Ruining Mr. Perfect (The McCauley Brothers) (17 page)

“Vanessa. Honey, time to wake up.”

She frowned and tried to push his hand away from her cheek. He’d make sure to tell her how cute he found her later, because she hated to be called “cute.” Her anger, like everything else about her, turned him on.

“Come on, sleeping beauty. Time to rise and get cleaned up before your parents get home.”

She groaned but woke, blinking up at him. “I need a shower.”

“Yes, you do.”

She froze. “Quick, get me a towel. I can’t mess the comforter.”

He laughed at her panic and fetched her a towel from the bathroom. After helping her out, he ignored her scowl and watched her dart to the bathroom. “Love that ass,” he called after her.

He missed the insult no doubt lobbed back at him, drowned out by the shower. Realizing she probably had stuff in her bag she needed, he opened it and grabbed what looked like a makeup kit just as she shouted, “I need my shampoo.”

“Just use the stuff in there. I did.” Several nice-smelling bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel sat on the side ledge. The place seemed stocked like a hotel.

“You’re not supposed to
use
it.”

He rolled his eyes and handed her the shampoo. Then he left her to clean up. While using his laptop to catch up on his emails and read Flynn’s account about the latest mess embroiling Brody and his dog, he noted a message from his father as well. For his dad to use email… Cam had no words to describe his shock. He had hope, though. His father wanted their mother back, and he’d finally started trying to do something about it.

Cam glanced at the steamy bathroom. “You people refuse to talk about what bothers you.”

He knew his cease-fire with Vanessa would end again. If not during this visit, where she was bound to be defensive and off balance, then when they returned and he started to demand more of her. Cam wanted her closer. But asking her to move in with him would probably scare her. Maybe.

With Vanessa, he was never quite sure what she could or couldn’t handle. At least she wouldn’t break up with him over the phone again.

He grinned.

Two hours later, he sat with her and Doctors Scott and Loretta Campbell at the dinner table. Not the relaxed kitchen island, but the
formal
dining table. A cook had delivered their food half an hour ago, and he had to admit it tasted amazing.

“Thank you both very much for including me in your celebration,” he said with gracious appreciation. He knew how to handle their type—savvy intellectuals who appreciated finer things, when they could take themselves away from their passion. In Scott’s case, theoretical computational physics, and in Loretta’s, theoretical math.

“It’s a pleasure to meet one of Vanessa’s friends.” Loretta smiled absently at him. She wasn’t cool, just not completely present. As if the joy had been leeched from her some time ago, and now she went through the motions, she seemed to smile without meaning it.

He’d been studying Vanessa’s folks, and he readily admitted he found them fascinating. “Vanessa told me what a big deal the CAR-S Grant is, Loretta. You must be pleased.”

“I am. That funding will do wonders for me. With it, I plan to hire another two post docs.”

Scott nodded. “Smart move. I’m going to use mine for more time on the supercomputer. That doesn’t come cheap.” He’d earned a government-funded grant, and his status within his community had gone up several notches. “You’ll see at the party tomorrow night. You two are attending.” A statement, not a question.

“Of course.” Vanessa ate with a slow, graceful politeness. She dabbed the corner of her cheek with a cloth napkin before lowering it to her lap.

Cam remembered his mother’s last raise and promotion and recalled the family having a big old barbecue in the yard. When his father and Mike scored a huge contract a year ago, the family had enjoyed greasy ribs, played football, and laughed it up with friends over brownies and homemade pie. Very different from the Lobster Thermidor, grilled asparagus, and steamed baby red potatoes on his plate. Oh, and not to be forgotten, the big, rich chardonnay accompaniment. He felt as if he and Vanessa were dining at a five-star restaurant, not her parents’ home.

“And work, Vanessa?” Scott asked after a careful sip of wine to bring out the flavor in his lobster. “How is accounting life treating you?”

“Well enough.” She continued to eat, cutting her food in small pieces. Eating slowly, one tiny bite at a time. She said nothing more though, and Cam frowned.

