I Faked My Death—Now I Have to Tame the Crazy Men I Left Behind-Chapter 103 - 101: Who Was Your First Kiss?

The man leaned in, his tall figure looming over her as he braced himself above her.

Mia’s pupils constricted for a moment, but she quickly composed herself.

She shot him a glare and impatiently shoved at his shoulder.

Her reaction was not what Yates had expected.

He raised an eyebrow. "Not dodging this time? Do you actually want me to kiss you?"

"Well, in that case, I’m really going to do it..."

He lowered his head, closing the distance between them again.

The tips of their noses were about to touch.

Mia slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes wandering over his face.

Seeing she had something to say, Yates paused, giving her the chance.

After a long moment, she sighed in resignation. "You won’t."

"..."

Yates froze, momentarily losing control of his expression. He looked a little dumbfounded.

"What do you mean?"

"You won’t do it."

"Why not?" Yates’s brow furrowed slightly. He watched as she shrugged, her tone light. "Why so many questions? You’d be better off asking yourself."

Yates fell silent.

’I think I’ve finally figured out his game,’ Mia thought.

’He might seem flippant and carefree, always teasing and talking slick. But after calming down and thinking back on all our interactions, I realize that compared to the other male leads, his actions toward me haven’t been too out of line.’

’The only time he really crossed a line was when he kissed my ear.’

’Especially compared to the others and their forced kisses and confinement games.’

’Most of the time, Yates is just... trying to scare me?’

’No, not scare. It’s more like he’s just playing around.’

’He always makes a big, swaggering show of flirting with me, but he never actually goes all the way.’

’His lips always manage to stop just short of mine, never taking that final step.’

’Sometimes he pulls back on his own, and other times I’m the one who pushes him away.’

’But there’s a huge difference in strength between a man and a woman. If he were serious, there’s no way I could push him off.’

’Just like... right now.’

This position couldn’t be held for long; it was all supported by his core. Mia had no choice but to push his shoulder again. "Get up already."

The figure before her didn’t budge an inch.

Yates’s thoughts were pulled back from afar. He lowered his head and met her gaze.

"So, in your heart, I have such a decent side to me?"

"You’re a good person."

"..."

Yates’s mouth twitched. "Why does that sound like an insult?"

"How could it be? You really are a good person." Mia’s tone was a little more sincere this time. "Alright, have you had your fun? Can you get up now?"

Her tone was like she was coaxing a small child.

Yates tilted his head, seemingly in thought.

Mia made her move, and this time she pushed him away easily.

She took the opportunity to sit up a little straighter and let out a breath. "Can we make a deal? Next time, could you not—"

Suddenly, a hand pressed against the small of her back.

Her voice died. Startled, Mia looked up into the man’s eyes.

His eyes were dark and bright, as if he’d just had a great epiphany and cleared his jumbled thoughts.

Yates smiled as he pressed down again. Mia’s pupils trembled. Sensing something, she tried to flee, but the hand on her waist held her fast, cutting off her escape route in advance.

"What... what are you doing?"

The question was rather redundant.

Yates savored her shocked expression, a satisfied smile spreading across his face.

"Didn’t you say I wouldn’t do it? What are you afraid of?"

Seeing this, Mia breathed a sigh of relief, knowing he was just playing around again.

"I’m not scared. It was just an involuntary reaction."

"Oh?" Yates seemed to believe her. "So you’re saying you’re looking forward to it, too?"

"Uh-huh... huh?" Mia stopped nodding.

’Wait, looking forward to what?’

Her expression was dazed as she tried to recall their recent conversation.

*I don’t mind helping you with my mouth.*

*So you’re saying you’re looking forward to it, too?*

*Uh-huh.*

...

Mia’s mind went blank for a second. "No, that’s not what I meant."

Yates stared at her, watching her nervous denial. He suddenly had a moment of benevolence and cut her off.

"Alright, I’ll stop teasing you. Answer a question for me seriously, and I’ll let you go."

Mia let out a breath of relief. "Go ahead and ask."

"When, where, and with whom was your first kiss?"

He asked in a gossipy tone, as if he were just curious and had no other motive.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Yates laughed. "It couldn’t have been with me, could it?"

"..." Mia hesitated for a moment. "I don’t remember it clearly."

"How could that be? I’m asking about your first kiss, not your last one."

"Isn’t a first kiss supposed to be memorable?"

"If you don’t tell me, I’m not letting go."

"Or... should I guess?"

"Having the perfect opportunity—the right time, place, and people—it has to be Silas Grant."

"Those two kids from yesterday also seem like a possibility."

"You didn’t see the way those two charged into battle for love yesterday. It’s almost enviable."

"Judging by your expression, it wasn’t any of them?"

"What, was it Keller?"

Mia’s eyelashes fluttered. Under Yates’s intense gaze, she recalled past events and gently shook her head. "No."

"Not him either, huh? Then..." Only one name remained in his mind.

Yates paused for a few seconds. Suddenly, a laugh escaped his lips.

His Adam’s apple bobbed quickly.

"I would’ve thought with his restrained and humble personality, he wouldn’t be so proactive when it comes to matters of love."

’Especially since there used to be a moral shackle between them.’

’How could it be Hayes Hughes?’

To be honest, while he didn’t like dealing with people like Hayes Hughes, he had to admit that Hayes was a true gentleman.

So, even though he had long since accepted Hayes’s place in the picture, he’d never imagined that the first one... would be Hayes Hughes.

"You’re right," Mia nodded.

The hospital room fell silent.

Yates was no fool.

Even if he were slow on the uptake, he could now grasp the meaning behind her words.

"So..."

So—

She was the one who initiated it.

A corner of Yates’s mouth lifted. "When and where?"

Mia turned her head away in embarrassment. "Probably... before graduation? At his place?"

"Where at his place?"

"Why are you asking for so many details?"

"The entryway?"

"..."

If she wouldn’t say, he would just guess.

"Judging by your reaction, probably not. So, the living room sofa? The balcony by the French doors? The kitchen? The dining room... none of those, huh."

Yates had a sudden realization. "Then it must have been... in bed."

"..."

With a soft cough, Mia recalled the scene, her cheeks growing warm.

The situation that day had indeed been a bit complicated.

"Are you done asking questions? Can you let me go now?"

Staring at the blush on her ears, Yates nodded readily. "Sure."

"Then get up."

"According to our deal, I should let you go. But, you know what kind of person I am."

"...What do you mean?"

Those charming, almond-shaped eyes crinkled with a seductive smile. "I’ve changed my mind. I want to try, too."

The moment he finished speaking, he gave her no chance to react. He lowered his head, and his lips pressed down, meeting no resistance as they landed on her slightly parted mouth.