Read Ruining Mr. Perfect (The McCauley Brothers) for Free Online Page B

accounts department, but we outsource the more detailed work with taxes. Our last cooperative didn’t work out. The breaks we’d assumed we’d get ended up putting us in some hot water with the IRS.”
    “Ouch.” She nodded to her boss. “It’s up to Bill, of course. But I’m sure he’s explained how we work. If he doesn’t think our strategies will hold up with Uncle Sam, we won’t do it. We tend to be shy of aggressive but more than middle of the road.”
    “Perfect.”
    Damn. She still didn’t trust his wide smile, but the references he’d mentioned were legit, and really? Would a company as large as Bellemy use a lame excuse like needing an accountant to get John a second date?
    Feeling foolish for her arrogance, she held out a hand and shook John’s, ignoring her discomfort when he gripped it a little too long. Bill didn’t seem to notice, all smiles.
    “Well, I have to get back to work.” She subtly slid her hand away.
    John nodded. “Great. I’ll set up a time for us to get started with Bill, and I’ll see you soon.”
    Not him specifically. One of his people, no doubt. Well, perhaps the initial meeting would involve John, but after that, she’d work with his underlings. That she preferred.
    She returned to her office, where she found Josh hovering outside. God, just what she didn’t need—another aggravating man standing around, sucking up her oxygen.
    “Hey, Josh.” She’d been working on being nicer, though it went against the grain. “What can I do for you?”
    He frowned. “Can we talk in your office?”
    “Sure.” She swallowed a sigh and preceded him inside.
    “Vanessa…”
    “Josh, spit it out. I have work to do.” So much for her attempt at nice. She couldn’t even go a whole three days. She’d start again next week. Just like she had last week.
    “I—I think one of the women might be, ah, harassing me. Man, this is more embarrassing than the last time I was in here.”
    She blinked. Was there some kind of weird vibe in the air or what? “Say that again?”
    “Forget it. I feel stupid.” He made to stand when she stopped him.
    “No. Tell me.”
    His cheeks had turned a blazing red. Not making this up, then.
    “It’s just…sometimes when I go in to ask the others for help, a few of the ladies make comments that make me uncomfortable. I’ve tried to joke it off, and I feel like a moron for saying anything, but if I go to HR, they’ll make a big deal of it. Everyone here respects you, and if you happened to say something, they’d stop.” He paused. “You know pretty much everyone is afraid of you.”
    She did sigh then. “Fine. Tell me.”
    He spilled the details, and she grew furious on his behalf. The kid was barely out of school, working his tail off studying for his CPA exam, and trying to fit in with the corporate world, away from academia. He didn’t need the attitude from some of their older employees. And especially not from divorced-four-times and perpetually horny Dana Lawrence.
    “Dana, Trish, and don’t tell me, Gina too, right?”
    He shrugged.
    “Josh?”
    “Yes, all of them.”
    She stared at him.
    “You believe me? I’m not making this up.”
    After a moment, she said, “Josh, let me ask you something unrelated to this mess.”
    “Uh, okay.”
    “How serious are you about working here?”
    “Very.” He sounded earnest.
    “You’ve been with the company for four months. We’ll expect you to take your CPA exam and get your license after two years. Are you content to be with us that long?”
    “Yes. Uncle Bill explained all this. I’d also like to be certified as a fraud examiner and cash manager, like you did.”
    She nodded. “Good for you.” He’d done his homework. “I’ve been working for this company for seven years. And I’ve worked my ass off to get where I am now.” She gave him a hard look. “I don’t let anyone or anything stand in my way. I don’t mean to say I’m a backstabber. I’m honest and I do my job, but