L.T. Marshall's Blog, page 56
February 7, 2017
Part 3 - Chapter 13, book 1 - Jakes view
Lovers of my book The Carrero Effect book 1 will love this brand new alternate chapter.This is chapter 13, part 3 (more to follow) re-written from Jake Carrero's perspective as per requested by you, the lovely fans.Please note there is swearing and sexual references and this is not suitable for those under 18 years of age.
Read at your own risk!!
The holiday- Part 3 ( Chapter 13, book 1)
Back at the boat Jake headed to his room and pulled off his t-shirt, while Emma was on shore he was going to kick back, swim some and spend some time with Danny and the twins getting a beer and catching up. He knew that Marissa and Miracle were late sleepers unlike Emma and Leila and wouldn't show face for a while this early in the day. He hated lazy women who partied late and then lounged all day with nothing else in their lives. Emma had more get up and go than that, even hungover in the past she still dragged her ass to work and she rarely complained, he could never imagine someone like her ever being happy with the lifestyle Marissa was effortless at. Spoiled rich bitch with nothing to do all day except work on a tan.
He made his way to the deck and found Daniel already on a lounger topless with a beer in hand and the twins splashing around in the ocean trying to drown one another. Jake moved to the next lounger and sat down heavily, Hunter automatically grabbing a beer from the cooler beside him and tossing it to Jake. He opened it and downed half. Drinking in the sun was pretty dumb but he had done it for years and never affected him like it used too.
'So, the little women off to abuse your accounts?' Daniel smirked his way and he just nodded his head at him.
'Probably.' He shrugged and sat back, easing his body onto the padded bed and lifting his legs, kicking his trainers off the side. Leila would definitely encourage Emma to abuse his credit card and he hoped she would.
'What's the deal with you and her? Don't give me that friends bullshit line again man.... It's pretty obvious she's under your skin.' Daniel lifted his shades and looked at Jake pointedly, scrutinizing his face with that intense Hunter glare.
'I'll be fucked if I know. As much as I tell myself I have a handle on this...... I don't.' He sighed. He had never lied to Danny, in all the years they had been friends, brutal honesty was always their thing and he knew he could trust him to never breathe a word to anyone else. Hunter was a lot of things but a loyal tried and tested best mate above all. Surprisingly wise when he saw fit and not against love despite his own aversion to it.
'Being honest here mate...I've never seen you this way over any chick, what's so god damn special about this one?' Daniel frowned his way, genuine curiosity across his face.
'Everything...Nothing....Fuck knows. She's her. I can't pinpoint it, just from the minute she walked into my office I wasn't me...No control, zero ability to function properly and the longer I know her the worse it is.' Jake was stressed talking about this, he had never analyzed it to this extent.
'There must be something specific?' Daniel was maneuvering his position to stare at Jake more fully, going in for the shrinks approach.
'Which specific thing do I pick...How she looks? How she is? How she makes me feel?... She's Emma, she's not got anything about her that's not great. Except maybe the not wanting me part.' Jake hunched his shoulders and scrubbed a hand down his face.
'Maybe that's it...Maybe because she is probably the first woman in the history of Carrero to actually not want to jump your bones?' Daniel said smugly and Jake considered it for a moment.
'I genuinely used to tell myself that exact thing.' He sighed.
'You're suffering from some sort of bruised ego man, chick turned you down flat and doesn't want the great Carrero boner. It's reverse psychology or some shit. If she was all over you then maybe you wouldn't be interested.' Daniel grinned but Jake knew this was wrong, as much as he wanted to tell himself Daniel could have a point, maybe in the beginning but not now. He knew that having her once wouldn't take away this need. If he was right he would want a one night stand and he didn't. He wanted something meaningful with her.
'I wish you were right.' He grimaced, at least Daniels idea had some sort of resolution.
'It's a crush, something you don't ever get... You obviously think she's beyond hot and you're picky ass self doesn't normally find that in a girl.' Daniel shrugged.
'She's beautiful. Perfect even.' Jake shrugged this time, he meant every word.
'Okay bit strong on that front, she's cute, I'll give you that but she's not really like mind blowing beautiful.' Daniel waved an airy hand his way and Jake instantly growled back.
Daniel had to be kidding right now.
'Are you blind?' Jake was defensive.
'Come on? I mean she's hot I get it ....She's not Leila hot. Leila is my idea of a beautiful girl.' Daniel averted his eyes to the rail of the boat, evasive anytime his own emotions came into play.
'Don't even go there, you know that subject just pisses me off because you're an asshole.' Jake frowned a warning and the hostile change of tone rendered them both silent for a moment. Daniel finally shifted uncomfortably.
'You know maybe you just need to get laid, this isn't like you at all..... How long has it been? I'm sure your balls are probably blue by now and it would account for the moody arse nature.' He laughed and Jake just threw him an amused frown, Daniel was a dick.
'I lost count, it all became pretty mind numbingly painful after a week and now it seems like years.' He sighed and drunk more beer, pulling his shades down to cover his eyes when facing the sun this way.
'Just fuck someone and at least release some tension. Marissa is giving you the all hot and ready signs and as much as I'm against you going down that route again I am not against you abusing her body. It's still fucking fit.....Miracle wouldn't say no either and that chick takes it in every way. Her ass is pretty fine too.' Daniel laughed dirtily and Jake only sighed again. He wasn't in the mood for picturing sex right now, his body was barely holding on.
'I think not...On both accounts. I don't need to complicate this shit more than I am.' He sat up agitated, a stirring in his groin at the sex talk and for a moment contemplated heading down to Miracles room and seeing what she could do with her mouth. Emma's mouth came into his minds eye and he slumped back down in irritation.
For the love of god, she was infiltrating every part of his head nowadays.
'So fuck it, put the moves on her properly. This pussy shit you're doing is not the Carrero I know and love. You're wimping out big time over this chick. Just swoop in like you always do and get her naked and screaming in under five minutes.' Daniel hauled another beer out and threw a second to Jake, he caught it swiftly and propped it against his short covered hip.
'I can't...She's not like that. She doesn't do one night stands and then what?.... I still have to work with her.' Jake was starting to feel agitated, that tight ache in his lower stomach growing and he couldn't decide if it was irritation or something else. Most likely horn, he needed to fuck someone. Daniel was right on that front. He was a hot blooded guy with a high sex drive and he had never put himself into self-inflicted celibacy in his life.
'The way you're acting Jake I don't think one night would be your goal...You're totally pussy whipped over this chick and you know it. Suck it up and just go all in for her.' Daniel was smirking his way again and this time he needed a moment to just think. Daniel was right. He wouldn't be happy with a one time thing with her, he knew the second he had her he would want more. He knew it so painfully that it had stopped him ever trying. She didn't want this and to be honest having her outright reject him would be agony.
He looked out over the water, the ripples on the surface from the twins and sighed.
'Unrequited........ That's a word I never thought I would ever hear myself using ...Especially in terms of it being me on the painful side.' He smarted and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb, avoiding Daniels eyes.
'Jesus man, what girl could resist you? You're a handsome fuck and way too sexy for most women to handle. Have you ever just asked her?' Daniel sprayed beer his way and he snapped his face back, ready to beat him over the head with something in an instant anger spike.
'Fuck off wanker.' He wiped the spray off of his arm and contemplated chucking his unopened can at Hunters face as payback. Ruining that pretty smile would be entertaining.
'Seriously though?' Daniel smirked at him, a bit too obnoxiously.
'No...There's no point, I know her. She gives me nothing. No signals, no hints, no tiny mannerisms to even suggest she would be interested. Emma is completely immune to me in every way and it fucking sucks.' He put his can down and crossed his arms over his head to block out the light. He wasn't enjoying this conversation at all and Daniel seemed to be enjoying it a little too much.
'Then why the fuck are you celibate? She has no hold over you, she's not making you wait with any fly teasing or hints of more.....Fuck someone and end this misery.' Daniel leaned out and pushed him aggressively. He couldn't explain it, he was already so messed up over this. He just new that it was pointless. If he even got close to a woman that wasn't her he knew for a fact his dick would cease to cooperate, he had a mental block and until she got out of the way he was stuck this way.
'If I could I would!' He snapped back. 'Look man can we just drop this shit, I'm seriously not in the mood for this and it's ruining my calm.' He sulked, childish Carrero on play and he didn't give a shit right now. Hunter was used to all versions of him.
'Right...As your best mate , I'm doing you a favour. Stay put.' He kept his eyes closed and arms over his face and just ignored him. Whatever he was hatching Jake wasn't interested. He heard Daniel slide up and pace off towards the other end of the deck and sighed. Reaching over to Daniels lounger he picked up the Ipod left there and stuck the headphones in. When Hunter came back he was killing this conversation, it was pointless and going nowhere fast. Rehashing his feelings wasn't going to make a damn bit of difference. He switched on the playlist and was immediately blasted with Nickel-back, Hunters favourite band right now and went back to covering his face with his arms. He was tired from last nights late one, maybe a nap would put him in a better mood while she was away.
* * *
It felt like seconds later that in his darkness a warm moist sensation ran down his abdomen towards his shorts waist making his muscles tense in a really good way, in his dream like state he pictured Emma running her tongue down his body and smiled. He could picture her doing exactly that as it felt much like he would expect a small warm tongue to feel. Moving south the sensation twirled around his waist band and he squirmed sleepily.
God she was good with her tongue. He could picture her soft blue eyes looking up at him sexily and he was definitely getting hard with it.
His waist band was tugged slightly and he felt himself heating up with the dream, fucking her in his sleep was common but this was a new turn, never had he dreamed about her blowing him off and he sure as hell wasn't about to stop it. He was aware that his brain was trying to wake him up but he fought it to barely hold onto the pictures in his head. He didn't care if he had a wet dream lying here , she had given him plenty in the past months and Daniel sure as hell wouldn't laugh. All guys did it.
That hot warm mouth moved lower, pulling his shorts down enough to get the tip of him free and connected with a suction that almost made him come right then. Suddenly realizing that this was all a little too UnEmma and feeling a little too real had him sitting up with a start and blinking at his surroundings harshly. He looked down at the still warm sensation encircling his dick and scowled at the brunette with her face in his lap, shoving her away hard. He sent Miracle, who was fully naked sliding across the deck aggressively in a unceremonious fashion.
Fuck!.
'What the fuck are you doing?' He barked at her, pulling himself right and jumping to his feet. He felt dirty like he needed a shower all of a sudden. 'And put some fucking clothes on.' He snapped again, lifting the towel from Hunters lounger and throwing it at her, he saw the tears in her eyes. That look of complete shock and humility, not that he could blame her. Old Carrero would have been more than open to this little scenario only a couple of months ago. Hell he would have helped it along and took his shorts off and pulled her onto his lap impatiently.
God damn Daniel!
This was Hunters idea of helping him? Getting his porn star side kick to blow him off while he was asleep and judging by the nakedness she had intended climbing on top when he was turned on. The thought made him feel sick. If he hadn't woken up he would have fucked her, god if his sleep condition had kicked in he would definitely have done it and not exactly in a good way. Like that he was aggressive and fevered and had been known to screw like a caveman with zero control.
Did she even have a god damn condom with her? Or did she just assume climbing onto him bareback was fucking acceptable because she was a porn star who obviously used birth control?
The thought made his skin crawl, porn stars had never been his type. He liked his women with less air miles so to speak.
He wanted to lash out right now, find Hunter and beat him. He was so unbelievingly pissed off.
The girl just sat cowering at his obvious temper, clutching the towel across her breasts pointlessly, still as much on show at his unexpected reaction, he felt guilty and held out a hand to help her up when she just continued to stare at him.
'Look, I'm sorry Okay. Just don't do shit like that. If I wanted to fuck you then you sure as hell would know about it. I don't. I'm here with Emma.' She hesitated then let him pull her to her feet, using the towel a little more successfully and sniffing back a tear. Big doe eyes on show and his temper calming, girls were hard to be mad at when they did all that vulnerable shit.
'Daniel told me to surprise you, said once I started you would blow my mind.' She bit on her lip and he felt the rest of the anger dissipate at the childish mannerism that Emma had too.
'Daniels a prick. You can tell him I said so.' Jake clicked his neck to release the tension and waved her away. Hoping to god she would never try this crap again, he would need to sleep with one eye open or just sleep beside Emma anytime he needed a nap if Hunter was hell bent on curing his celibacy.
Wanker.
'Go, leave me to cool down and don't bring this up again okay?' He would be having some fucking stern words with Hunter, this shit was not on at all. He noticed how the sneaky bastard had never reappeared. With his woman up here he was probably screwing the other slut down below. Not that he cared. Marissa had more men than hot dinners in the last decade and Daniel would use and abuse her in any way he saw fit. The more degraded the better.
'Pussy.' Hunters voice carried from behind and he saw him rising up the ladder from the sea, asshole was swimming not screwing. Rare for him. Mind you, despite all his leering at Marissa he knew Daniel hated her with a passion, maybe enough to bypass sex.
'Fuck off....What the hell was that?' Jake moved at him angrily, temper reigniting at his presence and Daniel feigned a submissive position. Flapping hands like a woman.
'Please don't hit me big boy' He whimpered in a girly voice and fluttering lashes, kissy lips on top of it all.
Jesus why was this moron his friend?
'Prick.' Jake dove in, grappling Hunter around the waist and pulling him into a wrestle hold on the deck floor. Hunter was quick to fight back and soon both of them were knocking lumps out of each other and rolling around like idiots. Jake got Hunter with an elbow to the jaw, a muffled grunt before the twins appeared.
'Get a room pansies.' Vince smirked as he stalked by, dodging the leg that came out to kick him.
'Jealous much?' Daniel pouted from the head lock Jake had him in before Jake shoved him away and punched him in the shoulder a little forcefully. Asshole needed to learn some manners.
Daniel threw him a glare and tried to flick him in the face, Jake dodged easily with his lightening reflexes and jumped to his feet as Richard climbed the last rung onto the boat too.
'Lovebirds at it again?' Richard smirked at his twin and he nodded back. Two of them were like a double act, not a funny one though just a couple of assholes. Jake turned to Hunter with a frown.
'Don't ever pull that shit again.... If I wanted a blow job I would go down and demand one.' He fumed but both twins just broke into huge grins.
'What have we missed here? Hunter did you finally embrace your Jake love and try to give the man a BJ?' Vincent burst into hysterical laughter and Daniel only shook his head.
'Ha funny ha, fuck off....He turned down Miracle....Laugh it up dickheads.' Daniel stuck his fingers up at the pair lifting a towel from the bed and throwing it at them.
'Why would he want your cast-offs when he has that tight assed little thing looking all fuck me now wandering around? I would tap that ass over Miracle any day.' Vincent grinned but Jakes temper flared.
'Knock it off...Don't speak about her like that.' Jake was growling, full on fierce protector and he didn't want them talking about her like she was some piece of meat. He didn't want them even breathing her way, let alone thinking of touching her.
'Ahhhhh.... Jakes in lurve.' Richie threw a beer towards him and he caught it mid air. A grip that almost caused it to explode on impact.
'Jakes not fucking impressed with this conversation so can we just drop it.' He glared at both of them, opening his can and Hunter had the sense to wander off and collapse on a lounger, getting the bed damp with the water still clinging to him.
Jake was not in love...Okay maybe Jake could be in love but he shouldn't be because this was going nowhere and had heartbreak written all over it.
'What's she like in the sack?' Vincent threw a look his way and he only growled back in response. All tension returned, body prickling and ready to start boxing for real.
'Leave him alone, Can't you see he has zero sense of humor when it comes to Emma?' Daniel cut in and the warning look he was throwing off matched Jakes. He may be a twat and a half but Daniel didn't like anyone else giving his best mate a hard time. It was his job alone. Jake was relieved to see the twins take the warning, one thing about both of them was they respected Hunters word. Jake wasn't with the twins often enough anymore to have the same hierarchy with them that Hunter did, he was losing his edge and getting soft according to them nowadays. He should beat the shit out of both of them and show them he was still as much Alpha as Hunter was. Beat them for even daring to mention Emma in a derogatory way.
'I think everyone should just chill the fuck out and crack open the beer.' Daniel lifted an eyebrow his way and Jake softened. Drinking was a sure fire way to calm him down right now and he was game. Emma would be hours yet and if he slept before she came back he would be sober enough to withstand her perfection.
* * *
Being sober at some point had been the plan but as the day had worn on the men had just kept on drinking beers, they had swam, headed to that private beach he had taken Emma too and played a little netbal, ran around like kids for a while and they had pretty much eaten non stop most of the afternoon.
He had kept checking his watch , wondering what she was doing and hoping she was having a good time with Leila. Not that he should worry, Leila was a good time girl and sweet enough to make Emma feel right at home. He just wished she was here right now, he missed her.
He was too drunk to drive the speed boat ashore when the day drew on and had the ships crew taxi them instead, Emma had been gone all day and he had quelled the urge to call her and text her a dozen times. The more merry he had gotten the stronger the urge to just have her right here in his arms, beside him with that intoxicating little face and perfect smell.
Smell? Jesus he really was in trouble.... Knowing her smell was pretty much admitting in neon lights to himself that he was in love with her. What guy associated a girl with how she smelled and actually ached for it? Fuck.
He was in so much trouble with her.
Miracle kept her distance on the boat ride but Marissa was borderline humping his leg much to the un-amusement of her date. Vincent was watching her with a face that just yelled 'Tramp' at her. Poor guy should have realized this would happen, there was a reason all their trips had a 'No Marissa' rule and he had stupidly broken it. She was like a dog on heat whenever she got within a fifty mile radius of Jake, had been for years.
Apart from one drunken fuck up that he had no memory of last month he had never gone down that route and never would again. Even if she hadn't broken his heart years ago, she was a cold hearted manipulative bitch that he would have seen through eventually. She was the exact opposite of Emma in every way. Not just in looks but in body and soul. Emma was pure and good in every way that Marissa was dark and nasty.
Next installment coming soon.
Read at your own risk!!
The holiday- Part 3 ( Chapter 13, book 1)
Back at the boat Jake headed to his room and pulled off his t-shirt, while Emma was on shore he was going to kick back, swim some and spend some time with Danny and the twins getting a beer and catching up. He knew that Marissa and Miracle were late sleepers unlike Emma and Leila and wouldn't show face for a while this early in the day. He hated lazy women who partied late and then lounged all day with nothing else in their lives. Emma had more get up and go than that, even hungover in the past she still dragged her ass to work and she rarely complained, he could never imagine someone like her ever being happy with the lifestyle Marissa was effortless at. Spoiled rich bitch with nothing to do all day except work on a tan.
He made his way to the deck and found Daniel already on a lounger topless with a beer in hand and the twins splashing around in the ocean trying to drown one another. Jake moved to the next lounger and sat down heavily, Hunter automatically grabbing a beer from the cooler beside him and tossing it to Jake. He opened it and downed half. Drinking in the sun was pretty dumb but he had done it for years and never affected him like it used too.
'So, the little women off to abuse your accounts?' Daniel smirked his way and he just nodded his head at him.
'Probably.' He shrugged and sat back, easing his body onto the padded bed and lifting his legs, kicking his trainers off the side. Leila would definitely encourage Emma to abuse his credit card and he hoped she would.
'What's the deal with you and her? Don't give me that friends bullshit line again man.... It's pretty obvious she's under your skin.' Daniel lifted his shades and looked at Jake pointedly, scrutinizing his face with that intense Hunter glare.
'I'll be fucked if I know. As much as I tell myself I have a handle on this...... I don't.' He sighed. He had never lied to Danny, in all the years they had been friends, brutal honesty was always their thing and he knew he could trust him to never breathe a word to anyone else. Hunter was a lot of things but a loyal tried and tested best mate above all. Surprisingly wise when he saw fit and not against love despite his own aversion to it.
'Being honest here mate...I've never seen you this way over any chick, what's so god damn special about this one?' Daniel frowned his way, genuine curiosity across his face.
'Everything...Nothing....Fuck knows. She's her. I can't pinpoint it, just from the minute she walked into my office I wasn't me...No control, zero ability to function properly and the longer I know her the worse it is.' Jake was stressed talking about this, he had never analyzed it to this extent.
'There must be something specific?' Daniel was maneuvering his position to stare at Jake more fully, going in for the shrinks approach.
'Which specific thing do I pick...How she looks? How she is? How she makes me feel?... She's Emma, she's not got anything about her that's not great. Except maybe the not wanting me part.' Jake hunched his shoulders and scrubbed a hand down his face.
'Maybe that's it...Maybe because she is probably the first woman in the history of Carrero to actually not want to jump your bones?' Daniel said smugly and Jake considered it for a moment.
'I genuinely used to tell myself that exact thing.' He sighed.
'You're suffering from some sort of bruised ego man, chick turned you down flat and doesn't want the great Carrero boner. It's reverse psychology or some shit. If she was all over you then maybe you wouldn't be interested.' Daniel grinned but Jake knew this was wrong, as much as he wanted to tell himself Daniel could have a point, maybe in the beginning but not now. He knew that having her once wouldn't take away this need. If he was right he would want a one night stand and he didn't. He wanted something meaningful with her.
'I wish you were right.' He grimaced, at least Daniels idea had some sort of resolution.
'It's a crush, something you don't ever get... You obviously think she's beyond hot and you're picky ass self doesn't normally find that in a girl.' Daniel shrugged.
'She's beautiful. Perfect even.' Jake shrugged this time, he meant every word.
'Okay bit strong on that front, she's cute, I'll give you that but she's not really like mind blowing beautiful.' Daniel waved an airy hand his way and Jake instantly growled back.
Daniel had to be kidding right now.
'Are you blind?' Jake was defensive.
'Come on? I mean she's hot I get it ....She's not Leila hot. Leila is my idea of a beautiful girl.' Daniel averted his eyes to the rail of the boat, evasive anytime his own emotions came into play.
'Don't even go there, you know that subject just pisses me off because you're an asshole.' Jake frowned a warning and the hostile change of tone rendered them both silent for a moment. Daniel finally shifted uncomfortably.
'You know maybe you just need to get laid, this isn't like you at all..... How long has it been? I'm sure your balls are probably blue by now and it would account for the moody arse nature.' He laughed and Jake just threw him an amused frown, Daniel was a dick.
'I lost count, it all became pretty mind numbingly painful after a week and now it seems like years.' He sighed and drunk more beer, pulling his shades down to cover his eyes when facing the sun this way.
'Just fuck someone and at least release some tension. Marissa is giving you the all hot and ready signs and as much as I'm against you going down that route again I am not against you abusing her body. It's still fucking fit.....Miracle wouldn't say no either and that chick takes it in every way. Her ass is pretty fine too.' Daniel laughed dirtily and Jake only sighed again. He wasn't in the mood for picturing sex right now, his body was barely holding on.
'I think not...On both accounts. I don't need to complicate this shit more than I am.' He sat up agitated, a stirring in his groin at the sex talk and for a moment contemplated heading down to Miracles room and seeing what she could do with her mouth. Emma's mouth came into his minds eye and he slumped back down in irritation.
For the love of god, she was infiltrating every part of his head nowadays.
'So fuck it, put the moves on her properly. This pussy shit you're doing is not the Carrero I know and love. You're wimping out big time over this chick. Just swoop in like you always do and get her naked and screaming in under five minutes.' Daniel hauled another beer out and threw a second to Jake, he caught it swiftly and propped it against his short covered hip.
'I can't...She's not like that. She doesn't do one night stands and then what?.... I still have to work with her.' Jake was starting to feel agitated, that tight ache in his lower stomach growing and he couldn't decide if it was irritation or something else. Most likely horn, he needed to fuck someone. Daniel was right on that front. He was a hot blooded guy with a high sex drive and he had never put himself into self-inflicted celibacy in his life.
'The way you're acting Jake I don't think one night would be your goal...You're totally pussy whipped over this chick and you know it. Suck it up and just go all in for her.' Daniel was smirking his way again and this time he needed a moment to just think. Daniel was right. He wouldn't be happy with a one time thing with her, he knew the second he had her he would want more. He knew it so painfully that it had stopped him ever trying. She didn't want this and to be honest having her outright reject him would be agony.
He looked out over the water, the ripples on the surface from the twins and sighed.
'Unrequited........ That's a word I never thought I would ever hear myself using ...Especially in terms of it being me on the painful side.' He smarted and rubbed the bridge of his nose with his thumb, avoiding Daniels eyes.
'Jesus man, what girl could resist you? You're a handsome fuck and way too sexy for most women to handle. Have you ever just asked her?' Daniel sprayed beer his way and he snapped his face back, ready to beat him over the head with something in an instant anger spike.
'Fuck off wanker.' He wiped the spray off of his arm and contemplated chucking his unopened can at Hunters face as payback. Ruining that pretty smile would be entertaining.
'Seriously though?' Daniel smirked at him, a bit too obnoxiously.
'No...There's no point, I know her. She gives me nothing. No signals, no hints, no tiny mannerisms to even suggest she would be interested. Emma is completely immune to me in every way and it fucking sucks.' He put his can down and crossed his arms over his head to block out the light. He wasn't enjoying this conversation at all and Daniel seemed to be enjoying it a little too much.
'Then why the fuck are you celibate? She has no hold over you, she's not making you wait with any fly teasing or hints of more.....Fuck someone and end this misery.' Daniel leaned out and pushed him aggressively. He couldn't explain it, he was already so messed up over this. He just new that it was pointless. If he even got close to a woman that wasn't her he knew for a fact his dick would cease to cooperate, he had a mental block and until she got out of the way he was stuck this way.
'If I could I would!' He snapped back. 'Look man can we just drop this shit, I'm seriously not in the mood for this and it's ruining my calm.' He sulked, childish Carrero on play and he didn't give a shit right now. Hunter was used to all versions of him.
'Right...As your best mate , I'm doing you a favour. Stay put.' He kept his eyes closed and arms over his face and just ignored him. Whatever he was hatching Jake wasn't interested. He heard Daniel slide up and pace off towards the other end of the deck and sighed. Reaching over to Daniels lounger he picked up the Ipod left there and stuck the headphones in. When Hunter came back he was killing this conversation, it was pointless and going nowhere fast. Rehashing his feelings wasn't going to make a damn bit of difference. He switched on the playlist and was immediately blasted with Nickel-back, Hunters favourite band right now and went back to covering his face with his arms. He was tired from last nights late one, maybe a nap would put him in a better mood while she was away.
* * *
It felt like seconds later that in his darkness a warm moist sensation ran down his abdomen towards his shorts waist making his muscles tense in a really good way, in his dream like state he pictured Emma running her tongue down his body and smiled. He could picture her doing exactly that as it felt much like he would expect a small warm tongue to feel. Moving south the sensation twirled around his waist band and he squirmed sleepily.
God she was good with her tongue. He could picture her soft blue eyes looking up at him sexily and he was definitely getting hard with it.
His waist band was tugged slightly and he felt himself heating up with the dream, fucking her in his sleep was common but this was a new turn, never had he dreamed about her blowing him off and he sure as hell wasn't about to stop it. He was aware that his brain was trying to wake him up but he fought it to barely hold onto the pictures in his head. He didn't care if he had a wet dream lying here , she had given him plenty in the past months and Daniel sure as hell wouldn't laugh. All guys did it.
That hot warm mouth moved lower, pulling his shorts down enough to get the tip of him free and connected with a suction that almost made him come right then. Suddenly realizing that this was all a little too UnEmma and feeling a little too real had him sitting up with a start and blinking at his surroundings harshly. He looked down at the still warm sensation encircling his dick and scowled at the brunette with her face in his lap, shoving her away hard. He sent Miracle, who was fully naked sliding across the deck aggressively in a unceremonious fashion.
Fuck!.
'What the fuck are you doing?' He barked at her, pulling himself right and jumping to his feet. He felt dirty like he needed a shower all of a sudden. 'And put some fucking clothes on.' He snapped again, lifting the towel from Hunters lounger and throwing it at her, he saw the tears in her eyes. That look of complete shock and humility, not that he could blame her. Old Carrero would have been more than open to this little scenario only a couple of months ago. Hell he would have helped it along and took his shorts off and pulled her onto his lap impatiently.
God damn Daniel!
This was Hunters idea of helping him? Getting his porn star side kick to blow him off while he was asleep and judging by the nakedness she had intended climbing on top when he was turned on. The thought made him feel sick. If he hadn't woken up he would have fucked her, god if his sleep condition had kicked in he would definitely have done it and not exactly in a good way. Like that he was aggressive and fevered and had been known to screw like a caveman with zero control.
Did she even have a god damn condom with her? Or did she just assume climbing onto him bareback was fucking acceptable because she was a porn star who obviously used birth control?
The thought made his skin crawl, porn stars had never been his type. He liked his women with less air miles so to speak.
He wanted to lash out right now, find Hunter and beat him. He was so unbelievingly pissed off.
The girl just sat cowering at his obvious temper, clutching the towel across her breasts pointlessly, still as much on show at his unexpected reaction, he felt guilty and held out a hand to help her up when she just continued to stare at him.
'Look, I'm sorry Okay. Just don't do shit like that. If I wanted to fuck you then you sure as hell would know about it. I don't. I'm here with Emma.' She hesitated then let him pull her to her feet, using the towel a little more successfully and sniffing back a tear. Big doe eyes on show and his temper calming, girls were hard to be mad at when they did all that vulnerable shit.
'Daniel told me to surprise you, said once I started you would blow my mind.' She bit on her lip and he felt the rest of the anger dissipate at the childish mannerism that Emma had too.
'Daniels a prick. You can tell him I said so.' Jake clicked his neck to release the tension and waved her away. Hoping to god she would never try this crap again, he would need to sleep with one eye open or just sleep beside Emma anytime he needed a nap if Hunter was hell bent on curing his celibacy.
Wanker.
'Go, leave me to cool down and don't bring this up again okay?' He would be having some fucking stern words with Hunter, this shit was not on at all. He noticed how the sneaky bastard had never reappeared. With his woman up here he was probably screwing the other slut down below. Not that he cared. Marissa had more men than hot dinners in the last decade and Daniel would use and abuse her in any way he saw fit. The more degraded the better.
'Pussy.' Hunters voice carried from behind and he saw him rising up the ladder from the sea, asshole was swimming not screwing. Rare for him. Mind you, despite all his leering at Marissa he knew Daniel hated her with a passion, maybe enough to bypass sex.
'Fuck off....What the hell was that?' Jake moved at him angrily, temper reigniting at his presence and Daniel feigned a submissive position. Flapping hands like a woman.
'Please don't hit me big boy' He whimpered in a girly voice and fluttering lashes, kissy lips on top of it all.
Jesus why was this moron his friend?
'Prick.' Jake dove in, grappling Hunter around the waist and pulling him into a wrestle hold on the deck floor. Hunter was quick to fight back and soon both of them were knocking lumps out of each other and rolling around like idiots. Jake got Hunter with an elbow to the jaw, a muffled grunt before the twins appeared.
