Ruining Mr. Perfect (The McCauley Brothers) Page 14

  “I…” The rage left her between one blink and the next. “Makeover? What’s wrong with the way I look?”

  “Nothing if you want to be Grandma for the rest of your life.” Vanessa, Maddie, and Abby had discussed Beth in detail. Maddie’s expertise with clothing and design notwithstanding, even Vanessa had seen that Beth needed a wake-up call. “Beth, you’re beautiful.”

  “I’m fifty-six years old.”

  “Congratulations. Abby is twenty-six and still thinks clogs are fashionable. Age is not an excuse to dress dowdy.”

  “Dowdy?” Good. The woman looked riled.

  “I’m just saying that with some highlights to accent the silver in your dark hair, and some fitted clothing, like that dress you and Maddie bought—yeah, she showed it to me—you’d be a stunner. If James is out trying to score a chick and can’t see the hot one in front of his face, his loss. Get out there and live a little. If anything, make him so jealous he can’t see straight. I can tell you from personal experience that revenge can be very, very satisfying.”

  Beth straightened and started to smile. “Hmm. I hadn’t thought about that.” Her smile faded. “The woman he likes. I think she’s a lot younger.”

  “And stupid if she thinks she can compare to you. I just don’t get it. All I’ve heard from the guys is how great you and James are together. How did it go wrong?”

  Beth frowned. “I don’t know. We used to do everything together. Then I retired from my job as a secretary. Twenty years working for the college and suddenly I was just another homemaker.”

  “And mother of four stubborn men. Don’t forget that.”

  Beth snorted. “As if I could. I guess…maybe I lost some of my identity when I finished my job. I don’t know. James never acted like he appreciated my work anyway. I thought he’d be happier when I stayed home. Instead of being together, he put in more hours at work. I got lonely. Then I started going out with my friends from the college. Lunches, sometimes dinners. I tried to get him to go with me, but he didn’t want to.”

  “So you pulled away. He pulled away. Then this?”

  She looked baffled. “It’s the oddest thing. It’s like we went from full in love to blah to nothing in seconds. I can’t put my finger on it, but we just weren’t there anymore. You know?”

  Vanessa nodded, though she’d always been able to pinpoint when a relationship went sour.

  Beth continued. It was as if once she’d started talking, she couldn’t stop. “James didn’t want to walk with me, go out with me, spend time with me. Anytime I tried to get him to eat healthier or take care of him, he’d snipe at me.”

  “Doesn’t sound fair.”

  “No. It isn’t.” Beth glared. “When I begged him to talk about it or go to therapy, he shut down. So I did too.” She glanced over her shoulder, then whispered, “We stopped having sex months ago. That’s when our relationship really went downhill.”

  McCauleys had sex in their fifties and sixties. Check. “That’s got to hurt. That lack of intimacy.” Or so the talk shows always said.

  “Yes.” Beth looked sad again. “I had no passion for him, this stranger I lived with. Then to know he’d been with that younger woman…”

  “They had sex?” Vanessa asked bluntly.

  Beth frowned. “I don’t know. He said they didn’t but that he had feelings.” She sneered. “What about my damn feelings? What about all the time I spent caring for him, for this family? I wanted to work longer, you know. I quit to make him happy.”

  “Oh.”

  “And then he treats me like dirt. Without any reason! I never deserved that.”

  “No.”

  “That man.” She punched the soapy water, and bubbles went flying.

  Cameron walked into the kitchen with a smile on his face that disappeared as he looked at them. “Hey…Mom?”

  Beth snorted. “I’m done being a victim. Thank you, dear.” She leaned close and kissed Vanessa on the cheek. “I’m going to think about what you said. A lot.” She beamed at Cameron, and he looked puzzled. “Now let’s have dessert.”

  An hour later, after they returned to her house, Cameron asked her, “What the hell did you say to my mother?”

  Vanessa shrugged. “Only that she needs to update her look. I mean, your mom is very pretty, but she’s dressing like she’s eighty.”

  “You think?” He frowned.

