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.

to think so.” Jake makes kissing noises, releases me to haul his friend into a head

in laughter. Everyone except Marissa. 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 men settle down and Jake comes back and puts his arm back around me. Back to his previous

Jake sexily,

Señorita, get a grip and take

It’s kind of sweet really.” Jake prods Daniel with his beer bottle and

riding dangerously close to a Hunter free existence. Then we’ll see which dude is crying into his Hagen Das. We all know that Mr. Smooth Carrero. has the biggest man crush on me.” Daniel picks

the twins.” Jake winks at Vincent and Richard who throw on matching “Eww” faces. Everyone laughs, 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, “Take me.” I hate

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

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

his hook up on that trip? God

with a sharp pain in my heart.

another round of drinks on the canopied table. Jake hands me a fresh cocktail with his free hand, his mouth lingering close to my temple longer than

a tropical coconut flavor and I could drink it like juice. He has a knack for buying me drinks that I really like, always varying them so I don’t

look at a picture on Hunter’s cell, that he’s holding out, some past memory they’re all discussing, and I feel strangely lost. His sudden departure from my body and the realization that I was only happily

tightly and kisses me on the

to go back to the boat?” he asks softly, for my

day.” I smile faintly, but I know it 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

impressively bouncing her boobs while all male eyes immediately follow, and it causes me to dig Jake in the ribs. A mock