'Get a room pansies.' Vince smirked as he stalked by, dodging the leg that came out to kick him.
'Jealous much?' Daniel pouted from the head lock Jake had him in before Jake shoved him away and punched him in the shoulder a little forcefully. Asshole needed to learn some manners.
Daniel threw him a glare and tried to flick him in the face, Jake dodged easily with his lightening reflexes and jumped to his feet as Richard climbed the last rung onto the boat too.
'Lovebirds at it again?' Richard smirked at his twin and he nodded back. Two of them were like a double act, not a funny one though just a couple of assholes. Jake turned to Hunter with a frown.
'Don't ever pull that shit again.... If I wanted a blow job I would go down and demand one.' He fumed but both twins just broke into huge grins.
'What have we missed here? Hunter did you finally embrace your Jake love and try to give the man a BJ?' Vincent burst into hysterical laughter and Daniel only shook his head.
'Ha funny ha, fuck off....He turned down Miracle....Laugh it up dickheads.' Daniel stuck his fingers up at the pair lifting a towel from the bed and throwing it at them.
'Why would he want your cast-offs when he has that tight assed little thing looking all fuck me now wandering around? I would tap that ass over Miracle any day.' Vincent grinned but Jakes temper flared.
'Knock it off...Don't speak about her like that.' Jake was growling, full on fierce protector and he didn't want them talking about her like she was some piece of meat. He didn't want them even breathing her way, let alone thinking of touching her.
'Ahhhhh.... Jakes in lurve.' Richie threw a beer towards him and he caught it mid air. A grip that almost caused it to explode on impact.
'Jakes not fucking impressed with this conversation so can we just drop it.' He glared at both of them, opening his can and Hunter had the sense to wander off and collapse on a lounger, getting the bed damp with the water still clinging to him.
Jake was not in love...Okay maybe Jake could be in love but he shouldn't be because this was going nowhere and had heartbreak written all over it.
'What's she like in the sack?' Vincent threw a look his way and he only growled back in response. All tension returned, body prickling and ready to start boxing for real.
'Leave him alone, Can't you see he has zero sense of humor when it comes to Emma?' Daniel cut in and the warning look he was throwing off matched Jakes. He may be a twat and a half but Daniel didn't like anyone else giving his best mate a hard time. It was his job alone. Jake was relieved to see the twins take the warning, one thing about both of them was they respected Hunters word. Jake wasn't with the twins often enough anymore to have the same hierarchy with them that Hunter did, he was losing his edge and getting soft according to them nowadays. He should beat the shit out of both of them and show them he was still as much Alpha as Hunter was. Beat them for even daring to mention Emma in a derogatory way.
'I think everyone should just chill the fuck out and crack open the beer.' Daniel lifted an eyebrow his way and Jake softened. Drinking was a sure fire way to calm him down right now and he was game. Emma would be hours yet and if he slept before she came back he would be sober enough to withstand her perfection.
* * *
Being sober at some point had been the plan but as the day had worn on the men had just kept on drinking beers, they had swam, headed to that private beach he had taken Emma too and played a little netbal, ran around like kids for a while and they had pretty much eaten non stop most of the afternoon.
He had kept checking his watch , wondering what she was doing and hoping she was having a good time with Leila. Not that he should worry, Leila was a good time girl and sweet enough to make Emma feel right at home. He just wished she was here right now, he missed her.
He was too drunk to drive the speed boat ashore when the day drew on and had the ships crew taxi them instead, Emma had been gone all day and he had quelled the urge to call her and text her a dozen times. The more merry he had gotten the stronger the urge to just have her right here in his arms, beside him with that intoxicating little face and perfect smell.
Smell? Jesus he really was in trouble.... Knowing her smell was pretty much admitting in neon lights to himself that he was in love with her. What guy associated a girl with how she smelled and actually ached for it? Fuck.
He was in so much trouble with her.
Miracle kept her distance on the boat ride but Marissa was borderline humping his leg much to the un-amusement of her date. Vincent was watching her with a face that just yelled 'Tramp' at her. Poor guy should have realized this would happen, there was a reason all their trips had a 'No Marissa' rule and he had stupidly broken it. She was like a dog on heat whenever she got within a fifty mile radius of Jake, had been for years.
Apart from one drunken fuck up that he had no memory of last month he had never gone down that route and never would again. Even if she hadn't broken his heart years ago, she was a cold hearted manipulative bitch that he would have seen through eventually. She was the exact opposite of Emma in every way. Not just in looks but in body and soul. Emma was pure and good in every way that Marissa was dark and nasty.
Next installment coming soon.
Part 2 - Chapter 13, Book 1 - Jakes View.
Lovers of my book The Carrero Effect book 1 will love this brand new alternate chapter.This is chapter 13, part 2 (more to follow) re-written from Jake Carrero's perspective as per requested by you, the lovely fans.Please note there is swearing and sexual references and this is not suitable for those under 18 years of age.
Read at your own risk!!
The holiday- Part 2 ( Chapter 13, book 1)
They wandered around on the beach for a while, the hot sand felt amazing and Jake coudn't help but watch her and those legs strolling around as she picked up shells. So lost in her own head about something and completely oblivious to him watching her intensely. She was breathtaking in every way, now that her nervousness about being in that pretty mind blowing bikini seemed to be calming down he just wanted to stand this way all day and see that little content look on her face. She made him feel all kinds of things right in that moment, protectiveness, warm and happy, maybe even a little tug in his heart if he was being honest. He definitely felt horny but not in the overwhelming way like in the water, a more laid back gentle attraction. He could handle it this way if only it would stay this constant. She stopped and glanced his way, he could feel her eyes before he really saw them, he had taken a moment to wander the shore and breath in some of the surroundings to get his head straight. This was one of his favourite places to kick back after all. Jake loved anything to do with the ocean and being in the great outdoors.He caught sight of her making her way towards him and turned to watch her walk, the way she moved had always captivated him, graceful, even, and swanlike. At first she had seemed more stiffly in control over her motions, months ago, but over time she had relaxed. Especially with the ice queen postures and now she was just elegant. Her little nervous habits bugged him though, he hated thinking she ever felt that uneasy around him and whenever he saw her twirling her hair he wanted to cut her hands off. As soon as he saw those fidgeting fingers he could never stop the impulsive need to still them.As soon as she was close enough he laced her tiny hand in his and tugged her with him, so many times he had told himself to stop with all the touching and hand holding he had started so long ago but he couldn't. It was essential, like breathing and came so naturally to him with her now that it would be futile. He had started it to get her used to him, long ago when he had first taken her to meet Hunter, he hadn't liked the flinch at his touch, or the fear in those big baby blues. He had made a conscious decision to get her used to his touch if only to relax her and somehow it just grew to this. Holding hands was something he did constantly, pulling her along, hell even taking her to business meetings. So many times had he caught strange looks from other receptionists that he was pulling his PA along by the hand and he would glare back at them. He knew it wasn't normal but Emma just assumed he was this way with everyone. Margo maybe, not so much hands on but definitely not everyone. Just people he cared about and always her. Holding her hand now just felt right, a perfect small fit in the palm of his hand, that familiar soft touch that just made him want more from her.'Here, Emma.' He could see her shielding her eyes as the noon sun lifted higher in the sky so he handed his shades back to her, with her eye colour she needed them more than him. He practically spent half his life in the sun and had never really felt any effects from sun glare. Letting her go he moved along to pick up some pebbles, the sun warming his already brown skin.'Thanks.' She smiled his way as he bent down and expertly skimmed his pebbles across the soft lapping waves. Looking her way for a moment to really gaze on how much more relaxed she seemed away from the others on the boat. Once again he wished they had just come here alone. He wanted nothing more right now.'What is it?' She tilted her head questioningly at him.'You seem a bit more relaxed now we're over here.' He could definitely see it.'I feel more relaxed.' She sighed and began looking around her feet, pushing the sand with her tiny toes and looking a bit too adorable in that moment. He took a slow breath and continued skimming stones to distract himself.'You look it.' He skimmed another stone like an expert unable to stop the goofy smile hitting his face at watching her.'I'm glad you made me come.' She was watching him more closely now, giving nothing away in that face. Like always.'I'm glad I didn't have to force you.' He grinned this time, knowing that forcing Emma was never that easy, she had a stubborn streak and was one of the few women he had ever met who stood up to him defiantly. Even when he was being an arsey dickhead. He loved that about her.'Technically, you gave me no choice.' She pouted sassily at him, that tiny little spark that was always beneath the surface. He would love to see her fully let go of it and just turn into a tornado like Leila could. He got the sense she was more than capable but her reserved nature kept it locked down. He wanted to see her release that passion a little. Okay, maybe not to Leilas extent but some of it anyway. He often wondered if she did it deliberately, kept herself calm and even so she would never lose control.'You always have a choice with me, Emma, you know that.' He looked her way once more, feeling relaxed too, wanting to just memorize her standing that way, hands on hips and a body to die for. He shook that mental thought away knowing that if he stuck with it his mind would find the shortest route to the gutter once more. Being around her minus a whole lot of clothing was trying to say the least and his libido was starting to fight back.'We should be getting back, the others will think we don't like them.' He tensed and flexed his body, catching a quick glance of her eyes as he did so and it immediately caught his attention. Definitely no fear that time or any sense of discomfort. That had most definitely been an eye wander of the appreciative female variety, maybe she wasn't as immune as he thought and would definitely love to explore that possibility. About time his assets were winning her over, he knew he was built and had enough sex appeal. Hell, he knew he was a good looking bastard, women had made that obvious his whole life.'Sure, I'm kinda hungry too.' She pulled off the shades seemingly shaking it off and handed them back to him, he tried to do the same but that tiny flicker of hope in his chest wouldn't recede back to where it came from. He felt like a girl with all the mushy crap going on inside of him right then and had to mentally chastise himself.He led the way back into the sea, staying close and making sure the swim back wasn't an ordeal for her. He would have carried her the full way had she seemed tired but she handled it well. No hint of fatigue just long graceful strokes that matched his and he felt proud of her. She never ceased to impress him.
* * *
They spent lunch on deck with the rest of the party, eating chicken Caesar salad and drinking wine, lounging on the padded double loungers on the main deck. Jake was making sure he stayed by her side and warned his friends off visually. He wouldn't put it past any one of them to make a play for her if he left her alone. Such was the nature of their trips. Each guy always brought dates and some unspoken agreement that all was fair game and no one would get prissy about it after. The girls they normally brought were bed hoppers, no loyalty and definitely never anyone serious. Leila was the exception normally, she wasn't much for it and even though he could see she wasn't really that into her date, he knew she wouldn't sleep with any of the others. Emma was completely off limits to any of them and he would damn well break the neck of any who tried. Jake was leaning towards Daniels bed, Emma at his back and caught in conversation with Leila. Daniel was arguing about sports, one of his passions and Jake just loved to goad him on the matter anytime it came up. He was more into manual stuff, extreme sports he could do himself but he wasn't against watching the odd football or baseball game. Daniel was just too easy to wind up. He was only half listening though as he could most definitely hear the words 'hair' 'cut' and 'short' going on behind him and he didn't like it one bit.Looking back at Emma he caught Leila picking up a strand of that soft honey blonde hair with the look of someone contemplating cutting it all off. He could feel the frown taking over his face and minor irritation as Leila said 'pixie cut' and he could only assume that was something very short like hers. Emma wouldn't suit Leilas hair, she needed soft and sweet around her face, not edgy and choppy like hers.'I think you would suit maybe shoulder length.' Leila's sweet little voice is all too sultry and he can tell she's trying to talk Emma into doing it. That persuasive eye fluttering she had suckered him with many a time in the past twenty years.'Maybe.' She picked up a strand too and wound it around her finger and Jake was no longer listening to Daniel at all, he was fully integrated into defending Emma's hair.'What's wrong with how it is?' He frowned, keeping his hands down and quelling the urge to run his fingers over the strand she was holding. She suited her wavy halo of soft hair, It was feminine and her. He didn't like the idea of no longer having it hanging down her back and blowing gently in the breeze.'Jake?.... Men have no clue. Woman like a drastic change every so often.' Leila quipped at him with that sassy raised brow and he just wanted to sit on her right about now.'If it's not broke then don't fix it.' He bit back, he was used to these little head to heads with this short fiery devil. He would be damned if she was going to push his Emma around.'Maybe it's not broken but can definitely be revamped. Women do like to shake it up every so often. Try on a new look.' Leila was putting on her sarcastic tone, raising that brow and challenging him, yet again. This girl never ceased to push his buttons and sometimes he wondered why the hell he hadn't just drowned her in the past.'It's my hair!' Emma cuts in raising hands between the two in a bid to distract them but she wasn't swaying these two. This was a common thing, Leila and Jake head on in subtle ways, always finding something to challenge one another over. It was just how they were.'I like it how it is. If you want to change it then fine, it can always grow back.' Jake felt stupid as his tone came out, he sounded more like Emma's boyfriend than her boss about now and Leila was smirking. The urge to push her face into the lounger was strong, if she still had pigtails he was sure he would be tying them over her mouth right now.'Worried your girlfriend won't get you all hot and bothered with short hair Jacob?' Leila prodded him over Emma with her finger in Jakes shoulder. He just scowled back at her, she was pushing her luck today. He could easily pick her up and throw her overboard in one fell swoop.'Shut up wench. Emma has more sense than to let me be her boyfriend.'
And didn't he know it.'Oh right, I forgot. You're just friends.' The honey like way she said it made him grimace a smile her way, clenched teeth and warning her off with his eyes. He could see that glint of cheeky amusement and really did wonder why Mrs Huntsberger didn't smack Leila more as a child.. 'I can see that.' She added sarcastically and he wondered if spanking her now would make any difference.'Really, we are.' Emma sounded quiet, flustered and he tried to ignore the crazy going off inside of him, trying not to react badly to something he already knew. He should have been used to her subtle rejections by now.'Well then, you won't care if I take her to get it all shorn off then, will you?' Leila throws a defiant look his way and he just bites his own tongue in a bid to stop bickering, frowning and glaring that as soon as he got her alone he was going to chew her head off. Devilish little minx, she knew exactly what she was doing.'Emma can do whatever she wants with her hair. She'll always look beautiful.' He got up, walking away before he made good and sat on Leila and tried to pull her ears off or something equally immature. Brat.'Someone is not a happy little playboy today!' He heard her even though he was moving away to the buffet table and ignored her. Witch!
No he's fucking not. Last thing he wants is Emma changing, she was perfect this way.
* * *
After lunch, Jake took Leila and Emma ashore on the speedboat they always kept moored to the cruiser, any excuse to get that thing out on open waters and let rip. He hoped she wasn't going to come back with some crazy short hair but what could he do? He had no right to say anything. He wasn't her boyfriend just her boss and as much as he invaded her life at times he knew where the boundaries lay.
They met the awaiting car and driver at the port he had waiting and handed Emma his credit card. That immediate frown on her face and her mouth pouting to verbalize a refusal was shot down with his no nonsense glare. She knew his looks all too well and seemed to think better than pushing her luck on this front. He had warned her enough times at work that this trip was being financed by him and if she argued about it then there would be hell to pay. He had been raised that way and it wasn't just about taking care of her, it was about his ego too. Emma slid it into her bag gracefully, she had used this card for ordering things for him at work so she was more than capable of using it now.He pushed the urge away to kiss her on the cheek, with Leila hovering he knew that it would just raise more knowing eyebrows and he knew for a fact Leila was the type to point out to Emma that he had the major hots for her. He had kept his cool this far and thrown anyone off the scent and he was sure as hell not letting Leila get her teeth into that little known fact. Emma would run for the hills if she knew how he really felt about her.He watched them go before putting the boat into reverse and backing away from the pier, she was in the red dress today and much as he tried not to look at her this way he couldn't help it. She was irresistible in every way and only so much more in floaty girly clothes that had made an appearance on this trip. God, he would keep her this way all the time if he could. As much as he loved her office outfits, and he surely did. That much sexy was hotter than hell, he liked this far more. She looked like the kind of girl you married like this, perfect angelic and soft and he wanted nothing more than to walk around showing her off.
Read at your own risk!!
The holiday- Part 2 ( Chapter 13, book 1)
They wandered around on the beach for a while, the hot sand felt amazing and Jake coudn't help but watch her and those legs strolling around as she picked up shells. So lost in her own head about something and completely oblivious to him watching her intensely. She was breathtaking in every way, now that her nervousness about being in that pretty mind blowing bikini seemed to be calming down he just wanted to stand this way all day and see that little content look on her face. She made him feel all kinds of things right in that moment, protectiveness, warm and happy, maybe even a little tug in his heart if he was being honest. He definitely felt horny but not in the overwhelming way like in the water, a more laid back gentle attraction. He could handle it this way if only it would stay this constant. She stopped and glanced his way, he could feel her eyes before he really saw them, he had taken a moment to wander the shore and breath in some of the surroundings to get his head straight. This was one of his favourite places to kick back after all. Jake loved anything to do with the ocean and being in the great outdoors.He caught sight of her making her way towards him and turned to watch her walk, the way she moved had always captivated him, graceful, even, and swanlike. At first she had seemed more stiffly in control over her motions, months ago, but over time she had relaxed. Especially with the ice queen postures and now she was just elegant. Her little nervous habits bugged him though, he hated thinking she ever felt that uneasy around him and whenever he saw her twirling her hair he wanted to cut her hands off. As soon as he saw those fidgeting fingers he could never stop the impulsive need to still them.As soon as she was close enough he laced her tiny hand in his and tugged her with him, so many times he had told himself to stop with all the touching and hand holding he had started so long ago but he couldn't. It was essential, like breathing and came so naturally to him with her now that it would be futile. He had started it to get her used to him, long ago when he had first taken her to meet Hunter, he hadn't liked the flinch at his touch, or the fear in those big baby blues. He had made a conscious decision to get her used to his touch if only to relax her and somehow it just grew to this. Holding hands was something he did constantly, pulling her along, hell even taking her to business meetings. So many times had he caught strange looks from other receptionists that he was pulling his PA along by the hand and he would glare back at them. He knew it wasn't normal but Emma just assumed he was this way with everyone. Margo maybe, not so much hands on but definitely not everyone. Just people he cared about and always her. Holding her hand now just felt right, a perfect small fit in the palm of his hand, that familiar soft touch that just made him want more from her.'Here, Emma.' He could see her shielding her eyes as the noon sun lifted higher in the sky so he handed his shades back to her, with her eye colour she needed them more than him. He practically spent half his life in the sun and had never really felt any effects from sun glare. Letting her go he moved along to pick up some pebbles, the sun warming his already brown skin.'Thanks.' She smiled his way as he bent down and expertly skimmed his pebbles across the soft lapping waves. Looking her way for a moment to really gaze on how much more relaxed she seemed away from the others on the boat. Once again he wished they had just come here alone. He wanted nothing more right now.'What is it?' She tilted her head questioningly at him.'You seem a bit more relaxed now we're over here.' He could definitely see it.'I feel more relaxed.' She sighed and began looking around her feet, pushing the sand with her tiny toes and looking a bit too adorable in that moment. He took a slow breath and continued skimming stones to distract himself.'You look it.' He skimmed another stone like an expert unable to stop the goofy smile hitting his face at watching her.'I'm glad you made me come.' She was watching him more closely now, giving nothing away in that face. Like always.'I'm glad I didn't have to force you.' He grinned this time, knowing that forcing Emma was never that easy, she had a stubborn streak and was one of the few women he had ever met who stood up to him defiantly. Even when he was being an arsey dickhead. He loved that about her.'Technically, you gave me no choice.' She pouted sassily at him, that tiny little spark that was always beneath the surface. He would love to see her fully let go of it and just turn into a tornado like Leila could. He got the sense she was more than capable but her reserved nature kept it locked down. He wanted to see her release that passion a little. Okay, maybe not to Leilas extent but some of it anyway. He often wondered if she did it deliberately, kept herself calm and even so she would never lose control.'You always have a choice with me, Emma, you know that.' He looked her way once more, feeling relaxed too, wanting to just memorize her standing that way, hands on hips and a body to die for. He shook that mental thought away knowing that if he stuck with it his mind would find the shortest route to the gutter once more. Being around her minus a whole lot of clothing was trying to say the least and his libido was starting to fight back.'We should be getting back, the others will think we don't like them.' He tensed and flexed his body, catching a quick glance of her eyes as he did so and it immediately caught his attention. Definitely no fear that time or any sense of discomfort. That had most definitely been an eye wander of the appreciative female variety, maybe she wasn't as immune as he thought and would definitely love to explore that possibility. About time his assets were winning her over, he knew he was built and had enough sex appeal. Hell, he knew he was a good looking bastard, women had made that obvious his whole life.'Sure, I'm kinda hungry too.' She pulled off the shades seemingly shaking it off and handed them back to him, he tried to do the same but that tiny flicker of hope in his chest wouldn't recede back to where it came from. He felt like a girl with all the mushy crap going on inside of him right then and had to mentally chastise himself.He led the way back into the sea, staying close and making sure the swim back wasn't an ordeal for her. He would have carried her the full way had she seemed tired but she handled it well. No hint of fatigue just long graceful strokes that matched his and he felt proud of her. She never ceased to impress him.
* * *
They spent lunch on deck with the rest of the party, eating chicken Caesar salad and drinking wine, lounging on the padded double loungers on the main deck. Jake was making sure he stayed by her side and warned his friends off visually. He wouldn't put it past any one of them to make a play for her if he left her alone. Such was the nature of their trips. Each guy always brought dates and some unspoken agreement that all was fair game and no one would get prissy about it after. The girls they normally brought were bed hoppers, no loyalty and definitely never anyone serious. Leila was the exception normally, she wasn't much for it and even though he could see she wasn't really that into her date, he knew she wouldn't sleep with any of the others. Emma was completely off limits to any of them and he would damn well break the neck of any who tried. Jake was leaning towards Daniels bed, Emma at his back and caught in conversation with Leila. Daniel was arguing about sports, one of his passions and Jake just loved to goad him on the matter anytime it came up. He was more into manual stuff, extreme sports he could do himself but he wasn't against watching the odd football or baseball game. Daniel was just too easy to wind up. He was only half listening though as he could most definitely hear the words 'hair' 'cut' and 'short' going on behind him and he didn't like it one bit.Looking back at Emma he caught Leila picking up a strand of that soft honey blonde hair with the look of someone contemplating cutting it all off. He could feel the frown taking over his face and minor irritation as Leila said 'pixie cut' and he could only assume that was something very short like hers. Emma wouldn't suit Leilas hair, she needed soft and sweet around her face, not edgy and choppy like hers.'I think you would suit maybe shoulder length.' Leila's sweet little voice is all too sultry and he can tell she's trying to talk Emma into doing it. That persuasive eye fluttering she had suckered him with many a time in the past twenty years.'Maybe.' She picked up a strand too and wound it around her finger and Jake was no longer listening to Daniel at all, he was fully integrated into defending Emma's hair.'What's wrong with how it is?' He frowned, keeping his hands down and quelling the urge to run his fingers over the strand she was holding. She suited her wavy halo of soft hair, It was feminine and her. He didn't like the idea of no longer having it hanging down her back and blowing gently in the breeze.'Jake?.... Men have no clue. Woman like a drastic change every so often.' Leila quipped at him with that sassy raised brow and he just wanted to sit on her right about now.'If it's not broke then don't fix it.' He bit back, he was used to these little head to heads with this short fiery devil. He would be damned if she was going to push his Emma around.'Maybe it's not broken but can definitely be revamped. Women do like to shake it up every so often. Try on a new look.' Leila was putting on her sarcastic tone, raising that brow and challenging him, yet again. This girl never ceased to push his buttons and sometimes he wondered why the hell he hadn't just drowned her in the past.'It's my hair!' Emma cuts in raising hands between the two in a bid to distract them but she wasn't swaying these two. This was a common thing, Leila and Jake head on in subtle ways, always finding something to challenge one another over. It was just how they were.'I like it how it is. If you want to change it then fine, it can always grow back.' Jake felt stupid as his tone came out, he sounded more like Emma's boyfriend than her boss about now and Leila was smirking. The urge to push her face into the lounger was strong, if she still had pigtails he was sure he would be tying them over her mouth right now.'Worried your girlfriend won't get you all hot and bothered with short hair Jacob?' Leila prodded him over Emma with her finger in Jakes shoulder. He just scowled back at her, she was pushing her luck today. He could easily pick her up and throw her overboard in one fell swoop.'Shut up wench. Emma has more sense than to let me be her boyfriend.'
And didn't he know it.'Oh right, I forgot. You're just friends.' The honey like way she said it made him grimace a smile her way, clenched teeth and warning her off with his eyes. He could see that glint of cheeky amusement and really did wonder why Mrs Huntsberger didn't smack Leila more as a child.. 'I can see that.' She added sarcastically and he wondered if spanking her now would make any difference.'Really, we are.' Emma sounded quiet, flustered and he tried to ignore the crazy going off inside of him, trying not to react badly to something he already knew. He should have been used to her subtle rejections by now.'Well then, you won't care if I take her to get it all shorn off then, will you?' Leila throws a defiant look his way and he just bites his own tongue in a bid to stop bickering, frowning and glaring that as soon as he got her alone he was going to chew her head off. Devilish little minx, she knew exactly what she was doing.'Emma can do whatever she wants with her hair. She'll always look beautiful.' He got up, walking away before he made good and sat on Leila and tried to pull her ears off or something equally immature. Brat.'Someone is not a happy little playboy today!' He heard her even though he was moving away to the buffet table and ignored her. Witch!
No he's fucking not. Last thing he wants is Emma changing, she was perfect this way.
* * *
After lunch, Jake took Leila and Emma ashore on the speedboat they always kept moored to the cruiser, any excuse to get that thing out on open waters and let rip. He hoped she wasn't going to come back with some crazy short hair but what could he do? He had no right to say anything. He wasn't her boyfriend just her boss and as much as he invaded her life at times he knew where the boundaries lay.
They met the awaiting car and driver at the port he had waiting and handed Emma his credit card. That immediate frown on her face and her mouth pouting to verbalize a refusal was shot down with his no nonsense glare. She knew his looks all too well and seemed to think better than pushing her luck on this front. He had warned her enough times at work that this trip was being financed by him and if she argued about it then there would be hell to pay. He had been raised that way and it wasn't just about taking care of her, it was about his ego too. Emma slid it into her bag gracefully, she had used this card for ordering things for him at work so she was more than capable of using it now.He pushed the urge away to kiss her on the cheek, with Leila hovering he knew that it would just raise more knowing eyebrows and he knew for a fact Leila was the type to point out to Emma that he had the major hots for her. He had kept his cool this far and thrown anyone off the scent and he was sure as hell not letting Leila get her teeth into that little known fact. Emma would run for the hills if she knew how he really felt about her.He watched them go before putting the boat into reverse and backing away from the pier, she was in the red dress today and much as he tried not to look at her this way he couldn't help it. She was irresistible in every way and only so much more in floaty girly clothes that had made an appearance on this trip. God, he would keep her this way all the time if he could. As much as he loved her office outfits, and he surely did. That much sexy was hotter than hell, he liked this far more. She looked like the kind of girl you married like this, perfect angelic and soft and he wanted nothing more than to walk around showing her off.
February 6, 2017
Part 1 - Chapter 13, book 1 - Jakes view
Lovers of my book The Carrero Effect book 1 will love this brand new alternate chapter.This is chapter 13 ( half of it anyway) re-written from Jake Carrero's perspective as per requested by you, the lovely fans.Please note there is swearing and sexual references and this is not suitable for those under 18 years of age.
Read at your own risk!!
