Page 10 of Tainted Empire (Sins of Our Father)

I feel a pair of eyes on me, it burns the skin of my back. I turn to look over my shoulder, blowing my red-blond hair out of my view as I lock eyes with Hunter Brooks. He stares at me with that same mean and authoritative look, making me squirm under his stare. It creates a flush that rushes to my cheeks and in between my thighs. I don’t know why my body has such a response to someone that stares at me so cruelly, but I can’t help it.

Rob pulls Marley away and starts to dance with her and I unlock my eyes from Hunter’s, turning around and bumping into a man that smells of cigarettes.

“Hey there, beauty. I can’t help but watch you out here on the floor, let’s dance,” the man says, probably in his forties and is definitely shit-faced drunk by the way he slurs his words.

“Thank you, but I’m good. I think I’m gonna go sit down,” I say trying to pull away, but his hands reach out and snag me close to him, blocking and restraining me. Panic begins to creep up my throat.

“Please let me go, I said that I didn’t want to dance,” I say loudly and he smirks at me, smelling like a distillery.

“You city girls always gotta make things hard. You know what I mean?” he slurs and shoves my hand to his hardening erection. I worry I might throw my gin up all over him, which may not be a bad thing.

“Hey Joe, she said no. Back off,” Rob says as he and Marley try to pull me away, but this Joe guy won’t let up.

“She’s fine, Rob. Chill. Always such a cock block,” Joe slurs and my stomach feels like it has lead sitting in it.

“Seriously, Joe, back the fuck up!” Marley shouts, but it’s no use, he’s not listening.

“I think the lady said to stop,” a deep, husky voice with a country drawl says behind me.

Chills race up my spin and Joe’s eyes widen as he lets me go immediately, staring behind me like a fish out of water. I turn around and see Hunter standing there. He looks so much larger up close, and I don’t know how that’s possible, but it is. He stares Joe down and his fists ball at his sides like he’s prepared for battle. His muscles in his arms bunch and flex. I look at his belt and don’t miss the outline of a gun tucked into it.

“Hunter, my man, I didn’t mean anything by it,” Joe stammers as Hunter stalks over, his smell grabbing my nostrils and taking them for a ride.

He smells like fresh spring water and leather, a heady combination which makes me clench my thighs together.

“God damnit, Joe! We’ve talked about this. Get the fuck out!” Danny shouts and the doorman saunters over and grabs Joe by the neck, throwing him out of the bar like we are literally in a wild west saloon.

What the fuck just happened?

I feel every pair of eyes in the bar land on me, but the eyes I feel burning into me the most are Hunter’s. I look up from underneath my bangs and see his eyes travel the length of my small, round body. I’ve always been a curvy girl, even more so since I’m below average height, but this man makes me feel so small and feminine and I don’t know how to handle the sudden heat his presence brings me. It’s foreign to my body and overwhelming. I need to get out of here.

“Thank you,” I whisper to him and he frowns, looking at my hair and smirking slightly, so very slightly.

“No problem, Red,” his husky voice drawls, making me shiver.

“Ali, come on, I gotta use the restroom and you’re coming with me,” Marley says, grabbing my hand. I shake my head at her.

“Go on without me, I’m gonna get some fresh air,” I say, and she looks at me with concern.

“Are you sure?” she asks and I nod.

“Yeah, come get me when you’re done,” I say and she nods, glaring at Hunter before heading into the bathroom.

“Scott, watch for Ali. She’s gonna get some air,” Rob says to the man who tossed Joe out and the fat, bald doorman nods.

“Excuse me,” I say to Hunter, brushing past his warm, large body as I head out the door.

I step out into the warm, Montana air and stand by Marley’s truck, breathing deep and trying to settle both my stomach and my head, not to mention the space between my thighs that pulses in time with my heavy thumping heart. I don’t like what just happened with Joe, but I don’t like the reaction my body has to Hunter even more. It’s unsettling and overwhelming and I needed to get away from him immediately.

I look out at the land before me. The mountains stand tall, and the sun sets on the horizon, sitting sweetly on the mountain tops. I take a deep breath and ease the tornado of emotions that roar inside me, steadying myself and I settle in the peace that the outside brings. I close my eyes and take in the solace, until that smooth, husky voice sounds behind me.

“You’re a long way from home, aren’t you, Red?” Hunter says behind me, startling me as my eyes snap open and I whirl around and spot him leaning against Marley’s truck, a freshly lit cigarette resting on his full lips.

Lips that are begging to be bitten and kissed.

Stop it, Ali!

“My dad’s ranch is actually a few miles away. I’m sure you’ve heard of it,” I say smugly, trying to top his arrogance that unsettles me.

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