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

Chapter 71

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.

He’s caught me off guard. I’m half asleep and crumbling at the way he’s being,

left for, is still in his head, that despite the distance, he isn’t going to talk about it. He’s making it clear that now our relationship is all business, no hints of

good, Mr. Carrero.” PA Emma raises a haughty head

and Moody, Yes, sure,

I press sarcastically, knowing that will

to.” It’s raspy and almost threatening, but it has the desired effect and I’m glad he hangs up before the sob surfaces. The wound in my chest turning into a crater. Leaving

fucking hate

throw my cell across the room, uncaring if I smash

Maybe I’ll resign. I don’t want to work for an ego maniac

Chapter 26

office is a welcome sight, my assistant, Rosalie, greets me warmly and compliments my hair, tan, and natural highlights. She gushes a little too much at how

with the merger are nothing and could have been handled by anyone involved, there is no need for me to be here at all. The lawyers have handled mostly everything, and the minor details are rectified in half a morning. I walk through to Jake’s office and dump the files on his desk, I like that they scatter messily, and I don’t bother straightening them. I quell the urge to push over his

as pissed

to do that, I’d rather say it to his face. I wouldn’t want to miss THAT

a client that’s been waiting to discuss some points with Jake and assure them that at Mr. Carrero’s earliest convenience, he will arrange another meeting. I smooth over the fine particulars and swell with satisfaction that I’m more than capable of doing his job for him when he’s

for anyway? To pander to his ego and swat away sexual innuendos all day.

my desk, as I snap up to

Hell.

Jake’s worst traits, amplified tenfold,

brightly and smooth down my

at me, and I

gently across my waist and smile brightly, the urge to fidget is

ignoring my calls.” He

I’m not the only one. He was ignoring Leila

him I want to hear from him

that might be hard considering he’s

I sulk inwardly.

sir.” I

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