The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 138

“It makes no sense to me having you beside me at work, then you going home to Queens at night … I want you home with me, to kick back and unwind. Here, we’re starting to get back into our roles as boss and PA … I want my girlfriend when we’re not working.”

“Sarah’s going to try and talk me out of it” I sigh, watching him play with my fingers one by one, enjoying the sensation. “She’ll think we’re rushing things.” I look up at him and shake my head when he shrugs, his answer to everything. Infuriatingly so.

“I’m not going to force you, Emma … Go see her, collect what you need for this week anyway then let me know what you decide … I won’t be mad, but I want you to know that it will happen.” He moves forward, kissing me quickly before letting me get up to leave. I ruffle my fingers lightly through his hair for a moment, smiling at the way he looks up at me and our eyes instantly connect.

A face that could melt icebergs. And it’s all mine. Stubborn to a fault.

I turn and walk off, grabbing my bag as I pass my desk. I can sense his eyes on me, but I don’t look around. I like torturing him in subtle ways, it makes me feel good to know that I have a little power over him too. Probably more than I realize, besides, he can be so commandeering sometimes that he deserves it.

I want to move in with him, but I’m also terrified. It’s a huge step for me, to be dependent on someone else. His apartment, his things, he pays all the bills, his money, his furniture, his way!

I’ve always stood on my own two feet and what if it all goes to hell and we break up? I can’t go crawling back to Sarah if I’ve nowhere else to go.

My head goes into overdrive thinking this all through as I make my way down to the underground car park to find Jefferson and one of Jake’s four by fours, parked and waiting.

* * *

“Wow … Are you sure, Emma? … It’s really fast!” Sarah remarks, sitting opposite me on the couch, her eyes wide in disbelief.

“I know it’s just … He’s right, though. We’re working side by side, we spend so much time on business, flying places, sharing rooms … We dove straight into a committed relationship and missed out on dates and going slow. It’s what he wants and as much as it scares me, I want it too. It just feels like this is how it should be.” I answer a little stiltedly. I rehearsed this on the drive over, yet she watches me for a long time, sipping her coffee and thinking.

“But? Come on, I can practically hear the hesitation.” She raises an eyebrow at me. I sigh and sink back on the cushions.

“But a part of me is terrified, a part of me is running for the hills screaming right now. I don’t even know why; I can’t begin to analyze it.” I slide my coffee mug on the table and slide off my stilettos, letting them drop to the floor as I tuck my legs in under me.

“No wonder. You spent your entire life being self-reliant, your own boss. Keeping people at arm’s length so they didn’t hurt you. He’s asking you to just throw all in and put all your hopes and trust on your relationship after like a week … That’s crazy.” She waves a hand in the air as though to emphasize the point.

“Except we’ve been in love for so much longer. I can see why this isn’t fast to him, he’s that kind of impulsive person. He wants, so he takes, he’s always had things his own way.” I sigh and haul a cushion into my lap, picking at the fringe in agitation.

“I think that’s just a male trait to be fair.” Sarah slides her mug down and mirrors my pose with her legs underneath her. She’s dressed in her chef whites ready for her shift this afternoon. “So, what are you going to tell him, what are you going to do?”

“I don’t want to hurt him; he’s always been right in the past when I’ve been scared to follow. Maybe this once I should just trust that he knows best.” I rub my cheeks with my palms, frustrated at myself for feeling so torn about something that should be so simple.

“I don’t want another room mate.” She pouts. “What about, you move in with him, but we leave your room available for you? Like, you can leave stuff here that you wouldn’t want to take and maybe have it ready for staying over sometimes?” she asks hopefully, her eyes almost pleading. I know her too well, she’s offering me a way out of making a final decision, she’s offering me a backup plan. She’s being that girl who always helps me figure things out, that girl I love.

“I guess that could work … It’s not like Jake will expect me to pay for anything, so I can still contribute here, like I’ve always done.” I shrug, annoyed at myself for adopting his mannerism. “So technically I’ll have moved out, but I’ll still have the option of coming back? Maybe I could spend the odd night here to catch up.” I smile, warmed by her enthusiastic nod.