Doctor Feelgood: (A Bad Boy Doctor Novel)

by Weston Parker

  "Well thank god he got my brains," his mother said with a cheeky wink in his father's direction.

  "Yeah, but he got my good looks." His dad laughed when his mom punched him playfully on the arm. "What are you working on, son?" he asked then, leaning in closer to investigate the collection of tubes and vials.

  "An important experiment," the boy replied.

  "I can see that. Well, will your experiment be finished before dinner?"

  "That depends," the boy responded.

  "On what?" his father countered.

  "On what we're having for dinner."

  His parents laughed. "He really did get your brains, darlin'," his father said then ruffled the dark hair on the boy's head. "Well, since your mother finally finished her project, and since you're obviously on the way to discovering the cure to cancer or whatever it is you’re doing, perhaps we could go out tonight for a special dinner."

  "Can I pick the place?" he asked in a wheedling tone.

  "I don't know, son," his father said. "This is supposed to be your mother's reward, remember?"

  The boy sighed and gave his mom what she called his "lost puppy dog look." "Aw, come on, Mom. Can I pick the restaurant? Pleeeeeaaasssseeee?"

  His mother smiled at him. He loved his mother's smile. It was so beautiful and kind. His mother was the best mother a kid could have. His father was pretty great too.

  "Well, I guess you can pick," his mother said finally with a laugh. "As long as it isn't that place with all the messy burgers." Her tone was one of mock horror.

  "But Mom! You know that's my favorite restaurant!" They all laughed. Of course it was, and of course they'd go there tonight.

  His father stood, then lifted the young boy up into his strong arms and held him against his chest. The boy wrapped his legs around his dad's waist and let him hold him. His father then pulled his mother up from her sitting position and wrapped an arm around her slender waist, pulling her close.

  The young boy smiled. He felt so warm, so cared for, so loved. His family was the best family in the world.

  Caleb awoke from the dream with a start. He sat there in silence, breathing heavily. Then he noticed a weight in his arms and looked over, finding Dani snuggled into his chest. His arms were wrapped tightly around her, and a smile was on her innocent face. He loved her so much then, he thought his heart would explode from the fierceness of the emotion.

  Caleb turned his mind back to the dream. It had started like all the others, but instead of violence, instead of death, he'd found only love. Was it an omen, a premonition of his future with the beautiful woman by his side? The dark-eyed young boy had surely looked like a combination of his and Dani's features.

  The thought of a child both terrified and exhilarated him. As he'd never expected to fall in love, never expected to have a relationship, he'd definitely never expected to have a child, or a family of his own. And yet, the feelings brought on by the dream were so strong, it warmed his heart.

  Caleb allowed himself to consider the possibility of being with Dani forever. They'd get married and start a family. She would be a wonderful mother, and he would learn to be a good father. He wouldn't let them end up like his parents. No, they couldn't. Dani was nothing like his mother. She was love and light, and their children would be the luckiest kids on the planet.

  He snuggled in deeper, pulling her closer and resting his head on the top of hers. Caleb inhaled deeply, breathing in her fresh, delicate scent. He couldn't get enough of this woman in his arms. His grip tightened and she squirmed, turning around to gently nuzzle at his neck. He felt desire stirring within him again and he couldn't believe his sudden reversal of fortune.

  Sometimes you had to risk it all for the chance of something spectacular. Caleb was glad that Dani had shown him that.

  The night was still dark around them and Caleb could hear the crash of the waves against the beach. He thought about the other nights they'd spent together, nights that had ended in him pushing Dani away, of him leaving and turning his back on her love. That kind of bullshit would never happen again. Now that he'd found his home, he'd never leave it. He would cherish the love that had found him, forever.

  Closing his eyes, Caleb allowed himself to relax into a deep and dreamless sleep.

  And in the morning, he was there beside her when she woke. And he would continue to be there for the rest of their lives together.

  Epilogue

  It was the shortest winter break Dani thought she'd ever had in her academic career. Instead of going home to Texas, holing up in her office or hiding out in her apartment to avoid all that holiday cheer, this year Danielle spent the most enchanting winter weeks of her life. She'd convinced Caleb to stay at Brice Masterson's beach house through the holidays, and she thought she couldn't have made a better choice.

  The holidays had always made Dani lonely. Her parents had showered her with gifts and affection, but she'd never had another child to share it with. What fun was it to play dolls by yourself? Now that she was all grown up, she wasn't interested in playing with dolls, but it did feel good to have someone to share the long winter nights with, someone to cuddle up to in front of a warm fire and talk to.

  Someone to love.

  It was a slow process, but Caleb was opening up to her. The more time they spent together, the more they discovered about each other. Surprisingly they had more in common than just mind-blowing sexual compatibility.

  Dani loved taking long hikes along the beach and through the verdant coastal greenery and discussing books and movies with the ranger. But it was especially nice to have someone to share her dreams with, her memories, and her soul.

  Not long after they'd settled into a routine of lazy days spent exploring the beach house and its surrounds, followed by passionate nights entwined in each other's arms, they received an interesting phone call from Brice Masterson.

  Caleb put the cell phone on speaker so she could hear the conversation.

