by Kristen Echo
CAPTURED SINGLE DAD
A STEAMY DADDY ROMANCE
Kristen Echo
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
EPILOGUE
AUTHOR NOTE
SNEAK PEEK
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
OTHER BOOKS
AKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Captured Single Dad
Copyright © 2019 by Kristen Echo and Kristen Publishing
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the prior written permission of the above copyright owner of this book or publisher.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Website: http://www.echoromance.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorkristenecho/
Sign-up for Kristen’s newsletter: Newsletter Sign-up
eBook ISBN:978-1-7753433-6-3
Created with Vellum
CHAPTER ONE
CHRISTY
“Make love to the camera,” he said. “Christy, give me all you’ve got.”
I puckered my lips, imagining I was making love to him right there on the beach. It wasn’t hard to picture since I’d been fantasizing about Brent Miller for years. He was older, sexy as sin, and one of the most genuine people I’d ever met. Working in the entertainment industry, that quality was rare.
The man made me purr inside. He was a top-notch photographer and demanded the best. I planned to give it to him. I leaned towards the camera as the surf tickled my bare legs.
“That’s great.” He snapped more shots, getting closer with each one.
Over a dozen people surrounded us, but I only had eyes for him. Part of me wanted to reach out, grab him and kiss him. His lips seemed so soft. I wanted to feel the scruff on his face scratch against mine.
Brent was one of those men that aged well. He kept his dark brown hair cut short, but long enough to torment me. I wanted to run my fingers through the strands. He got sexier every time I saw him which was more lately since his divorce.
I gazed out at the crystal-clear water of Waimea Bay and smiled. This was the same location where we’d met when I was a youth model fresh on the scene. I had been wide-eyed and totally clueless.
“Do you remember the first time we came here?” I turned to face him.
He lowered the camera for a second, letting me see his intense, dark eyes. “That was a long time ago.”
“A lot has changed.”
Back then, my crush was harmless because he was married, and I was too young. Over the years, we’d both suffered through tragedy. Our losses had bonded us. He was now a single dad, and I was no longer underage and off-limits.
“Move deeper into the water and flip onto your back.” He wore his tan pants rolled to the knee, showing off his muscular calves as he stepped into the ocean next to me. “Let the water lick your skin.”
I struggled to catch my breath as the waves splashed my lower body. The weather was warm, and the swells were calm. Most of the surfers had left, leaving the white sandy beach near empty. It would have been better if Brent and I were alone.
The water pounded against me at a slow and steady pace. What I wouldn’t have given to have him between my legs, rocking against me. I tugged on the straps of my swimsuit, revealing more shoulder and more cleavage. “Am I wet enough for you?”
He grunted and hovered over me, pointing his lens down. Without answering, he took more pictures. “Fan her hair across the water,” he barked at the assistants.
Two strangers ran into the water and fixed my long, blonde tresses. Brent bent closer. His handsome face was hidden behind his camera. His fingers grazed my shoulder as he pushed the strap further down my arm. My nipples hardened. When I licked my lips, I tasted salt from the water. I wanted to taste him, licking him from top to bottom. Lust and longing must have been written all over my face.
“Perfect!” Brent took countless pictures as I rolled around in the water. Every inch of me was wet and covered in sand. He stepped away and captured me from different angles. “The sun is disappearing fast. Are you cold?”
I was burning up. “We can keep going.”
“That’s why I love… working with you.” He winked and waved the assistants back. “You never complain. Just a few more. You’re doing great.”
His praise tickled my heart. I smiled and batted my thick, fake lashes. “No rush. I could do this with you all day and all night.” I looked around and the entourage had moved out of hearing range. “Clothing optional.”
He smirked and adjusted his camera. “Your image is a little wholesome for racy photos. That’s not the kind of career you’re after.”
I giggled. Being a teen idol was cool. But at some point, I had to move to the next level. Working and flirting with Brent always helped the day fly by. “If I wanted to have pictures like that taken, is there anyone you’d recommend?”
“Are you serious?” His voice was deep and masculine.
A sliver of his tattoo poked through the top of his white, button-down shirt. The dark ink drew my attention. I wanted to trace the ink pattern with my lips. If it took having him take naked pictures of me to get him to see me as more than a little girl, then hell yes, I was serious.
“Maybe.” I chewed my lip and tossed my wet hair back. I didn’t get this far in my career by not going after the things I wanted. “Would you do it?”
The photo shoot was nearly finished, and this was our last night in Oahu. I had to make my move before we returned to Vancouver and my opportunities to be alone with him vanished. It was high time I got my own place, but the prospect of living alone scared me.
He captured more poses but didn’t answer. It was maddening. I was practically naked, riding the surf like it was my long-lost lover and he seemed unaffected.
“Something is scratching my back.” I stood. Water dripped down my body. “Brent can you get it?” I thrust my breasts forward, reaching behind my back.
