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

by MJ Carnal

  “Permission to come aboard, Captain?” Layla’s voice sent Ryan into a huge grin.

  Kevin, Steve and Andi stood behind her waiting to join them on the boat. “What’s going on?” Caleb backed up to let his friends on.

  Ryan popped the top on the beer can and handed it to him. “We heard you were sulking around like a pussy. Jena called and asked us to take you out. Imagine our surprise when Andi said you were going out on the boat tonight. I can’t let J Dog down. So, here we are.”

  “I brought some wings and beer.” Kevin helped Andi onto the boat. She smiled at him. “You look gorgeous.”

  “Hands off my sister, Merck.” Caleb started the boat as Kevin untied the ropes. “Not sure how I can be more clear.”

  “Dude, your sister is hot. I hate to tell you this, but we all want to hit that.” Steve settled in to his seat and took a long pull of his beer.

  “I will throw you both over the side? You’ll freeze in that water.” Caleb’s face was red.

  “Grow a pair, Allen. She’s a big girl.” Kevin mocked him as he sat next to Andi. Caleb growled as he ran his finger down her thigh. “What’s your hotspot?”

  Two could play at this game. Without looking at him, Andi whispered. “My nipples.”

  “Noted.” Kevin smiled. She refused to let him win this round.

  “I can come just by touching them.” Andi watched him squirm. When he was clearly becoming uncomfortable, she leaned across him and brushed his arm with her hand. “The slightest touch and I’m on fire. Want to know a little secret?”

  “Yes,” his voice was husky.

  Taking his hand in hers, she pulled it under her sweatshirt. She ran his fingers over her right nipple and sucked in a gasp of breath. “If you pulled on that, I’d come right here.” When his eyes went wide, she couldn’t help but laugh. “Too bad you get bored with just one woman. I’m feeling a little frisky.”

  “Holy fucking shit. It’s pierced.”

  She pulled her legs under her and wrapped her arms around them to stay warm. “I am an Allen, you know. We have a piercing fetish.” Kevin couldn’t stop staring. “And Deuce, you’re drooling.”

  “You’re a wet dream waiting to happen, doll.”

  “Good.” Andi chuckled. “That’s as close as you’re going to get.” She stood to walk away.

  “Where are you going?” Kevin grabbed her hand. “I want to know more.”

  She bent down to whisper. “I think Steve is pretty hot. Now that I know he feels the same way, I’m going to sit with him. It’s been a long time for me.”

  Kevin groaned as she brushed past him. Andi 1, Kevin 0.

  Chapter 25

  “I had the best dream at lunch today.” Jena smiled remembering their phone call earlier.

  Caleb smiled when he heard her voice. “I thought about you all day.”

  “I turned in my resignation today. In a little over three weeks, I will officially be jobless.” Jena covered the phone as the intercom system blared.

  “What’s all the noise? Where are you?”

  Jena giggled nervously. “I stopped by the grocery store on the way home. They keep announcing all these specials. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s late, baby. You should be sleeping. With me. I haven’t slept since we left Hawaii.”

  “Have you gotten your ticket for this weekend?” Jena covered the phone again and whispered to someone.

  “I am going to fly standby. Saturday’s flights were booked so I hope to get there Friday night.”

  Jena took a deep breath. “You can’t come this weekend. I’m so sorry. Something came up and you wouldn’t see me. It would be crazy to come up.”

  “J, I don’t give a shit if I get five minutes with you. I’m coming.” Caleb’s stomach began to clench. “Don’t run. Don’t you dare run.”

  “The only place I am running is toward you. Stop worrying. I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Caleb smiled. “And I will see you this weekend.”

  “Fine.” She laughed. “I’m in the car. I need to go.”

  Caleb looked at his watch. It was almost ten. “Call me the minute you get home so I know you’re safe.”

  After he hung up, he headed for the shower. The warm water pounded at his back, easing the stress from his shoulders. He played the day over in his head. Working from home today was just what he had needed. And the boat ride with his friends had been a perfect ending to a peaceful day.

