The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 226

As much as I try to prepare myself by pulling on my most efficient PA Emma face none of it truly prepares me for the blast of sickening pain when I am finally faced with one Marissa Hartley.

Walking down the stairs and into the dining room I don’t take in the beautiful room, elegant settings, or wonderful smells of food. I just see the girl with the long, curled, brown, highlighted hair. The seductive, Latino looking face with sensual lips, wearing an overly tight floor length animal print dress, fully emphasizing her bust, curvy figure, and undeniably compact baby bump protruding at her front. I also can’t ignore the way her eyes devour Jake hungrily as he walks in behind me with a guiding hand.

She exudes pure sexual energy, every movement calculated for maximum impact, hips swinging and cleavage swaying. Her pouting and hair flicking mannerisms all made for pure seduction.

I hate you so much I want to smash that center piece right into your face.

I glare at her icily, our eyes meeting for a moment, and I catch a glimmer of smugness. She has no qualms about meeting me dead on and even licks her lips in the process. I feel nothing but revulsion and soul scratching hatred for her.

“Jake … Emma.” Her low husky voice purrs our names as she slips effortlessly into a seat ushered by Sylvana, sliding down gracefully and never once taking her eyes from Jake as he settles me into my chair. I glance at the steak knives in front of me and wonder if Jake would mind if I stabbed her in the face with one.

The waiting staff nearby are laying glasses of wine down on the table. I note that both the glass before her and I are full of fresh orange instead, an inner smugness washes over me and I wonder if she will even notice.

See, you think you have something over me, Marissa, I have a secret that you’re going to hate more.

I catch Jake watching me, carefully, as he slides in beside me. Neither of us has said a word since walking in here. I catch his eyes going to the ridiculously sharp cutlery, a slight hint of a smirk draws across his face. He obviously knows where my brain has been heading and I raise an eyebrow at him as if to say, What? He just shakes his head with a smile and leans in to kiss me behind the ear.

“I love you, but please don’t stab her while we have witnesses.” The low husky tone, followed by his chuckle, sets a smile on my face and I’m even more smug at catching Marissa scowling our way. Her eyes narrow at Jake’s affection, and she twists a fork in agitation.

Arrick appears, casually, with a new, non-descriptive girl in tow; a mirror image of the little thing who annoyed me so much last time we were here. He says his hellos, passing smiles and introductions, when Giovanni Carrero saunters in greeting us all unemotionally. I suddenly feel a little more uncomfortable when he’s here, that steady sharp gaze seems to devour this scene, the polite greetings as though he’s walking into a business meeting and not seeing his own flesh and blood. Everyone sits, including Sylvana, and there is an almost fake politeness in the atmosphere as quiet chatter and light idle conversation begins.

I glare at Marissa as we’re served. This is a family dinner and she’s been allowed to join in. Sylvana is trying to bring her into the fold of the family to send Jake a clear message. She wants him to fix this and ensure her grandchild is not kept from her. She wants Marissa to feel like she’s a part of this, and belongs here too, so in the future she will want to bring her child here.

My heart plummets at just how much I hate her presence in this home with these people who are supposed to be my family one day. The realization that this is how it’s going to be, that this isn’t just about her, Jake, and I, but it’s about all of us and what these people will be in her child’s life. That tug of emotion rises, hitting me hard, swallowing down the pain that threatens to consume me suddenly.

Jake slides his hand over mine and pulls it to his mouth kissing my knuckles, softly, pulling me toward him a little. He bridges the gap and pecks me softly on the cheek whispering “I love you” as he pulls back. He senses the change in me, senses that I’m feeling emotional, and like always, he’s there to ground me. I can’t help but smile at him adoringly. Green eyes locking onto mine, so many messages translating in one tender look. My heart rising a little that I have him and she never will, not in the way she wants him.

I catch Marissa watching us with a glare of sheer hatred in her eye as the death grip on the fork she’s holding turns her knuckles white. It only strengthens that inner feeling of triumph and I smile toward her almost salaciously.