The Whiskey Effect: A Small-Town Standalone Romantic Comedy

by J. W. Ashley

  I swallow hard, forcing my attention away from there. Make him work for it at least a little bit. Directly in front of me is a large barn door. “This is awesome,” I say, surprised that I actually mean it. “I’ve never considered living in a barn. It’s amazing.”

  “Time-saving too.” He crosses the space and grips the handle of the large barn door, sliding it open.

  I gape as three horses look over wooden doors, their heads turned curiously toward us. One of the horses—a brown one with a white diamond on its forehead—lifts its head and neighs. “I’m coming, Clep,” Leo says with a smile. Glancing back at me, he holds a hand out. “You coming?”

  Nodding, I move toward him. I’ve never even seen a horse in person. My mom worked a lot, and Lena’s parents never had horses. Since those were the only two places I went—let’s just say I’ve never had an up-close-and-personal experience with farm animals.

  “This is Clep,” Leo says as he runs his hand over the horse’s long nose.

  I stare at the thing as if it might bite me. Wait, do horses bite?

  “He won’t eat you.” Reaching down, Leo touches my hand, putting his on the outside of mine, palm to the top of my hand, and lifts it.

  The horse’s nose is hard, the hair smooth beneath my hands. The thing moves, and I jump back, slamming into Leo’s hard body. I still, not wanting to move as his other hand goes to my hip.

  “You okay?” he asks, his hot breath fanning against the skin of my neck.

  Swallowing hard, I nod. “Sorry, first timer here.”

  “I’ll go easy on you.”

  I turn, lifting my head up. “Don’t.” Our gazes hold, and his hand tightens on my hip. A dog bark breaks his concentration, and he looks up.

  “We’re coming, Lila,” he says with a laugh and releases me. “This is Bobbie-Kay,” he says, gesturing to a lightly colored horse in the stall across from Clep. “And this,” he says, touching the face of a spotted horse, “is Revenue.”

  “Revenue?”

  He nods. “I got him as a foal four years ago. He’d been in a barn fire, and the owners were going to have him put down. He was a handful at first, but now we’re best buds, aren’t we, boy?” Lovingly, he runs his hands over the horse’s face.

  Rust-colored spots dot the horse's face and body. I step closer, and he lowers his head as if he’s greeting me. Reaching out, I rest my hand over the hair on the top of his head. I think it’s called a forelock. Or at least that’s what I’ve heard it called in movies.

  “You’re a sweet boy, aren’t you,” I murmur. The horse nuzzles me, and I laugh, not afraid anymore. “A very sweet boy with a fondness for boobs.”

  “Who doesn’t have a fondness for boobs?” Leo asks, and I laugh.

  “So, who’s Lila?”

  “Ahh, yes. Right this way.”

  I step away from Revenue and follow him down the center of the barn to the last stall. He reaches for the latch, and I stiffen. Surely, he’s not going to—

  “This is Lila.” He opens the stall, and the cutest puppy I have ever seen runs out. She jumps up on him, large paws on his legs, and he kneels to her.

  “She’s adorable.” I kneel, and the puppy runs over to me, black tail wagging, one ear standing straight up, the other folded over. “What kind of dog is she?”

  “German Shepherd. She’s going to be my vicious guard dog.”

  She whines and licks me on the face. “Super vicious,” I say with a laugh and lose myself in puppy kisses.

  Leo

  Damn. The sight of Claudia in my space—interacting with my dog—let’s just say I’m not thinking about riding a horse now. She stands, her jeans tightening even further over an ass that is the subject of nearly every man’s wet dream.

  I reach down and adjust myself, not quite ready to be sporting a chub. Especially not when I promised to go horseback riding with her. Can’t say I’ve ever had that problem, but I imagine it’s not fucking comfortable.

  She turns to me, flashing that million-watt smile that nearly knocks me to my knees just so I can beg her to keep it up. “What’s the plan?”

  “Well, I was thinking we could go out riding, and then I’ll cook you a steak—if you eat meat, that is. If not, I have some salad in the fridge.”

  She snorts. The most adorable sound I’ve ever heard. “I eat meat.”

