Seduction

By Nicholas Jordan

He's a teacher. She's a student. But who's really the victim here?

An opportunity to coach at the same high school where he was the star basketball player has brought 25-year-old Mason Harper back to the small town where he grew up. From an outside perspective, he's life might seem perfect. A lovely wife, a baby on the way, and the admiration of the whole town, who look at him like some kind of local legend. But Mason doesn't think of his life as perfect. It's far from in fact. His relationship with his wife is strained and he's terrified of fatherhood.

Attempting to escape his problems leads to a few too many drinks at the bar, and that leads to a one-night stand with a beautiful young woman named Tina. The guilt he feels afterwards is awful, but it's nothing compared to the other consequences of his actions. He soon learns that Tina is not only still in high school, but she goes to the very same high school where he works. And as much as Mason would like to put his infidelity behind him for good, Tina has other plans. She's not about to just let him go . . .

Can Mason save his job, his marriage, and maybe even his own life when Tina will stop at nothing to make Mason hers? Just how far is this obsessed teenager willing to go? Stalking? Kidnapping? Murder?

If you're a fan of twisted one-sided romance and suspense-fueled thrillers where the stakes are high, then this is the book for you!

Buy Seduction today to discover what happens when a school girl crush is anything but innocent . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nicholas Jordan
• Release date: May 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386913498

Book preview

1

SO HOW DOES IT FEEL to be back?

Mason Harper smiled at his best friend’s question. He lifted his mug of beer off the table and brought it up to his lips. Like nothing’s changed, he said before taking a deep swig.

Pour Shot’s—the oldest and most popular bar in the small town of Crystal Springs—was hopping as always on a Friday night. Mason and Dylan were fortunate to find a table at all, much less a private one tucked away in the corner.

Nearly a hundred years old, the bar’s motif was western—wagon wheels, cow skulls, old barrels, dark leather stools, and lots of wood paneling. But Mason didn’t care much about the motif. He just liked the good food, great locally-brewed beers, and seeing all the familiar faces.

This was his town. Even after being away for seven years . . . it was still home.

Yeah. Right. Dylan chuckled. Blond-haired and blue-eyed, Dylan Jones was once an elite athlete, but was seven years and forty pounds removed from those days. Except now you’re married with a kid on the way, right? How’s Kim doing anyway?

The smile was wiped right off of Mason’s face at the mere mention of his wife. Oh, she’s fine. He took another sip and then set his beer down. Just, you know, tired a lot I guess. Only a couple of weeks left to go.

Hang on a second. What’s with that?

What’s with what?

That face. I don’t think I’ve seen that kind of discontent since you sprained your ankle and couldn’t play the last game of the season junior year.

Ouch. Thanks for bringing up old wounds.

Sorry. Seriously, though. What’s going on? I mean, I would think that you’d be excited. About to be a father for the first time and all that. Are things not going well with you and Kim?

It’s not that. It’s just . . . Mason sighed and ran a hand through his short dark hair. Well, it’s complicated.

What exactly does that mean? Come on, man. It’s me. I’ve known you since the freaking third grade. Just tell me what’s up.

Mason cleared his throat before he spoke again—in a much lower tone this time. We haven’t, you know, done it since Kim entered her second trimester.

It was embarrassing for him to even bring it up, and he definitely would never talk about it with anyone but Dylan.

Oh . . . I see. Dylan brought his own beer to his lips. A knowing expression of sympathy worn on his face. I’ve been there before. Rebecca was the same way with our first.

Really? So what did you do? Mason asked, leaning forward in his seat. Desperate for some sage wisdom from his oldest friend.

Dylan chuckled. I didn’t do anything. I just waited until she was ready.

Mason sighed again and slumped his shoulders. And how long did that take?

About two months after Jeffrey was born.

Two months? Mason gasped. How the hell am I supposed to wait two months?

Come on, man. We’re not in high school anymore. I know you’re used to being the big man on campus and having girls lining up to spread their legs for you, but you had to have known things would change once you got married.

Yeah . . . but I didn’t expect this. Mason massaged his temples. He had really been hoping for some better advice from Dylan.

So much for that . . .

"Nine months really isn’t that long, Dylan said. You’ll live. I lived. I lived through three pregnancies in fact."

But that did very little to quell Mason’s concerns. So I’m basically just screwed. Is that what you’re saying?

Dylan smiled. Patience, man. It’s all about patience. Kim obviously has a lot on her mind right now. First pregnancy. She’s excited, scared, and probably more than a little confused. Show some patience and understanding right now and I guarantee it will go a long way in the future.

Mason looked down at his beer with pressed lips and a slight frown. Patience and understanding . . . not what he wanted to hear right now. Why did he have to be the only one who showed patience and understanding? Shouldn’t Kim show a little understanding too?

Just then, Dylan’s phone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket. Out of milk. Looks like I’ll be stopping by Walmart before I get back. I think that means it’s time for me to get going.

Dylan got to his feet.

Really? It’s only . . . Mason checked the time on his own phone. Ten o’clock. You haven’t had to go home this early since we were in the sixth grade.

Like I said, things change. Dylan threw his coat over his shoulder and then tossed a few bucks on the table. What about you? You going home?

Nah, I think I’ll stick around a little longer.

Alright, but don’t stay out too late. You don’t want that ticking time bomb of yours back home to worry. Besides, you got a new job to start in the morning.

Yeah . . . that’s right. He looked down at his beer to avoid having to look at his best friend. Something else I’m not sure if I’m ready for.

Once Dylan left, Mason was alone at the table with just the dregs of the beer in front of him—and all of his pent up frustrations and concerns—to keep him company. The vast majority of those concerns centered on his wife of eighteen months.

Kim was a great girl, and he loved her of course—he wouldn’t have married her otherwise—but things had not been the same the last handful of months.

