Ruining Mr. Perfect (The McCauley Brothers) (6 page)

“Yes. Nothing else.”

“Why?”

Could the man be kidding? “Seriously?”

“Yes. Why? I’ve got money, I’m handsome, and I’m good in bed.”

She studied him, wondering if he could be that dense. “You talked about yourself all evening. You didn’t once ask me what I thought or felt about anything.” He’d asked for honesty. “I found you narcissistic.”

“Oh?” He smirked at her and leaned closer. In a low voice, he answered, “I find you beautiful but cold. It intrigues me to think I might be able to thaw you out. As for why I never asked you anything, I don’t care. I didn’t ask for a date because I wanted to talk.”

She sat in stunned silence while the waiter arrived to clear their plates. Once he left, she gathered her composure. “I’m really glad we never had more than one date, in that case. Imagine how awkward this dinner could have been,” she said drily.
What
an
egotistical
ass.

“I’m just being honest. I thought you liked that?”

“You know, I was impressed by your candor. Part of me still is, while the other part is grossly offended.”

He huffed. “This isn’t because of that guy at the gym, is it? I know you’re single. I asked around.”

“Whether I am or not is irrelevant.” She relied on her ability to detach herself from the situation and answered with
cold
logic. “The fact of the matter is we had one date and didn’t suit. Not money, appearance, or the size of a man’s cock is a factor in who I decide to fuck. Honest enough for you?”

He nodded, his eyes wide.

“We’re going to be working together. I’m not arrogant enough to assume you asked for my company’s services because you’re hard up for a woman. However, if this situation makes it awkward for us to do business, you’re of course free to opt out of the contract for our agreed fee and go elsewhere for assistance. Or you could assign someone else as your liaison when dealing with me. It’s up to you.”

He shook his head and smiled. “You really are one cold bitch, aren’t you?”

She blinked. “Do you really want to ruin your company because you managed to mess with the wrong woman? I don’t mix business and pleasure. Ever. We don’t do that at McNulty, Peterman. Which is one of the reasons why we’re the number one firm in the city.”

He stared at her in silence, and she wondered if he could hear her heart racing as she did her best to appear calm and not at all frazzled by the fuckhead she wanted to kick really, really hard.

“This has been educational.” His lips twisted in a half smile.

Educational. The story of her cold, emotionally unfulfilling life. “I’m glad.”

He laughed. “You’re something else, Vanessa Campbell. If you ever change your mind…”

“I won’t.”

“Even if I were to think about pulling my business and taking my assets elsewhere?”

“Do what you need to. I won’t change my mind.”

He sighed. “Fine. I think it best for all involved if you deal with my assistant Henry from now on. But I want you to know there’s no one I’d rather have working for us than your company, and you specifically. I trust you, and I can see why your references are so amazing.” He stood, and she stood as well. She was more than ready to leave.

“One more thing.”

“Yes?” she asked, gripping her briefcase tight. If this asshole expected her to pay the tab, she’d tell him to stick that bill up his—

“I like Jameson’s Gym. Can I assume it won’t be awkward running into you there?”

“Not if you don’t mind that you couldn’t buy your way up my skirt.” She couldn’t help at least one zinger.

He snorted. “I’ll survive. See you around.” He walked away.

Not planning to stick around for another agonizing round of
educational
,
cold
, or
frigid
adjectives in case he came back, she sought the lounge around the corner. After making sure John hadn’t decided to do the same, she ordered a drink and sat at a table, alone, facing the bay.

She wanted to cry. God, what was wrong with her? She’d handled that jerk with aplomb. He’d tried to buy her, like she was a whore. There were thousands more Johns where he’d come from. Dicks who thought they could snap their fingers and get whatever they wanted because they had money or looks or fame. But the references to her being nothing more than a body for him to use to slake his lust hurt. He’d seen her around and wanted a date. But not to talk. Not to get to know her. A lot like the many other men she’d dated in her life. They’d been drawn to her beauty then complained of her coldness. She either moved too fast or not fast enough. After the sex, she never satisfied anyone.

