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

Sylvana snaps around at his approach, guiltily, and immediately jumps up to meet him. She’s saying something under her breath, fixing his bow tie and jacket hurriedly. His hands go to his hair to calm it down, suggesting she’s pointed out that he looks a little less groomed than before, and I can’t help but watch the expression on his face, as he does what he’s told to, with zero argument. He’s completely out of his depth and nothing at all like the Jake Carrero I know and love. His eyes are raking in the faces of the people around the room, as though taking some sort of mental checklist.

My stomach tightens and my hands get clammy again. His behavior is all I need to see to know I’m right about what he has planned. Only one thing could make Jake this scared out of his mind that even his appearance is something he’s oblivious of.

Fuck. He’s really going to do this, isn’t he? He’s going to do this, and they all know! It’s why They’re all here and why she’s fussing over his clothes. It’s not that I don’t want it, it’s just so public and so … Oh my God! It hits me suddenly … Fireworks and a floor show!

His words. His promise. He really is going to do this after all. Tonight. Here!

My insides lurch up in a terrifying need to throw up. I stare down at my cold trembling, clammy hands, and take steady breaths, long, low and calm. Deliberately holding them longer and counting it out.

I won’t run. I won’t freak. I can do this. I have hurt him so many times and it always ended up hurting me as well. I need to relax and trust him on this, go with the flow just like he would. Don’t ruin something so obviously special.

I glance up as he moves to me, catching his eyes instantly, and somehow that small contact changes his demeanor. He grounds me the way he always seems to. Those endless eyes and his handsome face bringing me out of my own head. I seem to be calming him too and he’s returning the favor, if we keep looking at one another then maybe I can get through this without turning into a crazy loon who high tails it out of the door in a ridiculously long dress.

I love him, he’s all I need. His heart is just as fragile as mine, don’t bruise it, Emma.

“Dance with me?” he asks, holding out a trembling hand as he gets to my side. I take one last steadying breath to push it all down as far as I can and try to find my inner bravery. I smile up at him, adoringly, and brace for what is about to happen, resigning to let him take the lead.

fuck this up,

dance floor as the orchestra plays a smooth ballad, soft and romantic, and others join us on the floor. His eyes on mine and even though he’s smiling I can feel his heart beating at a hundred miles an hour through his chest. Jake is nervous and he’s making me even more so. The tension radiating from him is alarming. Even locking eyes is starting to fail, as his inner emotions start to get the better

the game away. Hoping that I radiate some needed reassurance that I’m here with him, that I’m not running, and that there is no doubt about my answer. I always knew what my answer would be, from the moment I figured this out. It was never about saying no to him because I know I

to him, I can see it’s genuine. I notice a small squaring

of the outer patio doors in the grand room being opened by waiting staff and lift my head to

it out over the top of my head and avoids my gaze. His body is hitting an all-time tension

Don’t

they should do so. I’m not sure that I like the fact we seem to be in the center of the room with a widening gap happening all around us, so very public, among a sea

brave anymore. Even in his arms I’m submerged in the icy coldness of fear engulfing me. He’s

signs of an all-out panic attack. I’m starting to freak out, the tension starting in my toes, sliding up my

I

beautiful words of the singer floating our way across the crowded room. The words that will be ingrained on my brain for a lifetime. It completely stills me, like a calming balm, and somehow, he’s already figured out the one thing that would halt my fear, focusing me back to him. His arms come around me gently and with one hand he pulls my chin to face him. I can feel him begin to calm too as our eyes meet once more and he mouths along with the song, swaying me gently to dance once more with me in his

“Say you love me…”

sings out the song that makes my heart break wide open and, in this moment, I forget about everything else. Every person, every terrifying feeling and anything that isn’t him. Emotions flood me and pushes

the beginning of feeling his love for me. The one he sent me across a crowded dance floor in an opulent setting,