  “Good. Not that there’s anything wrong with it if you don’t.”

  “Naturally.” Her grin spreads. “Which horse are we riding?”

  “Well, I’m going to put you on Bobbie-Kay. She’s the gentlest, and I’m going to walk with you—to start.”

  She pales. “I’m riding alone?”

  I nod. “I have a helmet you can borrow. I give lessons,” I explain.

  “Then I suppose I’m in capable hands.” Her eyes glint, and the green that matches the exact shade of her shirt darkens.

  “Very capable.” Words loaded with meaning have been passing between us all afternoon, and I can’t help but feel like I’ve known her a hell of a lot longer than the eighteen hours it’s been since the first time I laid eyes on her. “Are you ready to give riding a try?”

  “Let’s do it.”

  The breezeway is large, but right now, with her in it, it feels cramped—every time I take a breath, the delicate perfume she’s wearing fills my lungs. So before I do something incredibly stupid like throw her over my shoulder and cart her up to my bed, I turn on my heel and head for my tack room.

  I pull out a saddle and set it on its horn on the floor. Then, I set a bridle on top of that—with a lead line since I’m not entirely sure how comfortable she’s going to be. After retrieving a saddle blanket, I hand her a black riding helmet and lift the saddle.

  Her eyes widen, nostrils flaring when I lift the bundle. I grin. It’s good to know she’s just as into me.

  “So, do they not have horses in Boise?” I joke as I set the tack down to the right of Bobbie-Kay’s stall.

  “They do,” she shoots back. “I just haven’t had much of an opportunity. My mom worked a lot to support me, so there weren’t extra funds for me to take lessons.”

  “Gotcha.” I feel guilty at bringing it up, but she doesn’t seem bothered.

  “I’m excited though. It’s on my bucket list.”

  “You have a bucket list?” I open the gate and walk into the stall to slip the halter on Bobbie.

  “I do.”

  “What else is on this bucket list?” I ask, curious to know more about her.

  “Well, I want to go skydiving, visit Hawaii, rappel down a waterfall—” She blushes. “There’s a lot.”

  I grin. “Skydiving is fun, and Hawaii is gorgeous. I’ve never rappelled down a waterfall though.”

  “You’ve jumped out of a plane?”

  “Many times. I was an airborne ranger.” She gapes at me. “It’s not as impressive as you might think.”

  “And that’s a load of shit. It’s absolutely impressive.”

  I can’t keep the rush of pride at bay at the way she’s eyeing me like I’m a fucking superhero. And I’d sure as hell be lying if I didn’t admit that in her eyes—I’d love to have superpowers.

  I lead Bobbie out of her stall and tether her to the steel hitching post near the tack room. I’m grateful she doesn’t pepper me with questions about my service, it’s not something I care to talk about—the things I’ve seen. They’re ugly, and because of that, I rarely mention it to people I don’t know.

  Typically, the first question I get is whether or not I’ve ever killed someone. Why the fuck would I want to talk about that?

  “So, I can add soldier to your list.”

  Raising an eyebrow, I look over at her as I brush out Bobbie. “I have a list?”

  She nods. “So far, I have lumberjack, riding teacher, dog lover, minimalist, and now—super-soldier.”

  I chuckle and shake my head before setting the brush to the side and grabbing the saddle pad. The saddle goes on quickly, years of completing the rep
etitive action making it easy to keep up conversation.

  “I’m going to be right beside you,” I say as I unclip the rope, and replace it with the lead line. “I promise.”

  She eyes me warily before nodding, and together, with Bobbie between us, we walk out into the open Montana air. The round pen is only a few hundred feet from the barn, but today I’m opting for a more open experience. I want her to see the space I call home. The small ranch I bought with my bonus when I got home.

  Stopping just outside the barn, I step away and gesture toward the saddle.

  “You’ll be right beside me,” she confirms.

  “Yes.”

  “The whole time.”

  I hold up the lead line. “I’m not going anywhere, Red.”

  She lifts an eyebrow at my nickname. “I suppose it’s only fair since I have a pet name for you too, L.L.”

  I laugh. “At least you know what yours means.”

