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.

kissing noises, releases me to haul his friend into a head lock and

Her straight faced, bitchy self has been observing with nothing but boredom this whole time, but she seems to change tactic as soon as the

Jake

get a grip

you’ve been planning the Hunter-Carrero wedding since you were just a little girl. It’s kind of sweet really.” Jake prods Daniel with his beer bottle and receives two fingers

all know that Mr. Smooth

even Marissa this time and then she goes and ruins the atmosphere by biting on her lip suggestively and making direct eye contact with Jake. She’s practically screaming,

her messages. Jake just seems to adjust his hold, so I can move in and lay my head against his neck comfortably. His arm moving further around to accommodate me, he switches 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 his men folk as though my snuggling closer is the most natural thing in the world for us. I listen to the steady,

not with a beau in tow

up on that trip? God please,

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

table. Jake hands me a fresh 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

He has a knack for buying me drinks that I

my body and the realization that I was only happily listening into this group the way I was because of him. He always grounds me, makes me comfortable, wherever we are, and I forget

He pauses and locks her eye, before he turns his 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 frosty scowl. I guess he’s sending her a message, telling

the boat?” he asks softly, for my ears only.

should be, “I’m actually really drunk, and I’m probably going to fall over or pass out.” Truth is, I just want to get far away from Marissa and her silent messages across the table. She’s like a thorn

eyes immediately follow, and it causes me to dig Jake in the ribs. A