Taming the Boy Next Door (A Dickerman/Moretti Novel)

by MJ Carnal

  She took a deep breath. He was loyal and faithful and for the first time in her life, Jena felt hopeful and assured. She giggled and covered her mouth.

  “What was that?” Andi put her book down and smiled at her.

  “I love him.”

  Andi cocked her head to the side as she watched her brother. “Did you tell him?”

  “No. But I need to. He’s amazing.”

  “What about Seattle?” Andi stared at her, causing Jena to shift uncomfortably in the chair.

  “I have to go back. There’s a month left in the clinical trial I’m running. I can’t leave before then.” Jena sighed. “Maybe I can come home on the weekends? Or maybe he can come up for a week. I don’t know. If he is willing to try, I will do whatever I need to do.”

  “Jena, He loves you. He’ll go crazy if you leave. Please take him with you.” Andi laughed as she began to read her book once more. “But honestly, talk to him. He was destroyed when you left. I can’t watch that again.”

  Jena sighed as she looked back at Caleb. He had healed her past and added joy to her present. She had no doubt he was her future. “I’m off to run to pick up the rings before it gets too late. I’ll see you at the wedding.”

  ~~~

  Caleb walked into the jewelry store to pick up the wedding rings. Mark had insisted he didn’t have time with greeting arriving guests and taking a nap. Hell, he owed him. It was the least he could do. It had been a long road for those two and he took responsibility for quite a bit of their turbulence. Granted, Mark’s idea of a surprise for Sophie was a dumb one. Bringing her sister to LA unannounced and parading her around in public while he ran errands had been part of the downfall. Anyone could have gotten the wrong idea. But Caleb knew he had meant well. And tonight, when Mark finally slipped the ring on her finger, Caleb would breathe easier knowing that despite his big mouth, two of his best friends were getting their happily ever after.

  Greeting the salesman, Caleb smiled. “I’m here to pick up the rings for the Moretti wedding.” Nodding, the salesman walked to the back. He couldn’t but glance at the rings. He knew it would be awhile. There were so many things to work out with Jena. They didn’t even live in the same state. But looking down at the engagement section, he smiled, imagining what it would be like to slide something so meaningful onto her finger. Muffled voices pulled him from his daydream.

  “Ms. Turner. I understand. But the instructions weren’t clear. If you could just slide this on your finger and tell me which way you prefer the band. I can have it fixed in just a few moments.”

  Jena shifted her weight back and forth. “Sir, the ring isn’t mine. Let me just call Mr. Moretti and ask him what he wants.” As the clerk started speaking again, Jena huffed. She pulled out her phone and her shoulders dropped when Mark’s voicemail picked up. “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Is there a problem, Dr. Turner?” Caleb whispered into her neck and she jumped.

  Her smile lit up her whole face. “Hi. What are you doing here?”

  “Mark asked me to pick up the rings.”

  “Mark asked me to pick up the rings.” Jena scrunched up her nose and Caleb laughed.

  “You are so damn cute.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “Everything ok?”

  Jena hugged him. “I’m so glad to see you. Sophie’s rings were supposed to be soldered together. They didn’t do it. And I don’t know what to tell him.”

  “Sir, forgive me for the interruption. We can do this, no problem. I just need your wife to tell me which way she prefers the band. It can go either direction.” The Samoan salesman smiled and winked at Caleb. “Please put it on.”

  Without thinking, Caleb picked up Sophie’s rings and slid them onto Jena’s finger. They were the perfect fit. He froze. His eyes met hers. Instead of panic, he saw joy. She bit her lip and her eyes watered. “They look really beautiful on your finger, J.”

  She blushed crimson and sucked in a breath. “They’re gorgeous.” Her hands shook.

  “You prefer white gold.” Caleb ran his finger over the diamond band and she nodded. He pulled her along the cases of rings, searching for just what he pictured on her finger. “Something simpler you could wear at work. More of a vintage look. Something unique. And a quiet wedding with just a few friends in the middle of the week so there isn’t a fuss.” He stopped and pointed at a two carat art deco inspired ring. It sparkled under the lights of the jewelry store. Her breath hitched.

  “The day Ryan and Layla announced they were engaged, you sat on the couch with her looking at rings. I loved you even then.” Caleb brushed his thumb over her bottom lip. “Everything you said was magic. Even if you weren’t talking to me. Your voice is home for me, J. You are my home.”

  “Caleb,” she breathed.

  “I love you.” He lowered his lips to hers, reminding her of how much.

  Chapter 21

  “Wow, you are breathtaking. Mark is a very lucky man.”

  Sophie’s eyes filled with tears. “No. I am the lucky one.”

  Caleb gently pulled her into a hug. A year ago, he would have thrown himself at her feet and begged her not to get married. He had spent months pining for her, hoping she would see him as something other than her friend. And when Mark had caught her eye, he had jeopardized her happiness in his jealous attempt to break them up. But standing with her today, he felt nothing but joy. Looking back, he didn’t doubt that he had loved her. It had been a quiet, reserved love that had taught him what he was truly looking for.

  He smiled. When he had met Jena, she moved into his heart so quickly, he hadn’t seen it coming. She had torn down his defenses, shattered the walls he had built, and taken up residence in his brain. His every thought had been of her. He needed her like he needed to breathe. He held his breath until he saw her every day, basked in the joy of what she made him feel, and dreamed of her every night. As cliché as it sounded, he had known right away that she belonged with him. Jena was his forever. He would help her cope with her past, he would love her fiercely in the present, and he would spend his entire future proving to her that she was the most important person in the world.

  “I almost bought Jena an engagement ring today.” The words were out of his mouth so quickly, he wasn’t sure if he had said them aloud.

  Sophie’s jaw dropped. “Are you serious?” She giggled at the look on his face.

  “Completely. There was an issue at the jeweler and I slipped your ring on her finger. I wanted it to be real. Soph, she was so completely gorgeous in that moment, I almost fell to my knees.”

  Sophie stepped forward and fixed his tie. She smiled as he looked down at her. “I love you, Caleb. Jena is amazing and you deserve to be happy. We are here in paradise, for a wedding, with all of our family and friends. Maybe you should ask her.”

  “It’s way too soon.” He shook his head.

  “C, if Mark had asked me the first day I met him, I would have said yes. I knew the second I saw him that he was it for me. It’s never too soon.”

  He took her hand and kissed her cheek. “It’s time, kiddo. You ready to become Mrs. Moretti?”

  Sophie wiped her eyes and nodded. “More than anything in the world.”

