The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 243

Jake holds the keys out in front of me, swinging his hand just out of reach like a torturous plaything and I lean up to swipe them. He lifts them higher and hits my mouth with a kiss when I try for a second time. He has a happy playful smirk on his face and his sexy stubbly jaw looks very delicious this morning to match his very good mood.

“Stop tormenting me and open the damn door.” I giggle, and step back, folding my arms across my chest in a no-nonsense Carrero pose. I try to appear authoritative, but he just frowns and tweaks my nose in the most annoying way.

“Ask me nicely.” He grins and lifts them higher above his head with a wicked look in his eye. He’s been like this since he got up and I’m enjoying the return of playful Jake. It’s been almost non-existent lately and I can only sigh at him.

“Please, Jake … loving, gorgeous, beautiful man of mine. Can I have the keys to our new home? Thank you very much!” I pout at him with a sickly-sweet voice, oozing sarcasm. My hands on his magnificent chest, imploringly, in a very sexy black sweater.

“Nope.” He turns in front of me walking toward the front door we’ve been standing a few feet from and I scowl, viciously, jokingly at his back.

Asshole.

He wants me to beg. He seems to get a kick out of it lately, torturing me over these last few days, some sort of sexual gratitude. Not that I mind. Jake in fun and playful mode is almost as good as Jake in sex mode.

OK not even a close almost.

I walk up behind him sliding my hands into the butt pockets of his jeans as he unlocks the door. My hands flat against his pert ass, enjoying the way I can grope every movement of his body. It makes me ache for him more and my temperature climbs as my eyes devour that muscular set of shoulders straining under his black smooth knitted sweater.

He opens the door and pulls me in with him, pressing numbers into a keypad on the wall beside the door, shutting off the infernal beeping that started the second the door opened. I gaze around the grand entrance at the white marble floor and sweeping staircase almost a mirror image to the Carrero house next door with a surge of complete excitement.

This is ours. Jake and I have a home together, a new start. We really are home.

He reaches behind and pulls my hands out of his pockets turning to face me, bending down to scoop me up in his arms. I squeal with the sudden motion and I’m met with a full-on passionate kiss. Tongues, teeth, and smiles.

“Get a room.” Leila’s voice cuts into our intense meeting of mouths and I lift my head as she lazily saunters in. Jake told her we were getting the keys today and she assured him she was coming over as soon as, to get first dibs on a guest room. Her timing is impeccable.

“I thought that’s what we were here to do?” Daniel walks in behind her and I can’t help but throw her a smile with raised eyebrows. He goes to place a hand on her shoulder, and she pulls away, throwing him a defiant little look, met with a sigh from Hunter.

Still torturing the boy then. Oh, Leila give him a break, even a little one. He’s really trying.

Jake told me that Leila has been making life as difficult for Hunter as possible since our engagement party. At least he’s clinging on, so far anyway. He just needs to break through her wall of hostility and prove himself worthy to her. She has so much to guard considering their past history.

“Go ahead. I’m taking Emma on a tour to refresh our memories.” Jake smiles at Daniel encouragingly, and we watch as he wanders off after his little hell-cat, trying to get a hold of her, being met with little slaps on the hand each time and quiet, I don’t think so’s. It’s obvious that Leila has no intention of letting Daniel in just yet and it amazes me that he’s following her around so tolerantly.

“What’s going on with them?” I ask.

“A lot of angry sex and Leila trying like hell to push him away … That girl is hell bent on making him hurt her because it’s what she’s expecting.” He shrugs and carries me toward the large downstairs formal lounge, sliding me to my feet when we walk into the huge blank room. All the furniture is gone, despite the owners leaving some included in the sale. Jake wanted us to start from scratch and choose everything together.

“And Daniel?” I look back through the door, but they’ve disappeared.

“Has been well and truly forewarned that he only gets one shot at this. Honestly, I think he kinda likes her behavior, he’s always been a warped kind of guy.” Jake grins and I can’t tell if he’s joking or being serious. I try not to wonder too much. I know one thing for sure … Hunter needs to play this right because Leila is done with being hurt by him; there will be no second chance this time. She wants him to prove he has what it takes to be with her, and she’s going to put him through a lot worse before he gets past that wall. I just hope he has what it takes to persevere.

I turn my attention back to the room as Jake wanders off to pull the drapes wide open, letting the sunshine in and dazzling me momentarily.