Page 21 of Brazilian Surrender
Chapter Seven
Camila smoothed her knee-length, sleeveless red dress.
After getting ready, she’d found Jaeger sound asleep on the balcony, and she’d played with the idea of waking him up. After watching him for a couple of minutes, she decided to let him rest. She’d never seen him that peaceful—maybe because he wasn’t awake—so she wrote him a note and headed to the party alone.
In the forty minutes she’d been out on the beautiful terrace, she’d caught up with her family while the sun made a powerful exit in the background. It looked like a huge ball of pink and orange, and she wished someone could watch it with her. Not just someone, Jaeger.
“Where’s your boyfriend?” Addie nudged her elbow.
She glanced at her blond, adorable sister-in-law. “He’s coming. He was taking a nap, so I let him enjoy it.”
Addie winked at her. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
“Oh. We’re in the beginning stages, so it’s no big deal.”
“Erika said he’s hot. And that he made quite the contribution to their charity, which means he’s not only a good guy, but he’s also successful,” Addie said.
Oh God. No.Ever since she’d married Bruno, Addie believed everyone deserved a happy ending. Camila shared that view of course, but she was barely able to convince herself to keep it real about Jaeger’s intentions. How would that play out when she had to pretend he was her boyfriend?
“How did you two meet?” Addie said.
“His aunt does my hair.” She reached for a flute of champagne on the deck and took a sip. And he’s protecting me. Camila hated lying, especially to those she loved, but she’d hate even more to spoil the atmosphere of happiness and festivity with news of her disturbing stalker and dead dog.
“Wow. Is that him?” Addie asked, and Camila turned her face in the direction of Addie’s finger.
Camila’s jaw dropped. Jaeger was playing with her nieces, Maria and Lyanna. In fact, he was making little animals out of the balloons on the children’s craft table. Little Maria, Addison and Bruno’s daughter, laughed and asked for more. With swift moves, he produced a poodle and the two little girls clapped. Camila’s heart flipped in her chest. “Yes. That’s him.”
A waiter passed by with a beautiful tray of mouthwatering canapés. Camila picked one, but she held it and forgot to eat it. Her eyes returned to Jaeger, who talked to her nieces and a few other kids who joined them. Was this also part of a show? She brought the yummy appetizer to her mouth, and then, as if drawn to him, she left Addie by herself and stepped toward Jaeger. When she was a couple of feet from him, he gazed at her. For a moment, his irises darkened, but the flickers of gold warmed his stare. God. She licked her dry lips but didn’t dare break the trance.
Thrills of excitement moved through her. A pre-orgasmic-like tremor surged within her body, and she bit her lower lip.
Lyanna called Jaeger’s name, and the little girl touched his face, making him turn to her. And, sadly, the spell came to an end.
“Aren’t you glad you two are staying right above the music room?” Addie said, before chuckling and walking to the bar area.
Jaeger had never even kissed her, so why would he make love to her? He could have any woman in the room. Thankfully for her, pretty much all the other women were married besides a couple of friends of Erika’s. They’d known Erika from the time she worked and lived in the city, and they seemed to be closer to his age than she was. Camila’s throat clogged with frustration.
She watched him ruffle a kid’s hair then stand up, despite the children’s protests, and erase the distance between them. Every inch he got closer to her she shifted her weight from foot to foot, desperate to find an elegant pose. She should stand like an independent strong woman who knew what she wanted—even if she couldn’t have it. Or could she?
He didn’t slow his pace as he strode closer to her. She opened her mouth to speak, but he placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her away from the crowd. Without saying a word, she followed him to the side of the balcony and down a set of stairs that led to the pool house. She expected it to be locked, but with a strong shove, he opened it and flicked on the light switch. His hand disengaged from her, and she shivered. Even though his flesh touched her over the fabric, her skin seared with anticipation. The look on his face didn’t specify if he was about to screw her or tell her off.
“You didn’t wait for me,” he said.
She closed the door behind her, to keep their privacy if they were about to argue. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
He ran his hand down his face, and for the first time since she’s met him Jaeger seemed frustrated. “I understand, but I’m here to keep you safe. I need to know where you are at all times. Am I clear?”
“Clear, Boss,” she said. She tucked a few strands of hair behind her ear. “You did a good job with the kids back there. Muito bem. I’m impressed.” Of course he had been a father, and probably an excellent one. She didn’t expect him to pour his heart out for her, but she had to nudge him and take him out of his comfort zone.
He shook his head. “Kids aren’t a lot of work.”
“Am I a lot of work?” She touched his jacket, her finger making a pattern around his chest area. He didn’t jerk away or grab her wrist like she expected. Instead, he glanced at her hand for a moment until his eyes searched for hers again and locked on them.
“What do you want from me, Camila?” he said in a low, growly voice.
“I want you,” she said softly. Even if that means temporarily giving up control. Admitting her desire slipped out of her mouth, the words pushing past her lips like they had a power of their own. “Do you want me?” she asked, raising her voice.
He curled his fingers into a fist. “It’s not that simple,” he said, his voice strained like he had just finished some arduous workout session.
