Taking Risk Series

by Toni Aleo

“A pint for me. Dec?” Kane says, glancing over at him. I do the same, and his eyes are intense on me. Gosh, his eyes are so blue. Almost sparkling, but his brows are squished together, along with his lips, in a straight line. He looks like he’s in pain.

  I laugh as I reach out, poking the middle of his head, causing his eyes to widen in surprise. I swear I hear people gasp, but I ignore them as I say, “I’m just asking what you’d like. No reason to look at me like that! Are you suffering from ARF?”

  He blinks a few times as Kane laughs from beside him. “ARF?”

  I really don’t know what has gotten into me. Is it the nerves of being around him? I don’t know, but I can’t stop smiling as I say, “Asshole Resting Face. You look so mad. It’s a beautiful day, the birds are singing, and you are in the best pub in Mayo. What do you have to be angry about? Plus, we are serving cottage pie, a delicacy that people come from all over for. My aunt Shelia is the best cook ever, and I promise it will wipe that frown right off that beautiful face of yours. So let’s try this again, what can I get you to drink?”

  He looks down, a smile playing on his lips, before looking back up at me, “Are you calling me an arsehole?”

  I shake my head, a playful smile resting on my lips. There is something about him that keeps me from looking away. He is beautiful, interesting, and I like the way his face warms with color when I gaze into his eyes. Leaning on the bar, my face resting in my hands, I say, “No, not at all. I just don’t understand the look. You don’t even know my name, and you are glaring at me. What did I do to you?”

  He leans toward me, and God, he smells delicious—something woodsy and spicy. This close, I can see that his square jaw has a tad bit of stubble, not much, but enough to make me want to reach out and touch it. With his eyes locked on mine, he says, “You’re right. What is your name?”

  In a low voice, I say, “Amberlyn Reilly. Shh, don’t tell, but I’m a Yank.”

  He smiles and winks. “I’ll take it to me grave.”

  I have always been intrigued by the accent here in Ireland, but Declan makes it positively sexy. With redness warming my cheeks, I lean back, holding on to the bar as I ask, “Great, so since you don’t look like you want to stab me any longer, what can I get you?”

  Kane laughs, but he doesn’t. He just watches me. He’s so serious, and that just makes me more curious. “A pint of beer please, and also some of that cottage pie.”

  Kane says, “I’ll have the same.”

  “Coming right up, fellas,” I say before turning to go get them a beer. Before I can, Fiona is dragging me to the back, despite my protest. “What the hell?” I scold.

  “What the hell? Amberlyn! You just poked the Whiskey Prince in the head and called him an arsehole! Are you crazy?”

  “What? He thought it was funny because obviously I was joking!”

  “He’s the Whiskey Prince!”

  “So? He seems just as normal as us.”

  Exasperated, she says, “Jaysus! Amberlyn, he is a big deal, okay? Wait…” She pauses, taking a large breath before setting me with a look. “Who is the most famous person ever that you love?”

  I don’t even think before saying, “Justin Timberlake.”

  She goes to say something but pauses before saying, “Oh good Lord, that’s a fine one. He is so good looking.”

  “I know, beautiful,” I gush with a dreamy smile, but then I am taken aback when she waves her hands widely in my face.

  “Focus! Imagine that Declan is Justin Timberlake. That is how big he is here. Maybe even bigger.”

  I want to ask why because it seems silly to me that a whiskey maker is so famous. Before I do though, I say, “He does kind of have Justin’s hair from NSYNC.”

  “He does, doesn’t he?”

  We both look around the corner at where Kane and Declan are talking. He looks so good, leaning against the bar carelessly, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. He is nervous, and I want to ease that. I don’t like that everyone is still staring at him either. He is a normal guy wanting some beer and pie. Can’t he eat his damn pie? I look back over at her. “He is so dreamy.”

  “I know, but he is engaged and totally off-limits to us mere mortals. I don’t even know why he is here. It’s weird. I mean, look at the way everyone is just staring. It’s odd, you know?”

