Page 12 of Tainted Empire (Sins of Our Father)

I feel like I should feel sad when I see my dad’s house again, but all I feel is that stupid and overwhelming desire that Hunter Brooks has sparked in me tonight.

Definitely bad news.

9

Hunter

Alison Bailey peels away from Danny’s lot in Marley’s big blue truck and I can’t get the smell of her perfume out of my nose. I never liked a girly girl, especially one who wears rich girl perfumes and fuck-me heels in the middle of Montana.

I’m a country boy through and through, born and raised in the mountains. All the women I’ve been with, which have been many, wear daisy duke boots and shorts and push-up bras that make their assets jiggle when they walk. Assets which are now small in comparison to Alison Bailey.

She’s a thick girl, petite with curves that a man could spend hours exploring. Curves that I’ve never had the luxury to touch, but want to savor. Curves that can make a bad man do bad things, all to make her feel good. And I plan to make Ali Bailey feel really, really good when I get my hands on her and her wild, strawberry hair.

Which is easier said than done, since her guard dog friend breathes down her neck like a hound already. I’m sure the rest of the staff do it as well. I have to be cautious with this. The Baileys have been my father’s rival since Arthur opened up his ranch on the opposite side of my father’s, stealing our business and legacy that has built Cannon Falls for generations.

Ever since Arthur died, we all knew the land would go to his only child, his pride and joy. Ever since, it’s been my father’s mission to buy out that ranch and take back what’s ours. A mission that he’s bestowed upon me. Not that I mind. I’m always up for a challenge. And not only will taking over Bailey Ranch be sweet, but taking the darling heir will be even sweeter.

I may be an asshole for wanting this, but it’s tit for tat. Bailey Ranch has robbed us of our livelihood and legacy, and when my father’s time comes and I’m up to run the ranch on my own, I’ll be damned if I’ll be running it with debt to my name. When I take hold of Brooks Ranch, I’ll be taking this entire town with me. Taking Ali Bailey will just make my prize that much more worthwhile.

I may even make her wear those fuck-me heels when I take her to bed too. I can already imagine them digging into my backside while I drive into her and breathe in that rich girl perfume that twirls in that long, wavy hair. I can almost bet she’ll scream like a banshee when I’m inside her, and I’ll take those screams with me when I take over this town and take back what’s rightfully mine.

That’s all I could think of when I saw Joe’s slimy paws grip all over her luscious body tonight.

Mine.

Mine to touch. Mine to tease. Mine to fuck. Mine to play with.

I smash my cigarette out under my boot and turn back into Danny’s to pay my tab and get the fuck out. It’s gonna be an early night. I got a long meeting with Miss Bailey in the morning. She just doesn’t know it yet.

* * *

Ali

I wake up in my sun yellow bedroom with a pounding headache. From the long day of traveling and drinks last night, my body is super pissed at me. I swing my legs out of bed and stretch. I’m still in my dress from yesterday. When I got home last night with Marley, Claire and Earl had already gone home and I made my way up to bed.

The house feels lonely without anyone here. The staff usually leaves at night around seven and returns around six in the morning according to Claire’s note. She said she will be in around noon and that Earl and the rest of the staff will be in the fields if I need anything. I look at the clock on my bedside table and it reads just past ten in the morning. I slept in and my body needed it greatly.

I look around at my bedroom. I decorated it as soon as my dad moved here and had the house built. Yellow was my favorite color at the time, but now, the walls scream at me with how bright they are. The bed is large and comfy, but the quilts and covers are outdated. Regardless of what I choose to do with this ranch, I’m redecorating this room. As soon as I’m done with my shower, I’m ordering supplies online and having them shipped here immediately.

I have a bathroom attached to my bedroom and I step inside and notice that it’s been recently updated. The walls are a nice shade of gray and the appliances have been ripped out and replaced with a new walk-in shower and large bathtub. I opt out for the bath and grab my toiletries and turn on the water to the shower while I undress. I look at my body in the mirror and stare at my nakedness.

My breasts are large, one of my better assets, while my torso is short and set with a rounded tummy. I’m healthy and toned, but I’ve always carried extra weight. Especially in my thick thighs and ass, which are riddled with cellulite and dimples.

Sighing, I turn away from my reflection and step in the shower, moaning when the warm spray kisses my skin. I wash my hair and body with my favorite strawberry soap and step out and blow dry my hair straight. It’s not really humid here so my hair won’t frizz. I’m not in the mood to mess with my wavy tresses, so I smooth them down and dry them out, stretching my hair down to my middle back now that it’s straightened.

I grab some clothes from my closet. Claire was kind enough to put my clothes and shoes away after Earl brought them up, so I need to thank her for that.

It’s still pretty warm outside. Dad would always tell me Indian summer came later in September and didn’t really hit until October, so I definitely need to buy some warm weather clothes and appropriate shoes. I slide on a pair of my nice, high waisted jeans and a light blue, silk blouse with capped sleeves. After I tuck my shirt in, I slide on a pair of nude flats and head downstairs. I didn’t bother putting on much makeup, just concealer and mascara. I don’t plan on doing much today, especially since it’s Sunday. I figured I could just look at my dad’s new renovations and see what else needs to be done before I start thinking about what decision I should make about the ranch. I have a few days to think about what I want to say to Earl and Claire about what to do with the ranch. Today is for relaxing and no bullshit.

I walk downstairs and into the kitchen. Claire left me another note on the fridge letting me know that she made me her special blueberry muffin overnight oats in the fridge. I lick my lips and pull out the bowl, grabbing a spoon and digging in while I brew a cup of tea, which she also has stocked and loaded. Once it’s done brewing, I add plenty of milk and sugar and finish my oats while I wait for it to cool. I’m a sugar girl, have been since birth. It’s probably why I’m on the curvier side, but who the hell cares? Life’s too short to not enjoy the little things. My dad always taught me that.

I put my bowl in the dishwasher and grab my tea and sit at the small kitchen table in the corner, staring out at the ranch while I sip my drink.

I see an abundance of cows out on the horizon as well as sheep and a few horses. I also see workers harvesting the gardens and tending to the animals. I made a note to go see Bell today and meet the rest of the animals.

As soon as my tea is finished, the doorbell rings. It’s not noon yet so it must not be Claire, Marley has the day off and I’m sure neither of them would ring the doorbell. I get up and walk to the front door, opening it and freezing in place when I see Hunter Brooks staring back at me, his dark, blue eyes shining in the sunlight.

So much for a relaxing day.

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