  “All in due time, my friend.” She steps up to the saddle and rubs her hands together. “I’ve seen this in tons of movies. I can do it.”

  I grin. “Need help?”

  She glances back at me. “Why? So you can grab my ass, all in the name of ‘assistance’? I’ve seen that move too, Mr.”

  Laughter bursts from me. She’s so fucking perfect. The complete package. Sex appeal, brains, and humor. “I guess I’ve been foiled. There goes my afternoon.”

  She reaches up and grabs the saddle horn, putting one of her pristine white chucks in the stirrup. With a little jump, she manages to get halfway up the saddle and swings a leg over, getting seated before grinning down at me.

  “I’m impressed.” I hold up both hands. She’s paler now than she was on the ground, and I reach up to hand her the reins. “You’ll be fine. Just don’t fall off.”

  “Easy for you to say from the ground,” she says tightly, her entire body stiff.

  “Ready?”

  She nods, so I start walking. Claudia’s knuckles are white as she grips the saddle horn, her entire body stiff as a board. Bobbie walks smoothly, and with each step, I see Claudia relax a little.

  “This is—not so bad.”

  I chuckle. “Wait till we start really moving.”

  She audibly gasps, and I throw a grin over my shoulder. “Kidding. We won’t go any faster than this today.”

  “Today? You think there will be a tomorrow?”

  “I know there will be a tomorrow.”

  She chuckles. “You’re confident.”

  “No reason not to be. I’m a firm believer in the whole ‘think it and it will happen’ train of thought.”

  “You are quite a man, L.L.”

  Her words boost my ego again, and I stand up a little straighter. This woman—I’ve never been around another like her. With a grin, I turn ahead and continue walking.

  The Best Meat I’ve Ever Had

  Claudia

  “That was amazing!” I exclaim as Leo brings Bobbie to a stop beside the barn.

  He smiles up at me. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “Maybe next time, you can ride a horse, and I can go solo.”

  “You think you’re ready for that?” Leo lifts a dark eyebrow and looks up at me.

  “Hell yes. Didn’t you see me up there? I’m a pro.”

  “A natural,” he agrees, and I beam. “Can I help you down?”

  I nod without hesitation. For one, I have no clue how to get down, and I’m pretty sure the way they do it in the movies would only make me look like an ass. And two, I’m desperate to feel his hands on me.

  He holds up both arms, and I lean down, not doubting at all that he’ll catch me. Hands on my sides, he lowers me to the ground, letting me linger against his body for a moment before releasing me. My breath hitches as I look up at the intensity in his stare—the animalistic way he’s looking at me sending my hormones into overdrive.

  “I—uh—let me get Bobbie settled back in her stall. Then we can do dinner.” He looks away first, and I watch him head for the barn.

  “I’d like to help.” I follow him into the barn and watch, impressed by how quickly he gets her unsaddled.

  Sweat mats her hair, and I reach forward to touch it, intrigued by the texture and new smell. Not bad—just different. Who knew horses don’t stink like humans when they sweat. Hell, I didn’t even know they could sweat. I guess I always thought they were like dogs and don’t.

  Leo hands me a comb thing that resembles something in a Barbie set Lena had when we were kids. I stare down at it, confused and intrigued that it’s real.

  “What do I do with this?”

  “It’s a curry comb,” he explains. He takes my hand and pulls me closer to his body before moving so I stand between him and Bobbie. I swallow hard as he steps behind me, hand over mine, and presses it to the horse. “You move it like this.” He guides my hand in a slow circle over the sweaty hair. Round and round he guides my hand until we’ve moved into some kind of slow dance.

  The feel of him against me—it’s more than I have ever felt.

  As he guides my hand around, he leans down and rests his lips against the side of my neck. I shiver, his breath hot against my skin.

  Bobbie whinnies, and Leo clears his throat, straightening and stepping back from me. I’m cold where he was, and while it’s only been seconds, I’m already aching for his touch.

  I finish brushing Bobbie like he showed me as Leo puts the tack away and feeds the horses. As soon as he’s done, I step back, proud that she seems relaxed now.

