CHAPTER40
You and me both.
“Yep.” I look around quickly for a distraction, so that I don’t need to turn and look at him. I spot his personal tablet on the table nearby and lift it, scrolling iTunes to turn on music. It’s the best I can muster when he’s moved so close.
“You’ve never mentioned a father.” His tone is serious and gentle, his body a little too close for comfort.
“I didn’t need to. There’s nothing to mention; I don’t know him.”
“So, why is he calling? It didn’t sound like nothing, Emma. You definitely didn’t sound happy.” He moves closer to me, his body heat emanating against my spine, invading me. He’s so close he is touching me.
“I got a shock, okay? I’ve met him once in my life and it was brief. I don’t know why he’s calling,” I lie.
I have a good idea why he’s calling now; it’s no surprise. He did this once before, a brief meeting when I was fourteen when he thought my mother had struck gold. He’d seen a picture in the paper about the Feed the Homeless charity she runs, but he’d been disappointed to find that she was as penniless as the charity itself. He’d been sure she was rolling in dollars and able to help him out with a few hundred to tide him by. So, here he is now, after I have been photographed more than a dozen times in the presence of a rich Carrero, New York’s royalty.
Figures. He thinks I’m loaded and dating Prince Carrero.
“Talk to me, Emma.” Jake’s standing so close to me that I’m tickled by his breath against my hair. I move away quickly, tense and jumpy; I need head space and solitude, not probing Jake.
“Go. I really am itching to get in that power shower and let my hair down,” I flutter sweetly, moving further from him to give myself some much-needed distance, finally managing to look at him. His look darkens and he presses his lips together. I know he’s contemplating pushing me further. I know that look.
He seems to think better of it and the frown on his brow lets up, as though the thoughts have floated away on the breeze. He doesn’t want to argue either.
“Want me to help take your hair down?” he winks, and there it is, back in full swing, that mischievous Carrero grin with amusement in his eye. I inwardly relax.
“I’m pretty sure I could sue you for such suggestions, boss!” I throw with a half-smile.
“It’s only harassment if you don’t like it, bambina.” He grins as he moves close to me again, his fingers twitching at me as though making threats. I swat him away; he’s not against threats of tickle-torture in times of need. Not that he actually does it.
I just need them to leave. I hate feeling vulnerable in front of anyone, especially him. I need to be alone.
“Your ego is never shy, is it?” I say.
He doesn’t answer, just steps forward quickly and shoves me into my room, so that I almost lose my balance. He laughs at my angry scowl as he turns on his heel and walks away.
“Asshole,” I yell after him with a smirk. He turns and blows me a kiss and a wave before walking across the suite to his own room, and I’m relieved. I fooled him well enough; they’ll go to dinner now, and he probably won’t remember anything about it later.
I hope he won’t. I don’t want to talk about this, not with him, not with anyone. I want to ignore it.
I watch him walk into the room with Felicity before I shut my door quickly. Leaning back against it for a moment, I steady my nerves and reel a little from shock as I exhale slowly.
Who the hell did he think he was, calling me after all this time?
I stifle the lump of emotion caught in my throat and shake it off. I won’t succumb to tears over that scum bag; he deserves none of my tears, nor my time."
