Page 27 of Legacy

My dad threw his head back and laughed. “Deal. There’s a reason your mother and I do not go into that shop.”

“Are we bad-mouthing Fiona again?” my mother called from the doorway, and I rolled my eyes.

“Always.”

“Well, come on in. Rune should be here soon. I folded your laundry for you if that was okay. Since I already know where everything is, I just set it aside. Though I did leave your delicates alone. I know we have boundaries.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help myself. Boundaries? My parents didn’t know them. Yes, they were the best parents you could ever have in the world, and I loved them dearly, but I truly needed to find an apartment of my own. I had been saving for it since college, but when I had moved out of the four Ls’ place and moved back to Ashford Creek to work at my favorite bookkeeping place, I’d stayed in my old childhood room at first, and then it had just turned into nearly a year of it. We each took turns grocery shopping, we all had chores, and I cooked dinner two nights a week. It was like living with the best roommates in the world. But they were still my parents.

There was only so much one could do with that. No wonder I didn’t date.

Okay, it wasn’t just that. It was the giant elephant in the room, aka, my brother’s best friend, but I wasn’t going to mention that.

“Is everything okay, baby?” my mom asked as she patted my cheek. I leaned into her touch and sighed.

“Everything’s great. I think I made a new friend.”

“I was the one who made sure they exchanged numbers,” Rune said as he walked up the pathway, four-pack of beer in hand. “Callum’s on his way too, by the way. I cornered him outside of his brewery and forced him to eat with us. He was going to microwave something. How wrong is that?”

“Of course, Callum’s always welcome. He’s like an honorary son. I’ll go set another place at the table.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll go do that,” I said quickly as I moved past her, heart racing.

This was good. Dinner with Callum was a normal thing. Ever since I had moved back, Callum at the dinner table had been an unwelcome reminder of the fact that we were in certain roles, and I needed to get over whatever crush I had. I needed to forget the kiss that had changed my life. Maybe it was earth-shattering and life-changing, but it couldn’t keep me where I was at. Only if I let it.

So I would have dinner with Callum. And my family. And I’d make a new friend soon with Keely. And I would find my own place. Or at least where I could find myself in Ashford Creek. It was time for me to get past whatever was blocking me.

Even if that block happened to be named Callum Ashford.

Chapter 3

Felicity

I remembered this taste. The way his hand had slid along the back of my neck, squeezing ever so slightly. I remembered the way his tongue had slid against mine, the resting, exploring, demanding. I remembered it all. And I craved it all.

“That’s a good girl. Now spread your legs for me.”

I groaned, letting my knees fall to the side, baring myself to him.

He licked his lips, then ran his hands through that thick beard of his. “Look at you. So sweet, all swollen for me. Have you been touching yourself?”

“Always,” I breathed.

The man in front of me just grinned, then reached down to slide his fingers through my wet folds. My hips shot up off the bed as he speared me with one finger, that thick digit achingly perfect. “So tight. This pussy will be mine. Do you understand that?”

“It’s always been yours,” I teased.

He chuckled, sliding his finger in and out of me. “Well then. Let’s make sure that’s the case.” He stood back, and I immediately felt the absence of his touch.

I groaned, reaching for him, but he slid through my fingers like smoke. I tried to focus on his face, but there was nothing, just a shadow.

“Callum?”

“You know I’m not for you, little flower. You’re too sweet. Too innocent. Too pure.”

My chest seized. “You don’t know that. I’m nothing like that. Why are you acting like this?”

“Because I know the truth. You’re never going to be mine. We both know this. Now, why don’t you go back to school like a good little girl, and I’ll go find someone who can take me.”