didn't particularly hate it. She kinda liked—Oh my God! What the hell Yuqi? She mentally scolded herself.

He pulled away slightly, staring at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Well, in that case—" he stopped talking and bent closer to her but the moment his lips hovered dangerously close to hers again, she pushed him back.

"No..." she mumbled, sporting him irresistible pleading eyes.

"That's so unfair. Saying no while making that face..." he complained, looking disgruntled.

"Huh? What—" her words died down in when a quick peck landed on her slightly parted lips. "Yah!!!" She hit him on the chest. He laughed at her reaction and caught her arms before giving her another peck on the lips. She let out a defeated groaned and dived into his chest, burying her crimson cheek on his board chest while smacking his back repeatedly out of frustration and humiliation.

"Being shy didn't suit you at all..." he commented, enveloping her with a bear hug.

"Shut up!" she snapped.

"That's more like it..." He said, letting out a breathy chuckle as he seized her wild punches then collapsed onto the soft mattress with her securely wrapped in his arms. They landed with a dull thud on the cozy mattress beneath the twinkle string lights. She didn't dare to lift her head from his chest. He didn't say anything either. He ju