“Regardless to whether you do or don’t, I told you we had reshuffled our job roles. This is just an informality required by legal.” He leans down kissing me on the temple before moving off with the rest of his papers to the table and sitting down. Picking up both the credit card and the contract, I walk over and toss them down in front of him, folding my arms stubbornly.
You will not buy me or control me this way!
“I do not require any more money or a new title. This says I’m your VP … Your second in command?”
“Well, you’re already that. Time you got paid for it, and some recognition.” He’s already flicking through papers and trying to dismiss me.
I don’t think so!
“Jake, first, you don’t even let me go to work anymore so I shouldn’t be getting paid anything at all!” I snap haughtily. “And second, everyone in the building will th
Just great!I like Arrick’s girlfriend, I guess, she’s sweet and shy and despite being maybe five years younger than me it’s striking how similar we look. Both with tawny hair, highlighted to blonde in waves, both small and busty with soft gray blue eyes. I guess the Carrero brothers have a type. The only obvious difference I can see is she seems incredibly shy and mousy whereas I’m more of a silent, outwardly confident type by manufacture. She shadows me to the loungers and seems relieved to get a seat right beside me on the double bed.Jake and Arrick strip off across the other side of the pool, so different in build. Arrick is athletic and young with a lot of lean muscle to his frame whereas Jake is all hard ridges, muscle, and manliness. There is a lot more of him next to his smaller sibling. He throws me a look and a smile that screams ‘game on’ and then dives expertly into the water, closely followed by his equally stu
“You don’t think it looks skimpy and kind of slutty?” I evaluate myself in the mirror in the smallest red two piece I’ve ever seen and feel completely self-conscious. I’m not against a bikini, Jake’s seen me in them plenty of times, but this is borderline indecent. Somehow, while still covering all the necessary areas it has managed to lift up and push my cleavage into something most impressive, my stomach and hips look longer and leaner when edged with the low-cut briefs which seem to sculpt my lower half too. She has put me in high heeled red sandals to complete the look and my legs look endless.“Trust me, it suits you very much.” She gushes, coming behind me and tucking my hair back from my face before applying a little bronzer to my cheeks and between my breasts. “You have gorgeous body … You work out? I think you should keep it, suits you much more.” Her heavily accented English is almost sensual, and I&
“Is that good, baby?” He growls into my ear, breathless and hot. His voice doing as much to me as his hands and I tremble under his power.“Uh, mmmmm huh.” I moan, equally breathless as he slowly tortures me with his fingers, his other hand skillfully teasing my nipple. I’m so wet I can feel it throbbing and sliding effortlessly. My hands braced on the building, which is scratching slightly under my smooth palms, unable to do anything except surrender to him with legs wide apart. His hard body molded to mine while those wicked hands pleasure me deeply.“You want to cum like this?” He pushes against me again, showing me how turned on he is. His strong naked torso against my own naked skin, that in itself causing a wave of sensation. I’m so lost to him it’s pathetic.“Mmmm, hmmmmm.” Is the only answer I can give, unable to talk as I move back against him, the building pleasure soaring through me, ma
I finally appraise myself in the mirror, smoky eyed make-up, and full red lips flawless. Killer blush on my perfectly made up face. My see-through under dress over black lace lingerie which has pushed and perked everything up. High cut lines and seductive contouring making my body look awesome. I topped it all off with lace edge top black stockings, suspenders, and a look on my face of pure unadulterated lust.I slide my feet into the black stilettos I take everywhere, like a security blanket; and spritz perfume on across my bulging cleavage. This underwear does me wonders so I spill seductively, straining breasts above the low cut of the dress and I bronze between them to enhance them some more. Can always use a little extra help.The panties are a thong that shows clearly under the shimmering dress, everything made for seduction and I’m mighty pleased with myself.Look at you go, girl.I pick up my phone with a s
Emerging twenty minutes later, the stains replaced with a sheer gloss instead, I make my way to the huge, opulent dining room and slide in beside him at the table amid the arrival of some of the others. He’s using his phone and completely ignores me. I bristle, knowing this isn’t a normal Jake move but I’m not going to let it get to me, I’m going to act like I don’t care at all and just sit down. I stop myself from looking at him, even though it’s almost impulsive to eye up how gorgeous he always looks.As soon as everyone is seated, he puts his phone away, leans back on his chair and places an arm across the back of mine while throwing me a triumphant look. I note that his father watches us from a distance at the head of the huge dark wood table and physically still. I have managed to avoid him until now, but dinner will be interesting. I get the distinct impression Giovanni is not all that enamored with his son hooking up with an employee
