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

I’m leaning against the rail near the front of the boat, absent-mindedly watching the gentle waves, aware of his presence as soon as he comes close. It’s that warm tingling feeling whenever he’s around, an aura of safety and familiarity, and even a couple of feet away, my skin prickles at his proximity.

“Here.” He hands me a bottle of cold, flavored water, with a smile, his eyes shielded from view by his Ray Bans.

“Thanks.” I open it and take a long drink. I didn’t realize how parched I was, maybe a little too heated with his topless body so close.

“You look nice.” He appraises me through tinted lenses, and I wait for the sexual banter or joking come-ons, but it doesn’t happen. I noticed since our arrival that flirty, always giving me the charm, Jake, has relaxed back. He’s being respectful.

“Thanks.” My cheeks warm. He’s skimming my swimsuit, appraising me with his eyes and I turn away, so he doesn’t see how awkward it’s making me. Bikini wearing is a new sensation, I have to acclimatize to it. I also don’t want to stare at his expanse of naked torso, it’s an understatement to say he looks hotter than hot. Up close it’s hard not to admire what being a fitness freak has done to that chiseled body.

“We’re going to the shore tonight for dinner … You want to come?” He’s looking across the calm water now. Stretching out, sparkling peacefully, and distracting him.

“Sure.” I smile back at him. I shield my eyes from the sun and he automatically swipes his sunglasses from his face to mine, sending a little shimmer of warmth through me, like it always does. My attentive Jake. I can’t help but beam at him. I feel like I’m always doing that nowadays.

“I really should carry a pair of these.” I laugh, but he just shrugs it off.

“They look better on you than they do on me. Your cuteness just goes with my shades.” He winks cutely.

That’s doubtful, he has a knack for buying things that just increase the level of sexiness he exudes.

“Where are we going for dinner?” I try to direct conversation away from staring at his face, his shoulders, his rippling chest, his carved abdomen …

Oh lord.

little seafood place

while we’re here … Do you think there are any hairdressers on the mainland?” I regret asking as he turns toward the topless women, sunning themselves on towels, two of them

one wearing a bikini. I resist the urge to ask him if he’s slept with any of the three

her face. He catches her eye, his jaw flexes and turns away quickly; a sudden sharp pain in my chest pushes me to ask before thinking through

well?” I blink toward him and he pauses for a second. So does

mystifies me; when he clams up and doesn’t speak. It doesn’t happen often, but it makes me anxious as he’s usually always so forthcoming. Jake never has weirdness over women he used to date either, normally they know they will always be temporary and most stay friendly after. I glance at

I hate her already.

through my wandering thoughts, visions of him and her passionately entangled as I stab her in

Emma! What

blink. Shaking the horrifying images out

moment I unwind and chill out he’s expecting to see on this trip, and I’m really trying to relax. Hard to do when two of your holiday mates are mentally undressing your

been easier without the playboy bunnies

as their men folk slug back Martinis, listening to bass pounding dance music, while snorting lines of cocaine. I’m glad that’s not something Jake has done around me or has ever admitted to anyway.

railing and I strip off my sarong, admiring Jake expertly dive in and follow

* * *

the water although he has pushed me under twice now. I swim toward the beach, but I’m too slow as he catches my ankle for the third time, dunking me again. This game isn’t so fun now; he’s too

coughing and choking, wiping the water

his hair gel must be water-resistant, apart from