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

I don’t expect to see any of the others up at this hour, most of them stayed up long after the chopper left and I’m not sure when they finally went to bed. It had been a traumatic night for all of us and Leila was particularly hysterical.

I manage a few pages of my book before my eyes get heavy and lay it across my face to shield myself from the sun; a nap would be good. Five minutes of shut eye. Exhaustion finally catching up with me and I don’t need to try and force it as I start to slide away.

* * *

I’m vaguely conscious of the fact that the shadowing cover on my face has been slid away, but I’m still sleepy and don’t want to open my eyes to be assaulted by the glaring brightness. A warm sensation runs across my cheek, igniting goosebumps and removes the tickling hair which has been bothering me in the mild breeze. Now my sunscreen has been taken from me, I’m starting to waken fully and register that my book has been removed. I blink my eyes open groggily, faced with a dark figure leaning over me, the sun behind its head. I know without focusing it’s Jake. I can just tell.

“Hey,” he sounds husky, like he’s not long woken up.

“Hey.” So do I, except, I really have just woken up.

“You shouldn’t sleep in the sun,” he scolds gently, and I blink up at him, trying to make out his face, but I can’t.

“I didn’t intend to.” I know that’s not entirely true; truth be told, I didn’t think about it. It annoys me that I can’t make out his face, as it’s so cast in darkness in contrast to the blazing circle of light behind him. I squint and pause at the smooth movement as he slides his sunglasses on for me.

I smile involuntarily, like I always do when he does this.

Oh, Jake.

“Want to go somewhere?” His voice is uncharacteristically quiet, and he seems to be looking off to the side at something, distracted. It makes my heart expand with a pang; I hate seeing him so deflated and the urge to fix him unravels inside of me.

“Such as?” I push softly.

up, looking away from the direction which first caught his attention, to across the water. He’s sitting on the lounger, that’s why he’s towering over me, one arm across my body holding his

here.” His

was wrong

this way and he’s making me edgy.

be. They just need to monitor him … Secondary drowning is a risk when you swallow as much as he did.” He says it lightly, no untruth in his face as though he really isn’t worried about Hunter’s recovery, yet his mood

I query. I have never heard

his friends, in their teens, drowned after a boat party. I wonder if it still hurts him. The thought makes me long to wrap

where will we go?” I

could drive somewhere.” He’s back to watching the horizon, distant and distracted. I don’t think there’s any chance that he’s going to bring

him out of this funk, and maybe going out will do that.

I motion at my

sandals with no hint of a facial response. Not him at

down the length of me again so I smile and indicate I’m going to put my book in my room, sliding off and quickly leaving. Stressed

* * *

during my time here. I’m glowing and tanned. My hair has developed some new light highlights among my chemical ones, which catch the light, giving me a blonder look. I grab my bag and chuck in the normal essentials; cell, book, sun cream, sunglasses, despite Jake’s being on the dresser. I put them back on my face instead of my own, I like having them on as a reminder of how well he takes care

hair is still damp. He’s had a shower or been for a swim before he woke me. He appears relaxed and casual, as usual. I’m always in awe of the way his clothes

lower floor behind him silently. He seems in a better mood already as we

* * *

seductive. Seeing a man capable of driving an expensive, powerful machine is a turn on. He drives fast, but I don’t feel unsafe; he molds to the curves and the roads like a pro, while I’m left to ogle the surroundings in awe. The scenery is breathtaking, and we don’t

need to talk, we long ago mastered this companionable silence through forced proximity and I’m glad of it now. Scatterings of meaningless small

before guilt and shame push them away. He glances my way, catches my eye and smiles, all soft and relaxed and I can’t help but return it shyly.