Legacy by M.A. Foster
_____________________________
Katie
“Get up.” Dylan smacks me on the butt. “We’ll stop for coffee before I take you to get your car.”
“What time is it?” I ask through a yawn. What day is it?
“It’s eight fifteen,” he calls out from inside his closet.
Sliding out of bed, I shuffle into the bathroom to pee, feeling out of sorts. It’s weird not getting up at the ass crack of dawn to get ready for work.
After washing my hands, I use the spare toothbrush Dylan said is now mine to brush my teeth, then rinse my face before returning to the bedroom to get dressed.
Dylan stands at the threshold of his closet, shirtless as he steps into a pair of jeans. He took yesterday off, and we spent the day in bed exploring each other’s bodies. His arms are sleeved with a myriad of instruments and music lyrics, and a beautiful tribute to his uncle. We talked in between sex and naps, but we kept the conversation light with simple questions, getting to know each other. Favorite color, favorite movie, favorite food, etc.
The light pink sweat suit I’d worn two days ago is now washed and neatly folded on the bed with my bra and panties on top. I quickly slip on my bra and fasten it before tugging my sweatshirt over my head, then bend over, stepping into my panties.
Arms curl around my waist, and soft lips press against my neck. “You naughty girl. I know what you’re doing.” He thrusts his hips, pressing his erection against my ass as he slides a hand beneath the waistband of my panties, cupping my pussy.
“You played hooky with me yesterday,” I remind him. “You don’t want to be late.”
“Mmm.” His deep groan sends an electric current straight to my core. “It’s a good thing I’m the boss.”
* * *
It’s nine thirty by the time we walk into Cafe by the Bay. The smell of fresh brewed coffee lingers in the air, and my body is in desperate need of caffeine. Normally I can’t even think before I’ve had my first cup of coffee.
I blame Dylan. The newness of this… whatever this is. I’ve never felt so desired in my life. The way he touches me and the deep timber in his voice. I feel like an adrenaline junkie.
“Hey, Katie. Hey, Dylan.” Hazel greets us with a smile, her brows slightly pinched in confusion when she notices our clasped hands.
“Hey,” we both reply.
“I had no idea you two were a couple.”
I open my mouth, unsure of how to respond, but Dylan speaks up. “It’s new.”
“We met in London,” I tell her.
“Oh, how romantic.” She presses a hand over her heart.
“Yeah.” I shoot Dylan a sideways glance, and we share a knowing grin.
After placing our orders, I move over to the shelf to check out the mugs. Dylan comes up behind me. “I collect these.” I pick up a mug that says “Please cancel my subscription to your issues.”
“Coffee mugs?”
“Ones like these, yes. The funnier the better, because sometimes I can be a little cranky in the morning, and these make me smile.”
“I’m sure I can find other ways to put a smile on your face in the morning,” he quips.
“I’m sure you can.” I snicker. “I was just putting that out there since we’re in that getting to know each other stage of our… this.” I flick my wrist, not sure what to call it.
His brows go up. “Relationship?”
I tilt my head and lower my voice. “Is this a relationship? Don’t people date first?”
Curling an arm around my waist, he tugs me to his side and kisses my temple before lowering his mouth to my ear. “After the things I’ve done to your body, we’re way past dating.” I stifle a moan. “But I’ll take you on all the dates you want.”
“Katie, Dylan, order’s ready,” Hazel calls out, breaking the spell.
* * *
“What are you doing?” Dylan’s deep voice reverberates through the phone and straight to my core.
“I was taking a nap. I haven’t had much sleep the past two nights.”
“Are you complaining?”
“Not one bit.”
He chuckles. “Good, because I plan to keep you up all night again. I hope you’re well rested.”
“I’m recharged. What are you doing?”
“I’m just going over some paperwork. Can you come in at three thirty?”
“Of course.”
“Dress for dinner. I’m taking you out after our meeting.”
“A date?” I grin.
“Yes, beautiful. A date.”
“Will you tell me where you’re taking me so I know what to wear?”
“Is Private Affair okay with you?”
“Oh, you fancy,” I tease, and he laughs. “I’ve been there, but I’ve never had their food.”
“The food is good. I know the owner.”
“What a small world.” I feign shock. “I know the owner’s girlfriend.”
“I’ll make reservations for five thirty. That will give us enough time to talk business.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you in a bit.”