  I don’t have to look, I know they are, but what I hate more than that is she just reminded me he is engaged. I forgot that part and now all my hopeful thoughts come to a crashing halt as my gaze falls back on him. He really is a gorgeous man, but like she said, completely out of my grasp.

  “I’m not going to treat him any differently. He is just a normal guy to me.”

  She shakes her hand. “I’m telling you that you have to, Amberlyn. He isn’t normal.”

  “Why though?” I ask before she walks away.

  “Because he is the Whiskey Prince.”

  Chapter 6

  Declan

  My nerves are all over the place.

  Since the moment we walked in and everyone’s gaze fell on me, my heart has been beating out of control. Then I sat down, she looked into my eyes, and everything disappeared. It was only us.

  Amberlyn.

  Fuck, she is beautiful. I thought she was something yesterday, but today, all glossed-up, wearing a sweet green dress with her hair tied up on top of her head, I can’t form a coherent thought. Kane was right when he said she had sweet eyes and freckles. Fuck, what a sight they are. They shine bright, her eyes, an unbelievable aquamarine that I’ve never seen before in person. They have specks of gold in them and shine even when she is looking at me all perplexed. Her freckles dust along her nose and cheeks, also in various spots all over her body. Her skin is red, and I figure that was from sitting out in the sun too long yesterday. The back of my neck is burnt, but having all the time I did to stare at her was completely worth it.

  Even with her running around the pub working, I can’t help but watch her and know where she is every second. Everyone loves her. They all talk and have a laugh with her, and when she laughs, I swear the world comes to a stop. I want to make her laugh.

  Problem is—I’m not sure how to do that.

  “You should ask her out.”

  I look over at Kane, who is stuffing his gob with the fabulous cottage pie. Amberlyn was right. It was the best—not that I’d admit that to my ma or grandma. “Fuck off,” I scowl, shooting him a look as she comes up to us.

  “Need anything, guys?”

  Say something. Say anything. Tell her yes, that you need her number! Say something, you eejit! I scream to myself in my head.

  “No, we are fine. Thank you.”

  For fuck’s sake, I’m a gobshite. Pure and simple.

  She sends me a quick grin before rushing off to fill pints for Fiona, who, by the way, is just a good-looking as Kane claimed. I wish I would have said more, but I feel something between us. She keeps glancing at me, holding my gaze as she fills things from the tap or makes drinks. The air is sizzling, and surely, I’m not the only one who feels it.

  “Kane Levy, I’m not happy with you!”

  I look up to find Fiona glaring at Kane. I glance over to see my best friend with a smirk on his face as he leans toward her.

  “Is that right?” he asks.

  “Yes, you didn’t call me and tell me you were coming in. I would have at least made sure my hair was done!”

  He laughs as he shakes his head, reaching out to take her hand in his. She glances down at their entangled fingers before looking back up at him. Her face is warming with color, her eyes bright as she leans into the bar, closer to him.

  “You’re undeniably the most gorgeous woman in the world. Bad hair and all.”

  She giggles as he reaches out with his other hand, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. I can see their chemistry; it’s blinding. I like her for him too and can see why he’s so taken with her. I’m also jealous—I want what they have. I want Amberlyn to come over and get lost in my
eyes. I want to touch her, feel her against me. Oh, I have it bad.

  “When ya gonna ask me out?” she asks, bringing my attention back to them.

  He chuckles, letting go of her hand and picking up his fork. “When I feel like it.”

  “When’s that?” She’s biting her lip, looking extremely sexy, and I’m surprised Kane isn’t drooling over her. She’s a sight, that’s for sure.

  “Not sure yet.

  “You’d better hurry, I have plenty of offers,” she says. He laughs.

  “Then by God, off you go. They won’t last a second. You’re mine.”

  I scoff at that, but Fiona’s face reddens. She is about to say something, but Amberlyn calls her, “Fiona, come help me.”

  “We will finish this later.”

  Before she can walk away, Kane takes a hold of her wrist and says, “Yeah, over a drink tonight? Maybe go see a movie when you get off?”

  She bites into her lip again, and I have to applaud him for his way with the ladies. She is his, she may not know it and might not want to admit it, but her body language says it all. With a nod, she says, “Yeah, I’ll get off early. I’m sure Amberlyn won’t mind.”

