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

I spend the meeting the next day wearing Jake’s sunglasses and nursing a hangover. My eyes are puffy and sore and my head’s banging.

He put me to bed last night and left me alone until our first meeting this morning; he didn’t even push at me to eat breakfast or jog with him for a change. I know he’s walking on eggshells waiting to see how I am. He’s giving me distance, or maybe he’s just looking at me and thinking I’m probably mentally broken and could fall apart any day now so he should handle with care.

I’m in cool and grumpy mode and I’m really excelling at it. Covering my inner turmoil and regrets; so far, I think I’ve snapped at every person I’ve met in triplicate and Jake’s met my PMS face with a vengeance. He’s said nothing about it, no funny comments or sarcastic telling off’s, just frowned at me. He’s tugged my hand out of my hair repeatedly, which is down because I couldn’t bear to stand doing it this morning and I’ve finally decided it’s going to get cut short. So, done with all the fussing and styling it.

He’s being unusually patient and steady, despite the endless raised eyebrows and cool glares. I think he’s allowing me to behave badly because he feels responsible for getting me drunk and urging some shocking truths from me. Guilty that I’m suffering a headache at his request and alcohol fueling.

I’m angry at him today, angry at everyone. I’m not sure if it’s because I feel rough or that I had some sort of emotional breakdown which dredged it all up to the surface for me. Either way, a bear with a sore head hasn’t anything on my mood and the day is dragging endlessly.

The flight back to New York isn’t as bad, I sleep a lot and feel better for it. I sit in one of the rear seats, away from Jake, amazed that for the first time in my life I manage to pass out on a flight. I guess a hangover really is a cure for fear of flying.

Maybe, I’m finally learning to trust his pilot. I have my own space to just get a grip on myself. I thought things would be awkward with him after I let all that horrendous crap slip out in the car, but he seems the same; if anything, he seems more normal than normal. Effortlessly Jake.

Finally, I wake and move to a seat beside him. Sliding in easily and meeting his charming smile with my own. Within moments I’m staring out onto the clouds in the beautiful blue sky while Jake has papers in front of him with his cell on top.

tugs my fingers out of my hair. I roll my eyes, both at him and myself. I’ve literally given up trying to counteract this annoying habit when it

I’m going to insist on tying that back up.” He seems narky now. Whatever has transpired while I

now you want it tied back up?” I

a little. He looks agitated, hands raking over the paper he’s dropped in his lap.

is home yet, and whether Ray has crawled back into a dark hole after Jake’s beating.

job I ask of her,” he sighs; he’s on edge too, he seems distracted. Moody Carrero on full

huff too and he looks at me for a moment, a brief flicker across his face as he gives up this pointless bickering. We’re both so touchy today it seems. No idea where all this came from.

on this dance my father has conned us into? Eternally pimping me out to yet another glitzy affair,” he says instead, softening his frown. I slide the file out of my bag glad of the change of direction and give it to him. It’s for a dance and auction for some charity. We received his father’s request that we should make an appearance at this event and luckily,

it. Everything that’s happened in under a week has me on edge, even when I’m not thinking of anything. I’ve been uptight constantly. I seem to be unable to stop fidgeting lately. I can’t even begin to trace back when it started again, subtle and mild fidgeting. I’m sure he started

the kitchen.

drunk to get through this one,” he

booze a rest for tonight. I don’t think my poor body

Jake smiles at me.

hangover cure?” I