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

“We’re here, miele.” Jake lifts me from the car when I blink my eyes open. I’m sure it’s only been seconds since I closed them. I’m in his arms being lifted out of the car and the garage around us looks exactly like underground parking at his apartment, and I’m completely thrown.

“We’re home already?” I blink a few times snuggling closer into his strength still trying to get a grip on reality, confusion all over my face, severely disorientated.

“You fell asleep pretty quickly, bambino, you don’t look so white anymore, so I think it did you some good.” Jake brushes his mouth against my forehead with a soft smile.

What the hell is with the sleeping lately?

I close my eyes and let Jake carry me into the elevator and home. He’s right, I do feel better for having taken a nap. The nausea has subsided almost completely and now I just feel hungry. I know I should be fighting him to let me walk but my body and mind are in unanimous decision to let him do this.

I open my eyes when he lays me on the bed in his room. Nora has been in and cleaned up in that precise hotel-esque method of hers. The room is surprisingly comforting, and I take a breath feeling like I’ve returned home. I’m more than aware of the surge of happy elation it gives me and frown at myself.

“I don’t need to go to bed. I feel better and I’m hungry.” I smile as he slides down beside me on the neat sheets. I sit myself up a little, wary he might start wrapping himself around me, and cross my arms over my chest defensively.

“You’re staying here regardless. I’ll get you some food if you’re sure that’s what you want.” He frowns at me with a comical look on his face, his eyes take in my posture, and he moves away a little. Not that I blame him. Vomiting then asking for food isn’t exactly normal.

He lifts his fingers to my cheek, and I let them

linger there. “You still feel hot but you’re not so pale anymore.” The way his touch feels is more than enough proof that I should make it clear that I’m not ready for it.

“I guess the car just made me feel worse.” I shrug with one shoulder, nestling onto the bed a little more comfortably. I watch the way the sunshine comes into the room, lightening the color in his beautiful eyes to an almost transparent, gem-stone green. One thing Jake will always be to me is gorgeous, despite how much he has hurt me.

“Maybe.” Jake gets up and leaves the room,

saying something about home-made chicken soup,

two of them are acting like I have a terminal

swing my legs off the bed, standing quickly, to tell him how ridiculous he’s being and instantly crumble. My vision blacking out and my body losing all control, Jell-O legs and complete disorientation as I stand

realize that I knocked

is followed by heavy boots running toward me and I’m

lifting me up onto the bed with him so I’m sitting in his lap, wrapped in him, aware my whole

weakly. “I don’t think I fainted, but I don’t feel so good.” I slump against his chest, knowing what’s coming next and I

lift your head there will be hell to pay.” He’s in snappy, bossy Carrero mode. He sweeps back the covers and lays me down in the open space, pulling my boots

my Carrero; a vision of domineering aggression

God I’ve missed you.

is calming down. He picks up the TV remote and presses it, the TV coming down from

not find you’ve moved out of this bed; even once,” he commands. His eyes fiery and his face completely serious. It makes my inner nerves jump a little in a tug

that flicker of worry and the fact he’s left the room to call his doctor makes my heart swell a little. Through all my crazy internal emotional mess it’s this part of him that always wins

so sweet it’s almost funny as is his choice of movie

Things I

except this film is for me to him. He knows I’m struggling to get past the things

you, Jake. I’m hurt, and I hate her. I’m just

know I’m fine, physically, maybe in need of some bed rest and sleep. I’ve caught a little bug but I’m positive there’s nothing for him to worry about … nothing physically anyway, my

and a T-shirt with a mountain of files scattered