The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 21

Felicity makes a beeline for his room with her overnight bag, eyeing us weirdly, but he makes no attempt to follow. As she disappears his expression changes back to full blown frown mode.

“Who was it?” serious, no-nonsense boss tone.

Ughhhh!

I should have known better … He’s hard to palm off even on a good day.

God dammit, Jake.

I turn away breezily, I know he won’t let up … he’ll cancel dinner and stay here if I say nothing. There’s no point being evasive when he has that look on his face, so I resign myself to caving.

“My sperm donor.” I wave an airy hand as though I’m saying something non-important, but I can already feel the tension in my face. I’m glad I’m looking toward the open door of my room away from him and pull out my cell to cradle in the charging dock on the table beside it.

“Your father?” he sounds surprised.

You and me both.

“Yep.” I look around quickly for a distraction, so I don’t need to turn and look at him. I spot his personal tablet on the table nearby and lift it to scroll iTunes, to turn on music. It’s the best I can muster when he’s moved so close.

“You’ve never mentioned a father.” His tone is serious and gentle, body a little too close for comfort.

“I don’t have need to. There’s nothing to mention … I don’t know him.”

“So, why is he calling? It didn’t sound like nothing, Emma. You definitely didn’t sound happy.” He’s moved closer to me, invaded by his body heat emanating against my spine. So close he is touching me.

“I got a shock okay … I’ve met him once in my life and it was brief. I don’t know why he’s calling.” I lie.

I have a good idea why he’s calling now, it’s no surprise. He did this once before, a brief meeting at fourteen when he thought my mother had struck gold. A simple picture in the paper about the “feed the homeless” charity she runs but he’d been disappointed to find that she was as penniless as the charity itself. Sadly sure, that she would be swathed in dollars, and able to help him out with a few hundred to tide him by. Here he is now, after I have been photographed more than a dozen times in the presence of a rich Carrero … New York’s royalty.

Figures. He thinks I’m loaded and dating Prince Carrero.

“Talk to me, Emma.” He’s standing so close to me that I’m tickled by his breath against my hair. I move away quickly, tense, and jumpy; I need head space and solitude. Not probing Jake.

“Go. I really am itching to get in that power shower and let my hair down,” I flutter sweetly, moving further from him to give myself some much-needed distance, and finally managing to look at him. His look darkens, and he presses his lips together. I know he’s contemplating pushing me further. I know that look.

He seems to think better of it and the frown on his brow lets up as though the thoughts have floated away on the breeze. He doesn’t want to argue either.

“Want me to help take your hair down?” he winks and there it is, back in full swing, that cheeky Carrero grin and amusement in his eye. I inwardly relax.

“I’m pretty sure I could sue you for such suggestions, boss!” I throw with a half-smile.

“It’s only harassment if you don’t like it, Bambino.” He grins as he moves close to me again, fingers twitching at me as though making threats. I swat him away, he’s not against threats of tickle torture in times of need. Not that he does it.

I just need them to leave. I hate feeling vulnerable in front of anyone, especially him. I need to be alone.

“Your ego is never shy, is it?”

He doesn’t answer, just steps forward quickly and shoves me into my room so that I almost lose my balance and he laughs at my angry scowl. Turns on his heel and walks away.