Taming the Boy Next Door (4 page)

Chapter 7

Caleb sat at his desk finalizing his latest project for publication.  Working for a publishing house had always been his dream.  While others dreamed of fame and fortune, Caleb had always found respite in reading.  Now in the corner office with the view, and the view of Sophie that had almost landed him in a world of hurt with his best friend, he realized that life had truly been kind to him.  His friends were all healthy and happy, his sister was on her way to a life of success and he had a front row seat to watch it, and Jena.  He didn’t really “have” Jena.  But just knowing she would be in his bed tonight made his heart rate spike. 

He had been in love with Sophie.  He didn’t doubt that for a minute.  And aside from a kiss or a dance or the occasional cuddle, they had never been physical.  He had been physical with Mackenna, but it was nowhere near love.  Jena was different.  The first time Caleb saw her, in scrubs and fresh out of surgery that had saved Mark’s life, he thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.  The first time she touched his arm in the hallway of the hospital had been like getting hit by lightening.  The zap that went from her hand to his arm had scared him.  And despite spending hours at the hospital at Mark’s side, he had watched her and dreamed about her and wondered if there was a chance she was doing the same.

The instant she kissed him, Caleb’s life imploded.  He couldn’t breathe without her already.  He had given up control for the first time in his life.  She was intelligent and beautiful and seemed so innocent.  And he knew he needed to proceed with caution.  She was not accustomed to the lifestyle he preferred.

“I’ve been standing here about five minutes and I’m not sure you’ve moved.  What is so fascinating out that window, Allen?”  Mark’s voice startled Caleb back to reality.

“Sorry.  Just lost in thought.  What’s up?”  Caleb stood to shake his hand.

Mark took a seat across from him and rubbed his eyes.  “Came to take Sophie to lunch but she’s busy.  Her boss is a real prick.”

Caleb laughed and shook his head.  “I get that a lot.”

“We’re having a last minute get together at the house tomorrow afternoon.  Three o’clock.  Bring Andi.  I got a bunch of steaks to throw on the grill.  Just bring some beer or something. Sorry about the late notice but there is an announcement.”

“Another one, Moretti?”  Caleb laughed as Mark scrunched up his face.

“It’s not my announcement asshole.  See you tomorrow.”

~~~

Jena stood at the front door, hands shaking and heart pounding.  She wanted to go inside.  She wanted to get lost in Caleb.  Her brain told her that she needed to walk away.  Her schedule was too packed and her career too important.  He wasn’t offering a relationship.  But wasn’t that what she wanted as well?  No strings and some fun with the ability to walk away if things got out of control? 

Who was she kidding?  When Mark was injured, Caleb spent every day by his side.  And that meant that she saw him every shift. They had talked then, and afterward while Mark was healing at home.  But mostly, she had watched him.  His sandy blond hair and green eyes had captivated her.  The sprinkling of freckles on his cheeks made him boyish, while his tall and muscled body screamed man. 

“You OK?”  Caleb leaned out of the front door, pulling her from her thoughts.   He smiled his crooked smile with the dimple that made her weak kneed.

She met his eyes and immediately knew the answer.  She would give this a go.  Whatever this was, she would enjoy it for the time they had left.  “Yes.  I’m fine.  Thanks.”

Caleb opened the door wider to let her in.  When she stopped in the foyer and looked down the hallway toward the bedroom, he took her hand.  “I have a surprise for you.”  Leading her out the back door, he smiled at the warmth he felt having Jena by his side.

They stopped in front of a large boat in the first slip at the marina.  She gasped.  “I’ve always wanted a boat.  Is it yours?”  She ran her hand across the leather of the captain’s chairs.  “It’s beautiful.”

“It’s my neighbor’s.  But it’s ours for the night.  Want to take it out?”

Jena nodded her head, all the tension easing from her body.  As they pulled out of the marina and picked up speed, the wind picked up.  She opened her arms and threw her head back.  Freedom.  The stars lit the sky, the wind was warm as it hit her face, and just as she thought it couldn’t get any better, a feeling of peace washed through her body.  She smiled and shut her eyes.  She took a deep breath.  “It’s heaven.”

Caleb couldn’t help but stare.  He had seen Jena in scrubs, in dresses, in all kinds of social situations.  But never once had he seen her more beautiful.  She was glowing.  The woman who saved lives every day, that always looked like the world was on her shoulders, had transformed into the most captivating, carefree and breathtaking woman he had ever seen.  It was settled.  He was buying a boat.  He couldn’t help but chuckle at the impulsive thought.  But if he got to see this side of her every time, he would buy one tomorrow.  “Jena?”

Her eyes opened at the sound of the motor shutting off.  Her smile was radiant and drew him to her like a magnet.  “This is amazing.  Thank you so much.  I needed this more than you know.”

“Thank you for coming with me.”

“I’m having a hard time staying away.”  Jena sighed as she sat at the edge of the seat.

Caleb knelt between her knees and brushed the hair back from her face.  “Then what’s the problem?”

“I don’t know, Caleb.  I suppose it’s fear. Fear of the unknown.  Fear of what this might do to us.  Maybe even fear that I will disappoint you.” She looked down at her hands.  They were shaking and she felt ridiculous.

“Jena.  Look at me.  You could never disappoint me.”

She interrupted him.  “I don’t know what I’m doing.”  A tear escaped her eyes.  The breeze picked up once more and she smiled.

“You don’t have to.  As long as I know what I’m doing, you are safe and loved and. Jena, you have no idea what you do to me.”  He kissed the tear off her cheek and moved to her mouth. His lips brushed hers gently and he stopped.  “We don’t have to do anything at all tonight.  We can go back to my house and just watch a movie and I can hold you.  I just want to spend some time with you.”

“That sounds nice.”  Jena took a deep breath and leaned in to kiss him.  The kiss started gently, sweet brushes of her lips against his.  When his breathing sped, so did the kiss.  She needed to be close to him.  She thrust her tongue into his mouth and he moaned.  That one sound sent her brain into a tailspin.  “Take me home, Caleb.  I want you.”

She didn’t have to ask twice.  He was on his feet, boat motor cranked and heading for home before she could change her mind. 

