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

The others are up on deck, lazing around and eating a cold buffet that has been set out on a long, low table by the loungers; it looks awesome and my stomach rumbles, despite the anxious tension between Jake and me. It’s a welcome distraction and I head straight for it to pile myself a plate, deliberately ignoring him behind me.

“Oh, the love birds have returned.” Leila squeals and almost throws herself into my arms for a hug. I cast her a warning look, but she doesn’t seem to notice.

“We went for a drive.” Jake’s broody tone comes from far behind me, as though he’s still standing at the top of the stairs to the deck, I ignore him. Leila casts a worried glance behind me, then back at me, but she keeps her mouth closed. I hear his footsteps as he leaves and heads down to the second floor and I’m relieved. We could do with some time apart to get over whatever this is between us; I can’t even begin to dissect the past twenty-four hours of this trip. So much for a holiday break that would relax us!

Leila, sensing something is up, goes into overdrive in a bid to distract me. She is infectious, and she soon has me laughing, some of the tension easing and I’m good at pretending every is okay on the surface, that Jake isn’t at the forefront of my mind every second. I just want Jake to come back up as relaxed and normal and join in. Put this mess away, but he doesn’t re-appear.

I’m cool toward the other girls … Marissa has been watching me with a sour expression on her face since I arrived, and Miracle is lying topless, facing me, pouting and applying her third layer of lip gloss.

Jesus, put them away.

The men are huddled together over one of the double loungers, listening to some game coming from Richard’s cell and making male grunts and moans when something isn’t going well. I assume it’s baseball.

Jake reappears half an hour later, changed into a black fitted shirt and jeans, his usual clubbing look. I love that on him, and it cuts me inside. I just need us to be okay again. He has his shades on, hair spiked, and looks casual as always; even when I’m still mad at him, he makes me ache inside.

“Emma, I need you a second.” He sounds like boss Carrero and not Jake and I prickle inside but get up dutifully.

Well, at least I know where I stand with boss Carrero.

I follow and we walk down to the lower floor of the boat, I can sense his tension and stiffness; even at a distance, he’s emanating anger. It makes my stomach drop down to my knees, but I only stand taller and maintain a look of disinterest. Clasping my hands behind my back to hide the trembling. My stomach twisting and my heart pounding.

“I’m leaving for a couple of days … I’ve left you a credit card in your room in case you want to go out; there’s a car on shore that will take you anywhere you want to go.” His voice is flat, he avoids looking at me directly.

Wait, what?

panic rises in a tidal wave

you wouldn’t need to go anywhere.” I react instinctively, my voice slightly higher

and relax and have fun. If you can.” He almost spits the last words, sarcasm oozing

still at this,

in my best PA tone. Pushing everything down and bringing that mask into play. I won’t let him see how much

face devoid of expression, only his eyes

don’t want him to leave, I want to know what’s going on.

other women, Emma.” He snarls at me and I recoil as though I’ve been slapped. The knife slicing into my chest, causing my body to reel back slightly. He

Why are you being an

You don’t need other

to grab him and shake him, bile rising in my throat at the thought of him with someone else. Pushing it down, trying to fight

relationship … Uncrossing the line. That’s what you called it, right?” He tosses back casually. I fall back, but I steel myself. Swallowing my sobs and forcing my face to stay as impassive as I can muster. My body retching inside

wanted? Him to go back to him and his women and I

… I don’t

will uncross that line?” The words catch in my throat like steel wool, I feel

suitcase from the cupboard; I notice he’s already packed a flight bag on the bed, his passport lying

see.” I sound cold. The reality is that I’m dying inside, and I want to yell at him. Hold onto him. Beg him to

You kissed me and now you’re going to

don’t know this Jake. I hate this Jake. I want my normal Jake to come back, the one who would never talk to me this way, hurt me this way. My Jake would never abandon me to go off and

kissing me was “recent

and distant angry Carrero. I don’t like it, I don’t like it at all; I want to throw myself at his feet and cry and hold him back from going, but I won’t. I pull my chin up defiantly and push down the hurt, replace it with anger and glare, let that trained part of me take over, in all

I have pride!

inside I’m a chaos of emotions and trauma, but my exterior is calm and unflustered as if this means nothing