Ruining Mr. Perfect (The McCauley Brothers) by Marie Harte Read Free Book Online Page B

afford it.”
    He shrugged. “Yeah, but doesn’t mean I have to.” He sighed.
    She felt for him, knowing his grief had nothing to do with Maddie’s prices and everything to do with his parents. “Is life with your dad that bad? You look stressed.”
    “I am.” He looked at her, and she saw his exhaustion. “When I pulled everything on the East Coast to consolidate out here, it was with the intention of making this my home base. Which I still intend to do. But if my father continues to make his stupid comments and gripe about what I eat, wear, buy, and do, I might lose it. Seriously.”
    “Cameron?” She put her hand on his shoulder, concerned.
    “I’m thinking I get twenty-five to life for manslaughter. It would be a slaughter, I promise you. He’s big, but I’m quick.”
    She pulled her hand away and grinned. “Idiot.”
    He snorted. “It’s either laugh or cry, and let me tell you, James McCauley can really make you cry.”
    They both paused to drink. Then she asked the question she’d wanted to know. “Any idea on why they separated?”
    “I have a vague idea. Dad won’t talk to me except to grunt or complain. Mike’s handling him. Poor bastard. When I talked to Mom, I caught the gist.”
    “And?”
    “Nosy, aren’t you?”
    “Oh, come on. I live through your family. The Flynn and Brody drama. Who’s setting Mike up with which woman, and now your parents. I know, I’m terrible.” Again, truth. “But considering my life consists of financial controls and investments for decreased tax liability on a much lower level than yours, and that I haven’t run in nearly five days, you can see I’m standing on my own ledge.”
    “Yeah?” His gaze narrowed. “You okay? I saw you talking to your buddy earlier.”
    She grimaced. “He’s not my ‘buddy.’ We went to dinner once.” She lowered her voice and leaned in, conscious John might have friends close by. “He’s now a client. Bellemy Tech.”
    Cameron whistled. “Nice.”
    “Yeah. He wants me to head the account, which my boss agreed to. I’m supposed to meet him Friday to discuss specifics.” She hadn’t mentioned her feelings to anyone at work, not even her friends, not wanting to sound paranoid. But for some odd reason, she knew she could talk to Cameron. He wouldn’t judge her, not for this. “I get a weird vibe from him.”
    He straightened. “Weird how?”
    “I don’t know. It’s just… It would be totally stupid to think he came to our accounting firm just to be with me. We’re the best in town. Companies as big as Bellemy don’t hire people to get their staff dates. But John specifically wanted me to head the account. Again, I am the best, but it would make more sense for either of my bosses to head things. I’m a senior manager, but they’re big money.”
    “Hmm.”
    “Yeah. He and I are supposed to meet for dinner to discuss work. I preferred my office, even his, but he said he only has time in the evening.” She looked into Cameron’s deep blue eyes, feeling foolish. “I’m being overly sensitive because of one lousy date, aren’t I?”
    “What does your gut tell you?” he asked softly.
    Cameron’s intensity soothed her, because in all the time she’d known him, he’d never shrugged her off or acted as if she were having a “Van-zilla moment,” as her roommates were fond of saying. He took her seriously.
    “It tells me to watch him.”
    “Then listen to it. You’re a smart woman, Vanessa. Trust your gut.” He finished his coffee. “Now how about I walk you to your car?” He leaned in to bring her to her feet.
    When his face neared hers, she whispered, “What are you doing?” Cameron had pulled a fast one with that kiss in her kitchen, in private. Like her, he had never seemed big on public displays of affection.
    “He’s looking over here,” he murmured. “Why don’t you kiss me and show him you’re not available?”
    “Oh.” Hell. She sounded disappointed. When he blinked and gave her