* * *
Ipull into the parking garage and park in a space reserved for Mac’s. Since I’m meeting Dylan’s parents for the first time, I decided on a fitted black dress that falls just below the knee with a short slit and a crisscross neckline, exposing my shoulders.
Climbing out of my car, I close the door before moving around to the other side. Opening the passenger door, I grab my red leather blazer and slip it on. I snatch my phone from the console and shove it inside my purse before closing and locking my car and heading for the entrance.
Stepping inside Mac’s, I scan the space as I walk up to the circular hostess stand. I’ve only been here once, back before I left for college.
Two blonde women stand behind the counter, one who looks like she’s in her late teens and another in her late thirties.
“You must be Katie,” the older woman says as she steps out from behind the hostess stand and extends her hand to me. “I’m Jessica Mackenzie.”
Jessica is a beautiful woman, with shoulder-length blonde hair, blue eyes, and a bright smile. I’m convinced everyone in Dylan’s family is attractive.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Mrs. Mackenzie.”
“Please call me Jessica. Dylan stepped out, but he should be back any minute.” She gestures toward two solid mahogany doors. “Come on. I’ll introduce you to Max.”
She pushes through the double doors and leads me through the bar. “It’s pretty slow between three and four,” she explains as she continues down the hall before stepping into an office.
A man who looks like Dylan twenty years from now looks up from his computer. His eyes flick between me and his wife.
“Max,” Jessica says, “this is Katie.” The way she says my name makes my stomach twist. What did Dylan tell his parents about me? “Katie, this is my husband and Dylan’s father, Max.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Mackenzie.” I extend my hand across his desk.
A slow smile pulls at his lips as he takes my hand. “It’s very nice to meet you, Katie. Please call me Max.”
“Pops!” a sweet voice calls out, and the sound of tiny feet pounding against the hard floor echoes from outside the office.
“Here she comes,” Max says, turning his chair sideways just as a flash of dark hair in pigtails barrels through the door and straight into Max’s open arms. “There’s my girl.” He settles her in his lap.
She turns her adorable face, pinning me with her big green eyes, and I suck in a breath. Willow.
Willow studies me, and I wonder if she remembers me or if she’s just fascinated by my blue hair. Dylan never mentioned a little sister, and Vanessa would’ve told me if he had a kid. Maybe she’s a niece or—
“Where’s your daddy and Harper?” Jessica asks, pulling me from my thoughts.
Wait… what?
I meant to ask Vanessa about Harper the other night after they left, but I never got the chance because Dylan distracted me.
“Dultin’,” Willow replies. “Dilly taked me ta get ice cweam.”
I love that she calls him “Dilly.” Sigh.
A deep, velvety laugh rings out, and I snap my head toward the sound to see Dylan walking through the door and straight over to me.
“Adulting,” he reiterates as he wraps one arm around my waist and presses a soft kiss to my lips.
He’s dressed similar to the night at Bliss: black dress pants, a black button-up with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing his tattoos, and black dress shoes.
“Is that what the kids are calling it these days?” I murmur so only he can hear.
“I guess so,” he replies with a chuckle. “I went home to change. Cole called to ask if she could hang out with me for a couple hours.”
So Cole is her dad?
Dylan must see the question on my face, because he leans in and whispers, “I’ll explain at dinner.”
I nod once before reaching into my bag and pulling out my iPad. I shoot him a wink. “Let’s get down to business.”
* * *
“So Willow is Cole’s daughter?” I ask. “He’s so young.”
We’re at Private Affair, tucked into a corner booth meant for two. Three staggered hurricane lanterns—tall, medium, and small—stuffed with fairy lights are situated in the center of the table. It’s very romantic.
“He is—was.” He sighs. “It’s partially my fault.”
My brows pinch. “What is?”
“Cole hooked up with Willow’s mother, Jade, at one of my college parties, and she got pregnant. A week before Willow was due, Jade got into a car accident.” He exhales a deep breath. “She didn’t make it.”
“Yous look like my angel mommy.”
An overwhelming wave of emotion crashes over me and settles in my chest. Tears fill my eyes and spill down my cheeks.
“Hey,” he says softly. “I didn’t mean to upset you. Maybe this isn’t the best conversation to have in a public place.”
