The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 78

“Is that the direction we’re taking now … squabbling over your driving accomplishments?” I pout, crossing my hands in my lap and sighing deeply. He wrinkles his forehead at me and looks out over the aisle at the empty seats, shifting in his chair for the second time.

“I left because if I didn’t, it was going to go one of two ways … either I ended up fucking you or strangling you.”

I’m rendered gob smacked. There’s no other word for it. He just put it right out there so bluntly.

I’m sure I should read my contract under the section about appropriate conversation topics with your boss, and maybe check the sexual harassment clauses.

He flicks over my burning face, accepting my silence.

“It’s clear that parts of our relationship sometimes blur the lines … We work closely, we live in each other’s pockets, and sometimes I forget that you are my PA above everything else.”

“What exactly do you confuse me with?” I snort because that would be nice to know. I kind of need a definition.

What else would you call what I do?

He throws me a pained and disdainful look.

“You’re younger than any assistant I’ve ever had; we get on, and we’re friends … I forget sometimes that I need to act a certain way with you.” He goes back to staring at the side of my face and I resist the urge to meet his gaze.

“So, you never kissed any of your other PAs?” I sulk. Margo flashes across my mind and I immediately shake it away with disgust. My stomach is already in my throat.

Eeww, she’s like a mom to him.

“No, Emma, I haven’t. Before Margo took over full time for me, I went through a few assistants and they never lasted any more than a couple of months. I’ve tried male and female assistants and I lacked interest, and trust, in all of them.”

“I see.” News to me, but okay…

“Working the way we do, requires both …and being this close means, sometimes I forget there would be consequences in trying to screw you.” He’s still watching me closely; I’m dying under his scrutiny and the blatant way he’s talking about sex between us. I think I’m also upset by the fact he’s making it pretty clear it would only be that … Nothing deeper! I forget that sex for him doesn’t carry consequences, maybe that’s the issue. He’s too used to meaningless sex and has to remind himself that he would still have to work with me after. While I’m too hung up on what sex with him would do to my heart afterwards and unable to work with him at all.

“So, the red head?” I ask, smarting at this conversation.

“What about her?”

“She’s the one you ran off with for a week?” I’m back to sulking Emma. Half pouting. Heart twisting in my chest, broken inside. He just frowns at me and shakes his head.

“No … I picked her up before I flew home.” He avoids my eyes this time and I swear I catch a moment of shame.

Nice … Picked her up … like you pick up a quart of milk on the way home from work, at your own convenience.

“Back on form then?” I spit, the temper returning at the way I’ve maneuvered the topic. I’m such an idiot.

“Completely.” I sense the coolness return to his voice too, he’s reacting to my anger and my snippiness.

“Got to the root of the issue?” I ask sardonically.

Try and keep calm, Emma.

I scold myself inwardly for this argument.

“Yes … Isn’t an issue anymore.” He grunts. I swallow hard, so close to crying and paste a smile on my face instead.

“Good … Can’t have you incapable and suffering now, can we? Carrero losing his edge is worse than death for you right?” I smile curtly with the most fake smile I’ve ever given. He regards me icily and hands me back my champagne. “Maybe we should clink to that,” I add drily, hating him in this moment and unable to stop the internal distress.