McKenzie's Turn to Fall: A Holiday Romance

by Harlow James

  “You hungry?”

  “Starving,” I say in her ear as I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, her body melting into mine.

  “Well, eat up then, Dylan. You’re going to need your strength.”

  “Is that so?” I ask as I release her and walk around her to take a seat at her dining room table.

  She nods. “Yup. I’m not a girl who likes just one taste of anything. I need at least three bites before I make any final decisions on whether or not I truly enjoy something.”

  I grin at her playfulness, while internally calculating how everything just changed between us. I know McKenzie’s the one for me. I’ve felt it in my bones since I first laid eyes on her.

  But if she needs to be convinced more, then by all means, I am certainly up for the challenge.

  Chapter 14

  McKenzie

  “Who are you and what have you done with my best friend?”

  That was Brooke’s reaction when I called her after Dylan left later Saturday night. I almost asked him to stay, but a part of me needed space to analyze what just happened. Plus, after the five orgasms he gave me between the three times we had sex, I knew it was only a matter of time before my body slipped into a coma-like state and I wasn’t sure I was ready for him to witness that.

  Truth be told, coming onto to Dylan was very out of character for me, and even though Brooke has been the one convincing me to give him a shot, I think she was even more surprised than I was that I acted so brazenly.

  After I summarized what happened, she squealed on the phone and then regaled me with her own sexcapades that same night. Seems her and the silver fox got along more than okay based on how giddy she was on the phone.

  But now it’s been a week since our day/night of passion, and I’ve only seen Dylan once—Tuesday night when I went in to do my grocery shopping. He’s been texting me of course, but one of the other butchers had a family emergency, so he’s been filling in, making him work later hours and going in earlier than normal. However at this point, I don’t care if he shows up at two in the morning—I just need to feel him again. I need to submerge myself in our connection before I overanalyze myself into a corner and let embarrassment convince me that sleeping with him so soon was a bad idea.

  Luckily, on this dreary Friday evening, my phone is ringing and it’s his name flashing across the screen.

  “Hey,” I say as I answer.

  “Hey, Mac. What are you up to?”

  My eyes lift to my television that’s on with a re-run of Friends in the background. “Living the dream,” I joke. “How are you? I feel like’s it’s been forever since I’ve seen you.”

  He sighs, both out of exhaustion and what sounds like desperation. “I know. I’m sorry. I want to see you so badly, Mac. But I’m fucking exhausted. I still have three hours to go here at the store before I can go home and pass out.”

  “I take it you’re on a break then?”

  “Yeah. I just needed to hear your voice. Text messages aren’t cutting it for me anymore.”

  I smile, letting his honesty coat my heart in a warmth I’m entirely too unfamiliar with, but is growing on me each time we speak. “I’m glad you called.”

  “Listen, I know it’s not exactly romantic, but tomorrow is Halloween…”

  “Oh, crap! It is. Sorry, it’s not my favorite holiday so I don’t really pay too much attention to it. Besides, I don’t have kids, so trick or treating is not on my high list of priorities.”

  Dylan laughs in the phone, the vibrations making my thighs tingle. “Understandable. But I have nieces and nephews, so I’m a little more privy to the importance of this holiday.”

  “That makes sense.”

  “So, how would you like to see how the other half does Halloween? I’m assisting with taking my niece and nephew trick or treating, and I’d love it if you’d join us.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I mean, I know it’s not a fancy dinner, but…”

  “I’d love to go,” I reply, cutting him off. “I don’t need fancy. I really just want to see you,” I say with so much honesty it scares me, which then makes me wonder if that scares him.

  “Fuck, I wanna see you too, Mac. I can’t stop thinking about you.”

  “Dylan…”

  “I can’t stop thinking about you, woman, no matter how hard I try. I almost cut off my finger earlier because I was reliving Saturday for the thousandth time. You’ve officially taken over my mind.”

  “Well, don’t do that. I happen to like your fingers.” I let out a small giggle, enamored with knowing that he’s feeling the same way I am. Every day since our date has been filled with sporadic thoughts of him—the way his voice sounds when he’s flirting with me, the way his eyes sparkle as he stares at mine, the way he feels when he’s buried inside of me.

