The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 239

Sylvana snaps around at his approach, guiltily, and immediately jumps up to meet him. She’s saying something under her breath, fixing his bow tie and jacket hurriedly. His hands go to his hair to calm it down, suggesting she’s pointed out that he looks a little less groomed than before, and I can’t help but watch the expression on his face, as he does what he’s told to, with zero argument. He’s completely out of his depth and nothing at all like the Jake Carrero I know and love. His eyes are raking in the faces of the people around the room, as though taking some sort of mental checklist.

My stomach tightens and my hands get clammy again. His behavior is all I need to see to know I’m right about what he has planned. Only one thing could make Jake this scared out of his mind that even his appearance is something he’s oblivious of.

Fuck. He’s really going to do this, isn’t he? He’s going to do this, and they all know! It’s why They’re all here and why she’s fussing over his clothes. It’s not that I don’t want it, it’s just so public and so … Oh my God! It hits me suddenly … Fireworks and a floor show!

His words. His promise. He really is going to do this after all. Tonight. Here!

My insides lurch up in a terrifying need to throw up. I stare down at my cold trembling, clammy hands, and take steady breaths, long, low and calm. Deliberately holding them longer and counting it out.

I won’t run. I won’t freak. I can do this. I have hurt him so many times and it always ended up hurting me as well. I need to relax and trust him on this, go with the flow just like he would. Don’t ruin something so obviously special.

I glance up as he moves to me, catching his eyes instantly, and somehow that small contact changes his demeanor. He grounds me the way he always seems to. Those endless eyes and his handsome face bringing me out of my own head. I seem to be calming him too and he’s returning the favor, if we keep looking at one another then maybe I can get through this without turning into a crazy loon who high tails it out of the door in a ridiculously long dress.

I love him, he’s all I need. His heart is just as fragile as mine, don’t bruise it, Emma.

“Dance with me?” he asks, holding out a trembling hand as he gets to my side. I take one last steadying breath to push it all down as far as I can and try to find my inner bravery. I smile up at him, adoringly, and brace for what is about to happen, resigning to let him take the lead.

You won’t fuck this up, Emma.

He moves against me on the dance floor as the orchestra plays a smooth ballad, soft and romantic, and others join us on the floor. His eyes on mine and even though he’s smiling I can feel his heart beating at a hundred miles an hour through his chest. Jake is nervous and he’s making me even more so. The tension radiating from him is alarming. Even locking eyes is starting to fail, as his inner emotions start to get the better of him, and suddenly I don’t want to let him fall apart. I want to calm him down, so he can do this for us.

“I love you.” I smile at him and lay my head against his chest trying to soothe him without giving the game away. Hoping that I radiate some needed reassurance that I’m here with him, that I’m not running, and that there is no doubt about my answer. I always knew what my answer would be, from the moment I figured this out. It was never about saying no to him because I know I never would.

“I love you, baby … maybe too much.” He smiles at me, and this time as I tilt my face back up to him, I can see it’s genuine. I notice a small squaring of his jaw reminding me that he’s still coiled up like a spring about to erupt.

I catch sight of the outer patio doors in the grand room being opened by waiting staff and lift my head to look, slightly confused. It’s not an overly warm night and it’s not nearly warm enough to open every door wide this way.

Jake takes a loud breath slowly, so close to my ear, and I face back up at him, questioningly. He blows it out over the top of my head and avoids my gaze. His body is hitting an all-time tension high and my heart starts hammering again knowing that it’s close.

Breathe … Don’t freak out.

His eyes are focused on the orchestra and he’s so tense he’s almost rigid. Our dancing has slowed to a partial halt and the couples around us seem to be moving away as though they’ve been given some signal that they should do so. I’m not sure that I like the fact we seem to be in the center of the room with a widening gap happening all around us, so very public, among a sea of faces. I just need to keep reminding myself of whose strong arms are around me, that he will always keep me safe. I stare up at that handsome face to ground myself once more.