Taking Risk Series

by Toni Aleo

  I smirk up at him before saying, “Lookin’ sharp there, Kane.”

  Kane gives me a look before dropping the paper on the desk. On the front is a picture of Amberlyn and me from the movies. I am holding her so tight that her shirt has come up in the back, but we both look so blissful as we share a long kiss. I want to keep staring, but then I see the headline above it.

  Is she out for the O’Callaghan fortune?

  “Ah, for fuck’s sake,” I mutter before reading the article. It a bunch of hogwash, basically saying that my girl is a gold-digging American out to steal everything from my family. It’s disgusting and so far from the truth that I crumple it up before tossing it in the trash. “Bullshite, that is,” I say, pointing to the paper and hoping like hell Amberlyn hasn’t seen it. I doubt she has though because we’ve been in the paper many times and she hasn’t said anything. Since she hasn’t brought it up, I sure won’t. No reason talking about something that is a complete lie and means nothing.

  Kane nods. “I agree. She hasn’t seen it from what Fiona said,” he says, answering my unasked question.

  “Grand. Fuck, why do they say these things? They don’t know anything about us.”

  “You know that Amanda Dralls has a thing for ya, so you better believe she is going to do everything to run your relationship through the mud,” he points out, speaking of the local paper editor. I slept with Amanda once when I was a kid, but I haven’t spoken to her since. She is a little off her rocker, obsessed with me and shite, which makes what Kane just said plausible.

  “Fuckin’ bitch,” I say, venom lacing my voice.

  “Sure is,” Kane agrees, tucking his hands in his pockets. “Your da saw it, though.”

  “Fuck it, I thought today was supposed to be a good day,” I groan, rubbing my temples with my fingers.

  “The night is still young, Dec.”

  I roll my eyes. “Maybe, but you know my da will have something to say.”

  He nods. “I know, but don’t let it get to you. It doesn’t matter.”

  “True, true,” I mutter, even though I know I’ll still allow it to bother me.

  “All right, well, I’m excited to get my hands on Fiona. So I guess on that note, I’m off. See ya tonight.”

  I glance at the clock. The ball doesn’t start for another two hours. “Why so early?”

  He turns, a grin on his face before he says, “I’m taking her to dinner before and hoping for a quickie somewhere in between.”

  “You’re a dirty man, Kane Levy.”

  Kane laughs as he heads through the door. “Be jealous, Dec.”

  I stand, coming around the desk as I call out, “What the hell do I have to be jealous about?”

  The grin remains on Kane’s face as he looks back at me. “That I’m getting it and you’re not.”

  “Ah, fuck off,” I say, turning my back to him.

  “Exactly,” Kane says just as I slam the door before returning behind my desk.

  With annoyance flowing through me, I lean back in my seat, running my hands down my face. He is a fuckin’ gobshite, that Kane. How dare he tease me when he knows my girl isn’t ready for that kind of thing yet? He knows the whole story; I’ve confided in him and trusted him with the information about Amberlyn. Now I wish I hadn’t. Okay, that’s going a little too far since he is my best friend. I also know that I would do the same to him about any other girl he was not getting it from, but it’s not funny to joke about Amberlyn. I would not do that to him with Fiona; I know she is different. As Amberlyn is different.

  Ugh, he gets on my nerves, but I would be lying if I said I haven’t thought about it every second of the day since meeting Amberlyn. She has awakened the need, and boy, how I would love to get between her thighs. Just remembering how she felt has me getting harder by the second. Groaning, I let my head fall to the desk as I inhale a long breath. Damn Kane. This is his fault. I was fine with how things were, stolen kisses and hot touches, but now I am craving the whole damn thing. I want to get lost in her kisses, I want to get tangled in the sheets, I want to feel her in the most intimate way, and I hate myself for it. I don’t want to rush her. I don’t want to her to feel obligated. I want her to do it because she loves me.

  When my phone vibrates on the desk, I reach for it to see it’s from the lady who has my whole body tight with need.

  I can’t wait to see you tonight.

  I’ve been thinking about you all day, I admit.

  Good things?

  Good, great, and dirty, I must say.

  Oooo…sounds scandalous. You’ll have to share.

