Scorched: An Alpha Older Man and Curvy Younger Woman Romance (Seasons of Seduction Book 1) Read online

  Scorched

  Seasons of Seduction

  Book 1

  Copyright

  First Edition, June 2019

  Copyright © 2019 by Adele Niles

  This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is entirely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events and situations are the product of the author's imagination.

  All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without written consent from the author.

  License

  This book is available exclusively on Amazon.com. If you found this book for free or from a site other than an Amazon.com country specific website it means the author was not compensated for this book and you have likely obtained this book through an unapproved distribution channel.

  Table of Contents

  Scorched

  Copyright

  Come Join My Private Facebook Group

  Click Here to Join Adele’s Hot Hideaway

  Grab a Free Book!

  About This Book

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Stay For Me

  One

  No Regrets

  Download Free Now

  Stalk me...

  Come Join My Private Facebook Group

  Click Here to Join Adele’s Hot Hideaway

  A private group for VIP Readers of Adele Niles.

  Come chat with Adele Niles, get the latest news, first look at covers, teasers, giveaways and more!

  Grab a Free Book!

  This month I’ll be sending out a completely FREE and unreleased book to all of my email subscribers. Want to grab a steamy hot, sizzling shortread? Click the link below to get on my VIP list and receive this month’s Free book.

  Join Adele’s VIP Newsletter

  About This Book

  Scorched

  Cassie Kidd has inherited the keys to a kingdom she never wanted and from a man she barely knew, her step-dad. But taking over his California Beach mansion has its perks, even if it doesn’t dull the pain of losing her last connection to her dead mother.

  And relaxing poolside, topless, with a stiff drink, brings its own problems. Especially when temporary pool boy Myles Lincoln shows up and gets more than an eyeful of curvy Cassie.

  Myles has rebuilt his life, little by little, thanks to some help from an old friend and a favor. He never realized that the favor he was repaying would put him at the feet of the gorgeous Cassie in all of her naked glory.

  When the two collide, it brings a whole new level of heat to the California summer.

  This book contains an older, over the top alpha, a hot younger curvy girl with all the right moves, instalove and enough steam to make you run for an ice cold shower.

  Get ready for the seasons of seduction series. Scorched is book 1 in the series, but each book can be read on its own and in any order.

  Chapter One

  Cassie

  I just wanted Dan to listen to me, but it was like talking to a brick wall.

  “Look,” he said over the phone, “are you going to have the article or not?”

  “I told you already. I’m taking this week off. I’m on vacation. I’m dealing with some personal stuff.” I took a sip of my Cosmo. It was a little too strong, maybe, but that was kind of the goal right now.

  Get as fucked up as possible and do nothing for a week.

  He sighed. I could imagine him in his office, frowning at something, probably one of the magazine awards he’d fabricated and put on his “vision board.”

  “Look,” he said, “I’m sorry that you’re going through some crap or whatever, but deadlines are deadlines. If you can’t get your shit together, we’ll give the article to somebody else.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Okay, fine. I’m sure you can find a billion girls online that want to write about swimsuit trends.”

  “Then I will,” he said. “I’ll hire one of them. If she can actually meet a deadline, maybe I’ll keep her on.”

  I gave a huff of disbelief. “Whatever, Dan. Maybe you should start respecting other people, huh? See how that one works out.”

  There was a long silence on the other end of the line.

  When Dan spoke again, his voice was cold. “I’m very sorry for your circumstances. But I have a magazine to run.”

  The line went dead.

  It took every ounce of willpower I had not to throw my phone into the pool.

  If I had to suffer somewhere, at least it could be here—in a beautiful home, with an incredible pool and a view of the beach.

  And a fully stocked bar.

  I was trying to work, but it just…wasn’t happening. I’d taken the week off, and Dan was still up my ass.

  I needed a break. A little time to myself, time to relax and process.

  And I wasn’t going to do that if I had my laptop open and Dan on the phone.

  So I closed my computer and took another sip of my Cosmo.

  The sun was still up. It was a beautiful afternoon, and everything smelled like the salty ocean air.

  And I needed to be nice to myself for a few minutes.

  I sighed as I leaned back in my lounge chair, closing my eyes. The sunlight was warm, but the breeze kept me from getting sweaty.

  I would’ve liked to enjoy it more.

  I reached for my phone and sighed.

  Social media was boring, full of people I knew being happy. Look at us at a party; look at us in Paris; look at us at a concert.

  Look at me, miserable despite being in paradise.

  I didn’t take a selfie for Instagram, or update my Twitter. There was no point.

  The people who knew where I was could reach out if they wanted to.

  But so far, nobody had.

  I’d expected as much; I wasn’t really a ‘close friends’ sort of person.

  I mean, I could be friendly, sure. I could be fun and entertaining and likable.

  I just didn’t always click with other people.

  That’s why I was here alone.