  “I like Beth. If she feels better about herself, her confidence will have a positive effect on her and everyone around her, right?”

  “I guess.” He didn’t seem sure, and she didn’t think it wise to tell him that Beth had plans to knock James on his ass. Cameron probably wouldn’t thank her for her much-needed advice.

  “Now what did you have in mind? You sleeping over? Or do you have to ask your mom for permission first?”

  “Funny.” He drew her in for a kiss. “As much as I’d love to stay, I have an early appointment in the morning. Apparently the key jammed in the lock so Hope couldn’t get in tonight. I’m meeting a locksmith early tomorrow.”

  “Too bad.”

  He kissed her again. And again. “But I’m sure I could be persuaded to stick around for a little longer.”

  Vanessa’s heart raced. They hadn’t spent much time at her place. Normally at his condo or out about town, they’d seen movies, had dinner, played cards. Had sex. But here, in her sanctuary, she wanted him to stay. Despite the potential of her roommates returning at any moment, she wanted to have Cameron in her bed, surrounded by her things. Before, his presence might have felt like an invasion. She believed in keeping her private life private. But now, with her new boyfriend…

  “You want to come upstairs?” She swallowed hard and tried to make light of what should have been no big deal. “See my etchings?”

  He stared into her eyes and brushed her hair aside. “I’d love to. I’d also love to spend the night, but I do need to get back.”

  She nodded, secretly relieved he would be going afterward. Their closeness at times worried her. Because she was letting him into her life in a way she’d never let anyone else. He felt like a stable, almost permanent fixture. And now, having him in her room? Around her things? Making memories of Cameron in her bed?

  “Lead on, sexy.” He kissed her once more, then nudged her to the stairway.

  She told herself to stop acting like a drama queen and walked purposefully to her room. She locked the door behind them, then slammed him up against the wall and kissed the breath out of him.

  He groaned and started to fight back when she pinned his wrists to the wall. “Oh shit. Go ahead. Your turn.”

  He was always saying things like that, as if he had a mental tally of who got to be on top. But so close, feeling so much as she always did around him, she let it go and devoured him.

  Between kissing and touching, she removed her clothes while he ripped off his shirt and lowered his pants and underwear. He’d gotten them down to his upper thighs before she knelt in front of him and took him deeply to the back of her throat.

  “Christ, Vanessa. You’re way too good at this.” He gripped her by the hair and pumped into her mouth, his expression one of awe and desire. “I want to come inside you. With you squeezing me tight.”

  She sucked him harder, wanting to see him lose control. Needing to know she owned this moment to give order to the chaos of emotion shattering her.

  “No. Not without you,” he uttered through a clenched jaw. He tugged her hair and pulled away, then lifted her in his arms and pinned her against the wall. In seconds, he had her legs wrapped around his waist as he slammed inside her. “Oh yeah. God, come around me.”

  She moaned and gripped his powerful shoulders as he slammed into her. Punishing strokes that showed his urgency and increased her desire. Cameron without his careful limits turned her on and made her feel special, powerful. She caused him to
lose himself in her. And she reveled in it. Especially because he brought her pleasure, made her forget herself as she climbed to orgasm.

  “You’re so hard,” she moaned.

  “For you. God, I’m going to fill you up. So much.” He jerked his hips and ground against her clit.

  She cried out and came, clenching him tightly as her world exploded.

  “Yes, oh yeah.” He thrust hard and stilled, shaking as he poured into her.

  From downstairs the door opened, and she heard her roommates talking with each other. But she didn’t care if they knew Cameron was with her. In fact, she wanted them to know. To put her claim on the man coming to mean so much to her.

  “You make me crazy.” Cameron kissed her gently. “If I had the strength, I’d do it all over again.”

  “Yeah,” she sighed and kissed him back, running her fingers through his hair. “You’re not bad at this sex thing.”

  He grinned, his blue eyes deep and dark. “I try. But it’s good we keep me in practice.”

  She chuckled and caressed his neck, enjoying his shiver. “Ticklish?”

