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

You’re killing me, Emma. I’ll do what you ask. Xxx I love you so much.

I don’t feel any better with his response, an inner wave of disappointment that he’s not trying to change my mind. Anger boils up inside of me, coming from nowhere, and with it the impulse to smash my phone off a wall.

What the hell is wrong with me? What is with my undying need to make Jake come after me and devour me?

It was the same when we fought after Arrick’s birthday. My anger wanted him to take me with a vicious passion, as though he had no control, and now here I am angry because he isn’t ignoring my wishes and pushing his way here to see me. It’s like I need the extreme from him. Maybe the lack of real love in my life growing up has caused this deep aching desire to have someone show their love in dominant ways. I can’t begin to analyze that right now. All I know is I want him to take away my decision to not see him, let his own needs takeover, that’s the Jake who swept me into his world. The guy who never took NO as an answer and pursued me regardless.

God. Maybe I do need therapy after all.

There’s a gentle knock on my door and Sarah pops her head around warily. Her eyes flickering over me in a very analytical way; she’s clearly assessing my mental state.

“Emma … honey? Are you up for a visitor? There’s someone here to see you.” She looks sheepish and my heart plummets in cold fear.

Oh, my God, he didn’t?! He couldn’t?! I really don’t want to see him. Forget all that pushing his way in stuff … NO!

She sees my face pale visibly and immediately cuts in.

“No, no, not him … God no … That girl you told me about. Leila?” She smiles in an almost terrifying effort at bravery and I sag with breathless relief.

…

and start adjusting my casual, rumpled, clothes self-consciously. I must look like a fright. My hair is wild, my face is tear-stained and puffy, God knows how crushed and dirty my lounge wear is. Sarah takes my fussing as a cue to let Leila

sparkly trainers. She’s like my modern-day Fairy Godmother. A crazy combination of sporty woman and cute child. She practically knocks me over with

the contents of his kitchen at him a couple of hours ago, complete fucking idiot … I swear. Him and that shithead best mate of his both need

unsure if this is what I really want Jake to be enduring right now. I can visualize her fiery little self, causing chaos in his immaculate kitchen with her mad temper. Images of her mounting a full-on arsenal of pans

and I can’t help but smile back, beautiful, crazy, little Leila. I wish that smile meant she was joking but I know it’s unlikely. I

catch her wrist as she fusses with my mess of hair and just shake my head out of

going to get you dressed up and go somewhere cozy, for cocktails, music, and a girl

for this.” I balk at her, my voice on the pleading side. My stomach is doing somersaults at the mere thought of venturing into the

without getting a look in, bet you’re glad I like threesomes.” She winks at me with that devilish

and I’m just not in the

to do as you’re told and let Auntie Leila take care of everything.” With one stubborn Leila look I know I’ve no

the hundredth time as I sit across from Leila and Sarah in a small

but the force that is

also cajoled Sarah out with us too. Sarah is in complete awe of this sassy, little whirlwind and

me innocently. I blink

immediately zooming to the week Jake took me to the Caribbean and I flush with both the