  She heard Brice say, "You'll be happy to know that I've pulled some strings and whispered in all the right ears, and you'll be offered your old position as Head of Development of the Masterson Memorial Parklands project. You can resume your residency in that rustic little cabin of yours come January."

  Caleb seemed grateful to his friend for fighting for his job. He'd been willing to walk away from it when it had meant guaranteeing Dani's safety, but now that there was no need, he admitted that he'd been feeling the loss more than he had expected.

  "Thanks, man," he said, his voice gruff to disguise the depth of his emotion. "I truly appreciate your help."

  "Think nothing of it. You're the one who caught my uncle and his thugs before they could do any more damage to the park. Speaking of the illegal mining operation, you'll never believe what they uncovered while dismantling the equipment.

  "Apparently my uncle had just hit his first serious vein and was preparing to send out his initial shipment when you guys raided the works. They recovered all the gold that was pulled out the cave, neatly packed away inside what resembled logs but were made out of buoyant plastic. That's how they were going to move the gold downstream without attracting attention."

  "I'll be damned," Caleb muttered. "How much did they get?"

  "I had an appraiser friend take a look at it and he figures that once it's refined there will be almost fifty pounds there. At a rate of over a thousand dollars a pound, the Forestry Service will be able to claim a cool million out of the deal. There are probably hundreds of millions more buried in the ground, but it will never be recovered."

  "Holy hell," Caleb gasped in wonder.

  "Yep. I've used my considerable influence to push for earmarking most of the funds for the parkland project. It should go a ways towards paying the development costs."

  "That's very generous."

  "I figured you'd earned it, since you helped bring the operation down. You and that pretty professor of yours. How is she, by the way?"

  "She's well, and I'll thank you to keep
my professor out of your dirty mind, Masterson."

  Brice laughed. "Not to worry. My mind is totally occupied with another fine specimen of the female sex. Give Dr. French my regards. And happy holidays."

  Although Caleb and Dani were pleased by the news of the restoration of his job and the extra funding for the park, they didn't greet a letter from the Dean of Sciences at Central Willamette University with the same enthusiasm.

  Dear Dr. French:

  I regret to inform you that your request for a decreased teaching load for spring term is denied. Furthermore, in conjunction with the office of the President of the University, I am revoking your tenure-track status. When your contract is presented for renewal for the next academic year, it is likely that it will not be accepted. Your persistent lack of ethical behavior as well as violent temperament are not what is expected of the faculty at this university. Furthermore, the fact that charges are not being brought against you for your vicious assault on my person should further convince you that your place is elsewhere. It is suggested that you seek outside employment for the upcoming year. If you disagree, said charges will be pressed post-haste.

  Sincerely,

  Jeffrey B. J. Fischer, PhD

  Dean of the College of Sciences

  Central Willamette University

  "That son of a bitch!" Dani screamed, balling up the paper and tossing it in the direction of the fire.

  Caleb caught it before it could reach the flames, unfolded it, read it, then balled it up with just as much fury as Dani had. "That son of a bitch!"

  "I know! This is so unfair!"

  "Then fight it, darlin'. You have my total support. You just march into that President's office and tell him what happened. And if he won't give you your job back and run the dean out of town, then you just give him your signature right hook and bust up his nose!"

  Dani laughed, then scrunched up her face. "I wish it were that easy." She looked at him, basking in the unconditional support he offered, and smiled. "You know what, busting my ass for tenure in a department headed by that little toad suddenly doesn't sound all that appealing." She sauntered over to him, sliding her arms around her neck and stepping on tiptoe to pull his lips down to hers. "I can think of something I'd like to do more."

  "Mmm..." he murmured. "Me too. Besides, you won't have time to return to work next year anyway."

  "And why is that?"

  "You'll be too busy publishing your groundbreaking frog cohabitation research and winning the Nobel Prize."

  Dani laughed, loving the confidence this handsome man had in her. "I don't think you quite understand how academic research and publication works. It's a very slow process."

  "Does it take longer than nine months?" he asked.

  "Yes, usually," she responded, curious. "Why?"

  "Then I can think of something to do in the meantime. Something that we can create that only takes nine short months to come to fruition."

  Dani gasped. "Are you serious?"

  She was amazed by his unexpected suggestion. She'd figured he wouldn't want kids, not after his own horrible childhood, or that he'd a least want to put them off for several years.

  "Very," he said, brushing his lips against hers ever so softly. "Let's start a family of our own."

  "This doesn't mean I'm giving up my research," she insisted after he'd kissed her breathless.

  "Of course not." He gave her a smile. "But I know you. Catching frogs would only hold your attention for a little while. Having a little girl or boy just as inquisitive and frustrating as you will keep you busy for a whole lifetime."

  "Oh, Caleb." Her eyes filled with happiness. "I love you."

  "And I love you, Professor Greenhorn. Forever."

  The End

  This one was a creative stop on the fun-factory map. Whatever the hell that means. We do have another story from this same standalone series coming out with my August release. Hope you enjoyed it and are looking forward to more from this world of romance we’ve created. Tell the family it’s pizza night – I got another book for you. This next one is gritty and not for the faint of heart. Enjoy!

