Chapter Text
Opening my eyes this morning, the first thing I saw was Matt, already looking at me with his hand gently stroking my arm, placed just above his belly.
"I didn't want to wake you up too early," he said in a soft voice, accompanied by a smile.
"You seriously need to stop watching me like that when I'm asleep; it's a bit creepy," I replied, closing my eyes again.
"You always have to spoil the moment, huh?" he chuckled.
"You're the one who said you loved me as I am," I said, smiling and slowly opening my eyes again.
"I said that, did I?" he said, squinting and tilting his head.
"Hey!" I exclaimed before sitting up and giving him a pillow hit.
"Easy there," he laughed, sitting up as well and leaning in to kiss me.
"Matthew, I haven't even brushed my teeth yet!" I laughed, separating our lips, but he started kissing me again.
"I don't care at all," he replied, pushing me back onto the bed while kissing me.
His action made me laugh; I found it cute. It wasn't much, but it touched me. I had spent a perfect night with him, and my day was already starting wonderfully because of him. I think I could get used to it faster than I thought.
Deep down, I always had this little fear that things wouldn't work out for me and that it wouldn't work between us. But the more time I spent with Matt, the less this fear surfaced.
"I have a surprise for you," he said, breaking our kiss.
"Really?" I said, a bit excited.
"Yes, but unfortunately, for this surprise, we'll have to leave my bed," he said, starting to sit up.
"Then forget about the surprise!" I said, wrapping my legs around his waist to keep him close.
"Ash," he said, looking into my eyes.
"What?" I replied, smiling with my lower lip caught between my teeth.
"Don't look at me like that," he said in a slightly more serious tone.
"Why?" I said, with an innocent look, playing with his necklace.
"Because it makes me want to flip you over on this bed and make you scream my name until the whole neighborhood knows it by heart," he said, looking me straight in the eyes.
I felt my panties dampen just hearing his words. I could sense his member also slightly hardening against me. But before I could say anything, he added:
"And even though I know you want it as much as I do, princess, I won't give in to your advances and your false air of innocence," he said with a smile, planting a quick kiss on my lips before getting up from the bed.
Matt knew me well enough now to know what I had in mind when I gave him those puppy-dog eyes. It's strange to say, little by little, we learn to know each other better, and in the end, we manage to understand each other.
"And may I know what my surprise is?" I asked, watching him get dressed.
"You'll find out very soon," he said with a wink.
This time, I let myself fall on my stomach against the bed, sighing.
"Come on, get up and get dressed; we're going to have breakfast," he said, giving my butt a playful slap before tossing his T-shirt at me.
I sat up to get dressed and looked at his T-shirt for a few seconds before looking at him again.
"I have my own clothes, you know?" I said, a bit confused.
"Yes, but you look much more beautiful when you wear mine," he said, placing a kiss on my forehead before grabbing his phone next to me to leave the room.
I dressed in his T-shirt and my shorts before heading to his mirror to brush my hair a bit. When I stood in front of the mirror, I hadn't even realized that I had been smiling like a fool for a few minutes.
I was simply happy for the first time in a long time. I had this feeling of being at peace and without any worries. I had finally let my feelings overwhelm me, and it felt amazing.
I left his room to join him in the kitchen.
"There wasn't much left; we never have time to go grocery shopping. Sorry, I made eggs for you, but if you want something else, we can go out," he said, a bit embarrassed.
"No, it's fine," I said calmly, smiling before walking towards him.
He opened his arms to welcome me.
"Where are your brothers?" I asked, lifting my head towards him while still in his embrace.
"Don't worry, my dear, your favorite triplet is still here," Nick said, coming up behind us, making us both jump.
"Hmm, it smells good around here. Big Bernard prepared something for us," Chris said in a strange voice, arriving a few seconds later.
"Don't call me that," Matt said annoyed, exhaling.
Nick and I couldn't help but laugh.
We all had breakfast together. I liked the triplets, I mean each of them individually. I was close to each of them in a different way, and I felt comfortable around them.
We all had breakfast together, chatting. Matt was next to me, and his hand didn't leave my thigh for a moment. Chris told us about the crazy dream he had last night, and it was really funny.
Nick kept giving me teasing looks about my closeness with Matt this morning, and honestly, it would have bothered me a bit a few days ago, but things had changed in the meantime.
"Wow, Chris, you really need to stop drinking Pepsi before sleeping. I think all that sugar is seriously making your brain malfunction," Nick said, laughing.
"What are you talking about? It has absolutely nothing to do with my Pepsi consumption! I don't drink that much!" he said, rolling his eyes.
"It's probably your weed consumption then," Matt added, laughing.
"No, that helps me sleep better. You guys really don't understand," he replied, shaking his head.
"You talk exactly like an addict, Chris, it's frightening," I said, laughing along.
"I'm not addicted to weed; there's nothing wrong with smoking a little joint from time to time!" he said, offended.
