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

“What do you expect me to say to that?” He focused his gaze across the room, uncomfortable with this topic of conversation and already wishing he had never confided in Leila about any of this over the phone the night before. She was unpredictable sometimes, and he knew she rooted for Emma like no other. She had been one of the worst to give him a hard time about sending her away.

“I expect you to look happy at least, Jake, you need to tell her how you feel.” Jake held his hand up and hushed her, it was all new to Leila and nothing he had not heard before from Margo, his mother and hell, even Daniel.

“Look. Stop. Not the time or place, Leila, so get any dumb thoughts out of your head about interfering in this.” He threw her a warning eyebrow raise and hated that her stubborn jut of the chin became more prominent. He had no energy for a Leila maneuver tonight.

“Oh, for God’s sake! Look just stop being arsey as fuck and try to act like you’re happy to see her when she gets here. She did nothing wrong, Jake, and you need to man up and stop sulking when someone mentions her name.” Leila jutted her hip out and almost slammed her hand on it.

Jake glared at her, his own mood taking a nose dive, a skill Leila had since childhood.

“You can stop looking at me like that too or else I’ll poke you in the eye with my new nails. Do you like them by the way? Extra sharp in case your asshole best mate shows up to piss me off.” She swayed around her sparkling pink nails.

“Stunning,” Jake replied flatly and then dodged her pretend cat-like claw aimed at his face. Leila was one of those annoying friends that you let get away with murder because they were genuinely more family than friend. At times though he just wanted to strangle her, tonight was one of those nights after a full day of her constant texts, questions and lectures.

eyebrow as she edged in close. Not that it

strangers in a bid to get some head space. He hated that she was right though, he had been scanning the crowd ever since he got here. On edge, nervous and tense and just watching for the one girl in the world that he couldn’t mentally escape from. He had been a fool to kiss her only days ago, to keep ending up with her no matter how

of people milling around in various degrees of expensive formal wear. The music loud and invading from

crowd of glittering women in floor-length dresses, coming out into a clearing with a side step away from an

just seemed to stop and stare at each another, his heart pounding erratically as it recovered, his breathing becoming shallow. She looked beautiful, beyond his wildest dreams. Wearing a fitted floor-length red dress that left little to his imagination and seemed to defy gravity while clinging to her bust and waist. He could barely swallow, taking in every perfect flawless curve up to the face of perfection

Fuck.

stood motionless, feet apart. Tension crackling in the air between them and neither seemed to know how to react or what to say. All Jake could think about was what it was

as she dove on Emma from the right of Jake; she had obviously followed him when he headed to the bar. Throwing herself around Emma, who was only inches taller and almost hauling her off her shoes. Jake didn’t move, just continued to watch her, unable to tear his eyes from that face that could stop the world from

any reactions she caused him. Just being this close

You look freaking sensational!” Leila spun Emma round and sent her reeling, losing her footing on high shoes, Jake moved swiftly forward and caught her mid tumble. Pulling her against him despite every one of his senses telling him to let her go. The feel of her body against his sent an electric jolt through him, heating his blood and