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.”

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

me!” I shake my head, mood fully restored to tipsy mellow, everything fading away, and I’m glad that we’ve steered away from emotional topics. This weird habit we have of going from fire

still digesting what

little girl that men tried to molest. A slutty girl who encouraged it maybe? Her own father couldn’t

inner shame and self-loathing rising out from the fiery depths

don’t want to do this, Jake.” I utter quietly. Looking down

in the cab? Let me take advantage of you?” he glances at me a little unsurely. Humor evident, but not quite

I want to take it all back, so you don’t know any of it.” I breathe out honestly, still holding his hand, still taking comfort from his touch. He’s my

“Why?”

It’s the first time 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

… You didn’t ask for any

my chest and I hate that alcohol causes this verbal diarrhea. Anytime I think I have a handle on it, teen

and they wanted you … It makes them the sick fucks. I would destroy every single one of them to prove to you that this 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 that he means it, that he’s capable of it. I can’t let things slide so far into personal in this way, it would affect our relationship in so many ways. I glance up at him, with what I

that Jake just saw all of that. I want to recoil and hide in shame and take it all back. I move his hand

I can tell by his tone that he’s going to push this further. I stiffen with