The holiday - Jakes perspective (split parts for next couple of days)
Jake strolled into his apartment and threw his bag down on the couch, it had been a long trip and a longer week but he suddenly felt restless at being back. Normally getting home brought him all kinds of joy, but this time it felt slightly empty and he actually wished they had stayed at that damn dance, just so he could still be with her right now. Pacing to the window and looking out across the New York skyline he ran his hand through his hair and cracked his neck in a bid to release some tension that was building up his spine. Flexing his arms over his head and straining the jacket holding him tight, he needed to get out of this monkey suit they called a tux and get comfy, maybe he just needed to feel less business like and properly relax. Maybe he needed a drink.He needed to stop fixating on Emma, it wasn't healthy and the constant stream of thoughts he had about her were getting harder to control. She had been too alluring tonight, that dress had drove him crazy and dancing up close no longer felt safe, he'd made them leave for her sake as much as his own. It was getting to the point he could no longer trust himself not to try kissing her again whenever he was drunk. He wished he had a memory of Chicago, the night she said they had kissed. He wanted to know what it felt like to kiss that sexy pouted mouth fully, not just a second of brushed lips but a real, deep and meaningful kiss. He already knew that was an awful idea, she had this much of an effect on him now, a kiss would seal his fate.Picking up the remote from his coffee table he hit the stereo control and his iTunes playlist came to life, turning it up to consume the entire apartment he headed for his shower. Peeling off the bow tie and Jacket as he walked into his room. Smiling as lyrics from a song Emma had sent him followed through and he couldn't help thinking of those blue eyes and quick smile and feeling a hint of longing to have her here right now. God, he missed her already.The thought hit him in the stomach and he tried to ignore it. They had literally separated less than an hour ago to come home and he was being unbelievably pathetic. He knew he was becoming too attached to her in ways that would make working impossible, always wanting her around and it bothered him because he could tell she didn't feel the same way. He had tried to convince himself a million times that it was because they were more than work colleagues, they were friends. Real friends, maybe even best friends. He was pretty sure he told her more than anyone he knew and that counted for something and he needed to realise what they had was already special. She was too special to him to fuck this up with sex or one sided emotions.That first kiss in the hotel had thrown him, had started all of this. He didn't fully understand all the feelings related to it at the time but he sure as hell knew that it wasn't as platonic as he tried to tell himself. Emma had been shocked, non-responsive and even scared if he was being honest, and as shit as it made him feel he couldn't get the feel of her mouth out of his head. For a brief moment he had kissed her and it felt like nothing he had ever known, his stomach had tingled, his heart rate accelerated and he had just become zoned in on everything about her as though time had stood still. He had imprinted every single detail of that night to memory. Her smell, her hair, the way she felt, that god damn nightdress that plagued him and how it clung to the perfect body. Underneath all her tailored suits and precise clothing was a body made for seduction and she had him with one look.Since then things had only gotten worse, every touch, every look, every smile, only served to torture him. It was long past sex, even he could admit that to himself, right now just having a chance at another night wrapped up together in a bed would be enough. He never wanted to forget what sleeping beside her had felt like, he had done something he never did with a woman. He had wrapped her in his arms and kept her close all night, unable to set her free even if she wanted too. He had thought that fucker Vanquis had been the cause but that was a lie, he would always hold her that way given the opportunity. She brought something out of him that he couldn't explain, the eternal need to shield her.He tried to shake her out of his head, something he was getting good at since employing her but tonight she wouldn't budge. He was falling hard and he had no way to stop it. Emma was everything he needed and he hadn't even seen it coming, that perfect angelic face and soft voice. The tiny perfect body that made him want to protect her always. Everything he learned about her as time went by only made him all the more fiercely protective of her. She wasn't the girl she showed the world, she was so much more. A vulnerable beautiful perfection that men had tried to destroy, men he would kill with his bare hands given half a chance and wouldn't regret doing it. She was strong in a quiet, gentle way but she was also vulnerable and made him feel a hundred feet tall.He could still smell her perfume on his shirt from dancing with her tonight and still feel the way her body moulded to his effortlessly. Looking down he realised he had still not pulled any of his clothes off despite turning the shower on. Suddenly unwilling to be parted from the smell of her.Get a grip man, you need to stop this shit.He stalked back to his bedroom from the en-suite and sat down on the bed, his hand automatically swiping his phone out before his brain even connected with the dots. He wanted to talk to her, despite only leaving her, he just needed to reach out. Maybe if he did then this feeling would shift and he could go back to enjoying time home. Go back to trying to accept that this was never going to happen and actually get his life back. He hated how little control he had anymore, how much she had changed him and how much he had let her. He didn't even drink or party as much anymore, each time he got drunk he would call her with some lame ass excuse for drunkenly waking her at stupid o'clock. Even before he knew what was happening to him his drunk self had always wanted to speak to her at the most inappropriate times. He had calmed down so much of his lifestyle just so he could be around her more, work more, no hangovers invading time spent around her. A part of him wanted to show her he was capable of being so much more than the reputation that always clouded over him. He liked being around her way more than he liked hanging out in a nightclub with Daniel nowadays. Jake Carrero, playboy billionaire heartbreaker was fast losing that title.'What are you doing?' He rubbed his face and once again tried to evaluate what the hell he was doing. He had tried to play off the lack of dates tonight but the truth was he didn't want to see anyone else right now. Women had stopped any appeal the more he knew her and casual sex had lost its sparkle. He got more from spending a day with her at work than hours fucking some pointless girl and it was messing his head up badly. He should go out, get drunk with Danny and fuck someone. Get rid of all this tension building up in him, he knew a lot of it was lack of sex.'Staring at a sea of pointless clothes and wondering how I'm going to wrestle Donna's gold card away from those itchy fingers.' She replied quickly, a smile hitting him as soon as he saw her name on screen and that goofy sense of elation that made him snarl at himself. He sighed and frowned at the phone. All thoughts of sex with someone else dispersing.Jesus he had no handle on this at all.'Can I come stare with you?'' He sent it before thinking and then cursed himself loudly, he was acting like some desperate teen with a girl crush. Breaking every rule known to mankind on the etiquette of 'platonic' friendships but he just wanted to be back with her.Jake, back off....Leave her be.'What's the matter Mr Carrero are you lonely in your ivory tower without me?'Her face swam in his minds eye, that sexy little smile she gave when she was being playful. The innocent flirting she probably wasn't even aware she did, in fact he guaranteed she didn't. To her he was just Jake, good old boss and friend and everything between them was light hearted and fun. Every warning alarm in his brain was going off, telling him that for his own sanity he needed to just leave well alone but his fingers were replying without any permission from him.'Maybe.' He could hardly admit that he was missing her crazily, pining like some love sick fool over being apart for an hour. He knew that he should be putting down the phone, turning it off and heading straight out that door to the nearest bar with any of the guys he hung out with. He should be concentrating on finding a woman, fuck it twins, and fucking Emma out of his head.'If you're that bored, how can I deny you my sparkling company?'' Fuck.Walk away Jake, stop!He knew this was stupid, working beside her was one thing. Sharing hotels borderline but actually going to hers socially after hours like this. Completely fucking stupid. He was blurring the lines of what they were more and more, the holiday idea was even more stupid but part of him couldn't let it go. He wanted to see her have fun, kick back with him around to look after her. He wanted to take her away, to the boat, to sun and sea and he had to admit the thought of seeing her in a bikini had his blood pulsing. 'Are you home alone?' If others were home then it would be better, not just the two of them. He had never been into her apartment before, couldn't believe he was even considering it but he was sure they would be in a smaller space than a hotel suite and most likely near her bed. He was trying so hard to tell himself that this is what friends did, hung out after work but he already knew it was a lame excuse. He wanted her. 'Aren't I always?'' Fuck.'I'll be there in 20 minutes.'Why Jake why?He stared at his own reply for a moment and sighed. His mind and body always at war with how he was supposed to treat her nowadays. How could he be rational when his own head was acting like an idiot and throwing caution to the wind? He ran his hands through his hair, dropping his head between his knees and scratching his scalp slowly. He rolled his shoulders and tried to rationalize.His feet pulled him to his wardrobe while his head was still telling him to cancel, not just this but the boat trip. Emma had never shown any hint of wanting more, not even a one time fling. He wouldn't have done it even if she had. The one night thing that was, he would happily give her more even if it scared him shitless. She was a girl you gave all too, nothing less and one night would never be enough for him.
* * *
He floored the pedal to the metal as he hit queens, getting closer to her apartment made him impatient and his car liked being opened up on the straights. The thrill of a car with this much power meant it demanded a little release every so often. He loved his car almost as much as he loved the girl he was driving towards.Wait! What? Fuck....Did he just think that? Love?Getting to the apartment he remembered from bringing her here a year ago he raced up the internal stairs two at a time, heart a little erratic still from the adrenalin of flooring his sports car and getting here in record time. Trying not to think too hard about the love thing, he just pushed it back down. It was dumb and impulsive and he hadn't really thought about that whole love thing, sure he knew he had feelings for her but love? He had no god damn clue. He couldn't love Emma, she had never asked that of him and he had been pretty sure he was incapable of feeling that way given the amount of women who had tried to get it from him..The asshole boyfriend of her flatmates let him in and he couldn't help himself glaring a little. He knew Emma didn't rate him highly for whatever reason and that was enough reason for him to dislike him too. He didn't say much, just a shrug and nodded towards a room down the hall which he assumed was Emma's and they both sort of grunted instead of conversed. Returning to caveman behaviour was fine with him, if this guy ever laid a finger on his girl he would happily caveman style smash his skull in. Jake walked past him, towering over the guy by a few inches in height and most definitely out muscling him. Jake was already sizing him up in his head for possible outcomes if he ever needed to get heavy handed on this one, heading towards Emma's room and still keeping an eye on the retreating guy. The door was sitting open, all thoughts of her pushing away the asshole and he slid into the space. Instantly assaulted with her enticing perfume and the girlishness of her bedroom. It was like suddenly stepping into Emma's head, a secret part of her and he couldn't help but look around a little overwhelmed.All soft greys and silvers, a cosy stylish boudoir of sorts, cuddly bears on the bed and a million cushions. Pictures on the wall of scenery, mainly New York skyline and some more tranquil black and white stills. The room had a matureness to it but the small soft touches, candles, trinkets and sparkly things hinted at a girly girl that she kept hidden from view. Jake felt like he was intruding all of a sudden and it was like seeing a part of her that even he hadn't seen. The romance book on the night stand surprised him.'Hey.' He smiled and threw a thumb over his shoulder, indicating assholes presence, he wanted to know if he had bothered her. She shook her head but he could tell she wasn't relaxed and it made him frown, if that dickhead had done or said anything he would literally kill him. Her face softening and that pretty smile calmed his aggression almost immediately, his eyes slid to the floor, the Everest of girls things in a bid to avoid the way he instantly wanted to stare at her mouth. He had never really gotten control of the staring thing when it came to her face, he had to stop himself doing it a hundred times a day.'You weren't wrong ... I think Donna has dressed you for a year.' He tried to turn his attention anywhere but Emma in jeans and a t-shirt, she looked college student and cuter than hell. He had seen her in various casual attire on long trips but being here surrounded by her things made it different somehow. Like she was letting him in on her completely unguarded and relaxed Emma, seeing her in a new setting. She didn't even seem to find it weird that he was here at all, another hint at the fact she thought all of this was harmless. Friends. That's all she saw in this. He sat down on the floor in front of the huge mountain of clothes a little guiltily. Jake sighed under his breath. He knew this and he had to stop ignoring it.'Whose fault is that? Mr Oh, buy her an outfit for this, that and the next thing every time you see her.' Emma poked him playfully in the ribs and he curbed the urge to grab her hand and haul her into his lap. Lately his hands on approach was becoming a little too hands on. He had practically molested her out jogging in Seattle, too much of a pull to always touch her. He leaned back in a bid to stop himself from initiating playful pushes, she brought it out in him just by being near.'Maybe I should tell her to ask you from now on, when you need something?' He held his hands up trying to appear apologetic but Emma didn't need to know how many times a week he sent Donna pictures of dresses or clothes or even requests and told her Emma needed them. He had no idea what that was all about, women's fashion didn't interest him but seeing Emma wearing expensive clothes made him happy. He didn't care if she never wore half of them, he just liked making sure she always had what she needed and she always looked too beautiful for words. It was worth abusing the company credit accounts.'That would be an idea.' Emma smirked and he couldn't help but smile back, he loved when she tried to sass him. The girl who had once been so closed off and reserved had come out of her shell in the past few months, he had loved watching her bloom. He liked this version of her a lot more.'Get rid of what you don't want.' He shrugged, he didn't care if she threw what she didn't like away. He pulled a dress from the pile that caught his interest in a pale pink and held it up to admire it, something else caught his eye before he really examined it. Lingerie. Much more interesting. He leaned in for it and winked Emma's way impulsively, damn sure he was getting an eyeful of that baby. He held up a corset type thing all lace and structure and really wanted to not be picturing it on her right now but his mind was making a good go of it. She whipped it out of his hands almost immediately and threw it off behind him towards a tall glass set of drawers with a hint of a blush. Not that he minded, his thoughts had definitely gone down the route of gutter and was not a good thing.'Most of it still has tags, Jake, she should return them.' She sounded childlike and almost hopeless. Lifting clothes up in frustration at him. Jake raised an eyebrow her way at the cuteness of that statement, the money he had Donna spend on clothes for Emma was nothing in the grand scheme of things.'Just give them away Emma, they're already paid for.' He shrugged nonchalantly, sometimes he forgot that she didn't come from his world. She fitted in so effortlessly, so graceful and never baulked around grandeur. She really was fucking perfect.'Jake, there's thousands of pounds worth of stuff here.' She sounded frustrated with him but it only made him smile. She had no idea how cute she could be, one second all seductive and irresistible and the next childish, so much so it gave him the urge to squish her. Adorable is the only word that he could conjure up for her sometimes, he had never been one to think any girl was that, but Emma sure was.'And?' He just shrugged, he honestly didn't care. It was just money.'So I should just donate it? ... What I don't need?' She asked sardonically, eyeing him up in her haughty PA way. She tried this look on him a hundred times a day but it had zero effect. He found it entertaining that she could close down anyone in the building with a glare yet to him it was just amusingly cute as fuck.'They're your clothes, Mio Amore.' He shifted on the floor picking up another dress, this time having a closer look at it and looking at her as he tried to picture her in it. She threw him a disdainful look and started throwing items to the door for donating, a look on her face that almost said it was painful for her. Emma would need to get used to money if she was going to stick with him, he had no intention of seeing her live a life without it even if she never saw him as anything more than a friend. He would always take care of her.'You've never worn this?' He raised an eyebrow at her questioningly, it was pretty. Somehow her. He wanted to see her wear it, red and floaty and short. Not too clingy yet romantic and something he had never seen her try.'Nope.' Blunt and to the point, she barely looked it's way but he was determined now. She would look good in red, she had the fair hair and porcelain skin to pull it off. Her blue eyes would make it perfection.'Why not? It's nice, kind of cute yet sexy.' He held it up to get a better idea of the style and really tried to picture her in it.'Where would I wear it?' She smiled his way a little unsurely.'Take it with us on our trip. Parade around on deck for me in it.' He put the dress on the bed to make sure it got kept with the clothes she was keeping, he wanted to see her in it more than anything. He wanted to see Emma dressed all girly and floaty and carefree. More than he wanted to see her in her underwear which completely confused him. Was Carrero losing his edge? Libido wavering? Turning into a fucking woman?'Just the two of us?' She asked nervously and distracted him, he couldn't help but feel the sunken weight he felt at how nervous she seemed to be with that thought. 'Not if that makes you uncomfortable...I've friends we could invite, my father's boat has six double cabins if you want a crowd.' He tried to focus on the clothes on the floor rather than let her see that it disappointed him, he wanted her alone. Just the two of them but he knew how disastrous that would be.'Who would you invite?' She looked his way with a little furrowed brow, cuteness personified and he had to fight the urge to smooth it out with his thumb.'Daniel, a couple of the guys I sometimes take trips with and whoever they want with them..... I was thinking Leila Huntsberger, that way you could meet Sophie's new sister.' He tried for nonchalant and seemed to pull it off, picking names right from the top of his head. Leila would like her, he could see them gelling and that made him happy. He wanted his friends to like her, Daniel had finally stopped leering her way whenever they crossed paths after more than a dozen threats from him.'So, they're going to be couples?' She looked scared suddenly and that familiar gut kick hit him.Fuck. Always a reminder of what they would never be.'Really Emma?' He sighed in irritation at the reality of this situation, annoyed and being an asshole. She hadn't done anything wrong. 'What do you think I'm going to do? Try and seduce my PA because we're surrounded by couples and I'm incapable of abstaining from sex? I may always be trying to chat you up but I'm not an idiot. I know where the boundaries are, Bambino.' Yeah sure he did...He just chose to fucking forget them frequently.Asshole.'No, it's just....it will be awkward.' She looked at the clothes and started pulling through them, obviously avoiding his eye. He sighed at making her feel this way. Softening his tone and trying to stop being a dickhead.'Why?' He said softly.'They might think we're......' She hesitated and caught his eye. Jake tried to relax back and look completely blank. More than anything in the world he wanted her trust but that spike of irritation still lingered inside of him though, peeking out.'Who cares what they think?...I don't give a shit what anyone thinks Emma....I need a break and so do you. Stop overthinking and just agree. Besides, they're my friends, they'll know right away that we're not screwing.' He slid his hands behind his head, frowning at his own snarkiness and tried to shrug it off. It wasn't fair on her, his little mood swings because of his feelings for her. She never asked him to get hung up on her and she sure as hell hadn't encouraged it in anyway. He needed to just stop and take a step back. Be friends, because if that's all she was offering then he wanted it. It was better than not knowing her at all. Life without Emma wasn't a life worth knowing anymore.'Okay, for god's sake.' She put her hands up in defeat, then looked shyly his way with the hint of a smile. 'Don't laugh Jake but I don't own anything I could wear on a beach or a boat.' He couldn't help but smile back at her. She really was beautiful.
* * *
Jake had pulled out all the stops to get the trip together in record time, once he had the idea in his head and knew she wanted it to happen he was all over it. A few calls here and there and a few nudges and everything was set. He had steam rolled over her doubts refusing to let her back down and they had gotten there without anymore arguments. His mind was set to seeing her in a bikini, not that he would be able to do anything about it but still. It was a sight he wasn't passing up. That tense ache in his groin had only reminded him how badly he needed sex lately. He wasn't a guy who had ever gone long period without and now he was here he was starting to doubt his ability to relax. She would be walking around semi naked and he was almost spring loaded like this. Fuck, he should have gone out in a glory of drink and fucking before this trip.She seemed completely in awe of his dads cruiser, Jake had seen it a million times so to him it was nothing special. A long yacht, white like every other and sat in an idyllic port surrounded by blue sea's and white sands. Just being surrounded by sun, friends and her was enough to make his mood up the gear tenfold. If he could push the lustful thoughts aside they could have a really good time here.The crew were under orders to keep out of the way, he didn't want her feeling intimidated by them. He knew she wasn't someone who liked wealth being a showy thing and he was damned if he was going to make her uncomfortable with anything while here. She had been forewarned that he was taking care of anything and everything, including shopping trips if she wanted them. He had felt like an ass as she had blinked at him aching to argue but in this his word was final. Date or not he was old fashioned, he paid for his girl. Even if he wasn't sleeping with her.His friends had all been forewarned to behave, no jokes about being his secretary or any of the men trying their luck. He would literally beat them to death with their own shoes if they tried. He hadn't exactly been happy to see Marissa in tow with Vincent. He had no idea what her fucking game was being on this boat but he sure as hell wasn't being drawn into any little Marissa games. Vincent was an idiot, he should have known she would sucker one of the twins, they both had always trawled along after her in hopes of a date. He hadn't seen her since the night he had stupidly gotten drunk and fucked her. Not that he could remember, he had no clue how he had even ended up with her that night, he must have been royally messed up and if she thought there would ever be a repeat she was wrong. He would throw her overboard personally if she got in his way. He was happy to ignore her presence knowing it would annoy her more than having her escorted off. Emma need never know anything about her or who she ever was to him. It was old history and nothing he would ever rehash.Daniel was keeping his distance just like Jake had told him too, Emma wasn't one of his playthings and he knew better than to cross Jake. There were six of them with Jake and Emma. Daniel and the twins, Vincent and Richard, white blonde hair and grey eyes, all American good looks and square shoulders.Leila was wandering about on deck having some sort of bitchy glaring competition with Marissa and Miracle, Daniels porn star and this was last thing he needed, Leila at least wasn't being viperous to Hunter for once. Seemed things had finally cooled down with them after months of frosty glares. Being in the same place again without toxic warfare was pretty great. He would have to warn her about starting anything with either girl, not that he worried Leila couldn't handle them, the exact opposite in fact. If Leila flew off the handle it would be another airlift to the coast ER for two females and Leila wouldn't be one. He had bad memories of Leila taking on some of Daniels dates in the past and flying bottles.Jake had already had to deflect advances from the leggy porn star, she had tried to grapple him alone in the lower hall from the bedrooms topless. Hands a little too quickly going for his groin. He wasn't immune, he was horny as hell and she had managed to get her hand into his shorts while he had dodged her mouth. She was fuckable but as soon as her hands had been on him all he could think about was Emma. He knew Daniel wouldn't care if he fucked Miracle down here, they had shared in the past and all he needed to do was open a door and bend her over a bed, she was obviously game. He had pushed her off and told her to stay the fuck away, she wasn't what he wanted by a long shot.
* * *
Emma was up on deck when Jake came up from his room, he had been taking a shower. His heart almost stopped when he saw her silhouetted against the railing in a coral bikini and some flimsy wrap around her hips that kept flapping open to reveal long sexy legs. Even for a small girl her legs looked endless. She was the most perfect sight on and off this boat and everything else paled in comparison. Jake was oblivious to Miracle and Marissa's topless breasts lounging on deck, didn't see anything except her and that completely intoxicating body, much more appealing even covered than either of the brunettes. Creamy skin and curves of perfection. He was definitely horny as hell now, just looking at her made his insides want to explode. He wasn't one for self pleasuring to get sexual gratification but right now with her in mind he would happily go back to his room for some sort of release. It had only been a couple of days here and already his constant hard on was painful. He had been taking cold showers a little too frequently. Why he had ever thought he could handle Emma in bikinis was beyond him. He should've known it would be hell on earth to be around her and not want to fuck her badly.'Here.' He handed her a bottle of cold, flavoured water with a smile, his eyes shielded from view by his ray-bans and trying to control every ounce of his body like the expert he was. Years of self control finally having a use. He was watching that make up free face and wondering why she ever wore it, she never needed it. Emma was a natural beauty by all standards, flawless perfection.'Thanks.' She opened the bottle with a smile and took a long drink, he had to look away from the way her lips cupped the rim. A groan in his head and trying not to picture that mouth doing anything else.Breathe Carrero.... You're like a horny fifteen year old virgin right now.'You look nice.' He focused on her loose hair, his glasses shielding what he was really thinking and trying not to skim that body visually. He needed to disrupt this view somehow and get his head back in the game.'Thanks.' She blushed and he felt himself frowning, suddenly conscious of the fact she had glanced at his naked upper torso, he was wearing shorts and nothing else and despite never having an issue stripping off in public he suddenly realised why this might be awkward for her. He was still her boss and he had never been topless in front of her. Not that he was self conscious in the slightest. He spent enough time in the gym to make sure he was underwear model ready at all times and his tattoos were always placed in places that just enhanced what he had. He was never uncomfortable being naked, especially not in front of women. He felt like an ass for not even thinking that this whole thing might make her uneasy, especially with her background and the way men had treated her. Jake felt like a complete dick head all of a sudden for not realising.'We're going to the shore tonight for dinner... You want to come?' He looked over her head across the water to try and reel in his thoughts, his mood plummeting a little. He had never wanted her to be nervous around him, especially not in this way. He had never thought that maybe Emma's lack of dates this past year had something to do with sex making her uneasy, her childhood had scarred her. Of course men made her uneasy. He made a mental note at wearing a shirt while walking about on deck, he would make all of them wear one if it made her feel better.'Sure.' She smiled shielding her eyes from the sun, Jake swiped his shades from his head automatically and placed them on her dainty face. 'I really should carry a pair of these.' She laughed, that natural carefree laugh that lifted his mood back up a little, he just shrugged in response. Still mulling over the effect he was obviously having on her. It was like a punch in the stomach, a dull ache that wouldn't shift.'They look better on you than they do on me. Your cuteness just goes with my shades.' Truth be told he never ever thought about putting them on her face, from the first time it had been a natural movement, like breathing. She had shielded her eyes and he had done it. Something he had done to his kid brother his whole life and somehow she raised that same protective impulse.'Where are we going for dinner?' Emma seemed to be evasively looking anywhere but his body and he only frowned harder. He wanted her to be able to stand here with no effect. Well he wanted him to affect her in a good way but not like this. He wanted to wrap his arms around her right now and just tell her it was always going to be okay. He would never let another man touch her, hurt her. He would protect her for an eternity. She didn't need to be afraid ever again, it killed him knowing she still carried the burden of those memories.'Some little seafood place Marissa knows.' He tried to keep his tone even at saying her name, he usually avoided any use of the cursed word.'I want to get my haircut while we're here....Do you think there are any hairdressers on the mainland?' Jake felt the instant urge to tell her she didn't need to change her hair, he liked it the way it was and looked away towards Leila in hopes of hiding the frown on his face. He didn't like the thought of her changing anything about how she was. You couldn't improve on perfection.'Leila will know... She comes here a lot.' Jake nodded towards his childhood friend, hoping to god Leila wouldn't push Emma into some radical hairdo, he knew her only too well. She was wandering around wearing a top, first time he noticed the other two were not. Completely topless and he suddenly felt pissed. If topless men could make Emma uneasy then that sure as hell would do it too, he wanted to throw towels over both of them.'You know Marissa well?' Her voice broke into his thoughts and he felt himself freeze. He had never expected this question to come from her and the last thing he wanted her to know was anything about his past with Marissa. How the hell she had even picked up on anything was beyond him, he sure as hell wasn't putting out any signals where that harpy was concerned.'Once!' He felt his pulse quicken and his head going into evasive mode, he didn't want to dreg up the past and admit he had been too blind to realise his teen girlfriend and best mate had been fucking behind his back and sent him into a spiral few years of booze, drugs, idiot behaviour and woman. He didn't want Emma knowing that part of him or tying him to the bitch on deck. He wanted her to see him as he was now, the person he was with her anyway, the better version of himself. He found himself scowling Marissa's way with his back to Emma, Marissa catching his eye and licking her lips seductively, she squirmed suggestively. Even from here he could pick up her fuck me signals and he just scowled back.Not a chance princess.'Want to come for a swim with me?' He threw back at Emma, he wanted to get as far away from the slag eyeing him up and away from the topic about her. He needed time alone to just help his girl relax. Away from all this naked skin. He turned back to that open expression and felt the urge to stroke her hair back from her face. His sunglasses did look good on her, a little big but in a cute way.'Now?' She sounded apprehensive.'Why not?' Jake smiled at her , hoping to make her feel more at ease. He needed to get her to unwind a little and he couldn't do that here, tense with a pair of eyes on the back of his head trying to mentally undress him. They needed to leave the past on the deck on her lounger and go find a secluded beach to roam.'Sure.' She smiled brightly and he could hear Daniel kicking the tunes into a higher gear, looking back he could see the telltale signs of cocaine coming out and growled internally. He had fucking warned him against this shit while she was here. He didn't do this crap anymore and he wasn't going to subject her to it either. He was glad to see Leila wander off deck, knowing she too was out of that whole scene. They had had their young wild and reckless days and left them far behind. Daniel needed to catch up. He noted that the twins and their dates seemed into it and put an arm around Emma's shoulders. Guiding her to the side he waited till she undid her sarong and hung it up before diving in first to make sure he would be in the sea to help her if she needed him when she dove in.* * *
Being away from them and in the water instantly lightened his mood, her being in here seemed to make her forget about being self conscious or his naked torso and that made him happier. She smiled and relaxed as they swam and before long he started playfully splashing and pulling her with him. She tried to dunk him under but he was faster and got her first every time. She seemed to be a pretty competent swimmer so Jake decided to have a little fun with her before swimming ashore. He had pulled her under with him a few times, enjoying the fact that in the water he could touch her freely without feeling like he was doing something wrong.'Stop...it.' She spluttered to the surface, pleading with him and pushing back her wet hair from her her eyes. She looked too cute like this to listen.'Only if you ask me nicely, tiny tots.' He wiped the water from his face , pleased to feel his hair wax was withstanding the sea test. The new lab improvements he had requested were obviously working and Carrero hair wax was now waterproof. He swam closer to her to close the gap, aware just how naked she really was when he was inches from moulding to her.'Will you please stop trying to drown me, Mr Carrero.' She begged, it only made him feel more playful. That cute little soft voice asking so sweetly, she had no chance.'Seeing as you ask so sweetly, Miss Anderson.' He pushed her under again, this time catching her under the water and pulled her back up against him hard. Nose to nose and it didn't seem so right anymore, it was closer than he intended, her body skimming against him in ways that got an immediate hard reaction and he released her quickly. He wasn't sure which part of her body had just rubbed up his groin but it didn't matter, he was definitely battling down an erection with the efforts of a sumo wrestler right now. He hated that despite all his sexual prowess and years of being a man whore he couldn't control this shit around her. It was fucking embarrassing.He swam away from her in an effort to get this under control and put distance between them, he hoped to god she could manage the half mile swim as holding onto her in anyway right now would end in impalement he didn't want to have to explain. The beach wasn't that far but it would be exhausting for someone as tiny as her. Jake slowed his pace to make sure he stayed close incase she struggled. He would never let her drown even if he did have to ram a hard on against her back while rescuing her.He was glad to find that by the time they hit the beach he had it back under control and mentally chastised himself about getting that close to her again while she was wearing practically nothing. He wandered ahead to let the water drip off and the sun warm and dry his skin in hopes her bikini wasn't showing more than he could handle right now.God, he needed sex badly.
Read at your own risk!!
