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

“So, when do you move in?” Leila lounges across the bed in Jake’s old bedroom and takes a grape from the platter of food between us; snacks and sandwiches including lots of fruit, courtesy of Mamma Carrero and her constant care.

Sylvana is the perfect host and she’s been doting over me when the house is empty during the week, when the men are at work or doing whatever the Carrero men do when not glued to their women folk. She enjoys my company and Leila has flown to see me when I finally drummed up the courage to tell her about the baby.

To say she was ecstatic is an understatement and the five-foot teddy bear suspended on helium balloons, in the middle of the bedroom floor over the massive hamper of baby products, was her arriving gift, humped in by two very good-looking men.

It’s been four days since the house viewing and Jake had to go into the city to oversee some business details and deal with the house sale. He’s been gone two days and already it feels like an eternity without him here. Still not able to fly and still getting car sick means Jake has put me on a travel ban for the time being and now I’m stuck here living in his old bedroom in the Carrero family home and twiddling my thumbs in boredom.

“I think Jake’s pushing for a quick sale. He has his lawyers tying things up already and I know the Wilsons were ecstatic about him being interested in the house.” I imagine that Giovanni is applying pressure to his golfing partner to ensure his son seals the deal and according to Arrick, Sylvana having us next door will make her year.

I have given up on contemplating my job and career for the time being but it’s not something I am going to give up on completely just to live the life of a kept woman. I intend to figure that out in time, but for now being pregnant and just enjoying being pampered no longer makes me feel guilty at all. Finally resigning myself to the fact that this lifestyle is a part

of being with him. My phone lights up across the bed and I reach over, grabbing it to me impulsively.

Jake Carrero has sent you an iTunes gift.

I start grinning and Leila shakes her head at me. She knows the face that implies Jake has texted me, obvious glee because I miss him so much and have been acting like a teen girl with a mega crush the last few days. His back to back meetings means he has only been able to text through the day and not call me much at all.

I flick it open, and smile again, unable to conceal my joy and the way my heart gets all warm and gooey and tingly.

Jake Carrero has sent you–Avril Lavigne “I Miss You”.

I chew on my lip as I waiver over whether I should reply with a song which once broke my heart or scroll for a new one. Maybe it’s time to make that song mean something else to us now; take away the pain I feel anytime I hear it on the radio or in passing. I push down the doubt with a slow inhale and send it on its way to him.

have sent Jake Carrero–Avril

Erasing the

love, hoping he remembers it. The special song I once sent in hopes of him figuring out how

immersed in a magazine, while I’m focused on the love of my life, amusing herself while

distracted. Surprisingly patient for such a little

time it’s a message instead of a song and again I can’t stop

you walk away either. I would never be stupid enough to ever go down that route again. The past doesn’t matter,

my throat. My Jake with his fast words that always sing to me, so in tune with everything I need to hear.

… I

and seems a little forlorn where love is concerned. I feel guilty for ignoring her and pull myself up to move closer to her, putting my phone face down on the bed so it won’t distract me if he replies. “Jake and his pushy one hundred mile an hour self.” Leila giggles, bringing us back to the conversation about the house and a quick sale now she has my full attention, she pops another grape into her mouth. I beam as I think of him. I wouldn’t change him anymore; not even that part of him now I know where it stems from. Jake is always going to be pushy, bossy, and sometimes domineering but I’m sure I have traits that are equally bad and I’m learning how to counteract him in my own way. I love him regardless and

I sigh and reach for a piece of fruit to pick at despite being full to

other to even things out.” Leila grins at me knowingly, all hints of sadness now gone from that pretty face. I push

thought of it

front?” Since Hunter started therapy he’s been keeping out of the way, only calling Jake every couple of days, and Leila hasn’t mentioned him

contact suddenly. “I told him I met someone else, so to push off.” She adds quickly and avoids even looking at me, lifting the magazine above her face as though she’s

tray on the comforter, sending grapes rolling everywhere, and eye her accusingly. She shrugs and pastes on the defiant furrow of her brows that I can still see clearly even from

run a mile at any hint of real affection, Emma?” Leila sits up with a single tear in her eye. “He hurt me for the

I didn’t see this coming at all. She has waited so long for some sort of real emotion from the guy and now he’s doing something about it, she’s running the other

he loves you, Leila … He’s doing this for you,” I try, but that stubborn

himself. I don’t want that pressure.” A tear rolls down her cheek and she brushes it away with an angry jut to her bottom lip. Inner Leila always fighting to come