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

“I still love you, Jake, but I’m so confused right now and so hurt. I was always yours. I don’t know how else I could’ve made you believe it. What else I could have said or done?” I’ve no idea what else to say after that. So many things are running through my head, trying to process that Jake could be as insecure as me in our relationship has completely thrown me, I never imagined someone like him would doubt anything; let alone how I felt about him.

“You didn’t need to, baby. I should’ve realized it before acting like the world’s biggest asshole. I love you more than anything in the world, you have to believe that.” He catches my other wrist and pulls both hands up, so I’m drawn toward him, his forehead touching mine, giving me no option but to obey.

His alluring green eyes meet mine, but they are dark and foreboding with the intensity of his emotions. Emotions matching mine.

I missed those eyes so much, like doorways to my soul.

“You’re mine, you’ll always be mine, and I’ll literally rip the world apart to keep you, bambino.” He leans in and I know he’s going to kiss me, moving in slowly, his eyes focused on my mouth with a hint of longing so intense it stings through my chest. My heartbeat rises in tempo and my blood runs cold as fear overtakes me. My breathing hitches as he gently grazes his lips across mine, soft, warm, and tender. Familiar lips that I could almost fall into, hoping to erase the pain they caused.

Marissa floods into my head smirking at me, pulling Jake’s mouth to hers while her eyes bore into the recesses of my mind, forcing me to push him away sharply.

“I can’t … Not yet.” I gasp yanking back trying to reel in the crazy burst of emotions that are overwhelming me, suffocating me, and making my body tingle crazily. He lets me loose with a sigh and a look on his beautiful face of utter deflation.

“I understand. I told you, whatever you need, no matter how long it takes. I’m going to do whatever it takes to have you back with me.” The sincerity in his voice helps calm me.

“I can’t think straight … I’m so tired and overemotional.” I sag against the couch, letting out a slow breath, wiping more tears from my already sensitive face. The hangover hits me hard again and fatigue pushes at my eyelids cruelly. I long for some peace in this nightmare for just a little while, all this emotional roller coaster has done is make me crave for sleep.

me into his arms, strong, safe, and secure. He slides back along the couch and nestles me alongside him as he lies down, his arms and legs around me, spooning me. I don’t fight or struggle. I’m too tired to protest or resist, a part of me wants this, after everything that he’s told me, a part of me needs to

I’ve been aching for. My mind is telling me to push him away, but my heart is aching with his touch. I close my eyes, trying to bring calm to my reeling mind,

weak, just like her! Your mother would

him touch me, but I can’t compete against this. I’m tired, broken, and hungover and right now, lying here

go.” I’m already relaxing into him, tiredness fuzzing out my brain, like being enveloped into a soft, fluffy, warm room after a terrifyingly cold night. It’s so easy to relax in his arms, they’ve always been my safety net and my whole world. The fatigue is moving in with just his hold over me as though I’ve been waiting to come back

my mind, focusing on just the feel and smell of him. The gentleness of his breathing and the way his fingers stroke my arm. It’s all so familiar and so necessary to my mental state. I don’t fight sleep as it moves in, enveloped in his arms, in the warmth and security my

* * *

was falling, my heart racing as I bump back to reality. Jake’s arms tighten around

racing heart. “I’m here.” His voice is gravelly, he’s half-asleep and I’m still held in his arms on the soft leather couch, only now there’s a warm, fur throw over us and the room is so dark it’s almost impossible to see. The only lights on show are coming from New York’s sparkling glow through the long, wide window behind us and I

not to move, knowing if I turn to him,

up?” He squeezes me a little, clearing his throat to sound more awake, a huge lump hitting me in the stomach. The surge of emotion at his closeness and all his Jake mannerisms. He sounds unsure, wondering if I’m going to ask to go home. I can feel

letting all the emotion break loose at his

who has pounced out in the dark. There’s a mild hint of confusion in his voice

again … Don’t ever do that to me again! Don’t kiss another person or shut me out or make me feel like I don’t matter! Don’t make me feel like you don’t love me anymore or don’t give a shit about how you make me feel.” The sobs overtake me, and I can’t say anymore. He crushes me to him, wrapping those arms tightly around me, pulling me into his body

did. I swear I’ll never, ever hurt you, never betray you again. I’m sorry, sorrier than I can ever find the words to tell you. No one hates what I did more than me. Please, Emma, just give me one chance and I promise you I’ll never give you another reason to leave me for the rest of our