  “Not there. It just feels so good.” He squeezed her ass, and she realized he still held her in place. “You feel good.”

  “You’re a lot stronger than you look. I can’t believe you’re holding me up.”

  “Thanks,” he said drily. “But the wall has most of your gargantuan weight.”

  She smacked him on the arm. “You’re not supposed to tell a woman she weighs a lot.”

  “Hey, truth is truth. Besides, muscle weighs more than fat.”

  “Technically, that’s not true. Because—”

  “The only softness you have settled in all the right places,” he said over her and rubbed his chest against her breasts. “You know, if I hang around long enough, I’m sure we could go again.”

  She licked her lips. “I’m game. But Maddie and Abby are downstairs. Do we really want them to hear you moaning my name?”

  “Please. You’re the one always crying, ‘Cam. God, Cam. In me, yes,’” he ended in falsetto.

  She slapped a hand over his mouth, suddenly not wanting anyone to intrude on their time together. “Shush.”

  His wicked grin amused her. “Embarrassed? Is my Amazon shy?”

  Whenever he referred to her as his, she got a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach. A deeper sense of belonging she wanted desperately to be true.

  “Oh shut up, studly. Now put your… Well, I’d say put your clothes back on, but you only managed to lower your pants and underwear. How decadent.”

  “Only you would use a word like decadent after sex. And yeah, my dick is the only thing hanging out of my pants and still buried inside you. Decadent applies. So does heaven on earth.”

  They grinned at each other, then he withdrew and grabbed a T-shirt from the floor to stem the mess between her legs.

  He nodded, his eyes dreamy. “Have I told you how much I love coming inside you?”

  “Just about every day.”

  “Good. Because it’s true.” He looked as if he wanted to say more, then footsteps sounded on the stairs. “I guess I should head back. We’re on for a run tomorrow evening? Say, seven?”

  “You know it.” She quickly threw on a bra and a pair of sweats and walked him downstairs. They didn’t pass her roommates, who must have gone into their rooms. “Thanks for tonight. I had a great time.”

  He ran his hand over her hair again and cupped her cheek. “Me too.” He gave her a brief kiss. “See you tomorrow. Oh, and don’t think I bought that explanation of what you said to my mom. The woman looked ready to kill the dishes. I’ll get the rest out of you.”

  “Dream on.”

  “I intend to.” He chucked her chin, then left whistling.

  She smiled and closed the door, so totally smitten and enjoying the moment before reason returned and she thought about where this future might lead her. Letting herself ease back into the real world, she turned to head down the hall to the kitchen and saw her roommates staring at her from the stairs.

  “Hell.”

  Maddie squealed. “Oh my gosh. You and Cam did the nasty in our house! You have sex head.”

  Abby nodded.

  “What’s sex head?” Vanessa asked, even though she knew better.

  “When you have that just-gripped look.” Abby nodded to a section of Vanessa’s hair sticking out.

  “Yeah.” Maddie nodded. “Oh man. Vanessa did Cam in our house. In her room! So are you two getting married or what?”

  Vanessa scowled. “So we had sex. You two do it all the time.”

  “I wouldn’t say all the time…” Abby flushed.

  “Please.” Maddie rolled her eyes. “You’re worse than me and Flynn.” She turned back to Vanessa. “Vanessa, let’s be honest. You never date a guy this long. I mean, you and Cam went to Beth’s as a couple. You spend your time exercising and eating disgustingly nutritious food…together.”

  Abby smiled. “I think it’s great.”

  “Yeah. Okay.” Vanessa headed to the kitchen, in need of some peppermint tea. Unfortunately, the chatty twins followed.

  They watched her put the kettle on for tea.

  “Vanessa?” Abby asked. “Why don’t you seem glad about being with Cam?”

  She felt tense and deliberately relaxed before turning to face them. “Our relationship is great, but we’re no big deal. Cameron and I are new. So of course it’s all fluttery feelings and fun. I give it another few weeks before we cool down.”