  Leaning back, I smile as I type out quickly, It involves you and me and my hands on every inch of you.

  Mr. O’Callaghan! My goodness! So dirty!

  I laugh out loud, as I type: Lol. Are you offended?

  Quite the opposite really. Turned on is more like it.

  Groaning, I shift in my seat. You’re killing me.

  Haha. Well, let’s stop before someone gets hurt. I’ll see you soon?

  Yes. I can’t wait.

  Me neither.

  Sitting up, I run my hands down my face, squeezing it hard before letting out a long breath. Deciding that no work will get done after the last half hour I’ve had, I stand up and head out of the office. I think a shower is in order.

  A nice, long, hot shower.

  Looking at myself in the mirror, I let out my hundredth sigh of the day. It’s been a stressful one. Between working all morning, seeing the paper, and then having Kane remind me that I’m not getting laid, I’ve also have to deal with the fact that I have to forgo my beanie tonight. Not only is it tacky to wear a beanie with a dark, Italian -tailored suit, my ma would murder me. So as I run a comb through my thick, tight curls, I curse them and even consider shaving my head. Knowing again that my ma would murder me if I did so, as I apparently have the curls from her great-grandda or some crap, I throw my comb down in the hopes that I look okay.

  I think I look like a fool.

  Rolling my eyes, I head out of my room and toward the back of the house since the front is busy with guests arriving. The ball is starting in twenty minutes, and I may be running a tad late. Since I didn’t want to come to this God-awful thing anyway, I take my time getting in my car and heading to the Maclaster land. Kane sent me a text earlier inviting Amberlyn and me to dinner with them, but I declined since my stomach is a mess from Amberlyn meeting my da.

  I haven’t seen him yet, nor do I want to, but I can just imagine all the things he is thinking after reading that rubbish in the paper. I want to call Amanda and tell her that she needs to stop writing that shite, but it will fuel her more. I just wish it would all go away. Can’t I date a girl and be happy without the whole world and my family having a say on her? I don’t know why I am letting it bother me, but it drives me insane. With other girls I dated, I didn’t give a shite. I was happy, dicking around with whom I pleased, and didn’t give a damn what they thought of the girl, but with Amberlyn, I want them to respect her. She is more than some floozy; she is my future.

  She just doesn’t know that yet.

  Shaking my head to rid the stress from today, I pull into the driveway and see that Amberlyn is looking out the window. When she sees that it’s me, she grins before letting the curtain fall. I hate that I’ve kept her waiting, and I hope she isn’t too mad at me. Nervous, I head toward the door. I go to knock, but Mrs. Maclaster pulls the door open with a bright grin on her face.

  “Declan, how are ya?”

  I smile as I step in and go to answer her, but the most beautiful thing in the world catches my eyes. Before, no one has ever caught my eye the way Amberlyn does and right now is no different. Standing in a sinfully gorgeous dress with her dark, reddish hair in curls around her face, I can’t seem to form a coherent thought. Her face is made up in a soft, beautiful way, her lips as pink as the shoes she wears, her smile formed in such a shy manner. I don’t know what it is, maybe the see-through fabric below her breasts, or
the way her shoes show off her legs in a delicious fashion, or maybe it’s her eyes, but it takes everything for me to keep my composure as I say, “You’re gorgeous.”

  Her face breaks into a grin as she steps toward me, and I reach out, lacing my fingers with hers.

  “So gorgeous,” I breathe.

  She looks down at her dress shyly before looking up at me. “You don’t think it’s slutty or anything?”

  “Slutty is the last thing I am thinking. Elegant, beautiful, classy, perfect… Did I say gorgeous because, Amberlyn, I could go on for hours. Know that no one will stand a chance against you when you step foot into this ball.”

  As her face warms with such stunning color, Mrs. Maclaster says, “Why can’t ya talk to me like that anymore, you big lug?”

  I turn to find Mr. and Mrs. Maclaster behind me as Mr. Maclaster says, “Because I’ve already married you. I don’t have to say that shite anymore. You know I think that!”

  Not liking that answer, Mrs. Maclaster yells, “The hell I don’t! Woo me before I find someone else to woo me!”