“She’s on track to make partner,” Cam bragged. “The best accountant in the place. Bellemy Tech recently requested her to work with them. By name.”

Her mother raised a brow. “Nicely done, daughter.”

Vanessa flushed and mumbled a thanks.

He didn’t understand why she didn’t make more of her accomplishments. She’d been quiet and unassuming all evening. So not like the woman who knew her own worth back in Seattle and wasn’t afraid to tell everyone about it.

“I’m to assume you’re going to continue on your course in the private sector? No desire to join the faculty here?” her mother asked.

Cam waited for her to shoot that down. But Vanessa shrugged. “I never say never. Keeping my options open. For the present, I enjoy my work. It’s financially satisfying, and I’ve made friends.”

“A social group reinforces success.” Her father nodded. “Is Madison doing well? Her mother sent out notices that she’s become engaged.”

It took Cam a moment to reconcile
Madison
with
Maddie
. “She’s engaged to my brother,” Cam announced. “They make a striking pair.”

Scott nodded. “You know, people complain that surface attraction is no basis for compatibility. To an extent, I agree. However, after forming an association with Vanessa’s mother, we decided that not only would our combined intellect create amazing offspring, but that our physical coloring and biological framework would complement one another nicely.” He and Loretta studied Vanessa. “You’ll notice the girl has my build and her mother’s softer features. She’s quite beautiful.”

“And intelligent.” Loretta nodded.

Vanessa sat up straighter in her chair.

“It’s too bad you decided not to pursue a broader education. But there’s always time. You’re only twenty-eight. Your mind is fertile enough, I should think.”

Cam sat there, staring at them. Her mind was fertile? Who the hell talked like that?

“Yes, Mom. I’m still plenty fertile.” She shot a sly look at Cam, and he breathed a sigh of relief. She might act like a Stepford kid with her parents, but his Vanessa was still in there.

“Oh, ho. A play on words, dear.” Scott lifted his glass in a toast. “I take it you’re being careful not to conceive, however.”

Cam sputtered on his drink.

“No offense, Cameron. Like Vanessa, you have strong bone structure. She tells me you’re a runner, and it’s obvious you’re in shape.” Scott nodded.

“And this business of yours,” Loretta commented, “I looked you up online. Your intelligence and drive have been duly noted.”

He had a feeling that was high praise, coming from Loretta.

Even Vanessa blinked.

“Do you think you’re guessing, most of the time, or are you aware of the many factors that go into sound financial advice?”

Digging into a topic that thoroughly fascinated him, he engaged with the Campbells for the better part of the evening, more than pleased that Vanessa joined him as well.

“Well, this has been an enlightening evening,” Scott said sometime later as he pushed back his chair.

“Truly.” Loretta nodded, her expression serious. “I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed company more. Thank you for bringing him, Vanessa. Cameron, I’d love your opinion on our current financial advisor. We’d be more than happy to pay you for your time.”

Vanessa blew out a soft breath. “Mom, I don’t think Cameron’s here to talk—”

“No, no. I’d be happy to take a look. As a friend, not in a professional capacity, though.”

“That would be fine.” Scott stood with Loretta, and Cam and Vanessa stood as well.

Cam shook Scott’s hand, then Loretta’s. No kiss from Vanessa’s mom, as she maintained a safe distance between them. Vanessa nodded to her parents. There were no hugs or kisses for their daughter either. Come to think of it, there’d been no physical affection among the group at all that he’d witnessed.

“We’ll see you both tomorrow. At the dinner,” Vanessa added. “We’re probably going to sleep in and rest up. So we’ll be fresh for the party.”

“Good idea,” her mother agreed. “Travel takes its toll. Feel free to have the run of the house. Lisa will be in at seven.” The housekeeper. “If you need anything, ask her.”

“We will. Thank you.” Vanessa tugged him away with her.

“The dishes?” he asked, having been raised to clean up after himself.

“Lisa will get them in the morning. Trust me. Mom and Dad don’t want you messing your precious hands in suds.”

He frowned. She seemed upset with him. “Vanessa?”

