Ruining Mr. Perfect (The McCauley Brothers) Read online

  “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.”

  Turning off the tile saw, James nodded. He’d been thinking hard about how best to finish today.

  “You okay?” Mike rubbed his cheek and left a streak of dirt behind. “You’ve been less of a pain in the ass than usual.”

  “A little respect?” James did his best not to laugh. God, Mike was such a prick. Just like him.

  “Pain in the ass, Father?”

  James punched his son in the arm. “Smart-ass. Lot of asses in our family, you realize that?”

  “Every damn day.” Mike grinned.

  “I’m going home. Well, back to Cam’s anyway. You notice how happy the boy is lately? I swear, he’s gone for Vanessa. A mean one, but a keeper, I’m thinking.”

  Mike nodded. “Yeah. I like her though. She doesn’t let Colin get away with shit.”

  “True.”

  He returned to Cam’s, where he hurried to shower and dress in his nicer clothes. He was in the media room when Vanessa and the boy returned, both sweaty from the stupid gym.

  He left the room and casually strolled into the living room. Cam was doing something with his hips that put James in mind of dry humping, but with his back to his father, Cam couldn’t see him.

  Vanessa did, and her broad grin grew into unbridled laughter.

  Cam turned around and turned three shades of red. “Oh, er, hey, Dad.”

  James arched a brow. “Want me to give you two some alone time?”

  Vanessa continued to laugh.

  Cam sighed. “Oh God. No. I was showing her this move that some aerobics instructor… Never mind. Just… forget you saw that.” Cam walked away, muttering under his breath about a shower.

  “Priceless. Thanks, James, I needed that.” Vanessa wiped her eyes.

  “Good. Then maybe you’ll do me a favor.”

  “I’m listening.”

  She heard him out, argued with him a few times, but after listening to his idea, she nodded. “You didn’t get the key from me. I was already in trouble for talking out of turn before.”

  “Swear. I see nothing.”

  She glanced over his shoulder. “Keep a look out.”

  He turned and looked for the boy while she fished Beth’s new key off Cam’s key ring.

  “Now get this back tonight. I’ll leave the key ring on the table,” she whispered.

  “He can’t hear you. He’s in the shower.” Hell, James could hear the water coming down.

  “Your son hears everything. You take off. And again, you didn’t get that key from me.”

  He grinned and lifted her in a bear hug.

  “Oof.”

  “God love you, girl. Now go distract my boy. I have my own woman to woo.”

  He left her behind and drove quickly to Beth’s—their—home. He parked by the neighbor’s and looked around for her car. Not home. He checked the garage to be sure, and not seeing her coupe, let himself into the house.

  A walk through showed everything just the same except… “Where the fuck is my favorite chair?”

  ***

  Beth returned at eight after dinner with Abby and Brody. She’d broken down and told them what she’d learned from James today. Brody had lovingly called his Pop an idiot. Abby had agreed that Beth’s friends were assholes and people she was better off not talking to.

  Talk about a rude awakening. At lunch today, Sheila and Jane had pretended it was all just a joke, yet she’d seen the malice in their stares, their petty jealousy. The nerve. She’d said her piece, tossed her water at Jane, and left them embarrassed and shocked in the restaurant. But what a high. Her day had only gotten better after thinking about all she’d learned. Then dinner with Brody and Abby, such a wonderful couple. They gave her hope for her own situation.

  After letting herself in and feeling the need for a bubble bath, she neatly put her things away and moved to her bedroom. She lit a bunch of candles and prepared her bath. Once ready, she undressed, then stared at herself in the large bathroom mirror.

  Her breasts had lost their perkiness twenty years ago. Her belly was still slender, her legs slim from her daily
walks. But there was no getting around it. Beth was old.

  Large hands wrapped around her middle, and she shrieked.

  “Shh. It’s just me.”

  She sagged into his arms before slapping him, what she could reach of him. “Damn it. You scared the hell out of me!”

  James chuckled, and the warmth of his breath on her neck made her tingly.

  “Sorry. I was hoping to see you do something naughty. But it looked like you only planned a bath.”

  She turned scarlet, realizing he’d been watching her study herself. “I need my robe,” she mumbled.