  Kevin had seemed quite cozy with his sister. He laughed when he thought about them. It was destined to happen. His sister was clueless about how beautiful she was and her attitude was only turning Kevin on more. The look in Kevin’s eyes was something he had only seen twice before. It was the same look Ryan had given Layla and it mirrored how Mark had looked at Sophie. Hell, it was probably the same look he had on his face when he saw Jena. The poor guy was screwed.

  His mind wandered to Jena. Before her, sex was just about control. There were no feelings and no emotion. His partners had been willing participants in his game of dominance. Jena had been willing to play but not as hard as he had before. She had shied away from handcuffs, never let him catch her completely off guard, and now that he knew why, it was ok. He still struggled with knowing he was giving up some control. But with years of patience and a hell of a lot of practice, he had no doubt she would venture down that road with him. They had come such a long way in the months they had known each other. From butterflies, to anguish, to joy, they were finally on the road to forever.

  Stepping out of the shower, he wrapped his towel around his waist. Glancing at his phone, he noticed her missed call. He smiled and dialed her number.

  In the distance, a phone rang. He stopped and listened. Jena’s phone went to voice mail. He hit end and listened. Silence. He shook his head. Wishful thinking. He dialed her number a second time. The ringing started again.

  “What the hell?” He tightened the towel around his waist and yanked the bedroom door open. He dialed again, jogging toward the ring. The house was dark. “Andi, I will kill you if you’re messing with me.”

  “She’s not here.” The voice was quiet and stopped him in his tracks.

  “Jena?” He froze when he saw her standing in the middle of the living room with her suitcase. “Jena!” He threw his arms around her, lifting her into his arms and kissing her with every ounce of love he felt for her. “What are you doing here?”

  “I turned in my resignation. Asked if I could go without notice. I couldn’t spend another day without you, Caleb.”

  “Am I dreaming?” He kissed her again and she pulled away.

  “Wait. I have something I need to give to you.” She rummaged through her bag. Pulling a small square box from the front pocket, she shivered. Her smile brightened her face and she dropped to her knees. When Caleb reached for her, she stopped him. “I have lived my whole adult life in fear. I was just a child when my world crashed. I spent my life holding my breath, looking over my shoulder, shutting out everyone that was important to me. I cried myself to sleep every night. And if I did actually sleep, I woke up to nightmares that wouldn’t let me forget. I felt completely alone. I was a stranger in my own home. I chose surgery because my patients couldn’t mean anything to me if they were asleep. I protected my heart because I was terrified. Ten months ago, I was on call and had to rush this amazing man into surgery because he was driving a motorcycle with a death wish and no helmet. My soul cried for this group of people that were losing a friend. I have never believed in fate. But sitting outside the ICU that night was this incredibly tall, incredibly handsome, incredibly loving man and my heart started beating again. Maybe even for the first time. My whole life had been about love breaking my heart. It had been about mourning the loss of anyone I ever cared about. And this man with this beautiful spirit took my hand and showed me what it meant to truly live.”

  She wiped her eyes and smiled at him. “Caleb, you took a chance on me. Even knowing I was incredibly broken and maybe beyond
repair, you stood by me and waited and loved me with everything you had. I believe in fate now. I think I was meant to be on call that night. I think you were brought to me when I needed someone the most. You have changed my life. I want to spend the rest of my life loving you, kissing you, holding you. I give you my heart, my body and my soul. All of me.”

  Her trembling hands held the box out to Caleb. He wiped his cheeks and took the package from her. With his heart lodged in his throat, he tore open the wrapping. When he saw what was inside, confusion lined his forehead. He looked at her face and narrowed his eyes. “Jena?”

  “I am yours. I am ready for everything that means. I am ready for our future. I am ready to trust and to be yours completely, in every way.”

  Still in shock from her unexpected arrival and her gift, Caleb pulled the handcuffs from the box and stared at them. His mind raced. Jena was offering him everything she had feared, everything she had lost and the promise of a future filled with love and excitement.

  Before Jena could get up, Caleb dropped to his knees and secured the cuffs around his own wrists. “Jena, I am yours. Heart, body and soul. You own me. I will spend the rest of my life guarding your heart and being the man you deserve. Our future is in your hands. Anything you want, baby. It’s yours. I love you.”

