The Carrero Effect - Falling for the Boss (Billionaire CEO) novel Chapter 8

“Sorry Mr. Ca … Jake … I didn’t see you there … Is there something I can do for you?” my voice is all over the place in my floundering panic. Heart thundering through my chest at a rate of knots as I dissolve into bumbling incompetence.

How did I not realize that my boss is hovering by my desk?

I’m supposed to be constantly aware and attentive to his every demand; this is such a faux pas on my part. I’m on my feet trying to plaster on my most friendly and efficient smile. I’m breathless. It’s the fright he gave me; I’m flustered and trying to recover quickly. Body trembling with the shock I gave myself noticing his presence.

“Emma …” He too seems at a loss for words, looking at me peculiarly. An uneasiness to his expression.

“I was coming to give you these … You look different!” His face is unreadable. I can’t even say what it is … I remember my hair’s down and flush because I’m not prepared; overwhelmingly vulnerable and I falter.

“It won’t happen again. I took a shower at lunch, because of the heat from earlier.” I need to reel myself in and claw back cool and controlled Emma. I’m babbling. I try a steadying breath to stop myself looking like a complete idiot.

“You look …” his green eyes are piercing through me and it’s sheer agony. All my little insecurities peeking up in one fell swoop.

“Untidy? It’s not how I would normally come to work.” I’m rambling, and I’m fidgeting like crazy, unable to just regain control.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

This is not me!

Don’t fall to pieces, Emma, not now … Please. Get a grip and pull yourself together.

I know it’s because he startled me; because I feel undressed, and I’m at a loss because I am out of my comfort zone, and he’s acting … strange. My breathing is labored and I’m trying to steady it without making it too obvious and doing a terrible job.

“I was going to say …” he clears his throat trailing off verbally and looks down at the papers, changing his direction of conversation probably because I’m making him uneasy.

Great job!

“So, here, I need these copied, emailed, filed … I’m sure you know the drill.” He glances up and away again, as though he isn’t comfortable making eye contact right now.

I do, yes. I do, of course I do. I don’t need direction. I need a focus.

I reach out taking them from him in haste, stopping myself from grabbing like a mad woman.

“Yes, sir.”

“Emma … You look nice,” he injects softly, glancing at me only to make the remark and then back at his cell, which is now in his hand. I ignore the strange look of apprehension on his face and the tingles inside me ignite with ferocity. Shifting nervously, I try to steady my hands on the folder. This escalated quickly and I’m so angry with myself. I’ve literally just lost my cool and capable persona in milliseconds all because of my stupid hair. I plaster on my cool expression and smile tightly to reel it all under wraps.

“Thank you, Mr. Carrero.” It’s out of my mouth before I realize I didn’t call him Jake and it’s yet another reason to silently groan.

Try and regain composure. Years of control, Emma, and you go to mush in seconds.