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

“Likewise.” She giggles and hugs me again for added measure, her energy infectious and soon we’re walking along, hand in hand, catching up with anything we forgot to add in our emails to each other. Sophie is infectious, her happiness brimming over into every word and mannerism and I can see Leila’s influence in the quirky Converse with animal print laces and the sparkling diamantes on her jeans. Leila always liked a little bit of showiness.

We make our way back to the main house, lost in easy conversation.

“There she is!” Jake’s deep tone catches us both and she beams at him, she doesn’t, however, close the gap between them, the way she did with me and it’s the first time I see she has that same distance with males that afflicts me. It causes me a moment of pain. A flicker of heartache for her.

Jake strides forward, giving her a light hug quickly before releasing her and scooping forward to plant a kiss on me. He unashamedly makes me blush with the sheer passion in its brief touch.

“Well look at you two nowadays.” Sophie giggles with open eyed wonder. “Nice to see that you finally stopped fighting it and just got around to giving her a good kiss.” She laughs as I throw a jab at her shoulder and she ducks away.

“What are you? All of fourteen?” I giggle, affected by her youthful fun so easily.

“Can I just point out, I never fought it.” Jake’s smiles, the face of a boy trying to earn points. “I always tried like a bear.” He slides an arm around my shoulders, coming beside me, his other hand in his pocket. Sophie regards him thoughtfully and smiles with maturity.

“Thing is, with girls like us … Sometimes it takes a lot to trust people. We need the ones who try like a bear to get in.” She throws me a bashful look and we pass a smile of solidarity. A blush rising on Sophie’s face that hints at a double meaning, but I let it slide.

Jake says nothing but kisses me on the temple; no explanation required.

He definitely is someone who tried like a bear.

“So, who’s ready for lunch, because I’m starving?” He cuts in with good humor after a few seconds and is delighted to get two very strong “Me’s”.

* * *

friends pull her into easy conversation on topics they seem to already know about. Arrick slides her in beside him through lunch and it’s easy to see the rapport they have already built, her hesitation absent at

a garden table that’s big enough to seat about twenty people or more and eating a light chicken salad lunch with lots of side dishes. Jake’s beside me with a casual arm around the back of my chair, already full from his huge mountain of food the minute he sat down, while the rest of us picked and made

in my own family. The conversations are littered with fluent Italian as well as English and it seems not one of them knows how to speak without crossing over each other and butting in at every direction. They are a fun and verbal family and I now know where Jake learned the art of being social and finding his confidence. They also endlessly touch one another,

back and

clear my plate for the second time, lately

shrug defensively, wondering if he’s having doubts about me staying thin.

me lightly on the cheek and runs a finger across my cheek

gushes toward us, but I

potuto chiedere per una ragazza più perfetta.” Jake responds with a look toward her then at me, complete infatuation sweeping his expression, but

laughter, and he shakes his head, leaning in close

appreciates people in love.” He kisses me on the corner

I tease

He grins and this time

is so smooth he’s

sometimes.” I gush. “Sometimes, it’s easy to love me.” I correct him and get a look of agreement in response. “Hey.” I protest with mock outrage, but he just pulls me into a headlock and devours me with nibbling kisses across the face and cheek which has me squealing for help. No one at the table does but

most of the table turn and smile at us. It makes me all warm inside. Jake

this family talking Italian though when It’s obviously about us?