Free Don't Let Go: A Full Hearts Novella by Mj Summers

the sound of her dad’s voice through the screen door. “I’m going to look for her. She should have been back by now.”
    His heavy footsteps closed in on them, causing Ben to straighten his back and slide away from Alicia. “There you are. I was just going out to find you.”
    “I’m twenty-one, Dad. I know how to get to the store and home again,” Alicia said, her voice lacking the usual irritation it had in response to her father’s overprotectiveness. She was far too distracted trying to process Ben’s admission to make any attempt to convince her dad that she was a grown-up.
    Mr. Williams’ eyes hardened as he took in the sight of Ben with his only child. “Ben.” It was a statement of fact more than a greeting.
    “Good evening, Mr. Williams,” Ben returned, looking up at the bulky frame of Alicia’s father.
    “I see you’ve been eating my ice cream sandwiches,” he said in a clipped tone, making it very clear that Ben shouldn’t be touching his things and definitely not his daughter.
    “Sorry, sir. I’ll replace them.” Ben swallowed hard what was left in his mouth, trying to rid himself of the evidence.
    “How about you keep away from my dessert and my daughter?” His expression was as icy as his tone.
    Alicia stood, placing the box in the bag and lifting the groceries to her dad. She gave him a meaningful, stern look and mouthed, “Stop it!” to him.
    Her dad returned her glare and took the bag from her. He dug around in the box and mumbled, “Three? You ate three already?” as he went back in the house.
    Ben stifled a nervous laugh as Alicia sat back down next to him.
    “ Wanna go for a walk?” Ben asked. “I need to go pick up a gift for your dad.”
    “A gift? I have a feeling I know what you are going to get him.”
    “I’m sure you do,” Ben said, standing up and holding his hand out to help her up.
    Alicia called through the screen door, “Just going for a walk with Ben! Be back in a bit!”
    They heard her dad yell, “I don’t think you are!” and her mom overruling him with an “Okay, honey!”
    “Your dad doesn’t like me much,” Ben observed as they strolled down the street.
    “Of course he doesn’t. He’s not exactly going to be a fan of any guy who breaks his little girl’s heart.” Alicia replied plainly.
    “Sounds about right. I would hate me too if I were him,” he answered. Pausing for a moment, he let her words sink in. “Shit. I really broke your heart, hey?”
    “Yeah, you pretty much shattered it,” Alicia confirmed, without looking up at him.
    Ben’s stomach churned at her words. “Shit. I’m so sorry, Leesh. I know saying that won’t fix anything, but I want you to know it’s how I feel. And if you do give me a chance to make it up to you, I would do just about anything.”
    “I might consider it.”
    “Well, that’s really more than I could ask for. I’ll take it,” he said firmly, with a broad grin. “You still going out with that blond guy?”
    “Mark?” Alicia stopped and turned to face him. “No, I broke it off with him. There was just something about him that didn’t sit right with me.”
    “Oh yeah?” Ben asked as he internally hollered  Hell yeah!  He stood in front of her, trying his level best to play it cool. “Do you mind telling me what he did wrong? That kind of information would be real useful to a fellow.”
    “It would, would it?” Alicia gave him a slight grin. “Well, I was raised to help others, so it would only be right if I told you.” She paused for dramatic effect. “Mark’s biggest flaw was that he wasn’t you.”
    Ben’s smile at hearing this consumed his entire face. “Poor bastard,” he said in a low tone as he stepped closer to her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
    “I know. There was really nothing he could do about it,” Alicia responded, her voice thick with desire. She let her palms settle on his chest, feeling the surge of sexual energy pass back and forth between