Taming the Boy Next Door (13 page)

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! 

To my author best friends Nickie Seidler, S K Hartley, Liz King, Allie Juliette Mousseau, A J Warne
r 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
.
 

To Eric Wainwright, my favorite photog on earth!
  Thank you for the amazing cover photos.  I can’t believe we are three books down and two to go.  Time flies!!!  Thank you for being my friend and standing by me during some pretty tough stuff this year.  I love seeing how much your business has grown and having a front row seat has been so fun.  Thanks for being you.  Can’t wait to see you in Portland again SOON!!!  Find out more about Eric at
www.facebook.com/wainwrightimages
.
 

A huge thank you to my family.
  My mom has always been my inspiration in all things and still is.  My dad has overcome his own obstacles, kicked ass and is a superhero.  To my brother, Chris, I love you so much and I miss you like mad!  Can’t wait to get our girls together again.  I am proud of everything you do, from triathlons, to business success, to the people you surround yourself with, and for being an AMAZING dad!!!

Thank God that Bruno Mars came out with the song “Gorilla” during this book.  I was in such a writing slump.  One time through the chorus of that song and Caleb and Jena were wild once more. 
Yes, for those of you that know me, I love that man.  Sigh! 

Jill, I love you my Melin.  You are my lifelong friend.  We have had some amazing times and I have cried and laughed with you more than anyone.  23 years of friendship and still kicking ass.

To my girlfriends that spend almost every day by my side.  Steph, thanks for always telling me you hope that I get to write full time.  I promise someday we will both know what we want to be when we grow up.  Denise, not even a reader and you read it.  I’m proud of you.  HA!  Thanks for always asking questions and being so interested in what I am doing.  And for reminding me all the time that I am a “real author”.  Shannon, I love sharing this with you.  I am constantly surprised by you.  I have had a blast being your friend and I love that we can always laugh together.  Finally, to Amanda, my twerking partner that dances like she has a rod in her back!  I love you to the moon and back.  You have picked up my pieces so many times and without you, my world would be dark.

Finally, to my reasons for being.
  CC, thank you for being a princess.  Thank you for saying you wish you had my face, because you do, kiddo.  Having you was my whole reason for being on the earth.  No one will ever love you more than your mommy.  I promise you that.  And I will be here for you through everything.  I am your biggest cheerleader.  You can do ANYTHING you want in life.  And I know you will.  I love you to the moon and back, a million trips kiddo.  Ewwwwwwwwwwww.  And Rick, thanks for the horrible pick up lines and disgusting description of the beach sex, that I used here in this book just for you.  HA HA HA.  Thanks for letting me retreat to my dark writing cave and giving more baths and fixing more dinners than I am sure you wanted to.  Thanks for giving me the freedom to live my dream. I love you.

About the Author

MJ Carnal lives in Lexington, South Carolina with her husband, gorgeous daughter and two loving and super furry dogs.  She spends her days in the world of neurosurgery but her nights in a world she creates on paper.  When she isn’t writing, you can find her watching episodes of The Walking Dead with her hubby, having tea parties with Princess Caroline, Singing karaoke for anyone that will listen and reading just about anything she can get her hands on.  The Moretti Novels are her first published works. 

She loves to hear from fans, fellow writers and book lovers.  Find her online at
www.facebook.com/mjcarnalauthor
or on Twitter @mjcarnalauthor. 

Can’t get enough of the Moretti Men?

Taming the Bachelor, the story of Mark Moretti, June 2013

Taming the Playboy, the story of Ryan West, August 2013

Taming the Boy Next Door, the story of Caleb Allen, November 2013

Taming Casanova, the story of Kevin Merck, February 2014

Untamed, the story of Steven Wainwright, May 2014

The Moretti Men

Fitness Model Paul Hagen as Caleb Allen,

Taming the Boy Next Door by MJ Carnal

Find Paul at
www.facebook.com/phagen17

Fitness Model Alex Michael Turner as

Mark Moretti/Ryan West

Taming the Bachelor/ Taming the Playboy
            by MJ Carnal

Find Alex online at
www.facebook.com/alexmichaelturner

Taming Casanova, Coming late February 2014

‘Ladies and Gentleman, it is now safe to use all portable electronic devices.  Please keep your seatbelt fastened until we arrive at our gate.  Take extra care in opening the overhead bins as items may have shifted during flight.  Thank you for flying with us today.’