Least of all herself.

“Hey there.” Cameron sat next to her, dressed in a black suit and a white shirt unbuttoned at the throat. Like John, he had looks and money. And the warmth so many women appeared to be looking for in a relationship.

“Hey.” She drank, finishing her glass.

“Need another?”

“Sure.”

He signaled to a waitress. “Another…”

“Diva in Pink.”

“Diva in Pink and a Scotch.” He turned to her. “What’s in that?”

She shrugged. “The bartender said it’s like a cosmopolitan on steroids.”

Cameron nodded. He looked so handsome, so…together. Why the hell was he sitting with her?

“I caught your conversation with the jackass.” The ice in his eyes froze her to the spot.

She stilled.

“Nicely handled, by the way. Personally, I’d have gone for his throat. That or his tiny, tiny dick. Yeah, saw him in the steam room once. You didn’t miss anything there.”

She snorted with amusement.

“But you handled it with class. I was proud of you. Don’t know that I could have done that.”

A ball of something heavy sat over her chest. She rubbed it and blinked hard.

“Vanessa?”

The waitress brought their drinks, but Vanessa stared past hers at the ocean, watching the waves roll. A rhythm of swells coming and going. But never staying.

“Cameron? Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” he answered softly.

“Do you like talking to me?” She didn’t want to see his expression when he answered, didn’t want to know what he really thought. For all that he could get on her nerves, Cameron was a kind man. He would tell her what she wanted to hear.

He didn’t speak. She heard him take a sip and then he said, “Look at me.”

She forced herself not to feel and turned. “What?”

His tender expression confused her, because she wanted to hold on to it as much as she wanted to look away. “I love talking to you. I think the first thing about you that attracted me, aside from those long, long legs, was your mind.”

She sighed. “Right.”

“No, really.” He smiled warmly. “I live with people who think I’m both a nerd and a moron, which shouldn’t actually be possible. My family treats me like a girl half the time—no offense. And my job sounds interesting to women until they ask me about it, and I tell them. They don’t want to hear me. They just want to look at these fine features and get a crack at my stellar skills in bed.” He leaned closer. “You would understand if you’d
really
tangled with my tongue.”

She found herself smiling when moments ago she’d wanted to cry.

“I know what it’s like to be misunderstood. Trust me, I’ve been living with my personal demon for almost two weeks now. And I’ve never felt more alone or useless in my life.”

“I’m sorry.” She knew how hard family could be. “My own parents and I never talk. They don’t do birthdays or holidays or… Hell, they don’t do fun. Never have. If it wasn’t for Aunt Michelle—Maddie’s mom—I’d probably be a sociopath. Or so Maddie likes to say.”

He laughed. “Maddie’s so dramatic. She’s cute, but if I had to put up with that roller coaster of emotions all the time, I’d shoot myself.”

“I
know
.” She sipped her drink and watched Cameron’s throat as he swallowed his. Why she found that sexy she couldn’t say.

“Vanessa…” He paused. “This isn’t going to sound right. But I’d like to continue our conversation in private. Would you like to come up to my room?” Before she could answer, he hurried to say, “I have a suite. We’ll sit in the living area. Clothes on. Straight up—this isn’t a pass.”

Even
if
I
want
it
to
be?

“I could use someone to talk to, and I think you could too. What do you say?”

Cam was nervous. Normally with a date, he experienced sexual desire, a flutter of eager anticipation, not uncomfortable anxiety. Vanessa was different.

When he’d overheard that dipshit talking to her as if she were nothing more than a toy to service him, he’d wanted to pound the guy until he lost those bright white teeth. Cam’s table along the wall had been close enough to overhear but discreet enough not to be seen in case dickwad had remembered him from the gym.

Dickwad’s comment, “I know you’re single”—that had really bothered him. Cam didn’t want men thinking Vanessa was available. He wanted her off the market, clearly labeled as
his
.

He hated the vulnerability in her eyes as she stared out his balcony windows at the ocean. He’d turned on the light in the far corner of the room, enough to give the room some illumination without being overpowering. But he could still see the hurt she tried to hide.

