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

Felicity makes a beeline for his room with her overnight bag, eyeing us weirdly, but he makes no attempt to follow. As she disappears his expression changes back to full blown frown mode.

“Who was it?” serious, no-nonsense boss tone.

Ughhhh!

I should have known better … He’s hard to palm off even on a good day.

God dammit, Jake.

I turn away breezily, I know he won’t let up … he’ll cancel dinner and stay here if I say nothing. There’s no point being evasive when he has that look on his face, so I resign myself to caving.

“My sperm donor.” I wave an airy hand as though I’m saying something non-important, but I can already feel the tension in my face. I’m glad I’m looking toward the open door of my room away from him and pull out my cell to cradle in the charging dock on the table beside it.

“Your father?” he sounds surprised.

You and me both.

“Yep.” I look around quickly for a distraction, so I don’t need to turn and look at him. I spot his personal tablet on the table nearby and lift it to scroll iTunes, to turn on music. It’s the best I can muster when he’s moved so close.

“You’ve never mentioned a father.” His tone is serious and gentle, body a little too close for comfort.

“I don’t have need to. There’s nothing to mention … I don’t know him.”

“So, why is he calling? It didn’t sound like nothing, Emma. You definitely didn’t sound happy.” He’s moved closer to me, invaded by his body heat emanating against my spine. So close he is touching me.

okay … I’ve met him once in my life and it was brief. I don’t know

as penniless as the charity itself. Sadly sure, that she would be swathed in dollars, and able to help him out with a few hundred to tide him

loaded and

against my hair. I move away quickly, tense, and jumpy; I need head space and solitude.

shower and let my hair down,” I flutter sweetly, moving further from him to give myself some much-needed distance, and finally managing to look at him. His look darkens, and he presses his lips together. I know he’s contemplating pushing me further.

frown on his brow lets up as though the thoughts have floated away on the breeze. He doesn’t want to

help take your hair down?” he winks and there it is, back in full swing, that cheeky Carrero grin and amusement in his eye.

you for such

it, Bambino.” He grins as he moves close to me again, fingers twitching at me as though making threats. I swat him away, he’s

need them to leave. I hate feeling vulnerable in front of anyone, especially

never shy, is

steps forward quickly and shoves me into my room so that I almost lose my balance and he laughs at my angry

the suite to his own room and I’m relieved. I fooled him

hope he won’t, I don’t want to talk about this, not with him, not

with Felicity before I shut my door quickly. Leaning back against it for a moment to steady my nerves and reel a little from

think he

off. I won’t succumb to tears over

* * *

and figure I maybe should have gone easy on the temperature gauge. My head’s swimming a little, and I’m still feeling

to chill out and have some alone time though. I mulled over the call enough in the shower and I’m tired of thinking about it. I’ll have to screen my calls from now

for a goddamn sob story. She needs to get a

and wants to see what he can get out of me. I push the bile down in my throat bitterly as I

a prick. A money grabbing