  With his hands cuffed and tears in his eyes, Caleb kissed her with the promise of forever. Jena moaned into his mouth and melted against his body. “Take me to bed, Mr. Allen. I can’t wait another minute to start our future.”

  Epilogue - Christmas morning

  “J Dog.” Mark Whispered. “Wake up angel.”

  Jena stretched but didn’t open her eyes. She snuggled further under the covers and sighed. Not sure what had woken her, she squeezed her eyes shut to fall back to sleep.

  “J Dog.”

  Hearing it again, her eyes snapped open. Mark was leaning over her on the bed. She jumped. “Mark?” She whispered back, her voice full of sleep.

  “Merry Christmas, J Dog. Can you come with me?” Mark smiled but his voice stayed quiet.

  Jena looked at the clock. “It’s five in the morning. What’s wrong?” She sat up and rubbed her eyes.

  “I need you to get dressed and take a little walk with me, beautiful. Can you wake up for me?” Mark handed her a sweatshirt and smiled. “Everything is alright. I just need you to come with me. Get dressed.”

  She stood and headed to the bathroom to brush her teeth and hair. The room was dark and Caleb was nowhere to be found. Her heart raced with different possible reasons. Once she was dressed in her sweats, no makeup and her hair thrown up into an old UCLA hat, she stepped out into the bedroom. Mark had turned on the bedside lamp and was waiting for her. “I’m awake. What’s going on?”

  He stood and extended his hand to her. He walked her down the hall slowly. When she saw Steve standing in the living room, she started to panic. Mark interrupted her thoughts. “You saved me. I would have nothing without you. More than that, J Dog, you are my family. I love you very much.”

  Steve walked up beside her and took her other arm. He smiled at her as she wrinkled her forehead. Mark kissed her on the cheek as Steve led her into the back hallway. Ryan stood at the back door and Jena’s eyes watered. “What’s happening?”

  Steve kissed her on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Jena. Thank you for the friendship, the dances, the horrible off key singing in the car, for accepting my choice in marrying Amber. You have been the glue of this group for a long time now. I love you.”

  Ryan took her arm. “What the hell is going on?” Jena locked her legs and Ryan laughed. “I’m not going any further until someone tells me something.” After attempting to pull her again, it was no use. Ryan tossed her over his shoulder and walked her out onto the deck where Kevin was waiting. Noticing Ryan carrying her, Kevin threw his head back and belly laughed.

  “Merry Christmas, J. You were there for me in a time that could have been so much worse. I won’t ever forget what you did for me when I was sick or what you did for Moretti when he was hurt. You are one of us now. Ready or not. Thank you for being you. I love you, Jena.” Ryan leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  Kevin reached out to throw his arm around her. She tensed but Kevin’s smile relaxed her. Clearing his throat, he began. “Merry Christmas, hot doc. I don’t agree with your taste. I mean, picking Allen over me seems a little extreme. I would have chased you harder if I’d thought I had a chance. But it was always that dickhead. Thanks for sharing a dark time with me and helping me see the light. I love you.” Instead of a kiss on the cheek, he dipped her and gave her a full kiss on the lips.

  Jena laughed and hit his shoulders. When he straightened her, she made eye contact with her cousin, Luke. “LT?” She ran down the deck steps and threw her arms around him. “Tell me what’s happening.”

  “Merry Christmas, sis. Hold on to me. I want to walk you toward your future.” Luke nodded down to the dock.

  Jena’s jaw dropped. Tears flooded her eyes. She gasped when she saw Caleb, Andi and Mr. and Mrs. Allen standing at the end of the slip where his boat was docked. Caleb, dressed in a tuxedo, held a bouquet of white roses. He was gorgeous and everything she had dreamed of.

  She walked with sure steps, clutching Luke in a tight grasp. A smile spread across her face as she noticed his mother crying. Arriving in front of him, a sob broke free from her throat. “I love you.” She whispered.

  Caleb wiped her cheek before kneeling. “Angel, I love you with all my heart. You are my light. You are my soul. I have dreamed of you my whole life. Apart we were broken, but together we can conquer anything. I want to be the one that picks up the broken pieces. I want to be the one that makes you laugh and smile, the one that you come home to every night and wake up with every morning. Please join our family. Be my better half. Jena Alexandra Turner, will you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?”

