Chapter 197 (1/2)

If Noah was still staring at him, she’d have noticed his eyes had darkened. But, since she wasn’t, she was only surprised by Kyle’s sudden touch. He had brought one hand up, to cup the side of her face, with his thumb resting on her lips, gently brushing over them.

Noah had inhaled in surprise, the small gasp for air revealing her white, even teeth and a hint of her scarlet tongue. The sound she’d made, the way the light hit her face, and her sudden confession–all of those combined made Kyle want to succumb to his baser instincts.

But, seeing Noah bite down on her lip and feeling her form her hands into fists, he quickly suppressed those impulses and simply brought his hand down, laying it back onto her waist.

“If you tell me what you just said again, I’ll let you go.” He whispered softly, momentarily tightening his hold. “I don’t know why you’re holding it in. Just say it.”

“Really?” Noah questioned, staring at his face intently. Kyle nodded and flashed her a smile. After a bit of time, Noah nodded and mumbled, clearly embarrassed, “You… Uh, yeah. I like you. I think you’re a good man.”

Despite hearing those faint words, Kyle squeezed her waist again, “Again, clearly.”

Puffing up her cheeks, she glared at him, but nevertheless continued, with a raised voice. “Kyle. You’re better than I thought. Oh, damn it,” she suddenly yelled out, having bitten her tongue. Bowing her head while her eyes tear up, she pouted.

Kyle quickly patted her back and made sure she was okay.

“I like you.” Noah abruptly said, in a low but clear voice, a blush staining her cheeks, despite the fact that she was still pouting. “I really, really like you.”

“You do?” Kyle affirmed, hugging her close, smiling.

“That’s why I asked you about your ideal type of girl, purposely avoided you and whined like a child. And right now, my confidence is at the lowest. Is that better?”

Seeing Noah lift her chin and look at him directly, Kyle met her eyes, his earlier smile turning into a frown. Noah’s eyes looked glassy, as if she were ready to cry. But somehow, Kyle felt a sudden thirst hit him at the sight.

“From when?”

“Don’t ask me that. I’m not even sure.”

Seeing her like this, Kyle simultaneously felt worried and happy. After all, it was Kyle’s first time seeing the girl, who had always been either indifferent, annoyed or talked back with scathing remarks, be so embarrassed, to the point that she would cry.

“What do you mean you’re not confident?” Kyle stubbornly asked, neither loosening or tightening his grip on her.

“That’s just how I feel, okay? Now, let me go. I’ve already told you what you wanted to hear. I’ll just go to my bed and sleep.” Noah replied, her tone slightly sour as she struggled to free herself from his hold.

“No,” Kyle retorted. “It’s not the right time for you to go. Even if you did come as you pleased. Tell me why you don’t feel confident.”