  I cannot get Dylan Porter out of my mind, no matter how hard I might try. And believe me, it’s even harder when I’m technically using him an inspiration for my book.

  “I can’t stop thinking about you either,” I whisper.

  “Fuck. I can’t go back to work with a fucking hard-on, Mac.”

  I cover my mouth as a laugh escapes. “I’m sorry?”

  “You don’t have any idea what you’re doing to me, do you?”

  “I might have a slight idea.”

  “So what are you going to dress up as for Halloween?” he asks, changing the subject thankfully, but mostly probably so he can get his problem under control.

  “Oh, I don’t dress up.”

  “No?”

  “Nope. Not my cup of tea. Are you dressing up?”

  “Well, I guess you’ll just have to wait and see tomorrow, won’t you?”

  “You can be quite infuriating, you know that?” I say through the grin that I can’t keep off of my face when I talk to him.

  “I might have heard that a time or two. Alright, well, I wish I could talk to you all night, Mac, but I have to get back to work. I’ll text you my sister’s address.”

  “Okay. Have a good night, Dylan. See you tomorrow.”

  “Can’t wait, beautiful. See ya.”

  The line goes dead, but I can still hear my heart beat in my ears from the excitement of knowing I get to see this incredible man again soon.

  ***

  “I never would have guessed that this would be your costume,” I say, gesturing toward Dylan as he stands in front of me. Although, I’m completely assuming it’s him in the Jack Skellington costume since I can’t exactly see his face.

  “Well, Kylie wanted Jaxon to be Jack with her, but he wanted to be The Mandalorian from the Disney Plus show. So, here I am,” he says with a wave of his hand down his body.

  “I have no idea what most of what you just said was, but I think what you did is extremely sweet.”

  “Why thank you. Now, I must get back into character,” he declares and then clears his throat. “What’s this? The most beautiful woman in Halloween town?” His voice booms in his best impression of the Pumpkin King himself as he looks at me.

  I can’t help but smile and shake my head at him. “Smooth. I’d kiss you right now if this damn mask weren’t in the way.”

  He leans in closer to my face, close enough that I can finally see his eyes through the black mesh covering his. “No kissing in front of the children, Mac.”

  “Okay…”

  “Because the way I plan on kissing you is definitely not suitable for young eyes.”

  My heart threatens to escape my ribcage as my thighs clench together. “Promises, promises,” I tease.

  “Oh just you wait until I deliver on those promises,” he says on a low growl that speaks of desires and fantasies, and I’d be lying if my body wasn’t humming with need for this man again. “Now,” he sings, back in character, “we can’t waste another moment of the most glorious night of the year, can we? Sally! Where has my love gone?”

  Within seconds, a high pitched squeal alerts us to the arrival of Sally herself
. “Here I am, Jack!” The young girl comes barreling down the sidewalk to the end of the driveway where we’re standing, crashing into Dylan’s legs as he intercepts her.

  “Ah. Reunited at last,” he breathes dramatically, and the girl beams up at him in response.

  Dylan crouches down now to her level. “There’s someone I want you to meet. Kylie, this is McKenzie. McKenzie, this is my favorite little girl in the world, my niece.”

  Adoration blooms inside of me. “It’s nice to meet you, Kylie. Your Uncle Dylan invited me to go trick or treating with you. Is that okay?”

  She nods confidently. “Yup. He asked me permission beforehand, so we’re good.”

  I can’t help but chuckle. “Awesome. I’m excited. It’s been years since I’ve been.”

  “Halloween is the best holiday. Besides Christmas. And Valentine’s Day.”

  “You like Valentine’s Day?”

  She smiles again. “Yes. It’s the day of love. And candy hearts. Those are my favorite.”

  I look over at Dylan, who has removed his rubber Jack head now, beaming down at his niece. It’s clear these two have a fairly strong bond, especially if he’s willing to be her Jack for the night.

  “I happen to love Valentine’s Day too.”

