Page 7 of Breaking Matt
My mouth dropped open. I was stunned. He was so oblivious, living in his little bubble where his thoughts tied everything up neatly in a bow.
Had he never been dumped before? Was that it? Did he not know how to graciously handle a brushing off? He did remind me of the type who was so used to getting what they wanted that they struggled to process the unexpected.
"Ryan," I started, feeling my temper rise. My hands curled into fists as I tried to maintain control of my rising anger. I was over this. We were finally going to have the conversation I had been trying to avoid the past weeks. Being nice hadn't helped. It was time to be direct and to the point, and if needed, I would be mean.
"There you are!" a voice interrupted behind me as a hand touched the small of my back. The touch took me by surprise.
I didn't have time to figure out what was happening. Matthew stood beside me, leaning closer, and then he was kissing me. It turned out to be only a brief touch of his lips against mine but the effect was instant shock and it vibrated through me. He smiled as he straightened beside me, showing off his dimples before he turned his attention to Ryan.
I touched my fingers to my lips, still unsure of what had happened. I was still seconds behind as I tried to figure out why the sexy stranger had kissed me. I began to frown. Matthew's hand rested on my waist and I was about to pull him off me.
"And you are?" Matthew asked Ryan. His eyes were intense with an unspoken threat.
Ryan swallowed as he looked from Matthew to me. I dropped my hand as the realization reflected in his features. Then it finally dawned on me what Matthew was doing. He was helping me make a point to Ryan.
I put my arm around Matthew's waist, making a point of leaning into him slightly as I watched Ryan take in the affectionate action.
"You and him?" he asked slowly.
"Yes." There was no hesitation. Even though I was still angry with Matthew, I went along with it. I needed this. To emphasize my words, I looked up at Matthew and at that point he looked down at me.
The way he looked at me pulled the air from my lungs. I was glad I had the support of my arm around him to keep me up. He looked like he couldn't wait to get me into the nearest room—and naked. I swallowed.
"I...didn't...realize," Ryan stuttered. Even though I didn't want to pull my attention from Matthew, I caught Ryan turning and leaving.
Thank goodness. He had finally gotten the message.
"Thanks," I muttered under my breath to Matthew as I dropped my arm from his waist.
"I think you should stay close," Matthew whispered with his eyes still fixed on the back of Ryan, who was making his way through the crowd. His hand was still on me.
"Surely that isn't necessary. It's not like he thinks we would lie about it," I argued. I didn't want to spend any more time than I had to in Matthew's company.
He let out a deep breath before he turned to face me.
"Do you really want to take the chance?" His eyes were as hard as emeralds.
The direct impact of his eyes on me made me swallow again. I hated how he affected me. I became a stuttering idiot every time he set his sexy eyes on me.
He had a point. If I ran the risk of Ryan discovering we were a lie, then he would never take me seriously again, even if I did move on for good. I pressed my lips together, not liking that I would have to spend the rest of the night in Matthew's company.
"Fine. Just no chatting up any other girls," I said, making it clear I wouldn't be made a fool of.
His forehead creased slightly.
"I was just talking to her, nothing more." He clearly felt the need to explain.
"I don't care." I looked away, scared he would see the truth in my eyes. "I just need you for tonight. After that, you can do as you please."
He studied me for a moment with a pensive look.
"I don't want to screw every girl I talk to."
Why did he feel the need to explain that to me? Was I making something out of nothing? I shrugged my shoulders, acting like I didn't care—but the truth was, I did.
I cared way too much.
Chapter Three