  Caleb held up the beautiful ring that had made her eyes shine in Hawaii. She covered her mouth when she saw it. “Yes!”

  He stood and wrapped his arms around her, picking her up off the ground and crashing his lips to hers. His mother and father joined the hug, and after a minute of wiping the tears from her face, Andi joined them. All the Moretti men, the men that had stood by his side since childhood, clapped and cheered as Jena cried into Caleb’s arms.

  “I can’t wait to be your wife. I love you so much, Mr. Allen.”

  With a smile on his face and joy in his heart, Caleb laughed. “I love you too, Dr. Turner. Forever.”

  The End

  THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!

  First, and most importantly, thank YOU, the amazing readers that have taken a chance on me and other indie writers. We love what we do and having you show interest and excitement in our work means everything to us. I LOVE our Facebook page. (www.facebook.com/mjcarnalauthor). Hearing from you makes my day. And the flash giveaways are always so much fun. Thank you for being a part of our FB community, for supporting indie authors and for believing in me. There is absolutely nothing better in the world than the connections I have made with you. I love you to infinity.

  To our gorgeous Caleb Allen Cover model, Paul Hagen. You have gifted me with an amazing friendship. I love our chats. You make me laugh every single day. You are gorgeous, inside and out, and I am honored that you are my friend. Thank you for taking the book journey with me. Thanks for letting me send you little snip-its to make sure you were ready for this. HA! I cannot wait for NYC, Utah and NC in 2014. Traveling with you is going to be so much fun. Having you as part of the Moretti Minions has been amazing. You give those crazy women a run for their money. And you would win every single V contest, every single time. Find out more about our gorgeous cover model at www.facebook.com/phagen17

  To Ashley, AS ALWAYS, thanks for being the best beta reader ever. You keep track of everything and when I get lost, I know exactly how to be found. I love with so much. Being your best friend has been an amazing journey for me. I love you to the moon and back!
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  To my author best friends Nickie Seidler, S K Hartley, Liz King, Allie Juliette Mousseau, A J Warner and Kirsty-Anne Still, I love you guys. Being a part of the indie community has been the most amazing gift and you have all rocked my socks off. I have LOVED being a part of this journey with you. Your writing is amazeballs and I will never be able to tell you enough how much you mean to me. Sofie, thank you for the most amazing pictures for swag and all the FB pictures. You are one talented woman.

  To Rachel Van Dyken, author extraordinaire. Thank you for awakening my passion for writing. “The Bet” made me howl laughing and I got so attached that I knew I needed to add more depth to my characters. You are who I want to be, girlie. My hero. HA HA. Keep writing. (And hurry up, no one likes to wait for your books!)

  To My Fictional Boyfriend and Book Whore blog. www.facebook.com/myfictionalboyfriend. You guys posted my teasers before anyone and any time I ever need you, you are there, without questions and with open arms. Thanks for giving me a chance to take over your site for the day. Best day ever. To Z at Eye Candy. www.facebook.com/sexyeyecandies. Thanks for all the late night chats, the eye candy, the book picture ideas, the cover shares, and the list goes on and on. To Enticing Journey Book Promotions blog on FB. www.facebook.com/enticingjourneybookpromotions. Thanks for the amazing blog tour. I am stunned by the interest in Taming the Boy Next Door. THANK YOU for everything you have done for me. And to all the other amazing blogs on Facebook that have fallen in love with the Moretti men and promoted and supported, etc etc. The life of a blogger is HARD and I can’t thank you enough for loving books so fiercely.

  To Alex Michael Turner. You, sir, helped me start this whole journey. You and that red couch that made everyone in the world weak kneed. And you became my Mark Moretti the second I saw it. I wrote him for you, and when I couldn’t let go, you became Ryan West too. Who, by the way, I have been told by MANY people is their favorite book boyfriend of all time!!! You helped create this and I will never be able to say thank you and mean it enough. Thanks for the gorgeous images, the hours of laughs about mullets and band camp trumpets, and moving carpets. The wall master! Find out more about Alex (and prepare yourself for GORGEOUS!) at www.facebook.com/alexmichaelturner.