  “No, you don’t.” He stared at them in the mirror, his blue eyes bright next to hers. “You wanted honesty. Fine. I want you more now than I ever have. I’m an ass, I know. I made a lot of mistakes. But I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back.” He rubbed her belly. “I love you, Beth. I always have. And shit, but I miss making love to you. You’re beautiful, and I want you. How’s that for honesty?”

  The smile on his face faded as his gaze grew more intense. She watched him watching her, and needs long denied rose to the surface. For the first time in a long time, the right man found her desirable.

  “Can I interest you in a bubble bath?” She smiled.

  His broad grin was her answer. “Now you know why I wanted it big enough for two when we built the place.”

  “Is this where you say I told you so?”

  “Nope. Not tonight. Tonight is just for you.”

  “Then prepare to deal with rose-scented bubbles.”

  “Only for you. Always for you.”

  Chapter 17

  Vanessa was starting to worry. It had been a week since returning from her surprisingly not horrible trip to her parents, and she hadn’t managed to shake this bug. She closed her eyes to stem her light-headedness and resolved not to skip lunch tomorrow.

  Josh entered holding a folder. “Vanessa? You don’t look so good.”

  She didn’t feel that well either. “Would you do me a favor?”

  “Sure.” He quivered like an overeager puppy. “What do you need?”

  She dug in her wallet and found a few bills. “Could you grab me a yogurt from the cafeteria downstairs?”

  “How about a turkey club?”

  Her favorite. “Oh, sure. That would work. I skipped lunch today.”

  “Sure thing. Be right back.” He left, and she sipped some water and concentrated on work.

  When Josh returned a few minutes later, she felt much better. “Thanks.”

  “No problem.” He handed her a sandwich, yogurt, and a banana. “Potassium helps.”

  “Good point.” Suddenly ravenous, she started eating, then stopped and swallowed a mouthful of turkey. “Josh?”

  He was staring at her. “Can I talk to you, Vanessa?”

  She nodded. He didn’t bother closing the door. They and the partners were the last ones left on this early Tuesday—and by early, she meant six o’clock. With the corporate tax crunch, they’d taken to working late nights and weekends as well.

  “What’s up, Josh?” She didn’t think she’d ever had a better turkey sandwich in her life.

  “It’s… I really appreciate that you got Gina and the others off my back.”

  “No sweat. They shouldn’t have been bothering you in the first place.”

  “Right.” He sat and then stood and started to pace. “Jeff has been a real help, but I think it’s your tutoring that’s made me so much better at work lately.”

  “I had some time, and you can learn a lot through the Bellemy figures.” She’d brought him on her team and given him enough to instruct him while still keeping a firm grip on the company’s account. To her surprise, Josh had proven to have a real grasp for the job.

  “I like working here. A lot.” He looked nervous. So cute, a tiny mouse scurrying around the hungry cat.

  She smiled at her analogy, especially as she started on her yogurt. She’d definitely make sure to eat tomorrow. God, she felt so much better.

  “I’m glad you like it. Have you noticed that the others are treating you with more respect?”

  “Yeah. Even ‘Mr. Peterman.’” He smiled. Then the smile faded.

  “Josh?” She finished her yogurt and licked her spoon. Hmm. Maybe she’d go get another. After the banana.

  He didn’t answer, fixated on her mouth. She licked, hoping she hadn’t been sitting there with a gob of yogurt on her lips. Josh turned around and groaned.

  She stood, worried. “You okay?” She rounded her desk and touched him on the shoulder.

  To her shock, he whirled around and kissed her.

  She froze under his mouth, wondering what she’d obviously missed.

  When he tried to pull her closer and deepen the kiss, she shoved him away. “What the hell?”

  “Vanessa, I really like you.”

  She stared at him, nonplussed.

  “You’re all I can think about. You’re so smart and funny.”

  “Josh, I—”

  “You’re so good at your job. Everyone respects you. I broke up with Angela. Not for you, I mean, we weren’t good together. She’s too clingy, like you said about some of your exes. It’s just, I can’t think about anything or anyone but you.”

  He looked so earnest. She couldn’t crush him heartlessly. Could she? “We work together.”