He approached and my body sizzled when his fingers touched my damp skin. Heat radiated from him. He flattened his hand and brushed between my shoulder blades, inadvertently untying the top string of my bikini. I heard his harsh intake of air. Maybe he wasn’t unaffected after all.
“Are you practicing for later?” I whispered, glancing over my shoulder.
Brent shook his head, but his smile stayed plastered against his face as he tied the strings back together. The prospect of seeing me naked made him smile. Internally, I gave myself a high-five. My seduction skills were under used, but I was a damn fine actress. I had years of film experience under my belt, mastering the art of masking my true emotions. I dismissed the butterflies fluttering in my stomach and straightened my spine.
“Christy, you’re all set.” He removed his hands, leaving me cold and bereft.
I shivered and rubbed my arms. “I will be if you say yes.” My voice turned husky and low. “Come to my room later.”
If he touched me again, I was liable to purr like a cat and rub myself all over him. My breaths became shallow and labored.
He rubbed the back of his neck and avoided my eyes. “It’s not a good idea.”
Brushing the sand off my chest, I turned
to face him as the sun dipped under the horizon. “I never asked if it was a good idea. We both know it would be fun. I think you want to.”
A gust of wind blew past, making me shiver again. I reached out and touched his arm. His muscles flexed under my fingers. He closed his eyes and exhaled.
“Don’t do something you’ll regret,” he said through clenched teeth.
“I’ve been waiting for the right time and the right person.” I stepped closer, raised onto the tips of my toes and leaned next to his ear. “Brent, I’m ready,” I whispered.
We weren’t talking about taking pictures anymore. I was ready to move our relationship to the next level and lose my V-card. His marriage had ended recently, and I wanted to snatch him up before someone else got the chance. The age gap didn’t bother me. Sixteen years was nothing. Several men three times my age had tried and failed to get me into bed. Max, my agent, was a good chaperone. Maybe too good. He never let anyone get too close. He also happened to be my roommate and Brent’s best friend.
Brent’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. His lips stayed shut. He exhaled through his nose and looked over his shoulder. The sound of feet slapping against the wet sand caught my attention, interrupting our private moment.
“Please, don’t say no,” I begged when he wouldn’t answer.
Someone cleared her throat. “All set?” our producer, Meredith, asked.
“I’ve got what I need. We’re done.” Brent marched away without giving me an answer.
Meredith raced to keep up with him. Her dark brown hair and short skirt swayed in the breeze. “Clean up and leave this beach spotless. I don’t want to see a speck of trash left behind,” she demanded. “Brent, are you free for dinner?” Her voice was so sickly sweet my teeth hurt. Then she stepped up her game and rested her hand on his forearm.
My mouth dropped open and my pulse raced faster. Like watching a train about to collide with a car, I couldn’t look away. I wanted to rip her fingers from his arm. My heart plummeted when I noticed his head nudge up and down. I’d pretty much thrown myself at his feet, offering myself on a silver platter, and he accepted a date with someone else. My hands balled into fists.
She was a beautiful woman in her early thirties; much closer to his age. But Brent and I had a connection. I knew he felt it too. My chest ached like I’d been physically punched. I wasn’t used to being turned down. Sure, rejection was a part of showbiz and I had grown a thick skin over the years. But I heard more yes than no. Then again, he never said no.
I unclenched my fists and ran my finger over my lips. He didn’t turn me down. I opted to take his silence as an acceptance of my offer. Instead of sulking, I smiled and watched the two confer as the rest of the crew jumped into action.
The assistants, production supports, and the rest of the entourage hustled to put everything away. The beach came alive as the lighting and props were taken down. I slowly traipsed out of the water, letting the sand run through my toes. Someone put a robe over my shoulders and whisked me away. The other models had already left for the day but planned to meet up later.
I wasn’t in the mood, I had better things to do. Like capturing the single dad and forcing him to admit we belong together.
“What are your plans for the evening?” Max asked as he fiddled with the top button on his flowery Hawaiian shirt. His question caught me off guard. I failed to see a branch in the sand, and I stumbled forward. He caught me seconds before I face-planted into the sand.
“Thanks,” I said. “Nice shirt.”
The shirt was bright pink and flashy; nothing like the man wearing it. He and Brent were opposites in many ways, and I loved them both dearly. My agent was all business and no fun. Probably why I’d bought him a loud shirt, the first time we came to Honolulu years earlier. It tickled me that he wore them all the time from then on.
He smiled, softening his hard features. A strong jaw and angular cheekbones dominated his face. “I wear them to make you happy,” he joked. “I checked your schedule. You’ve got dinner with Aiden and then you’re free.”
The smile didn’t last long, and we were back to business. “Remind me again. Who is Aiden?”
