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

“Emma? Mr. Carrero wants to see you.” A small childish voice comes up behind me, causing me to flinch and drop my duster. My heart hits a sudden stop as I inhale heavily pushing back my hair which is stuck to my face from the exertion of my enthusiastic cleaning, my eyes widening in disbelief.

What? Jake? He’s here?

My brain reels a moment with a lurch of possibility before sense smacks me in the chest sharply, kickstarting rapid heartbeats.

No. Giovanni! Of course!

I feel like an idiot. I throw a tight smile her way before turning smoothly to acknowledge the girl, pushing down signs of my overreaction and trying to calm my crazy thudding pulse rate. It’s one of the small receptionists, all blonde hair, and big boobs—like most of Senior’s staff. He’s sickeningly singular about the women in his employ, finding those whose looks are less like the woman he’s married to and more like the “bunnies” of the Hugh Heffner world.

“Okay, where is he?” My voice is even, despite my irritation and internal mental breakdown and a familiar wave of control moves across me unexpectedly.

“In his office, you’d better go right away, he’s in a bad mood.” The tone in her voice betrays her fear of Senior Carrero, but I ignore it. He doesn’t scare me in the slightest. His attitude toward his employee’s grates on my nerves at the best of times; I’m used to that familial Carrero glare and its wily ways. Jake hadn’t been against using that glare when bad moods struck, impossible scenarios or general mess ups. I think, somehow, coming here, I’ve lost all unease around Giovanni Carrero. My heart being ripped out by a man who shares his name has made me immune to the effects any Carrero could’ve tried to pull on me.

I push memories of Jake aside harshly swallowing that lump in my throat that hits me whenever my brain focuses on him. I can’t think about him right now.

Ever!

If I do, I’ll just dwell on how much I miss him and how much I think about the night we had sex … repeatedly. I’ll torture myself into insanity, and I can’t afford to do that. Mentally, I am only just starting to see glimpses of the old me and don’t want to scare her back into submission already.

room and head toward the long hall leading to King Carrero’s domain with my chin in the air once more, showing pride and defiance that I don’t feel. I am not going to be intimidated by this man. No matter

from the wall of glass behind him and the breath-taking New York scenery pulls my eyes to the city

desk, knowing that he would never ask me to sit, so I don’t even

low down in my belly despite my demeanor. There is no love between us, I am merely

for more assistance. Your performance has left me with a sour taste in my mouth and I think we need to have a little chat.” He doesn’t even have the grace to continue looking at me while saying it, his eyes on his laptop as he types as though I no

his words and I stare at him blankly, unsurprised. I’ve expected this moment for a while, amazed it’s taken three weeks for us

you, so I’m not ready to dismiss you just yet … In fact, he insisted you stay in this company, indefinitely.” His unexpected confession causes a sharp knife-like pain in my chest, a slight confused expression warms my face. When he glances up, his uninterested

matter

but I push it down harshly, almost unable to swallow. I’m not

talk. I know he’s not embellishing. If he thinks I am a drain

as they start to

me to Timbuktu if it meant I didn’t

told me you excel at planning and juggling a high workload, so I hope you finally prove it to me.” His harsh penetrative gaze rests on me coldly, assessing me, but I steel myself against his stare.

through me like fire, igniting my fear manically, but I remain impassive under his scrutiny while my blood freezes

he was very clear on this, and as you know, my relationship with Jacob is somewhat strained; so this …” he waves his hand to me then back to himself dismissively, “… is the compromise I made to keep him happy.

swallow, involuntarily, face hot with shame and body weakening with cold anxiety. I suppose I should be