Don't Let Go: A Full Hearts Novella Read Online Free Page B

thoughtfully, digesting this information. “I didn’t know that about you, Leesh. I mean, I knew your dad was in the military, but I didn’t know you moved so much before you came here. That must have been tough for a little kid.”
    “It was. I was never in one place long enough to really make friends,” she said, taking a small bite of her burger before speaking again. “Do you remember my first day of school here in fifth grade?”
    “No, I can’t say I do.” Ben tilted his head, as if trying to remember.
    “Paul Jones shoved me in the mud and you beat him up.”
    A slow smile crossed Ben’s face. “Now I remember. That little prick had it coming. You beat him in a race. You were the fastest girl in the class.”
    “Hey, I was faster than all the boys. Including you.” She laughed, punching him on the shoulder lightly.
    “Nah, that’s not how I remember it.” Ben grinned.
    “Yeah, but if you had a better memory, you wouldn’t need my help with history . . .” she teased. She spoke again before he had a chance to protest. “Anyway,  I’ll  always remember that day. Not because of what Paul did but because of what  you  did. I had gotten used to being the new kid and getting picked on, but not having anyone look out for me like that. When he started shoving me, I thought ‘Well, here we go again,’ but there you were and I didn’t know what to think except ‘I hope I get to stay here.’” Alicia looked down at her fingers, suddenly feeling shy about her admission. “Stupid, right?” she asked, daring to glance at him.
    Their eyes held and Ben seemed to swallow hard. He shook his head and reached for her cheek with his hand. “No. Not stupid at all,” he answered quietly.
    Gently guiding her face to his, he kissed her lips ever so carefully. Her hand on his chest, she could feel his heart pounding as his lips touched hers. Her lips parted, waiting for more. Alicia’s entire body tingled with the magic of her first kiss. It was as perfect and sweet as she had dreamed it would be. All those hours spent imagining this were finally becoming her incredible reality. They were alone in the most romantic spot, with the sun going down, the sound of the crickets filling the air as his lips brushed against hers, as his tongue slid into her mouth, searching for hers. It was one of those rare moments in life that she knew she would always remember. She was in love with this boy and as their mouths moved in unison, she silently prayed that this would be the start of their forever.
    Alicia slid her body down to lie beside him on the plaid blanket, her mouth never leaving his. She held his jaw with her hand as he moved his body closer, hovering over her. Pulling back for a moment, Ben took advantage of Alicia’s hair being tied back, kissing and sucking on her neck hungrily. Alicia’s eyes flew open at the sensation of his mouth on her skin, not sure if the stars she was seeing were in the sky above or were a result of what was happening in her body right then. She had not known that it would feel like this, that having one part of her touched would ripple through her entire being, as though his mouth was everywhere at once. Letting her hand slide down his chest and abs, she wanted to feel the heat of his skin on hers. Tugging at his shirt, she let her fingers move up along his taut muscles, allowing them to linger there.
    Ben responded to her touch, groaning with the thought of her hand finding its way into his jeans. He slowly moved his hand from her cheek to her chest, taking in the feeling of her perky breasts through the fabric of her shirt. Weeks of being so close to her but never touching her had filled him with a lust he had never known before. He was consumed by the almost undeniable longing of that first love as he thrust his tongue wildly into her mouth. He heard her give a little moan and the sound made him harder than he already was, his jeans now confining him uncomfortably.
    They stayed