The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 54

I’m leaning against the rail near the front of the boat, absent-mindedly watching the gentle waves, aware of his presence as soon as he comes close. It’s that warm tingling feeling whenever he’s around, an aura of safety and familiarity, and even a couple of feet away, my skin prickles at his proximity.

“Here.” He hands me a bottle of cold, flavored water, with a smile, his eyes shielded from view by his Ray Bans.

“Thanks.” I open it and take a long drink. I didn’t realize how parched I was, maybe a little too heated with his topless body so close.

“You look nice.” He appraises me through tinted lenses, and I wait for the sexual banter or joking come-ons, but it doesn’t happen. I noticed since our arrival that flirty, always giving me the charm, Jake, has relaxed back. He’s being respectful.

“Thanks.” My cheeks warm. He’s skimming my swimsuit, appraising me with his eyes and I turn away, so he doesn’t see how awkward it’s making me. Bikini wearing is a new sensation, I have to acclimatize to it. I also don’t want to stare at his expanse of naked torso, it’s an understatement to say he looks hotter than hot. Up close it’s hard not to admire what being a fitness freak has done to that chiseled body.

“We’re going to the shore tonight for dinner … You want to come?” He’s looking across the calm water now. Stretching out, sparkling peacefully, and distracting him.

“Sure.” I smile back at him. I shield my eyes from the sun and he automatically swipes his sunglasses from his face to mine, sending a little shimmer of warmth through me, like it always does. My attentive Jake. I can’t help but beam at him. I feel like I’m always doing that nowadays.

“I really should carry a pair of these.” I laugh, but he just shrugs it off.

“They look better on you than they do on me. Your cuteness just goes with my shades.” He winks cutely.

That’s doubtful, he has a knack for buying things that just increase the level of sexiness he exudes.

“Where are we going for dinner?” I try to direct conversation away from staring at his face, his shoulders, his rippling chest, his carved abdomen …

Oh lord.

“Some little seafood place Marissa knows.”

“I want to get my hair cut while we’re here … Do you think there are any hairdressers on the mainland?” I regret asking as he turns toward the topless women, sunning themselves on towels, two of them watching him studiously.

“Leila will know … She comes here a lot.” He nods toward the only one wearing a bikini. I resist the urge to ask him if he’s slept with any of the three women, but I know it’s probably inevitable. I know how these rich men pass around their beauties between them, like some sort of guy’s club; the women only too eager to please.

I notice Marissa watching him coolly, a strange expression on her face. He catches her eye, his jaw flexes and turns away quickly; a sudden sharp pain in my chest pushes me to ask before thinking through my impulsive observation.

“You know Marissa well?” I blink toward him and he pauses for a second. So does my heart rate.

“Once.” There’s a coolness to his voice and he stares off toward the distant horizon; it sends trepidation through me. This is a side to him that mystifies me; when he clams up and doesn’t speak. It doesn’t happen often, but it makes me anxious as he’s usually always so forthcoming. Jake never has weirdness over women he used to date either, normally they know they will always be temporary and most stay friendly after. I glance at her again, watching her biting on her lip and staring at his powerful body lustfully.

I hate her already.

“Want to come for a swim with me?” his voice slices through my wandering thoughts, visions of him and her passionately entangled as I stab her in the head.

Stop it, Emma! What the hell?