  Abby shook her head. “Brody told me he’s never seen Cam so happy before. I mean, really happy. That’s even while living with his father underfoot.”

  Maddie nodded. “Flynn said the same thing. So are you going to let this relationship happen, or will you sabotage it like all the others?”

  Vanessa frowned. “That was your MO before Flynn. Not mine.”

  “You’re more subtle, but you’re flawed, just like me. You find fault with everyone you date. I’m shocked Cam’s lasted this long. But then, with a guy like him, it’s got to be hard to find things you don’t like. He’s nice but not too nice. Sexy, handsome, smart. Your kind of smart. And he’s rich.”

  “He doesn’t have to be rich to be interesting.”

  “No, but that doesn’t hurt. The man is just like you.” Maddie glanced at Abby. “Am I right?”

  “So I hit a bunch of duds before,” Vanessa cut in. “Not my fault they couldn’t keep up.” She recalled John “Small Dick” Willington. She hadn’t seen him since that dinner and actually liked dealing with Henry on business.

  “Well, this thing you have going with Cam.” Maddie pointed a finger at her. “Don’t screw it up.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Vanessa took the kettle off the burner when it whistled and turned off the stove. After pouring herself and her roommates some hot water, she girded herself for a verbal battle. “Why do you automatically assume I’ll be the one to screw up?”

  “Because that’s what you do. Your parents did a number on you as a kid, and you always get weird when you find a guy you might like. I think you really like Cam. Don’t search for problems where there are none. That’s all I’m saying.”

  It grated that Maddie might have a point. Hadn’t Vanessa been trying not to ruin her evening by suppressing thoughts of the future with Cameron? “You know, just because you happen to be getting lucky on a regular basis with Flynn does not make you an expert on relationships.”

  “Sure it does.”

  Abby cut in. “I think Maddie just means we like seeing you so happy. You seem lighter, not so tense.”

  “Why does everyone keep calling me tense?”

  “Does controlling, dictatorial, or uptight work better for you?” Maddie asked with overdone innocence.

  Vanessa slipped her the finger,
to which Maddie chuckled.

  “I’m just saying we like this new you.” Maddie took her mug and tossed a tea bag into it. “Don’t let your wacky parents ruin your love life. You’re the fun Campbell, and that’s saying something.”

  “Vanessa’s not like them,” Abby defended her.

  “Not really,” Maddie hedged. “But she’s got a defense mechanism where she pulls back when she feels threatened.”

  “Well, Cameron is the sensitive McCauley,” Abby said. “But he’s still a man. So it’s a given he’ll mess up. That’s what people do. The question becomes, will you be able to forgive him? I might not know your family dynamics like Maddie does, but I do know you like to be right.”

  “About everything,” Maddie groused, then smiled. “It doesn’t help that you often are right. That you’re so self-reliant, and that you rarely mess up.”

  Abby nodded. “The problem is that when others around you do, you’re not as forgiving.”

  “Hey, I put up with you two.”

  Maddie crossed her eyes.

  Abby laughed. “But we’re family. Can you be so forgiving with the man in your life? A guy you might come to love?”

  Vanessa pondered that as they drank their tea and turned the conversation to Beth and James. She told her roommates what she’d said to Beth, and they gave her kudos for being bold enough to speak the truth. But all the while, she wondered about Abby’s questions. Could she forgive Cameron when he eventually made a monumental mistake? His Y chromosome practically confirmed that at some point in their “relationship” he’d step on his own dick.

  And then what?

  Chapter 12

  Beth McCauley stared at her reflection in awe.

  “Beth, I’m so happy you decided to go for a change. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’ve loved doing your hair the past five years. But man, I was dying to experiment with you. You look gorgeous.”

  “I look ten years younger.” Beth gaped at herself in the mirror. Wearing the clothes Maddie had picked out with her a few days ago, she felt practically indecent in the form-fitting jeans and soft blue sweater. But Maddie had insisted she stop hiding herself in “old lady clothes.” As if prints in paisley and stripes to hide her saggy breasts and tummy made her automatically old.