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.

twenties … My mother forgave him, but I didn’t, not for a long time … I’m not sure I’ve forgiven him, even now. He broke her heart.” Jake’s relationship with his mother is unparalleled. I can see why he harbors so much

him?” I nudge his ankle gently

hasn’t been the main reason. Jake’s also a “shrugger”; it has to be his

from his upper body. Still

caught them in bed together, in his own house.” He’s still focusing on his glass and turning it absent-mindedly. Clearly

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

so much more sense

like that. She deserves better than him.” I know Jake’s close

A thoughtful son.

stayed with him though? She could have left him if she wanted too.” I point out, a little enamored with how deeply he feels for his mother’s heart

and loyal. Who would have guessed

when he’s been caught with his finger in someone else’s pie, Bambino … She knew he 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 his reputation.” The flash of anger surprises me. Jake isn’t one to lose his cool so easily, or publicly. He shifts in his chair, taking a deep breath and quells his

stay?” I understand why

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

urge. Coaxing him with no real input to give

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 hurt evident on his face

sad, especially for someone

there were cracks in the facade. My father married her after a one-month romance.” He finally stops

you think Elsa was the only affair?” I ask, wondering why he’s telling me this

the only one I found out

when 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 hiding

ruse, Emma. My father is all about appearances, my mother knows her place and how to play her part.” Jake looks angry again, but his demeanor is still cool and controlled, he moves his glass for the tenth time in a show of

for a while, his teen wild days and then reform always seems at odds with how he is now. He shrugs and drinks his

had other reasons too.” He looks anywhere but me, and I can