The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 180

“Regardless to whether you do or don’t, I told you we had reshuffled our job roles. This is just an informality required by legal.” He leans down kissing me on the temple before moving off with the rest of his papers to the table and sitting down. Picking up both the credit card and the contract, I walk over and toss them down in front of him, folding my arms stubbornly.

You will not buy me or control me this way!

“I do not require any more money or a new title. This says I’m your VP … Your second in command?”

“Well, you’re already that. Time you got paid for it, and some recognition.” He’s already flicking through papers and trying to dismiss me.

I don’t think so!

“Jake, first, you don’t even let me go to work anymore so I shouldn’t be getting paid anything at all!” I snap haughtily. “And second, everyone in the building will think you did this because you’re screwing me.” I balk, emotion rising inside of me at an alarming speed.

“Don’t turn this into a fight.” He sighs with a wave of his hand, commandeering Carrero returning in full.

“Don’t make our relationship about money,” I snap again, tears brimming to the surface with this damn crazy sensitivity I have lately.

What the hell is with that?

“You’re the only one doing that,” he snaps back, equally riled and slides his chair back in agitation. “Emma, get used to being rich, because I’ll marry you and like it or not, I’ve no plans to go bankrupt in my lifetime. My money will be your money too and trust me, there is a lot more than either of us can spend in a lifetime.” He gets up, pushing past me and stalking to the fridge, retrieving a water bottle and taking a drink before he turns back to me a little more calmly. I’m still glaring at him with my arms crossed across my chest defiantly.

“Look, I get it … I’m not stupid. I know you. It’s hard for you to ever just accept anything from anyone that you don’t think you’ve earned, crazy independence in case everything goes to shit. This … Us … It’s not going to end, Emma, and you do deserve everything I have to give. I just happen to have shit loads of money and I want you to not need to ask me to splurge on yourself. This way, you can have your own money and do what you want with it, the credit card is for when you get used to abusing my finances and let me pay for things instead.” He sighs watching me, my face still bathed in irritation. Walking back to me he lets his hand wander up my arm to my jawline. I nudge my face away. I don’t know how to feel about this right now. That inner war waging. Independent and fearless Emma showing her face. “Baby, please … I know you’re not with me because of this … You don’t have anything to prove, it’s okay to enjoy having a filthy rich boyfriend. There’s no shame in it.” He kisses me gently and relaxes as I start to respond to it, always incapable with maintaining a mood when he touches me. His mouth opens mine and is soon engulfing me in a hot, searing kiss.

“I don’t want this,” I finally sigh, calmer and push the contract back at him. “I don’t need it.” It’s true. Jake already pays for everything, leaving most of my wages every month untouched. Only the regular bills toward the apartment with Sarah come out. Jake is generous to a fault with having Donna bring me clothes and lingerie often, he feeds me almost ritually, and I never want for anything. I never have to spend anything. I don’t need a bank account filling up with money I won’t even use, money I’m not even earning anymore. I’m not one to go shopping often or splurge on things for fun.

Since Jake has decided that work is out of the question, I don’t do anything to deserve any money at all. I’m only accepting my monthly wage on the understanding we will eventually go back, and I will eventually do something to be paid for, so that I can pay Sarah for my room.

“If you don’t sign it, I’ll stop sleeping with you until you do.” He smiles wickedly, that stubborn look in his eye. He means it.