~~~

Caleb pushed her down onto the mattress, his full weight on top of her.  She grabbed at his back, his ass, anything she could reach. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes," she panted as she clawed at his shirt. 

Caleb reached onto the nightstand and pulled his phone from the docking station.  He attached the ear buds and smiled at her.  Hitting play, he put them in her ears.  Her confused look gave way to a smile when the music started.  Opening the drawer, he pulled out a scarf.  He motioned for Jena to sit up and she did so without hesitation.  Tying the scarf over her eyes, he laid her back down.  She whimpered when he reached for the button on her jeans.  She pulled at his shorts but he stopped her hands. 

Caleb pulled her arms over her head and wrapped her hands around part of the headboard.  Leaning forward, he removed one ear bud and whispered.  "Don't move your hands.  Do you understand me?"

"Yes."  Jena grabbed the headboard tighter when he put the ear bud back in.

Her jeans were yanked down her legs and she moaned.  Caleb knew she was already soaked.  He watched as she lay still on the bed awaiting his next move.  She was perfection.  Tall and thin, soft and curvy.  He adjusted himself in his shorts.  He hadn't allowed himself to have sex with her yet.  He wanted her more than he had wanted anything in his life.  He feared she would run if he pushed too far. 

He unbuttoned her shirt slowly, the anticipation obvious on Jena's face.  When it was unbuttoned, Caleb moaned. She had not worn a bra.  He rolled her nipples between his fingers and she arched off the bed. "Caleb, I want you.  Please."

Her world consisted only of what he was doing to her.  The music played in her ears, blocking out any sounds and the blindfold took away her sight.  She was helpless and at his mercy.  And at that moment, she didn't want to be anywhere else.  The feel of his touch, his breath on her stomach, everything was intensified. 

He smiled as he trailed kisses down her stomach.  He spread her legs and watched as she dripped onto the sheet.  She was so ready and so beautiful.  He had to taste her.  His thumb slid inside her, massaging her walls and working her into a frenzy.  His tongue kept time with his thumb, circling and pulsing around her hardened bundle of nerves.  She was close.  He knew every inch of her now.  Her breathing changed, her body tensed and her clit swelled.   He sucked in a breath as she tightened around his thumb.  His cock so hard against his shorts, he thought they would rip. 

Her orgasm ripped a scream from her throat.  The strength of it unlike anything she had felt before. She wanted more.  She couldn't handle more.  She wanted him inside her.  She wanted to know what it would feel like to make love to him.

He untied the blindfold and she looked him right in the eyes.  She saw through him, into his soul, into a part of him he never allowed anyone to see.  Pulling the ear bud out, she whispered. "Can I touch you?  Please Caleb."

