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

I’m sitting across from Jake in Eleven Madison Park, a bustling popular restaurant, his current favorite place to eat and watching him mess with his cell while we wait on our food.

“Jake?” I interrupt gently.

“Emma?” He responds without looking up. He’s deliberately being evasive.

“The Hunter merger?” My curiosity has been niggling all the way here and I have been extremely patient. He sighs and looks down at his cell, puts it inside his jacket, bringing his steady green gaze back to me. His face unreadable.

“My father and Hunter are not what you would call the best of friends anymore,” he mumbles quietly. Sighing that he can’t avoid this any longer.

“Anymore?” I repeat flatly.

“Yes, Emma, anymore. They used to be as close as Daniel and I.” He leans back, sliding down into his chair a little and slides his feet to cage mine under the table on either side. Our upper ankles connecting slightly. Jake is a toucher; he always has to have some sort of contact it seems. It no longer bothers me given it was such a slow thing that I just got used to.

“What happened?” I watch his face carefully, he’s good at giving nothing away, amazing poker face.

“My father had an affair with Elsa Hunter.” Daniel’s mother, and Hunter’s wife.

Crap.

I wasn’t expecting that.

Is that the basis of his bond with Daniel, shared anger at their parents?

“It’s not exactly common knowledge.” He sighs and moves his water glass; he needs a point of focus. I can tell this is something he hates talking about. Jake only fidgets when he’s very uncomfortable and it’s his biggest tell, watching items he moves around, as though for distraction.

“When?” I know I shouldn’t pry, but Jake rarely denies me knowledge, on any subject. Weirdly.

him, even now. He broke her heart.” Jake’s relationship with his mother is unparalleled. I can see why he harbors so

you pushed for this? … To get at him?” I nudge

do well with this, but I guess it’s always been a factor.” He shrugs and avoids my gaze, signaling that the money hasn’t been the main reason. Jake’s also a “shrugger”; it has to be his most common mannerism, annoyingly so. It does, however, emphasize his shoulders and the sheer solid mass

did you find out?” I try tearing my gaze from his upper body. Still appreciative that

his own house.” He’s still focusing on

that’s why there’s a weird atmosphere when he’s around?” I watch his every movement,

much more

Jake’s close to his mother, he visits her often and he has me send her flowers every

A thoughtful son.

too.” I point out, a little enamored with

and loyal. Who would have guessed

about his reputation.” The flash of anger surprises me. Jake

to stay?” I understand why

the restaurant as though trying to find his inner calm in the

I urge. Coaxing him with no

in her fifties, she’s resigned herself to the fact she won’t ever be able to find someone else and I guess she still has feelings for him. She’s trapped in a loveless marriage.” He looks back at me, a small sardonic smile brewing. The

marriage?” The thought is so sad, especially for someone

a long time, Emma. I think even before the affair there were cracks in the facade. My father married her after a one-month romance.” He finally stops looking around evasively, his eyes coming to rest on my

think Elsa was the only affair?” I

not, but it’s the only one I found

fine when I’ve met them at events.” That is true; a beautiful woman and her adoring husband is what they excel

knows her place and how to play her part.” Jake looks angry again, but his demeanor is still cool and controlled,

your younger years? … Rebelling was payback?” This has interested me for a while, his teen wild days and then reform always seems at odds with how he is now. He shrugs and

anywhere but me, and I can tell he’s hiding something. Being evasive