Why did I act this way when I finally got attention, and how do I handle it better next time?

I (20M) hurt a girl (18F) because I didn’t know how to handle being wanted for the first time. I feel awful

TLDR: I’m 20M, Muslim, inexperienced with girls, and I accidentally let things get sexual online with an 18F who really liked me. I got overwhelmed by attention I’ve never had before and couldn’t bring myself to say the truth plainly. I eventually told her the truth—that I couldn’t date or continue—and I ended up hurting her. I’m not looking to get her back, I just feel guilty and want to understand how to process this, how to not repeat it, and how I should’ve handled it better.

I’ve never had real romantic attention before. I’ve never been in a relationship, never had anyone genuinely attracted to me, never had anything sexual with someone. I’m Muslim, so dating isn’t something I’m supposed to do. I’m supposed to wait for marriage and I want to do that. But this situation got completely out of control because I didn’t know what I was doing emotionally or sexually.

A few weeks ago, a girl (18F) messaged me online. At first it was normal, friendly, nothing crazy. But she started liking me really quickly, and I didn’t know how to handle it. She was way more open, expressive, and confident than I’ve ever seen. She was the first girl to ever openly want me, to talk to me in ways no one ever has, to say things that made me feel genuinely desired.

And I didn’t say no, I didn’t set boundaries,I let it escalate because I got overwhelmed by attention I’ve never had in my life.

We ended up doing sexual stuff online. She told me she liked me, said things that hit exactly on every insecurity I had about myself. For the first time in my life, I felt wanted. And I got hooked on that feeling.

But the whole time, there was a part of me that knew I couldn’t actually date her or be with her realistically. Not because she wasn’t good enough though, she was actually very sweet, very open, and really genuinely great person. But because I can’t be in a relationship right now. I’m religious. I’m not supposed to be doing any of this. And I didn’t tell her that early enough.

I finally told her the truth which was that I shouldn’t be doing this, that I wasn’t in the right place emotionally, and that I realized then that I felt like I used the attention because it felt good. I didn’t intend to use her, but realistically that’s what ended up happening. She was more emotionally invested than I realized, and I hurt her. Now I’m sitting here realizing I made her feel like every guy who hurt her before.

I don’t want her to think I was malicious. I wasn’t trying to manipulate her. I wasn’t trying to lead her on. I just didn’t know how to handle someone actually wanting me, and I let things go too far because I liked the feeling and was scared of not having it anymore.

I regret not being honest sooner. I regret not shutting things down before they got sexual. And I really regret that now she might think I’m just another shitty guy.

I don’t want her back. I don’t want the sexual stuff again. I just wish I hadn’t done that to someone who I really did care for and who was vulnerable with me.