Kevin stretched his legs into the aisle and groaned.  The cross country flight had been torture on his six foot two
frame.  His muscles screamed for him to move.   Looking up, he noticed the flight attendant staring at him.  He smiled and she bit her lip.  Yep, he still had it.  He may not have used it lately, but he still had it.  Damn Andi Allen for torturing his body and mind and making him completely unavailable to other women.  The torture stopped today.  He reached into his wallet and pulled out his business card.  He would be flying the friendly skies by night fall.  Hopefully she had a willing friend to join them.

His heart constricted and he shook his head.  Andi Allen had been a thorn in his side for months.  The sister of one of his best friends, and totally off limits, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would feel like to slide into her tight body, to watch her face when she was overcome with ecstasy, to brush her sweaty, dark hair off her forehead while she was
under him or to hold her perfectly rounded ass while he… Enough! 

Kevin Jr. stood up and made his desire known.  He shifted in his seat and took a deep breath.  There was no question that he wasn’t relationship material.  His preference was two women, wrapped around him at once, testing his stamina, proving his manhood when both screamed his name.  He was kidding himself if he thought Andi fit into that category.  And her sassy mouth only proved that he wouldn’t call the shots in bed.  Not an option.  Not in this lifetime.

She cleared her throat.  “Hi.”  Her English accent was a surprise.

Kevin smirked and took her hand. 
“Kevin Merck.  Remember it.  You’ll be using it later.”

The flight attendant smiled.  “I have no doubt about that, love.”  When he stood, her eyes roamed his toned body, pausing a few extra seconds on the area of him that was still hard from his delusional daydream of Andi.  “I’m Felicity. Omni hotel, room 930.  Care to join me?”

He threw his arm over her shoulder as they headed down the concourse toward the baggage claim.  “I will be there at nine.  Keep on the heels.  Lose the rest of the clothes.”

Her grin was wicked.  “My coworker, Janelle, will be with me.  Will that be a problem?”

“That will be a solution, doll.”  He ran his hands down her arms and pulled her against him.  When his erection rubbed against her stomach, she purred. 

“Can you seriously not even keep that thing in your pants at the airport?”  Andi didn’t look up from her cell phone.  “I assume you won’t need a ride home then?”

His shoulders slumped.  “Shit.”  He let go of Felicity’s arms.  “Why are you here?”

“Caleb sent me.  He and Jena have the flu and despite my better judgment, I thought you might need a ride home since you don’t have your car. But, I see you already have something to ride.”  Andi gestured to Kevin’s new play toy and pocketed her cell phone.  “See ya, Casanova.”

Kevin grabbed for her.  “Wait.”  He turned to Felicity and whispered in her ear.  She smiled and waved as she headed out the door.  “I would love to ride you home, Andi.”

“Fat chance of that, double trouble.”  She threw her silky brunette hair over her shoulder and smiled at him.  “I’ve seen where you’ve put that thing.  Not interested.”

“Bullshit.”  Kevin pulled her against him.  “I seem to remember a little incident in Hawaii not too long ago when you were a little worked up after my late night visit and you...”

“Past indiscretions.”  Andi cleared her throat.  “Keyword, past.  And I was thinking of Steve the whole time.”

Kevin laughed as he pulled his suitcase from the baggage carousel.  “How is ole Steve anyway?”

“Ole Steve is engaged to Amber.  A concept completely foreign to you, I know.  But some men like it when there is just one woman.  Some men even think falling in love and having a future with one person is exciting.”

“There’s a word for those people, Andi.  Insane.”  Kevin followed her to the parking lot.  “Spending your life with one person?  Spending every night playing hide the pickle in the same jar?  Hide and seek isn’t much fun when you hide in the same place every time.  Where’s the mystery in that?”

She laughed.  “Listen Deuce, not everyone shares your inclination for polygamy.”

“Please.  You mean to tell me that you would stay on the log ride, and ride it over and over, when there’s a shiny, new roller coaster right next door that offers more thrills and definitely more satisfaction?”

“I happen to like the log ride, thank you very much.”  Andi slammed the trunk shut and headed to the driver’s side of Audi Caleb had given her the first weekend she was working at the hospital.  She jumped when Kevin stepped into her path but she continued.  “And for the record, Ms. Mile high club didn’t look like a shiny, new roller coaster.”

He opened the door for her and leaned down to whisper in her ear.  “No, doll.  I’m the roller coaster.  Anytime you’re ready to ride, you just let me know.”