  “Alright, are we ready to go?” Dylan’s sister calls out from the front porch, holding two plastic pumpkins, a large bag, and two tumblers in her hands.

  Dylan turns and replies, “Yup,” then faces me again. “You ready? Did you wear comfortable shoes like I told you?”

  I peer down at my sneakers and then wiggle my foot out for effect. “Yes. I followed directions.”

  “Good, because your feet will be killing you before the night is over. But don’t worry, I plan on making you forget all about the pain later with a whole lot of pleasure.”

  Closing my eyes, I struggle to breathe. “Dylan…”

  “Alright, flirty boy. Sally won’t be patient much longer, and The Mandalorian is gonna slice you with his lightsaber if we don’t get a move on,” his sister barks out just before she arrives where we’re standing with Dylan’s nephew in tow, fully in stoic character. “You must be McKenzie,” she acknowledges, reaching out to shake my hand.

  I accept the gesture and nod. “Yes, it’s nice to meet you officially, Robyn. I mean, I know you saw me at the park, but we didn’t actually speak.”

  “Likewise. I’ve been hearing about this incredible woman he’s been seeing for weeks now, so it’s nice to be able to judge you for myself.”

  Her boldness catches me off-guard, spiking my nerves.

  “Robyn, be nice. Stop acting like you’re a hard ass.”

  She eyes Dylan with a lift of her brow. “You know damn well I can be a hard ass.”

  “I know. But I kinda like this girl, so cut the shit… Uh, I mean, crap.”

  Kylie chuckles below us. “It’s okay, Uncle Dylan. I know you say bad words.”

  “Yeah,” Jaxon interjects. “I’ve heard you say worse on the football field.”

  Dylan rakes his hand through his hair in frustration. “Jesus. Is this pick on Dylan night? Can we just go get some free candy now, please?”

  Robyn and I both laugh as the kids pump their fists in the air with a scream and we’re off.

  “This is for you,” Robyn hands me one of the tumblers, breaking the silence as we stroll along behind Dylan and the kids. Kylie was insistent that Jack and Sally hold hands from house to house, which is both sweet, but also makes me slightly jealous since I wanted to be the one holding his hand.

  “Thank you.” I take a sip and instantly wince as the shock of the taste of wine hits my tongue. “Oh… I wasn’t expecting that. Is this …”

  “Wine? Yup. Believe me, you’re gonna need it to survive the night.” At that very moment, blood curdling screams ring out in front of us as a young girl gets scared in a haunted house one of the neighbors made in their garage.

  “In a tumbler? Interesting. I never thought of doing this.”

  Robyn smiles proudly. “I actually read about it in a romance novel. The girl and her best friend would stroll around their neighborhood and drink wine in tumblers while she pushed her kids in the stroller. I thought it was utterly genius.”

  I laugh. “I think I know exactly which book you’re talking about. So… you read romance novels?”

  “Oh yeah. I can’t read a book that doesn’t have sex in it. I mean, how boring.” She rolls her eyes dramatically, but then winks in my direction.

  “I don’t know if Dylan told you what I do for a living, but I actually write them.”

  Robyn grips my shoulder and stops us dead in our tracks. “Shut up!” And then her eyes widen and she gasps, covering her mouth with her hand. “Oh, my God! You’re McKenzie Daniels! That’s why you look so familiar!”

  I wince through a smile and nod, always unsure how to respond in moments like these. Again, I’m not ashamed of what I do, but meeting a fan is always an interesting experience. But this isn’t just some random reader—no this is the sister of the man I’m seeing.

  “I LOVE your books! Dylan!” she screams as Dylan stops walking and turns to face us. “Why on earth didn’t you tell me you were dating McKenzie Daniels?”

  “Uh… was I supposed to tell you her last name and social security number ahead of time?”

  She shakes her head at him as he walks closer, the kids staying near us but far away not to eavesdrop, I think. “She’s a writer. A romance writer. You know how much I love those freaking books!”

  Dylan nods as if he understands the big deal now. “Oh, shit, sis. I didn’t think about it. You’re right. Yes, McKenzie is a writer.”

