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.

he asks her, bending to kiss me on the cheek, impulsively, as he passes. He freezes as his mouth connects with my skin, it reacts with goosebumps and flashes of flutterings deep in

Pathetic.

a hand on 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

coat and picks up her oversized bag, throws me a wave, and blows a kiss with a wink as I watch them leave; a strange sense of nerves creeps

so I’m going to head down, babes. Sarah still here? Has Jake

no desire to eat. My stomach is making a good

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

giving him a chance to talk and I guess I’ll take it from there.” I can’t meet her eyes as she 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 this out but still

He’s one of the good ones, despite all this shit, trust me. So, maybe a little messy in the brain department but I can promise you that he’s worth it.” She hugs me

her body, halfway to putting her shoe on, goes

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

first time having

just can’t …

is now, all muscle and big grins of self-confidence.” She sighs, dreamily, almost as though lost in memories of a boy she once knew. Then, snapping out of it, she picks up

can’t seem to get my head around

didn’t hurt, and I even had an orgasm. So, I guess he was my first of those too. He kissed me

seen the way Daniel is with women and none of those images match up to the vision of Leila’s

love with her after

not call you after that?” I’m trying to understand how the hell he could’ve got that by Jake unnoticed. Jake is like a sniffer dog with his crazy sixth sense and bloodhound instincts when it comes to protecting the women

mature. I think I died a little every day after that, and then the weeks passed, and he never spoke about it again. We’d fallen back into our old ‘friendship’ and he went back to acting

would be why

could dismiss something this important to Leila without a care. She

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

how I would’ve felt if it

bear thinking

brother, Tom, and Jake came and dragged my ass back home, and put me on lock down for a few weeks until I stopped and got sober.” She hauls on

sorry.” Tears catch in my throat and I get up and walk to her, throwing her in my arms, giving her the

hold a thin veil of moisture and her lip trembles a little