“Nice view,” she murmured.

“Yeah. The clients like it.”

She turned to him and raised a brow.

“You made me feel guilty about writing off this suite for pleasure, which of course I’d never, ever do.” When she snorted, he laughed. “So I arranged for three of my newer clients to meet me here in the suite to talk strategy. It was worthwhile, trust me. Since I don’t yet have a working office, I’m keeping this for the weekend. My getaway from the old man.” He raised his glass and took a sip, aware her glass remained nearly full. “Not thirsty?”

“Not in the mood to get drunk. Alcohol is a depressant, and I don’t need the help.”

“He really got to you, didn’t he? Want me to go smash his face in?”

She blew out a breath. “Yes and no. I wanted to be the one to kick his balls through the roof of his mouth. But he’s not worth it.”

“You got that right.” He sat down next to her. “Talk to me. What’s really going on?”

“No. Tell me about your dad. Let me get back to you on my psychoses.”

He shrugged. “Sure. In a nutshell, my father has bitched about every goddamn thing in my condo he could. My food is gross, my décor something that makes him more than uncomfortable, and I don’t get the requisite sports channels Mike does.”

“So why the hell doesn’t he move in with Mike?”

“Trust me. I wanted to tell him to leave, but Mom wants to be able to see Colin without running into Dad.”

“Ah.”

“Yeah.” He swallowed more Scotch, wishing for a heady buzz and only feeling the mellow release of whiskey. “We had a huge blowup yesterday and haven’t talked since.” He sighed. “I think he’s cheating on Mom.”

“
What?
”

“Yeah. He didn’t come out and admit it. Made a lot of bullshit excuses about all he’s sacrificed in his lifetime, how everything’s been for Mom. Then he went off on me like I don’t respect his work. When did I ever say I hated his job?” He was baffled as to the man’s thought processes. “I would have thought he was just deflecting except I swear he seemed really hurt.”

“Well, you’ve said you and he don’t have that much in common. Maybe you aren’t the only one bothered by that.”

“I guess.” He nursed the thought. “I just don’t see why he and Mom can’t work things out, talk to each other.”

“Have they tried marriage counseling?”

He snorted. “My father? You have met James McCauley, haven’t you? The man who knows everything about everything?” Was it his imagination, or did she flinch a little? “What? If you were in a relationship, say married, and you were having problems, wouldn’t you seek professional help?”

“I would hope so. That seems like a rational and logical recourse. But then, I don’t know that I’d want to share my personal problems with a stranger.”

“Not even to make your marriage work?” He set down his glass and caught some stray blond hair that had escaped from her bun. He had no idea if she did it on purpose or not, but that hairstyle dared a man to muss it up and take it all down. To run his fingers through it and drag her face closer for a kiss.

She swallowed hard. “I, ah, I can’t say. Never been married.”

He scooted closer, until their thighs touched, and she turned to better face him. “You ever think you’ll marry?” he asked.

“Maybe.” She looked glum. “My problem is I have high standards, and I refuse to lower them just to have a baby or marry because I’m getting old.”

He let her hair go and frowned. “Old? How old are you?”

“Twenty-eight.”

He snorted. “Yeah, you’re ancient. Hell, Vanessa. I’m twenty-nine. What’s the rush on marriage and kids? More people are waiting to commit until they’re older anyway. Financially it makes sense. Kids are expensive.”

“I’ve heard.”

He settled his hand on the back of the couch, near her shoulder. “You want to take off your jacket and relax?” He held up his hands, lest she get the wrong idea. “Or not. I swear I’m not making a move or anything. But I’m kind of hot.” He shrugged out of his jacket. “Though I’m thinking it’s the Scotch.”

She shook her head. “Lightweight.”

“Oh?”

“Hey, I’m driving home tonight. I need to stay sober. Besides, takes more than a few Diva in Pinks to sink me.”

“Good. I respect a woman who can hold her liquor.” He grinned. “I’m the same. Personally, getting falling-down drunk lost its appeal in college. And then only once or twice. I had priorities back then. Grades.”

