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

“Now, Emma!” He growls my way and I realize this is futile, he won’t let me leave until I do. I take a deep breath and stare at him, telling him in detail, as much as I can remember. He sits the whole time in silence, jaw clenched and brows down in an angry glare, watching me intensely. I hate him looking at me that way. I’m doubting myself, wondering if he’s thinking I’m being a drama queen. If he even believes me or is wondering why I would assume Dan had done anything wrong.

When I’m done, he pulls out his cell and barks orders at some poor soul, issuing marching orders on grounds of sexual harassment. He stills while they explain something to him on the other end of the line.

“Then set it up … Him, you and whatever legal team representatives are available, first thing … Offer him severance. I don’t give a shit! … I want him gone! No one lays a hand on any woman in this company without consequence … There’s footage from the elevator CCTV, I’ll deal with security myself.” He snaps the commands, eyes fixated on my face, showing contained rage.

There’s a rise of pride within me as I watch him on the cell, that surge of love I always felt around him.

Mr. Commanding “don’t mess with me” Carrero … Scary as shit boss.

One thing that surprised me when I first encountered him, was how passionately he seemed to stand up for women, their rights and giving them respect in the workplace. I guess his relationship with his mother has a lot to do with how he is. It’s one of the reasons I trust him so fully. I know he’s probably one of the few men in this building I am safe around, despite his playboy, womanizing, status.

“No. The woman in question will not be there … I will … on her behalf.” He’s still angry, shouting down his cell to whoever was unlucky enough to have a direct line to Jake.

“Call me back when it’s set up … No matter what time … I’ll clear my schedule … Yes … Goodbye.” He hangs up his cell, his mouth held in a tight line.

“I’m taking you home.” It’s a command, not a question and I know there’s little point arguing with him when he’s in battle mode. After the lift scene, I don’t fancy walking to the station alone anyway. I’m shaken but all I can do is nod and look away unsurely. I sense him move close to me so he’s almost touching my knees with his legs.

“Are you okay?” His voice is so soft and gentle I’m forced to glance up. He’s holding out a hand to me and I accept as he pulls me to my feet. Slowly, he wraps one arm around my shoulders, pulling me against him and gives me a soothing hug, like Jake of old. His chin rests against my temple, letting all the tension seep out of me.

This is the Jake I miss the most, the friend that he always was. This is the Jake who rips out my heart whenever he shows face.

you so

of us stand embraced, but it’s awkward and tense; nothing like our hugs of the past. He releases me, searching my face for a hint of untruth, but sees nothing. I’m so beyond used to men behaving that way toward me that I’m no longer affected by it as I should be;

arm and guides me out of the small room, keeping me close beside his warmth and heads for the elevators

it’s because of Gabrielle. If maybe he doesn’t want to make me feel uncomfortable, enclosed in a small space with him, not that

York. He’s mentioned it many times before and I know it cost him over a million dollars and I’m stunned by just how seductive it is. It’s jet black and looks almost sinister, sat in his personal parking space, like a shadowy bat-mobile

as

walk to the passenger side as he touches the handle and lifts the car door up toward the sky to let me into the molded seats and high-tech interior.

he hits the gas. The interior lights up from a display in front of us, whirring and electrical noises from the rear as a tail fin comes up from the smooth sleek flat back. It’s hard not to

his way, seriously impressed. It feels like I’m sitting in a Formula One dream machine and even though I’ve never been interested in vehicles of any sort, I can’t help but

like a boy with his favorite toy, all bad moods lifted at being re-united with it. He reverses out of the space, expertly in control of his beast and head outs of the underground park, waving to the men who lift the barrier to let us out. The tunnel exit is lit by ground lights guiding us to the outside traffic, giving it a sense of driving out of some concealed spaceship into the air above.

it, but this is the first time I’ve actually seen it?” I blink around in the dark interior, like the co-pilot in

ago, it’s been away for months, having adjustments to my specs. I also had the color changed … it used to be bright orange.” He’s keeping both eyes on the road, driving carefully as we hit traffic. The engine’s louder than I expected in the open air and I can hear a whizzing wheeze of a turbo. This car is sex on wheels that makes my adrenaline rise with its vibrancy

more your color.” I smile at him, awed by how good he looks sitting in the pilot seat of this monster, effortlessly taking control of something so powerful. He belongs in a car like

the reason you learned to drive with Formula One favorites?” I

made for people who can actually drive.” He flashes me his

for the

for her money.” He swells with pride, patting the dash, and smiles at the dark interior, stopping at

named her?” I laugh at him, but he looks my

girl!” He rubs the dash again and croons a little as though soothing an offended woman. “She’s called Miss. Anderson!” He winks at me with a grin, receiving a sigh and a

window, away from his smile and cheeky expression. Ordinarily I would