"I think she wasn't talking about weed, Chris. We just woke up, and look at what you're drinking," Matt said, pointing at Chris's Pepsi can.
"It's to give me energy for today; I'll need it when we're at the beach," Chris said before Nick gave him a punch in the shoulder.
At the beach? Is that my surprise? I turned to Matt with a big smile.
"Ouch, why are you hitting me, idiot?" Chris said to Nick, annoyed.
"You're really dumb, I swear," Nick said, looking at him exasperated.
"What?" Chris added, confused.
"Was that my surprise?" I asked Matt, all excited.
"Oh shit, that's right, it was a surprise," Chris said, laughing at his own foolishness.
"Yes, that was your surprise, Ash, before my idiot brother ruined everything," Matt replied, shooting a dark look at Chris.
"It's okay, no big deal. I'll just pretend to be shocked when we get there," I said to Matt, laughing.
We continued to chat together for about another twenty minutes until Nick and Chris decided to get up and go to their room to take care of their things and freshen up before leaving.
I helped Matt tidy up the kitchen and do the dishes, and after that, I took the opportunity to chat a bit with Kay over messages. She's coming back in three days, and I'm really looking forward to it, but I'm dreading having to talk to her about what happened with my father.
I was sitting in the living room couch, and I put down my phone when Matt came to sit beside me.
"Is everything okay, princess?" he asked, tilting his head slightly to make our eyes meet.
"Yeah, it's fine!" I said, smiling to try to hide my anxiety.
Then suddenly, I thought that maybe I should talk to him about it, after all. I had promised to make an effort, and I know I can trust him. Perhaps Matt will know what to say to help me.
"Well, actually, it's not okay," I blurted out without thinking too much.
"What's wrong, baby?" he asked, placing his hand on my thigh.
"I don't know how to tell Kayla what happened..." I confessed.
"You mean what your father did?" he asked to make sure.
"Yes... In fact, I'm afraid she'll worry too much or get angry because I didn't tell her earlier, and I'm afraid she'll feel guilty and think that all this happened because she abandoned me when she didn't abandon me at all," I said in one breath.
"Okay, Ash, you're overthinking this. First, Kayla won't blame you; she'll understand. Second, you can't control her emotions, and it's not your fault. Now, about breaking the news to her, don't put too much pressure on yourself. If you want, I'll tell her with you if it helps," he reassured me.
"Yeah, I know; it's just that I blame myself for not telling her earlier. Now I feel like maybe it's better if I don't tell her anything at all," I said to Matt.
"You can't not tell her, Ash. She lives with you, and she's just as much in danger as you are. Not telling her is putting her in danger. You should go to the police when she returns," he said, caressing my thigh.
"I don't know if that's a good idea. I have absolutely no idea what he looks like now or if he plans to do it again. I feel like the police won't be able to help us much, Matt," I replied.
"It won't cost you anything to try, sweetheart," he said, raising his eyebrows and softening his gaze.
"I'll think about it," I said, resting my head on his shoulder before crossing my legs over his thighs to get more comfortable.
We were peacefully sitting in front of the TV, cuddling and being affectionate when Chris barged into the living room in a frenzy, already dressed in his swim trunks with his bag ready in hand. It made Matt and me laugh at his enthusiasm; he looked like an 8-year-old kid.
"Come on, let's go! The weather is great outside, and I want to stay at the beach as long as possible. Besides, Madi is already there with her friends!" Chris said impatiently.
"Relax, Mr. Sunbather, we're going to the beach. Just let us grab our stuff!" Matt said, laughing before getting up.
After Chris filled the trunk and Nick joined us, we hit the road.
I left the front seat for Chris, as it was more his than mine, and I didn't mind being in the back with Nick at all. Matt let us handle the playlist, which he quickly regretted, but Nick and I sang our hearts out the entire way.
Once we arrived, Nick and Chris immediately went to join Madi. I had heard a lot about her but hadn't had the chance to see her yet. She seemed super nice from what I had gathered.
I helped Matt unload our stuff from the car to set up on the beach. Once done, I went to say hello to Madi. I was afraid she wouldn't like me, but she welcomed me with open arms, which pleasantly surprised me.
We chatted a bit while watching the guys goof around in the water, and I quickly felt that we would get along very well.
_____________________
I was sunbathing on my own, reading a book when I felt something cast a shadow over me. Setting my book aside and raising my head, I saw Matt standing in front of me, wet and breathless with a big smile.
"You're blocking my sun, Aquaman," I said, sitting up better this time, leaning on my elbows.
"When Kayla told me you loved the beach, I didn't think it meant tanning all alone in your corner!" he said before sitting next to me, placing his hand on my hip.
"I would appreciate a bit of peace and serenity to read my book in peace, if you don't mind," I said condescendingly, taking back my book that he quickly snatched from my hands.