She rolled on top of him and he froze.  Her hands were warm as she ran them up his chest and into his hair.  He shut his eyes and took several deep breaths.  Could he let go of control?  Could he turn this around and control it?  His hands shook.

"Trust me back."  She kissed down his neck but he didn't relax.  She smiled against his throat and put him back in charge. "Tell me what to do."

Caleb opened his eyes.  "Take off my shorts."  She followed his command and looked to him for the next one.  "Touch me, Jena.  With your hands.  Do not use your mouth."

Jena smiled as she worked him.  His piercing fascinated her.  She wanted to know what it would feel like buried deep inside her.  Would it touch her where she needed it most?  Would it send her over the edge?  She tugged at it, testing his response. A bead of moisture escaped the tip and she wiped it off and licked her finger.  He growled and shut his eyes.  He was big and thick and she wanted him.  But as she watched him try to remain in control, she knew tonight was not the night.  She knew the lifestyle he was used to and she was willing to try.

"Just trust me.  I just want to feel you a little.  Trust me."  She crawled over his lap and straddled him.  Taking him in her hands, she ran him through her slick folds, soaking him. 

"Holy shit."  Caleb moaned and bit his bottom lip.  "Again." 

Without warning, Caleb flipped her underneath him and took his cock in his hand.  He ran it through her folds once more and placed the head on her clit.  His piercing cold against her hot flesh.  She whimpered.  He stroked himself, each time hitting her in just the right place.  She cried out his name as he stroked harder and harder.  Just as she shattered, he yelled her name and she felt hot liquid hit her most sensitive spot, sending her immediately into another orgasm that made her toes curl.

He fell on top of her, breathless.  "That was amazing Jena.  You are amazing."  His lips crushed hers.  She tasted herself on his tongue and was immediately turned on once more.  She knew she would never have a lover that compared to him.  Her past may have taken a way a large piece of her.  But Caleb was healing her heart and her body.

Chapter 8

Caleb stretched his legs and lay back on the lounge chair.  The late afternoon sun baked his skin and it felt like heaven.  His eyes burned from lack of sleep but his body was at peace. 

“The party can officially start.  We are here.”  Ryan chuckled as he walked through the sliding
glass doors holding Mark and Sophie’s smiling son.  Layla followed behind him holding Molly and Rich’s three month old daughter.

Caleb sat up and took a wiggly Mario from Ryan.  “Hey buddy.  How’s your beautiful mommy?”

Mark grunted and snatched him out of Caleb’s hands.  “He’s just bitter little man.  Mommy is the one that got away.”

“Maybe not.  He’s had a woman over the last two nights.”  Andi laughed as Caleb threw her the death stare. “And by over, I mean, sleeping over. All night.”

Ryan and Mark immediately sat down.  Looking right at Caleb, both men asked at the same time. “Who?”

Caleb glanced at Jena through his sunglasses.  She was sitting
on the edge of the pool, circling her toes in the water.  “The who isn’t important. When the time is right, you will find out.”

“I call bullshit.  The who is very important.  Spill it.”  Andi sat straighter as Kevin walked into the yard.  “You owe it to the minions.”

“My brother.”  Ryan stood and hugged Kevin and moved over so he could sit.  “Seems Allen here has himself a secret.”

“The woman?”  Kevin smiled at Caleb’s panicked look. 

“Deuce knows and I don’t?”  Andi pouted.

Kevin gave Caleb a confused look.  “Don’t ask.  And when the time is right, I
’ll tell you.  It’s just really new and I’m not ready.”

“All my boys are growing up.”  Sophie walked up and sat in Mark’s lap.  “Ryan is married, Caleb is having slumber parties, guess all that is left is for Kevin to find the right woman.”

Andi snorted.  “Ménage a man whore?  I don’t think so.”

“Oh Sandy.  You kill me with that wit.”

“It’s Andi.”  She fumed.

“Whatever.”  Kevin slipped his sunglasses down over his eyes and walked to the cooler.

Caleb couldn’t help but laugh as he got up and made his way to the pool.  Andi’s sarcastic mouth had met its match and with one word, Kevin had the upper hand.  He knew that the two of them would never live in harmony.  Kevin was wild and open and Andi, although mouthy, was much more reserved and private. 

He stepped into the water and swam toward Jena.  She stilled her legs and watched him.  He surfaced right in front of her and she couldn’t help but smile.  The water rolled off his broad shoulders, down his toned chest and through the chiseled muscles of his six pack.  His long eyes lashes, darkened when wet, framed his emerald green eyes. 
“Hi” she whispered as he smiled at her.

