The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 65

What the hell? Where did that come from?

“Being closed out.” He has a hint of humor in his eye, but I know he’s being serious, sardonic, and not in a friendly way. I frown at him and go back to my sight-seeing, confused at his manner. Trying hard not to rise to it and inwardly churning up with anxiety.

“What does it take, Emma?” That edgy tone in his voice betrays a bad mood looming up.

Why today?

I curse inwardly. Jake’s negatives moods are the worst thing ever; maybe he’s hungover and obviously still tired. He shifts gear as we round a rather craggy coastal road; his focus on the road, his brows furrowed, and a tightness to his jaw that screams of tension.

“Jake, please … What are you talking about?” I squirm in my seat and adjust my clothes to distract the awkwardness in my pose.

How have I closed him out? He’s seen more of me, knows more of me, than anyone on the planet, does he not see that?

“You’re not even going to mention last night? Is that another conversation over?” he snaps this time and I bristle.

“You didn’t mention it either.” I spit, a little too aggressively. Riled by the up by this attack; it’s like he’s getting his period.

“I was waiting to see if you would.” Eyes cool green and face tense, he’s in difficult and stubborn mode.

Great!

“Why?” I snap, but he just shrugs again.

Oh my god.

He can be so infuriating. I think he’s still exhausted for sure, and he’s being crabby as hell. I don’t want to fight, I want to go back to playful, fun Jake. This is not the little outing I was expecting.

“Jake … It shouldn’t have happened; we crossed a line.” I plead, trying to make him see sense, trying to stop this fiery conversation and get back to something lighter.

“And there she is! Right back to square one.” The sarcasm thick in his tone. His body stiffening in his seat.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I turn to him angrily.

“Anytime you get close, Emma, even a hint of letting go, you snap right back in and shut the door. No conversation. No acknowledgment of it, just wham. Over!” He barks at me, all hope of not fighting out the window and my emotions tank.

“What?” I hiss with a sardonic laugh. “Because I won’t sleep with my boss? I’m not letting myself go? That’s being closed off?” I turn away, anger flaming my face, completely furious now.

Fuck you, Carrero. Why is it always about sex with him?

“I don’t think there was any doubt about it last night … It’s not the issue … It’s the afterwards, Emma.” His voice is laced with venom, anger seething from every pore, his body tense. I stay silent, anger prickling my scalp. I’m as wound up as him now.

“I was drunk … being stupid, anyone can make a mistake.” I huff.

Stop being an asshole and ruining this.

I shift in my seat to turn away from him, trying to fully face out of the side window. I’m thrust forward as he slams on the brakes and we screech to a halt, kicking up dust and stone around the car, throwing everything loose toward the front with a violent clatter.

What the hell?