I have to play this out if I’ve any chance of beating him.Lifting my wine glass, the other hand tugging a strand of my hair, to wash down the cream cannelloni, I shiver with the smallest breeze behind me as someone passes and glance up expecting to see the maid. The elderly gentlemen walks by and leaves the room with a puce colored face and bored expression. Heat envelopes me as an arm comes around my shoulder unexpectedly and a firm hot mouth kisses me on the exposed skin.“Hey, bambino … You okay?” that inner triumph sparks as Jake surrounds me with his heat and smell. Sitting in the recently evacuated seat next to me. I glance down, noting he’s brought his glass of wine with him and push down the urge to beam in his presence, instead keeping my tone controlled and flat.“I’m fine.” Just enough of a sigh to portray that I’m not.I should get an Oscar for this.&ldq
I lay awake in the night with his body coiled around me possessively, his face buried in the back of my hair breathing soundly. My arm free of the restraint and only the sheets of the bed keeping me captive as he’s still not got under the comforter with me. I must have dosed off at some point and he’d taken it off, but I can only remember turning and tossing until he switched off that damn movie.His arms are wrapped around my upper body and fingers entwined with mine, I sigh and relax into his hold, needing this to balm over the events of yesterday. I’m too weak for this game, already that ache of insecurity threatening to engulf me at the lack of his body joined with mine. He’s right. I don’t just need the sex though; I need the small things. The gestures and touches, the attentiveness and kindness too. All the things he deprives me of when he wants to win a stupid game. This helps though, that even in sleep he needs to cling to me and revives
Lounging in between Jake’s legs on the huge sofa in the family room feels amazing after the events of the day before, my head against his chest as he concentrates on a document in his hand and strokes my hair and neck with the other. I’m attempting to read a book, but the sheer blissfulness of our morning has me daydreaming idly instead. Every so often he plants a kiss on top of my head before turning his papers and silently focusing back on work; he’s reading through contracts for something I’ve no idea about.When did this happen? When did I become so disconnected from the business side that I don’t even know what Jake’s reading through anymore?I realize it doesn’t bother me at all, I like laying here detached from work while he still keeps tabs on things going on in his empire. I’m in danger of becoming a kept girlfriend at this rate and I’m not sure how I feel about it right now.The maid comes
The Carrero Influence ~ The Dance ~ Jake shifted in his seat for the millionth time and tried once more to get his brain to focus on the laptop on the highly polished walnut surface. He just couldn’t keep himself on track lately. The sound of a female clearing her throat startled him to look up and the impatient stance of Margo waving a piece of paper with a raised eyebrow suggested she had been talking to him while he was zoned out. “Sorry. What?” He frowned and sighed heavily, pushing himself back into his molded leather chair and rolled up his shirt sleeves in agitation. “For God’s sake, Jacob. I’ve been here for three minutes talking at you. You need to just bloody well call her.” Margo’s stern tone did nothing to help his current mood, and he just shifted forward again to try to ignore that intent, chastising glare. He went to his laptop, ducking his head in an attempt to dodge her blue eyes and typed something aimlessly. “Don’t k
The Carrero Influence~ The Elevator Scene ~Jake walked out of the boardroom meeting without any clue as to what he had just sat and endured for the last hour. Margo had been glaring his way and nudging him with her foot under the table every few minutes and making him all the more aware of how ‘out of it’ he was. He had been this way ever since his father’s email had come in, informing him that Emma was back in his building; Back within reach and he had no idea how to handle it. He didn’t know if he should be happy or panicked that he could just see her around his building again, he wasn’t sure how the hell to feel about it but couldn’t deny the slight feeling of hope in his chest that he could bump into her.If he was being honest, he hadn’t had his head in the game for weeks, not since he had sent her away and today was just another prime example of how ‘not well’ he was doing without her in his life.
