  &quot;Ready?&quot; He gazes at me as his car door is opened and holds out his hand. The Carrero building looms up in front of us and it feels like I haven't been here in weeks. So much has changed in such a short time. He slides out of the car, pulling me with him and straightens up as Jefferson shuts the door behind us. Normally, Jake would use the underground car park, but Jefferson has errands to run for him today, so we are being dropped at the front door. This is all very public, right outside the main entrance to Carrero House in the morning rush. I take a deep, anxious breath, pushing down the onslaught of emotions and nod and try not to run away.
      I tense as we enter the building, the urge to pull my hand out of his as heads turn at our arrival. Faces beaming our way, quiet whispers, and stifled grins as people pretend not to be staring. We are obviously the talk of the bu

  &quot;I ummm, think I need you to look these over in your office,&quot; I chirp brightly, deliberately getting up to walk sexily into his room without a backward glance. I make sure I walk to his desk in full sight of the open door and bend over enough to slide the file down, just enough for my jacket to ride up, exposing my tight skirt, hugging my butt, lifting one foot slightly as though I'm reaching out, so my legs look shapelier in the confined material. The door shuts behind me almost immediately, his hands running up my thighs and igniting passion; I'm turned and thrown over his shoulder instantly, letting out a small squeal and giggle as he marches me toward that internal door.
      * * *
      I stretch out in my chair and arch my back, my desk is littered with papers, my laptop, files, and an overwhelming amount of random crap. It's been a hard few days, not made any easier b

  The departure from the boat this morning is tense, Marissa calls several times, ending in heated arguments over Jake's refusal to meet with lawyers until she agrees to Jake's terms and not hers. Every time causes Jake to hang up in agitation and throw his phone in various directions, violently, cursing and going off in a full Italian rant. I sit watching with my breath held until he calms down, unsure what to say to bring him back to a simmer instead; there isn't much to calm that hot temper and I know to let it run its course. His emotions are on edge with the topic of the baby and Marissa seems to know exactly how to push his buttons.
      The flight home is silent, listening to music as he thrashes emails back and forth to his legal advisor about the meeting over paternity rights. He's tense and agitated and very much the Jake Carrero I used to work for; boyfriend Jake on hiatus as

&quot;Ready?&quot; He gazes at me as his car door is opened and holds out his hand. The Carrero building looms up in front of us and it feels like I haven't been here in weeks. So much has changed in such a short time. He slides out of the car, pulling me with him and straightens up as Jefferson shuts the door behind us. Normally, Jake would use the underground car park, but Jefferson has errands to run for him today, so we are being dropped at the front door. This is all very public, right outside the main entrance to Carrero House in the morning rush. I take a deep, anxious breath, pushing down the onslaught of emotions and nod and try not to run away.
      I tense as we enter the building, the urge to pull my hand out of his as heads turn at our arrival. Faces beaming our way, quiet whispers, and stifled grins as people pretend not to be staring. We are obviously the talk of the building and very much confirming rumors while walking hand in hand through the foyer.
      Ughhh, th

Chapter 41