Whiskey Rebellion - Toni Aleo Read online

  Looking down at where he is holding my wrist, I sigh, nodding. “I know.”

  He squeezes my wrist once more. “I wouldn’t hold you to any of these rules if I had my choice. Ya know that, right?”

  I nod. “I do.”

  “And while I support ya, tone it down a bit. Don’t be so blatant about it.”

  I look to him, my eyes narrowing a bit. “So, be who I want but within their rules?”

  He holds my gaze, his eyes full of pain and worry. I know he has so much to worry for, and I don’t want to add to that. “No, that’s not what I mean at all. I mean, don’t go out of your way to break the rules.”

  Pulling my wrist from his grasp, I glare. “Who said I am?”

  “Lena, ya know ya can’t be in the pub after six, and then ya kissed the lad? Shit.”

  “If I want to go to the pub, I will. I don’t care what time it is, and it wasn’t like I threw him on the bar and fucked him there. I kissed his jaw.”

  Declan shakes his head. “Kane said it was like no one else was in the room. Only you two.”

  I felt like that, but it didn’t matter. “So?”

  He sighs heavily, shaking his head. “Yer right. Keep yer head up. Yeah?”

  He doesn’t want to argue with me. I can see that all over his face, and there is no point. I don’t see anything wrong with what I’m doing. Is it against the rules? Sure. Do I care? Not in the least. “Yeah.”

  With that, we turn away from each other, and I head out the door. I slam the door behind me, and I’m annoyed with it all. I head down the mountain of stairs before cutting toward the stables. I know Jackson is waiting for me, and I worry he may not be able to ride with me since I’ve taken so long. I need this ride, though. I need to let go of everything that is weighing me down.

  And I need to see Jackson.

  Reaching the stables, I find him fixing the saddle on Belle. I watch him for a moment. Even in his uniform, I can see his muscles flexing with each move he makes. His eyes are intense as he makes sure everything is correct. When he bites his bottom lip, stroking his fingers over Belle’s mane, my insides go tight.

  He drives me wild.

  He must have sensed I was there. Looking toward me, he curves his lips. “You’re late.”

  “I know, Ma was yelling at me this morning.” Walking toward him, I smile. “Like always.”

  He chuckles. “Since everyone was losing their minds when you left last night, I guess it’s safe to assume it was about me?”

  I shrug. “Yeah, and the fact that I have no concern for any of the rules I grew up following.”

  He nods as he leans into the gate. “Why is that?”

  Taking Belle’s muzzle in my hands, I kiss her nose before answering. “Because I don’t want to be that girl anymore.”

  I can feel him watching me. “But you wanted to be at one time, right?”

  Biting my lip, I nod. “I did.”

  “What changed?”

  Casey.

  Casey changed me.

  I shrug. “Who knows?”

  “You do,” he says simply before grabbing me by my waist, pulling me into him. He is so warm, so big, and when he wraps his arms around me, I turn in his embrace, kissing the bottom of his jaw. His arms tighten around me as he dusts kisses along my forehead. “You could tell me,” he whispers, and I close my eyes, wrapping my arms as far around him as they will go.

  “No point,” I decide, and he shrugs at that.

  “May make you feel better.”

  I doubt it, but I can’t tell him that. “You know what would make me feel better?”

  He looks down to me. “What?”

  “A kiss.”

  His lips curve up. “A kiss?”

  “From yer lips.”

  “My lips, hmm,” he muses before dropping his mouth mere inches from mine. “I think I can make that happen.”

  I can’t take it anymore; I need his lips—now. Going up on my toes, I take his lips with mine, and everything disappears. It’s him and me. Nothing else but our mouths moving together as he holds me tightly to him. I’m not thinking of my ma or even what Declan had said. Only Jackson. It’s so freeing.

  Pulling away, he kisses my bottom lip as he runs his hand along the back of my neck, squeezing it gently. “Pretty sure I’d get fired for kissing the princess if Pip saw me.”

  “Ah, screw him,” I say, and he grins against my lips. “Don’t tell me yer starting to care what people think?”

  He laughs at that. “No, but it did knock me down a peg when everyone kept saying, ‘Can’t believe she’s making out with a bartender.’” He smiles. “I made sure to let them know I slept in a tent and was a horse groom too.”

  I laugh at that, and he moves his nose against mine as I whisper, “I only care what you think.”

  “Same with me.” Sliding his fingers along my cheek, he kisses my nose. “But we have all night.”

  My stomach flutters. “We do.”

  He squeezes my waist with his other hand as he steps backward. “Yeah, but this girl is ready for a ride.”

  I look at Belle and smile. “I know I need it.”

  “Good. It’s a great day. Go clear your head.”

  I make a face. “Yer not coming?”

  He looks at me sadly. “As much as I wish I could, Pip is out sick, so I’m caring for his horses and mine.”

  “Well, that sucks.”

  “Yeah, but then it makes me more excited to get you completely alone tonight.”

  I can’t contain the huge grin that takes over my face as I lean into him, kissing his jaw once more. “I can’t wait.”

  “Good,” he says, smacking my arse before kissing my lips softly.

  “Can I ask something?”

  He gives me a look. “You can ask me anything.”

  I grin up at him. “Can we go on a picnic? I’ve always wanted to do it, and I saw Declan out with Amberlyn and Ronan yesterday afternoon. I almost joined them, but I want to go with you.”

  He grins back at me, leaning into the horse as his fingers trail down to my hip. “With me, huh? The bartender.”

  I take a step toward him, gripping his jaw in my fingers. “With you, Jackson.”

  I can tell that pleases him as he nods. “Tell me the time and place.”

  I give a little wiggle as I bite into my lip. “I sure will.”

  “Good.” He helps guide me to the horse. “Now, since you’re going by yourself, it’s a great opportunity to go scream alone. I don’t like screaming with people around.”

  “True.”

  “Yeah,” he says with a grin before kissing my jaw. “So, go chase the wind.”

  Go chase the wind.

  I’ve never been told that.

  Not sure what to say, I don’t speak as he helps me get on Belle. Though I don’t need the help, I welcome it. Anything to get him to touch me. I take one last look at him, and we share a smile before he smacks Belle’s hind legs, which sends her out of the stables at a fast trot. Holding the reins, I kick into her sides, and she takes off. Jackson was right. The day is perfect, so bright and clear. As we go around the house, I urge her harder once we reach the field.

  And we’re off.

  As the wind kisses my face, blowing my hair everywhere, I feel as if I’m in the clouds. We’re going so fast, and while I’m holding on for dear life, I can’t help but cry out in happiness. The scenery is a blur, I don’t even see anything, I just feel. The wind, the sun, and vibrations of Belle’s gallop. I almost feel as if I’m flying. It’s damn near magical for sure.

  When we reach the spot where Jackson took me a couple days ago, I slow Belle down. “Sweet girl. You’s a beast.”

  Pulling her to a stop, I get off with ease, tucking in her reins so she can graze. I think we both need a break. I’m breathing as heavily as she is, plus, I just want to sit. Going to the bench of wood, I sit down, looking over the small little lake as I take in a deep breath of the scent of honey. Closing my eyes, I le