The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO)

“I don’t want to date Daniel Hunter.” I smile tightly, suddenly warm and a little claustrophobic but also deadly serious. Daniel is a creep.

Why does he have this knack of tilting me off keel? I don’t like it.

“He’s bad news with women.” He frowns at me, watching me closely and I have to look away for a second to stop the rise of heat running up inside of me and showing on my face.

“Bit like you then?” I smirk and catch the full width of that jaw-dropping smile from the corner of my eye. It’s unexpected and makes me smile too.

“I’m not bad news for women … I know how to treat them, whereas Daniel does not. He’s a typical playboy, he doesn’t care whose feelings he hurts.”

Irony.

He slips an arm around me, pulling me in against him, shielding me as we leave the elevator amid more flashes and clicks. This time I anticipate it and am more relaxed about the contact. I keep my eyes on the floor and try not to react to him, which is hard, considering he has me pressed very securely to that muscular frame and it’s not exactly unpleasant. He feels solid.

Outside I look up, blinking harshly as the sun glares cruelly at us and I lift my hand to shield my eyes. He slides his shades from his head onto my face in such a fluid movement that I’m taken by surprise and don’t react. He registers nothing on his face, just guides me to our car as it pulls up and he deposits me in the back before following me in. I suddenly get a little inkling of how the women he dates must feel; he’s attentive and in control, with great manners. He’s a gentleman. Pretty surprising for a guy who loves himself.

Very smooth, Carrero, unexpectedly smooth.

I hand them back in the dark confines of the car and he pushes them back on top of his head with a smile. A nothing but thanks kind of soft grin.

office?” I enquire, clutching my briefcase to offload my notepad. Glad to be back in here

the bonding time. Margo agreed we should get better acquainted.” He looks out the window as we move off, watching the photographers fall back with disinterest.

surprised and too quick verbally to curb my stupid question. I know I should never quiz

to working for the execs on the lower floors, but I’ve certain tasks that my staff undertake. It’s why

PA?” I ask carefully. Being obtuse and cursing myself

Your being unmarried and having no kids are part of the reason Margo singled you out from the

beyond? What the hell does that

fact he sometimes replaces dates with his PA. Trying

thirty employees recommended

I guess this was a job worthy of fighting

been a list; every woman this side of Manhattan would want to work for Jake Carrero. Work

hotels, Emma. I practically live out of a suitcase.” He sighs and once again finds that

exciting; I long to travel, long to experience things beyond New

has a husband and family; she can’t be my chaperone anytime I need her. She’s missed out on so much of her kids’ lives.” He looks genuinely guilty about this. “Now her husband is retiring, and I think she feels it’s time to rekindle her marriage. So, she took the opportunity to find a more suitable assistant. Natalia has already decided that on her return, she won’t return to my office. She wants to offload some of her responsibilities and concentrate on family.” He throws me another disarming smile. “Not everyone can handle the intensity of this job, Emma … Or the hours, and once you’re ready to move up to Margo’s position, we’ll find someone else to work under you.” He stops with the fidgeting and rests his focus on me once

butt off,” I say, honestly, starting to relax in his presence and somehow seeing

days, I’ve been observing you; trying to find out if we’re compatible enough to have the same