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.

He broke her heart.” Jake’s relationship with his mother is unparalleled. I can see why he harbors so much anger toward his father and I also see why Jake’s a

for this? … To get at him?” I nudge his ankle gently

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

my gaze from his upper body. Still appreciative that he

He’s still focusing on

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

so much

like that. She deserves better than him.” I know Jake’s close to his mother, he visits her often and he has me

A thoughtful son.

if she wanted too.” I point out, a little enamored with

loyal. Who would have

would have caused chaos for her if she tried. It’s one of the reasons I feel like I do about him. He’s a fucking control freak and all about

forced her to stay?” I

did.” He gazes across the restaurant as though trying to find his inner calm in the sea of strange faces

him with no real input

she still has feelings for him. She’s trapped in a loveless marriage.” He looks back at me, a small sardonic smile brewing. The hurt

sad, especially for someone as lovely as Sylvana

a long time, Emma. I think even before the affair there were cracks in the facade.

Elsa was the only affair?” I ask,

but it’s the only

I’ve met them at events.” That is true; a beautiful woman and her adoring husband is what they excel at portraying in person. How odd that the truth is so very different. I know all about

play her part.” Jake looks angry again, but his demeanor is still cool and controlled, he moves his glass for the

a while, his teen wild days and then reform always seems at odds with how he is

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