She continued to march up the stairs and into their room. Once inside, she quietly shut the door, then turned to face him, her hands on her hips. “What the hell was that downstairs?”

He sighed. “What did I do now?”

“All that kissing ass. You don’t have to, you know.” She scowled. “I don’t like you being all…”

He took off his shoes and sat on the bed with his back propped against the headboard. “All what? Polite? Mannerly? Nice?”

“Yes, nice. Be yourself.”

He chuckled. “I am nice. It was refreshing to talk to your parents. They’re so smart.”

She looked less offended. “You mean that?”

“Honey, anyone with half a brain can see how intelligent they are.”

“No shit.” She shook her head. “I meant, you liked talking with them? You weren’t making fun?”

To his shock, she seemed almost embarrassed on their behalf.

“Of course not. Your parents were great. They liked me talking probability and investment models. Not once did they yawn.”

“That wouldn’t be polite.”

She wasn’t kidding. “Vanessa, I like your parents.”

“Oh.” She paused. “It’s just that most ‘normal people’ find them off-putting. Hell, even I do. My parents are like functioning autistic savants. Geniuses in their fields, but really not good with people.”

“I thought they were both intellectual and polite.”

“But cold.” Her eyes narrowed. “You don’t have to treat me with kid gloves, Cameron. Tell me the truth.”

He patted the bed and waited until she sat beside him. Then he pulled her onto his lap and made her straddle his waist, so he could look at her. “The truth is your parents are lovely. Yes, they’re a little off. No hugs or kisses for their wonderful daughter they haven’t seen in what?”

“Three years.”

“Three years. But there’s a cold kind of affection, there. I saw it. They’re proud of you. The fact they want you to work here, with them, is a sure sign they love you. Even if they don’t know how to express it the way, and I quote, ‘normal people’ might.”

She eased into his hold. “I love them. I mean, they annoy the crap out of me too. Always so literal and sometimes so mechanical.” She slapped her hand over his mouth before he could comment. “I know. I can be a lot like them. But sometimes I just want a hug or a kiss. Something more human.” She eased her hand from his mouth. “Like your parents are. Were.”

“Still are, if my father has his way.” Cam brought her face to his for a kiss. “Thanks for making him think about what Mom has gone through. He’s done his pity party, I think. I gave him some advice about how to deal with her. I can only hope it sinks in.”

“It will.” She kissed him back. “I can’t believe my mother liked you. I mean, she barely likes me.”

“Honey, I’m Cameron McCauley. What’s not to like?”

She made retching sounds. “That ego. Ack. I’m sick.”

He laughed. “Sick? I have some Dramamine left.”

“Jerk.”

“Now, honey. I believe it would be more appropriate to call me a dick.” So saying, he lifted her up to unbutton his jeans. He took himself out, letting her have a good look at his erection. “You know, we never did get to dessert.”

“But I wanted something creamy.” She backed away and stared at him, and the look she gave his cock had his temperature rising in a hurry.

“Oh, it’s creamy. You just have to lick extra hard for the good stuff.”

She snickered. “That was lame. Good stuff? But you are handsome. I’ll give you that. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of a penis as a work of art. Yours is.”

“Jesus, Vanessa. Quit seducing me with pretty words and get your mouth on me. I’m hard as hell.”

“Lightweight.” She stripped out of her clothes. “
Nancy.
”

“I never should have told you he called me that,” Cam rasped as she crawled, naked, over the bed and leaned in to him.

“Hey, he can call you whatever he wants. But I bet you’re a lot closer to getting laid than he is right now.”

“Ew. Please.” He covered his eyes with his hands but nearly shot off the bed when her mouth engulfed him. “You know I’m desperate when even a mention of my parents won’t kill my hard-on.
Vanessa
…” He lost his tie to anything rational and let her have him. Every hard, creamy bit of him.

Beth stared at her husband over the conference table in the therapist’s office. She had a hard time believing he’d decided to talk to her. But it was nearly a month after her coffee with Liam, and James had finally agreed to talk to her in a neutral zone.

“So you still seeing the no-neck?” The first words out of his mouth. He completely ignored Dr. Rosenthal, as if the woman wasn’t present.

