The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 146

“What exactly did his mother do to him?” I slide my arm through his now that he’s got both hands on his phone and rest my head against his shoulder. Looking up at him with wide-eyed, inquisitive adoration.

“Let’s just say Daniel caught her in a lot of compromising positions from early in life with men who weren’t his father. She had time for affairs but never any time for her only kid or her actual husband. The boy has serious mommy issues that I don’t even think he understands, and he completely idolizes his father.”

“So that’s why he surrounds himself with endless porn stars and one-night stands?” I blink in surprise, this little insight into a guy I thought was just a jerk and a sex addict. Maybe he has as many issues as me.

“Daniel doesn’t trust women; he doesn’t have much respect for them either. He looks at them all the same way he looks at his mother. The guy needs therapy but try telling him that.” Jake throws me a look that means the conversation is over as we see Daniel swaggering back toward us, his hands jammed in his jean’s pockets. Watching him walk over with renewed knowledge helps me see him in a different light. The face I always dismiss as smarmy and arrogant looks a little lost and vulnerable, the confident swagger more like a veil to hide an insecure person. Something I know about all too well.

“We done here?” Daniel looks us over and doesn’t attempt to sit.

“We’ll meet you back at the apartment before two,” Jake says. “I want to take Emma shopping for some things we need.” He glances at me with a blank expression as though checking if I’ve any objections, I just smile up at him. I’ve never been shopping with Jake. I used to either deal with it for him or had no part in it. He did it on his own time and despite most men avoiding any form of clothes shopping or anything shopping, Jake seems to enjoy it.

“We?” Daniel smirks and I dismiss the urge to make a face at him. Still a jackass under that sad look.

“She lives with me, Daniel. There are things we need. I know that’s beyond any of your mental capabilities to comprehend. You know? What a relationship is.” Jake smirks at him and throws down the napkin he was using on his hands, standing fast and pulling my chair out for me then offering a hand to help me up.

“I thought you were just shacked up temporarily for some hot sex and tension release, I didn’t predict you joining the long line of shackled men in the world.” He grins but Jake just shakes his head at him.