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

He helps me pack my things back into my bag silently. We had lain in silence, just entwined, until the pilot called to inform us the jet would be ready for take-off by the time we got to the airfield. He watches me steadily but leaves me alone with my thoughts, he knows I won’t talk about this anymore. The wall is up on the matter and I’m already filing it into the back of my head with all the other crap I never want to face. I won’t bring it up again, much like I never bring Marissa up. He knows me well enough to leave it alone, now that he seems to finally understand how I tick inside.

I feel like a complete failure. I’m numb from over thinking, pushing it all back into the recess of my mind, back into that little black box with the rest of my heartache and terrors.

Back with the child who used to cry herself to sleep in fear of her bedroom door creaking open in the darkness.

* * *

As we settle into the plane, Jake looks me over thoughtfully and slides my hand into his. I’ve been quiet ever since we packed and left alone to my internal dialogue.

“Instead of going home I want to take you someplace … After this, I think you need it.” He leans down, brushing his lips across mine, followed by his fingertips.

“I just want to go back to New York, Jake.” I sigh and close my eyes, willing this to be over and for us to be high above Chicago already. I need the miles between me and this wretched memory.

“It’s in New York … My parents’ house in the Hamptons. I want to take you home for the rest of the weekend, miele. To the place I grew up.” He straps his seat belt on.

“I don’t know.” I look away out of the window, utterly deflated and exhausted. I just want to close my eyes and go to sleep now. I want to wake up back home and act like none of this ever happened.

“Trust me, a change of scenery will do you good … My mother wants to meet you as my girl, finally, not just as my PA. She’s been driving me mad with calls about bringing you home. The trip will make you feel a hundred times better, bambino.” He flashes his charming smile at me, and I melt. Bending me to his will again with a smoldering look and a flash of pearly whites. I shake my head at him, a hint of a smile playing on my lips and see the relief wash over his face.

“I already had the pilot plot the flight plan to the Hamptons.” He admits sheepishly, I bat at him with my hand, but he only catches it and kisses my fingertips.

I’ve ever known.” I smile quietly

hand to his lap and wrapping both of his around it, he sits back, sliding down to

you did,” I whisper at him affectionately, my heart heals a little as he gives me his best “You’re welcome”

* * *

sua bella ragazza troppo.” Sylvana Carrero gushes at our arrival and sweeps Jake into a motherly hug. This isn’t the first time I’ve met the tall, lithe, beauty of a woman, but it’s the first time I’ve met her in a non-professional

overwhelmed but hug

Jake litters his English with Italian affections. Standing tall with dark hair and Jake’s green eyes, she looks like a woman in her early thirties and not the mother of my twenty-eight-year-old Adonis,

look down at the short, floaty, floral print dress

cheeked and glowy, your hair is lovely this

pucker my mouth at him. “Crazily cute, so much so I sometimes just want to squeeze the life out of her.” His mother beams at us with unconcealed joy. I attempt to bat his hand off my face

to the kitchen with us in tow across the grand marble hall, past

his newest love interest are to come. Jake’s cousin and his wife and a couple more of the extended family that I’ve never met. I listen, fascinated by the rapport between them and the

I do want her to still be here by the time I’m ready to go.” He jokes and receives a pout from that beautiful mother of his. Mock sadness on her unlined, timeless face. She’s

who finally reigned in the Stallone Italiano and tamed him.” She laughs, patting him on the cheek in a very

there are no parties, Mamma?” He groans as she winks playfully at him. “I swear you’re killing my relationship before I even get a ring on her finger.” He scolds as I giggle at them and she

a ring on the finger will there?” She hones in like a blood hound, her eyes flashing merrily as she searches our faces. A

quickly. “When I ask her.” He looks at me warily and I bite my lip and hold my breath. We have barely covered this subject and it is

which part of the grounds would make a good wedding alter. My heart rate quickens in