Young and sharp, Ava Rosenthal didn’t miss a beat. “James, why don’t you tell Beth what’s been on your mind lately? How you’re feeling?”

He sneered at the doctor but answered anyway. “Jesus.
Feelings.
Okay. I’m tired, I’m lonely, and I miss you,” he barked.

Beth did her best to keep calm, but inside, her heart raced and she had butterflies in her stomach. Ever since her coffee date with Liam, James had been different. As if he’d seen that she had value, was wanted by someone else? Or because he genuinely missed her?

“Dr. Rosenthal, can I ask him a question?”

James growled, “I’m right here, Beth. You can ask me whatever you want.”

“Yes, Beth.” Dr. Rosenthal smiled. “But refrain from hurtful words. You remember what we talked about.” The woman was a godsend. Dr. Rosenthal had been a true balm to Beth’s wounded spirit. She’d helped Beth realize that not everything that had gone wrong in her marriage had been James’s fault. That maybe if Beth had stood up for herself, realized that she herself had value, she might have nipped a lot of their problems in the bud.

“James, do you miss me because Liam made you jealous? Because you don’t want anyone else to have me? Or do you miss me for me?”

He scowled, his dark brows close. “What the hell difference does it make? And what does that mean, miss you for you? Who the hell else am I supposed to miss?
L
iam?
”

Dr. Rosenthal cleared her throat. “James, it would help if you weren’t so antagonistic. Beth has told me that she values what you once had, and she agreed to see you here because she wants that back.” James seemed to ease at her words. “I’m simply a facilitator for discussion. Neither of you is right or wrong. You’re entitled to your feelings. Your problem was and
is
in talking to each other. So please, talk
to
her. Not
at
her.”

He frowned but didn’t snap back. “Fine. Yes, Beth, I miss you. I didn’t like you dating that loser. At all. And yeah, I get where you were coming from with Amelia. Also known as the ‘hated coffee chick.’ That’s what the boys call her.”

She didn’t manage to stifle a grin, and he saw it. He chuckled. “Our sons are such a pain in my ass. You know, we did something right by them.”

“Yes.”

He blew out a breath. “Look. That whole thing with Amelia. I think most of it was in my head. I was flattered another woman saw me as a desirable man. She gave me free muffins.”

Beth raised a brow.

He held up his hands in surrender. “That’s all. I swear. I never dated her, never said more than thanks or talked about the weather. I haven’t been by that shop in a good month.”

Not since she’d been with Liam. “Oh?”

“Don’t give me that,” he said in a rumble. “You know I’m pissed as hell about you and that guy. So what’s the deal?” He paused and swallowed. “You guys, ah, dating?”

“No. As a matter of fact, I consider him a good friend.” An understanding man she could talk to about life and things she didn’t want to confide to her children or their girlfriends. Her sisters understood, but Liam had given her a perspective on James no one else had.

“How good a friend?”

“James,” Ava said quietly.

“I’m asking. Nicely,” he bit out.

“He’s just a friend. That’s all. I’ve done far less with him than you and Amelia.” She even hated the woman’s name. “I have no feelings for him other than friendly ones. Though I won’t lie. I find him a very attractive man.” She really shouldn’t have added that, but seeing his jealousy empowered her.

Noting Dr. Rosenthal’s raised brow, she hurried on. “Anyway, I wanted to talk to you here, so we could clear the air about a lot of things. I’ll start, if you don’t mind.”

“Go ahead.” He sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. He’d worn jeans and a nice sweater for the meeting. Though he looked as if he’d lost weight, it didn’t diminish the man’s fine face. Or the spark in his blue eyes that had always intrigued her, and still did.

“I love my children. I think I still love you. But you hurt me for a long time.” She saw him listening and continued. “I never knew why you started pulling away from me. It started years ago. I tried to be a better wife, a better cook, more attentive to the kids. Nothing seemed to help. Then you pulled away, sexually, and—”

James coughed and his cheeks heated. “Beth, do we have to talk about this here?” He nodded at Ava.