  ~~~

  The evening was warm, a light breeze blowing off the ocean. With the sunset in the background, the music started and the guests all turned. Sophie’s hands shook. Layla handed her the bouquet and grinned. “You look gorgeous, baby girl.”

  Sophie wore a custom made Pnina Tornae gown. After giving her original gown to Layla so she could marry her prince, she had made the trip to NYC and fallen head over heels with the first dress she tried on. The lightly beaded bodice was fitted with a delicate halter that gave way to a completely open back. The material hugged her body and flowed to the ground. Lace covered the skirt, making it feminine and beautiful. Her hair was pulled into a twist with wisps hanging loose around her face. Her chocolate brown eyes sparkled in the candlelight.

  As the music got louder
, Mark stepped into the flower covered archway placed only feet from the ocean. With wide eyes, he watched the bridesmaids make their way to the end of the makeshift aisle. When Sophie stepped into view, he beamed with pride and love. The music changed as his future walked toward him.

  ~~~

  Caleb had to remind himself to breathe. When Jena had stepped into view in her fitted red gown, his heart started to pound out of his chest. He couldn’t concentrate on anything other than her grace as she walked forward and the smile on her face as she looked at his mother sitting in the second row. His world tilted on its axis. The joy on his mother’s face as she looked at the woman he loved was something he had never seen before. Catching him staring, his mom winked and blew him a kiss. He blushed. He never blushed.

  Seeing the guests stand as Sophie walked down the aisle, he forced himself to tear his eyes away from Jena. The minute he did, he missed her. He chuckled to himself. He had turned into a teenager again with the sweaty palms and the adrenaline rush and the constant desire to lose himself in her body. He was staring again.

  As if sensing him, Jena’s eyes met his. Time stood still. Her smile was his undoing. He smiled at her and she blushed. “I love you.” He mouthed.

  “I love you too.” She mouthed back.

  She had said it. For months he had imagined what the moment would feel like. And as his best friend started his vows, pledging his life to the woman he loved, Caleb could think of nothing more than making Jena his.