Nodding, I dab my face with the cloth napkin and reach for my martini, hoping the alcohol will wash down the lump lodged in my throat. “It’s just… that’s extremely heartbreaking.” I sniff. “I don’t understand how any of that is your fault.”
“Cole was fifteen.” He clears his throat. “It was irresponsible of me to bring him to that party.”
“Dylan.” I place a hand on his arm. “Don’t you remember what you were doing at fifteen? I remember going to parties. I might not have been getting drunk or having sex, but that doesn’t mean my peers weren’t. At fifteen, we weren’t old enough to drive, so we’d have to find a ride. We’d lie to our parents about sleeping over at so-and-so’s house, and then we’d sneak out.” I snort. “High school kids are careless and reckless and will go to great lengths to find a party. In my opinion, their parties are far worse. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
“I guess I never looked at it that way. It’s hard not to feel guilty when I think about the defeated look on his face. His whole life had been football, and dreams of playing for the NFL.”
“He didn’t look defeated at dinner the other night. He looked happy and very much in love with Harper.”
“Jade was Harper’s sister.”
My brows jerk up. Wow. “That’s one hell of a plot twist.”
The server arrives with a fresh round of drinks and takes our orders. Dylan orders a steak, and I choose the parmesan-crusted chicken.
“I like your parents,” I say as I reach for my martini once the server leaves. “Although, they seemed a little surprised by me.”
“That’s because I’ve never introduced them to anyone before.”
“Really? You never brought a girl home to meet your parents? Not even in high school or college?”
“My prom date, only because my dad guilted me into going. But other than that, no. I had a few girlfriends in high school, but nothing that lasted more than a month or two. I dated a lot in college. I had a girlfriend senior year, but we were only together a couple months. What about you?”
“Same really.” I shrug. “I told you my last relationship ended badly. Before that, there were a few guys in college, nothing serious. A few boyfriends in high school, again nothing serious. And I went to prom with Kennedy,” I admit through a laugh. “I don’t think you met her, but she’s engaged to the deejay, Adam, who played at Bliss on New Year’s.”
“I didn't meet him, unfortunately, but he was good.”
“He is,” I agree. “Kennedy and Adam met in college. They were both pre-law. She went to law school, and Adam chose music.”
“Nothing wrong with that.” He reaches for his drink. “Tell me about your family. Do they live in Heritage Bay?”
“My parents are retired and live in one of those fifty-five-and-up communities about thirty minutes away. I have two older siblings. My brother lives in California, and my sister lives in Connecticut.”
The server returns with our salads and a Coke for Dylan.
“So why didn’t you just hire your mom to do the redesign?” I ask, genuinely curious.
“Because I think you’re more qualified for this project. My mom is an excellent designer, but she agrees. She, my dad, and Mimi looked at the pictures of Bliss on the Onyx Hotel website. They were beyond impressed. You’re very good at what you do.”
“Did you tell her I got fired?”
“Yes. It’s one of the reasons she was there today. She wants to hire you.” He grins. “I told her you’re doing your own thing right now, but that doesn’t mean you two can’t work together in the future. You’re going to make a lot of money on this project. My mom wants you to see her as an ally. She has a lot of contacts and resources, and she wants you to feel comfortable coming to her if you need help.”
“I truly appreciate that. What about your grandmother? Does she still design?”
He shakes his head. “No. Not professionally anyway.”
By the time dinner arrives, I’m feeling a little tipsy from the two martinis, and I’m starving.
“There’s something I want to tell you, but I don’t want you to think I’m a creep,” Dylan says as he cuts into his steak.
“What?” I choke out through a laugh.
“Do you remember when this place used to be Splash?” He pops a piece of steak into his mouth and chews.
Does he remember me?
“Yes.” I nod. My eyes move over his jaw as he chews, then swallows. Why do I find that sexy? “Kennedy and I came here on prom night. Gabbi took Vanessa home and met up with us. But then Vanessa showed up with Liam.” Then I remember something Vanessa told me. “Isn’t that why Liam bought this place? This is where he fell in love with Vanessa or something like that, right?”
Dylan pauses, and his lips quirk up on one side. “He told me sentimental reasons, but thank you for giving me a reason to bust his balls.” He takes a sip of his Coke. “I was here that night, too. I got here kind of late because my date was crowned prom queen.”
I remember the pretty blonde with the crown. “Were you the king?” I tease.