Beth continued, on a roll. “It hurt me badly. I felt neglected, not worthy. And that wasn’t right. I loved my job, but I retired early for you. I’ve thought long and hard about what we said a few weeks ago. About how you thought I wanted to better you.” She gave a hard laugh. “Better? You’ve always been so strong and sure about everything. A man I could lean on, and what was I? The pretty secretary catering to more important people my whole life.”

He frowned. “That’s not true.”

“It is. While you made your way in the world and everyone respected you—my strong, handsome husband—I was merely a Mrs. for longer than I can remember.”

“No.”

“Yes.” She leaned over the table. “Working for the university helped me have an identity. I could manage things for others pretty easily.”

“Hell, you kept us in line. Flynn and Brody were a headache at the best of times.” He snorted.

“I loved being important to all of you. Except then I didn’t seem to be much of anything where you were concerned. It’s like I lost my job and my purpose once I retired. All my boys are grown, and Colin is getting so independent. I only had you, but you weren’t there.”

“Shit.” He rubbed his forehead. “That’s not the way I remember it. Here’s this beautiful woman surrounded by all these college types telling her how smart and wonderful she is, and she has to come home to some loser who nails boards together for a living. I thought you were unhappy, because you were always trying to get me back in school. To be one of
them
.”

Shocked, she just stared at him. He didn’t seem to be making anything up to earn her sympathy. If anything, he seemed embarrassed to admit as much. “James?”

“I know we fell in love early. And that Mike was an unexpected surprise.” He grinned at her before his expression sobered. “But I loved you, Beth. I think you’re a wonderful mother. You raised our boys to be fine men. Even Cameron,” he teased. “I just wanted you to want me the way I was, not always trying to make me into some college boy.”

“
You
told
me
you wanted to go to school.”

“That was years ago.” He shrugged. “I kind of gave up the dream after I worked with my dad. Then he passed, and I knew what I wanted to do. The business has been good. I mean, yeah, we had our rocky times. But we’re solid now. Mike’s involved. Hell, it got Flynn and Brody into respectable work. Without the plumbing biz, I think they’d both be in jail.”

“Maybe not Brody. He’s a bit slicker than Flynn.” She smiled. Good Lord, had James been self-conscious about himself for so long and she hadn’t noticed? “I never cared about a stupid degree. I just wanted you to be happy.”

“Then why did you constantly harp on it all the time?” he asked, looking annoyed. “I’d come home after busting my ass to have you nagging me to study and ‘better myself.’”

“Nag?” Dr. Rosenthal cut in.

“Yeah, nag,” James repeated, angry again.

“If it was nagging, it’s because you avoided me anytime I tried talking to you,” Beth answered, getting a little annoyed herself. “If you would have just
told
me
how you felt, I’d have explained I only wanted you to not have to work so hard. Even when we had family time, you were on edge, hoping we could afford our next outing. It took its toll on me too. I just thought a degree would help you feel more secure in the workplace.”

“Don’t you mean you wanted someone smarter, who dressed better? I went to all those fancy university parties with you. I heard the things they said.”

“What are you talking about?” Genuinely distressed about his animosity, she just wanted to understand. “What did they say? Who said it?”

“Your friends, the other secretaries, the professors. Most of them thought you’d married beneath you. That I must be good in bed because what else would I be good for?” He smirked. “Of course, we both know the good-in-bed rep was well earned.”

God. She hadn’t known her friends had said anything like that. “Are you sure that’s what you heard?”

“From Jane and Sheila. Yep. Then there was Mark Sheffield, Carson Allen, Dr. Gresham. You want more names?”

“I have lunches with Jane and Sheila!”

“And that ain’t helpin’. I can only imagine what they say.”

“But they don’t. They’ve never said anything to me. Why, those bitches.”

Dr. Rosenthal raised her brows.

James blinked. “You believe me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

He stared. “I guess… I just thought I’d do best to keep quiet. That you’d think I was making it all up, jealous or some shit.”

“I can’t believe they’d say those things.” But what bothered her more… “Why didn’t you tell me? I understand letting it go a few times but, James, I worked with those people for over twenty years. They were my friends.”

