Actor Jake Cuenca denied smooching with Melissa Ricks inside a dressing room recently.

“Hindi ko naman po magagawa 'yon. Hindi pa naman kami umaabot sa smack. Pero beso, lahat naman po ng babae, binebeso ko,” he said in an interview aired on “Showbiz News Ngayon,” Dec. 29.

He reiterated that they are just friends.

“Kilala nyo naman ako. [When] I went out with Roxanne, I was very open with my relationship. Also when Bea and I were going out. But right now, all I can say is that we're (referring to Melissa) friends,” he said.

Jake confirmed that Melissa gave him a Christmas gift but he refused to give details.

Although the two are being rumored to be sweethearts for sometime now, they consistently deny this. Melissa only admits to have received flowers and food from the actor a few times.

Jake also diffused rumors that Melissa's mom had a heart-to-heart talk with him during which she expressed her dislike for Jake.

“Pag nakikita ko siya (Melissa's mom) sa ‘ASAP,’ nag-uusap naman kami. Sa condo nila? Hindi pa ako nakakaakyat sa condo. Hanggang do'n lang ako sa baba,” Jake said.

But did she dissuade him from courting her daughter?

“Hindi, wala pa namang sinasabi sa akin. Inuunahan ko na rin. Lagi kong sinasabi sa mommy niya na kung manliligaw ako kay Melissa, magpapaalam ako sa kanya.”