The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

Jake regards me over the top of his walnut desk, both feet planked on the surface as Arrick leans against the row of tall wide windows and the New York skyline. We’re in Jake’s office at Carrero Corp and Arry has just finished explaining what it is I want to do with my life, and all the ground rules Arrick has placed on the agreement.

Like a father figure, Jake is weighing it up, having been sent as spokesperson by my family to ‘deal’ with me in any way he sees fit. I squirm in the leather seat facing him, my untouched drink, brought by one of his assistants, fizzing in front of me on a leather coaster and annoying me that she felt soda pop was what I would want. I can’t blame her though; Margo, his PA, has known me as long as Jake has, and I guess everyone seems to be incapable of seeing me grow up.

Jake is completely formidable and intimidating in CEO mode, all suit and tie and looking like he is about to rip companies apart with that furrowed brow and serious expression. I can see why Emma was drawn to him so many years ago when he was her boss. He has that aura of confidence and control when he’s here, yet under it all he can be a complete sweetheart and totally devoted to her. The layers of the Carrero men. Formidable alphas on the surface, but pussy cats underneath.

Arrick is dressed casually in tight jeans and a white tee emblazoned with some MMA fight merchandise brand under his leather jacket, lounging nearby and watching me. He hasn’t taken his eyes off me this morning. I can’t help noticing the way he keeps appraising me subtly when he thinks I’m not looking It’s like he’s still trying to assess what I make him feel and I saw a new reaction when I appeared in this black fitted shift dress and black flats this morning. He hasn’t been privy to my wardrobe changes of late, and even now, he is still trailing it up and down with an unreadable expression and occasional shift in his posture.

“So, you really want to stay in the city?” Jake repeats once more. “And go to school here? With rules?” He repeats what Arry said, slowly and precisely, weighing it up, figuring out if this is a ploy to lead a double life as an alcoholic, no doubt.

“Yes … I’ll even check in with you on a weekly basis, ‘Dad’ and meet you for a coffee if you like. A catch up to make sure I’m not moonlighting as a drug-addicted hooker.” I smirk sarcastically and Jake only throws me an indulgent eyebrow raise. Choosing to ignore it.

may not be my dad, but my family haves always trusted him with my care, and he has way more sway over my life than anyone. “And you’ll stay with Arrick until we find you an apartment near

on the phone when he and Jake talked it out. One of Arrick’s demands was that

makes sense, but I wonder at how this is going to work long term when we get to the root of what he and I will be in the future. If there will even be a friendship, let alone anything else. Living close

own space, an apartment near school would be ideal. I want to start living like an adult.” I sink back a little, relaxed now

as stupid and impulsive, but everyone seems to be falling in behind this, except for Leila. But that’s Leila; all fire and fury until she calms down and then she will be as supportive as the rest. I think they all want me to find a path in life that they

desk and pulls his phone over towards him. Swiping at the screen for a moment as Arrick walks over beside his desk and perches his butt on it, lifting a weird desk ornament made of steel and rolls it around between his two hands. I can see how these two probably act in business meetings, with little glances and silent communications and both minds on the same goal. They really do have that brotherly bond, completely in sync, even though

support myself. It doesn’t have to be an expensive place.” I cut in determinedly, but both frown at me as though I have

dead body. You will be focusing on school, not proving you can go it alone and struggling to make ends meet.” Arrick is first to verbalize the rejection. A little too brusquely in tone, may I add. I frown hard at him and

we do it through the company as a future investment, we can apply it as a tax write-off.” Jake frowns harshly my way, like bookends again, dismissing my feeble attempts at real independence, and I can’t say I’m that disappointed. I know I want to