The Carrero Effect~ The Holiday: Part 2 ~Jake was searching under the water, too dark to see anything and scrambling with his hands at anything that felt like it could be Daniel. Panic gripping his stomach as he frantically surfaced for air and dove again. He had hit the water without a thought the second he knew Danny was in here. No cares that he was maybe too drunk for this and just endlessly searching despite his muscles aching and being so heavy he could barely move anymore. It felt like it had been hours instead of minutes and he still hadn’t found him. He wouldn’t give up on him, he wouldn’t lose his best friend this way.Surfacing for air quicker this time he took a moment to drag more into his burning lungs and wipe the water from his eyes. He could hear yelling from the deck, crying from Leila and other voices but he was fully zoned-in on the surface of the water looking for any signs of him.“He’s here, Mr. Carre
The Carrero Effect~ The Holiday: Part 1 ~Jake strolled into his apartment and threw his bag down on the couch. It had been a long trip and an even 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’d 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 of the tension 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 was getting harder to control. S
The Carrero Effect~ The First Meeting ~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 Jake’s 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 toward the center and forward in its trademark 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 or mess with it unless he ran his hands through and mussed it up. If he had his way, he would shave it all off, but he had done that in his teens and he
I catch sight of some of my favorite women on the right-hand side of the aisle. Margo is wiping a tear from her eye and nudging Wilma in her side as both woman wave to me. They’re blowing their noses and crying as Donna throws tissues their way. My crazy trio of motherly hens. Donna’s mascara is pouring down her normally flawless face and I spot Rosalie wave from behind a very handsome man, grinning wildly and looping arms with him, a look of radiant happiness on her pretty face. I beam back at them with a tiny wave before moving on in time to the music, slow steps, with Giovanni leading the way.I catch sight of the Huntsbergers, my new extended family sitting close by and smile warmly at them. The row of adopted children and Huntsberger father looking so proud of his family. Ben and his baby son are near the end of the row. He’s is cuddling him proudly and looking every bit the doting dad. He is now the soul parent o
“My son was in pain and hiding from what he wanted most,” he says so factually, looking down at me, “I put you back in his path, so he would stop being a coward.” Giovanni grins and all words leave my brain in an open-mouthed silent gawp; realization dawning on me so suddenly that I am literally rendered speechless.He sent me back to Carrero House? Making me believe that he was going to fire me if I didn’t … an ultimatum that led us to where we are now.Giovanni is admitting to maneuvering me back into Jake’s building, so we would end up back in each other’s arms, crafty jerk that he is. He giggles like a schoolboy at my obviously shocked expression and pats my hand tenderly over his inner elbow. That self-confident effortless look on a man who always sees all and knows everything.“No need to thank me, Emma.” He
I smooth my hands down my ivory wedding dress. It’s classy elegance and understated top is lined with a simple sleeveless fitted bodice and tiny pearl detailing. It has a full wispy floating skirt, and layers and layers of chiffon puffing out to a full-length cloud of loveliness. It’s a fairy-tale princess dress and matches beautifully with the elegant engagement ring twinkling on my hand, sparkling in all its shining glory.I admire my flawless natural make-up in the mirror, touching up my nude lipstick. My tawny hair is wild and curled in its loose romantic style, tiny tendrils hang around my face and I appraise my reflection with pride.I look beautiful! I feel beautiful and serene. There is no fear whatsoever.I look like a woman hopelessly in love, about to marry the man of her dreams.I am that woman.I slide on my satin ivory stilettos that almost mirror the shoes I used to adore so much. It feels weird to be ba
I am getting so frustrated at myself, my inner anger rears up. I’m surrounded by the song that gave me two of the happiest moments of my life, when he gave me his all, and yet here I am lying here, my sub-conscious holding me back from what I deserve. It’s like the beginning of our relationship all over again. I’m back to the defiant, closed-off Emma who never let him in, always holding back when he needed me most.No! I am not doing this to you, Jake. Not anymore, I won’t!The song is a reminder that he doesn’t always need to be my strength, but a prompt to show me that sometimes I need to be his too. I need to build my own force to find my way back. I need to hold him up and face whatever reality comes when my body wakes up. Maybe that’s why my mind doesn’t want me to wake up. It’s afraid that what Ray did to me will make me hide in the shadows again, that I won’t be able to love Jake and le