  “A fantastic one!” she smiles big, practically bouncing in front of me.

  “Aw, thank you.” I can feel my cheeks blush.

  “I don’t even know what to do with myself right now. I have so many questions and things I feel like I need to say.” Robyn’s icy demeanor from before has transformed into that of a fangirling teenager.

  Dylan grabs my arm, pulling me in to him. “I love you, Robyn, but you need to calm down. I’m gonna take McKenzie for a moment so you can get yourself together.”

  She points a finger into his chest. “You’d better not screw this up, Dylan. This woman is a queen. A goddamn queen!”

  “Okay. Noted.”

  With Dylan now holding my hand, I take another sip of my wine and walk beside him as Kylie and Jaxon run up to the next house.

  “I’m so sorry about my sister,” he says, looking over his shoulder as Robyn stands there, fingers firing away on her phone.

  “It’s alright, truly. I’m lucky to have fans like that. They allow me to do what I do for a living. It never gets old. It just gets more real.”

  He rips his mask off for a moment to plant a kiss on my lips while we’re alone, and then puts it back on. “I love that you appreciate what you have.”

  “Thank you.”

  “So tell me, Mac. What’s your candy of choice? I know you have an affliction for cookies, but I feel like you just have a sweet tooth in general.”

  Kylie and Jaxon come barreling down the driveway of the house, barely stopping to say hello as they race to the next door and we hustle to catch up.

  “You’re not wrong. But when it comes to candy, I can’t resist a Kit Kat. I just feel like you can always be in the mood for them. Other candies serve their purpose at certain times, but I’ll never turn down a Kit Kat.”

  Dylan eyes me from the side, his thumb brushing against mine as he still holds my hand in his. “Well, I feel like I have a serious question I need to ask you then.”

  “Okay…”

  “Are you a breaker or a chomper?”

  I huff out a laugh. “A what?”

  “You know… do you break the pieces apart before you eat them? Or do you just chop into it like a savage?”

  I’m fighting my grin as I try to think about how I eat a Kit Kat. I didn’t realize there was proper etiquette in this
matter.

  “I feel like you’re putting me on the spot here, Dylan.”

  His eyes search out his nephew and niece before landing back on me. “This could be a deal breaker for us.”

  “Really?”

  He nods. “Yup. Now tell me.”

  Nervous that he’s truly being serious, but pretty sure he’s joking, I take a deep breath and reply, “Proud chomper.”

  His smile stretches far and wide as his eyes gleam with mischief. “A girl after my own heart.”

  “You’re a chomper too?”

  “Undoubtedly. Breaking apart the sticks is only necessary if you plan to share the candy…”

  “And who wants to do that?” I finish for him as we both share a good laugh.

  Dylan dramatically wipes sweat off his forehead. “Glad I don’t have to kick you to the curb now.”

  “Me too. I’d hate to have to explain to Brooke that this thing ended over a Kit Kat debate.”

  “I don’t think she could handle that, Mac. Glad we saved her some heart break,” he says with a wink as we continue to stroll hand in hand. “I feel like I need to extend this conversation further though now.”

  “Alright.”

  “Kit Kats are good, don’t get me wrong. But I’m all about the Reese’s.”

  “Oh, those are a close second for me.”

  “There’s something you should know about me before this continues, Mac,” he says with an air of seriousness. My throat constricts as I await what it is that he could possibly have to drop on me in this moment.

  We’re surrounded by families, children running amuck, and his sister trailing us. Surely, whatever he has to say can’t be that bad. We just spend the better part of five minutes discussing the proper way to eat a Kit Kat. Is he really going to drop some sort of bomb on me while we’re trick or treating?

  “Okay…”

  “I have an unhealthy obsession with peanut butter.”

  I laugh, but then brace myself for more. “Is that all?”

  His face falls which makes me think he’s not joking. “I’m serious, Mac. It is my favorite thing to eat. I will never run out of it in my house. I eat it at least once a day, and Reese’s are like crack to a guy like me. The way you love cookies? That’s how I am about anything with peanut butter.”