The holiday - Jakes perspective (split parts for next couple of days)
Jake strolled into his apartment and threw his bag down on the couch, it had been a long trip and a longer week but he suddenly felt restless at being back. Normally getting home brought him all kinds of joy, but this time it felt slightly empty and he actually wished they had stayed at that damn dance, just so he could still be with her right now. Pacing to the window and looking out across the New York skyline he ran his hand through his hair and cracked his neck in a bid to release some tension that was building up his spine. Flexing his arms over his head and straining the jacket holding him tight, he needed to get out of this monkey suit they called a tux and get comfy, maybe he just needed to feel less business like and properly relax. Maybe he needed a drink.He needed to stop fixating on Emma, it wasn't healthy and the constant stream of thoughts he had about her were getting harder to control. She had been too alluring tonight, that dress had drove him crazy and dancing up close no longer felt safe, he'd made them leave for her sake as much as his own. It was getting to the point he could no longer trust himself not to try kissing her again whenever he was drunk. He wished he had a memory of Chicago, the night she said they had kissed. He wanted to know what it felt like to kiss that sexy pouted mouth fully, not just a second of brushed lips but a real, deep and meaningful kiss. He already knew that was an awful idea, she had this much of an effect on him now, a kiss would seal his fate.Picking up the remote from his coffee table he hit the stereo control and his iTunes playlist came to life, turning it up to consume the entire apartment he headed for his shower. Peeling off the bow tie and Jacket as he walked into his room. Smiling as lyrics from a song Emma had sent him followed through and he couldn't help thinking of those blue eyes and quick smile and feeling a hint of longing to have her here right now. God, he missed her already.The thought hit him in the stomach and he tried to ignore it. They had literally separated less than an hour ago to come home and he was being unbelievably pathetic. He knew he was becoming too attached to her in ways that would make working impossible, always wanting her around and it bothered him because he could tell she didn't feel the same way. He had tried to convince himself a million times that it was because they were more than work colleagues, they were friends. Real friends, maybe even best friends. He was pretty sure he told her more than anyone he knew and that counted for something and he needed to realise what they had was already special. She was too special to him to fuck this up with sex or one sided emotions.That first kiss in the hotel had thrown him, had started all of this. He didn't fully understand all the feelings related to it at the time but he sure as hell knew that it wasn't as platonic as he tried to tell himself. Emma had been shocked, non-responsive and even scared if he was being honest, and as shit as it made him feel he couldn't get the feel of her mouth out of his head. For a brief moment he had kissed her and it felt like nothing he had ever known, his stomach had tingled, his heart rate accelerated and he had just become zoned in on everything about her as though time had stood still. He had imprinted every single detail of that night to memory. Her smell, her hair, the way she felt, that god damn nightdress that plagued him and how it clung to the perfect body. Underneath all her tailored suits and precise clothing was a body made for seduction and she had him with one look.Since then things had only gotten worse, every touch, every look, every smile, only served to torture him. It was long past sex, even he could admit that to himself, right now just having a chance at another night wrapped up together in a bed would be enough. He never wanted to forget what sleeping beside her had felt like, he had done something he never did with a woman. He had wrapped her in his arms and kept her close all night, unable to set her free even if she wanted too. He had thought that fucker Vanquis had been the cause but that was a lie, he would always hold her that way given the opportunity. She brought something out of him that he couldn't explain, the eternal need to shield her.He tried to shake her out of his head, something he was getting good at since employing her but tonight she wouldn't budge. He was falling hard and he had no way to stop it. Emma was everything he needed and he hadn't even seen it coming, that perfect angelic face and soft voice. The tiny perfect body that made him want to protect her always. Everything he learned about her as time went by only made him all the more fiercely protective of her. She wasn't the girl she showed the world, she was so much more. A vulnerable beautiful perfection that men had tried to destroy, men he would kill with his bare hands given half a chance and wouldn't regret doing it. She was strong in a quiet, gentle way but she was also vulnerable and made him feel a hundred feet tall.He could still smell her perfume on his shirt from dancing with her tonight and still feel the way her body moulded to his effortlessly. Looking down he realised he had still not pulled any of his clothes off despite turning the shower on. Suddenly unwilling to be parted from the smell of her.Get a grip man, you need to stop this shit.He stalked back to his bedroom from the en-suite and sat down on the bed, his hand automatically swiping his phone out before his brain even connected with the dots. He wanted to talk to her, despite only leaving her, he just needed to reach out. Maybe if he did then this feeling would shift and he could go back to enjoying time home. Go back to trying to accept that this was never going to happen and actually get his life back. He hated how little control he had anymore, how much she had changed him and how much he had let her. He didn't even drink or party as much anymore, each time he got drunk he would call her with some lame ass excuse for drunkenly waking her at stupid o'clock. Even before he knew what was happening to him his drunk self had always wanted to speak to her at the most inappropriate times. He had calmed down so much of his lifestyle just so he could be around her more, work more, no hangovers invading time spent around her. A part of him wanted to show her he was capable of being so much more than the reputation that always clouded over him. He liked being around her way more than he liked hanging out in a nightclub with Daniel nowadays. Jake Carrero, playboy billionaire heartbreaker was fast losing that title.'What are you doing?' He rubbed his face and once again tried to evaluate what the hell he was doing. He had tried to play off the lack of dates tonight but the truth was he didn't want to see anyone else right now. Women had stopped any appeal the more he knew her and casual sex had lost its sparkle. He got more from spending a day with her at work than hours fucking some pointless girl and it was messing his head up badly. He should go out, get drunk with Danny and fuck someone. Get rid of all this tension building up in him, he knew a lot of it was lack of sex.'Staring at a sea of pointless clothes and wondering how I'm going to wrestle Donna's gold card away from those itchy fingers.' She replied quickly, a smile hitting him as soon as he saw her name on screen and that goofy sense of elation that made him snarl at himself. He sighed and frowned at the phone. All thoughts of sex with someone else dispersing.Jesus he had no handle on this at all.'Can I come stare with you?'' He sent it before thinking and then cursed himself loudly, he was acting like some desperate teen with a girl crush. Breaking every rule known to mankind on the etiquette of 'platonic' friendships but he just wanted to be back with her.Jake, back off....Leave her be.'What's the matter Mr Carrero are you lonely in your ivory tower without me?'Her face swam in his minds eye, that sexy little smile she gave when she was being playful. The innocent flirting she probably wasn't even aware she did, in fact he guaranteed she didn't. To her he was just Jake, good old boss and friend and everything between them was light hearted and fun. Every warning alarm in his brain was going off, telling him that for his own sanity he needed to just leave well alone but his fingers were replying without any permission from him.'Maybe.' He could hardly admit that he was missing her crazily, pining like some love sick fool over being apart for an hour. He knew that he should be putting down the phone, turning it off and heading straight out that door to the nearest bar with any of the guys he hung out with. He should be concentrating on finding a woman, fuck it twins, and fucking Emma out of his head.'If you're that bored, how can I deny you my sparkling company?'' Fuck.Walk away Jake, stop!He knew this was stupid, working beside her was one thing. Sharing hotels borderline but actually going to hers socially after hours like this. Completely fucking stupid. He was blurring the lines of what they were more and more, the holiday idea was even more stupid but part of him couldn't let it go. He wanted to see her have fun, kick back with him around to look after her. He wanted to take her away, to the boat, to sun and sea and he had to admit the thought of seeing her in a bikini had his blood pulsing. 'Are you home alone?' If others were home then it would be better, not just the two of them. He had never been into her apartment before, couldn't believe he was even considering it but he was sure they would be in a smaller space than a hotel suite and most likely near her bed. He was trying so hard to tell himself that this is what friends did, hung out after work but he already knew it was a lame excuse. He wanted her. 'Aren't I always?'' Fuck.'I'll be there in 20 minutes.'Why Jake why?He stared at his own reply for a moment and sighed. His mind and body always at war with how he was supposed to treat her nowadays. How could he be rational when his own head was acting like an idiot and throwing caution to the wind? He ran his hands through his hair, dropping his head between his knees and scratching his scalp slowly. He rolled his shoulders and tried to rationalize.His feet pulled him to his wardrobe while his head was still telling him to cancel, not just this but the boat trip. Emma had never shown any hint of wanting more, not even a one time fling. He wouldn't have done it even if she had. The one night thing that was, he would happily give her more even if it scared him shitless. She was a girl you gave all too, nothing less and one night would never be enough for him.
* * *
He floored the pedal to the metal as he hit queens, getting closer to her apartment made him impatient and his car liked being opened up on the straights. The thrill of a car with this much power meant it demanded a little release every so often. He loved his car almost as much as he loved the girl he was driving towards.Wait! What? Fuck....Did he just think that? Love?Getting to the apartment he remembered from bringing her here a year ago he raced up the internal stairs two at a time, heart a little erratic still from the adrenalin of flooring his sports car and getting here in record time. Trying not to think too hard about the love thing, he just pushed it back down. It was dumb and impulsive and he hadn't really thought about that whole love thing, sure he knew he had feelings for her but love? He had no god damn clue. He couldn't love Emma, she had never asked that of him and he had been pretty sure he was incapable of feeling that way given the amount of women who had tried to get it from him..The asshole boyfriend of her flatmates let him in and he couldn't help himself glaring a little. He knew Emma didn't rate him highly for whatever reason and that was enough reason for him to dislike him too. He didn't say much, just a shrug and nodded towards a room down the hall which he assumed was Emma's and they both sort of grunted instead of conversed. Returning to caveman behaviour was fine with him, if this guy ever laid a finger on his girl he would happily caveman style smash his skull in. Jake walked past him, towering over the guy by a few inches in height and most definitely out muscling him. Jake was already sizing him up in his head for possible outcomes if he ever needed to get heavy handed on this one, heading towards Emma's room and still keeping an eye on the retreating guy. The door was sitting open, all thoughts of her pushing away the asshole and he slid into the space. Instantly assaulted with her enticing perfume and the girlishness of her bedroom. It was like suddenly stepping into Emma's head, a secret part of her and he couldn't help but look around a little overwhelmed.All soft greys and silvers, a cosy stylish boudoir of sorts, cuddly bears on the bed and a million cushions. Pictures on the wall of scenery, mainly New York skyline and some more tranquil black and white stills. The room had a matureness to it but the small soft touches, candles, trinkets and sparkly things hinted at a girly girl that she kept hidden from view. Jake felt like he was intruding all of a sudden and it was like seeing a part of her that even he hadn't seen. The romance book on the night stand surprised him.'Hey.' He smiled and threw a thumb over his shoulder, indicating assholes presence, he wanted to know if he had bothered her. She shook her head but he could tell she wasn't relaxed and it made him frown, if that dickhead had done or said anything he would literally kill him. Her face softening and that pretty smile calmed his aggression almost immediately, his eyes slid to the floor, the Everest of girls things in a bid to avoid the way he instantly wanted to stare at her mouth. He had never really gotten control of the staring thing when it came to her face, he had to stop himself doing it a hundred times a day.'You weren't wrong ... I think Donna has dressed you for a year.' He tried to turn his attention anywhere but Emma in jeans and a t-shirt, she looked college student and cuter than hell. He had seen her in various casual attire on long trips but being here surrounded by her things made it different somehow. Like she was letting him in on her completely unguarded and relaxed Emma, seeing her in a new setting. She didn't even seem to find it weird that he was here at all, another hint at the fact she thought all of this was harmless. Friends. That's all she saw in this. He sat down on the floor in front of the huge mountain of clothes a little guiltily. Jake sighed under his breath. He knew this and he had to stop ignoring it.'Whose fault is that? Mr Oh, buy her an outfit for this, that and the next thing every time you see her.' Emma poked him playfully in the ribs and he curbed the urge to grab her hand and haul her into his lap. Lately his hands on approach was becoming a little too hands on. He had practically molested her out jogging in Seattle, too much of a pull to always touch her. He leaned back in a bid to stop himself from initiating playful pushes, she brought it out in him just by being near.'Maybe I should tell her to ask you from now on, when you need something?' He held his hands up trying to appear apologetic but Emma didn't need to know how many times a week he sent Donna pictures of dresses or clothes or even requests and told her Emma needed them. He had no idea what that was all about, women's fashion didn't interest him but seeing Emma wearing expensive clothes made him happy. He didn't care if she never wore half of them, he just liked making sure she always had what she needed and she always looked too beautiful for words. It was worth abusing the company credit accounts.'That would be an idea.' Emma smirked and he couldn't help but smile back, he loved when she tried to sass him. The girl who had once been so closed off and reserved had come out of her shell in the past few months, he had loved watching her bloom. He liked this version of her a lot more.'Get rid of what you don't want.' He shrugged, he didn't care if she threw what she didn't like away. He pulled a dress from the pile that caught his interest in a pale pink and held it up to admire it, something else caught his eye before he really examined it. Lingerie. Much more interesting. He leaned in for it and winked Emma's way impulsively, damn sure he was getting an eyeful of that baby. He held up a corset type thing all lace and structure and really wanted to not be picturing it on her right now but his mind was making a good go of it. She whipped it out of his hands almost immediately and threw it off behind him towards a tall glass set of drawers with a hint of a blush. Not that he minded, his thoughts had definitely gone down the route of gutter and was not a good thing.'Most of it still has tags, Jake, she should return them.' She sounded childlike and almost hopeless. Lifting clothes up in frustration at him. Jake raised an eyebrow her way at the cuteness of that statement, the money he had Donna spend on clothes for Emma was nothing in the grand scheme of things.'Just give them away Emma, they're already paid for.' He shrugged nonchalantly, sometimes he forgot that she didn't come from his world. She fitted in so effortlessly, so graceful and never baulked around grandeur. She really was fucking perfect.'Jake, there's thousands of pounds worth of stuff here.' She sounded frustrated with him but it only made him smile. She had no idea how cute she could be, one second all seductive and irresistible and the next childish, so much so it gave him the urge to squish her. Adorable is the only word that he could conjure up for her sometimes, he had never been one to think any girl was that, but Emma sure was.'And?' He just shrugged, he honestly didn't care. It was just money.'So I should just donate it? ... What I don't need?' She asked sardonically, eyeing him up in her haughty PA way. She tried this look on him a hundred times a day but it had zero effect. He found it entertaining that she could close down anyone in the building with a glare yet to him it was just amusingly cute as fuck.'They're your clothes, Mio Amore.' He shifted on the floor picking up another dress, this time having a closer look at it and looking at her as he tried to picture her in it. She threw him a disdainful look and started throwing items to the door for donating, a look on her face that almost said it was painful for her. Emma would need to get used to money if she was going to stick with him, he had no intention of seeing her live a life without it even if she never saw him as anything more than a friend. He would always take care of her.'You've never worn this?' He raised an eyebrow at her questioningly, it was pretty. Somehow her. He wanted to see her wear it, red and floaty and short. Not too clingy yet romantic and something he had never seen her try.'Nope.' Blunt and to the point, she barely looked it's way but he was determined now. She would look good in red, she had the fair hair and porcelain skin to pull it off. Her blue eyes would make it perfection.'Why not? It's nice, kind of cute yet sexy.' He held it up to get a better idea of the style and really tried to picture her in it.'Where would I wear it?' She smiled his way a little unsurely.'Take it with us on our trip. Parade around on deck for me in it.' He put the dress on the bed to make sure it got kept with the clothes she was keeping, he wanted to see her in it more than anything. He wanted to see Emma dressed all girly and floaty and carefree. More than he wanted to see her in her underwear which completely confused him. Was Carrero losing his edge? Libido wavering? Turning into a fucking woman?'Just the two of us?' She asked nervously and distracted him, he couldn't help but feel the sunken weight he felt at how nervous she seemed to be with that thought. 'Not if that makes you uncomfortable...I've friends we could invite, my father's boat has six double cabins if you want a crowd.' He tried to focus on the clothes on the floor rather than let her see that it disappointed him, he wanted her alone. Just the two of them but he knew how disastrous that would be.'Who would you invite?' She looked his way with a little furrowed brow, cuteness personified and he had to fight the urge to smooth it out with his thumb.'Daniel, a couple of the guys I sometimes take trips with and whoever they want with them..... I was thinking Leila Huntsberger, that way you could meet Sophie's new sister.' He tried for nonchalant and seemed to pull it off, picking names right from the top of his head. Leila would like her, he could see them gelling and that made him happy. He wanted his friends to like her, Daniel had finally stopped leering her way whenever they crossed paths after more than a dozen threats from him.'So, they're going to be couples?' She looked scared suddenly and that familiar gut kick hit him.Fuck. Always a reminder of what they would never be.'Really Emma?' He sighed in irritation at the reality of this situation, annoyed and being an asshole. She hadn't done anything wrong. 'What do you think I'm going to do? Try and seduce my PA because we're surrounded by couples and I'm incapable of abstaining from sex? I may always be trying to chat you up but I'm not an idiot. I know where the boundaries are, Bambino.' Yeah sure he did...He just chose to fucking forget them frequently.Asshole.'No, it's just....it will be awkward.' She looked at the clothes and started pulling through them, obviously avoiding his eye. He sighed at making her feel this way. Softening his tone and trying to stop being a dickhead.'Why?' He said softly.'They might think we're......' She hesitated and caught his eye. Jake tried to relax back and look completely blank. More than anything in the world he wanted her trust but that spike of irritation still lingered inside of him though, peeking out.'Who cares what they think?...I don't give a shit what anyone thinks Emma....I need a break and so do you. Stop overthinking and just agree. Besides, they're my friends, they'll know right away that we're not screwing.' He slid his hands behind his head, frowning at his own snarkiness and tried to shrug it off. It wasn't fair on her, his little mood swings because of his feelings for her. She never asked him to get hung up on her and she sure as hell hadn't encouraged it in anyway. He needed to just stop and take a step back. Be friends, because if that's all she was offering then he wanted it. It was better than not knowing her at all. Life without Emma wasn't a life worth knowing anymore.'Okay, for god's sake.' She put her hands up in defeat, then looked shyly his way with the hint of a smile. 'Don't laugh Jake but I don't own anything I could wear on a beach or a boat.' He couldn't help but smile back at her. She really was beautiful.
* * *
Jake had pulled out all the stops to get the trip together in record time, once he had the idea in his head and knew she wanted it to happen he was all over it. A few calls here and there and a few nudges and everything was set. He had steam rolled over her doubts refusing to let her back down and they had gotten there without anymore arguments. His mind was set to seeing her in a bikini, not that he would be able to do anything about it but still. It was a sight he wasn't passing up. That tense ache in his groin had only reminded him how badly he needed sex lately. He wasn't a guy who had ever gone long period without and now he was here he was starting to doubt his ability to relax. She would be walking around semi naked and he was almost spring loaded like this. Fuck, he should have gone out in a glory of drink and fucking before this trip.She seemed completely in awe of his dads cruiser, Jake had seen it a million times so to him it was nothing special. A long yacht, white like every other and sat in an idyllic port surrounded by blue sea's and white sands. Just being surrounded by sun, friends and her was enough to make his mood up the gear tenfold. If he could push the lustful thoughts aside they could have a really good time here.The crew were under orders to keep out of the way, he didn't want her feeling intimidated by them. He knew she wasn't someone who liked wealth being a showy thing and he was damned if he was going to make her uncomfortable with anything while here. She had been forewarned that he was taking care of anything and everything, including shopping trips if she wanted them. He had felt like an ass as she had blinked at him aching to argue but in this his word was final. Date or not he was old fashioned, he paid for his girl. Even if he wasn't sleeping with her.His friends had all been forewarned to behave, no jokes about being his secretary or any of the men trying their luck. He would literally beat them to death with their own shoes if they tried. He hadn't exactly been happy to see Marissa in tow with Vincent. He had no idea what her fucking game was being on this boat but he sure as hell wasn't being drawn into any little Marissa games. Vincent was an idiot, he should have known she would sucker one of the twins, they both had always trawled along after her in hopes of a date. He hadn't seen her since the night he had stupidly gotten drunk and fucked her. Not that he could remember, he had no clue how he had even ended up with her that night, he must have been royally messed up and if she thought there would ever be a repeat she was wrong. He would throw her overboard personally if she got in his way. He was happy to ignore her presence knowing it would annoy her more than having her escorted off. Emma need never know anything about her or who she ever was to him. It was old history and nothing he would ever rehash.Daniel was keeping his distance just like Jake had told him too, Emma wasn't one of his playthings and he knew better than to cross Jake. There were six of them with Jake and Emma. Daniel and the twins, Vincent and Richard, white blonde hair and grey eyes, all American good looks and square shoulders.Leila was wandering about on deck having some sort of bitchy glaring competition with Marissa and Miracle, Daniels porn star and this was last thing he needed, Leila at least wasn't being viperous to Hunter for once. Seemed things had finally cooled down with them after months of frosty glares. Being in the same place again without toxic warfare was pretty great. He would have to warn her about starting anything with either girl, not that he worried Leila couldn't handle them, the exact opposite in fact. If Leila flew off the handle it would be another airlift to the coast ER for two females and Leila wouldn't be one. He had bad memories of Leila taking on some of Daniels dates in the past and flying bottles.Jake had already had to deflect advances from the leggy porn star, she had tried to grapple him alone in the lower hall from the bedrooms topless. Hands a little too quickly going for his groin. He wasn't immune, he was horny as hell and she had managed to get her hand into his shorts while he had dodged her mouth. She was fuckable but as soon as her hands had been on him all he could think about was Emma. He knew Daniel wouldn't care if he fucked Miracle down here, they had shared in the past and all he needed to do was open a door and bend her over a bed, she was obviously game. He had pushed her off and told her to stay the fuck away, she wasn't what he wanted by a long shot.
* * *
Emma was up on deck when Jake came up from his room, he had been taking a shower. His heart almost stopped when he saw her silhouetted against the railing in a coral bikini and some flimsy wrap around her hips that kept flapping open to reveal long sexy legs. Even for a small girl her legs looked endless. She was the most perfect sight on and off this boat and everything else paled in comparison. Jake was oblivious to Miracle and Marissa's topless breasts lounging on deck, didn't see anything except her and that completely intoxicating body, much more appealing even covered than either of the brunettes. Creamy skin and curves of perfection. He was definitely horny as hell now, just looking at her made his insides want to explode. He wasn't one for self pleasuring to get sexual gratification but right now with her in mind he would happily go back to his room for some sort of release. It had only been a couple of days here and already his constant hard on was painful. He had been taking cold showers a little too frequently. Why he had ever thought he could handle Emma in bikinis was beyond him. He should've known it would be hell on earth to be around her and not want to fuck her badly.'Here.' He handed her a bottle of cold, flavoured water with a smile, his eyes shielded from view by his ray-bans and trying to control every ounce of his body like the expert he was. Years of self control finally having a use. He was watching that make up free face and wondering why she ever wore it, she never needed it. Emma was a natural beauty by all standards, flawless perfection.'Thanks.' She opened the bottle with a smile and took a long drink, he had to look away from the way her lips cupped the rim. A groan in his head and trying not to picture that mouth doing anything else.Breathe Carrero.... You're like a horny fifteen year old virgin right now.'You look nice.' He focused on her loose hair, his glasses shielding what he was really thinking and trying not to skim that body visually. He needed to disrupt this view somehow and get his head back in the game.'Thanks.' She blushed and he felt himself frowning, suddenly conscious of the fact she had glanced at his naked upper torso, he was wearing shorts and nothing else and despite never having an issue stripping off in public he suddenly realised why this might be awkward for her. He was still her boss and he had never been topless in front of her. Not that he was self conscious in the slightest. He spent enough time in the gym to make sure he was underwear model ready at all times and his tattoos were always placed in places that just enhanced what he had. He was never uncomfortable being naked, especially not in front of women. He felt like an ass for not even thinking that this whole thing might make her uneasy, especially with her background and the way men had treated her. Jake felt like a complete dick head all of a sudden for not realising.'We're going to the shore tonight for dinner... You want to come?' He looked over her head across the water to try and reel in his thoughts, his mood plummeting a little. He had never wanted her to be nervous around him, especially not in this way. He had never thought that maybe Emma's lack of dates this past year had something to do with sex making her uneasy, her childhood had scarred her. Of course men made her uneasy. He made a mental note at wearing a shirt while walking about on deck, he would make all of them wear one if it made her feel better.'Sure.' She smiled shielding her eyes from the sun, Jake swiped his shades from his head automatically and placed them on her dainty face. 'I really should carry a pair of these.' She laughed, that natural carefree laugh that lifted his mood back up a little, he just shrugged in response. Still mulling over the effect he was obviously having on her. It was like a punch in the stomach, a dull ache that wouldn't shift.'They look better on you than they do on me. Your cuteness just goes with my shades.' Truth be told he never ever thought about putting them on her face, from the first time it had been a natural movement, like breathing. She had shielded her eyes and he had done it. Something he had done to his kid brother his whole life and somehow she raised that same protective impulse.'Where are we going for dinner?' Emma seemed to be evasively looking anywhere but his body and he only frowned harder. He wanted her to be able to stand here with no effect. Well he wanted him to affect her in a good way but not like this. He wanted to wrap his arms around her right now and just tell her it was always going to be okay. He would never let another man touch her, hurt her. He would protect her for an eternity. She didn't need to be afraid ever again, it killed him knowing she still carried the burden of those memories.'Some little seafood place Marissa knows.' He tried to keep his tone even at saying her name, he usually avoided any use of the cursed word.'I want to get my haircut while we're here....Do you think there are any hairdressers on the mainland?' Jake felt the instant urge to tell her she didn't need to change her hair, he liked it the way it was and looked away towards Leila in hopes of hiding the frown on his face. He didn't like the thought of her changing anything about how she was. You couldn't improve on perfection.'Leila will know... She comes here a lot.' Jake nodded towards his childhood friend, hoping to god Leila wouldn't push Emma into some radical hairdo, he knew her only too well. She was wandering around wearing a top, first time he noticed the other two were not. Completely topless and he suddenly felt pissed. If topless men could make Emma uneasy then that sure as hell would do it too, he wanted to throw towels over both of them.'You know Marissa well?' Her voice broke into his thoughts and he felt himself freeze. He had never expected this question to come from her and the last thing he wanted her to know was anything about his past with Marissa. How the hell she had even picked up on anything was beyond him, he sure as hell wasn't putting out any signals where that harpy was concerned.'Once!' He felt his pulse quicken and his head going into evasive mode, he didn't want to dreg up the past and admit he had been too blind to realise his teen girlfriend and best mate had been fucking behind his back and sent him into a spiral few years of booze, drugs, idiot behaviour and woman. He didn't want Emma knowing that part of him or tying him to the bitch on deck. He wanted her to see him as he was now, the person he was with her anyway, the better version of himself. He found himself scowling Marissa's way with his back to Emma, Marissa catching his eye and licking her lips seductively, she squirmed suggestively. Even from here he could pick up her fuck me signals and he just scowled back.Not a chance princess.'Want to come for a swim with me?' He threw back at Emma, he wanted to get as far away from the slag eyeing him up and away from the topic about her. He needed time alone to just help his girl relax. Away from all this naked skin. He turned back to that open expression and felt the urge to stroke her hair back from her face. His sunglasses did look good on her, a little big but in a cute way.'Now?' She sounded apprehensive.'Why not?' Jake smiled at her , hoping to make her feel more at ease. He needed to get her to unwind a little and he couldn't do that here, tense with a pair of eyes on the back of his head trying to mentally undress him. They needed to leave the past on the deck on her lounger and go find a secluded beach to roam.'Sure.' She smiled brightly and he could hear Daniel kicking the tunes into a higher gear, looking back he could see the telltale signs of cocaine coming out and growled internally. He had fucking warned him against this shit while she was here. He didn't do this crap anymore and he wasn't going to subject her to it either. He was glad to see Leila wander off deck, knowing she too was out of that whole scene. They had had their young wild and reckless days and left them far behind. Daniel needed to catch up. He noted that the twins and their dates seemed into it and put an arm around Emma's shoulders. Guiding her to the side he waited till she undid her sarong and hung it up before diving in first to make sure he would be in the sea to help her if she needed him when she dove in.* * *
Being away from them and in the water instantly lightened his mood, her being in here seemed to make her forget about being self conscious or his naked torso and that made him happier. She smiled and relaxed as they swam and before long he started playfully splashing and pulling her with him. She tried to dunk him under but he was faster and got her first every time. She seemed to be a pretty competent swimmer so Jake decided to have a little fun with her before swimming ashore. He had pulled her under with him a few times, enjoying the fact that in the water he could touch her freely without feeling like he was doing something wrong.'Stop...it.' She spluttered to the surface, pleading with him and pushing back her wet hair from her her eyes. She looked too cute like this to listen.'Only if you ask me nicely, tiny tots.' He wiped the water from his face , pleased to feel his hair wax was withstanding the sea test. The new lab improvements he had requested were obviously working and Carrero hair wax was now waterproof. He swam closer to her to close the gap, aware just how naked she really was when he was inches from moulding to her.'Will you please stop trying to drown me, Mr Carrero.' She begged, it only made him feel more playful. That cute little soft voice asking so sweetly, she had no chance.'Seeing as you ask so sweetly, Miss Anderson.' He pushed her under again, this time catching her under the water and pulled her back up against him hard. Nose to nose and it didn't seem so right anymore, it was closer than he intended, her body skimming against him in ways that got an immediate hard reaction and he released her quickly. He wasn't sure which part of her body had just rubbed up his groin but it didn't matter, he was definitely battling down an erection with the efforts of a sumo wrestler right now. He hated that despite all his sexual prowess and years of being a man whore he couldn't control this shit around her. It was fucking embarrassing.He swam away from her in an effort to get this under control and put distance between them, he hoped to god she could manage the half mile swim as holding onto her in anyway right now would end in impalement he didn't want to have to explain. The beach wasn't that far but it would be exhausting for someone as tiny as her. Jake slowed his pace to make sure he stayed close incase she struggled. He would never let her drown even if he did have to ram a hard on against her back while rescuing her.He was glad to find that by the time they hit the beach he had it back under control and mentally chastised himself about getting that close to her again while she was wearing practically nothing. He wandered ahead to let the water drip off and the sun warm and dry his skin in hopes her bikini wasn't showing more than he could handle right now.God, he needed sex badly.
Jakes view - part one of book 1 chapter 13
Lovers of my book The Carrero Effect book 1 will love this brand new alternate chapter.This is chapter 13 ( half of it anyway) re-written from Jake Carrero's perspective as per requested by you, the lovely fans.Please note there is swearing and sexual references and this is not suitable for those under 18 years of age.
Read at your own risk!!
The holiday - Jakes perspective (split parts for next couple of days)
Jake strolled into his apartment and threw his bag down on the couch, it had been a long trip and a longer week but he suddenly felt restless at being back. Normally getting home brought him all kinds of joy, but this time it felt slightly empty and he actually wished they had stayed at that damn dance, just so he could still be with her right now. Pacing to the window and looking out across the New York skyline he ran his hand through his hair and cracked his neck in a bid to release some tension that was building up his spine. Flexing his arms over his head and straining the jacket holding him tight, he needed to get out of this monkey suit they called a tux and get comfy, maybe he just needed to feel less business like and properly relax. Maybe he needed a drink.He needed to stop fixating on Emma, it wasn't healthy and the constant stream of thoughts he had about her were getting harder to control. She had been too alluring tonight, that dress had drove him crazy and dancing up close no longer felt safe, he'd made them leave for her sake as much as his own. It was getting to the point he could no longer trust himself not to try kissing her again whenever he was drunk. He wished he had a memory of Chicago, the night she said they had kissed. He wanted to know what it felt like to kiss that sexy pouted mouth fully, not just a second of brushed lips but a real, deep and meaningful kiss. He already knew that was an awful idea, she had this much of an effect on him now, a kiss would seal his fate.Picking up the remote from his coffee table he hit the stereo control and his iTunes playlist came to life, turning it up to consume the entire apartment he headed for his shower. Peeling off the bow tie and Jacket as he walked into his room. Smiling as lyrics from a song Emma had sent him followed through and he couldn't help thinking of those blue eyes and quick smile and feeling a hint of longing to have her here right now. God, he missed her already.The thought hit him in the stomach and he tried to ignore it. They had literally separated less than an hour ago to come home and he was being unbelievably pathetic. He knew he was becoming too attached to her in ways that would make working impossible, always wanting her around and it bothered him because he could tell she didn't feel the same way. He had tried to convince himself a million times that it was because they were more than work colleagues, they were friends. Real friends, maybe even best friends. He was pretty sure he told her more than anyone he knew and that counted for something and he needed to realise what they had was already special. She was too special to him to fuck this up with sex or one sided emotions.That first kiss in the hotel had thrown him, had started all of this. He didn't fully understand all the feelings related to it at the time but he sure as hell knew that it wasn't as platonic as he tried to tell himself. Emma had been shocked, non-responsive and even scared if he was being honest, and as shit as it made him feel he couldn't get the feel of her mouth out of his head. For a brief moment he had kissed her and it felt like nothing he had ever known, his stomach had tingled, his heart rate accelerated and he had just become zoned in on everything about her as though time had stood still. He had imprinted every single detail of that night to memory. Her smell, her hair, the way she felt, that god damn nightdress that plagued him and how it clung to the perfect body. Underneath all her tailored suits and precise clothing was a body made for seduction and she had him with one look.Since then things had only gotten worse, every touch, every look, every smile, only served to torture him. It was long past sex, even he could admit that to himself, right now just having a chance at another night wrapped up together in a bed would be enough. He never wanted to forget what sleeping beside her had felt like, he had done something he never did with a woman. He had wrapped her in his arms and kept her close all night, unable to set her free even if she wanted too. He had thought that fucker Vanquis had been the cause but that was a lie, he would always hold her that way given the opportunity. She brought something out of him that he couldn't explain, the eternal need to shield her.He tried to shake her out of his head, something he was getting good at since employing her but tonight she wouldn't budge. He was falling hard and he had no way to stop it. Emma was everything he needed and he hadn't even seen it coming, that perfect angelic face and soft voice. The tiny perfect body that made him want to protect her always. Everything he learned about her as time went by only made him all the more fiercely protective of her. She wasn't the girl she showed the world, she was so much more. A vulnerable beautiful perfection that men had tried to destroy, men he would kill with his bare hands given half a chance and wouldn't regret doing it. She was strong in a quiet, gentle way but she was also vulnerable and made him feel a hundred feet tall.He could still smell her perfume on his shirt from dancing with her tonight and still feel the way her body moulded to his effortlessly. Looking down he realised he had still not pulled any of his clothes off despite turning the shower on. Suddenly unwilling to be parted from the smell of her.Get a grip man, you need to stop this shit.He stalked back to his bedroom from the en-suite and sat down on the bed, his hand automatically swiping his phone out before his brain even connected with the dots. He wanted to talk to her, despite only leaving her, he just needed to reach out. Maybe if he did then this feeling would shift and he could go back to enjoying time home. Go back to trying to accept that this was never going to happen and actually get his life back. He hated how little control he had anymore, how much she had changed him and how much he had let her. He didn't even drink or party as much anymore, each time he got drunk he would call her with some lame ass excuse for drunkenly waking her at stupid o'clock. Even before he knew what was happening to him his drunk self had always wanted to speak to her at the most inappropriate times. He had calmed down so much of his lifestyle just so he could be around her more, work more, no hangovers invading time spent around her. A part of him wanted to show her he was capable of being so much more than the reputation that always clouded over him. He liked being around her way more than he liked hanging out in a nightclub with Daniel nowadays. Jake Carrero, playboy billionaire heartbreaker was fast losing that title.'What are you doing?' He rubbed his face and once again tried to evaluate what the hell he was doing. He had tried to play off the lack of dates tonight but the truth was he didn't want to see anyone else right now. Women had stopped any appeal the more he knew her and casual sex had lost its sparkle. He got more from spending a day with her at work than hours fucking some pointless girl and it was messing his head up badly. He should go out, get drunk with Danny and fuck someone. Get rid of all this tension building up in him, he knew a lot of it was lack of sex.'Staring at a sea of pointless clothes and wondering how I'm going to wrestle Donna's gold card away from those itchy fingers.' She replied quickly, a smile hitting him as soon as he saw her name on screen and that goofy sense of elation that made him snarl at himself. He sighed and frowned at the phone. All thoughts of sex with someone else dispersing.Jesus he had no handle on this at all.'Can I come stare with you?'' He sent it before thinking and then cursed himself loudly, he was acting like some desperate teen with a girl crush. Breaking every rule known to mankind on the etiquette of 'platonic' friendships but he just wanted to be back with her.Jake, back off....Leave her be.'What's the matter Mr Carrero are you lonely in your ivory tower without me?'Her face swam in his minds eye, that sexy little smile she gave when she was being playful. The innocent flirting she probably wasn't even aware she did, in fact he guaranteed she didn't. To her he was just Jake, good old boss and friend and everything between them was light hearted and fun. Every warning alarm in his brain was going off, telling him that for his own sanity he needed to just leave well alone but his fingers were replying without any permission from him.'Maybe.' He could hardly admit that he was missing her crazily, pining like some love sick fool over being apart for an hour. He knew that he should be putting down the phone, turning it off and heading straight out that door to the nearest bar with any of the guys he hung out with. He should be concentrating on finding a woman, fuck it twins, and fucking Emma out of his head.'If you're that bored, how can I deny you my sparkling company?'' Fuck.Walk away Jake, stop!He knew this was stupid, working beside her was one thing. Sharing hotels borderline but actually going to hers socially after hours like this. Completely fucking stupid. He was blurring the lines of what they were more and more, the holiday idea was even more stupid but part of him couldn't let it go. He wanted to see her have fun, kick back with him around to look after her. He wanted to take her away, to the boat, to sun and sea and he had to admit the thought of seeing her in a bikini had his blood pulsing. 'Are you home alone?' If others were home then it would be better, not just the two of them. He had never been into her apartment before, couldn't believe he was even considering it but he was sure they would be in a smaller space than a hotel suite and most likely near her bed. He was trying so hard to tell himself that this is what friends did, hung out after work but he already knew it was a lame excuse. He wanted her. 'Aren't I always?'' Fuck.'I'll be there in 20 minutes.'Why Jake why?He stared at his own reply for a moment and sighed. His mind and body always at war with how he was supposed to treat her nowadays. How could he be rational when his own head was acting like an idiot and throwing caution to the wind? He ran his hands through his hair, dropping his head between his knees and scratching his scalp slowly. He rolled his shoulders and tried to rationalize.His feet pulled him to his wardrobe while his head was still telling him to cancel, not just this but the boat trip. Emma had never shown any hint of wanting more, not even a one time fling. He wouldn't have done it even if she had. The one night thing that was, he would happily give her more even if it scared him shitless. She was a girl you gave all too, nothing less and one night would never be enough for him.
