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

“Come on, baby, let’s get you home.” He kisses me gently on the temple and for once I’m not arguing, I’m completely exhausted and happy to be going home to curl up with him. I can’t imagine anything more tempting in the world.

He pulls me up with him and starts looking around for something.

“I didn’t bring a coat if that’s what you’re looking for.” I yawn again, ignoring the look of irritation pass over his brow. He picks up his leather jacket and puts it on me instead. I smile, especially when he tugs me forward to zip me up like a child. I get a tiny vision in my head of Jake doing this for his child. He’s an absolute natural and I can’t help but notice the sheer envy on the two brunettes faces at the way he’s tending to me.

“Danny? I’m taking Emma home.” Daniel lifts his bottle in acknowledgment over Leila’s head then goes back to saying something close to her mouth that makes her smile and she kisses him gently. Completely enamored, all signs of feisty Leila dissipated, this tame snugly version far more her somehow. Hunter has one hand on her ass, the other on his bottle but his eyes are all for her.

Maybe they have a chance this time.

“Sarah, you can come now, or you can let Jefferson come for you when you want to go? Danny has his number.” Jake nods toward her and she grins back at him, shamelessly drunk.

So much for going easy on the booze.

“This here is Delilah; she’s taking me home as we’re both from Queens.” She beams a little too drunkenly and Jake doesn’t smile back. He takes his caretaking role very seriously.

“Then you won’t mind if Jefferson takes both of you, it’s non-negotiable.” He’s obviously in no-nonsense mode, thinking practically, looking after my friend, and dismissing her wishes.

I love him!

“Okay, okay, keep your hair on.” Sarah laughs, good humoredly, and I Jake relaxes. “I don’t know how you put up with him being so bossy.” Sarah smirks at me but I just curl myself around him and snuggle in.

“Because I like it for the most part,” I mumble, as his arm tightens around me appreciatively and he lovingly kisses the top of my head.

Jake leads me out through the milling people, and we head toward the main entrance of the bar. His hand is entangled with mine and his jacket warm around me smells of him, in a very sexy manner that has my tiredness giving way to something naughtier.

Thoughts of Jake in the back of the car are sweeping through my head at a hundred miles an hour and I’m suddenly so eager to get him alone. Drunk Jake is usually a lot of kinky fun and far less cautious of being gentle.

my thoughts, the instant aggressive stiffening of Jake’s entire body alerts me to him as we stop in the foyer. He turns and looks over his shoulder at the direction of the voice and scowls with a deathly glare I’ve only seen on him once before. I gulp and turn as I see who invokes that reaction. My stomach hitting the floor and

Ben Huntsberger. Oh shit.

and he looks anything but friendly. Jake tugs me behind him in a heartbeat and seems to grow about

most unnerving sound in the world. His body bristling with sheer aggressive tension and I start to feel afraid. Last time Ben appeared, Jake shoved me out of the way,

in danger of being roughly

innocent push could do to the child inside of me, my hand instantly comes up to cover my stomach protectively. I start to try to free my hand

feeling my attempts to disentangle, seems to sense my unease and looks back at me with a slight softening to the look he’s throwing Ben’s way. His eyes go to the hand on my belly and back

no! You know … I’d never …” He utters softly to me, a moment of tenderness in

Still. I’m scared.

agitated than aggressive, despite Jake’s posturing and bristling like an alpha male. He has none of the scowling smug behavior of last time we saw him and looks directly into Jake’s eyes confidently. They are matched in height and being stuck in a corridor behind them is not exactly my idea of

the fuck would I have to say to you?” Jake’s being charmingly Carrero. No fake politeness or friendliness, just direct

to put that aside, because we have one big fucking thing in common and I need to talk to you.” Ben raises defensive palms raking his hand through overly neat hair, weirdly Jake-like. It’s

when his body seems to go back to natural stance, losing that terrifying fighter’s

and most definitely

both fucked Marissa in the week she fell pregnant. Me more so than you.” Ben states as a matter of fact, with a raised eyebrow, and a look that

Fuck.

Wait … What?

just found out that she’s pregnant.” Ben is pushing fingers through his hair, rubbing his face in complete agitation. “I’ve been away for a while on business … London. I only got back yesterday.” He seems so overwhelmed and completely rattled. We’re sitting in the quiet booth of a bar near the one we came from. It’s almost deserted and both men are cradling neat gin while I hold a glass of coke. I’m too wired and awake to contemplate sleep now. Ben’s revelation has all sorts of crazy plots swimming through my overemotional brain

baby could be either of ours and yet she failed to mention it?” Jake appears pensive. He’s

looks and scowling tone, and

sinister is brewing in that clever head of his. This is very much business brain

awards show. The after party you and her apparently hooked up at.” Ben downs his gin and slides the glass away while Jake continues to cradle and swirl his. “Told me she wanted to give us another go and proceeded to fuck me stupid for three days with no protection because she was on the pill. Then I never heard from her again.” Ben’s face tightens, anger on show, now