  I sighed and put my phone back down in favor of the Cosmo I’d made. I’d need another soon; I wanted to be too drunk to function tonight.

  Numbing myself wasn’t the smartest choice, but it was exactly what I wanted.

  For a few minutes, I lay on my back, looking up at the sky. It was clear, and the few little clouds ambling by were fluffy and white. Gulls flew overhead, cawing loudly.

  Under any other circumstances, this would have been nice.

  But I was just sad. And lonely.

  And not drunk enough.

  I rose from my chair and went back inside, carrying my empty martini glass. I made another Cosmo, heavy on the vodka.

  I took a sip.

  Good.

  Real good.

  I headed back toward the pool, stopping at the door. It was pretty private up here. There were trees on two sides of the pool; the only exposed side faced the ocean, and that was on an overhang.

  Nobody could stand there and look at me.

  I could tan while wearing as much—or as little—as I wanted.

  I put my drink down on the table beside my chair and reached up, untying the halter
neck of my swimsuit. I undid the clasp of the back strap next, and draped the polka-dot top over the back of my chair.

  Topless, I settled back in the chair again. I grabbed my phone and headphones, plugging them in and turning on some music. Happy synth-pop started to play in my ears.

  I closed my eyes and leaned back.

  Everything else about this sucked, but at least I could tan without lines.

  Chapter Two

  Myles

  Five years of this, and I still couldn’t hire reliable employees.

  I kept telling myself I’d get better at interviewing, weeding out the shitty college kids from the ones that actually had some drive.

  I’d really thought Matt was a good one.

  I needed the help. I could only handle so many pools on my own, and tried to reserve myself for the highest-dollar clients. I liked giving the extra attention to people who would pay more for our services.

  But today I was pulling double duty, since Matt was sick.

  He hadn’t sounded sick on the phone, he’d sounded drunk.

  His Instagram stories had confirmed it.

  I’d fired him earlier in the afternoon, and now I was dealing with his workload as well as mine.

  At least this was the last house on my schedule.

  I pulled up and parked next to a beat-up Camry. I didn’t recognize it, and the plates were from out of state.

  The Porsche beside it, though, had local plates. And it was gorgeous—only a year old, and a stunning blue with leather interior. And a hard-top convertible, too. I’d have killed to take that car for a spin.

  With my supplies in hand, I walked around the back, using the key the owner had given me to let myself in. I knew where the pool was. I’d worked on this one myself sometimes.

  I walked around the back and stopped in my tracks.

  I’d never seen the woman lying in the deck chair before, but she was stunning. Thick and curvy, with the beginnings of a golden tan and dark brown hair.

  She wore the bottoms of a mint green polka-dot bikini, but no top.

  And god, her tits were perfect. Full and round, still perky in spite of their size. Her nipples were hard from the cool ocean breeze.

  I cleared my throat. “Um, ma’am?”

  She had headphones in. No response.

  Well…shit.

  But I couldn’t stop grinning.

  Just looking at her had me half-hard in my trunks.

  I put my supplies down, dropping the bucket from higher up than I normally would.

  I glanced over my shoulder.

  The woman was bobbing her head a little to whatever music she had playing.

  The bucket dropping had been loud. She must’ve had her music up high.

  I had to do something.

  As much as I wanted to just stand there and look at her gorgeous body, I didn’t feel right sneaking around.

  I moved to stand at the end of her lounge chair, blocking out the sun. “Ma’am!” I raised my voice, looking away from her. Her tits were too distracting; if I let myself look at her, I’d end up looking there.

  One of her eyes opened. They were startlingly green.

  She had gotten lucky in the looks department.

  And then she screamed.

  Her lungs were strong, too.

  She yanked the headphones out of her ears and leapt to her feet, covering her breasts with both arms. “What the hell! Fucking pervert! Get out of here!”

  I held my hands up to defend myself. “Ma’am, please, just let me—”

  “How did you even get in here?” she shouted. “I’m calling the cops!”

  She pulled her headphone cords, twisting them and drawing her swinging phone up toward her hand.

  “Ma’am,” I repeated. “I’m here to clean the pool.”

  The anger disappeared from her face.

  But she was still shaking.

  She held the phone in one hand, the other covering a nipple.

  “Then clean it!” She turned on her heel and stormed into the house.

  I sighed heavily.

  She was definitely gorgeous, but kind of a bitch.

  I watched her leave, shaking my head.

  Chapter Three

  Cassie

  Five Days Ago

  I hadn’t been in this house in two years, at least.

  Walking in was like a stab in the chest.

  On every wall were photos—my mom, looking like an older version of me; Noah, always smiling in a baseball cap and Hawaiian shirt. I was in some of them, too, laughing or lying on the beach.

  I hadn’t even been here five minutes, and I was already in tears.

  With a shaky breath, I came in and shut the door. I grabbed my suitcase and started up the steps.

  On the landing, I stopped.

