Page 11 of Tainted Empire (Sins of Our Father)

He chuckles darkly and looks me up and down again. I try not to tremble under the assault of his sapphire blue eyes.

“Sure have. How is Mr. Bailey these days?” he asks causally, as if he doesn’t know he’s gone. Everyone knows, he’s just playing me for a fool.

“Not sure. Why don’t you ask his gravestone?” I snap at him, and his eyes widen slightly, that stupid fucking smirk settling on his kiss-me lips.

“Sorry to hear about his passing, Red,” he says smoothly, blowing a puff of smoke out and tickling my nostrils.

“My name is Ali,” I say sternly, but he just stares at me, his eyes wandering over my long, wild hair.

“I like red better,” he says, and it sounds like silk coming from his mouth. It makes my pussy pulse even harder, and I have to press my thighs together to try and ease the ache.

“Can I get one of those?” I ask, nodding to his cigarette.

I only smoke when I drink, which isn’t often. And from the frightening experience I just had with Joe and the unsettling emotions that Hunter stirs in me, I’m due for a fucking smoke break. And he’s gonna give me one.

He raises his dark, thick eyebrows in surprise before pulling a pack of Marlboro reds from his pocket and handing me one. Our hands touch briefly, and it feels like an electrical current rushes up my body from the contact.

I bring the cigarette to my lips and he pulls out a lighter and flicks it a couple of times, leaning forward to light the cigarette that’s on my lips. Our eyes never break contact.

“Thanks,” I say as I inhale and exhale the thick stream of smoke from the cigarette.

We stand in silence for a moment. I had to break eye contact with him because I felt a blush rising to my cheeks.

“You been in town long, Red?” Hunter asks, and I roll my eyes, which makes him smirk in response.

“Just got in today. And again, it’s Ali. Alison actually, to you,” I say brazenly.

His eyes darken as they travel the length of my body again.

Why does he stare at me like this? It’s like he either wants to swallow me whole or hates what he sees, both of which, I don’t like.

His eyes finally land on my shoes and I stare down at them too. My once perfect black heels are now scuffed with dirt and scratches.

“Won’t be getting very far in those at all, Red,” he nearly growls, making me straighten and avert my eyes in embarrassment.

Marley walks out of the bar, thank God, and marches over to her truck, glaring at both Hunter and me.

“Alison Rose Bailey! Get that death stick out of your mouth right now! You must have lost your mind, smoking that thing on a doctor’s truck!” she yells at me when she steps in front of me, pulling the cigarette from my mouth and stomping it out with her boot.

“Marley, you’re a vet, not an MD,”I tease, and she scoffs.

“I still went to a form a medical school and I know a shitty pair of lungs when I see them. Now get in, we’re leaving. And you,” she points directly at Hunter who stares at us both with dark eyes.

“Get off my truck and stay away from her. You and your family are nothin’ but trouble and trouble is the last thing Ali needs,” Marley growls, and Hunter holds his hands up in defense, backing away from the truck with his cigarette still hanging from his lips.

“Come on, Ali, let’s go,” Marley says as she hops in the truck, and I step up to join.

“See you around, Red,” Hunter drawls, staring at me with that same strange and dark look.

I don’t say anything as I take one last look at his blue eyes and hop in the truck, slamming the door.

“What were you thinking talking to that man? He’s bad news, Ali,” she says as we drive back to the ranch.

“I just asked him for a cigarette,” I say weakly, calming the budding desire in my belly.

“Which you also shouldn’t have done! I know you’re going through a lot, but it’s nothing worth ruining your lungs for!” she chastises, and I roll my eyes.

“Party pooper,” I say, and we both chuckle as we pull up to the ranch.

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