  “For goodness’ sake, please go!” Mr. Maclaster hollers before stomping off behind her, flashing me a dirty look on the way. Looking back at Amberlyn, we both laugh. She is so beautiful when she laughs that my laughter stops short. Leaning over, I take her lips with mine, kissing her with such need. Her hand comes up to cup my face as I deepen the kiss, glad for the privacy since it is probably the only time I’ll have to kiss Amberlyn the way I want to tonight.

  Pulling away, I run my thumb along her jaw as I whisper, “I can’t get over how gorgeous you are.”

  She smiles, smacking my chest softly. “So what? I’m not gorgeous any other time?”

  I smile, bringing her closer to me. “Of course you are. It’s just weird seeing you all dolled up.”

  Wrapping her hands around my neck, she grins up as me before nodding. “I am thinking the same about you. Superhot, Declan O’Callaghan. I love your hair.”

  She then twirls her fingers along the hair at the nape of my neck, sending chills down my spine. I love when she does this, and maybe I should forgo the beanie more often, just so she touches me like this. Looking into her sparkling blue eyes, I want to tell her how I feel. How when I look at her all I see is my everything, but I am so scared that she isn’t feeling the same. I think she is. Like right now, her eyes are glassy as they hold mine, but is that love? I’ve never felt like this. I don’t know how to know if someone feels the same. It’s fuckin’ stressful, and I wish I had the balls to just admit how I feel.

  Clearing my throat, I say, “Are you ready?”

  She nods slowly, meeting my mouth with hers, teasing my lips with her teeth before deepening the kiss. I’m lost when she does this. For someone who hasn’t been with many men, or kissed them for that matter, she really knows how to rock my world. I just can’t get enough, and when she pulls away, I bring her back for more. She melts in my arms as I deepen the kiss, showing her how I feel. I don’t know if it is translating as love like I intend, or maybe lust, not really sure, but fuck, I love kissing her.

  Pulling away before I do something that would offend Mr. and Mrs. Maclaster a lot, I put space between us, holding her hands in mine. She grins up at me, her lipstick gone, her face red, and her lips swollen.

  “I’m pretty sure I have no lipstick on.”

  I shake my head, a grin pulling at my lips. “Nope, it’s all gone.”

  “Yeah, on you,” she says, laughing as she turns to go to the kitchen. Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I remove as much as I can before she comes to me with a baby wipe. “Here.”

  I smile a thanks before wiping my face and following her to the mirror that hangs by the door. As she reapplies her lipstick, I clean my face and I can’t help but feel domesticated, as if this is something we’d do when we’remarried. Dropping the baby wipe, I wrap my arms around her waist from behind, pressing myself against her as I run my nose through her hair.

  “I don’t want to go,” I whisper. “I just want to hold you.”

  “You can hold me there. I got pretty; you have to show me off.”

  “I don’t want to share you with anyone.”

  “Too bad, I spent three hours shopping with Fiona and another two getting ready. You owe me a glass of something and dancing.”

  Removing my nose from her hair, I groan as I meet her beautiful gaze in the mirror. She really is stunning tonight, and while I don’t want to share her with anyone, I can’t help but be excited for everyone to see who I’ve been blessed to love for the rest of my life.

  “Fine. We can go.”

  She sends me a sneaky grin, tucking her lipstick in her bag before saying, “Let’s go then.”

  After saying goodbye to her aunt and uncle, we get in the car and head back to the estate. My nerves are all over the place, and I want to drive off the road just to breathe. I think Amberlyn senses my nervousness because she holds my hand in hers, stroking it softly as we drive. Once we arrive, I bask in the beauty of my home. It’s lit up tonight with thousands of lanterns, and a spotlight is shining on the house that says O’Callaghan boldly on the stone. Hardly anyone is outside, and I’m glad. I don’t want to deal with anyone yet, even though it is inevitable.

  “Are we late?”

  I shake my head as I pull up to where the workers are waiting. “Not really, they are announcing us when I get there, so really, I decide when to come.”

  She gives me a look, and I flash a grin before getting out. I head around to meet her on the other side and as she unfolds from the car, I can’t help but be stunned by her beauty again. The dress comes to her calves and fits her so tightly that I am convinced she is wearing no underwear. That thought alone has my slacks a little too tight for comfort.

