Becoming the Whiskey Princess by Toni Aleo

it.
    He does that to me.
    As he grins at me, I am completely stunned. I’ve always thought he was a beautiful man, but he is also very regal. Maybe it’s the suit, but my goodness, he owns the room. He’s been in meetings all week with lawyers and the other associates of O’Callaghan Whiskey, and I swear, he belongs there. He looks like the owner of a company.
    Cupping my face, he kisses me hard on the lips. Parting, he kisses my nose before pulling back to hand me the flower.
    “It’s sweet, thank you.”
    “Not as sweet as you, though,” he says, lacing his fingers with mine. “Tell me, ya got a bit to spend with me?”
    “I always have a bit to spend with you,” I say like he does in his thick Irish way.
    He grins and gives me a wink as I take my apron off. Glancing at Fiona, who is currently making out with Kane, I roll my eyes. They are so engrossed in each other, it’s kinda cute.
    “I’m gonna go out with Declan. I’ll be back before we open back up.”
    She waves me off as Kane slowly backs her into the bar. Making a face, I say, “Please don’t have sex on the bar. We just cleaned it.”
    Tearing her mouth from Kane’s, she grins at me. “I’ll clean it again.”
    “Ew,” I say as Declan laughs beside me. I take his hand and we go out the side door before he pulls me to his side. Ignoring that Casey attacked me in this spot, I cuddle into Declan as we walk toward the lake. It’s a beautiful day. The sun is shining, there is a slight, soft breeze, and it’s just picturesque out. The best part, though, is being cuddled into his side. He is so thick and smells like whiskey and oak barrels. It’s a comforting smell and makes me feel at home.
    Reaching the lake, we sit on the bank, our hands joined and my head lying against his shoulder. Watching the breeze on the lake, I let out a long breath.
    “What’s wrong, my love?” he asks.
    “I’ve missed you,” I answer, placing my chin onto his arm so I can look up at him. He smiles as he cups my face.
    “It’ll only be like this a little longer. Gotta get all the legal shite out of the way,” he says, running his thumb along my cheekbone.
    “I know, I just hate being apart. And seeing Fiona all over Kane has me a little jealous.”
    His brows come together as his eyes bore into mine. “Why’s that?”
    “’Cause I want to be all over you, but we never have time for us.”
    He smiles. “I mean, we got a bit now, want me to take ya against this bank? Doesn’t seem very romantic. Plus, not only can my mom see us, but I’m sure your aunt and uncle could too, shite, everyone.”
    I laugh along with him as I shake my head. “No, I don’t want my first time to be where everyone can see us. I’m just frustrated.”
    “Sexually?” he says, waggling his eyebrows at me and I nod.
    “A lot.”
    Leaning his head to mine, he runs his nose along mine and whispers, “I’ve been sexually frustrated since the first moment I saw ya.”
    I giggle before his lips fall to mine in a gentle assault. I close my eyes and our lips move together in such a sweet but urgent way. Moving his hand up the back of my neck, he slowly lies back, bringing me up against his chest. My heart is out of control in my chest, and I can feel his against mine too. Kissing down my jaw, he nibbles on my neck before coming below my ear as his hand slides up my bare leg to the spot at my thighs when my shorts sit. Squeezing my ass, he kisses the spot below my ear before nibbling on my lobe.
    He then whispers, “Sure, I can’t take ya here?”
    My face breaks into a grin as I shake my head. “I have to face your mom tomorrow, and knowing our luck, she’ll see us.”
    He chuckles against my ear before nibbling some more and saying, “I can’t wait to see you under this tree. In a beautiful dress, all mine.”
    I smile as I close my eyes, leaning my head against his. “I’ll be your princess.”
    Pulling away, he looks down at me, moving my baby hairs out of my face. With a