* * *
He floored the pedal to the metal as he hit queens, getting closer to her apartment made him impatient and his car liked being opened up on the straights. The thrill of a car with this much power meant it demanded a little release every so often. He loved his car almost as much as he loved the girl he was driving towards.Wait! What? Fuck....Did he just think that? Love?Getting to the apartment he remembered from bringing her here a year ago he raced up the internal stairs two at a time, heart a little erratic still from the adrenalin of flooring his sports car and getting here in record time. Trying not to think too hard about the love thing, he just pushed it back down. It was dumb and impulsive and he hadn't really thought about that whole love thing, sure he knew he had feelings for her but love? He had no god damn clue. He couldn't love Emma, she had never asked that of him and he had been pretty sure he was incapable of feeling that way given the amount of women who had tried to get it from him..The asshole boyfriend of her flatmates let him in and he couldn't help himself glaring a little. He knew Emma didn't rate him highly for whatever reason and that was enough reason for him to dislike him too. He didn't say much, just a shrug and nodded towards a room down the hall which he assumed was Emma's and they both sort of grunted instead of conversed. Returning to caveman behaviour was fine with him, if this guy ever laid a finger on his girl he would happily caveman style smash his skull in. Jake walked past him, towering over the guy by a few inches in height and most definitely out muscling him. Jake was already sizing him up in his head for possible outcomes if he ever needed to get heavy handed on this one, heading towards Emma's room and still keeping an eye on the retreating guy. The door was sitting open, all thoughts of her pushing away the asshole and he slid into the space. Instantly assaulted with her enticing perfume and the girlishness of her bedroom. It was like suddenly stepping into Emma's head, a secret part of her and he couldn't help but look around a little overwhelmed.All soft greys and silvers, a cosy stylish boudoir of sorts, cuddly bears on the bed and a million cushions. Pictures on the wall of scenery, mainly New York skyline and some more tranquil black and white stills. The room had a matureness to it but the small soft touches, candles, trinkets and sparkly things hinted at a girly girl that she kept hidden from view. Jake felt like he was intruding all of a sudden and it was like seeing a part of her that even he hadn't seen. The romance book on the night stand surprised him.'Hey.' He smiled and threw a thumb over his shoulder, indicating assholes presence, he wanted to know if he had bothered her. She shook her head but he could tell she wasn't relaxed and it made him frown, if that dickhead had done or said anything he would literally kill him. Her face softening and that pretty smile calmed his aggression almost immediately, his eyes slid to the floor, the Everest of girls things in a bid to avoid the way he instantly wanted to stare at her mouth. He had never really gotten control of the staring thing when it came to her face, he had to stop himself doing it a hundred times a day.'You weren't wrong ... I think Donna has dressed you for a year.' He tried to turn his attention anywhere but Emma in jeans and a t-shirt, she looked college student and cuter than hell. He had seen her in various casual attire on long trips but being here surrounded by her things made it different somehow. Like she was letting him in on her completely unguarded and relaxed Emma, seeing her in a new setting. She didn't even seem to find it weird that he was here at all, another hint at the fact she thought all of this was harmless. Friends. That's all she saw in this. He sat down on the floor in front of the huge mountain of clothes a little guiltily. Jake sighed under his breath. He knew this and he had to stop ignoring it.'Whose fault is that? Mr Oh, buy her an outfit for this, that and the next thing every time you see her.' Emma poked him playfully in the ribs and he curbed the urge to grab her hand and haul her into his lap. Lately his hands on approach was becoming a little too hands on. He had practically molested her out jogging in Seattle, too much of a pull to always touch her. He leaned back in a bid to stop himself from initiating playful pushes, she brought it out in him just by being near.'Maybe I should tell her to ask you from now on, when you need something?' He held his hands up trying to appear apologetic but Emma didn't need to know how many times a week he sent Donna pictures of dresses or clothes or even requests and told her Emma needed them. He had no idea what that was all about, women's fashion didn't interest him but seeing Emma wearing expensive clothes made him happy. He didn't care if she never wore half of them, he just liked making sure she always had what she needed and she always looked too beautiful for words. It was worth abusing the company credit accounts.'That would be an idea.' Emma smirked and he couldn't help but smile back, he loved when she tried to sass him. The girl who had once been so closed off and reserved had come out of her shell in the past few months, he had loved watching her bloom. He liked this version of her a lot more.'Get rid of what you don't want.' He shrugged, he didn't care if she threw what she didn't like away. He pulled a dress from the pile that caught his interest in a pale pink and held it up to admire it, something else caught his eye before he really examined it. Lingerie. Much more interesting. He leaned in for it and winked Emma's way impulsively, damn sure he was getting an eyeful of that baby. He held up a corset type thing all lace and structure and really wanted to not be picturing it on her right now but his mind was making a good go of it. She whipped it out of his hands almost immediately and threw it off behind him towards a tall glass set of drawers with a hint of a blush. Not that he minded, his thoughts had definitely gone down the route of gutter and was not a good thing.'Most of it still has tags, Jake, she should return them.' She sounded childlike and almost hopeless. Lifting clothes up in frustration at him. Jake raised an eyebrow her way at the cuteness of that statement, the money he had Donna spend on clothes for Emma was nothing in the grand scheme of things.'Just give them away Emma, they're already paid for.' He shrugged nonchalantly, sometimes he forgot that she didn't come from his world. She fitted in so effortlessly, so graceful and never baulked around grandeur. She really was fucking perfect.'Jake, there's thousands of pounds worth of stuff here.' She sounded frustrated with him but it only made him smile. She had no idea how cute she could be, one second all seductive and irresistible and the next childish, so much so it gave him the urge to squish her. Adorable is the only word that he could conjure up for her sometimes, he had never been one to think any girl was that, but Emma sure was.'And?' He just shrugged, he honestly didn't care. It was just money.'So I should just donate it? ... What I don't need?' She asked sardonically, eyeing him up in her haughty PA way. She tried this look on him a hundred times a day but it had zero effect. He found it entertaining that she could close down anyone in the building with a glare yet to him it was just amusingly cute as fuck.'They're your clothes, Mio Amore.' He shifted on the floor picking up another dress, this time having a closer look at it and looking at her as he tried to picture her in it. She threw him a disdainful look and started throwing items to the door for donating, a look on her face that almost said it was painful for her. Emma would need to get used to money if she was going to stick with him, he had no intention of seeing her live a life without it even if she never saw him as anything more than a friend. He would always take care of her.'You've never worn this?' He raised an eyebrow at her questioningly, it was pretty. Somehow her. He wanted to see her wear it, red and floaty and short. Not too clingy yet romantic and something he had never seen her try.'Nope.' Blunt and to the point, she barely looked it's way but he was determined now. She would look good in red, she had the fair hair and porcelain skin to pull it off. Her blue eyes would make it perfection.'Why not? It's nice, kind of cute yet sexy.' He held it up to get a better idea of the style and really tried to picture her in it.'Where would I wear it?' She smiled his way a little unsurely.'Take it with us on our trip. Parade around on deck for me in it.' He put the dress on the bed to make sure it got kept with the clothes she was keeping, he wanted to see her in it more than anything. He wanted to see Emma dressed all girly and floaty and carefree. More than he wanted to see her in her underwear which completely confused him. Was Carrero losing his edge? Libido wavering? Turning into a fucking woman?'Just the two of us?' She asked nervously and distracted him, he couldn't help but feel the sunken weight he felt at how nervous she seemed to be with that thought. 'Not if that makes you uncomfortable...I've friends we could invite, my father's boat has six double cabins if you want a crowd.' He tried to focus on the clothes on the floor rather than let her see that it disappointed him, he wanted her alone. Just the two of them but he knew how disastrous that would be.'Who would you invite?' She looked his way with a little furrowed brow, cuteness personified and he had to fight the urge to smooth it out with his thumb.'Daniel, a couple of the guys I sometimes take trips with and whoever they want with them..... I was thinking Leila Huntsberger, that way you could meet Sophie's new sister.' He tried for nonchalant and seemed to pull it off, picking names right from the top of his head. Leila would like her, he could see them gelling and that made him happy. He wanted his friends to like her, Daniel had finally stopped leering her way whenever they crossed paths after more than a dozen threats from him.'So, they're going to be couples?' She looked scared suddenly and that familiar gut kick hit him.Fuck. Always a reminder of what they would never be.'Really Emma?' He sighed in irritation at the reality of this situation, annoyed and being an asshole. She hadn't done anything wrong. 'What do you think I'm going to do? Try and seduce my PA because we're surrounded by couples and I'm incapable of abstaining from sex? I may always be trying to chat you up but I'm not an idiot. I know where the boundaries are, Bambino.' Yeah sure he did...He just chose to fucking forget them frequently.Asshole.'No, it's just....it will be awkward.' She looked at the clothes and started pulling through them, obviously avoiding his eye. He sighed at making her feel this way. Softening his tone and trying to stop being a dickhead.'Why?' He said softly.'They might think we're......' She hesitated and caught his eye. Jake tried to relax back and look completely blank. More than anything in the world he wanted her trust but that spike of irritation still lingered inside of him though, peeking out.'Who cares what they think?...I don't give a shit what anyone thinks Emma....I need a break and so do you. Stop overthinking and just agree. Besides, they're my friends, they'll know right away that we're not screwing.' He slid his hands behind his head, frowning at his own snarkiness and tried to shrug it off. It wasn't fair on her, his little mood swings because of his feelings for her. She never asked him to get hung up on her and she sure as hell hadn't encouraged it in anyway. He needed to just stop and take a step back. Be friends, because if that's all she was offering then he wanted it. It was better than not knowing her at all. Life without Emma wasn't a life worth knowing anymore.'Okay, for god's sake.' She put her hands up in defeat, then looked shyly his way with the hint of a smile. 'Don't laugh Jake but I don't own anything I could wear on a beach or a boat.' He couldn't help but smile back at her. She really was beautiful.
* * *
Jake had pulled out all the stops to get the trip together in record time, once he had the idea in his head and knew she wanted it to happen he was all over it. A few calls here and there and a few nudges and everything was set. He had steam rolled over her doubts refusing to let her back down and they had gotten there without anymore arguments. His mind was set to seeing her in a bikini, not that he would be able to do anything about it but still. It was a sight he wasn't passing up. That tense ache in his groin had only reminded him how badly he needed sex lately. He wasn't a guy who had ever gone long period without and now he was here he was starting to doubt his ability to relax. She would be walking around semi naked and he was almost spring loaded like this. Fuck, he should have gone out in a glory of drink and fucking before this trip.She seemed completely in awe of his dads cruiser, Jake had seen it a million times so to him it was nothing special. A long yacht, white like every other and sat in an idyllic port surrounded by blue sea's and white sands. Just being surrounded by sun, friends and her was enough to make his mood up the gear tenfold. If he could push the lustful thoughts aside they could have a really good time here.The crew were under orders to keep out of the way, he didn't want her feeling intimidated by them. He knew she wasn't someone who liked wealth being a showy thing and he was damned if he was going to make her uncomfortable with anything while here. She had been forewarned that he was taking care of anything and everything, including shopping trips if she wanted them. He had felt like an ass as she had blinked at him aching to argue but in this his word was final. Date or not he was old fashioned, he paid for his girl. Even if he wasn't sleeping with her.His friends had all been forewarned to behave, no jokes about being his secretary or any of the men trying their luck. He would literally beat them to death with their own shoes if they tried. He hadn't exactly been happy to see Marissa in tow with Vincent. He had no idea what her fucking game was being on this boat but he sure as hell wasn't being drawn into any little Marissa games. Vincent was an idiot, he should have known she would sucker one of the twins, they both had always trawled along after her in hopes of a date. He hadn't seen her since the night he had stupidly gotten drunk and fucked her. Not that he could remember, he had no clue how he had even ended up with her that night, he must have been royally messed up and if she thought there would ever be a repeat she was wrong. He would throw her overboard personally if she got in his way. He was happy to ignore her presence knowing it would annoy her more than having her escorted off. Emma need never know anything about her or who she ever was to him. It was old history and nothing he would ever rehash.Daniel was keeping his distance just like Jake had told him too, Emma wasn't one of his playthings and he knew better than to cross Jake. There were six of them with Jake and Emma. Daniel and the twins, Vincent and Richard, white blonde hair and grey eyes, all American good looks and square shoulders.Leila was wandering about on deck having some sort of bitchy glaring competition with Marissa and Miracle, Daniels porn star and this was last thing he needed, Leila at least wasn't being viperous to Hunter for once. Seemed things had finally cooled down with them after months of frosty glares. Being in the same place again without toxic warfare was pretty great. He would have to warn her about starting anything with either girl, not that he worried Leila couldn't handle them, the exact opposite in fact. If Leila flew off the handle it would be another airlift to the coast ER for two females and Leila wouldn't be one. He had bad memories of Leila taking on some of Daniels dates in the past and flying bottles.Jake had already had to deflect advances from the leggy porn star, she had tried to grapple him alone in the lower hall from the bedrooms topless. Hands a little too quickly going for his groin. He wasn't immune, he was horny as hell and she had managed to get her hand into his shorts while he had dodged her mouth. She was fuckable but as soon as her hands had been on him all he could think about was Emma. He knew Daniel wouldn't care if he fucked Miracle down here, they had shared in the past and all he needed to do was open a door and bend her over a bed, she was obviously game. He had pushed her off and told her to stay the fuck away, she wasn't what he wanted by a long shot.
* * *
Emma was up on deck when Jake came up from his room, he had been taking a shower. His heart almost stopped when he saw her silhouetted against the railing in a coral bikini and some flimsy wrap around her hips that kept flapping open to reveal long sexy legs. Even for a small girl her legs looked endless. She was the most perfect sight on and off this boat and everything else paled in comparison. Jake was oblivious to Miracle and Marissa's topless breasts lounging on deck, didn't see anything except her and that completely intoxicating body, much more appealing even covered than either of the brunettes. Creamy skin and curves of perfection. He was definitely horny as hell now, just looking at her made his insides want to explode. He wasn't one for self pleasuring to get sexual gratification but right now with her in mind he would happily go back to his room for some sort of release. It had only been a couple of days here and already his constant hard on was painful. He had been taking cold showers a little too frequently. Why he had ever thought he could handle Emma in bikinis was beyond him. He should've known it would be hell on earth to be around her and not want to fuck her badly.'Here.' He handed her a bottle of cold, flavoured water with a smile, his eyes shielded from view by his ray-bans and trying to control every ounce of his body like the expert he was. Years of self control finally having a use. He was watching that make up free face and wondering why she ever wore it, she never needed it. Emma was a natural beauty by all standards, flawless perfection.'Thanks.' She opened the bottle with a smile and took a long drink, he had to look away from the way her lips cupped the rim. A groan in his head and trying not to picture that mouth doing anything else.Breathe Carrero.... You're like a horny fifteen year old virgin right now.'You look nice.' He focused on her loose hair, his glasses shielding what he was really thinking and trying not to skim that body visually. He needed to disrupt this view somehow and get his head back in the game.'Thanks.' She blushed and he felt himself frowning, suddenly conscious of the fact she had glanced at his naked upper torso, he was wearing shorts and nothing else and despite never having an issue stripping off in public he suddenly realised why this might be awkward for her. He was still her boss and he had never been topless in front of her. Not that he was self conscious in the slightest. He spent enough time in the gym to make sure he was underwear model ready at all times and his tattoos were always placed in places that just enhanced what he had. He was never uncomfortable being naked, especially not in front of women. He felt like an ass for not even thinking that this whole thing might make her uneasy, especially with her background and the way men had treated her. Jake felt like a complete dick head all of a sudden for not realising.'We're going to the shore tonight for dinner... You want to come?' He looked over her head across the water to try and reel in his thoughts, his mood plummeting a little. He had never wanted her to be nervous around him, especially not in this way. He had never thought that maybe Emma's lack of dates this past year had something to do with sex making her uneasy, her childhood had scarred her. Of course men made her uneasy. He made a mental note at wearing a shirt while walking about on deck, he would make all of them wear one if it made her feel better.'Sure.' She smiled shielding her eyes from the sun, Jake swiped his shades from his head automatically and placed them on her dainty face. 'I really should carry a pair of these.' She laughed, that natural carefree laugh that lifted his mood back up a little, he just shrugged in response. Still mulling over the effect he was obviously having on her. It was like a punch in the stomach, a dull ache that wouldn't shift.'They look better on you than they do on me. Your cuteness just goes with my shades.' Truth be told he never ever thought about putting them on her face, from the first time it had been a natural movement, like breathing. She had shielded her eyes and he had done it. Something he had done to his kid brother his whole life and somehow she raised that same protective impulse.'Where are we going for dinner?' Emma seemed to be evasively looking anywhere but his body and he only frowned harder. He wanted her to be able to stand here with no effect. Well he wanted him to affect her in a good way but not like this. He wanted to wrap his arms around her right now and just tell her it was always going to be okay. He would never let another man touch her, hurt her. He would protect her for an eternity. She didn't need to be afraid ever again, it killed him knowing she still carried the burden of those memories.'Some little seafood place Marissa knows.' He tried to keep his tone even at saying her name, he usually avoided any use of the cursed word.'I want to get my haircut while we're here....Do you think there are any hairdressers on the mainland?' Jake felt the instant urge to tell her she didn't need to change her hair, he liked it the way it was and looked away towards Leila in hopes of hiding the frown on his face. He didn't like the thought of her changing anything about how she was. You couldn't improve on perfection.'Leila will know... She comes here a lot.' Jake nodded towards his childhood friend, hoping to god Leila wouldn't push Emma into some radical hairdo, he knew her only too well. She was wandering around wearing a top, first time he noticed the other two were not. Completely topless and he suddenly felt pissed. If topless men could make Emma uneasy then that sure as hell would do it too, he wanted to throw towels over both of them.'You know Marissa well?' Her voice broke into his thoughts and he felt himself freeze. He had never expected this question to come from her and the last thing he wanted her to know was anything about his past with Marissa. How the hell she had even picked up on anything was beyond him, he sure as hell wasn't putting out any signals where that harpy was concerned.'Once!' He felt his pulse quicken and his head going into evasive mode, he didn't want to dreg up the past and admit he had been too blind to realise his teen girlfriend and best mate had been fucking behind his back and sent him into a spiral few years of booze, drugs, idiot behaviour and woman. He didn't want Emma knowing that part of him or tying him to the bitch on deck. He wanted her to see him as he was now, the person he was with her anyway, the better version of himself. He found himself scowling Marissa's way with his back to Emma, Marissa catching his eye and licking her lips seductively, she squirmed suggestively. Even from here he could pick up her fuck me signals and he just scowled back.Not a chance princess.'Want to come for a swim with me?' He threw back at Emma, he wanted to get as far away from the slag eyeing him up and away from the topic about her. He needed time alone to just help his girl relax. Away from all this naked skin. He turned back to that open expression and felt the urge to stroke her hair back from her face. His sunglasses did look good on her, a little big but in a cute way.'Now?' She sounded apprehensive.'Why not?' Jake smiled at her , hoping to make her feel more at ease. He needed to get her to unwind a little and he couldn't do that here, tense with a pair of eyes on the back of his head trying to mentally undress him. They needed to leave the past on the deck on her lounger and go find a secluded beach to roam.'Sure.' She smiled brightly and he could hear Daniel kicking the tunes into a higher gear, looking back he could see the telltale signs of cocaine coming out and growled internally. He had fucking warned him against this shit while she was here. He didn't do this crap anymore and he wasn't going to subject her to it either. He was glad to see Leila wander off deck, knowing she too was out of that whole scene. They had had their young wild and reckless days and left them far behind. Daniel needed to catch up. He noted that the twins and their dates seemed into it and put an arm around Emma's shoulders. Guiding her to the side he waited till she undid her sarong and hung it up before diving in first to make sure he would be in the sea to help her if she needed him when she dove in.* * *
Being away from them and in the water instantly lightened his mood, her being in here seemed to make her forget about being self conscious or his naked torso and that made him happier. She smiled and relaxed as they swam and before long he started playfully splashing and pulling her with him. She tried to dunk him under but he was faster and got her first every time. She seemed to be a pretty competent swimmer so Jake decided to have a little fun with her before swimming ashore. He had pulled her under with him a few times, enjoying the fact that in the water he could touch her freely without feeling like he was doing something wrong.'Stop...it.' She spluttered to the surface, pleading with him and pushing back her wet hair from her her eyes. She looked too cute like this to listen.'Only if you ask me nicely, tiny tots.' He wiped the water from his face , pleased to feel his hair wax was withstanding the sea test. The new lab improvements he had requested were obviously working and Carrero hair wax was now waterproof. He swam closer to her to close the gap, aware just how naked she really was when he was inches from moulding to her.'Will you please stop trying to drown me, Mr Carrero.' She begged, it only made him feel more playful. That cute little soft voice asking so sweetly, she had no chance.'Seeing as you ask so sweetly, Miss Anderson.' He pushed her under again, this time catching her under the water and pulled her back up against him hard. Nose to nose and it didn't seem so right anymore, it was closer than he intended, her body skimming against him in ways that got an immediate hard reaction and he released her quickly. He wasn't sure which part of her body had just rubbed up his groin but it didn't matter, he was definitely battling down an erection with the efforts of a sumo wrestler right now. He hated that despite all his sexual prowess and years of being a man whore he couldn't control this shit around her. It was fucking embarrassing.He swam away from her in an effort to get this under control and put distance between them, he hoped to god she could manage the half mile swim as holding onto her in anyway right now would end in impalement he didn't want to have to explain. The beach wasn't that far but it would be exhausting for someone as tiny as her. Jake slowed his pace to make sure he stayed close incase she struggled. He would never let her drown even if he did have to ram a hard on against her back while rescuing her.He was glad to find that by the time they hit the beach he had it back under control and mentally chastised himself about getting that close to her again while she was wearing practically nothing. He wandered ahead to let the water drip off and the sun warm and dry his skin in hopes her bikini wasn't showing more than he could handle right now.God, he needed sex badly.
Read at your own risk!!
The holiday - Jakes perspective (split parts for next couple of days)
Jake strolled into his apartment and threw his bag down on the couch, it had been a long trip and a longer week but he suddenly felt restless at being back. Normally getting home brought him all kinds of joy, but this time it felt slightly empty and he actually wished they had stayed at that damn dance, just so he could still be with her right now. Pacing to the window and looking out across the New York skyline he ran his hand through his hair and cracked his neck in a bid to release some tension that was building up his spine. Flexing his arms over his head and straining the jacket holding him tight, he needed to get out of this monkey suit they called a tux and get comfy, maybe he just needed to feel less business like and properly relax. Maybe he needed a drink.He needed to stop fixating on Emma, it wasn't healthy and the constant stream of thoughts he had about her were getting harder to control. She had been too alluring tonight, that dress had drove him crazy and dancing up close no longer felt safe, he'd made them leave for her sake as much as his own. It was getting to the point he could no longer trust himself not to try kissing her again whenever he was drunk. He wished he had a memory of Chicago, the night she said they had kissed. He wanted to know what it felt like to kiss that sexy pouted mouth fully, not just a second of brushed lips but a real, deep and meaningful kiss. He already knew that was an awful idea, she had this much of an effect on him now, a kiss would seal his fate.Picking up the remote from his coffee table he hit the stereo control and his iTunes playlist came to life, turning it up to consume the entire apartment he headed for his shower. Peeling off the bow tie and Jacket as he walked into his room. Smiling as lyrics from a song Emma had sent him followed through and he couldn't help thinking of those blue eyes and quick smile and feeling a hint of longing to have her here right now. God, he missed her already.The thought hit him in the stomach and he tried to ignore it. They had literally separated less than an hour ago to come home and he was being unbelievably pathetic. He knew he was becoming too attached to her in ways that would make working impossible, always wanting her around and it bothered him because he could tell she didn't feel the same way. He had tried to convince himself a million times that it was because they were more than work colleagues, they were friends. Real friends, maybe even best friends. He was pretty sure he told her more than anyone he knew and that counted for something and he needed to realise what they had was already special. She was too special to him to fuck this up with sex or one sided emotions.That first kiss in the hotel had thrown him, had started all of this. He didn't fully understand all the feelings related to it at the time but he sure as hell knew that it wasn't as platonic as he tried to tell himself. Emma had been shocked, non-responsive and even scared if he was being honest, and as shit as it made him feel he couldn't get the feel of her mouth out of his head. For a brief moment he had kissed her and it felt like nothing he had ever known, his stomach had tingled, his heart rate accelerated and he had just become zoned in on everything about her as though time had stood still. He had imprinted every single detail of that night to memory. Her smell, her hair, the way she felt, that god damn nightdress that plagued him and how it clung to the perfect body. Underneath all her tailored suits and precise clothing was a body made for seduction and she had him with one look.Since then things had only gotten worse, every touch, every look, every smile, only served to torture him. It was long past sex, even he could admit that to himself, right now just having a chance at another night wrapped up together in a bed would be enough. He never wanted to forget what sleeping beside her had felt like, he had done something he never did with a woman. He had wrapped her in his arms and kept her close all night, unable to set her free even if she wanted too. He had thought that fucker Vanquis had been the cause but that was a lie, he would always hold her that way given the opportunity. She brought something out of him that he couldn't explain, the eternal need to shield her.He tried to shake her out of his head, something he was getting good at since employing her but tonight she wouldn't budge. He was falling hard and he had no way to stop it. Emma was everything he needed and he hadn't even seen it coming, that perfect angelic face and soft voice. The tiny perfect body that made him want to protect her always. Everything he learned about her as time went by only made him all the more fiercely protective of her. She wasn't the girl she showed the world, she was so much more. A vulnerable beautiful perfection that men had tried to destroy, men he would kill with his bare hands given half a chance and wouldn't regret doing it. She was strong in a quiet, gentle way but she was also vulnerable and made him feel a hundred feet tall.He could still smell her perfume on his shirt from dancing with her tonight and still feel the way her body moulded to his effortlessly. Looking down he realised he had still not pulled any of his clothes off despite turning the shower on. Suddenly unwilling to be parted from the smell of her.Get a grip man, you need to stop this shit.He stalked back to his bedroom from the en-suite and sat down on the bed, his hand automatically swiping his phone out before his brain even connected with the dots. He wanted to talk to her, despite only leaving her, he just needed to reach out. Maybe if he did then this feeling would shift and he could go back to enjoying time home. Go back to trying to accept that this was never going to happen and actually get his life back. He hated how little control he had anymore, how much she had changed him and how much he had let her. He didn't even drink or party as much anymore, each time he got drunk he would call her with some lame ass excuse for drunkenly waking her at stupid o'clock. Even before he knew what was happening to him his drunk self had always wanted to speak to her at the most inappropriate times. He had calmed down so much of his lifestyle just so he could be around her more, work more, no hangovers invading time spent around her. A part of him wanted to show her he was capable of being so much more than the reputation that always clouded over him. He liked being around her way more than he liked hanging out in a nightclub with Daniel nowadays. Jake Carrero, playboy billionaire heartbreaker was fast losing that title.'What are you doing?' He rubbed his face and once again tried to evaluate what the hell he was doing. He had tried to play off the lack of dates tonight but the truth was he didn't want to see anyone else right now. Women had stopped any appeal the more he knew her and casual sex had lost its sparkle. He got more from spending a day with her at work than hours fucking some pointless girl and it was messing his head up badly. He should go out, get drunk with Danny and fuck someone. Get rid of all this tension building up in him, he knew a lot of it was lack of sex.'Staring at a sea of pointless clothes and wondering how I'm going to wrestle Donna's gold card away from those itchy fingers.' She replied quickly, a smile hitting him as soon as he saw her name on screen and that goofy sense of elation that made him snarl at himself. He sighed and frowned at the phone. All thoughts of sex with someone else dispersing.Jesus he had no handle on this at all.'Can I come stare with you?'' He sent it before thinking and then cursed himself loudly, he was acting like some desperate teen with a girl crush. Breaking every rule known to mankind on the etiquette of 'platonic' friendships but he just wanted to be back with her.Jake, back off....Leave her be.'What's the matter Mr Carrero are you lonely in your ivory tower without me?'Her face swam in his minds eye, that sexy little smile she gave when she was being playful. The innocent flirting she probably wasn't even aware she did, in fact he guaranteed she didn't. To her he was just Jake, good old boss and friend and everything between them was light hearted and fun. Every warning alarm in his brain was going off, telling him that for his own sanity he needed to just leave well alone but his fingers were replying without any permission from him.'Maybe.' He could hardly admit that he was missing her crazily, pining like some love sick fool over being apart for an hour. He knew that he should be putting down the phone, turning it off and heading straight out that door to the nearest bar with any of the guys he hung out with. He should be concentrating on finding a woman, fuck it twins, and fucking Emma out of his head.'If you're that bored, how can I deny you my sparkling company?'' Fuck.Walk away Jake, stop!He knew this was stupid, working beside her was one thing. Sharing hotels borderline but actually going to hers socially after hours like this. Completely fucking stupid. He was blurring the lines of what they were more and more, the holiday idea was even more stupid but part of him couldn't let it go. He wanted to see her have fun, kick back with him around to look after her. He wanted to take her away, to the boat, to sun and sea and he had to admit the thought of seeing her in a bikini had his blood pulsing. 'Are you home alone?' If others were home then it would be better, not just the two of them. He had never been into her apartment before, couldn't believe he was even considering it but he was sure they would be in a smaller space than a hotel suite and most likely near her bed. He was trying so hard to tell himself that this is what friends did, hung out after work but he already knew it was a lame excuse. He wanted her. 'Aren't I always?'' Fuck.'I'll be there in 20 minutes.'Why Jake why?He stared at his own reply for a moment and sighed. His mind and body always at war with how he was supposed to treat her nowadays. How could he be rational when his own head was acting like an idiot and throwing caution to the wind? He ran his hands through his hair, dropping his head between his knees and scratching his scalp slowly. He rolled his shoulders and tried to rationalize.His feet pulled him to his wardrobe while his head was still telling him to cancel, not just this but the boat trip. Emma had never shown any hint of wanting more, not even a one time fling. He wouldn't have done it even if she had. The one night thing that was, he would happily give her more even if it scared him shitless. She was a girl you gave all too, nothing less and one night would never be enough for him.