  “Spectacular,” I whisper again, taking her hand in mine.

  She blushes as she shakes her head. “Stop, you are making me giggly.”

  “Good,” I whisper in her ear before nipping at her. “I like you that way, remember?”

  She grins up at me. “I do.”

  Bringing her hand up so I can kiss it, I grin as we start inside. People are everywhere, and like always, they fall silent as we pass them. Thankfully, no one stops me, and I head toward the ballroom. When one of our employees, Jimmy, sees me, he steps in front of me and nods. “Good evening, Mr. O’Callaghan.”

  “Good evening.”

  “How shall I announce your guest?” he asks, cutting Amberlyn a look.

  “Ms. Amberlyn Reilly.”

  Amberlyn sends me a look. “So proper.”

  “Yeah, it’s dumb,” I joke as Jimmy wishes us a goodnight before heading inside before us. “So here we go.”

  “I’m nervous as shit,” she whispers with a grin.

  “Me too,” I admit.

  At the same moment, Jimmy shouts loudly, “Announcing, Mr. Declan O’Callaghan and his date, Ms. Amberlyn Reilly.”

  Squeezing her hand, I push my shoulders back and lead her into the full ballroom. Everyone’s eyes are on us, and quickly, my heart kicks in speed as anxiety takes over. But when I look up and around, I see that they aren’t looking at us. They are looking at Amberlyn. Glancing over at her, I’m breathless as I take in every gorgeous detail of her. She is beaming, her shoulders back like mine, and her eyes are shining as the lights make her dress do the same. She captivates the room, owns it, and I swear I am the luckiest man on earth. She meets my gaze, a grin playing on her lips, and I can’t do anything but smile back. I know that this girl is special, and at this moment, I feel more like a king than a prince.

  And she is my queen.

  Leaning toward her, I kiss her temple and she leans into me, basically melting against my touch. Pulling away, I send her a grin before leading her to where I see Kane and Fiona watching us. Like Amberlyn, Fiona is done up to the nines with the biggest smile on her face and Kane wrapped around her like a vise grip. As we make our way toward them, people wish us a good evening and I return the
sentiment, along with Amberlyn. It’s nice, refreshing, because it doesn’t make me nervous. No, not with my love on my arm.

  Reaching our friends, I shake hands with Kane as Fiona and Amberlyn hug.

  “You look amazing.”

  She grins as she cuddles into me. “Thanks, did you guys enjoy your dinner?”

  Fiona’s face flushes as she shrugs. “We skipped it.”

  Amberlyn rolls her eyes as she laughs. She looks around the room. “It’s beautiful in here.”

  “Yeah, it is,” Fiona agrees. “Is this a new ballroom? I don’t remember this being the one we celebrated your birthday in.”

  “Thanks. It’s the newer renovated ballroom. Wait, you were there for my birthday?” I ask, surprised I missed her, but then again, I spent most my time hiding. I didn’t even want to have the party, but my parents insisted. Had to keep face that our family was strong after what happened with Casey.

  “I was. It was a great party. I only saw you like once. It’s so weird, ya know? Before I didn’t get to know you, now I do. It’s nice.”

  We share a smile as I nod. “It is.”

  When a waiter passes, I reach for two glasses of champagne, giving one to Amberlyn before taking a sip of the bubbly drink. “The drink I owe ya.”

  She laughs as she takes a quick drink and then says, “Next is dancing.”

  I shake my head. “Not here. Maybe later.”

  Her brow comes up. “Why not here?”

  “Everyone is staring, love. Let’s lay low, just go with it.”

  Her eyes narrow as she sets me with a look. “Who cares if they are staring? I sure don’t. I want to dance with my boyfriend in this beautiful ballroom. Are you going to dance with me, or do I need to find someone else?”

  Now my eyes narrow before I say, “The hell you will.”

  She grins as she hands Fiona her drink, slowly backing up. “Well, then you better come on,” she challenges, and I grin as I hand Kane my drink to follow her. Reaching for her, I pull her against me and stand there as she moves against me to some pop song I know my sister must have chosen. I can feel people staring, and the anxiety is eating at me. I want to let go like Amberlyn has. She’s dancing like no one is watching, as if it is only us two in the room, but that is hard for me.