On Me (Matt Sturniolo) - 19

And then he smirked.

"That's the honest truth" he said quietly. "I'm crazy about you. And you know the saying, right? You always want what you can't have...and that's how I feel with you"

I stood still, feeling him let go of my hand as he used it to brush it through his hair.

My heart raced, especially when he took my hand again and placed it on his jaw.

"You feel it too, right? Tell me it's not just me..." he asked. "If it is, I'll leave. Please, say something-"

"Matt-" I started, not being able to breathe properly.

"Please" he begged. "Just tell me so I can figure out what I'm supposed to do" he hummed, tracing his finger along my jaw.

I dreamt of this moment since the first time I was attracted to him, but now we were here and he was asking me, I couldn't help but look at his face and my hand stroking his cheek.

"It's not just you..." I whispered, feeling tears build up. "But I can't..I need time to figure sh*t out and..."

I cracked and started to cry.

"Don't cry" he soothed. "I didn't mean to make you cry"

"It's not you" I whispered, feeling his forehead on mine. "I'm f*cked up...there's so much I have to deal with..."

I realised how close we were, his head against mine while I held his wrists as he cupped my head.

"You're not f*cked up" he whispered, placing his hands on my neck and shoulders. "You're beautiful...and you have the world at your feet, if you could realise it...let me help you realise it"

I felt my heart racing in my chest, feeling the intense way he was looking at me as he stroked my cheek.

"Why are you so nice to me?"

Matt frowned, but quickly broke into a smile.

"You deserve to be treated good...I don't know why you aren't. If you were mine..." he sighed, before looking away from me.

I waited as he struggled to find the right words.

"I know I said I was being respectful" he whispered. "And I know we both said some things tonight. I know you're not a cheater, and you want to stay loyal to Josh...but please, can I kiss you?"

My heart exploded.

"Matt-"

"Just once...just let me kiss you and I promise, I'll behave until you give me the green light, and we will know for sure then that this is more than lust between us"

I searched his face, still holding his wrists, when I found myself nodding.

Agreeing.

I wanted this. I've dreamed of it for so long.

I wanted to know what his lips felt like against mine...if he felt different to Josh.

Was he softer?

Harder?

"Are you sure?" Matt gulped. "There's no going back-"

"Just kiss me already before I change my mind" I exhaled

I stared at Matt, watching him have a war inside his head.

Without hesitation, I tilted my head to the side and my breath hitched when Matt leaned in and pressed his lips against mine.

I felt...euphoric.

I wanted nothing more than to open my eyes and check if this was real and not a dream of mine, but I didn't because I didn't want to look crazy.

I wanted to stay blissfully unaware, being held up against the wall with Matt, his body pressed against mine as he kissed me.

Gripping his shirt and collar, I couldn't help but frown as I shielded myself away from everything except Matt.

I was in another country, kissing a man that wasn't my boyfriend.

I moaned in denial and pleasure, forcing the thoughts to leave my head, when I could've sworn he tried to slip his tongue in.

I needed to step back into control, even though we were smiling like kids and my body was tingling.

"f*ck" Matt exhaled. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting to do that. It was worth waiting for"

"What was that?" I breathed, pulling back slightly.

I watched him as he restrained himself from doing it again

"That" he started, biting his lip. "Was our first kiss"

"I..."

I was speechless.

"I think we answered our own question tonight" Matt smiled.

"What's that?" I asked, feeling his finger trace my bottom lip.

"This is more than lust" he whispered, smirking. "I'll keep my bargain, promise. I'll leave the rest up to you"

"Matt..."

I wanted him to kiss me again.

"Come on. Let's get back before they send out a search party"

Offering me his arm, I took the gesture and walked along the inside of the gallery with Matt, letting him lead the way...even though we were both on cloud nine.

It was in that moment I knew I had to decide...and fast.

On Me (Matt Sturniolo) - 19 - Page 5 (2024)