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

“To prove a point.” He snarls and turns away coldly.

“What point?” I almost cry at him. I’m so overwrought with emotion. So confused. He scrubs his hands through his ruffled hair and blows out; for a moment I think he’s going to jump out of the car again and walk off, but he just sits and sighs, grasping the wheel, pulling himself to sit properly.

“What does it matter?” his voice is deflated, and he avoids looking at me. His aggression evaporating.

So? What? He’s decided, screw it, we’re not talking anymore? How can he assault me with a kiss then just say forget it? What the hell?

I’m angry, I’m really goddamn, seething, angry.

How dare he!

“Fuck you!” It’s out of my mouth before I even really contemplate screaming at my boss, and I’m out of the car too. I’m raging. My eyes are stinging and blurry. I hate that he makes me fall apart like this. He knows how to rip my head open and I hate him for it, hate the way he strips me of the control I’ve built up over the years.

He pulls me into him and spins me around as he’s fast out after me. I try to fight, but he envelopes me and buries his face in my hair, holding me in a vice like grip so that I can’t struggle free. A bear hug to stop me from escaping.

“I’m sorry … Emma, stop … Emma. I’m sorry.” His voice is raw and strained. I’m fighting but losing as he knows how to hold me so that I can’t move, my body wrapped in his, almost suffocating me. He hugs me in tighter and I slump, anger dissipating when pinned to him this way. In so much emotional pain. He’s breathing into my hair, the warmth of it on my scalp; overwhelmed, tears running down my cheek as he slowly breaks me.

“I don’t want to fight with you.” His voice is somber now, close to my ear, his crazy mood taking a new direction again. I relax into his hold, no longer struggling, unable to hate him when he’s this way with me, sounding this sorry and I am this upset.

“I don’t want to fight either.” I swallow a sob. Slumping into him in a bid to let him heal my heart.

“Maybe we should go back to the boat?” he sounds tired. I don’t know how to navigate this version of Jake; more moods than I’m used to. It’s exhausting but I put it down to the scene with Hunter and the aftereffects of too much alcohol, lack of sleep, stress. This isn’t him.

“Maybe,” I whisper; at least there I can go to my room and get some distance, some perspective. Let him alone to get a grip of his roller coaster mood swings.

“No,” he snaps, surprising me again with a U-turn in attitude. The way he says it causes me to bristle and look up. Mood shift suddenly … again?

the hell is going on

stops at the hood, leaning down to tense his arms against it, broody and aggressive in his stance.

hood of the low sleek car. For a moment, I think he

I’m beyond confused. I think Jake has been invaded by a body snatcher. He’s all

and I’m dumbfounded; I blink at him. I don’t actually know what else to do. There’s no us! He glares at me haughtily, most

He snorts, facing the car again. His body emanating all kinds of erratic, manic,

do?” my voice is tiny and unsure, like I’m walking on eggshells with him right now, yet he’s accusing

Well, it’s goddamn mutual.

sighs again and

so many levels.” He carries on, although he’s lost all

Likewise.

sarcastically. Rolling my eyes at his back while trying to simmer everything I am

can do

me an unamused look over his shoulder and I glance down to twiddle my fingers evasively. He’s sighing again, I can hear him kicking the wheel

tactic or

my face swept with icy cold and my hand’s pause. Nerves fluttering

nothing to talk about … You have knowledge of the highlights.” I respond drily, the urge to clamp down and stop this direction of conversation kicks in, there’s a mild

and pieces, Emma, mostly from getting you drunk.” He glares at

Jesus!

do this, I don’t want to have this

we even get to this? Why is he so obsessed over this? Freaking Jekyll Jake and his neck

and open. All anger gone, but it only makes me want to cry, so I look away, crossing my arms around my

a strong sting in my eyes but he won’t

Is this