  RAS: I can cut a rug on the dance floor. Raised in Texas, two-stepping was a must. I have to say, I’ve still got it. Or so my family, friends and the drunk chicks on the dance floor tell me. They might be bias or liars.

  Untapped

  My Second Bad Boy Story

  A Gritty Bad Boy Tale

  Some desires are better left uncovered…

  Erik Bertinelli is the son of the vilest mob boss in all of New York’s underbelly. He’s the enforcer, the hitman for the syndicate, and the type of guy who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. His hideaway is as unconventional as they come… the New York Public Library.

  With a thirst for knowledge and a grand getaway at his fingertips, he loses himself daily in the dusty tales of old. Life is too f*cked up most days of the week. Peace would be beyond welcomed.

  Grace Adams desires more than anything to live fully alive, and yet, she’s doing just the opposite of that. She’s a librarian at the New York Public Library and spends her days wishing like hell that she could disappear into one of the romance novels she reads.

  With an imagination that would shock her family and friends, she keeps to herself and lives in the colorful parts of her mind – alone.

  Untapped.

  When the same deliciously dangerous alpha male keeps showing up between the bookshelves, her daydreams quickly dive into passion that feels too good to be true. The kind that could burn anyone involved. The kind she would do anything for. Maybe even kill…

  Chapter 1

  Erik

  Death was inevitable.

  It clung to me like a well-worn coat, the stench of it all over me no matter how hard I scrubbed my skin each night. It was my lot in life, my birthright.

  "Please God! Please. Please don't. I'll do anything." The older man in front of me was on his knees, tears dripping down his face. There wasn't much he wouldn't give up to save him and his family.

  "The time is over for negotiations, Samuel. You know that." I pulled on a thick black glove and stared into his face. My father had taught me as a boy to confront my fears, to slay my demons. Watching and coveting each emotion before death was my punishment. My dreams would haunt me later that night, my days melting into weeks and weeks into years of nothing but beautiful death.

  "Can I fuck the old lady?" Kane's voice rose up behind me, and I shrugged.

  "I don't care what you do with her. She was as involved as Samuel here was."

  "No!" Samuel pulled himself to his knees, which garnered him a pop in the face. "Please. Leave her be. She had no part in it."

  I hit him again, breaking his nose. "You lying is only going to make things worse."

  He gagged and turned, vomiting something putrid on the ground behind him as I pulled on my other glove slowly, methodically.

  The shrill screams behind me blended into the ether becoming nothing more than a hum. I'd heard them far too many times in my life to pay them any attention. The lesson was straight forward.

  You fuck with the devil; you pay his bill when it comes due.

  "Erik. Please. You know me." Samuel turned and wiped his sleeve over his arm as I popped one of my ear buds in and then the other.

  Classical music filled my ears, leaving my heart light and unburdened. "Can't hear you, old friend."

  I lifted my gun and nodded toward the ground.

  He mouthed a few more cries; his begging lost to me. Nothing would retract the hit my father had put on the old man's head. He was our broker, the one who helped my father put himself back together after the death of my mother. He was once important, family.

  That all changed the day he decided to start slipping a few bills in his own pocket. I was shocked my father had let it go that far.

  Pressing the gun to his head, I pulled the trigger twice and turned, making my way to the bedroom. Kane had Lana pressed to the bed, her legs spread
wide as he drilled into her. I tapped his shoulder and gave him a look as she screamed in horror.

  "You're taking too long, asshole." I turned put two bullets in her head too before chuckling and walking back through the house. A picture here and there had Samuel's arm wrapped around my father's broad shoulders. One caught my eye, and I pulled it from the wall, taking it with me as I walked calmly out of the house.

  How anyone could ever love a man like my father was beyond me. He was the kingpin of our syndicate, and the evilest mother fucker ever to walk the earth.

  His black eyes bore into me as I lifted the picture up and walked to the car, resting against it while I waited for Kane. There was truly no getting into my old man's heart. Maybe once, but not after losing my mother and then my sister, Delaney.

  He was dead to the world, and his pain was only buffered by the inflicting of horror and pain on someone else.

  "I fucking hate you sometimes." Kane pushed me in the chest as I pulled off my earbuds.

  "Sorry? Were you mumbling something?" I tucked them into my pocket and pulled off my gloves, watching him intently. "Did you fuck her after I killed her?"

  "What? No." He popped me in the chest, and I reached out, striking him in the face like a viper might.

  "Hit me again, and I'll make sure to drop your ugly ass on top of her corpse before I drive off." I narrowed my eyes a little, and he lifted his hands and backed off.

  "Fuck. I was just kidding, Erik. Damn. You're extra sensitive today. Get some pussy and call me in the morning." He flipped me off and walked toward the road.

  "It's ten miles back to the house," I called after him, but only got another finger in response.

  Good. The last thing I wanted to do was drive home with him blabbering in my ear about some new girl he met. If the poor whore only knew who she was sleeping with, she'd fall over dead. Kane was vile, dark, lost. He'd lived a life of physical and mental abuse for years before my father pulled his ass from the hole he was in.