  “Sounds good, text me.”

  “I will,” she promises, and then she is off. I glance over to see Kane grinning, licking his fingers before draining the rest of his pint.

  “She’s mad about you.”

  “And I’m the same about her,” Kane admits as he looks away. “She’s a great girl.”

  I take the last bit of my pie before pushing my plate away and say sullenly, “We need to get back.”

  “Yeah, I know,” he says as he stands, throwing some bills on the bar. “Fiona, I’m off. See you tonight?”

  “Yeah, see ya,” she calls from where she and Amberlyn stand, stacking dishes. Amberlyn looks at me and smiles. I want to say something, anything, but all I do is look away like a gombeen. Once outside, I let out a long breath as Kane clasps his hand on my shoulder.

  “So, Dec, how ya feeling?”

  I nod. “Okay, actually.”

  “Been telling ya that for years. It’s good for ya to get out.”

  “Sure, and she’s extremely good-looking.”

  “Fiona? Oh, I know.”

  “No, Amberlyn,” I correct, and he grins as he squeezes my shoulder.

  “Yeah, she is. You should ask her out.”

  I nod. “I want to. Give me a few.”

  “Want me to ask Fiona to get you together?”

  I shake my head quickly. “No, promise me, Kane, that you won’t say a word. I want to do this myself.”

  He stops, holding his hands up. “OK! Sure! I promise. Take it easy, Dec. I’m just trying to help.”

  I must have said that sharper than I intended, but I know Kane. I know he wants to help, but I can’t let him. I want her to want me for me, not because her cousin asks her to. I feel something between us and I’m sure she feels it too, but I want to be sure before I ask. Before I put my heart out there, because she could be one to fall for. It’s sudden, I know, but I just feel it. Soul-deep. And I’ve never felt like this before, so that has to count for something.

  Now all I have to do is get my head out of my arse and do something about it.

  * * *

  I’ve been sitting in my car outside of the pub for an hour now.

  I can’t bring myself to go in. I drove here all on my own, didn’t even tell Kane I was coming, but for some reason, I can’t get out of the fucking car. My hands are shaking and my heart is pounding, but I know I have to ignore that. Letting out a breath, I sit up in my seat, shaking out my hands before pushing the door open and getting out. Shutting the door, I lean into my car and take in a lungful of air.

  I can do this. I can. Sure. No big deal.

  Forcing myself to walk, I head to the door and pause, my hand hovering over the handle as I take in deep breaths. This is not a big deal. I am freaking out for fuckin’ nothing. Pushing in, I am prepared for the stares, but I find the place empty.

  “Welcome to the… hey!”

  I look up to find Amberlyn behind the bar, a rag in her hand and a smile on her beautiful face. “It’s you.”

  I nod. “It’s me.”

  “Come on in, you have your fair share of seats to choose from since the place is empty. You’ve missed the rush. I hope you’re not hungry ’cause I’m the only one here, and I can’t promise that you’ll get something edible,” she says with a laugh. Her laughter surrounds me, willing me to walk in and sit down in front of her just for the chance to hear more of it. “Pint?”

  I nod. Hopefully, it will calm my nerves. “Please.”

  “Sure!” she says as she fills the pint. “Now, please don’t tell me you want food.”

  A smile plays on my lips. “Actually, yes, I came for lunch.”

  She lays her head down on the bar, looking up at me through her long eyelashes. She is so pretty, so sweet, and I love the playful way about her. “Ugh, you’re killing me, Declan. Okay, what do you want?”

  “I can go somewhere else,” I say, even though that is the last thing I want.

  She straightens up quickly, shaking her head. “No, please, I’m sorry! I’m just a horrible cook, and I don’t want to keep you from coming back to the pub!”

  That won’t ever happen.

  “I doubt you’re that bad.”

  “You’re right—I’m horrible,” she says, smiling at me. “But nonetheless, what can I get ya?”

  I glance at the menu real fast and decide on, “Bacon and cabbage?”

  “Oh, thank God, all I have to do is warm that!”