"Come swim with me," he said in a slightly more assertive tone.
"No way," I said, picking up my book.
"Please, it's a shame to wear such a pretty swimsuit and not use it!" he added, trying to convince me by pressing a little harder on my hip.
"I said no, Matthew," I replied without taking my eyes off my book.
"Ashley," he said with a sigh.
"Matthew," I said, lowering my book slightly this time to look at him.
"Can you at least stand up so I can better admire your swimsuit?" he said with a smirk.
"No, go back and play in the water; you're starting to annoy me!" I said, laughing.
"Come on, please, afterward, I'll leave, and I'll let you read your book in peace," he said, standing up to offer me his hand.
I rolled my eyes and sighed before taking his hand, saying, "You really can't accept a no."
"You're starting to know me well," he said, laughing.
I stood up and turned around so that he could admire the swimsuit he so desired to see.
"There, happy now?" I started to say, but before I could finish my sentence, he threw me over his shoulder and began running toward the water.
"MATTHEW!! LET ME GO!!" I shouted at him.
Despite my annoyance, I couldn't help but laugh when I heard him laughing. Once we reached the sea, he tossed me into the water. I swam to the surface, and he approached me with a smile.
"Isn't this better?" he said, laughing.
I gave him a playful punch on the shoulder before leaning on it.
"I had just washed my hair, idiot," I said, pushing my hair away from my face.
"Don't act like you're mad at me, baby; you're super happy I brought you here!" he said, smiling, before pulling me a bit closer by the waist.
I rolled my eyes before connecting our lips in a salty kiss. His hands went to grab the back of my thighs, lifting them around his waist, and I could feel something hardening in his shorts.
"It looks like I'm not the only one happy here," I said, smiling with my lower lip between my teeth.
"I always find it a bit challenging when I see you in a swimsuit," he admitted, somewhat embarrassed.
I found it cute.
"Oh, really?" I said in a lower voice, starting to rub gently against his erection.
"Ashley, we're not alone here," he said in a warm sigh, tightening his hands on my thighs.
"I don't see anyone in the water with us," I said innocently, looking around.
"Don't start playing with my nerves, princess," he said before letting out a small moan when I placed my lips on his neck.
His hands gripped my buttocks this time, and I could feel him surrendering with every kiss I planted on his neck.
"Fuck, take off your bottom, hurry up," he said in a slightly more aggressive tone.
I complied and did what he asked with a smile.
"You really can't wait until we get home for me to take care of you," he said in my ear, lowering his swimsuit.
I wrapped my thighs around his waist again, and he aligned with me before entering slowly, causing both of us to release a long moan.
"We have to do this quickly, princess, if we don't want to get caught," he said in a weak voice, starting to make faster and deeper thrusts.
"I know," I replied, moaning.
My hands gripped his shoulders when I heard him also start to let out muffled moans, which excited me even more.
"I need you to touch yourself for me, baby. Be a good girl for me. I'm already very close; I want you to climax with me," he said in a desperate tone that made him even sexier.
His words brought me even closer to the edge. I nodded before massaging my clit. I could see a smile forming on Matt's lips when he felt me tighten around him, a sign that I was not far off.
He accelerated the pace, crushing his lips against mine to muffle our moans. In a few minutes, I climaxed around him, and he followed suit after a few more thrusts.
"Look what you make me do," he said, still breathless, separating our lips.
"Oh, don't act like you're mad at me, baby; you're super happy to have a good girl like me," I said with a sly smile.
He rolled his eyes before kissing me again.
We both got dressed, and we stayed chatting and playfully splashing in the water until the sun set. We were facing the landscape, and he hugged me from behind, resting his head on my shoulder. Every couple of minutes, he would place a gentle kiss on my neck.
"I feel good with you," he said in a serene voice.
I could feel my heart racing in my chest.
"Me too," I said in a nearly inaudible voice.
He removed his hands from my waist to face me and cupped my face in his hands.
"Ashley, you know I'll wait as long as it takes for you, but I really want to be with you. I want this—" he began before I cut him off.
"Be my boyfriend," I blurted out without thinking.
He burst into laughter, and I started to panic.
"What? Wasn't that what you meant? Oh my god," I said, feeling embarrassment wash over me.
"No! That's exactly what I was going to ask you! I'm laughing because you managed to steal my moment; it was supposed to be me asking you to be my girlfriend, Ash," he said, still laughing.
I joined in laughter and rested my head against his chest.
"I'm sorry; I'm not experienced in this," I said a bit embarrassed.
"I can see that," he said, chuckling before lifting my head again to kiss me.
"I'm dating Matt Sturniolo, what a shame," I said, separating our lips.
"You've been waiting a long time to use that one, huh?" he said, grimacing.
"Yeah," I replied proudly before kissing him again.
I'm dating Matt Sturniolo, the man I hated the most just a few months ago. I think I've completely lost my mind! But I love it.