She nodded. “A job, scholarships, dean’s list.”

“Exactly. The guys used to make fun of me for being a dweeb, but I didn’t pay a cent for school. Not to toot my own horn or anything.”

“Toot away. You’re among friends.”

“I’m pretty financially set thanks to those grades and my continued effort to succeed.”

“Good for you.” She reached for her glass and clinked it against his. They both sipped from their drinks before she said, “It’s funny how your brothers tease you, when the four of you, five if you count your dad, are so much alike.”

“How’s that?”

“All of you are wildly successful in difficult careers. Plumbing? Construction? Finance? You’re all your own bosses. Even Mike and James are partners, not employees.”

“True. Hardheads. Mostly that’s from my dad.”

“Or your mom. I’ve spent enough time with Beth to know she’s no one’s pushover.” Vanessa paused. “You think she knows about your dad and some ‘maybe’ other woman?”

“Yeah. I think so.” He leaned his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. “What a mess. After that fight with Dad, I just felt worse. Like I’d kicked a puppy. A feral, mongrel, freakishly large dog, but a wounded one nonetheless.”

“Man. Tough position to be in.”

“Yeah.” He sighed.

She sighed.

They sat together like that, so near they could have been cuddling. But they weren’t. Two friends sharing tough times, and damn, but Cam felt closer to her than he’d ever felt to a woman not his mother. And he definitely had no maternal thoughts toward Vanessa. At all.

When he blinked his eyes open again, he saw that outside had turned dark and hours had passed. The clouds obscured the moon, so that only faint moonlight trickled over the water. Stars teased behind wisps of cottony indigo, while a bright blond head rested on his chest.

He ached from his uncomfortable position. He half-sat, half-slumped on the couch under Vanessa.

He didn’t know whether to wake her, then thought she might get pissed if he didn’t.

“Vanessa?” he whispered.

“Cam?”

The first time she’d shortened his name. In her husky voice, it sounded like a sexual request, and his body woke up as if he were on fire. She shifted against him, and his cock sprang to life.

“You awake?” he asked softly.

“Yeah. You nodded off, and I just felt so comfortable. I must have dozed a little, but I was debating whether to leave when you woke.”

He stretched out under her on the couch and pulled her fully on top of him.

“Wow. You’re pretty strong. I’m not that light.”

He chuckled. “I like that about you. A strong wind won’t blow all that muscle away.” He rested his hand on her hip. Not a good idea, because he started rubbing her side, taken with the strong yet supple flesh of her waist.

“Cameron?”

“Yeah?”

She leaned up on her hands to look down at him, and to his satisfaction her bun had loosened, strands of hair caressing her face and making him think of a fallen angel out to seduce him into sin.

“Would you mind if I kissed you?”

He groaned. “I think I’ll explode if you don’t.”

She lowered her mouth, and he grasped her hips to keep her right there, grinding against his groin while she feathered her breath over his lips. He arched up, prolonging the contact, before she pulled away.

“I don’t think you understood me,” she rasped. “
I
kiss
you
.”

“Oh. Sure.” He forced himself to lie back and take what she gave him, and it was so incredibly hard not to roll them over and consume her.

The kiss, when it came, started out tentative. Soft lips met his. Her tongue tunneled into his mouth and swept through like a whisper of heat, branding him with carnal need.

He rubbed her hips, unconsciously urging her against him as he rocked up, seeking her warmth. Her kiss deepened, and she slanted her mouth over his until he couldn’t think past the need to sink inside her.

She tore her mouth away and trailed kisses to his ear. “You taste so good. Like Scotch and sex.”

“Vanessa,” he hissed as she tongued his ear and nipped his earlobe. He bucked, his cock harder than it had ever been in his life. “Take your shirt off. Let me see you. Let me feel you.”

She leaned up, fitting her warm core directly against his erection. She had to inch her skirt up to spread her legs wider, and he nearly choked when he saw garters holding up her stockings.

“Tell me you’re still wearing your heels,” he demanded, hoarse.

She winked at him and nodded at her left foot since the other was hidden by the couch cushions.

