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

I catch sight of some of my favorite women on the right-hand side of the aisle. Margo is wiping a tear from her eye and nudging Wilma in her side as both woman wave to me. They’re blowing their noses and crying as Donna throws tissues their way. My crazy trio of motherly hens. Donna’s mascara is pouring down her normally flawless face and I spot Rosalie wave from behind a very handsome man, grinning wildly and looping arms with him, a look of radiant happiness on her pretty face. I beam back at them with a tiny wave before moving on in time to the music, slow steps, with Giovanni leading the way.

I catch sight of the Huntsbergers, my new extended family sitting close by and smile warmly at them. The row of adopted children and Huntsberger father looking so proud of his family. Ben and his baby son are near the end of the row. He’s is cuddling him proudly and looking every bit the doting dad. He is now the soul parent of him, seeing as Marissa lost all interest in a baby that she had no purpose for anymore. She went under the communication radar soon after giving birth, not that I’m complaining, I’m happy that Marissa stopped being our problem and we’ll most likely never have to deal with her again.

The girl Ben has been dating for the last six months, sits beside him in the row and smiles my way, shyly. Grace is everything Marissa isn’t, and she dotes on little Adam as much as Ben does. We’ve all started to become friends recently and she seems to be looking like a permanent fixture in Ben’s life; a new mummy for the most beautiful little mini-Ben you could ever see. It’s obvious Ben has found his Emma, and Jake has regained some sort of friendship with him over the last few months. Hunter is obviously a little jealous that someone is moving in on his bestie in a very manly ‘bromance’ kind of way and it’s endearingly amusing.

Jake’s staff from the Manhattan apartment are sitting nearer the front as part of the family. Nora, Jefferson, the array of security guards, and of course, good old Mathews, another of my heroes that never leaves my side nowadays. He is like a guardian angel and makes my life in our Hamptons home safe and secure. He rarely leaves my presence when I go anywhere, Jake didn’t need to ask that of him, he just naturally became a father figure to me and took it upon himself to always watch over me in a very protective manner since he felt like he failed me when Vanquis came after me.

He hauled ass to a hospital with me and saved my life that night. I was suffering from a bleeding brain injury caused by the blow to my head which would’ve been my end if Vanquis managed to take me from the house, as intended. I only lived because of the fast-medical attention given to me, because of Giovanni and Mathews showing up when they did.

I catch his eye and smile warmly as he and his wife grasp hands and I swear I see a tear. It tugs my heart and makes me smile widely. I would trust my life under his care and protection for an eternity and I never doubt my safety when I am with him.

My eyes scan the room as I walk the long white aisle, rows of white benches edged with wild flowers and lilies and my eyes can’t help but travel the last distance to the most beautiful thing in the entire room getting achingly closer … That gorgeous man smiling my way. I’m drawn to him and know that once I meet his glorious face I’ll never turn away for anything in the world ever again.

He’s watching me walk toward him with his steadfast green gaze and attractive smile, giving me courage, grounding me to him in the way he always does. He’s looking every bit the billionaire playboy in a flawless navy suit and gray cravat and waist sash, perfectly tailored and groomed; every bit the man of my fantasies. He can pull off the groom-to-be look effortlessly. His calm façade not failing once, as he stands gazing at me in his usual casual yet cocky pose. I smile back radiantly, my heart swelling with pride at the picture he makes, and I quell the urge to run the last few steps and jump into his arms.

He’s standing between Arrick and Daniel, holding the most precious little blue-eyed bundle of mischief in his

his face. My chubby legged

curls and happy smiles that can make my whole day better with a mere sigh. They’re beckoning me to come and finally join them in name and make our family unit complete. The most enticing reason to ever walk toward anyone ever in the whole wide world. These two precious faces hold my

so like me and almost three months old already; adoringly gazing up at the daddy who is as smitten with her as I

last time before handing Mia to Sylvana with a beaming smile. He’s unable to conceal the adoration of a daddy, rarely prized from his daughter, since the day she was born. She’s as

held in her grandmother’s arms.

as her grandmother moves aside, both Jake and I watch her go, for a moment, before turning back to one another. Our eyes lock, filling

releases me to Jake and takes Sylvana’s arm to help his wife and grandchild back to the waiting seats close by. They are amazing loving grandparents and spend as much time

know Leila will be behind me bawling her eyes out the sight of the man who has been begging her to marry him for months. Daniel is well and truly a changed man and Leila is close to giving in and trusting him for once. The boy is so obviously smitten; the wild party animal

a much healthier way, despite her sometimes-violent outbursts and he’s sticking around for an eternity. She never has anything to worry about with him ever again and I have a feeling Hunter is going to be a surprisingly good daddy. He’s already amazing with Mia and little Adam; after the first shocks of learning

a naughty smile on his handsome face. He doesn’t wait for permission but kisses me fully on the mouth. His lips molding to mine and cupping my jaw so he can get as close as possible while naughtily gliding his tongue, passionately, across mine. He puts an arm around my waist and brings me to meet his body with another tug. I’m not sure full-on tongue is appropriate, but I have

the ‘you may now kiss the bride’ bit.” Daniel smirks at us when Jake pulls back and fixes my lipstick with his thumb, he throws Daniel a defiant smile looking

effortlessly ‘I’m hot and I don’t give a fuck’ smile that melts my panties on sight. He turns back to me, almost ignoring the uneasy shuffling of the man, above us, ready to take us through our vows. “Sorry, Father,” Jake mumbles apologetically. “She’s irresistible and I can’t help it.” He smiles up at the poor priest with a look that’s decidedly unapologetic. The man just nods with a rather blushed face and rattled expression. I guess he doesn’t like his service being played out backward. I nudge Jake with my bouquet to tell him to behave but he only winks at me and earns

now; the small titter of laughter running from the audience confirms it. I

eyes never leaving mine the whole time. The man in black uses throat clearing coughs to bring us back to attention and back to the reality of the few hundred people staring at us, patiently waiting on the end of Casanova Carrero. I glance at Jake as he moves me to stand before