Page 19 of Freeing Camila

Eggs received a resounding smack to the back of his head, courtesy of Hoot. Belatedly, he ducked and rubbed the spot while glaring at their friend. “Jesus. What was that for?”

“Quit being a horny dick,” Hoot ordered.

“Why? I’m always a horny dick. It never bothered you guys before.”

Hoot rolled his eyes, the whites flashing briefly. “This is different.”

“Come again?”

“Fuck, you’re thick,” Voodoo muttered.

“What? Just because she’skind ofa client doesn’t mean I can’t admire her hotness.”

As his friends continued their pointless bickering, Jeeves found himself completely captivated and his attention entirely consumed by her. He’d only met her briefly, but what was it about this small, slight woman that held such a powerful fascination for him? Trouble, in the form of a tiny tree sprite, was looming ahead for him if he failed to get his shit together. Yet, he still found himself drawn to her.

“I’m gonna go talk to her,” Eggs announced which brought Jeeves’ attention back to the group.

“No, you’re not,” Hoot replied.

Eggs shot a glare at their friend. “Why not?”

“Because you’re a horndog and you’ll scare her away.”

“Nonsense,” insisted Eggs. “I’m a perfect gentleman.”

The guys all scoffed at that. “What?” Eggs complained. “I can be when I need to be. Besides. Look at her. She looks lonely.”

All heads, including Jeeves’, swiveled towards her, a silent wave of curiosity washing over the group. She sat at the bar, her back to the polished wood, her gaze sweeping over the boisterous, chattering crowd. She looked different from the day he’d rescued her from the tree. The sweater she wore clung to her frame, soft and weightless. It swooped wide across her collarbones, dipping low enough to bare both shoulders, as if it had simply slipped there by accident—or by invitation. The fabric, a light pink, hinted at curves without revealing too much, the kind of tease that made it impossible to look away. Every time she moved, the loose knit shifted with her, revealing a little more skin. It wasn’t just a sweater—it was a promise waiting to be broken.

His gaze followed the curves of her figure, lingering on every line before descending lower. Her petite figure was beautifully framed by dark jeans that seemed to have been tailored specifically to her body, hugging her hips with intentional precision and each seam highlighting the subtle curves of her body. Low-heeled brown suede booties were on her feet. She effortlessly crossed her legs, her foot keeping time to the music in a graceful and rhythmic swing.

As she reached for her glass and delicately took a sip of her drink, he watched intently, a smile playing on his lips as he noticed her nose wrinkle slightly, as if she were trying to determine whether or not the beverage was to her liking. The little quirk captivated him completely.

“Yeah. I’m gonna go talk to her,” Eggs declared, moving to rise from his seat.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Jeeves sprang up from his chair and followed his teammate, the rest of his buddies howling with laughter and encouragement as he made a beeline for her across the bar.

Callie’s laughter reached him as she chuckled at something Melli had said, just as he cut in front of Eggs and squeezed himself up at the bar next to her. Her laughter, a joyful tinkling sound, cut through the loud chatter and music of the bar, settling into a far-reaching corner of his heart. That she could experience joy was a testament to her resilience. Seeing it now, knowing what she had overcome, felt like witnessing a miracle.

Melli noticed him first. “Hey, Jeeves.” Glancing past him, her eyes focused on Eggs, and an expression of displeasure tightened her facial features. “Oh. You’re here too.”

“That I am, little lady,” Eggs drawled. “Did you miss me?”

“Like genital warts,” Melli mumbled.

“So, what you’re saying is, I’m the gift that keeps on giving.”

Melli’s eyes grew wide, reflecting utter disbelief at the sheer audacity of his statement. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You love me. You know it.”

Melli rolled her eyes so hard, Jeeves feared they’d get stuck in that perpetually exasperated position. “Whatever.” Cammie, Jeeves noticed, sat quietly watching the interaction between the two combatants. Melli and Eggs’ relationship was marked by a long-standing tradition of cutting exchanges; they seemed to communicate almost exclusively through a constant volley of sarcastic barbs and witty retorts. Although Jeeves was used to their caustic banter, Cammie’s wide-eyed look showed how unsettling their usual back-and-forth could be to someone unaccustomed to it.

Leaning in close, Jeeves whispered reassuringly into her ear, “Don't worry. This is normal for them.” The instant he caught a whiff of her spicy peach fragrance, he felt knew he’d made a mistake getting that close to her. The intense, almost overwhelming aroma hit him, causing his cock to respond immediately.

“Anyway,” Melli interrupted, diverting Jeeves’ attention from his throbbing cock. “What can I getcha?”

Distracted by his reaction the woman beside him caused, Jeeves mumbled, “Whatever’s on tap.”

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