“Fuck me,” he swore.

“I intend to.”

He whipped his gaze back to hers and watched as she slowly discarded her jacket. Then her buttons, one by one, until her silk shirt hung open, showcasing a lacy white bra.

He wanted to devour her, but he didn’t.
She’d
kissed
him
. This was her show. “You tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.” He nodded. “Anything you want. It’s yours.”

“Hmm. Where to start.” She inched her shirt off until it pooled around her elbows. “Touch my breasts.”

The desire in her eyes set him aflame. She wanted this, as much if not more than he did. She squirmed over him, and her nipples stood stiffly under her bra. He raised his hands to cup her and moaned with her, the feel of her under his palms exquisite.

“Vanessa, you’re so beautiful.” He thumbed her nipples, and she arched back, thrusting her chest out.

“Take it off,” she rasped. “The bra.”

He had it unfastened in seconds.

“Hmm. Someone has had practice.” She smiled and slowly unbuttoned his shirt, spreading it so she could touch his chest.

He pushed her shirt off so he could get rid of the bra. And then he stared at the most perfect breasts in existence. Full, high, and tipped with small rosy nipples. “I want to suck your breasts. Suck them and bite them. Such pretty little nipples.” He didn’t recognize his own voice.

“Yes,” she breathed and lowered herself to him.

When he took her nipple in his mouth, she cried out and ground against him. He licked and teased, feasting until she pulled back to give him the other. While he sucked one, he cupped and stroked her other breast to fullness.

“I want you in me,” she whispered. “God, I need you inside me.”

“Yeah,” he mouthed around her nipple. “Up in you.”

“Just you and me. No condom.”

He froze and took his mouth away from her breast, his heart pounding with excitement. “You sure?”

“You clean?”

“Hell yeah. I always use a condom.” But he didn’t want to with her.

“Me too. But tonight, I don’t know. I just… I want you inside me.” She drew a breath and let it out in a rush. “I’m on the Pill. And I’m so wet. I want you now.”

He groaned. “I’m going to come too soon.”

She stilled. “Should I slow down?”

The uncertainty on her face pulled at him. “No. You’re in charge. Whatever you want this time. But next time, I set the pace.”

She relaxed and smiled. “Okay.” She scooted back to move from the couch, then removed her skirt and panties, leaving her in just the garters, stockings, and heels.

“You look like a pinup. No, leave the hair. So fucking sexy.”

She flushed, and damn but he fell hard. He’d known this Vanessa existed, but he hadn’t thought to see her so soon. The sweet, shy woman buried under the take-charge honey who was hungry for what she wanted. She knelt by him and took off his shoes and socks, pushed off his shirt, then unbuttoned his slacks.

Instead of taking them off, she slid her hand inside his boxer briefs and closed her fingers around him. “You’re so big.”

“Yes. Oh shit. Vanessa,” he groaned.

“And hard. And hot.” She rubbed her thumb over his slit, and his eyes crossed. “And wet.”

“And about to come if you don’t put that sexy pussy over me.”

“Not my mouth?”

He swore softly. “I’m only human. And I really, really need to fill you up before I come in your mouth. Trust me. Right now, if you were to blow me, you’d drown in me.”

She chuckled. “It’s so nice to know you care.”

“You witch. Come on. I’m dying here.”

She pulled his pants and underwear down and he kicked them off. Then she straddled him on the couch and lowered that hot, wet heaven over him.

They both moaned as they joined, her sheath clutching him tightly as she settled over him.

“
Vanessa.
Don’t move.”

“No?” She shifted.

“I’m gonna come. I want to wait.”

“No. Come in me. Give it to me, Cam.” She rose and fell hard, then rode him until he couldn’t think.

He gripped her hips, palmed her breasts, and stared up at her while she watched him losing control.

“That’s it. Come, baby. Inside me.” When she twisted her hips and slammed particularly hard, he lost it. He reached between them to rub her clit as he came inside her, dimly aware of her grabbing his fingers and pushing harder against her flesh, of her body squeezing him tight.