“Dr. Turner.” Caleb nodded.  “How are you this afternoon?”

She blushed.  “I’m tired.  I haven’t been getting much sleep lately.”

Caleb smiled and pulled himself from the pool.  He sat next to her on the edge and nudged her with his shoulder. 
“Hmmm.  Who’s the lucky guy that gets to keep you awake?”

“Oh, you don’t know him.  He’s very shy.  Timid too.  I am having to drag him out of his shell.  It’s pretty embarrassing actually.  He really doesn’t have much experience.
  And with my sordid past, I have to teach him everything I know.”

Caleb’s laugh drew everyone’s attention.  She smacked him in the arm to quiet him but it made
him laugh harder.  Sophie’s brows drew together as she watched them.  Everyone else went back to their conversations, but Sophie’s attention remained fixed on Caleb and Jena.

“I want to know everything, J.  Why surgery?  Why LA?  Where you grew up and where your parents are.” 

Jena sighed.  “I’m boring.  Can we talk about you?”  When Caleb shook his head, she continued.  “I grew up in Chicago.  My parents were pretty average.  They shipped me off to live with my aunt and uncle in Tennessee my sophomore year of high school. I didn’t have any friends when I moved so I watched a lot of television and the shows I liked the best were the medical dramas.  So, I went to college on a scholarship and the rest is history.”

“Why did you move in with your aunt and uncle?”  Caleb ran his pinkie over the back of her hand.  Hidden from view, he just needed to touch her.

Her back stiffened at the question, but his touch soothed her.  “It’s a long story.  I want to hear about you.  Everything.”

He chuckled.  “I grew up here.  My mom died when I was a baby and my dad remarried.  They
’re still together.  Shocking, I know. I went to college on a soccer scholarship and went pro for about a minute before I tore my ACL.  I read for a living.  I still have dinner at my parent’s house every Sunday.  If I’m not at home or Moretti’s, I’m usually hanging with my dad.  Thank God I am not as lame as the guy that’s keeping you awake.”

She smiled at him as he ran his finger down the side of her leg. 
A shiver ran up her spine.  “Your friends are going to see you.”

“Does it matter
to you?”  He smiled his crooked smile.  When she shook her head no, he laughed.  “Can you swim?”

“I don’t want to go swimming.”  Jena looked over at the group of friends gathering around the grill.

“I didn’t ask if you wanted to.  I asked if you could.”  Caleb launched himself into the pool, pulling her behind him.  She shrieked as she hit the water and went under.  Everyone jumped and looked at the pool.  Jena surfaced and took off after him.  He laughed as he tried to swim away but she caught him almost immediately.

Jumping on his back, she dunked him.  “Caleb Allen.  You suck. 
I didn’t bring a change of clothes.  I’m soaking wet.”

Even knowing his friends were watching, he grinned.  “I like
it when you’re soaking wet.  That dress looks amazing now.”

In an instant, his lips were on her
s.  The kiss was fierce, like two lovers reunited after being apart for too long.  His hands tangled in her hair, leaning her head back to deepen the kiss.  He swallowed her moan and smiled against her lips.  She wrapped her legs around him in the water and he instantly hardened.  Her firm nipples pressed against his bare chest and he wanted to take her right there.  It didn’t matter that his friends were all there, probably watching their every move.  Jena had become his air, his every thought, his addiction.

A throat cleared and Caleb
looked up into Mark’s eyes.  “Did you guys want us to leave you alone for a few?”

“Is that an option?”  Caleb chuckled as Jena slapped his arm and buried her burning red face in his chest.

“So, how long has this been going on?”  Andi ran to the side of the pool and crouched down to look into her brother’s eyes.  Mark couldn’t help it.  He pushed her in but she was one step ahead of him and latched onto his calf, pulling him in on top of her.

In the commotion, Caleb leaned into Jena’s ear and whispered.  “
Follow me.  I need to be inside you.  Now.”

He pulled himself from the pool and extended his hand to Jena. He lifted her
out of the pool and wrapped a towel around her shoulders.  Sophie caught his eye as he led her through the door, into the house. He winked at her and she gave him a thumbs up. 

Jena’s body buzzed.  For all the times he had touched her and made her feel alive, he had never allowed himself inside her.  She hadn’t had sex since her sophomore year in high school.  And even then, it was hardly sex. 
She was hyperaware of his body as he led her up the stairs to the guest room. 