“That’s why I never said anything.” He shrugged. “I didn’t want you to have a bad time at work. I knew you liked it.”

Flabbergasted, she didn’t know what to say.

“I, um, you okay?” he asked gruffly.

“Yes. I’m just stunned. I never knew.” She shook her head. “I guess I’m still not sure why you couldn’t have said something. Even if you never mentioned my bitchy friends, why not tell me straight out that you enjoyed work and didn’t want to go back to school?”

“I don’t know.”

“Because if you had, maybe we wouldn’t be in this predicament right now.” She was angry. At her supposed friends, at him, at herself for not realizing what had been happening right under her nose. To think, she had a lunch with her girlfriends scheduled for this afternoon. She couldn’t wait to have a serious talk with them.

“Beth, remember. We’re not here to point fingers. We’re here to discuss feelings,” Dr. Rosenthal commented.

“Well, I can tell you I’m feeling pretty mad right now. I want to punch you right in the head,” she growled at James, “for not trusting me to stand by you.”

“That’s not why I—”

“Isn’t it? If someone had been bothering me, I’d have told you. In fact, I did. Remember when Kenny used to tease me? Our neighbor back when we lived in Tacoma? Before we moved? I told you, and you took care of him. I
knew
you’d believe me over him.”

“Christ, Beth. That was over thirty years ago.”

“But I never felt that I couldn’t trust you. I put my faith in you to be there for me. Was I that much of a witch that you never felt you could do the same?”

“Hell no. That’s not the same thing at all.”

Dr. Rosenthal verbally stepped in to give them a break, but Beth had had enough. She had a few people to see, and no more patience for her idiot husband. Not now.

***

James watched her leave, helpless to know how to fix things. He’d come to this stupid meeting to get her back, not to piss her off even more. Cam and his dumb ideas about how to deal with his mother.

Dr. Rosenthal nodded. “That went well.”

He frowned. “It did?”

“She’s been carrying a lot of resentment around, as have you. Now you understand where the other is coming from.” Dr. Rosenthal removed her glasses. “This is a great first step, James. It’s not going to happen overnight. You two have a little work ahead of you, but the nice thing is that you both love each other. Anyone can see that.”

He wanted to smile with giddy relief. Beth loved him still. He’d been afraid, especially with that dickhead mechanic in the picture. James didn’t do tender emotions and lovey-dovey bullshit. He loved his wife, and somewhere along the line, he’d forgotten how much. But no longer. He wanted her back with a vengeance.

He decided to put away his stupid embarrassment and make use of this paid professional. He could only imagine what these sessions were going to cost him.

“What do you think about sex, Doc?”

Ava blinked. “Excuse me?”

“Sex. Does it bring people together or make things worse?”

She put on her glasses again and pursed her lips in thought. “I think it all depends on the circumstances. Physical intimacy can bridge problems, creating an emotional intimacy where there is none. It can also often be misused for that very reason, when people have sex but don’t talk about their problems.”

“Hmm.” He knew how to bridge one gap. And he was tired of waiting. He stood.

“James?”

“I’ll be back next week. With Beth.” He nodded, then added, “Thanks.”

The doctor watched him go with narrowed eyes, probably not trusting his sincerity. Not that he could blame her. He hated shrinks. Always had. His sister-in-law was one, and the only one he tolerated. Sophie, Beth’s younger sister, was a funny lady, but he always had the sense she was measuring him and finding him lacking. Of course, she’d probably say it was his own self-doubt talking, not her. Kind of like he’d always felt around Beth’s friends.

He wondered if she’d still see them, knowing the truth. Or why it should bother him if she did. After driving himself to the jobsite, he changed into his grubby clothes and got back to work.

Mike just grunted at him and continued supervising the guys. Their new project in Queen Anne was a ballbuster, and just what he needed to get his mind off his worries. So when six o’clock rounded, Mike had to force him to leave.

“Get out, old man. You can come back tomorrow. Seriously, or the neighbors will have our asses for too much noise at night.”