The passion that used to be there every day was missing. It felt like she was completely disinterested in him. He supposed that maybe Dylan was right. Maybe it was just because she was worried about impending motherhood.

But there was also a part of Mason that worried this might be a sign of things to come. He thought back to his own parents and how their marriage soured and become a loveless union until ultimately culminating into one hell of a messy divorce.

If that was how his own marriage was going to turn out, then he would rather just end it right now and be done with it. Because he knew all too well how much damage that could do to a child when they were old enough to understand what was going on.

And he could never live with himself if he put his own child through that kind of hell.

Well . . . I guess I might as well be getting back now, he said to himself as he drained the last of his beer. He was sure that by the time he got back home, Kim would already be in bed, decked out in sweatpants and maternity smock, reading one of those baby books for the umpteenth time.

Mason got to his feet—stumbling a little on shaky legs—and started to count out a few bills while realizing that maybe he had just a tad more to drink than he should have.

He dropped the cash on the table and turned to head for the exit.

That was when he saw her.

Just sitting there all by herself at the bar. Long wavy blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and pale and silky skin. Not a single flaw. Her body was nothing short of perfection—perky and curvy in all the right places.

The leopard print spaghetti strap top and tight black jeans she wore only further emphasized all her picture-perfect physical attributes.

It seemed impossible that someone so stunning could possibly be alone. Back in high school, any girl like her would have guys flooding her with attention—both welcome and unwelcome—and most of them would be completely out of her league.

But I’m Mason Harper, former star basketball player at Crystal Springs High. No girl is out of my league.

He took a step towards the gorgeous young blonde, but stopped abruptly when a tiny voice in the back of his head reminded him of a very important fact—he was a married man.

What am I even doing right now? I can’t do this. I should leave.

But even after telling himself that, Mason couldn’t tear his eyes away from the beautiful young blonde. Maybe it was just wishful thinking on his part, but she actually looked lonely to him. As if she were waiting for someone to approach her and give her some much needed attention.

No, I can’t. That someone can’t be me. I have a wife waiting for me back home.

He was nearly ready to walk out of the bar and forget all about the blonde when she suddenly turned in his direction and offered him a subtle smile before looking down at the floor like a teenage girl hiding her blushing face. Mason had seen that look before. He knew what it meant.

Yeah, a wife who is nine months pregnant and wouldn’t sleep with me right now if I paid her to. Sorry, Dylan, but your advice sucks.

And just like that, his mind was made up. With the calm and cool demeanor he perfected in high school worn like a suit of impenetrable armor, he marched right over to the gorgeous blonde—only one thought on his mind.

Mind if I sit down? Mason asked, motioning to an unoccupied seat beside her.

She looked up at him—faint smile teasing her lips again. Be my guest.

Her voice was filled with sensuality. Every syllable stimulating the most primal parts of Mason’s brain.

He sat down right beside her. Buy you a drink?

She raised an eyebrow. Any strings attached?

Not at all. Consider it a gift.

A gift can still have strings attached.

Don’t worry. I’m not that kind of guy.

Really? What kind of guy are you then? She crossed her legs and leaned forward on the countertop, chin resting in her palm. Consider my curiosity . . . piqued.

Is that so? He gestured for the bartender—a portly man named Eugene—to come over. Well, to answer your question, I’m the kind of guy who isn’t afraid to go after what he wants.

Sounds exciting.

Eugene appeared. What can I do for you, Mason?

Two beers.

Coming right up.

Thanks.

Mason, the blonde said his name as if it were candy in her mouth. So that’s your name.

He nodded. And your name?

Tina.

Tina . . . I like that name.

She smiled while biting her lower lip. So . . . you said you aren’t afraid to go after what you want.

That’s right.

And what is it that you want?

Well, Tina, right now I want to know what a very attractive girl like you is doing here all by yourself.

She leaned back in her seat, her smile waning as she brushed a few stray strands of hair behind her ear. You’re probably not going to believe this, but I actually got stood up.

You’re right. I don’t believe it.

Eugene placed their beers down in front of them and then scurried away to help other patrons of the still quite crowded bar.

Tina waited until the bartender was gone before she spoke again. Not all guys are brimming with confidence like you, Mason. Most guys are intimidated by girls like me. They look at me like some kind of forbidden fruit. Too perfect to be plucked.

Tina grabbed her beer, but she hesitated before taking a sip and spoke again. Or maybe they just think I’m dangerous.

Why would they think that?

She looked him in the eye, leaning in a little closer. All pretty things are dangerous, Mason. You see it in nature all the time. Bright, pretty colors warn you to stay away.

I don’t think you’re dangerous.

You don’t even know me.

No, he took a swig of beer, but I’d like to.

And what if I am dangerous?

He shrugged. I can handle a little danger.

Yeah . . . maybe you can. She got up off the barstool and grabbed her purse.

Mason’s face fell. Where are you going?

Out to my car. You said you can handle a little danger, so what are you waiting for? With a wink, she turned and started for the exit, not even looking back to see if he was following.

Mason took one last sip of beer before dropping a couple bucks on the counter and following the mysterious and alluring blonde.

Kim was no longer on his mind.

And he certainly wasn’t thinking about going home.

All the advice that he got from his best friend had gone in one ear and out the other. He believed that he had just discovered a solution to his problem and he was going to take full advantage.

No going back now.

•         

2

TINA GRAYSON PULLED HER KEYS free from the ignition, unfastened her seatbelt, and then leaned back in the seat of her Chevy Impala. A satisfied sigh escaped her lips as recent memories flooded her mind.

Wonderful memories.

Memories that she didn’t ever want to forget.

Her lips curled into a smile and she closed her eyes, allowing herself to get lost in the memories. She wanted to imbed every detail so deeply in her brain that