It’s after midnight when I’m woken by the buzz of my cell sliding across my nightstand. I reach out to it, fuzzy from fatigue and blurry eyed, disorientated.

“Emma Anderson.” I breathe huskily without opening my eyes. I’m on auto pilot.

“Where are you?” That bark has me sit up with a start.

Crap. Jake!

He sounds pissed and I’m too frazzled with sleep for this, shocked awake with his surprise contact.

“New York,” I gulp, suddenly reeling by the fact he’s finally calling me.

Is he back on the boat?

I get a tinge of regret at leaving.

“You’re at your apartment?” he’s grumpy and coldly distant.

“Yes.” Is the only reply I can give; I sound so vulnerable and young it annoys me. There’s a silence and a tension crackling on the line. I rub my eyes in a bid to feel less zombie like, pinch my cheek to waken me up more, hands trembling.

“You cut your vacation short?” he starts, his voice softer, but still tinged with irritation.

“Yes … I wasn’t in the mood for any more surf and sun, Mr. Carrero.” I hope he hears the sarcasm in my voice. Did he really think I would stay out there without him and hang out with his friends for a full two weeks? Again, another agonizing silence.

“Good, because we need to be back at it … The Hunter merger has encountered issues. I need you at the office tomorrow.” He’s in business Carrero mode, all affection and humor devoid.

“Will you be there?” I’m trying to sound as cool as him, but that rising warmth of hope lift its head and I scold it back down.

Get a grip, Emma, stop being pathetic.

“No … I’m still elsewhere … You can handle things for a couple of days.” A curt response and I want to cry.

sounds childish and weak … He’s caught me off guard. I’m half asleep and crumbling at the way he’s being, still aching for some of my

report on my return.” His tone is still icy and flat. I miss my Jake. It’s obvious that whatever he left for, is still in his head, that despite the distance, he isn’t going to talk about it. He’s making it

Mr. Carrero.” PA Emma raises a haughty head and pushes feeble

Moody,

rest of your trip.” I press sarcastically, knowing that will only piss him off

it has the desired effect and I’m glad he hangs up before the sob surfaces. The wound in my chest turning into

fucking hate you …

the room, uncaring if I smash

don’t want to work for an ego

Chapter 26

assistant, Rosalie, greets me warmly and compliments my hair, tan, and natural highlights. She gushes a little too much

The lawyers have handled mostly everything, and the minor details are rectified in half a morning. I walk through to

to say I’m still as pissed as ever and right now; the thought of

it to

and assure them that at Mr. Carrero’s earliest convenience, he will arrange another meeting. I smooth over the fine

To pander to his ego

my son?” the booming voice rips me from my reverie at my desk, as I snap up to see the force that is Carrero

Hell.

traits, amplified tenfold, and stuck in

Friday.” I smile brightly and smooth down my skirt impulsively as he always makes me feel so nervous. He’s very commandeering in a superior

if you’re here, then it’s not on business.” He balks at me, and I

sir.” I fold my hands gently across my waist and smile brightly, the urge to fidget is strong in his presence, must be a family trait, having

calls.”

not the only one. He was

tell him I want to hear from him

be hard considering

I sulk inwardly.

sir.” I answer,

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