  ~~~

  The groomsmen all sat at a long table watching the bridesmaids dancing around Sophie. It was a beautiful site. The joy and love that was shared in this group was almost overwhelming. Caleb took a steadying breath as he watched Jena sway back and forth. His mind replayed the night before, his body responding remembering the way Jena had let him take control. He had lost himself inside her so many times but it would never be enough.

  “I know that look.” Caleb’s head snapped up to see his mother standing above him.

  “You look beautiful, mom.” He pulled a chair out for her and she sat. “I’m so happy you and dad could be here to share this.”

  “I remember when you would come home with Sophie. You both smiled and laughed so. I wondered if she would be the one to steal my son’s heart.” She took his hand. “But I see how you look at beautiful Jena. And I see how she looks at my baby. I am a very proud mama.”

  Caleb sighed as he looked back at Jena. “She’s the one.” Jena looked over and caught their stares. She smiled. “She stops my heart with that smile.”

  “Your father asked me to marry him the first night we met.”

  Caleb was shocked. “What?”

  “Time stands still when there is love, my son. I knew he had lost your mother and I would never take her place. But from the moment I met him, I loved him. Then I met you and I knew I was made to be your mother. I took the leap of faith. Seattle might be your leap. Your father and I love you with all our hearts. We would miss you very much but we will help you pack.”

  Caleb laughed. “I am not sure if I should say thank you or be insulted.” He kissed her on the cheek and stood. “For now, I need to go make something right.”

  He walked toward the stage where Steve was waiting for him. It had been a lifetime since he had done anything like this in public. He had ruined a very important moment for his two friends and he couldn’t think of a gift more perfect that this. Steve nodded as he spoke to the DJ. Caleb took a deep breath.

  “Can I get everyone’s attention, please?” The crowd quieted and looked to the stage. Steve handed Caleb the guitar and he laughed. “You are leaving me alone up here then?”

  Steve chuckled as he stepped from the stage. “This is your moment, Allen.”

  He caught Jena’s eye and smiled at her confusion. Mark and Sophie walked toward the stage. “What are you doing?” Sophie whispered.

  Caleb adjusted the guitar and leaned into the microphone. “A little over a year ago, our happy couple here wasn’t so happy. I really don’t remember why. I am sure it had nothing to do with me.” The group laughed. “Rich and Molly were getting married that weekend and Marco here had a really amazing proposal planned. Of course, none of us knew anything about it and someone started these rumors that Mark was running around town with another woman. Turns out, it was the beautiful Layla West who just so happens to be Sophie’s sister. You see, Mark had flown her sister out to surprise her. It was a ridiculous plan but when you are in love, do you ever really know what you’re doing?”

  Mark shook his head and the friends gathered in front of the stage. Jena’s eyes hadn’t left his.

  “So I began thinking about what I could get the man who has everything and the woman who has his heart.” He strummed the guitar, tightening a string and taking a deep breath. “Then it came to me. Please raise your glasses for Mark and Sophie Moretti. You are a beautiful couple and we have been lucky to be a part of your journey. Please consider this my apology for everything, but especially for taking that moment at Rich and Molly’s wedding away from you.”

  The crowd was silent. With tears in his eyes, Caleb began to sing.