* * *
He floored the pedal to the metal as he hit queens, getting closer to her apartment made him impatient and his car liked being opened up on the straights. The thrill of a car with this much power meant it demanded a little release every so often. He loved his car almost as much as he loved the girl he was driving towards.Wait! What? Fuck....Did he just think that? Love?Getting to the apartment he remembered from bringing her here a year ago he raced up the internal stairs two at a time, heart a little erratic still from the adrenalin of flooring his sports car and getting here in record time. Trying not to think too hard about the love thing, he just pushed it back down. It was dumb and impulsive and he hadn't really thought about that whole love thing, sure he knew he had feelings for her but love? He had no god damn clue. He couldn't love Emma, she had never asked that of him and he had been pretty sure he was incapable of feeling that way given the amount of women who had tried to get it from him..The asshole boyfriend of her flatmates let him in and he couldn't help himself glaring a little. He knew Emma didn't rate him highly for whatever reason and that was enough reason for him to dislike him too. He didn't say much, just a shrug and nodded towards a room down the hall which he assumed was Emma's and they both sort of grunted instead of conversed. Returning to caveman behaviour was fine with him, if this guy ever laid a finger on his girl he would happily caveman style smash his skull in. Jake walked past him, towering over the guy by a few inches in height and most definitely out muscling him. Jake was already sizing him up in his head for possible outcomes if he ever needed to get heavy handed on this one, heading towards Emma's room and still keeping an eye on the retreating guy. The door was sitting open, all thoughts of her pushing away the asshole and he slid into the space. Instantly assaulted with her enticing perfume and the girlishness of her bedroom. It was like suddenly stepping into Emma's head, a secret part of her and he couldn't help but look around a little overwhelmed.All soft greys and silvers, a cosy stylish boudoir of sorts, cuddly bears on the bed and a million cushions. Pictures on the wall of scenery, mainly New York skyline and some more tranquil black and white stills. The room had a matureness to it but the small soft touches, candles, trinkets and sparkly things hinted at a girly girl that she kept hidden from view. Jake felt like he was intruding all of a sudden and it was like seeing a part of her that even he hadn't seen. The romance book on the night stand surprised him.'Hey.' He smiled and threw a thumb over his shoulder, indicating assholes presence, he wanted to know if he had bothered her. She shook her head but he could tell she wasn't relaxed and it made him frown, if that dickhead had done or said anything he would literally kill him. Her face softening and that pretty smile calmed his aggression almost immediately, his eyes slid to the floor, the Everest of girls things in a bid to avoid the way he instantly wanted to stare at her mouth. He had never really gotten control of the staring thing when it came to her face, he had to stop himself doing it a hundred times a day.'You weren't wrong ... I think Donna has dressed you for a year.' He tried to turn his attention anywhere but Emma in jeans and a t-shirt, she looked college student and cuter than hell. He had seen her in various casual attire on long trips but being here surrounded by her things made it different somehow. Like she was letting him in on her completely unguarded and relaxed Emma, seeing her in a new setting. She didn't even seem to find it weird that he was here at all, another hint at the fact she thought all of this was harmless. Friends. That's all she saw in this. He sat down on the floor in front of the huge mountain of clothes a little guiltily. Jake sighed under his breath. He knew this and he had to stop ignoring it.'Whose fault is that? Mr Oh, buy her an outfit for this, that and the next thing every time you see her.' Emma poked him playfully in the ribs and he curbed the urge to grab her hand and haul her into his lap. Lately his hands on approach was becoming a little too hands on. He had practically molested her out jogging in Seattle, too much of a pull to always touch her. He leaned back in a bid to stop himself from initiating playful pushes, she brought it out in him just by being near.'Maybe I should tell her to ask you from now on, when you need something?' He held his hands up trying to appear apologetic but Emma didn't need to know how many times a week he sent Donna pictures of dresses or clothes or even requests and told her Emma needed them. He had no idea what that was all about, women's fashion didn't interest him but seeing Emma wearing expensive clothes made him happy. He didn't care if she never wore half of them, he just liked making sure she always had what she needed and she always looked too beautiful for words. It was worth abusing the company credit accounts.'That would be an idea.' Emma smirked and he couldn't help but smile back, he loved when she tried to sass him. The girl who had once been so closed off and reserved had come out of her shell in the past few months, he had loved watching her bloom. He liked this version of her a lot more.'Get rid of what you don't want.' He shrugged, he didn't care if she threw what she didn't like away. He pulled a dress from the pile that caught his interest in a pale pink and held it up to admire it, something else caught his eye before he really examined it. Lingerie. Much more interesting. He leaned in for it and winked Emma's way impulsively, damn sure he was getting an eyeful of that baby. He held up a corset type thing all lace and structure and really wanted to not be picturing it on her right now but his mind was making a good go of it. She whipped it out of his hands almost immediately and threw it off behind him towards a tall glass set of drawers with a hint of a blush. Not that he minded, his thoughts had definitely gone down the route of gutter and was not a good thing.'Most of it still has tags, Jake, she should return them.' She sounded childlike and almost hopeless. Lifting clothes up in frustration at him. Jake raised an eyebrow her way at the cuteness of that statement, the money he had Donna spend on clothes for Emma was nothing in the grand scheme of things.'Just give them away Emma, they're already paid for.' He shrugged nonchalantly, sometimes he forgot that she didn't come from his world. She fitted in so effortlessly, so graceful and never baulked around grandeur. She really was fucking perfect.'Jake, there's thousands of pounds worth of stuff here.' She sounded frustrated with him but it only made him smile. She had no idea how cute she could be, one second all seductive and irresistible and the next childish, so much so it gave him the urge to squish her. Adorable is the only word that he could conjure up for her sometimes, he had never been one to think any girl was that, but Emma sure was.'And?' He just shrugged, he honestly didn't care. It was just money.'So I should just donate it? ... What I don't need?' She asked sardonically, eyeing him up in her haughty PA way. She tried this look on him a hundred times a day but it had zero effect. He found it entertaining that she could close down anyone in the building with a glare yet to him it was just amusingly cute as fuck.'They're your clothes, Mio Amore.' He shifted on the floor picking up another dress, this time having a closer look at it and looking at her as he tried to picture her in it. She threw him a disdainful look and started throwing items to the door for donating, a look on her face that almost said it was painful for her. Emma would need to get used to money if she was going to stick with him, he had no intention of seeing her live a life without it even if she never saw him as anything more than a friend. He would always take care of her.'You've never worn this?' He raised an eyebrow at her questioningly, it was pretty. Somehow her. He wanted to see her wear it, red and floaty and short. Not too clingy yet romantic and something he had never seen her try.'Nope.' Blunt and to the point, she barely looked it's way but he was determined now. She would look good in red, she had the fair hair and porcelain skin to pull it off. Her blue eyes would make it perfection.'Why not? It's nice, kind of cute yet sexy.' He held it up to get a better idea of the style and really tried to picture her in it.'Where would I wear it?' She smiled his way a little unsurely.'Take it with us on our trip. Parade around on deck for me in it.' He put the dress on the bed to make sure it got kept with the clothes she was keeping, he wanted to see her in it more than anything. He wanted to see Emma dressed all girly and floaty and carefree. More than he wanted to see her in her underwear which completely confused him. Was Carrero losing his edge? Libido wavering? Turning into a fucking woman?'Just the two of us?' She asked nervously and distracted him, he couldn't help but feel the sunken weight he felt at how nervous she seemed to be with that thought. 'Not if that makes you uncomfortable...I've friends we could invite, my father's boat has six double cabins if you want a crowd.' He tried to focus on the clothes on the floor rather than let her see that it disappointed him, he wanted her alone. Just the two of them but he knew how disastrous that would be.'Who would you invite?' She looked his way with a little furrowed brow, cuteness personified and he had to fight the urge to smooth it out with his thumb.'Daniel, a couple of the guys I sometimes take trips with and whoever they want with them..... I was thinking Leila Huntsberger, that way you could meet Sophie's new sister.' He tried for nonchalant and seemed to pull it off, picking names right from the top of his head. Leila would like her, he could see them gelling and that made him happy. He wanted his friends to like her, Daniel had finally stopped leering her way whenever they crossed paths after more than a dozen threats from him.'So, they're going to be couples?' She looked scared suddenly and that familiar gut kick hit him.Fuck. Always a reminder of what they would never be.'Really Emma?' He sighed in irritation at the reality of this situation, annoyed and being an asshole. She hadn't done anything wrong. 'What do you think I'm going to do? Try and seduce my PA because we're surrounded by couples and I'm incapable of abstaining from sex? I may always be trying to chat you up but I'm not an idiot. I know where the boundaries are, Bambino.' Yeah sure he did...He just chose to fucking forget them frequently.Asshole.'No, it's just....it will be awkward.' She looked at the clothes and started pulling through them, obviously avoiding his eye. He sighed at making her feel this way. Softening his tone and trying to stop being a dickhead.'Why?' He said softly.'They might think we're......' She hesitated and caught his eye. Jake tried to relax back and look completely blank. More than anything in the world he wanted her trust but that spike of irritation still lingered inside of him though, peeking out.'Who cares what they think?...I don't give a shit what anyone thinks Emma....I need a break and so do you. Stop overthinking and just agree. Besides, they're my friends, they'll know right away that we're not screwing.' He slid his hands behind his head, frowning at his own snarkiness and tried to shrug it off. It wasn't fair on her, his little mood swings because of his feelings for her. She never asked him to get hung up on her and she sure as hell hadn't encouraged it in anyway. He needed to just stop and take a step back. Be friends, because if that's all she was offering then he wanted it. It was better than not knowing her at all. Life without Emma wasn't a life worth knowing anymore.'Okay, for god's sake.' She put her hands up in defeat, then looked shyly his way with the hint of a smile. 'Don't laugh Jake but I don't own anything I could wear on a beach or a boat.' He couldn't help but smile back at her. She really was beautiful.
* * *
Jake had pulled out all the stops to get the trip together in record time, once he had the idea in his head and knew she wanted it to happen he was all over it. A few calls here and there and a few nudges and everything was set. He had steam rolled over her doubts refusing to let her back down and they had gotten there without anymore arguments. His mind was set to seeing her in a bikini, not that he would be able to do anything about it but still. It was a sight he wasn't passing up. That tense ache in his groin had only reminded him how badly he needed sex lately. He wasn't a guy who had ever gone long period without and now he was here he was starting to doubt his ability to relax. She would be walking around semi naked and he was almost spring loaded like this. Fuck, he should have gone out in a glory of drink and fucking before this trip.She seemed completely in awe of his dads cruiser, Jake had seen it a million times so to him it was nothing special. A long yacht, white like every other and sat in an idyllic port surrounded by blue sea's and white sands. Just being surrounded by sun, friends and her was enough to make his mood up the gear tenfold. If he could push the lustful thoughts aside they could have a really good time here.The crew were under orders to keep out of the way, he didn't want her feeling intimidated by them. He knew she wasn't someone who liked wealth being a showy thing and he was damned if he was going to make her uncomfortable with anything while here. She had been forewarned that he was taking care of anything and everything, including shopping trips if she wanted them. He had felt like an ass as she had blinked at him aching to argue but in this his word was final. Date or not he was old fashioned, he paid for his girl. Even if he wasn't sleeping with her.His friends had all been forewarned to behave, no jokes about being his secretary or any of the men trying their luck. He would literally beat them to death with their own shoes if they tried. He hadn't exactly been happy to see Marissa in tow with Vincent. He had no idea what her fucking game was being on this boat but he sure as hell wasn't being drawn into any little Marissa games. Vincent was an idiot, he should have known she would sucker one of the twins, they both had always trawled along after her in hopes of a date. He hadn't seen her since the night he had stupidly gotten drunk and fucked her. Not that he could remember, he had no clue how he had even ended up with her that night, he must have been royally messed up and if she thought there would ever be a repeat she was wrong. He would throw her overboard personally if she got in his way. He was happy to ignore her presence knowing it would annoy her more than having her escorted off. Emma need never know anything about her or who she ever was to him. It was old history and nothing he would ever rehash.Daniel was keeping his distance just like Jake had told him too, Emma wasn't one of his playthings and he knew better than to cross Jake. There were six of them with Jake and Emma. Daniel and the twins, Vincent and Richard, white blonde hair and grey eyes, all American good looks and square shoulders.Leila was wandering about on deck having some sort of bitchy glaring competition with Marissa and Miracle, Daniels porn star and this was last thing he needed, Leila at least wasn't being viperous to Hunter for once. Seemed things had finally cooled down with them after months of frosty glares. Being in the same place again without toxic warfare was pretty great. He would have to warn her about starting anything with either girl, not that he worried Leila couldn't handle them, the exact opposite in fact. If Leila flew off the handle it would be another airlift to the coast ER for two females and Leila wouldn't be one. He had bad memories of Leila taking on some of Daniels dates in the past and flying bottles.Jake had already had to deflect advances from the leggy porn star, she had tried to grapple him alone in the lower hall from the bedrooms topless. Hands a little too quickly going for his groin. He wasn't immune, he was horny as hell and she had managed to get her hand into his shorts while he had dodged her mouth. She was fuckable but as soon as her hands had been on him all he could think about was Emma. He knew Daniel wouldn't care if he fucked Miracle down here, they had shared in the past and all he needed to do was open a door and bend her over a bed, she was obviously game. He had pushed her off and told her to stay the fuck away, she wasn't what he wanted by a long shot.
* * *
Emma was up on deck when Jake came up from his room, he had been taking a shower. His heart almost stopped when he saw her silhouetted against the railing in a coral bikini and some flimsy wrap around her hips that kept flapping open to reveal long sexy legs. Even for a small girl her legs looked endless. She was the most perfect sight on and off this boat and everything else paled in comparison. Jake was oblivious to Miracle and Marissa's topless breasts lounging on deck, didn't see anything except her and that completely intoxicating body, much more appealing even covered than either of the brunettes. Creamy skin and curves of perfection. He was definitely horny as hell now, just looking at her made his insides want to explode. He wasn't one for self pleasuring to get sexual gratification but right now with her in mind he would happily go back to his room for some sort of release. It had only been a couple of days here and already his constant hard on was painful. He had been taking cold showers a little too frequently. Why he had ever thought he could handle Emma in bikinis was beyond him. He should've known it would be hell on earth to be around her and not want to fuck her badly.'Here.' He handed her a bottle of cold, flavoured water with a smile, his eyes shielded from view by his ray-bans and trying to control every ounce of his body like the expert he was. Years of self control finally having a use. He was watching that make up free face and wondering why she ever wore it, she never needed it. Emma was a natural beauty by all standards, flawless perfection.'Thanks.' She opened the bottle with a smile and took a long drink, he had to look away from the way her lips cupped the rim. A groan in his head and trying not to picture that mouth doing anything else.Breathe Carrero.... You're like a horny fifteen year old virgin right now.'You look nice.' He focused on her loose hair, his glasses shielding what he was really thinking and trying not to skim that body visually. He needed to disrupt this view somehow and get his head back in the game.'Thanks.' She blushed and he felt himself frowning, suddenly conscious of the fact she had glanced at his naked upper torso, he was wearing shorts and nothing else and despite never having an issue stripping off in public he suddenly realised why this might be awkward for her. He was still her boss and he had never been topless in front of her. Not that he was self conscious in the slightest. He spent enough time in the gym to make sure he was underwear model ready at all times and his tattoos were always placed in places that just enhanced what he had. He was never uncomfortable being naked, especially not in front of women. He felt like an ass for not even thinking that this whole thing might make her uneasy, especially with her background and the way men had treated her. Jake felt like a complete dick head all of a sudden for not realising.'We're going to the shore tonight for dinner... You want to come?' He looked over her head across the water to try and reel in his thoughts, his mood plummeting a little. He had never wanted her to be nervous around him, especially not in this way. He had never thought that maybe Emma's lack of dates this past year had something to do with sex making her uneasy, her childhood had scarred her. Of course men made her uneasy. He made a mental note at wearing a shirt while walking about on deck, he would make all of them wear one if it made her feel better.'Sure.' She smiled shielding her eyes from the sun, Jake swiped his shades from his head automatically and placed them on her dainty face. 'I really should carry a pair of these.' She laughed, that natural carefree laugh that lifted his mood back up a little, he just shrugged in response. Still mulling over the effect he was obviously having on her. It was like a punch in the stomach, a dull ache that wouldn't shift.'They look better on you than they do on me. Your cuteness just goes with my shades.' Truth be told he never ever thought about putting them on her face, from the first time it had been a natural movement, like breathing. She had shielded her eyes and he had done it. Something he had done to his kid brother his whole life and somehow she raised that same protective impulse.'Where are we going for dinner?' Emma seemed to be evasively looking anywhere but his body and he only frowned harder. He wanted her to be able to stand here with no effect. Well he wanted him to affect her in a good way but not like this. He wanted to wrap his arms around her right now and just tell her it was always going to be okay. He would never let another man touch her, hurt her. He would protect her for an eternity. She didn't need to be afraid ever again, it killed him knowing she still carried the burden of those memories.'Some little seafood place Marissa knows.' He tried to keep his tone even at saying her name, he usually avoided any use of the cursed word.'I want to get my haircut while we're here....Do you think there are any hairdressers on the mainland?' Jake felt the instant urge to tell her she didn't need to change her hair, he liked it the way it was and looked away towards Leila in hopes of hiding the frown on his face. He didn't like the thought of her changing anything about how she was. You couldn't improve on perfection.'Leila will know... She comes here a lot.' Jake nodded towards his childhood friend, hoping to god Leila wouldn't push Emma into some radical hairdo, he knew her only too well. She was wandering around wearing a top, first time he noticed the other two were not. Completely topless and he suddenly felt pissed. If topless men could make Emma uneasy then that sure as hell would do it too, he wanted to throw towels over both of them.'You know Marissa well?' Her voice broke into his thoughts and he felt himself freeze. He had never expected this question to come from her and the last thing he wanted her to know was anything about his past with Marissa. How the hell she had even picked up on anything was beyond him, he sure as hell wasn't putting out any signals where that harpy was concerned.'Once!' He felt his pulse quicken and his head going into evasive mode, he didn't want to dreg up the past and admit he had been too blind to realise his teen girlfriend and best mate had been fucking behind his back and sent him into a spiral few years of booze, drugs, idiot behaviour and woman. He didn't want Emma knowing that part of him or tying him to the bitch on deck. He wanted her to see him as he was now, the person he was with her anyway, the better version of himself. He found himself scowling Marissa's way with his back to Emma, Marissa catching his eye and licking her lips seductively, she squirmed suggestively. Even from here he could pick up her fuck me signals and he just scowled back.Not a chance princess.'Want to come for a swim with me?' He threw back at Emma, he wanted to get as far away from the slag eyeing him up and away from the topic about her. He needed time alone to just help his girl relax. Away from all this naked skin. He turned back to that open expression and felt the urge to stroke her hair back from her face. His sunglasses did look good on her, a little big but in a cute way.'Now?' She sounded apprehensive.'Why not?' Jake smiled at her , hoping to make her feel more at ease. He needed to get her to unwind a little and he couldn't do that here, tense with a pair of eyes on the back of his head trying to mentally undress him. They needed to leave the past on the deck on her lounger and go find a secluded beach to roam.'Sure.' She smiled brightly and he could hear Daniel kicking the tunes into a higher gear, looking back he could see the telltale signs of cocaine coming out and growled internally. He had fucking warned him against this shit while she was here. He didn't do this crap anymore and he wasn't going to subject her to it either. He was glad to see Leila wander off deck, knowing she too was out of that whole scene. They had had their young wild and reckless days and left them far behind. Daniel needed to catch up. He noted that the twins and their dates seemed into it and put an arm around Emma's shoulders. Guiding her to the side he waited till she undid her sarong and hung it up before diving in first to make sure he would be in the sea to help her if she needed him when she dove in.* * *
Being away from them and in the water instantly lightened his mood, her being in here seemed to make her forget about being self conscious or his naked torso and that made him happier. She smiled and relaxed as they swam and before long he started playfully splashing and pulling her with him. She tried to dunk him under but he was faster and got her first every time. She seemed to be a pretty competent swimmer so Jake decided to have a little fun with her before swimming ashore. He had pulled her under with him a few times, enjoying the fact that in the water he could touch her freely without feeling like he was doing something wrong.'Stop...it.' She spluttered to the surface, pleading with him and pushing back her wet hair from her her eyes. She looked too cute like this to listen.'Only if you ask me nicely, tiny tots.' He wiped the water from his face , pleased to feel his hair wax was withstanding the sea test. The new lab improvements he had requested were obviously working and Carrero hair wax was now waterproof. He swam closer to her to close the gap, aware just how naked she really was when he was inches from moulding to her.'Will you please stop trying to drown me, Mr Carrero.' She begged, it only made him feel more playful. That cute little soft voice asking so sweetly, she had no chance.'Seeing as you ask so sweetly, Miss Anderson.' He pushed her under again, this time catching her under the water and pulled her back up against him hard. Nose to nose and it didn't seem so right anymore, it was closer than he intended, her body skimming against him in ways that got an immediate hard reaction and he released her quickly. He wasn't sure which part of her body had just rubbed up his groin but it didn't matter, he was definitely battling down an erection with the efforts of a sumo wrestler right now. He hated that despite all his sexual prowess and years of being a man whore he couldn't control this shit around her. It was fucking embarrassing.He swam away from her in an effort to get this under control and put distance between them, he hoped to god she could manage the half mile swim as holding onto her in anyway right now would end in impalement he didn't want to have to explain. The beach wasn't that far but it would be exhausting for someone as tiny as her. Jake slowed his pace to make sure he stayed close incase she struggled. He would never let her drown even if he did have to ram a hard on against her back while rescuing her.He was glad to find that by the time they hit the beach he had it back under control and mentally chastised himself about getting that close to her again while she was wearing practically nothing. He wandered ahead to let the water drip off and the sun warm and dry his skin in hopes her bikini wasn't showing more than he could handle right now.God, he needed sex badly.
February 3, 2017
Paperback winner and Playlist updates.
This is just a little post to announce the winner of my signed paperback giveaway. If you are a follower of my Facebook page you would have most likely not only seen but entered and shared the book giveaway and I just want to thank everyone who took part. The response was amazing and you can still enter the Goodreads giveaway for a few weeks yet. Look at the bottom of the post for the Goodreads link.
I just want to congratulate super fan Donna Pugh for being the lucky winner and very soon her very personal copy will be winging its way to her with my signed message inside.
So let's all say a huge Congratulations!!!
On another note, the three playlists attached to the three books are now live on youtube and can be accessed from here. The playlists match up with key points in each book and make for a more emotional read if you use this alongside going back over your favorite scenes. We have had an amazing response to the playlists already and the third is almost agonizing in the fact you have no idea how it matches to the book just yet.Book three is only a couple of weeks away from publishing now so enjoy the playlists while you wait!
Playlists!!
Book 1 playlist Click here
Book 2 playlist Click here
Book 3 playlist Click here
The Goodreads Giveaway!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Carrero Effect by L.T. Marshall Giveaway ends February 22, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.Enter Giveaway
I just want to congratulate super fan Donna Pugh for being the lucky winner and very soon her very personal copy will be winging its way to her with my signed message inside.
So let's all say a huge Congratulations!!!
On another note, the three playlists attached to the three books are now live on youtube and can be accessed from here. The playlists match up with key points in each book and make for a more emotional read if you use this alongside going back over your favorite scenes. We have had an amazing response to the playlists already and the third is almost agonizing in the fact you have no idea how it matches to the book just yet.Book three is only a couple of weeks away from publishing now so enjoy the playlists while you wait!
Playlists!!
Book 1 playlist Click here
Book 2 playlist Click here
Book 3 playlist Click hereThe Goodreads Giveaway!
Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Carrero Effect by L.T. Marshall Giveaway ends February 22, 2017.See the giveaway details at Goodreads.Enter Giveaway
February 2, 2017
A new perspective - The Carrero Effect - Chapter 1 (Jakes view)
Lovers of my book The Carrero Effect book 1 will love this brand new alternate chapter.This is chapter 1 re-written from Jake Carrero's perspective as per requested by you, the lovely fans.Please note there is swearing and sexual references and this is not suitable for those under 18 years of age.
Read at your own risk!!
The Carrero effect - Chapter 1 - Jake!
Jacob Carrero stood in his room in front of the large mirror over the vanity and warmed hair wax between his fingers, smirking at the familiar black and gold branded product on the wooden surface. His father was still lording over the decision to start a male grooming line with Jakes face all over the advertising campaign. Not that he cared, he was used to being publicly owned, always on show and every woman's idea of a fantasy male.
Which guy wouldn't? Women falling at your feet every day. Hell yeah.
He rubbed it through his hair expertly and spiked it up towards the center and forward in its trademark current style. He was never really one for much fussing over his hair, this kept it sorted and then he never had to care for the rest of the day. If he had his way he would shave it all off but he had done that in his teens and he had just looked street thug.
He caught sight of the girl in the mirror trying to catch his eye from the bed. She was lounging sexily and letting the bed sheets slide down her naked body in a bid to lure him back in. Jake just frowned at the effort and went back to getting ready for work. He had enough playtime these last two weeks and she was already boring him. This one was his most recent fuck buddy, all long legs, a little too skinny for his liking and surprisingly plain faced after all that muck was wiped off. Another supermodel who was obsessed with dinner parties where she only consumed lettuce and having her face in his lap. Nothing remarkable and zero conversation in that head.
'I'm feeling energetic still, if you're game?' She tried for husky-voiced and just irritated him. Sliding on his jacket over his crisp shirt and adjusting the cuffs without looking at her once. Jefferson would be waiting with the car, ready by now and he had to go.
'Nora will feed you, see yourself out.' He smirked back at her and felt a tad guilty about the look of sheer disappointment on her face. Just a tad. He stopped caring the second he lifted his shades, slid them on his head and made his way out of the door.
He was greeted by Nora in the open plan lounge wielding a hoover and she smiled gracefully, his heart warming a little at the maternal little widow who kept his apartment for him. He smiled genuinely.
'Can you make sure.....Ummmmm.'
Fuck, what was her name? Trisha? Tracey? Shit, he had been sleeping with her for almost a week and he still couldn't remember the damn thing. He was such an asshole.
'Tiffany?' Nora blinked at him and he smiled, feeling more uneasy at his mind blank, he knew it just made him look like a dick head and he didn't like Nora thinking that way about him. The woman was like a second mother.
'Yeah, her. Could you make sure she gets fed and see that she's taken home.' He smiled again and headed towards the kitchen, lifting the coffee she had waiting for him in a steel travel mug. He was running late and she obviously knew it.
Best housekeeper on earth, she deserved another raise.
'Arrick?' He turned back to her with a raised eyebrow and then dismissed the question as his brother sauntered from the direction of his guest rooms. 'Hurry up man, I'm already late. Margo will have my guts today, she's all in a womanly tizzy about my new PA.'. Arrick just yawned and ran a hand casually through his sandy hair carelessly. His brother was more of the fairer kind, his dad's dark eyes and sallow skin while Jake had inherited his mother's dark hair and green eyes and he guessed her looks seeing as he had been voted New Yorks hottest bachelor the second year in a row. He never saw the similarity to his brother but people always said it was there.
'Shut up, I'm still hungover from last night. You're lucky I'm even upright and how the hell do you look so fucking normal?' Arrick was irritable today, last night had been a hell of a party and they had hit the booze a little too hard. Jake was almost immune to hangovers nowadays, years of hitting it hard had given him a more steel constitution than his baby brother. He needed to get him worked up to that now he was almost legal drinking age. He had a reputation to follow.
