The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 318

“I’m waiting on it, Emma.” His voice was low and pained, hating himself for his tone and acting this way after the way he had just kissed her. He was an emotional mess and had been for months. He just couldn’t bear any of this anymore, and he needed her to just say it.

“On what?” She sounded young and vulnerable, doe-eyed, and meek. He wanted to punch himself in the face for his sudden change toward her, but he couldn’t help it. Part of him was back peddling and getting ready for another scene that left him here and Emma walking away, preparing for another stab in the heart.

“The door to hit me in the face again; another reason you think we shouldn’t be together.” He said it sardonically, his tone flat as though already resigned that this was too good to be true. He felt the overwhelming fear rising up his spine, knowing from experience that her kissing him back meant nothing.

Emma shook her head, her face softening and lifted her fingers to trace the shape of his lips. The touch sending a tingling sensation right through his very soul, catching her hand to press it to his face and commit this moment to memory in case it was the last. Emma smiled at him.

“I’m not going to do that, Jake. I won’t push you away again.”

Jake felt the inner pain and dread loosen a little, watched the way Emma remained calm and continued to gaze up at him with unveiled adoration. This really was different for her this time. His tense muscles relaxed as a warm realization hit him, he really had her after all. She wasn’t running or closing down, she wasn’t even pushing him away. Still in his arms and touching him freely.

“I love you … I think I’ve been in love with you for a very long time.” Jake let it out, like a wave of relief, something that had been on his lips for what felt like an eternity and had never had the courage to say to her. Smiling at the release and suddenly not feeling so scared anymore. Emma, however, burst into an instant mess of unexpected tears that shocked him.

Jake pulled her against his chest, confused and a little unsure how he was meant to take that at all. All he could do was hold her, stroke her hair and pray to God she was “happy” crying. Hoping that’s what women did anyway.

“I … I …” she stammered and then got even more emotional, falling to pieces in his arms and gripping onto him tightly as flood gates of tears and sobbing opened up. All he could do was cling right back on and bury his face in her hair helplessly. His heart upping a beat and fear coming back to gnaw at his insides. Emma wasn’t much of a crier and whenever she did he hated it, made him feel pretty much like it did now, as though his insides were being twisted out in the most excruciating way.

“Don’t cry, bambino … Please, Emma … I didn’t think telling you I loved you would cause this,” he said hoarsely, tensing his arms around her and just trying so hard to mold every line and curve to him while supporting her. “Say something.”

Anything, please … Tell me you want this.

“I … love … you.” It came from her so breathily between sniffs, Jake immediately exhaling complete relief and suddenly aware he had been holding his breath. His body went into instant warm and fuzzy overdrive and for once in his life understood all that girly mushy crap about butterflies and inner tingles. The overwhelming euphoria of three little words from the only person who truly mattered changed everything in that one moment.

Jake lifted her chin gently, unable to stop the goofy happy smile breaking across his face and kissed her softly. He could do this for an eternity and never tire of how good she felt. How kissing her seemed to make the world stop turning and everything make sense. He could kiss Emma every second of every day for a lifetime and know it would always feel this good.

His gentle meeting of the lips set her off again into another flood of hormonal tears, only this time Jake didn’t crumble into insecurity, he smiled instead and watched her with a small shake of the head.