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

“I’m sorry.” I fumble the words out, embarrassed, my eyes hit my fingers in my lap, and I twist at the hem of my very short dress.

Great way to show the man who hurt you that you’re so in control and worth every inch of fight to get you back. Especially when you drunk dial him, need his rescue, and then throw up at his feet.

Classy, Emma … just classy.

“Don’t be, I’m glad I was the one there to take care of you. It was a drunk Emma I’ve never met before.” His eyes linger this time and I can feel them boring into me a little too closely, his scrutiny making me feel more awkward. I wish the ground would just open below my feet and swallow me whole.

Sarah wanders over toward us and turns green at the sight of food. Jake waves a mug at her to offer coffee, his eyes finally giving me respite, but she just shakes her head.

“No, really, no. If I take a sip, I’ll hurl. I really need to

get home and get sorted out before I start the lunch rush

at work. I can call a cab, so you don’t have to …” Her eyes are flicking between Jake and I and the obvious tension between us.

“No, it’s fine. I want to give Emma some space to get herself together and my driver is out for now anyway. I’ll take you; I’ll just go get my shoes.” Jake pushes off the counter, glancing at me quickly, and saunters off toward his guest rooms. I can’t help but watch his strong and fit body swagger, like a man with too much sex appeal, crossing the room and that ass; sighing as I watch it go.

When did he start keeping clothes down there?

“You’re not coming home anytime soon I take it?” Sarah looks me up and down warily, a slight hint of hope on her face and a smirk at where I’ve been staring.

What is with all these looks?

“No. I think I need to stay for a bit and just see what I feel.” I turn away from her, my mind getting itself out of the gutter with the memory of Jake’s ass. I down two aspirin with the water and hold the pack to her but she just shakes them away.

“Don’t close down on him. Give him a chance. No one’s perfect, babe.” She runs a hand over my hair and tweaks my cheek. “The guy obviously adores you. I mean, who else comes tearing across Manhattan to find his ex because he’s worried she’s in danger?”

“I’m not his ex!” I snap a little too quickly, the outburst surprising me. I’ve not even begun to contemplate what we are, but I am not that, not if he loves me.

“Well then, seems there’s a small part of you that acknowledges it’s not over.” She smirks at me, knowingly, then moves away as we hear Jake coming back. “Tell Leila I said thanks for a memorable night.” Sarah smiles as she moves to go.

as he passes. He freezes as his mouth connects with my skin, it reacts with goosebumps and flashes of flutterings deep in my stomach, my body still electrified by his touch even when things are this way between us. It

Pathetic.

the small of Sarah’s back, guiding her toward the door with an unreadable backward glance toward me. I’ve no idea how to feel about any of this and I’m starting to wonder if it’s even a good idea. I’m not sure if I have the strength to face Jake alone and fight the pull he has over me. I watch

coat and picks up her oversized bag, throws me a wave, and blows a kiss with a wink as I

for me so I’m going to head down, babes. Sarah still here? Has Jake gone?” She scans

home,” I say, picking at a croissant on the plate, having no desire to eat. My stomach is

still here?” She grins, placing her hands on her

hovers beside me. Part of me feels like I’m being weak for being here after only a week of separation. I know Leila and Sarah are both urging for me to work

trust me. So, maybe a little messy in the brain department but I can promise

her body, halfway

let me in. I just need to learn to get over him,” she shrugs, shoes now on and turns to me with a resigned expression, meeting my gaze confidently. “Daniel is always going to be the first boy I fell in love with, he was my first kiss. He was my first sex too; not even Jake knows about that time so please don’t tell him. I’m sure he would kill Daniel for it, but he’s so far down that route of woman hating and mistrust and emotionally fucked-up that I doubt we’ll ever be anything more.” She shrugs and continues getting ready, sliding her coat on. I blanche at

time having

just can’t …

kissed me senseless a couple of weeks before my party. He was eighteen and just as handsome as he is now, all muscle and big grins of self-confidence.” She sighs, dreamily, almost as

like? What happened?” I can’t seem to get

stories about first times that you usually hear about. He was gentle and slow and made sure I was ready before he did it. It didn’t hurt, and I even had an orgasm. So,

help it. I’ve seen the way Daniel is with women and none of those

love with

hell he could’ve got that by Jake unnoticed. Jake is like

act mature. I think I died a

guess that would be why no one

angry that Daniel could dismiss something this important to Leila without a care. She shrugs, nonchalantly, rummaging

nothing compared to what he did to me in Paris a few years back … That time I really did think this was it, a whole night of crazy passion and drunken fun and I was so freaking happy. I realized how crazy about him I still was. We were locked in a room for eight hours solid and having sex, multiple times, making me orgasm like crazy. The best night of my life. Come morning, he gets up before I’m awake and sneaks off, doesn’t speak to me for months, won’t return my calls, nothing. I only started being okay with

cringe, trying to figure out how I would’ve felt if it had

doesn’t bear

wild and man hungry, trying to get him out of my system. My brother, Tom, and Jake came and dragged my ass back

catch in my throat and I get up and walk to her, throwing her in my arms, giving her the best Jake style

thin veil of moisture and her lip trembles a little as she fights