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

“It’s kind of heartbreaking to watch him suffer … Unrequited love.” Richard breaks in, stifling a grimace as Daniel slaps his back with a noisy ‘thwap’.

“Fuck you. Both of you.” An annoyed tone and no smile.

“You know when you know … Right?” Vincent throws a wink at Daniel too and three of the four men burst out laughing, Daniel rolls his eyes and gives them the finger.

“Tried so damn hard to let him down gently, he’s just too sensitive.” Jake ruffles Daniels hair playfully, chuckling at him.

“I’ve caught him sobbing into his Hagen Das a few times when you stood him up, Jakey.” Richard shoves Daniel in the ribs playfully and they all laugh at their friend.

“He stole my Endless Love CD when you missed his birthday bash last year. Perfect crying anthems on there.” Leila quips in, throwing a huge grin at Jake, yet avoiding Hunter completely.

“I swear to god, you guys better stop with this shit. Even if I was that way inclined, I wouldn’t jump Carrero’s bones. I know where he’s been, I have standards.” All of the men turn to Jake with eyebrow wiggles, and he only sneers at them.

“Umm, I think I’ve way higher standards than any of you three.” He defends himself with a frown and a haughty tone.

“Questionable.” Leila throws him a disbelieving look. “But you’ve improved a lot.” She then smiles at me, concealing nothing. A big hearty, playful type of smile.

“Leave her out of this.” Jake warns, squeezing me a little too tightly. I haven’t been able to help laughing along with all of them, but things just shifted tone and Jake feels suddenly tense. Mr. Protector. unleashed.

“You know when you know, right?” Vincent smirks Jake’s way and I try and ignore the way all three men seem to look at Jake for a split, perfectly timed moment, all three with raised eyebrows and smirking expressions. Eerily unified.

so.” Jake makes kissing noises, releases me to haul his friend into a head lock and plaster his cheek with wet, noisy

this whole time, but she seems to change tactic as soon as the men settle down and Jake comes back and

Jake sexily,

off, Señorita, get a

wedding since you were just a little girl. It’s kind of sweet really.” Jake prods Daniel with his beer bottle

see which dude is crying into his Hagen Das. We all know that Mr. Smooth Carrero. has the biggest man

Vincent and Richard who throw on matching “Eww” faces. Everyone laughs, even Marissa this time and then she goes and ruins the atmosphere by

his beer bottle to his left hand, so it hangs in front of me. His other takes my empty cocktail glass from me and puts it down. He doesn’t falter, just continues talking to

been there too and not with a beau in tow to occupy

his hook up on that trip? God please,

nausea rising with a sharp pain in my heart. Gulping down my instant

cocktail with his free hand, his mouth lingering close to my temple longer than necessary as though he’s watching me, or simply feeling my hair against his face. Maybe I’m imagining it, but I like it.

for me this time, but it has a tropical coconut flavor and I could drink it like juice. He has a

sudden departure from my body and the realization that I was only happily listening into

head to me with a quick smile and straightens back up, returning his arm around my shoulders. This time, though, he pulls me in tightly and kisses me on the side of my face quickly and firmly. I experience an instant rush of warmth and satisfaction at his touch and equally at Marissa’s

asks softly, for my ears only.

pass out.” Truth is, I just want to get

and jumps up, impressively bouncing her boobs while all male eyes immediately follow, and it causes me