Caleb locked the bedroom door and pulled Jena into him.  His breathing was already
heavy and she squeezed her thighs together to ease the ache that was growing by the second.  He kissed her across the forehead, down her jawbone, gently nibbling at her neck.  She couldn’t help but shiver.  He pulled her into his arms, nudging her legs around his waist and pushed her against the wall.  She moaned as he circled his hips against her.  “This will be a first for me, Jena.  I never give up my control.  I never let anyone pull down my guard and sex has been just sex for me.  I’ve never made love to anyone before. Please be gentle with my heart.”

A tear rolled down her cheek as she kissed him again. 
This would be a first for her, too.  She could never tell him how much being with him had meant to heal a past that was filled with trauma and loss. 

“Make love to me, Jena.”  Caleb pulled her
dress and wet bikini top off her and dropped them to the floor.  She slid down his body and wiggled out of her bottoms.  Caleb moaned as he looked her up and down.  “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”

He stepped out of his swim trunks and pulled her back into his arms.  She kissed his shoulder, his neck, his strong jaw and
finally, the dimple that drove her mad.  As he laid her down on the bed, her whole body shook.  She wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything in her life but fear nearly paralyzed her.  “I’m scared.” She whispered.

“Do you want to stop?”  Caleb leaned up and looked in her eyes.  They were wide and she was trembling.  “We can wait.”

“No.”  Her voice was stronger than she intended and she giggled.  “I don’t want to wait.  I want you right now.  I’m just nervous.”

He ran his hand down her chest to her stomach.  Noticing the way her breathing increased, he smiled.  Spreading her legs open, he ran his finger through her folds.  She was drenched and he hissed.  “I love that I do this to you.”  He spread her moisture onto her clit.  “This is mine.  No one else touches this.”

She bit her lip and nodded.  He was right. She was his, body and soul.  She reached out to touch him, he was hard as stone.  Her fingers brushed against his piercing and she smiled. “I can’t wait to know what this feels like inside me.  I have dreamed about it.  Please don’t make me wait.”

Caleb leaned his forehead against Jena’s and entered her slowly.  She was so tight that he almost came immediately.  He groaned.  “Don’t move.  Holy shit.  Don’t move.”

Her hands shook.  He stretched her wider than she had expected.  It was a combination of pleasure and pain.  She wanted more.  She wanted him to pound into her, make her forget, make her scream.  A drop of sweat fell onto her forehead and she locked eyes with Caleb.  “Are you ok?”

He laughed
.  “I just needed a minute.  Had to think about something else.  You feel amazing, J.”

“Please move.  This is torture.  Please.”
  She rocked against him and he hissed.

His pace was slow, stretching her, memorizing her.
  With each stroke, the apa rubbed against her in just the right way.  She threw her head back, losing herself in the sensations.  He pulled all the way out and shoved into her once more. She almost came.  Panting, she grabbed for his hips but instead of doing it again, he rolled underneath and pulled her on top of him. “Love me, Jena.”

She rolled against his hips and whimpered.  She had never been on top and the feeling of control was mesmerizing.  He closed his eyes and bit his bottom lip.  She picked up the pace, rocking against him, her clit brushing against his pubic bone, his apa hitting her so deep she wanted to
yell. She leaned down and bit his shoulder.  “You feel so good I want to scream.”

“Scream fo
r me baby.  Show me how good it feels.  Show me what you like.”

Her strokes were frantic.  She wanted to go slow and savor every moment.  But it was as if his body was made to please her.  Her
nerve endings tingled, her head fell back and as her orgasm ripped through her body, she screamed his name.  She rode him hard as her first orgasm gave way to her second.  She couldn’t breathe.  He felt so good inside of her. 

His legs tensed under hers.  He moaned her name. “Jena, I can’t hold on any longer.  I’m going to come baby.”  He reached up and grabbed her nipples
and she exploded around him, his name ripping from her throat once more.  He sat up and held her against him and he pumped three more times before he exploded.  The strength of his orgasm more powerful that anything he had ever felt.  His head bobbed forward landing on her shoulder, his eyes closed and he smiled.  “That was amazing, Jena.”

They both fell boneless onto the bed.  He held her against his chest and stroked her hair.  Her breathing evened out and she smiled and she kissed his nipple. 
“How soon can we do that again?”  She wiggled against him.

Caleb chuckled as he pulled her to his mouth.  “Soon.  And a lot.  We have nothing but time.”