  “That feel good, girl?” I ask, stepping up to her face and running my hand down her long nose.

  “She likes you,” Leo says as he unties her and leads her back to her stall. She immediately goes to her food and begins eating, and I follow him to the tack room to put the curry comb away.

  “I like her,” I say. Lila barks from her stall, and Leo goes to let her out and bring her into the house with us. “I see the allure.”

  “Of?” He removes his hat, the bill of it having left a faint red line across his forehead. Running a hand through his sweaty hair, he strolls across the space and goes to the kitchen sink to wash his hands. I follow him in while Lila runs to her bowl.

  “Having the animals so close. You’re never alone.”

  He nods, and I wonder just what he’s seen that put the hollow look in his eyes. But right now, with the sound of the water in the background, I can see it—that tiny sliver of shadow eclipsing the light.

  I want to make it disappear, bring back the happy, playful man I’ve spent the afternoon with.

  “Want a drink?” he asks as he hands me a kitchen towel to dry my hands on.

  “That would be great, thanks.” He walks further into the kitchen and opens a cabinet, removing two glasses and a bottle of Irish whiskey.

  I study him as he pours. Is he as nervous as me? I’ve never struggled with hesitation. I’m a ‘jump in feet first’ type of person. Always have been, always will be. “Leo?”

  He turns to me and leans back against the counter. “Yeah?”

  “Do you feel it too?”

  His eyes darken, and he nods.

  Our gazes hold across the space, and I can’t breathe—can’t move—as he watches me. It’s as if we’re both waiting for the other to make a move, to prove that we aren’t alone in our desire.

  I step toward him, and he straightens, pushing off the counter.

  Another step. He sets the glasses down.

  His gaze falls to my lips, and I can’t help it—I run my tongue over my bottom lip. Leo groans. “You’re killing me.”

  “Then why are you holding back?”

  His eyes open at my question. “I have no fucking clue.”

  Leo reaches for me, and I clash against him. Mouths hot, feverish, he grips my ass and lifts me, setting me on the counter and stepping between my legs. His tongue against mine goes straight to my core, and the throbbing in between my legs only intensifies with the feel of his erection against me.
/>   I want him, desperately. He consumes me—and I’d sacrifice anything, everything, just to keep this moment going.

  His hand grips the back of my hair, his fingers threading into it, and he pulls my head back to expose my throat. His lips trail down the side of my face, my jaw, until he reaches the hollow of my throat.

  He nips at me, and I moan, pulling him closer to me as I reach down to lift his shirt. Fingers trailing against his warm skin, I pull it up, tossing it to the side as I get an eyeful of Leo’s insanely muscled chest. Three scars are the only blemishes on an otherwise marble-worthy body. And shit, honestly, the scars just enhance his masculinity.

  It’s ridiculous. Reaching forward, I place both hands on his chest, running them down his ridged body. His skin is warm beneath my touch, and he stills, eyes closing as I lean forward and press my lips to the skin stretched over his racing heart.

  Pulling away, I reach down and grab the hem of my own shirt, lifting it over my head and tossing the green fabric to the ground. His gaze leaves my face and travels down my body, over the white lace of my bra and the bare skin of my stomach.

  “You’re fucking gorgeous,” he groans as his hand glides down from my neck and over the cups of my bra. His palm continues lower, so I lie back against the island, my hair hanging off the edge. Leo’s eyes meet mine as he lowers his mouth to my stomach, trailing kisses over the delicate skin as he presses into me, hard as a fucking rock.

  I want him more than I’ve ever wanted another human being—something in him calls out to the brokenness I carry with me every day. As though he could fit the shattered pieces back together.

  He reaches for me, and I sit back up only to be tugged into his arms. Carrying me over to the stairs, he opens a mesh gate I hadn’t noticed before and closes it behind us. Supporting me with one arm the entire time.

  The mattress presses against my back, and he takes my mouth again, softer this time. Lips gentle, he kisses me tenderly as though I’m the most important thing in the world.

  Hands trail down my body, and he reaches for the snap of my jeans, undoing the button in one swift move. Gripping both sides of my jeans, he slowly lowers them down my body, holding eye contact with me the entire time.