'You ready to shift?' Jake pushed his brother by the shoulder as he passed him to get him moving faster, he was already restless about being away from work for a couple weeks. He had no idea how much he had missed or what was needed to catch up today. He wasn't so sure anymore that snowboarding and base jumping in between blow out parties had been such a good idea when he had so much coming up right now. He didn't feel any more rested than when he had taken off with brother and best mate in tow. In fact he maybe should have cut the fun a day early and actually gotten some real sleep. Last night was a late drunken return and then a lot of sex before his alarm assaulted him way too early. A shower had barely straightened him out.
He shook himself mentally and followed out through the main door to the outer corridor where his head of security was waiting with his bag, Mathews looked like a George Clooney of sorts with an air of Jason Statham, the man was scarily efficient. He took the bag being held out to him, he wasn't much of a briefcase kind of guy so had a leather messenger bag instead.
'Here you go sir. All the files arrived last night per your request.' He smiled a thanks at the older man and patted his shoulder amid a mouthful of coffee. A slight stirring of nausea in his stomach at the first non-alcoholic liquid to hit it in forty-eight hours.
Not a good idea at all.
Arrick was practically tripping over his own feet and holding his head. Jake swiped off his shades and propped them on his brother's nose, poor guy would not be any better hitting the New York sunlight in a few minutes and he felt guilty about his suffering. Jake had goaded him into a drinking competition knowing only too well he would beat him hands down. The baby boy had to learn to man up with the rest of them if he was going to survive in his circle of friends.
'Thanks.' He finally managed after swallowing down probably the worst thing to drink when his guts were fragile. Nora's coffee was enough to put hairs on a man's chest.
Jesus!
Swiping the bag over his shoulder he hauled out the first file to hand and sauntered into the elevator.
'Work already? You have issues?' Arrick mumbled from the corner he was slumped into and Jake could only shake his head at him and smile.
This was the future competition in his father's company? He needed to get Arrick toughened up.
'No, Margo sent this over. My new PA's company record and resume. She wants me up to speed with whoever she is before I meet her today. Apparently, has high hopes that this might be the one I've been looking for.'
* * *
Floor sixty-five of the Carrero corporation – Executive house. Lexington Avenue, Mid-town Manhattan.
Walking through the building with a brother who was looking decidedly pale with nausea with his ever present bodyguard courtesy of his father Jake felt that familiar ease move back in. The ease of being back in his own building and in control. This was where he excelled in life. This right here, a building apart from his father's and it was his domain, all business conducted herein was nothing much to do with Giovanni Carrero. Jake ran the sports side while Giovanni lorded over the hotels. The grooming line had come to Jake seeing as his face was all over it and he had a million tiny smaller sidelines all being run through Carrero House. His father had his darker dealings and sometimes borderline illegal mafia shit going on and he wanted no part in the old family ties. He had convinced Arrick to start taking an interest in his side of things, he had views to him working alongside him rather than being pulled into Carrero tower with the old man. The further he could keep Arrick out of the dealings with the people his father knew the better. Besides Arrick had a good business brain much like Jakes and he could be useful in a couple of mergers and acquisitions lined up in the near future.
Jake ignored the constant flow of female swoons and smiles aimed their way, not so big headed to not realize his brother was getting some equal attention now he was getting older. Not that he cared, he would soon find out how boring the female attention could get.
Hell the guy was obviously a looker, they shared DNA after all.
He stifled a yawn in the elevator and shoulder punched Arrick to wake him up a little, his brother's obvious fatigue was affecting him a little too much and he needed to look like he was in control. Arrick was still almost slumped in a ball and Jake leaned out and hooked his shades back, slotted them back on top of his head carelessly.
'Fuck off.' His brother mumbled under his breath and the security guard just glared Jakes way. Jake glared right back, aggression prickling instantly to put him in his place, no paid heavy of his fathers was going to try and lord over his relationship with his kid brother. He was sure he could take him, even in here. The guy was about five foot eight max and looked like he could only bench press half of what Jake did. Besides Jake had years of cage fighting and mixed martial arts under his belt, he would give it a go even if the guy was ex-military and with the hot Carrero temper of his he was sure it wouldn't take much, just another disapproving look his way.
'Get up dickhead we're here.' He was a little too snippy with Arrick and threw him an apologetic frown, his own hangover was there even if it didn't have the magnitude of Arricks and he was feeling rougher than normal. He should have had the sense to kill last night's plans, he was sure as hell regretting it now.
Who was he kidding? A night of craziness, lots of booze, a blow job in his car from that feisty red-head and a night of hot and heavy sex back home with Trisha....Trudy...Fuck, was not something he ever bypassed.
Margo swept out of the foyer in a heavy cloud of Chanel number nine as soon as the elevator doors opened, like a breath of fresh air, every ready with that professional smile and hot body wrapped in Christian Dior tailoring. She was the temple of cool and efficient he was looking for in a new assistant, having served him well for years. He needed a new Margo to replace her or this was just never going to work in the long run, previous temporary assistants had either been useless or tried like crazy to fuck him and he didn't ever cross work with play. He knew what he was looking for and he hoped to hell she had been right with this one, he was in no mood for another repeat of Gloria. That chick had stripped naked in his office and tried to entice him with some oral before being handed her resume and a swift shove out his door. He was maybe a loose sex mad playboy outside of these four walls but inside was a whole other level of play. Jake was serious in business and serious about never crossing that line.
He smiled back at Margo, his right-hand woman and slid her arm in his affectionately, Arrick humphing and trailing behind with asshole soldier boy in tow. All sorts of grumbles and complaints going on behind them. Arrick was going to be pointless here today.
'You look particularly suave today Jake, a little tired though.' She smiled at him in that ever motherly tone she used in private moments, fixing his collar over his jacket and tutting at his lack of tie. He rolled his eyes as she shook her head.
'You know they make me feel like I'm being slowly choked.' Jake maneuvered her beside him unapologetically once more and removed that fiddling hand from his lapel. She was being a little too OCD about his appearance this morning and he wondered if he looked especially rough. He was feeling uncharacteristically so.
'She's lovely, you will completely adore her. You want your run through as we walk in?' Margo smiled at him adoringly and despite the urge to lay his head on the floor right now and take a five-minute nap he nodded instead.
Okay, this crap was seriously starting to catch up on him, maybe he was getting too old for behaving like a rock star nowadays. Twenty-eight wasn't that old but today he felt ten years older. God he needed sleep.
He caught sight of a tawny blonde head over Margo's shoulder sitting down as they passed the outer desk, a mere glimpse of the replacement as Margo was standing in view. He was caught by the interesting honey blonde hair color anyway, none of that bottled white blonde crap of all his father's employees. This one looked natural which was rare in this building. In fact it was rare in his circle. Most girls opted for fakery as soon as they were old enough to hold a makeup brush and padded bra.
He had no idea why that thought hit him as he sauntered through to his own internal office via Margo's open plan one, women and their guises was not something he ever pondered. If they looked fuckable and gave him a hard on then that was good enough for him.
PA remember?...NO go...NO fucking.
He mentally shook the thought out of his head and aimed for his desk as soon as they were inside, Margo had been talking non-stop about what he had missed but he had completely zoned out on her and hadn't heard a thing. He felt irritated at himself all of a sudden.
Shit. When did he ever do that? What the fuck was he doing? Oh yeah staring at some chicks fucking hair and having an internal debate on it. Get a grip Carrero, this hangover is messing with your head.
Arrick slumped into the seat of the long low couch under that painting of the naked lesbian action by Hunter's cousin, he wasn't that enamored with it but the fifty grand he had paid to give the guy a helping hand meant he had to hang it somewhere. He sure as hell didn't want it at home and no one really ventured in here much except Margo and well now this new girl. The new york skyline was getting an unobstructed view of tits and ass anyway.
His phone vibrated in his inner jacket pocket and he pulled it out still practically ignoring Margo as she read from a clipboard. All he could hear was 'meeting' 'lawyers' and something about contracts. This was not him at all and he was starting to realize fighting it was futile, soon as this was done he was closing the door and taking a nap. Arrick looked ready to do the same and he could move the hell over on that couch. Soldier boy could guard the sleeping duo if he had nothing better to do.
'Shall I get her?' Margo blinked his way and as he pulled out his phone he waved a hand and smiled as if to say sure. Let's see what the honey blonde was like. He sure could use some focus today and meeting his new assistant might be that, he had scoured her file in the car over here and on paper she sounded a little too good to be true. Career girl, no rumors swirling about sexual favors to climb the ranks, young and unattached so ripe for trips anytime he needed them.She sounded promising.
'Emma, please come into Mr Carrero's office. Thank you.' Margo was leaning over his desk and pressing the intercom to summons his future number two, meanwhile he was reading the text from the chick with the elusive name and wondering how the hell he could see the same girl for a week and still never have saved her phone number under an actual name. The name Emma swam in his mind's eye and he felt himself sounding it out, he liked it. Short and sort of soft in a way. Definitely easy to remember.
Do you want to see me tonight? I really like being with you xxx T.
'Yes, Mrs drake.' The voice coming back from the intercom distracted him from replying momentarily, sultry and sort of cute if he had to describe it and he completely forgot what he was about to respond to T. He definitely had some sort of internal reaction to the sound of her anyway and that wasn't an entirely good thing. Frowning it away he focused back on his phone and typed out a response, this one had already met the limit of interest, a week quicker than most and the thought of fucking her again did nothing for him at all of a sudden.
Look, Sweetheart, it's been fun. Let's part as friends and just agree to see each other around. x J
He knew cutting them loose before things got emotional was the best bet and this one had clingy written all over her. He didn't do relationships and he certainly didn't keep the same chick hanging on for weeks on end.
'Ahhh, Emma, here you are.' Margo purred with a voice laced in adoration, this girl obviously had his second in command wrapped around her little finger already which was unusual for Margo. The woman didn't sway easily. Pushing his phone back into his inner pocket and ignoring the buzz of a reply from T, he inclined his head a little in interest at whoever was obviously winning over his assistant and felt his body pause.
Black sexy as hell stilettos running up creamy shapely legs to a tight and figure-hugging skirt from knee to thigh had him almost dropping his mouth open. She wasn't skinny in that gaunt supermodel way, in fact she wasn't even that tall but she had the kind of curves that were made for holding onto and definitely his kind of thing. She was pretty tiny as women went but that only added to the whole effect, moving further up past that well fitted and obviously expensive tailored jacket he caught his breath on the most astounding pair of tits he had ever seen, not overly huge just soft and inviting and barely concealed under the low cut jacket and soft silk blouse. Not much on show but enough to peak his interest. If he was being honest then a hell lot more interest than he had managed to conjure for any girl in a heck of a long time and that was disturbing, if he had met her anywhere else she wouldn't still be dressed right now. A graceful creamy neck that looked seriously touchable and he could almost imagine holding her around it to push her against a wall and devouring that skin, his eyes swept finally to the face that was turned towards Margo and Jake just couldn't seem to think anymore for a moment.
Fuck.
'Jake, this is Emma Anderson. She's your new assistant in training. Your new number two.' Margo smiled his way and he realized he was openly staring, she hadn't caught him yet and she sure as hell wouldn't. He wasn't some pre-pubescent teen with zero skill. Looking down at the floor he could already feel himself taking calming breaths, regaining composure quickly with all the skill of a seasoned Lothario.
Okay, you're just horny ...Obviously! And she's just not your usual type. New and exciting and you have been hell of a bored lately with the likes of women with forgettable names and no tits.
'Miss Anderson.' Jake got up slowly, tensing his neck from side to side and extending his hand out towards her politely, trying like hell to not react as that face turned his way. She pretty much floored him with the softest blue and biggest eyes he'd ever seen, an internal sort of gut punching reaction he had never experienced in his life and had no idea what to do with. It momentarily stunned him.
She had a soft pouting mouth that could do a lot of damage if put to use in the right way and delicate almost childlike features that somehow worked in a mature face.There was very precisely and expertly applied makeup under a pretty sleek up do of that soft hair yet you could still see the girl was pretty, god he would go as far as saying this one was beautiful and that was rare coming from him. He had seen and bedded enough models over the years to stop being pulled in by symmetrical features and so-called perfection. She was beautiful in another way entirely, not in a fluffed and preened kind of way but a real unapologetic, born to make men want her kind of a way. Jake felt suddenly uncomfortable and let his eyes flicker back to that body, hoping to god he wasn't showing just how much she was affecting him in anyway.
Her hand felt soft and small in his when she took it to shake, a little too fragile when dwarfed in his and he suddenly got the impression he might hurt her. A tense moment of doubt and he physically loosened his grip instinctively, little delicate hands, perfect pastel manicured nails and free from any jewelry. He found himself looking at her hand a little too intensely and let it go abruptly.
What the fuck Jake? Seriously? Hand fetish now?
'Mr Car.....' That voice distracted him again, drawing attention to that mouth.
Fuck.
'Jake! Please......' He cut in quickly to try and get his focus back on track, his brain moving in smoothly from years of self-control and practice to save him from himself. 'Margo informs me she's happy with you so far and will be training you a little more extensively in time to step in fully when she retires. I guess that means we should get better acquainted on a first-name basis.' Jake felt himself smile involuntarily at the hint of knowing her better, his mind immediately dragging her to his desk and most definitely not being allowed to take it any further. He needed to get control of the racing hormones and accept that she was obviously fuckable. He wanted her, she was peeking some primal interest in him and as soon as he accepted that and got over the fact he would never go there then they could move along.
'I'm really grateful for the opportunity.' She drew him back in with that voice and he couldn't help but notice that she wasn't reacting to him the way women normally did. He had been too caught up in what she was doing to him to notice and now he did it irked him.
What the hell was wrong with him? Why wasn't she flirting and pouting, it was obvious that there was chemistry. he could feel it in the air.
He realized that maybe all that chemistry was possibly one-sided and irritation hit him in the gut. He couldn't even remember the last time he had met such indifference in someone so appealing, maybe Leila when she was like seven but not any women he had met since teen hormones evaporated and he had filled out and learned to use what god gave him. He needed to get his crap together and just stop whatever this was, he needed a moment to breathe because those baby blue eyes searing into his soul right now were distracting the shit out of him in all kinds of ways.
'Would you like a drink, Emma? You look a little flushed.' That tiny pink spot high on each cheek after he had shaken her hand seemed to be more from being uncomfortable about him touching her than any sexual yearnings and he was feeling really pissed about it. He had no idea why he was being such an asshole about this. Acting like a spoiled prissy brat because a girl didn't fall for his charms. Maybe because this was completely fucking new to him.
'Thank you.' She smiled a little, a hint of a smile and he paused for a moment. It wasn't full on but it suggested that she probably had a pretty smile too, the way her cheeks puffed a little and her eyes softened just slightly from doe-eyed to a little more carefree. It did all kinds of weird shit to his insides and he had no idea what was going on with him today. He was never drinking that lethal combo of crap he had last night again.
Fuck he wanted to see her smile properly.
Jake caught sight of Arrick watching him from the corner of his eye, an obvious smirk and that annoying god damn phone app game he loved to play blaring away in the corner. He wanted to throw something at his head for the way he was looking highly amused, no one knew Jake like he did and he could obviously tell something was off.
Lap it up princess, it's not often I get knocked off my game and you're never going to get a repeat.
Jake walked to the mini bar swiftly and found himself mixing up one of Leila's cocktails as he looked down at what he was doing stupefied for a moment. Literally no idea how getting her a glass of water had turned to this in his head. The only thing he could think was that he was subconsciously trying to impress her or some deeper level had decided she simply wasn't a girl you gave water too. She was somehow much more classy that ice water. Maybe it had been that heady fruity slightly sweet perfume clinging around her that had made him move to start fixing one of Leila's girly combo's for her. He literally had no idea what he was doing anymore. Downing a quick fly Gin to get his head straight he took back the drink to the awaiting distraction. Margo was regarding him with a really odd expression, probably wondering why the hell he was trying to get his new PA drunk if the clinking of bottles was anything to go by.
Be damned if he had a fucking clue. He was acting all kinds of crazy.
'Here you go.' She looked completely lost in thought and he just felt completely out of his depth. He was a guy who had no problems with being in the company of the fairer sex yet he was acting like an idiot. He decided to perch on his desk, put some distance between them and put all of this down to still being half drunk and crazily horny from last night. He dated women twice her height, confident, boring models and women with their own money. Women who knew what causal sex and having a good time was all about and he knew how to read women effortlessly. Until this one. She was tightly closed up and completely unreadable, no hint of anything at all. No signs of interest, in fact the complete opposite and her mannerisms and movements were so precisely graceful and swan-like he felt like he was the one being scrutinized for a job. He figured this was the problem right here. She made him uncomfortable because he had no way of knowing how to play her at all. And playing woman in all sorts of games was pretty much his forte.
'Thank you, Mr......Jake.' She looked at him for a second and again with that stomach jerk reaction he was seriously starting to dislike. He needed to just distract himself, maybe stop acting like a complete moron and remember he was her boss. He was versed in the art of conversation and he just needed to get some sort of professional relationship set in his mind and push this nonsense out. She sipped her drink and he caught the slight hint of confusion about the fact it was loaded with alcohol. He could only look at the floor completely non-plussed about that too. He had nothing.
'So Emma? ...Margot tells me you've worked here for just over 5 years?' His mind gazed back to her file, coming completely clear in his head. He could focus on what he had read and quiz her a little, his photographic memory served some purpose anyway. It was better than undressing her mentally.
'Yes, I've worked on various floors, but mainly tenth.' She placed her glass on the table and Jake immediately wondered if she disliked it, that maybe he should fix her something else and then stopped himself.
Seriously what the fuck are you doing? This isn't a date in which you need to please her....She's here to impress you as your next god damn assistant.
He was seriously starting to get annoyed with himself.
'You were Jack Dawson's assistant for a while?' He frowned trying so hard to just focus on what he was meant to be doing, business head being screwed on firmly and the calming of hormones with a seriously stern hand.
'Yes, Mr Dawson.' He watched her forced smile and got the strong impression she hated Dawson but was too polite to say it. He wondered what the guy had done to deserve that kind of dislike and hoped to hell he avoided doing the same thing. Maybe leering at her and thinking about bending her over his desk wasn't exactly going about warming her to him in the right way. If Dawson the creep had been openly ogling her then he could pretty much assure he wouldn't be caught doing the same, Dawson was known for making women feel uncomfortable. He felt a sense of confusion at the irritated feeling that thinking of Dawson openly eye raping her gave him, girls like Emma were classier than the intentions of some sleazy fuck who thought he had a given right to heavy breathe over them.
'It was Miss Keith who recommended you for this position I believe?' He tried to bring his head back into the game, that sudden urge to find reason to fire Dawson completely at odds with him today. He was obviously grouchy from lack of sleep and should wrap this up, let her go and get down on that couch beside his annoyingly watchful brother until noon. He was acting all kinds of crazy in here right now and he was sure some shut eye would sort him right out.
'Yes. I loved working for her while her own assistant was on leave, she was very easy to attend too and I learned a lot.' Jake felt that inability to breathe hit him hard when she suddenly smiled unexpectedly, a sudden genuine warmth at the mention of Kay. He had been watching her and waiting without even realizing he was doing it and it had been worth it. Her whole face lit up and he had the urge to smile back. He had been wrong about her smile being pretty, it was god damn mesmerizing. He could watch her smile that way all day and just get lost in how soft it made her whole face or the way her palest blue eyes turned a hint warmer.
You're being incredibly fucking gay right now.... Next you'll be spouting god damn poetry Carrero.
'She spoke highly of your efficiency and professionalism. It's rare for Kay to make an internal recommendation for a position like this.' Good comeback, he almost patted himself on the back. He had to just pull this off and go to sleep.
'Thank you.' He couldn't tear his eyes off of that smile that came out at him once more.
'Well, so far I've found her to be a joy. Efficient and capable with a good understanding of the business. Don't think it will take long to get her up to speed with her requirements.' Margo cut in saving the odd silence with a very weird look thrown his way, even she was picking up on his odd behaviour and this was not going well.
Jake suddenly saw the funny side to this whole scenario, being the one panting and getting heated over a woman for a change instead of vice versa. This is why he was falling to bits, this never happened and it was completely throwing him off kilter. He was having the tables turned and had most likely met a female version of himself. It explained the indifference she was exuding, he just had to look at her to know men fell at her feet effortlessly and she probably was just as bored of it as he was. They were going to get along just fine if he could notch down the need to screw her a little.
'Glad to hear it - So Emma, how has it been so far? Learning the ropes of life on the sixty-fifth floor?' He felt better at figuring this out, this weirdness and suddenly all his good humour was back on form. Relaxing back and feeling more than a little amused at seeing how it felt from the other side for once. Reassured that he wasn't having some weird mental breakdown or been put under some crazy female spell.
'A breeze.' He couldn't help but admire her coolness, that effortless grace. 'Nothing I can't handle so far.'
'Has Margo warned you about the frequent travelling you might be required to undertake or the unsociable hours we sometimes keep? ..... This job can be really full on Miss Anderson. It's not for the faint hearted.' The thought of spending many an hour locked in hotel suites with her suddenly had him frowning at how hard that might actually prove to be, he would have to lay off the booze on trips and reel back the charm a little to keep on top of this little debacle.
'Yes, I'm aware that this is not a nine to five job, Mr Carrero. I'm fully committed to my career so it will not be an issue.' That defiant little chin lift had him almost instantly snapping back to what she would look like over his desk with that skirt pulled up and those shoes......
Enough!
'You're young ....What about a social life?' He frowned even harder, chastising himself and giving the inner third degree to that over-sexed over creative mind of his.
'I haven't much interest in many social activities...I left my home town to come to New York and I don't know many people outside of work.' She seemed to hesitate with her answer, a flicker of something he couldn't read. Damn it annoyed him that he couldn't read her at all. This was probably another part of why he was feeling so frustrated, he was amazing at reading people and always second guessing them. It was one of his most used and highly gifted skills.
But her? She was like a complete enigma.
'Career oriented? Can be lonely.' He felt stiff and uncomfortable and tried to release the tension in his body by moving his shoulders, his seat on the edge of his desk wasn't as comfy as his laid back posture suggested and he was barely keeping himself still. Too much nervous energy running riot.
'I'm never lonely, Mr Carrero.... I'm an independent sort of person who doesn't need assurances or company from other people to be happy.' He stopped and regarded her answer, momentarily quietened again. He wondered if that meant there was no boyfriend lurking in the background and felt slightly happy at that thought.
'Oh Emma, that's not the way a young girl like you should live her life.' Cut in Margo warmly. 'You're so pretty..... You should have young men romancing you around New York.' Margo leaned out touching the girl and Jake could only frown, he didn't like Margo's suggestion at all.
'Sounds like you're trying to talk her out of stealing your job, Margo.' He laughed, mostly at himself for his stupid reactions or wherever his god damn head was. He sure as hell didn't want to be romancing her around New York either, he didn't do romance ever, he didn't do any sort of long term thing and knew his capabilities were to fuck and forget. This is why he couldn't go down this route with her, he needed a PA to replace Margo and he needed one now.
Margo was itching to let go of the reigns and as she had hand picked this one it put all question of anything else far out the window. He would just have to get used to the idea that Emma was out of bounds for an eternity and maybe he should start looking to small curvy blondish girls to distract him for a while, his body certainly peaked an interest in that direction ever since she had walked in his door.
'No. Emma knows I value her here. I think she's a perfect fit...' Margo turned to Emma closely, an obvious show of affection on her face that only strengthened Jakes mindset. 'Not too sure how much you'll like it once Jake starts running you ragged mind you.' She winked at her and placed a hand on him. Jake knew Margo too well. It was a warning gesture... A Margo special. She'd been reading into his body language knowing Jakes was normally far more relaxed than this she was telling him NO!
'I'm sure I can handle the demands.' Emma lifted that chin again and he found himself sighing softly in defeat. It was for the best if he just put this chick on the 'No go.' list.
'Despite Jakes public playboy reputation Emma, I'm afraid He's a bit of a workaholic ... Surprising I know but you'll get used to it, you'll certainly rake up enough air miles in the next few months.' Margo smiled Jakes way and with a knowing look and a very forceful pat on his arm, he took his visual telling off graciously. Out of bounds, eyes off.
He damn well knows it without you're insistence Margo
'You'll soon get fed up with seeing the world.' He said, he couldn't get that stupid frown off his face, the urge to glare at Margo for reading him a little too well. 'And the inside of hotel rooms.'
Yeah hell he wanted to throw that in there just for the reaction. See if she was completely immune to being in a bedroom with him for his own amusement.
'I've seen enough of those to last a lifetime.' Margo waved her hand and gave Jake that raised eyebrow look. He was being told off again and she wasn't impressed with him right now, it seemed she was also ending this little introduction. 'Right, we have work to be getting on with...Emma, you're with me for now.' She gestured to the door behind Emma and waved her onward with one more warning scowl his way which only got her rewarded with a smirk. The girl smiled back again, only not the beautiful real one of earlier, more of a relief that it was over and Jake felt that tug of disappointment that she'd been relieved to be getting away from him.
Definitely out of bounds.
'To our working relationship, Emma.' He said it half-heartedly, trying to figure out how long it will take to get used to her in this place and stop having a serious dog humping reaction to her. He hoped it would be sooner rather than later and he was already mentally going through his little black book for a look alike to quell the frustration.
If he had a look-alike he was pretty sure she wouldn't be so damn appealing right now.
She turned to the door with Marge to leave and Jake almost groaned out loud, catching himself quickly as his eyes connected with possibly the most perfect ass in a tight grey skirt he had ever seen, his body most definitely reacted this time. The door was swiftly shut after they left and he exhaled fully, unaware he had been holding his breath for a moment.
That girl was going to be the death of him.
He had always been an ass guy and she had pretty much got the first perfect ten score that he had ever given out. Standing up quickly to adjust his trousers which had gotten all too tight all of a sudden he caught Arrick grinning at him.
'The fuck you smiling at?' He said in an irritated tone, his mind still following that ass out mentally, not impressed with his own stupid display for the last god knows how long she was in here.
'You!...Never seen the great Carrero unravel quite so magnificently in the face of a little girl.' Arrick got up and wandered to him casually, that same Carrero saunter as his. He shoved his brothers shoulder playfully.
'Fuck off, that was definitely no little girl...That was a born siren if I ever saw one. Work is about to get a lot fucking harder for me.' Jake slumped back down on the desk and pulled over her drink, smiling stupidly at the lipstick imprint on the side of the perfectly shaped mouth and automatically turned the glass so he could down it from the same spot she had touched.
That's weird Jake, fucking weird.
'Not my type but I see the appeal, she's cute..... I'd say marriage material though so definitely not worth your time.' Arrick shrugged nonchalantly at him.
He regarded his brother critically and frowned hard. How the hell he had gotten that much from her without barely looking her way once he would never know. But Arrick did have his skills at reading people, maybe the foggy lust haze had clouded his temporarily and Arrick seemed completely unaffected.
'Fuck no...Marriage is definitely not on the table at all.' Jake pushed her glass back down on the table with an arrogant crack of the neck. Pushing all thoughts of that tiny little temptress out of his fuzzy brain.'I need some god damn sleep so I can get this head straight, lock the door, the couch is mine and I will fight you for it.'
Read at your own risk!!
The Carrero effect - Chapter 1 - Jake!
Jacob Carrero stood in his room in front of the large mirror over the vanity and warmed hair wax between his fingers, smirking at the familiar black and gold branded product on the wooden surface. His father was still lording over the decision to start a male grooming line with Jakes face all over the advertising campaign. Not that he cared, he was used to being publicly owned, always on show and every woman's idea of a fantasy male.
Which guy wouldn't? Women falling at your feet every day. Hell yeah.
He rubbed it through his hair expertly and spiked it up towards the center and forward in its trademark current style. He was never really one for much fussing over his hair, this kept it sorted and then he never had to care for the rest of the day. If he had his way he would shave it all off but he had done that in his teens and he had just looked street thug.
He caught sight of the girl in the mirror trying to catch his eye from the bed. She was lounging sexily and letting the bed sheets slide down her naked body in a bid to lure him back in. Jake just frowned at the effort and went back to getting ready for work. He had enough playtime these last two weeks and she was already boring him. This one was his most recent fuck buddy, all long legs, a little too skinny for his liking and surprisingly plain faced after all that muck was wiped off. Another supermodel who was obsessed with dinner parties where she only consumed lettuce and having her face in his lap. Nothing remarkable and zero conversation in that head.
'I'm feeling energetic still, if you're game?' She tried for husky-voiced and just irritated him. Sliding on his jacket over his crisp shirt and adjusting the cuffs without looking at her once. Jefferson would be waiting with the car, ready by now and he had to go.
'Nora will feed you, see yourself out.' He smirked back at her and felt a tad guilty about the look of sheer disappointment on her face. Just a tad. He stopped caring the second he lifted his shades, slid them on his head and made his way out of the door.
He was greeted by Nora in the open plan lounge wielding a hoover and she smiled gracefully, his heart warming a little at the maternal little widow who kept his apartment for him. He smiled genuinely.
'Can you make sure.....Ummmmm.'
Fuck, what was her name? Trisha? Tracey? Shit, he had been sleeping with her for almost a week and he still couldn't remember the damn thing. He was such an asshole.
'Tiffany?' Nora blinked at him and he smiled, feeling more uneasy at his mind blank, he knew it just made him look like a dick head and he didn't like Nora thinking that way about him. The woman was like a second mother.
'Yeah, her. Could you make sure she gets fed and see that she's taken home.' He smiled again and headed towards the kitchen, lifting the coffee she had waiting for him in a steel travel mug. He was running late and she obviously knew it.
Best housekeeper on earth, she deserved another raise.
'Arrick?' He turned back to her with a raised eyebrow and then dismissed the question as his brother sauntered from the direction of his guest rooms. 'Hurry up man, I'm already late. Margo will have my guts today, she's all in a womanly tizzy about my new PA.'. Arrick just yawned and ran a hand casually through his sandy hair carelessly. His brother was more of the fairer kind, his dad's dark eyes and sallow skin while Jake had inherited his mother's dark hair and green eyes and he guessed her looks seeing as he had been voted New Yorks hottest bachelor the second year in a row. He never saw the similarity to his brother but people always said it was there.
'Shut up, I'm still hungover from last night. You're lucky I'm even upright and how the hell do you look so fucking normal?' Arrick was irritable today, last night had been a hell of a party and they had hit the booze a little too hard. Jake was almost immune to hangovers nowadays, years of hitting it hard had given him a more steel constitution than his baby brother. He needed to get him worked up to that now he was almost legal drinking age. He had a reputation to follow.
'You ready to shift?' Jake pushed his brother by the shoulder as he passed him to get him moving faster, he was already restless about being away from work for a couple weeks. He had no idea how much he had missed or what was needed to catch up today. He wasn't so sure anymore that snowboarding and base jumping in between blow out parties had been such a good idea when he had so much coming up right now. He didn't feel any more rested than when he had taken off with brother and best mate in tow. In fact he maybe should have cut the fun a day early and actually gotten some real sleep. Last night was a late drunken return and then a lot of sex before his alarm assaulted him way too early. A shower had barely straightened him out.
