The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 76

“No, sir, Nora said she skipped dinner and went straight to bed.” It feels weird listening to people talking about me in that way. As if I’m a broken child and not really here.

“That’s all … Thank you.” He dismisses him and I slide back along the hall to my room to stand by the door; my room is at the opposite end of the apartment to his, he won’t come here so I’m sure I’m safe. I lean my head back against the cool surface and close my eyes. I want to wrap myself around him and forget everything but the feel of him, close out everything else including the red head. I remember how that feels. I need it more than I ever imagined I would; I miss his touch and even while he’s close, I feel alone still.

“Emma?” Jake’s voice is alarmingly near. I snap up and catch sight of him standing a few feet away.

Shit.

He never ventures down here.

“Uhuh” I answer nervously, my heart pounding from the fright at being caught like this and overcome with awkwardness.

“I came to see if you were still asleep … Why are you standing there?” There’s only normal Jake in his voice. Jake my friend. As though the past week hasn’t happened.

“I wasn’t sure if I wanted to come through or not.”

So, I’m Miss. Honesty now, am I?

I’m too drained to pretend.

“How are you feeling?” he coaxes gently, coming to stand only two feet from me. His closeness making me antsy and we both seem uneasy. My nerves rising up, now that he is really here and appraising at me.

“Detached,” I utter shyly; he frowns, evident even in the shadowy hall and I glance away and sigh. This is harder than I thought it could ever be.

“You look tired … Go back to bed.”

“I’ve slept enough. I can’t sleep anymore.” I sound drained and empty; I pull my hair across my cheek and twirl it absent-mindedly, the soft touch on my skin comforting me. Partly trying to conceal my nervousness, now he’s here.

“I was worried about you, Miele.” He moves closer, narrows his eyes, and gently tugs my hand from my hair, keeping his fingers wrapped around my closed fist and pulls it down between us to hold. His skin on mine is like coming home. It breaks my heart. He has no idea that he can do this to me.

“You would have been impressed … I think I left a permanent handprint on his face.” I smirk quietly, covering the way his touch makes me weaken, sobering my melancholy.

“How’s your hand?” he turns it over in his grasp, using his other to flatten my fingers open while he examines it, seeing nothing there. His thumb crosses the skin of my palm lightly, achingly gentle. His touch like a balm.

“Sore.”

He glances up at me. It does throb still. A burning reminder, yet there are no marks.

“Do you want painkillers?”

“Not that sore.” I attempt a smile and chew on my lip.

“Do you want to talk about it?” his brows narrow, a small, encouraging smile tugging his mouth.

“Not really. I just want to forget.” I let out a slow sigh and shrug it off hinting that he shouldn’t push.

“Do you want a hug?” his eyes never leave mine. I dart up, startled at his question and flush shyly; I shrug awkwardly, amazed that he would even offer, after everything; days of being that way toward me and yet here he is. As though nothing has happened.

He pulls me by my wrist and wraps me in his arms solidly, molding me to him. He rests his lips against my temple as I sag into him. This feels too good, but this is what I need, this is what I’ve missed. I snake my arms around his waist, fully enveloped in one of the best hugs I’ve ever felt in my life. I could stay this way forever, inhaling him, his warmth around me like a security blanket. It just makes all the anger, pain, and chaos drift away like a dream. Forgotten.

We both exhale heavily, releasing the tension fully.

“I hate fighting with you, Emma.” He croons into my hair, and the tug of tears come back.

Oh, no you don’t! No more, I’m done with all that. I’ve poured enough emotion out this week and I don’t think I can handle anymore tonight.

I mentally shake myself to pull it together.

“I hate it too.” I nuzzle into him as he tightens around me reassuringly. Inhaling him slowly.