“An influencer and social climber. Someone to be seen with and—”
I snapped my fingers. “I remember Aiden.” The last time we came to Hawaii he had tried to get me to suck him off. I had politely declined, and he blasted me on social media as being cold. “Cancel that dinner.”
“Christy, I know you don’t like him, but image is everything.” Max placed his hand on the small of my back, leading me towards the limo. “He’s a young and attractive kid. Go out with him a few times and watch your stock rise.”
My eyebrows raised, and I crossed my arms over my chest. “You’re not suggesting I sleep with him to advance my career. Are you?”
Aiden Kehlani was a beautiful Samoan. He was nineteen like me, and he already had a following that rivaled A-listers. Too bad his attitude sucked.
“No! Absolutely not. Your pure and clean image is what sets you apart. I want to protect your innocence. Being seen with him isn’t the same as sleeping with him,” he explained.
“My answer is no. Take me to the hotel to rest, and then I’ll met up with everyone later,” I lied, tightening the sash on the robe. “Are you going to join us?”
I knew the answer would be no. Max wasn’t a party guy. For someone so young, it was a little sad that he let work rule his life. He needed to loosen up.
Since my parents died when I was sixteen, Max had stepped in as my protector. Brent had too. Both men had kept me on the straight and narrow path to success. Working as a model and actress had been my dream, and my career was booming because of them. When they told me to stay away from boys, I did. No questions asked. Which is why his request came completely out of left field.
“I don’t dance and you all stay out too late,” he responded, waving me towards the open limo door. “Just stick with the group. Okay?”
“You act like you’re seventy when you’re not even forty yet. Live a little,” I teased, bumping him with my shoulder.
We climbed into the car. A pile of towels was stacked on the seat and I used one to soak the water dripping from my hair. The car moved forward, pushing me against the soft leather seat.
“My life is regimented for a reason. I like order, routine and getting up early to work out before the sunrise.” He flexed his muscles, making me giggle. He had a nice body, but it didn’t give me goosebumps like Brent’s.
“If you change your mind, we’ll be at the club on the second floor with the corner views of Waikiki beach. The one with the live bands. I forget the name of it.”
The more details he had the less likely he would be to check on me. I didn’t want him to worry. If he thought I accompanied the others, he’d go to bed, and I’d sneak some alone time with my sexy photographer.
“Do you think Brent is dating anyone?” I asked as casually and aloof as I could muster.
“No. We hardly had a minute to shoot the breeze today, but I’ll ask him to go with you tonight. To make sure you’re safe,” he added.
Before Brent married Jessa, we used to socialize more. Mostly he showed up as my unofficial bodyguard. We flirted like mad and I fell head over heels for the widower. After I turned eighteen, I planned to take our relationship out of the friend zone but someone else snatched him away. I wouldn’t allow that to happen again.
I slid closer to Max and rested my head on his shoulder. “You’re always looking out for me. I’m lucky to have you.”
He returned the sentiment with all the warmth of a robot and talked shop the entire way to the hotel. The hour-long drive back to Honolulu seemed to last forever. I pretended to listen as I debated my next move. Brent was staying at the same resort, and I knew his room number. I could either go to my hotel room, dive under the covers and hope his date didn’t go well. Or I could make sure he never went on the date to begin with. No brainer.
One thing I’
d learned from my career so far, was that you had to take minor roles to work your way to the lead. But I didn’t want to do that with my love life. Nothing in this industry came easily or without sacrifice. I knew which man to cast as my leading man, and I was more than ready to be his leading lady.
CHAPTER TWO
Brent
I sat behind the desk in my hotel room and sifted through the pictures on my laptop. Staring at her body, I wondered what the hell I should do about these feelings. The perfection that Christy Collingswood possessed was foreign to most women. Her curves were sensational in every outfit. Since she’d planted the possibility of taking boudoir photos of her in my brain, I couldn’t shake it. I wanted to capture every creamy inch of her.
She wasn’t a little girl anymore. Her rounded, baby face had matured along with her mouth. She looked like an angel, had the body of a goddess and talked like a sailor. I admired her gumption, but damn that girl was a menace.
My attraction to ball busting women had already landed me in hot water more than once. The ink was still drying on the dissolution of my second marriage. Both of my wives were strong, hotheaded and fearless. Both times, I fell hard and loved harder. I was in no rush to dive into another relationship.
A gentle knock pulled me from my daze. I tossed my reading glasses on the desk, walked through the suite and opened the door. Meredith stood in the hallway holding a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“It’s a merlot.” She licked her red painted lips. “Thought maybe we could have a drink before dinner.”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I propped the door open with my hip but didn’t invite her in. I’d forgotten all about her and our dinner plans. She’d caught me at a bad time earlier. I would have agreed to anything to get away from Christy. I had been seconds away from agreeing to her harebrained photo shoot and that would only lead to trouble.