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

It’s dark out by the time I look up. I stretch out my back and get out of my seat. I’ve placed more than twenty calls, emailed back and forth with several PAs dealing with invites for various important people, and I’ve liaised with the event planner. I’m sure there’s nothing else I can do tonight since it’s nearly 7.00 p.m.

The weather’s moving toward winter so the sun’s setting earlier. I didn’t expect it to be this dark. I regret staying so late, since the walk from the station in Queens will be dark and slightly frightening.

I clear up my desk and power down my laptop then pick up my coat and bag, walking to the elevator with a stifling yawn. It pings, the doors open, and I enter, not surprised to find it empty. The elevator slows down and pings again, I look up to notice it’s stopped at the fourteenth floor. Odd, since very few staff stay beyond five thirty. I don’t think Jake and I ever left before seven when I worked with him, but he always was a workaholic.

The door opens and I’m expecting another empty floor; my eyes focused on my cell, checking messages. Someone comes in, a male. I can see his shoes and trousers from this angle, and he stands close to me, a little too close. His aftershave takes over the space, sticking in my throat, pushing me to glance up. There’s something vaguely familiar about him and I’m sure we’ve met before, when I was Jake’s PA. He’s in his late forties with silver gray hair and heavy-set features. He smiles at me before I return to my cell. There’s something about him that makes me uneasy, so I move further away, subtly. I wrap my arm around myself, guarding my body.

“You’re Emma Anderson, right?” his gruff voice interrupts my obvious disinterest in him, and I glance over and frown.

“I am, yes … Why do you ask?” Looking him up and down, I note the well-tailored gray suit, and expensive shoes, he must be one of the executives, rather than just office staff. He has an air of wealth and confidence about him, and the arrogance of a man who always gets what he wants.

You know? Like Jake.

“I’m Dan Gabrielle.” He extends a hand and the name rings a bell, yet for the life of me I can’t place it. I’m normally good with faces and names.

“Pleasure,” I answer coolly, shaking his hot, rough hand and retract to stand as gracefully as I can to the side. My brain connects the dots and I recognize him. Dan Gabrielle is one of the Carrero’s top tier executives. He deals with merchandising the beauty and grooming products. I’ve heard so many rumors about this man, and his lifestyle, from the office staff. He’s known as someone to steer well clear of among the women. It’s only my stupid luck that I would get trapped in an elevator alone with him after hours.

“I heard you used to be Jake’s PA? … I’ve been looking for a new girl myself … My last one left suddenly.” He smirks, and an odd glint in his eye causes my stomach to lurch in apprehension. I wonder how many advances she rebuffed before leaving, knowing all too well the kind of behavior the executives sometimes like to use on their PAs, especially since I have first-hand experience of it with Dawson.

“I’m not looking for another PA position within this company … I’m working with Wilma Munro on events and such.” I look away, pushing my cell into my bag to give me something else to focus on. He moves closer, gaze stilling on the neckline of the blouse under my fitted jacket. With a disgusting grin widening on his face I realize he’s found the slightest hint of cleavage peeking out at the top of my clothes. My stomach drops and my nerves start to flutter. Alarm bells drowning out everything in a crazy manic fashion.

Sexual harassment is common in the offices, more common than people like to admit, and this guy is giving serious vibes. I’ve been here before, handled this kind of thing multiple times before working for Jake. I know most of those high-ups here would never believe me, but Jake never made me feel this way in all the time he was with me, not once, regardless of his hands-on approach.

to some sort of agreement.” He moves closer, so close his arm is against my shoulder. I’m against the elevator wall, there’s nowhere else for me to go. “I need a pretty girl with good skills … I hear Jake couldn’t keep up with you, so he had to let you go.” The slimy snake-like tone in his smarmy

Oh, my god.

move back but feel the wall come up behind me, it’s closer

even closer, caging me in so I am trapped.

I want. I’ve seen you around the building … I particularly like the attire.” He leans into me and talks into my ear, “Tight, fuckable skirts and sexy stilettos.” He runs a hand up the side of my tight pencil skirt, from thigh to hip, then travels across the front heading toward

… No! Why does this shit

like Dawson when I worked for him and his wandering hands! What

door ping. I run out at

on top of someone’s warm, hard body. Their

hello would

Jake’s voice and raise my head, coming nose to nose with him. His perfect green

be him!

close by watching us with amusement, one of them leans down and helps Jake to his

sorry.” I breathe, panting. I look back at the lift, but it’s shut … that creep has gone but my body is still vibrating with adrenaline and

moves back quickly, dropping his hand to his side.

encounter and speaking without thinking. The past me wouldn’t have said anything about this. But this isn’t

footballer, tackling me in a take-down?” He smiles at me gently and adjusts his jacket again,

look away, embarrassed

on his face. “Wasn’t my father by any chance?” He smirks, knowing too well his father is someone I would call an asshole. Jake and I share that

to himself.” I regret it as soon as it’s out of my mouth and

one, Emma!