The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 250

I walk up to him and slide my hand into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet effortlessly, and flip it open. He narrows his eyes watching as I slide out his sexy black credit card without attempting to stop me and wave it in front of him.

“If I’m not allowed to pack or take anything to wear then I’ll just buy what I need and that’ll resolve that little issue.” I tease with a naughty smug smile. Jake takes hold of my wrist with one hand and yanks the card out of my hand with the other, throwing that behind him on top of the scattered case too. His expression completely serious and I can’t help but burst into giggles. He still has my wrist in his hand and it’s obvious he’s not about to let go.

“You’re impossible.” I poke him in the chest accusingly but can’t stop the giggling.

“That’s why you love me and that’s why I’ll cancel my fucking trip and stay right here if you keep this up.” He moves toward me menacingly, and I spring back, yanking my hand free and wave my hips at him playfully, goading him childishly. His mood is simmering but that twinkle in his eye hints at a desire to stop arguing and do something far more fun; that never-ending heat between us always is never far away nowadays.

There’s a small knock on the open bedroom door and Mathews appears, graciously clearing his throat to alert us of his presence.

“Mr. Carrero, Mr. Hunter is here to see you.” He nods and then waits for Jake’s response. Jake looks immediately irritated, and sighs, resigning himself to the fact that this is going nowhere.

“Show him to the lounge I’ll be there in a minute.” Jake smiles and Mathews turns and leaves us to it. Jake goes to walk forward, then stops and glances over his shoulder at the case on the floor, his eyes narrow suspiciously as he knows I’ll just pick it up and keep packing as soon as he leaves.

He stalks toward me in two easy strides and without warning bends down to flip me over his shoulder with a sharp smack to my ass and a squeal, as he marches both of us through to the next room with determination. He thinks that if I’m with him then I can’t disobey him.

Asshole.

“Jake put me down.” I protest, squirming on his wide shoulders helplessly in his vice-like grip, and he only sets me on my feet when we’re beside the long low white leather couch. Daniel is sitting far too rigidly on the far end not even looking our way but studying his own hands. Jake catches my wrists and pulls me onto his lap as he sits down, catching me so I don’t fall, nestling me into his embrace. It seems I’m to be his prisoner in case I go defy him and pack my case.

What am I going to do with him?

Seriously!

“What’s up, Danny? You look a little stressed.” Jake turns his steely face to Hunter. I struggle to get free but realize it’s futile, Jake’s grip is like that of a man on a mission to keep me here. I might as well give in for the time being and see what’s going on with Daniel Forlorn-Looking Hunter. I must admit I am a little nosey seeing as he looks rather … well sad.

I wrap my arms around Jake’s neck and curl my legs up on his lap. His arms are loose around me and I turn glancing at Daniel. Jake is right about him looking stressed, the boy is sitting straighter than a poker-set, and those blue eyes, normally so calm and cheeky, are a little red-rimmed. His usually slightly ruffled hair is too flat and unkempt.

“I need your words of wisdom.” He runs fingers through his hair in agitation and I notice his shirt is more than a little rumpled. His face isn’t its usual clean-shaven self either, he’s sporting Jake’s designer stubble and on Hunter it looks odd. He’s too blonde to pull it off.

“Leila?” Jake asks with his sharp instincts and I immediately zone all attention on Hunter again. I have learned from watching Jake that only woman issues could make a man go to hell like this.

“She’s dumped me.” He sits back, flopping dejectedly, and slides his feet out wide, sighing heavily, bringing his gaze to the ceiling as though he’s going to find some divine wisdom up there.

“Why?” I ask, slowly and deliberately, with a hint of edge in my tone. My body bristling in Jake’s embrace as he slides his hands down to my ass, pulling me in a little closer to get comfy.

I’ll kill him if he’s hurt her again.

“She’s bat shit crazy! That’s why! Jealous as fucking hell and nothing I said to her helped one bit. We had a fight over some stupid chick who came up to me in a club two nights ago, and Leila flipped the fuck out.” He sounds exhausted and all hints of smug Hunter are gone.

“Please tell me you haven’t done anything, Danny?” Jake slides me off his lap onto the couch next to him, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees toward Daniel. It seems I’m no longer a flight risk now that his friend is genuinely in need, but I stay put anyway.

“No. I’m not stupid, Jake. The girl was someone I hadn’t seen in a long time. She tried to get me to dance and I told her to beat it. Leila just saw red.” He sighs again. “I’m trying so fucking hard, Jake, trying to see her as often as I can, trying to show her that I’m not dating anyone else and seeing my shrink every week despite the undying urge to take off at a hundred miles an hour. It doesn’t mean I’m not struggling with all of this relationship shit but I’m doing it for her.” Daniel slides forward to mirror Jake’s pose so they’re closer together.

“But what exactly happened?” I pull a fluffy cushion onto my lap and start stroking it as I stare at the poor guy’s tight expression and tortured eyes. I can’t help but feel a little sorry for him. He truly looks miserable and I know only too well how that can feel.