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

I stand in the shower for an unbelievably long time, the hot water pouring down me, refreshingly, helps to push the nausea down. I’m aching at everything so familiar about being here, so many memories and thoughts of Jake beside me. I feel like I’ve woken inside a dream, some strange alternate reality where I never left, and this feels like where I should be. It’s disconcerting and doesn’t help my emotionally confused state of mind at all.

Fully cleansed of my shameful drunken night and drying myself I can hear noise in the apartment. The sound of music drifting though the walls and I know Jake must be back. I pause for a moment listening to the faint drifting of one of his favorite songs and the sound of a juicer going in the kitchen, emotion swirling in apprehension in my stomach. I’m nervous being here with him, being alone and having to face him.

I pull on an oversized white bath robe and wander cautiously out through to the large open-plan lounge, looking around for him, holding my breath. I’m like a jittery teen going on a first date.

He has his back to me, dressed in a fresh T-shirt and jeans and seems to be making a smoothie or some sort of healthy drink, the blender is going strong, so he doesn’t hear me approach. I can’t help but watch the way his strong wide shoulders move and flex under his body hugging T-shirt, or the way his arms and biceps tense and grow with every bend and stretch. His masculine mannerisms strong with effortless ease and grace, the signs of a man confident in himself without the malice of cocky arrogance.

I must admit, he’s the perfect specimen of manly form, just the thought of it makes me depressed. Every nerve in my body is torn between lust and betrayal, I want him, yet I don’t. I long for his touch yet I know it will only bring me pain. I miss those arms around me and those hands on me but know having them back would break me.

The machine stops, and I watch from the other side of the counter as he pours half into a tall glass before turning my way with a flicker of surprise.

“Hey, didn’t hear you coming through.” He smiles, in his shy and charmingly beautiful way; it has the same effect on me that it always has. I clamp my knee’s together as a wave of hot warmth rushes through my veins.

Seems he hasn’t lost that ability over me anyway.

on the counter now covered in plastic wrap. I take the tall glass, carefully avoiding his

the forest fruits, mango, and banana smoothie, touched that he would do it for me; but I gasp and

with a slight frown, before getting me a

sip, tension, and awkwardness, as though neither of us knows what to say first. I turn away from him around the room to find something to rest my eyes on that isn’t six feet two, sexy as hell, with an ability to break me into a million pieces. I can feel his body heat across the

the guest rooms?” I ask gently, confused

to be in there.” He nods toward his bedroom. “Without you … I had Nora move some of my things so I wouldn’t need to go in there at all.” He looks down at his hands awkwardly. I flinch, like he’s just sucker punched

threatening to break loose and clear my

brought you something to wear when I took Sarah home. The bag is by the bedroom door.” He nods toward the pink hold all that belongs to Sarah,

you would keep me in that dress if you had a choice.” I smirk at him and catch the tension in his face ease a little. Trying to lighten the heavy mood I

heart slightly, and I slide off the chair. Jake’s trying for the light easy humor we used to have,

an instant pain in my heart at the hint of disappointment across in his face. Jake used to love me in nothing more than

his eyes. I nod and move off, grabbing the bag as I pass, trying to

* * *

cashmere jumper. He chose one of my casual lounging at home outfits, whether it was deliberate, or Sarah had chosen it, but I’m comfortable. They’re my much-needed hugs from clothes I would’ve