He scoffs. “God, no.”
“Really? I imagine you were popular in high school.”
“Because my last name is Mackenzie, but like you, I kept my circle of trust very tight. I didn’t feed into gossip or drama. I made decent grades, played baseball, hung out with a few guys from my team, and went to parties, but I was never interested in being part of the ‘it’ crowd.”
His eyes flick over my face. “I saw you.” I suck in a breath. “You were on the dance floor with your friends. I thought you were the prettiest girl I’d ever seen.” My heart is pounding. “Then you lifted your head and looked right at me—or at least I thought you were looking at me.”
“I was,” I admit.
He blinks. “You knew it was me?”
“Not exactly. It’s hard to explain, but I felt you watching me, and even with all those people around, I knew exactly where you were. You were talking to the guy beside you, but your eyes never left mine until the girl with the crown on her head walked up to you. You turned to look at her just as Kennedy dragged me off the dance floor because she was going to be late for her curfew. We left. Then when we were in London, I saw you watching me, and it was like prom night all over again. Gabbi is the one who told me who you were.”
“Don’t you think it’s weird how we’re connected through our friends and family, yet we’d never met?”
“Maybe we weren’t meant to meet yet.” I shrug. “Maybe our time is now.”
“Maybe.” He leans in. “But I plan to make up for lost time.”
I like the sound of that.
* * *
“What are you thinking?” Dylan asks as he settles behind the steering wheel.
We parked in the garage behind Private Affair, which is used for valet parking. There are a few spots near the door reserved for VIP—Liam’s parking spot.
I look over at him. “What if we’d actually met that night? If we’d danced,” I add. “Would things have turned out differently?”
Dylan grins as he steers toward the exit. “Don’t get caught up in the what-ifs. Appreciate the now.”
He pulls out of the parking garage onto a side street.
“I talked about you all night to Gabbi and Kennedy, but I think I would’ve been nervous to talk to you. You kinda have that bad-boy vibe. It’s a little intimidating,” I admit. “Even back then, I remember that look in your eye. The same look you had in London.”
“What look is that?”
“Like you wanted to brand your name on my ass.”
“I did.” Dylan chuckles as he pulls into a vacant lot and shuts off his truck, leaving his headlights on.
The light shines over the freshly cut grass.
“What are you doing?” I ask skeptically.
“You’ll see.” Pushing open the driver door, he climbs out and rounds the back of his truck to my side. Opening my door, he holds out his hand. “Remember when Liam gave Vanessa a prom do-over?”
“Yeah,” I drawl, taking his hand and climbing out.
My heels sink into the grass as he leads me to the front of the truck.
“Consider this a sort of do-over.”
Slipping his phone from his pocket, he taps the screen a few times, and a moment later, the familiar beat of “Boyfriend” echoes from the speakers inside his truck.
I can’t help the grin on my face. “You remembered the song?”
He sets the phone on the hood and holds his hand out to me. “I remember everything when it comes to you, Katie Bennett.”
He tugs me forward, turning me around and putting my back to his chest. He wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his hands on my stomach as our hips sway to the beat. Just like we did in London.
As if he hears my thoughts, he leans in and presses his lips to my ear. “What is it with you and Justin Bieber?”
I bark out a laugh and turn in his arms. “Admit it. You’re a closet Belieber.”
“Only when it comes to you.” He dips his head and molds his lips against mine. With our bodies pressed together, I snake my arms around his neck, and his hands move to cup my ass.
The song ends and immediately starts again. A groan rumbles in his chest, and he breaks the kiss before grabbing his phone and shutting off the music.
“Stay here,” he instructs before moving to the driver side and closing the door.
He walks back over to me, takes my hand, and leads me to the passenger side. He slides into the seat, then helps me climb inside.
“What are we doing?” I ask as I hike up my dress and straddle his lap.
“What do you think?” He smirks as he helps remove my jacket and tosses it on the back seat.
“You live like five minutes away.” I giggle.
“It’s a do-over, remember?” Leaning over, he shuts off the headlights, surrounding us in darkness. The only light comes from Pelican Cove across the street.
“Who says we would’ve had car sex?” I taunt.
Sliding a hand between us, he moves my panties to the side and pushes a finger inside me.
A moan slips past my lips.
“You said it yourself,” he says huskily. “I can be very persuasive.”