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

How far from the hotel did we stray? Seems like an eternity.

I need to get out of this stifling car. Take deep breaths to both cool and calm myself.

“You’re all of those things, Emma, and I think partly, because of the shit you endured.” He sighs heavily. He truly doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

“You’re also allowed to be human and … vulnerable … You’re allowed to let someone in. Let me in!” he’s almost pleading at me.

“Not with my job, Mr. Carrero.” I smile emptily, my voice lighter while trying to sound normal, wishing to end the tension between us. Even though he doesn’t reciprocate, his eyes soften, and I wipe away my tears, turning to him once again. Calm and in control once more.

“Even with your job,” he answers gently, reaching out and taking my fingers in his tenderly, entwining them with mine and leaving our hands on the leather seat between us. I don’t look down, but the warmth of his touch sends a small reassurance through me. Fully bringing me to calm.

“I think the boss would soon have something to say if I reverted to some feeble, emotional victim who wept over old scars, don’t you?” I smile, hoping to turn this conversation back to our usual banter. Release this heavy fog like tension around us.

“The boss would be an idiot if he did.” He looks over at me, a hint of a sad flicker. No fun and flirty from Jake, he’s still in serious mode.

“My boss is sometimes an idiot.” I flutter at him cheekily. “He gets me drunk, irrationally drunk and lets me fall apart when he should know better.”

drunk is the only time you’re truly yourself around him. That, and it’s easier to seduce you when you can’t see straight.” Finally, I catch that glint of cheeky in his eye. He visibly

on getting me drunk, Mr. Smooth? To take advantage of me!” I shake my head, mood fully restored to tipsy mellow, everything fading away, and I’m glad that

doesn’t reach his eyes and I know he’s still digesting what he’s learned about me. I didn’t want him to know any of that

now? Damaged goods … Some pathetic little girl that men tried to molest. A slutty girl who encouraged it maybe? Her own

from the fiery depths once more and

Jake.” I utter quietly. Looking down at our hands, held together so weirdly fitted and

of you?” he glances at me a little unsurely.

know any of it.” I breathe out honestly, still holding his hand, still taking comfort

“Why?”

I’ve ever said it out loud and admitted it. I sigh, steadying my inner turmoil but this is harder than I thought it could be. He shakes his head and pulls me close to him across the seat, releasing my hand to bring an arm around me tightly, his forehead resting against mine as he pulls my face back to him. His hand along my jawline carefully brining

wrong … You didn’t ask for any of it.” His green eyes

me, causing a sharp pain in my chest and I hate that alcohol causes this verbal diarrhea. Anytime I think I have a handle on it,

isn’t your fault.” The conviction and fire in his voice and eyes makes me want to curl up in his lap again. I know

this, never cried about it to anyone, except him and I feel nauseous at the thought that Jake just saw all of that. I want to recoil and hide in shame and take it all back. I move his hand from my face and pull away, still sitting close but gazing away from

…?” I can tell by his tone that he’s going to