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.

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

Pathetic.

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

with a wink as I watch them leave; a

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

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

you’re still here?” She grins, placing her hands on

Part of me feels like I’m being weak for being here after only a week of separation.

him go. He’s one of the good ones, despite all this shit, trust me. So, maybe a little messy in the brain

watch as her body, halfway to putting her shoe on, goes

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

first time having

can’t …

I was already gooey eyed over him because he’d 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 though lost in memories of a boy she once knew.

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

hurt, and I even had an orgasm. So, I guess he was my first of those too. He kissed me the whole time and told me I was beautiful, and I really

Daniel is with women and none of those images match up

must be in love with

he just 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

didn’t want to argue, and it hurt like hell, but I wanted to play it cool and act 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

would be why no

important to Leila without a care. She shrugs, nonchalantly, rummaging through the contents

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

to figure out how

doesn’t bear thinking

dragged my

my throat and I get up and walk to her, throwing her

was stupid, especially as I know what he’s like. I know him.” Her eyes hold a thin veil of moisture