  “Forever can never be long enough for me

  To feel like I've had long enough with you

  Forget the world now, we won't let them see

  But there's one thing left to do

  Now that the weight has lifted

  Love has surely shifted my way

  Marry me

  Today and every day

  Marry me

  If I ever get the nerve to say "Hello" in this cafe

  Say you will

  Mm-hmm

  Say you will

  Mm-hmm”

  Jena’s jaw dropped. His voice was smooth and haunting. She hadn’t known he could play or sing and in that moment, she feel even deeper. Tears filled her eyes as she watched Mark and Sophie hold each other. The moment could not have been more perfect.

  “This is the song that Mark sang at our wedding. He was going to propose after it but he didn’t get the chance.” Molly took Jena’s hand. “He has a beautiful heart, J. Please don’t break it.”

  “I won’t.” She wiped her tears. “I promise you that I won’t.”

  Chapter 22

  “Will you walk with me?” Caleb took Jena’s hand and led her out of the ballroom. His pace was quick and she jogged to keep up.

  “Are you alright?”

  “I will be.” Caleb pulled her into him. His arms wrapped tightly around her shoulders and he inhaled her scent. He kissed the top of her head. “I just needed a minute.”

  Her hands slid inside his jacket and hugged him back. “Ok.”

  His whole body shook. “I’m sorry.”

  Jena pulled away from him. Tears fell down his cheeks. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

  He brushed the hair from her face, his stare intense. “The last few weeks killed me. I can’t lose you again. Jena, I need you.”

  “Hey,” She held his face in her hands. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. I love you so much, Caleb Allen. We will figure all this out. Together. Do you understand me?”

  He pulled her into his arms again. “I have waited a lifetime to hear you say that.” His lips found hers, his tongue begging for entrance. As the kiss deepened, she moaned into his mouth. “Want to get out of here?”

  She nodded and giggled as he tossed her over his shoulder. He ran out the back door and laughed as she struggled to get free. She hit his back making him laugh harder. “Put me down.”

  He loosened his grip and she slid down his body, feeling every muscled ridge of his chest and powerful stomach. She smiled as she looked into his eyes. “I know we have a lot to talk about, J. Tonight I just want to lose myself in you.”

  “Yes.” Her whisper was all he needed.

  Caleb pulled her down on top of him in the sand. The waves crashed in the background and the stars blanketed the sky. “Make love to me. You own me, Jena. I’m yours.”

  W
ith her dark hair cascading down her shoulders and her eyes sparking at him, Jena leaned in to kiss him. “No. I’m yours.”

  Caleb reached between them, pulling up her dress and moaned as he felt her wetness. She was the most responsive woman he had ever known and he felt powerful knowing he did that to her. She stirred reactions in him that no one else had. “I love you.”

  Jena eased down his length, shuddering as she took him in all the way. “I love you, too.” She began to ride him slowly, memorizing every inch of him. The way his piercing hit her in just the right spot, the way he fit inside her, filling every inch of her, the way his face relaxed every time their bodies joined. The pressure always built right away. Their bodies were made for each other.

  Caleb dug his hands into the sand. Giving her his power proved everything to him. He wanted to spend the rest of his life making love to this woman. “Promise me, when we are old and gray, that we will still be this much in love.” His voice was low, his eyes hooded, sweat covering his brow. He wanted to let go, explode inside her, fill her with everything he had.

  Her pace increased and she whimpered trying to answer him. “I will love you even more then.” She threw her head back and her body contracted around him, pulling and squeezing, demanding his release.

  Caleb grabbed her hips and began pounding into her. Her back arched, her hands gripped for purpose and the wave of pleasure hit her again. “Jena,” he yelled as his orgasm hit him with such force that his toes curled. His body shattered. “Oh God, Jena. Don’t move.”

  She stilled on top of him, his length still jerking inside her. His thumb rubbed her clit. She sucked in a breath. “Wh.. What are you doing?”

  “Reminding you who makes you feel this way. When you go back to Seattle, I want you to remember this. Remember us. Remember how good we feel.”

  She bit her lip as he continued to knead her. Her legs began to shake and her body tensed around him. He hardened inside her and her eyes widened as her orgasm ripped down her spine and exploded around him.