  I smile as she rushes off to fill my order. I take the time to drain my pint, praying it calms my nerves and gives me the courage I need to talk to this beautiful woman. When she comes back, she smiles as she lays my plate before me. “Here ya go.”

  “Thanks,” I say as I start to dig in and she refills my pint. Putting it beside my plate, she leans against the bar as she watches me eat. I know it should bother me, but it doesn’t.

  “Good?”

  “Sure, real good.”

  “Thank goodness,” she says with a big grin. It brightens her whole face, and suddenly I’ve forgotten how to chew my food as I get lost in her eyes. But then she looks away and asks, “So, about yesterday…”

  I pause as I watch her. She is nervous, maybe even a little embarrassed. I don’t know why she would be though. Yesterday was grand, but today has the chance to be better.

  “Apparently, I offended you.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah, I’m not allowed to touch you or joke around with you, so I’m sorry, and I won’t do it again.”

  My brow furrows as I watch her. “Why not?”

  “’Cause you’re the Whiskey Prince. I mean, I don’t get it, you’re just a regular guy to me, but apparently, to my family, you are the Michael Jackson of Ireland. So, I apologize.”

  I laugh. “The Michael Jackson?”

  She smiles. “From what I’ve been told.”

  I shake my head, and when her gaze meets mine, I smile. “You didn’t offend me yesterday, Amberlyn. I like that you think I’m a regular guy. It’s grand, and it’s how I want it to be.”

  She bites into her lip, and it hits me in my core. She’s stunning. Her eyes are shining, her lips glossed, and I love the color pink on her. More than I do the green from yesterday. But unlike yesterday, her hair is down and falling in her face. I want to be like Kane and reach forward to tuck it behind her ear, but I can’t bring myself to do it.

  “I’m glad. I didn’t want to offend you. I was just being myself.”

  “Good, keep being you. I don’t want anything less than that.”

  She smiles, backing away slowly as she promises, “Believe me, I won’t.”

  We share a smile. She looks away as she busies herself with wiping the counter, but I’m not done talking to her. “You know that secret I’m taking to me grave?”

  She nod
s as her grin grows. “You’re still keeping that, right?”

  I laugh. “Yeah, but can I ask what brought you to this great country of mine?”

  Her smile falters a tad before she looks away. “My mom passed away two months ago.”

  Her visible pain stabs me in the chest. “I’m so sorry.”

  She tries to smile, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “Thank you. But that’s the reason I’m here. Never in a billion years did I think I’d come here without them, my parents, I mean. My dad passed away when I was twelve.”

  Fuck, that’s unthinkable! This poor woman. Both her parents? How is she standing, smiling, and living a life? I would be lost. I love my parents. Yes, they are always on me, but we are a loving family. We need each other. I don’t understand it. Most of all, I’m impressed by her. She is strong. That’s easy to see, and it amazes me. “Wow, I’m sorry again.”

  “Thanks, but she wanted me to start a new life. My parents grew up here. My aunt Shelia is my dad’s sister. My mom had this whole plan about me coming here and trying something new. She was afraid I’d get stuck if I stayed in the States. I’m pretty confident she was right.”

  “That’s amazing. Fair fucks to ya for taking the risk. That’s a lot to take when you are hurting, I’d think.”

  “Yeah, it sucks. I miss them, so much, but I’m happy with my choice of coming here.”

  I am too, I want to say, but instead I just nod before taking a bite of my bacon. When I look back up at her, she is watching me, her eyes boring into mine. “Can I ask you something?”

  “Sure, yeah, go ahead.”

  I fully expect her to ask me why they call me the Whiskey Prince, but to my surprise, she asks, “What’s up with the beanie? It’s hot out!”

  I laugh as I look down, shaking my head. My cheeks are warm and my heart is pounding, but I feel so alive. Looking up, I say, “I don’t like my hair.”

  “Why? It’s so cute!”

  “That’s why—people think it’s cute. Cute is not a manly word,” I say, deadpan, but she just laughs before reaching out and pulling it off my head. I go to reach for it, but she puts it on her head, a grin on her face that is nothing less than intoxicating.