  “I know, but I’m not your direct subordinate. Besides, you’d never play favorites. You’re not like that.”

  “I know I’m not like that.” Uncomfortable and wondering how to get out of the situation, she gauged his sincerity. “You’re twenty-one.”

  “Two. Twenty-two.”

  “I’m almost twenty-nine.” He stared at her mouth again, and now that she knew he wasn’t looking at stray food, she grimaced.

  “Josh, I like you. As a coworker. I have a boyfriend.” Do I.

  “But he can’t know you. Not like I do. I love everything about you.”

  Oh, wow. How the hell did she get herself into this situation? “Josh, I’m flattered, but—”

  He stepped back. “I know I sprung this on you. You need some time to think about us. I know this is sudden.”

  “It’s not that, it’s—”

  “I don’t want you to think I’m harassing you or anything.” He gripped his hair. “I shouldn’t have kissed you, but I’ve been dreaming about it for months. God, Vanessa. You’re so hot. If you’d just give me a chance… Think about it.” He turned and left her open-mouthed, gaping at the empty doorway.

  Had that really happened? Not sure what to think, she powered down her computer and grabbed her purse. On the way home, she stopped at the grocery store. She didn’t need to buy much, especially since she’d been spending more time with Cameron at his place.

  As if on cue, he called. “Where are you?”

  “Um, at the Met.”

  “Hey, get me some tomatoes and I’ll pay you back.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I can buy a few tomatoes without going into hock.” He paid for most of their food, so she made sure to do her fair share.

  “Fine, big spender,” he teased. “I’m making a salad with our steak tonight. We’ll have wine too. A nice merlot to tease your palate.”

  She heard his father growl in the background, “Go get a room if you want to tease your girlfriend.”

  Vanessa grinned. “So he’s still not getting any, eh?”

  “Stop.” Cameron groaned. “Don’t talk about my parents that way. Major taboo.”

  She chuckled, tossing groceries in a basket while she shopped. Ever since James had borrowed Cam’s key, he’d been on cloud nine. Cameron had noticed his good mood, as well as his father spending time with his mother. But Beth must have called a halt on their truce, because it sounded as if James had returned to being a real bear.


  “So is your dad joining us?”

  “Nope. He’s got plans tonight.” Cameron’s grin came through his words. “Mom invited Dad for dinner…along with Maddie and Flynn.”

  “Woman’s cock-blocking me,” James said.

  “Dad, shut up,” Cameron yelled away from the phone before returning to her. “Oh, sorry. Hope you didn’t hear that. Hell, I wish I hadn’t heard it.”

  She laughed, enjoying his embarrassment. “No problem. So maybe if your dad is gone, you and I can have our own party.”

  “Now you’re talking.”

  She wanted him in the worst way. All the time. She continued to talk with him on her phone and had almost checked out when she realized she hadn’t found her almond milk. After hanging up, she finished her shopping and nearly ran into John Willington. Talk about the perfect ending to her less-than-stellar day.

  “Vanessa, you’re looking lovely, as usual.”

  With him stood another man dressed in casual but pricey clothes. She recognized the label.

  “John.” She nodded and gave him the courtesy he didn’t deserve. Mr. Small Dick. She bit back a grin.

  “This is my cousin Ryan. Ryan, meet Vanessa. She’s a whiz with numbers and currently heading our accounts with McNulty, Peterman.”

  “Oh, nice.” Ryan shook her head. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Vanessa.”

  “I’m sure none of it’s good.” She gave John a look.

  Not affected in the slightest—the ass—he grinned.

  Ryan shook his head. “Oh no. Trust me. It’s all good. The only woman to deny my cousin. That you’re so beautiful must make the loss that much worse, eh, dickhead?” he said pleasantly to John as he winked at Vanessa.

  That killed John’s smile. “Don’t be an ass. I’ll meet you at the bread aisle.”

  Ryan chuckled at his cousin’s abrupt departure. “I love him, but I don’t actually like him.”

  “He is…unusual.”

  “A nice word to describe him. I’d have gone with narcissistic, but okay.”

  She laughed. Then a spell of dizziness hit her again, and she found herself in Ryan’s arms as he held her from falling on her face.