He shook himself mentally and followed out through the main door to the outer corridor where his head of security was waiting with his bag, Mathews looked like a George Clooney of sorts with an air of Jason Statham, the man was scarily efficient. He took the bag being held out to him, he wasn't much of a briefcase kind of guy so had a leather messenger bag instead.
'Here you go sir. All the files arrived last night per your request.' He smiled a thanks at the older man and patted his shoulder amid a mouthful of coffee. A slight stirring of nausea in his stomach at the first non-alcoholic liquid to hit it in forty-eight hours.
Not a good idea at all.
Arrick was practically tripping over his own feet and holding his head. Jake swiped off his shades and propped them on his brother's nose, poor guy would not be any better hitting the New York sunlight in a few minutes and he felt guilty about his suffering. Jake had goaded him into a drinking competition knowing only too well he would beat him hands down. The baby boy had to learn to man up with the rest of them if he was going to survive in his circle of friends.
'Thanks.' He finally managed after swallowing down probably the worst thing to drink when his guts were fragile. Nora's coffee was enough to put hairs on a man's chest.
Jesus!
Swiping the bag over his shoulder he hauled out the first file to hand and sauntered into the elevator.
'Work already? You have issues?' Arrick mumbled from the corner he was slumped into and Jake could only shake his head at him and smile.
This was the future competition in his father's company? He needed to get Arrick toughened up.
'No, Margo sent this over. My new PA's company record and resume. She wants me up to speed with whoever she is before I meet her today. Apparently, has high hopes that this might be the one I've been looking for.'
* * *
Floor sixty-five of the Carrero corporation – Executive house. Lexington Avenue, Mid-town Manhattan.
Walking through the building with a brother who was looking decidedly pale with nausea with his ever present bodyguard courtesy of his father Jake felt that familiar ease move back in. The ease of being back in his own building and in control. This was where he excelled in life. This right here, a building apart from his father's and it was his domain, all business conducted herein was nothing much to do with Giovanni Carrero. Jake ran the sports side while Giovanni lorded over the hotels. The grooming line had come to Jake seeing as his face was all over it and he had a million tiny smaller sidelines all being run through Carrero House. His father had his darker dealings and sometimes borderline illegal mafia shit going on and he wanted no part in the old family ties. He had convinced Arrick to start taking an interest in his side of things, he had views to him working alongside him rather than being pulled into Carrero tower with the old man. The further he could keep Arrick out of the dealings with the people his father knew the better. Besides Arrick had a good business brain much like Jakes and he could be useful in a couple of mergers and acquisitions lined up in the near future.
Jake ignored the constant flow of female swoons and smiles aimed their way, not so big headed to not realize his brother was getting some equal attention now he was getting older. Not that he cared, he would soon find out how boring the female attention could get.
Hell the guy was obviously a looker, they shared DNA after all.
He stifled a yawn in the elevator and shoulder punched Arrick to wake him up a little, his brother's obvious fatigue was affecting him a little too much and he needed to look like he was in control. Arrick was still almost slumped in a ball and Jake leaned out and hooked his shades back, slotted them back on top of his head carelessly.
'Fuck off.' His brother mumbled under his breath and the security guard just glared Jakes way. Jake glared right back, aggression prickling instantly to put him in his place, no paid heavy of his fathers was going to try and lord over his relationship with his kid brother. He was sure he could take him, even in here. The guy was about five foot eight max and looked like he could only bench press half of what Jake did. Besides Jake had years of cage fighting and mixed martial arts under his belt, he would give it a go even if the guy was ex-military and with the hot Carrero temper of his he was sure it wouldn't take much, just another disapproving look his way.
'Get up dickhead we're here.' He was a little too snippy with Arrick and threw him an apologetic frown, his own hangover was there even if it didn't have the magnitude of Arricks and he was feeling rougher than normal. He should have had the sense to kill last night's plans, he was sure as hell regretting it now.
Who was he kidding? A night of craziness, lots of booze, a blow job in his car from that feisty red-head and a night of hot and heavy sex back home with Trisha....Trudy...Fuck, was not something he ever bypassed.
Margo swept out of the foyer in a heavy cloud of Chanel number nine as soon as the elevator doors opened, like a breath of fresh air, every ready with that professional smile and hot body wrapped in Christian Dior tailoring. She was the temple of cool and efficient he was looking for in a new assistant, having served him well for years. He needed a new Margo to replace her or this was just never going to work in the long run, previous temporary assistants had either been useless or tried like crazy to fuck him and he didn't ever cross work with play. He knew what he was looking for and he hoped to hell she had been right with this one, he was in no mood for another repeat of Gloria. That chick had stripped naked in his office and tried to entice him with some oral before being handed her resume and a swift shove out his door. He was maybe a loose sex mad playboy outside of these four walls but inside was a whole other level of play. Jake was serious in business and serious about never crossing that line.
He smiled back at Margo, his right-hand woman and slid her arm in his affectionately, Arrick humphing and trailing behind with asshole soldier boy in tow. All sorts of grumbles and complaints going on behind them. Arrick was going to be pointless here today.
'You look particularly suave today Jake, a little tired though.' She smiled at him in that ever motherly tone she used in private moments, fixing his collar over his jacket and tutting at his lack of tie. He rolled his eyes as she shook her head.
'You know they make me feel like I'm being slowly choked.' Jake maneuvered her beside him unapologetically once more and removed that fiddling hand from his lapel. She was being a little too OCD about his appearance this morning and he wondered if he looked especially rough. He was feeling uncharacteristically so.
'She's lovely, you will completely adore her. You want your run through as we walk in?' Margo smiled at him adoringly and despite the urge to lay his head on the floor right now and take a five-minute nap he nodded instead.
Okay, this crap was seriously starting to catch up on him, maybe he was getting too old for behaving like a rock star nowadays. Twenty-eight wasn't that old but today he felt ten years older. God he needed sleep.
He caught sight of a tawny blonde head over Margo's shoulder sitting down as they passed the outer desk, a mere glimpse of the replacement as Margo was standing in view. He was caught by the interesting honey blonde hair color anyway, none of that bottled white blonde crap of all his father's employees. This one looked natural which was rare in this building. In fact it was rare in his circle. Most girls opted for fakery as soon as they were old enough to hold a makeup brush and padded bra.
He had no idea why that thought hit him as he sauntered through to his own internal office via Margo's open plan one, women and their guises was not something he ever pondered. If they looked fuckable and gave him a hard on then that was good enough for him.
PA remember?...NO go...NO fucking.
He mentally shook the thought out of his head and aimed for his desk as soon as they were inside, Margo had been talking non-stop about what he had missed but he had completely zoned out on her and hadn't heard a thing. He felt irritated at himself all of a sudden.
Shit. When did he ever do that? What the fuck was he doing? Oh yeah staring at some chicks fucking hair and having an internal debate on it. Get a grip Carrero, this hangover is messing with your head.
Arrick slumped into the seat of the long low couch under that painting of the naked lesbian action by Hunter's cousin, he wasn't that enamored with it but the fifty grand he had paid to give the guy a helping hand meant he had to hang it somewhere. He sure as hell didn't want it at home and no one really ventured in here much except Margo and well now this new girl. The new york skyline was getting an unobstructed view of tits and ass anyway.
His phone vibrated in his inner jacket pocket and he pulled it out still practically ignoring Margo as she read from a clipboard. All he could hear was 'meeting' 'lawyers' and something about contracts. This was not him at all and he was starting to realize fighting it was futile, soon as this was done he was closing the door and taking a nap. Arrick looked ready to do the same and he could move the hell over on that couch. Soldier boy could guard the sleeping duo if he had nothing better to do.
'Shall I get her?' Margo blinked his way and as he pulled out his phone he waved a hand and smiled as if to say sure. Let's see what the honey blonde was like. He sure could use some focus today and meeting his new assistant might be that, he had scoured her file in the car over here and on paper she sounded a little too good to be true. Career girl, no rumors swirling about sexual favors to climb the ranks, young and unattached so ripe for trips anytime he needed them.She sounded promising.
'Emma, please come into Mr Carrero's office. Thank you.' Margo was leaning over his desk and pressing the intercom to summons his future number two, meanwhile he was reading the text from the chick with the elusive name and wondering how the hell he could see the same girl for a week and still never have saved her phone number under an actual name. The name Emma swam in his mind's eye and he felt himself sounding it out, he liked it. Short and sort of soft in a way. Definitely easy to remember.
Do you want to see me tonight? I really like being with you xxx T.
'Yes, Mrs drake.' The voice coming back from the intercom distracted him from replying momentarily, sultry and sort of cute if he had to describe it and he completely forgot what he was about to respond to T. He definitely had some sort of internal reaction to the sound of her anyway and that wasn't an entirely good thing. Frowning it away he focused back on his phone and typed out a response, this one had already met the limit of interest, a week quicker than most and the thought of fucking her again did nothing for him at all of a sudden.
Look, Sweetheart, it's been fun. Let's part as friends and just agree to see each other around. x J
He knew cutting them loose before things got emotional was the best bet and this one had clingy written all over her. He didn't do relationships and he certainly didn't keep the same chick hanging on for weeks on end.
'Ahhh, Emma, here you are.' Margo purred with a voice laced in adoration, this girl obviously had his second in command wrapped around her little finger already which was unusual for Margo. The woman didn't sway easily. Pushing his phone back into his inner pocket and ignoring the buzz of a reply from T, he inclined his head a little in interest at whoever was obviously winning over his assistant and felt his body pause.
Black sexy as hell stilettos running up creamy shapely legs to a tight and figure-hugging skirt from knee to thigh had him almost dropping his mouth open. She wasn't skinny in that gaunt supermodel way, in fact she wasn't even that tall but she had the kind of curves that were made for holding onto and definitely his kind of thing. She was pretty tiny as women went but that only added to the whole effect, moving further up past that well fitted and obviously expensive tailored jacket he caught his breath on the most astounding pair of tits he had ever seen, not overly huge just soft and inviting and barely concealed under the low cut jacket and soft silk blouse. Not much on show but enough to peak his interest. If he was being honest then a hell lot more interest than he had managed to conjure for any girl in a heck of a long time and that was disturbing, if he had met her anywhere else she wouldn't still be dressed right now. A graceful creamy neck that looked seriously touchable and he could almost imagine holding her around it to push her against a wall and devouring that skin, his eyes swept finally to the face that was turned towards Margo and Jake just couldn't seem to think anymore for a moment.
Fuck.
'Jake, this is Emma Anderson. She's your new assistant in training. Your new number two.' Margo smiled his way and he realized he was openly staring, she hadn't caught him yet and she sure as hell wouldn't. He wasn't some pre-pubescent teen with zero skill. Looking down at the floor he could already feel himself taking calming breaths, regaining composure quickly with all the skill of a seasoned Lothario.
Okay, you're just horny ...Obviously! And she's just not your usual type. New and exciting and you have been hell of a bored lately with the likes of women with forgettable names and no tits.
'Miss Anderson.' Jake got up slowly, tensing his neck from side to side and extending his hand out towards her politely, trying like hell to not react as that face turned his way. She pretty much floored him with the softest blue and biggest eyes he'd ever seen, an internal sort of gut punching reaction he had never experienced in his life and had no idea what to do with. It momentarily stunned him.
She had a soft pouting mouth that could do a lot of damage if put to use in the right way and delicate almost childlike features that somehow worked in a mature face.There was very precisely and expertly applied makeup under a pretty sleek up do of that soft hair yet you could still see the girl was pretty, god he would go as far as saying this one was beautiful and that was rare coming from him. He had seen and bedded enough models over the years to stop being pulled in by symmetrical features and so-called perfection. She was beautiful in another way entirely, not in a fluffed and preened kind of way but a real unapologetic, born to make men want her kind of a way. Jake felt suddenly uncomfortable and let his eyes flicker back to that body, hoping to god he wasn't showing just how much she was affecting him in anyway.
Her hand felt soft and small in his when she took it to shake, a little too fragile when dwarfed in his and he suddenly got the impression he might hurt her. A tense moment of doubt and he physically loosened his grip instinctively, little delicate hands, perfect pastel manicured nails and free from any jewelry. He found himself looking at her hand a little too intensely and let it go abruptly.
What the fuck Jake? Seriously? Hand fetish now?
'Mr Car.....' That voice distracted him again, drawing attention to that mouth.
Fuck.
'Jake! Please......' He cut in quickly to try and get his focus back on track, his brain moving in smoothly from years of self-control and practice to save him from himself. 'Margo informs me she's happy with you so far and will be training you a little more extensively in time to step in fully when she retires. I guess that means we should get better acquainted on a first-name basis.' Jake felt himself smile involuntarily at the hint of knowing her better, his mind immediately dragging her to his desk and most definitely not being allowed to take it any further. He needed to get control of the racing hormones and accept that she was obviously fuckable. He wanted her, she was peeking some primal interest in him and as soon as he accepted that and got over the fact he would never go there then they could move along.
'I'm really grateful for the opportunity.' She drew him back in with that voice and he couldn't help but notice that she wasn't reacting to him the way women normally did. He had been too caught up in what she was doing to him to notice and now he did it irked him.
What the hell was wrong with him? Why wasn't she flirting and pouting, it was obvious that there was chemistry. he could feel it in the air.
He realized that maybe all that chemistry was possibly one-sided and irritation hit him in the gut. He couldn't even remember the last time he had met such indifference in someone so appealing, maybe Leila when she was like seven but not any women he had met since teen hormones evaporated and he had filled out and learned to use what god gave him. He needed to get his crap together and just stop whatever this was, he needed a moment to breathe because those baby blue eyes searing into his soul right now were distracting the shit out of him in all kinds of ways.
'Would you like a drink, Emma? You look a little flushed.' That tiny pink spot high on each cheek after he had shaken her hand seemed to be more from being uncomfortable about him touching her than any sexual yearnings and he was feeling really pissed about it. He had no idea why he was being such an asshole about this. Acting like a spoiled prissy brat because a girl didn't fall for his charms. Maybe because this was completely fucking new to him.
'Thank you.' She smiled a little, a hint of a smile and he paused for a moment. It wasn't full on but it suggested that she probably had a pretty smile too, the way her cheeks puffed a little and her eyes softened just slightly from doe-eyed to a little more carefree. It did all kinds of weird shit to his insides and he had no idea what was going on with him today. He was never drinking that lethal combo of crap he had last night again.
Fuck he wanted to see her smile properly.
Jake caught sight of Arrick watching him from the corner of his eye, an obvious smirk and that annoying god damn phone app game he loved to play blaring away in the corner. He wanted to throw something at his head for the way he was looking highly amused, no one knew Jake like he did and he could obviously tell something was off.
Lap it up princess, it's not often I get knocked off my game and you're never going to get a repeat.
Jake walked to the mini bar swiftly and found himself mixing up one of Leila's cocktails as he looked down at what he was doing stupefied for a moment. Literally no idea how getting her a glass of water had turned to this in his head. The only thing he could think was that he was subconsciously trying to impress her or some deeper level had decided she simply wasn't a girl you gave water too. She was somehow much more classy that ice water. Maybe it had been that heady fruity slightly sweet perfume clinging around her that had made him move to start fixing one of Leila's girly combo's for her. He literally had no idea what he was doing anymore. Downing a quick fly Gin to get his head straight he took back the drink to the awaiting distraction. Margo was regarding him with a really odd expression, probably wondering why the hell he was trying to get his new PA drunk if the clinking of bottles was anything to go by.
Be damned if he had a fucking clue. He was acting all kinds of crazy.
'Here you go.' She looked completely lost in thought and he just felt completely out of his depth. He was a guy who had no problems with being in the company of the fairer sex yet he was acting like an idiot. He decided to perch on his desk, put some distance between them and put all of this down to still being half drunk and crazily horny from last night. He dated women twice her height, confident, boring models and women with their own money. Women who knew what causal sex and having a good time was all about and he knew how to read women effortlessly. Until this one. She was tightly closed up and completely unreadable, no hint of anything at all. No signs of interest, in fact the complete opposite and her mannerisms and movements were so precisely graceful and swan-like he felt like he was the one being scrutinized for a job. He figured this was the problem right here. She made him uncomfortable because he had no way of knowing how to play her at all. And playing woman in all sorts of games was pretty much his forte.
'Thank you, Mr......Jake.' She looked at him for a second and again with that stomach jerk reaction he was seriously starting to dislike. He needed to just distract himself, maybe stop acting like a complete moron and remember he was her boss. He was versed in the art of conversation and he just needed to get some sort of professional relationship set in his mind and push this nonsense out. She sipped her drink and he caught the slight hint of confusion about the fact it was loaded with alcohol. He could only look at the floor completely non-plussed about that too. He had nothing.
'So Emma? ...Margot tells me you've worked here for just over 5 years?' His mind gazed back to her file, coming completely clear in his head. He could focus on what he had read and quiz her a little, his photographic memory served some purpose anyway. It was better than undressing her mentally.
'Yes, I've worked on various floors, but mainly tenth.' She placed her glass on the table and Jake immediately wondered if she disliked it, that maybe he should fix her something else and then stopped himself.
Seriously what the fuck are you doing? This isn't a date in which you need to please her....She's here to impress you as your next god damn assistant.
He was seriously starting to get annoyed with himself.
'You were Jack Dawson's assistant for a while?' He frowned trying so hard to just focus on what he was meant to be doing, business head being screwed on firmly and the calming of hormones with a seriously stern hand.
'Yes, Mr Dawson.' He watched her forced smile and got the strong impression she hated Dawson but was too polite to say it. He wondered what the guy had done to deserve that kind of dislike and hoped to hell he avoided doing the same thing. Maybe leering at her and thinking about bending her over his desk wasn't exactly going about warming her to him in the right way. If Dawson the creep had been openly ogling her then he could pretty much assure he wouldn't be caught doing the same, Dawson was known for making women feel uncomfortable. He felt a sense of confusion at the irritated feeling that thinking of Dawson openly eye raping her gave him, girls like Emma were classier than the intentions of some sleazy fuck who thought he had a given right to heavy breathe over them.
'It was Miss Keith who recommended you for this position I believe?' He tried to bring his head back into the game, that sudden urge to find reason to fire Dawson completely at odds with him today. He was obviously grouchy from lack of sleep and should wrap this up, let her go and get down on that couch beside his annoyingly watchful brother until noon. He was acting all kinds of crazy in here right now and he was sure some shut eye would sort him right out.
'Yes. I loved working for her while her own assistant was on leave, she was very easy to attend too and I learned a lot.' Jake felt that inability to breathe hit him hard when she suddenly smiled unexpectedly, a sudden genuine warmth at the mention of Kay. He had been watching her and waiting without even realizing he was doing it and it had been worth it. Her whole face lit up and he had the urge to smile back. He had been wrong about her smile being pretty, it was god damn mesmerizing. He could watch her smile that way all day and just get lost in how soft it made her whole face or the way her palest blue eyes turned a hint warmer.
You're being incredibly fucking gay right now.... Next you'll be spouting god damn poetry Carrero.
'She spoke highly of your efficiency and professionalism. It's rare for Kay to make an internal recommendation for a position like this.' Good comeback, he almost patted himself on the back. He had to just pull this off and go to sleep.
'Thank you.' He couldn't tear his eyes off of that smile that came out at him once more.
'Well, so far I've found her to be a joy. Efficient and capable with a good understanding of the business. Don't think it will take long to get her up to speed with her requirements.' Margo cut in saving the odd silence with a very weird look thrown his way, even she was picking up on his odd behaviour and this was not going well.
Jake suddenly saw the funny side to this whole scenario, being the one panting and getting heated over a woman for a change instead of vice versa. This is why he was falling to bits, this never happened and it was completely throwing him off kilter. He was having the tables turned and had most likely met a female version of himself. It explained the indifference she was exuding, he just had to look at her to know men fell at her feet effortlessly and she probably was just as bored of it as he was. They were going to get along just fine if he could notch down the need to screw her a little.
'Glad to hear it - So Emma, how has it been so far? Learning the ropes of life on the sixty-fifth floor?' He felt better at figuring this out, this weirdness and suddenly all his good humour was back on form. Relaxing back and feeling more than a little amused at seeing how it felt from the other side for once. Reassured that he wasn't having some weird mental breakdown or been put under some crazy female spell.
'A breeze.' He couldn't help but admire her coolness, that effortless grace. 'Nothing I can't handle so far.'
'Has Margo warned you about the frequent travelling you might be required to undertake or the unsociable hours we sometimes keep? ..... This job can be really full on Miss Anderson. It's not for the faint hearted.' The thought of spending many an hour locked in hotel suites with her suddenly had him frowning at how hard that might actually prove to be, he would have to lay off the booze on trips and reel back the charm a little to keep on top of this little debacle.
'Yes, I'm aware that this is not a nine to five job, Mr Carrero. I'm fully committed to my career so it will not be an issue.' That defiant little chin lift had him almost instantly snapping back to what she would look like over his desk with that skirt pulled up and those shoes......
Enough!
'You're young ....What about a social life?' He frowned even harder, chastising himself and giving the inner third degree to that over-sexed over creative mind of his.
'I haven't much interest in many social activities...I left my home town to come to New York and I don't know many people outside of work.' She seemed to hesitate with her answer, a flicker of something he couldn't read. Damn it annoyed him that he couldn't read her at all. This was probably another part of why he was feeling so frustrated, he was amazing at reading people and always second guessing them. It was one of his most used and highly gifted skills.
But her? She was like a complete enigma.
'Career oriented? Can be lonely.' He felt stiff and uncomfortable and tried to release the tension in his body by moving his shoulders, his seat on the edge of his desk wasn't as comfy as his laid back posture suggested and he was barely keeping himself still. Too much nervous energy running riot.
'I'm never lonely, Mr Carrero.... I'm an independent sort of person who doesn't need assurances or company from other people to be happy.' He stopped and regarded her answer, momentarily quietened again. He wondered if that meant there was no boyfriend lurking in the background and felt slightly happy at that thought.
'Oh Emma, that's not the way a young girl like you should live her life.' Cut in Margo warmly. 'You're so pretty..... You should have young men romancing you around New York.' Margo leaned out touching the girl and Jake could only frown, he didn't like Margo's suggestion at all.
'Sounds like you're trying to talk her out of stealing your job, Margo.' He laughed, mostly at himself for his stupid reactions or wherever his god damn head was. He sure as hell didn't want to be romancing her around New York either, he didn't do romance ever, he didn't do any sort of long term thing and knew his capabilities were to fuck and forget. This is why he couldn't go down this route with her, he needed a PA to replace Margo and he needed one now.
Margo was itching to let go of the reigns and as she had hand picked this one it put all question of anything else far out the window. He would just have to get used to the idea that Emma was out of bounds for an eternity and maybe he should start looking to small curvy blondish girls to distract him for a while, his body certainly peaked an interest in that direction ever since she had walked in his door.
'No. Emma knows I value her here. I think she's a perfect fit...' Margo turned to Emma closely, an obvious show of affection on her face that only strengthened Jakes mindset. 'Not too sure how much you'll like it once Jake starts running you ragged mind you.' She winked at her and placed a hand on him. Jake knew Margo too well. It was a warning gesture... A Margo special. She'd been reading into his body language knowing Jakes was normally far more relaxed than this she was telling him NO!
'I'm sure I can handle the demands.' Emma lifted that chin again and he found himself sighing softly in defeat. It was for the best if he just put this chick on the 'No go.' list.
'Despite Jakes public playboy reputation Emma, I'm afraid He's a bit of a workaholic ... Surprising I know but you'll get used to it, you'll certainly rake up enough air miles in the next few months.' Margo smiled Jakes way and with a knowing look and a very forceful pat on his arm, he took his visual telling off graciously. Out of bounds, eyes off.
He damn well knows it without you're insistence Margo
'You'll soon get fed up with seeing the world.' He said, he couldn't get that stupid frown off his face, the urge to glare at Margo for reading him a little too well. 'And the inside of hotel rooms.'
Yeah hell he wanted to throw that in there just for the reaction. See if she was completely immune to being in a bedroom with him for his own amusement.
'I've seen enough of those to last a lifetime.' Margo waved her hand and gave Jake that raised eyebrow look. He was being told off again and she wasn't impressed with him right now, it seemed she was also ending this little introduction. 'Right, we have work to be getting on with...Emma, you're with me for now.' She gestured to the door behind Emma and waved her onward with one more warning scowl his way which only got her rewarded with a smirk. The girl smiled back again, only not the beautiful real one of earlier, more of a relief that it was over and Jake felt that tug of disappointment that she'd been relieved to be getting away from him.
Definitely out of bounds.
'To our working relationship, Emma.' He said it half-heartedly, trying to figure out how long it will take to get used to her in this place and stop having a serious dog humping reaction to her. He hoped it would be sooner rather than later and he was already mentally going through his little black book for a look alike to quell the frustration.
If he had a look-alike he was pretty sure she wouldn't be so damn appealing right now.
She turned to the door with Marge to leave and Jake almost groaned out loud, catching himself quickly as his eyes connected with possibly the most perfect ass in a tight grey skirt he had ever seen, his body most definitely reacted this time. The door was swiftly shut after they left and he exhaled fully, unaware he had been holding his breath for a moment.
That girl was going to be the death of him.
He had always been an ass guy and she had pretty much got the first perfect ten score that he had ever given out. Standing up quickly to adjust his trousers which had gotten all too tight all of a sudden he caught Arrick grinning at him.
'The fuck you smiling at?' He said in an irritated tone, his mind still following that ass out mentally, not impressed with his own stupid display for the last god knows how long she was in here.
'You!...Never seen the great Carrero unravel quite so magnificently in the face of a little girl.' Arrick got up and wandered to him casually, that same Carrero saunter as his. He shoved his brothers shoulder playfully.
'Fuck off, that was definitely no little girl...That was a born siren if I ever saw one. Work is about to get a lot fucking harder for me.' Jake slumped back down on the desk and pulled over her drink, smiling stupidly at the lipstick imprint on the side of the perfectly shaped mouth and automatically turned the glass so he could down it from the same spot she had touched.
That's weird Jake, fucking weird.
'Not my type but I see the appeal, she's cute..... I'd say marriage material though so definitely not worth your time.' Arrick shrugged nonchalantly at him.
He regarded his brother critically and frowned hard. How the hell he had gotten that much from her without barely looking her way once he would never know. But Arrick did have his skills at reading people, maybe the foggy lust haze had clouded his temporarily and Arrick seemed completely unaffected.
'Fuck no...Marriage is definitely not on the table at all.' Jake pushed her glass back down on the table with an arrogant crack of the neck. Pushing all thoughts of that tiny little temptress out of his fuzzy brain.'I need some god damn sleep so I can get this head straight, lock the door, the couch is mine and I will fight you for it.'
January 29, 2017
The finale is coming - The Carrero Trilogy.
You heard it here first, the book cover has been finalized and the book is well underway. We are talking another 2-3 weeks before release if all goes to plan.The Carrero Solution will wrap up all the loose ends in this page-turning romantic journey in true Carrero fashion. Lots of heartfelt emotions, some drama and as usual some surprises.
Will your favorite characters end up as you hoped?Will Jake and Emma have a happy ever after?What about Marissa Hartley, the eternal thorn in Emma's side and will Daniel and Leila ever overcome the past?
If you have been a lover of Jake and Emma's story then you know that it has not been an easy journey for either of them, it's been eventful with a host of side characters and emotional twists and turns.I do not think book 3 will disappoint in the slightest. It has all the grip of the first two with the added bonus of finally ending our saga.After the release of book 3 I shall be taking some time to publish excerpts of Jakes perspective of favored scenes. If you want to vote a scene for inclusion then comment below.
I will be releasing a combined paperback of all 3 books after number three hits the shelves, if you're an avid reader then this option will be a great collectors paperback. The cover has been decided upon but not quite ready for release.
Will your favorite characters end up as you hoped?Will Jake and Emma have a happy ever after?What about Marissa Hartley, the eternal thorn in Emma's side and will Daniel and Leila ever overcome the past?
If you have been a lover of Jake and Emma's story then you know that it has not been an easy journey for either of them, it's been eventful with a host of side characters and emotional twists and turns.I do not think book 3 will disappoint in the slightest. It has all the grip of the first two with the added bonus of finally ending our saga.After the release of book 3 I shall be taking some time to publish excerpts of Jakes perspective of favored scenes. If you want to vote a scene for inclusion then comment below.
I will be releasing a combined paperback of all 3 books after number three hits the shelves, if you're an avid reader then this option will be a great collectors paperback. The cover has been decided upon but not quite ready for release.
January 22, 2017
Goodreads Giveaway and Update!
Lately I have been submerged in the writing of The Carrero Solution ( book 3 in the trilogy). SO if you're wondering why I have been awfully quiet and not updating the Cruden Tale then this is why. I am working extra hard on my finale to this epic trio and hope you can bear with me. I'll be returning to the Cruden tale in time when I can better focus on it and in the meantime you will just ave to read my Carrero Trilogy.
Here's a good way to get the first book for free!Just popping by with a fabulous little giveaway if you're a Goodreads user.My giveaway started today and will run for one month. Plenty opportunity to get on there and enter. The winner will get a signed paperback with a personal message from me to you.
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Carrero Effect by L.T. Marshall Giveaway ends February 22, 2017.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.Enter Giveaway
Here's a good way to get the first book for free!Just popping by with a fabulous little giveaway if you're a Goodreads user.My giveaway started today and will run for one month. Plenty opportunity to get on there and enter. The winner will get a signed paperback with a personal message from me to you.
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
The Carrero Effect by L.T. Marshall Giveaway ends February 22, 2017.See the giveaway details at Goodreads.Enter Giveaway
January 16, 2017
Come join us on Facebook.
The popularity of my Carrero Trilogy has pushed me to open a dedicated facebook group at the urging of fans.This group is a place to discuss all things Carrero with people who love it equally, as the Author I will obviously frequent the group as no one loves my characters more than me. There is also a free downloadable PDF of book 1 for members of the group to take and read or even pass on.Look out for extra pages in the future, short brand new excerpts.
Want to join?
Come on in.
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Rather keep up to date with just my Author page?
Want to join?
Come on in.
[image error]
Rather keep up to date with just my Author page?
January 15, 2017
Book 2 FREE on Amazon for 5 days! And free PDF of Book 1
That's right, my book two is free on amazon right now and for the next 5 days as an Ebook, so don't miss the opportunity to get The Carrero Influence today!
Click here to get me FREE
And because I'm a generous sort of person I am offering a free PDF version of book1 - The Carrero effect if you sign up to my mailing list. It will be emailed to you within 24 hours of signing up.
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Click here to get me FREE
And because I'm a generous sort of person I am offering a free PDF version of book1 - The Carrero effect if you sign up to my mailing list. It will be emailed to you within 24 hours of signing up.
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Get a Free PDF of Book 1!* indicates requiredEmail Address * First Name Last Name Email Format
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