DRAKE Leans in to Kiss RIHANNA in MTV music video Awards (Photos/Videos)

'I've been in love with her since I was 22': Drake leans in to kiss Rihanna (but she's suddenly shy) as he presents her with Vanguard Award after her FOUR performances 

Look at how lovely they look together as future couple..

 

 

Drake revealed to the world that he has been in love with Rihanna since he was in his early twenties while presenting her with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award on Sunday night. 

The 29-year-old, who has been romantically linked with Rihanna, raved about the hit-maker after arriving on stage in his tuxedo with the award in his hands.

'She's someone I've been in love with since I was 22-years-old,' Drake admitted as he delivered a lengthy and glowing speech in honour of Rihanna immediately following her fourth performance during the MTV Video Music Awards.

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Shouting it from the rooftops! Drake revealed that he has loved Rihanna since he was 22-years-old as he presented her with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award on Sunday night during the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City

Its all about DRAKE and RIHANNA in the Boat of romance now..

Drake and Riri

Body language: The pair embraced after they exchanged kisses on the cheeks

Drake's appearance triggered speculation amongst fans that he was actually going to propose to Rihanna when he presented the award to her.

'She's one of my best friends in the world,' Drake added in his speech. 'All my adult life, I've looked up to her, even though she's younger than me.'

'She's a living, breathing legend in our industry, ladies and gentleman, the recipient of the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award for 2016, Rihanna.'

As Rihanna gave him a peck on the cheek, Drake continued to lean in to kiss her on the neck.  

Glowing words: The 29-year-old, who has been romantically linked with Rihanna, raved about the hit-maker after arriving on stage in his tuxedo and with the award in his hands

But the kiss didn't last very long, as he pulled away after several seconds just before Rihanna said several words to him.  

'MTV, this is such an amazing night, it's such an amazing moment in my career,' Rihanna started off her speech. 'When I think about the Vanguard Award and receiving this tonight, all I could think of was my country. They're gonna be so proud, this is the first Vanguard to land anywhere close to my country,' she said. 

'And so, you know my success, it started as my dream. But now my success is not my own.  It's my family's, it's my fan's, it's my country's, it's the Caribbean as a whole, it's women, it's black women, so many people feel like their little piece is such a major part of this puzzle, and I have to thank you guys for supporting me over and over.

'Thank you to every director whose taken a chance on me, and a chance with my crazy ideas, there's just so much growth that has happened over the last eleven years, and I can't believe I'm receiving a Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at 28 years old.

You're making her blush! The singer tossed her sleek hair back as she watched Drake deliver the glowing

Making her laugh: Tossing her head back in laughter, the Work singer couldn't hide her happiness

Hand in hand: The pair left the stage holding hands and with wide smiles on their faces

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Picture perfect: The Hotline Bling singer cosied in close to as Rihanna proudly showed off her award

'It's crazy. And I have so many people to thank, I mean, from the very beginning. Evan and Carl, from SRP, you guys believed in me, you brought me straight to Jay-Z's office, where I met Jay, Tata, L.A. Reid, Jay Brown, my whole publicity team, my grandpeeps, so many people, man, they write with me from day to day. 

'And my best friends, they never left me. They actually followed my a** all the way to America, gettin' on my d*amn nerves.  They here right now, just witnessing this. 

'This is a big moment. Thank you to Drake, for that amazing speech. Thank you to MTV, I had so much fun! Good night!'

The songbird then left the stage hand-in-hand with Drake, but not before appearing to share another kiss with him.

Bow down! The chart-topper bent down as he presented his long-time friend with the award

Touching words: The woman of honor smiled as her friend spoke highly of her

Amusing her: Hands behind her back, Rihanna doubled over with a smile on her face

Making her mark: Rihanna lit up the awards show with multiple performances at the MTV Video Music Awards inside Madison Square Garden in New York City

Follow the leader: The 28-year-old stood apart from her army of backup dancers

Sing it! The hit-maker didn't hold back as she belted her classic tunes to kick off the show

The hit-maker finished off the performance with one of her newer hit songs, B*tch Better Have My Money. 

Rihanna's final fourth performance for the night was a dramatic departure from her previous three, high-octane performances.

Dressed in a romantic beige gown, the singer sang her slower-paced 2013 hit Stay with a live band by her side.

Rihanna's night: The singer proved her star power during her third, dynamic performance

Work it! Rihanna gave a sultry expression during her performance as her dancers crouched low to the floor in their thigh-high PVC boots

Crowd pleaser: The star made sure to lavish her fans with some attention as they reached up to her mid-performance

Practice makes perfect: All of their hard work paid off in the form of an action-packed performance on Sunday

She then transitioned into Diamonds, captivating the crowd.

The mood changed as Rihanna then sang Love On The Brain, livening up the atmosphere a bit with her powerful rendition of the sultry song.

Rihanna was nominated for several honours that night. 

Her song with Drake, Work, was nominated for Best Female Video as well as Best Collaboration. 

Rihanna's track with Calvin Harris, This Is What You Came For, was also nominated for Best Collaboration, and it won for Best Male Video early in the night.