Lilian could barely handle the way he was staring at her—eyes dark, direct, and utterly shameless.
Her cheeks flushed crimson under the weight of his gaze, and before she lost all sense of composure, she darted forward and tugged on his hand.
"Let’s go! We should hurry to the cafeteria," she mumbled, trying to pull him along.
If he kept looking at her like that, she was genuinely worried she might stumble into the lake.
But Morrison didn’t budge.
"Wait a second," he said.
She stopped, turning back to look at him.
Her hand was still hooked around his fingers—completely forgetting to let go.
He flipped his palm and closed his fingers around hers, firm and steady. With a sudden tug, he pulled her straight into his arms.
He lowered his head, voice low and magnetic.
"Such a romantic place... wouldn’t it be a waste not to share a kiss?"
The artificial lake was indeed a lover’s paradise—willows draping down like curtains, casting shadows that shielded lovers from the outside world. It was also a peaceful spot where studious types came to read or prep for early classes.
When Morrison had walked in earlier, he’d already spotted a couple under a big tree nearby, locked in a passionate kiss like the world around them didn’t exist.
Now, with this stunning girl in his arms—dressed to kill and looking like temptation personified—the desire to kiss her became almost unbearable.
"Kiss?" Lilian’s eyes widened as her body tensed. "I don’t think that’s a good idea... What if someone sees us?"
She instinctively tried to break free, and this time, Morrison actually let her go.
He took a step back, giving her space, and flashed a roguish smile.
"No need to run that far," he said casually. "I already told you—I’ll go at your pace. If you don’t like me kissing you, then I won’t."
Lilian stood there with her hands clasped behind her back, eyes lowered to the ground. She kicked at a few tiny pebbles near her feet, mumbling under her breath,
"It’s not that I don’t like it when you kiss me... It’s just that I don’t like that kind of kissing. The way you kiss is just... it’s..."
She trailed off, cheeks burning.
How was she supposed to describe it?
Wet, hot, and overwhelming—like he wanted to melt her from the inside out.
But there was no way she could say that out loud.
So she just fumbled for words, flustered and soft, too embarrassed to look him in the eye.
Morrison said calmly, his tone unhurried,
"Then why don’t you show me—demonstrate exactly how you want me to kiss you?"
His voice was warm. His gaze was gentle.
He looked so genuine—like he was really just trying to learn her preferences, so he could follow her lead next time.
Lilian hesitated, but his sincerity made her drop her guard.
Slowly, she stepped closer, her small hands clutching the edge of his sleeve. She looked around—left, right—just to make sure no one was watching.
Then, rising on her tiptoes, she gave him the lightest, softest kiss imaginable. A gentle press of her lips to his—no more than a butterfly’s touch.
She pulled back in an instant, cheeks already flushing pink.
It was the first time in her entire life she’d taken the initiative to kiss a man.
"Like that," she murmured shyly, barely above a whisper.
Morrison almost laughed.
He really, really wanted to—but he held it in.
If he so much as smirked, she’d probably run away and never speak to him again.
She’s too innocent... I actually tricked her into kissing me so easily...
He lifted his hand to his lips, pretending to clear his throat, masking the grin that was dangerously close to slipping out.
Then, he put on a serious face and said in an oh-so-professional tone:
"Lilian, that wasn’t a real kiss."
"Kissing is a very instinctive human behavior. For couples, it’s the most natural form of intimacy. And it’s not just about lips—it can involve teeth, tongue..."
He stepped closer with every word, his voice like velvet.
"And those reactions you talked about? That breathlessness, that heat? That’s not discomfort."
"That’s your body’s instinctive response to my kiss."
He leaned in just a little more, eyes half-lidded, lips curved into a dangerous smile.
"It means... you like it when I kiss you."
As he whispered those words—"You like it when I kiss you"—Morrison was already standing right in front of her.
His large hand slid behind her head, gently cradling her, pulling her in.
He leaned close, his lips brushing against her ear as he spoke, his voice low and husky—intimate enough to make her heart tremble.
Lilian was still stunned by what he’d just said.
Like it? How could she possibly like his kisses?!
Before she could even form a protest in her mind, his lips had already found hers again.
But this time, it was different.
He didn’t kiss her the way he had before—no deep, searing, breath-stealing heat.
Instead, his lips moved slowly, softly, tracing the shape of hers with the tip of his tongue in gentle strokes, as if memorizing her.
It was light... but lingering.
By the time he finally pulled back, Lilian felt like her brain had been reduced to mush.
She barely noticed when he took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers naturally, as if it had always belonged there.
"That," he said, his voice filled with quiet amusement,
He glanced at her, a teasing smile in his eyes.
"Of course, that’s just the most basic kind. Since I promised to teach you, I’ll make sure the lessons are thorough."
He said it with such self-assured calm— was all part of some educational service.
Lilian opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out.
Why does everything sound so logical when he says it...?!
Hand in hand, the two walked along the lakeside path toward the cafeteria she had reserved.
It wasn’t until they were halfway there that Lilian finally snapped out of her daze.
The more she thought about it, the more something felt wrong.
She had said no. She had clearly protested.
And yet—he still kissed her.
And worse—she had even initiated the first one!
Her eyes widened as realization hit her.
He’d made her kiss him, then turned around and kissed her again—and somehow made it all sound like a lesson!
Her cheeks puffed in frustration.
She yanked her hand free with an indignant huff and stomped ahead on her own, refusing to even look at him.
Morrison chuckled under his breath.
That little temper of hers?
Morrison was left staring at his now-empty hand, completely baffled.
They were holding hands just fine a second ago. What the hell happened?
He picked up his pace, quickly catching up with her.
"What’s wrong?" he asked, frowning.
Lilian spun around, glaring at him with puffed cheeks and fire in her eyes. She opened her mouth to scold him... and froze.
What could she even say?
You kissed me when I told you not to?
But didn’t she also kiss him first?
So instead of saying anything, she gave him a furious glare, her eyes practically spitting sparks, then turned back around and stormed off again.
She couldn’t blame him. Not really.
He was just... crafty. Too damn crafty.
He’d lured her in, step by step, until she’d walked right into his trap.
Hmph! Well, fine then!
To keep herself from falling into another one of his traps, she made a decision—
From now on, she was going to keep her distance.
No touching. No hand-holding. Always stay at least one step away from him.
That way, no matter what he tried, he wouldn’t succeed.
Wasn’t she exactly one step away from him earlier when he still kissed her anyway?
Ugh! Why is he ?! Why does he keep bullying me?!
Morrison walked behind her with a helpless expression, watching the angry little girl stomp away like a puffed-up kitten.
He tried to reach for her hand several times, but every time—she dodged, nimble as a squirrel.
At last, he couldn’t take it anymore and muttered with a deep frown,
"A relationship without holding hands—what kind of romance is that supposed to be?"
This... this was unacceptable.