  This picture had always been my favorite.

  I wasn’t in it—I’d taken it. Mom and Noah were on the beach below the house, facing each other, hands clasped. Neither of them wore shoes. Mom wore a yellow sundress. A purple hibiscus was tucked behind her ear. Noah wore linen shorts and his nicest Hawaiian shirt. He’d taken his baseball cap off for their wedding, at least.

  They were staring at each other, both grinning broadly.

  I swallowed, touching the glass.

  Mom had let me curl her hair. We’d gone shopping for that dress together. They hadn’t spent a lot on the wedding, but Noah had bought her a bouquet of sweet-smelling tropical flowers.

  Out of all the couples I’d ever known, Mom and Noah had loved each other the most.

  I sniffled. “Mom,” I said softly. “God, this sucks. I miss you, you know that?”

  No reply.

  There was never a reply.

  I swallowed and shook my head. “I miss you and I miss Noah and…and I hate this. A lot. I hate this house being empty.”

  I kept expecting one of them to walk around the corner and greet me. Noah would have laughed and opened his arms for a hug before carting my suitcase upstairs. Mom would have kissed my forehead.

  Instead, I was talking to myself in a huge empty house.

  I looked at the photo for just a moment longer. “I’m just glad Noah’s with you now. That you two are together again. I hope he understands why I never came to visit. It just…hurt too much. To see him without you.”

  I knew I should have visited him more. I loved him. He’d always been a good stepdad to me.

  But being around him reminded me of losing Mom, of spending all that time in hospitals and watching her die slowly.

  It hadn’t been fair.

  Just like it hadn’t been fair for Noah to get hit by a car while on his usual evening walk.

  I sighed heavily and went upstairs. For a moment, I lingered at the master bedroom.

  Technically, it was mine now.

  Technically, everything in the house was mine now.

  But I couldn’t sleep in the master; it was Mom and Noah’s room.

  I knew I would find it just how they’d left it. Noah had never gotten rid of Mom’s stuff, and he’d only been dead for a few days.

  I didn’t have it in me tonight.

  I dropped my suitcase on the bed. I wanted to unpack and start settling in immediately, but the sound of a knock at the door distracted me. I rolled my eyes. I just hoped it wasn’t a neighbor coming to give condolences.

  Other people didn’t understand grief. It all ended up feeling so fake.

  I just wanted to be alone.

  But I went down and opened the door, sighing.

  On the front step was an older man, tall and thin, dressed in khakis and a short-sleeved button-down. He gave me an apologetic look as I opened the door.

  At least he wasn’t holding a casserole.

  “Miss Moore?” He extended his hand toward me. “My name is James Raynor. How are you? All things considered, of course.”

  I forced a smile.

  “Miss Kidd, actually. Cassie Kidd. I didn’t change my last name when Noah married my mom.
”

  “Oh! Oh, I apologize. Miss Kidd. It’s nice to meet you. I wish the circumstances were better, but…”

  I didn’t want to do this all day. He seemed nice enough, but listening to this guy fumble through half-apologies was going to drive me crazy.

  “It’s—it’s fine.” It was not fine. “Call me Cassie. What can I do for you, Mr. Raynor?”

  “Well.” He shifted uneasily. “I’ve been helping Mr. Moore manage the house since… since his wife’s passing.”

  There was a long pause.

  I wanted to scream.

  “All right.” I wasn’t going to be able to keep this smile up much longer.

  “Oh, uh, sorry. Well, I’ve been responsible for scheduling the lawn care, maintenance, the pool cleaners. I wanted to make sure you saw the schedule on the kitchen island.”

  I hadn’t been in the kitchen yet.

  “I haven’t made it in, but I’m sure it’s there.”

  He nodded. “I put it on the counter the other day. Everyone comes at the same time every week, unless there’s an emergency. If you happen to be around, I’d just suggest you introduce yourself. Let them know you’re the owner of the home now. My number is on the schedule as well, should you need anything.”

  “Great.” I nodded. “Sounds good. Thanks for dropping by.”

  “Of course. I’ll let you get settled. Is it all right if I check in with you later?”

  “Maybe in a few days. I need to settle in, get my things together.”

  “Okay.” Mr. Raynor gave me a half-smile. “Well. Take care. Call if you need anything. My wife and I live pretty close by.”

  “Will do.” I smiled. “Bye. Thanks for dropping by.”

  “Of course. Goodbye, Cassie.”

  He turned and started down the walkway toward his car.

  I shut the door, leaned my back against it, and let myself break down in tears.

  * * * * *

  Present

  Standing in the kitchen in a comfy dress, I looked at the schedule of workers on the counter.

  Sure enough, on the block for today—Matt, pool cleaning, Lincoln Pools. A phone number, undoubtedly for the business.

  I felt like an idiot.

  I turned and looked out the back door. Matt was working hard, walking around the pool.