The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

Natasha reaches out and takes his arm, bringing him back to reality. He frowns at her and then me and follows obediently for a second, releasing his hold on me.

“Wait. Where are you going?” He turns back to me when he realizes I’m not following him. Eyes suddenly clear and confusion ruling instead, a snap of instant despair in those beautiful depths.

I guess he really was not listening after all. I blanch at his sudden mental presence, thinking he could have snapped back to the present a bit quicker than this, but now is not the time.

“Home. Bring my jacket later when you come back, I’ll get a cab. I have my bag here and money.” I point at the little tiny clutch that’s been nestled on me all night. A thin chained strap over my body that makes it almost invisible. I have everything I need to get home to his safe apartment.

“No, Sophs … I’m taking you home, I’m coming with you. I take care of you! I always take care of you.” His eyes burn into mine, his speech slurred yet intense, and I start getting ready to self-implode as Natasha’s face crumbles beside him. I haven’t got time for tears and guilt and dealing with him like this too. I just want to rip my hair out, at both.

“I’m fine, I can handle it. Please, go with your girlfriend and I’ll go straight home.” her face straightens out a little, as she regards me strangely and tugs him once more. I’ve no idea what’s going on in her head and really, I do not fucking care anymore. If I don’t get out of here, I’m going to end up having some sort of breakdown. That bitch Camilla is still strolling around and would most likely get all my rage pounded into her face if I don’t leave. Nodding at them both, like a mom directing kids with a frown, I turn and move fast before he can haul me back.

out front, and catch a girl telling security they need a medic while I curse under my breath. Moving fast and hoping no one clicks I’m anything to do with this. I thank my stars that Camilla has never met Arrick, she won’t be able to piece this together, and I doubt she will be telling anyone about it anyway. Her little porn thing she had going is not exactly legitimate, considering the bitch tried to drug me and then palm me off

making me wide awake and alert, less dreamlike and hazy. Completely sober, heart hammering through my chest, legs shaking from adrenaline. I stop to check to see I have Arrick’s spare

coat slides over my shoulders from behind me, making me jump a mile and I spin back to see Arrick looking at me intensely, with his own jacket on and a lot more pulled together. I glance past him, expecting to see Natasha, but it’s just him and he tugs me against him, so my

really okay?” He questions me again, this time his voice seems normal, if a little unsteady, and even though he’s still very drunk he’s

out of his embrace. Determined to get home and burn this stupid dress, bleach the shit out of my skin to remove that vile prick’s heat from memory. I slide my arms into my jacket, relieved he brought it as it’s pretty cold out here, and

sidewalk towards the row of parked cars in the distance. This is a hot spot for cabs at this time of night, so getting home

even drunk, and I’m going back to your apartment. You have Natasha in there, probably wondering where you are.” His hands land back on my waist, trying to bring me back to his embrace and it makes me want to yell at him. My body is bristling with adrenaline and so many fucked up emotions, anxiety reeling and he’s only making me antsier.

more than aware that this isn’t how he should be behaving. It feels claustrophobic, like a boyfriend mollycoddling

to you.” He utters at me, pulling me against him again, halting us on the street, so we’re moving nowhere fast. Making it clear he’s