The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

The walk back is odd, we’re walking apart, my arms across my body as I feel like being by myself right now and not having the contact. I’m tired and emotional and edgy. He’s trying to make idle chit chat, intent on keeping us talking about any topic he comes up with and I am responding, but I am fully aware of his constant fixed gaze on my profile as we walk and it’s starting to make me nervy. I can’t relax with the way he seems honed into my every movement and mannerism.

“You can stop staring at me for like maybe five minutes.” I point out and smile when his eyebrows dip in that cute way he has. He looks away for a minute and then back again.

“You noticed, huh?” He acts coyly and shrugs my way. Not him at all, he’s always been super confident in every way and this seems weird.

“Just a little, you know … penetrating gaze latched onto my skull.” I giggle at him, even more so with how sheepish he’s become since I pointed it out and let go of the tension a little.

“I can’t help it. I spent months missing this view, dreaming about you, and I’m worried that if I look away you might disappear again.” His tone immediately turns serious and his eyes, although still facing my way seem less zoned in on me and I relax a little.

“I guess I know what you mean.” I agree, knowing that I too am getting used to his sudden presence again and it still feels unreal and dreamlike. That the last months are some sort of alternate dimension now. He was in my head so many times in his absence that his real presence isn’t quite normal to me yet either.

“I missed you. I know it was my fault, but it doesn’t take away how much it sucked. You’re like a sunset to me or a pretty view of a shoreline. Some people like art, they like watching the sea. I’ve always liked looking at you. You have a unique kind of beauty, and are the most breath-taking view on the planet.” The seriousness of his statement makes my heart ache suddenly and tears prick my eyes, knowing fine well he means every word and I don’t know how to react. There’s a silent moment as we both look away; he clears his throat and I fiddle with my fingers awkwardly. Affected by how sweet he can be and so genuine, still afraid to let him see that he gets to me though.

“You’re so lame.” I breathe out through intense emotional reaction, swallowing down tears and his laugh breaks the tension.

and slowly moving in towards my mouth. I see it coming a mile off, the way his eyes focus on mine as though seeking permission before he kisses me softly. His nose rubs mine, his lips part slightly and I surrender to it, to him. Letting him feel me out as my eyes close

Ava, only so much more intense and he doesn’t pull away. He kisses

any sort of public displays of

in the tender moment even if we are no longer lip to lip. I nod, unable to formulate a reply while he looks at me exactly

however, plan on making the same mistake ever again and losing this. You’re mine, Sophie. I finally know how it feels to kiss the girl you will only ever kiss again from here until eternity.” He whispers breathily, and

on show that I’ve been too afraid to let him

you hurts me too. I just want

***

very glad of the suggestion of some sleep. The sudden awakening this morning was bright and early, and my body is crashing as much

go and turns, walking across the plush carpet as he kicks off his sneakers. Getting to the door he locks it and heads back to my bed, taking a little run and jump

little more demurely, sliding off my pumps, getting on my bed gently, climbing onto my knees until I scoot closer to him. Arrick reaches out, catching my hand and tugs me over so I fall on top of him with a shocked yelp, followed by giggles as he rolls over on top of me, flattening me to the bed, pinning me down so he comes nose to nose with me,

I guess you three are too?” He rests his chin on my chest, so he can gaze up at me, shuffling his body down the bed a little. I nod, letting my fingers tail that manicured set of eyebrows, down that chiseled face to the angular jawline slowly, following my progress with his eyes focus on mine. “Come home with me, Sophs, stay with me tonight at my apartment.” He watches me, frowning a little as I break into a smile, pushing him off so I can slide to my side to face him instead; his arms come around me, pulling me in so he can

as he begins rubbing his nose against mine, the way I have seen Jake do to Emma a million

pushing his forehead against mine a little more. I shove him away playfully and give him that knowing