The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

Arrick moves out of reach and wanders to the fridge, opening it to rummage the contents and pulls out some labelled tubs. His housekeeper is paid to keep it stocked and easy for him when he wants to eat; his strict diet when in training means he eats a lot of healthy foods and high protein, but he is rummaging for something else. It’s early morning, he woke me up with his alarm and now he’s showered and ready to go to the gym at stupid o’clock even though I am half asleep and struggling to get ready for school.

Who even does that on purpose?

We were up so late, watching movies, fooling around and even had a little steamy make-out session that could have gone a lot further if he wasn’t such a gentleman. I am suffering now though as I watch him, still in my clothes from last night, finding some breakfast before he takes me home to get ready properly. Normally I wouldn’t be up for another hour at least, but I don’t want to get a cab home this tired and dragging my weekend bags with me.

“I want to go back to bed.” I whine petulantly, tiredness making me grumpy. I’ve never been a morning person and rub my eyes and head groggily. Arrick throws me back an indulgent smile and goes back to raiding the fridge, pulling out what looks like oatmeal and fruit.

Ughhhh, he’s trying to poison me.

I join him at the fridge and poke around the huge pile of clear tubs with various titles. Spying a Chinese takeout box, I pull it forward and am disappointed to see it is being used to hold a variety of chopped peppers and salad.

“Do you never just want to grab a greasy dog and a chocolate bar?” I screw my nose up and dig deeper into the depths of organized eating; his fridge is a poster child for healthy living and organic goodness. There is nothing in here that even slightly calls to me to be eaten.

“Not at six a.m., Sophie, no. You really do worry me sometimes with your eating habits. Please tell me you have not been fending for yourself with hot dogs and candy for the last three months.” He runs an eye over my body as though to check if he might have missed any obvious signs of malnutrition and I eye roll. I pull out a box without a label and sigh at diced chicken with some sort of seasoning that is obviously marinating for another meal.

“I want pancakes.” I sniff a tub of dressing and stick a finger in to taste it, hoping it’s some sort of syrup and screw my face up at its chili taste. Wiping it off my tongue with my nail and catch him looking at me like I’m some sort of alien creature he found in his kitchen.

“Baby, I haven’t got time to make them right now. Just grab something quick so we can get ready and go. I have to get you home, so you can get ready. I need to meet Nate before five-thirty at the gym.” Arrick throws two containers back in the fridge and pulls out a carton of fresh orange instead. Pouring two glasses beside the two bowls of oatmeal and fruit.

He must be insane if he thinks I am eating that crap.

“I don’t like you anymore.” I sigh. Pushing the fridge shut dejectedly and eyeing up the plates he is now carrying to the table.

“I know. Come on, I want to make sure you eat before I drop you off. I know how lazy you can be in the morning and you’re then starving by lunch.” He’s bossy this morning, a return to Arry of old and no longer pandering to my every whim while he’s in paternal mode. I stick my tongue out at him behind his back.

“Let’s go now and find a convenience store to stock up on junk food, I cannot come over here if you do not have a good supply for my womanly needs. Chocolate is a must, Cheetos … we need some Pepsi for sure.” I slump back against the counter once more as he turns and gives me that commandeering narrowed gaze frown, making me obey and I follow him to what looks like granola, with fruit, and maybe milk, maybe yoghurt. Natasha comes to mind and I screw up my face in disgusting memory. I follow him anyway and sit in my usual seat, sliding down as he pushes my bowl towards me and digs into his own. I hate that he is a sexy eater, it just draws attention to the muscles in his face and that crazily strong jaw, those perfectly soft, not overly full lips that were invented for kissing

“You eat like a kid; your diet is awful. I don’t know how you are so thin and toned for someone who eats like a sugar-addicted five-year-old.” Arrick scalds me, pushing my plate back at me as I push it away, with a raised brow that signals he’s not in the mood. I push it sideways and lay my head on the table dramatically. Too tired to eat and hating that I have even met five a.m. on purpose. He has no idea how unhealthy for my disposition this is.

“I don’t know how you got so beefy and muscular for someone who eats like a rabbit.” I stick my tongue out at him from my flat posture and start running my finger in circles on the surface. Praying something falls out of the sky which is both edible and energy-boosting.

“Well, if you’re staying here a lot then get used to it, as you are not going to be living on Cheetos and Pepsi. I don’t mind the occasional splurge when I’m on a training break, but I don’t want you living on that crap, Sophs. I had to lose like ten pounds after getting lazy with you, I am not doing that again.” He frowns at me and then pushes my foot under the table with his to get me to sit up.

junk food.” I sigh and bury my face on top of my outstretched arms, ignoring his attempts to get me upright, closing my eyes in a bid to sleep on the table. I feel like hell and now I am wishing I didn’t spend copious

I will clean out your fridge and restock it, you’re my girlfriend now, meaning I have more say.” He sounds like he’s smiling, and I look up to see him grinning at me while eating his gross

get to boss me around the way he does.” I sit up and narrow my eyes at him, not about to take any crap from him at all,

you around over.” He narrows his gaze back at me, I guess testing

atmosphere we always had. I feel better after sleep, even if I haven’t had enough and I am getting used to

Besides, the crabby ass moods you get in would probably improve with a better diet.” He raises one dark brow, that slight smug

how good it will feel to let him strip me naked for that. I always did imagine what it would be

one a week if you like. I’ll give them daily.” He winks, and I can see this conversation taking a different turn. I narrow my gaze at him, breaking when he chuckles and pokes me on the end of the nose with his thumb, returning

stayed here with me some nights a week. That’s if you want to stay with me?” He pauses mid spoonful and flickers a glance

him, confused why he would want that if he knows we are not going to do anything that requires

not? I still want you beside me some nights even if it makes me take a dozen cold showers.” He smiles again and goes on crunching on his food, completely dismissive of any weirdness in that sentence.

work, to study. I don’t know what nights.” I answer childishly, pouting over my lack of pancakes and staring out past the ceramic bowl to the New York skyline from his wide windows. It’s raining today, and the sky is overcast, not that it’s important in

pressure you to stay, just if you want to, then I want you to know it’s an open offer, Sophs. I would have you with me every night.” He draws my attention back to him with a little worried look and I smile at

no, I am not ready to throw all in and give him everything while I still feel like I need time. There is a part

I know I’m getting ahead of myself. I really want you here, want this to work.” Again, he looks so young and wary and it makes me feel crappy. I sigh

know you’re not being pushy. I just need a little breathing space, to get my head around this.” I shrug, unable to look him in the eye for a moment

unless you do. I hate seeing you living on pancakes and sundaes.” He cuts in, changing the topic because he obviously realizes it’s not the time to go into this. I need time

a morning person and hating how nagging

you.” He points out with a frown, a little hint of attitude because it’s true.

retort, leaning out and picking up the spoon in my bowl

we are going to have to take each day as it comes in terms of dating. I also have a fight in three weeks, I need to fly to Miami a week before. I guess I’ll have to plan everything around all that.” He pushes my bowl back towards me when he sees me playing with it

a calendar to write this all down?” I

maybe, how about you just text me daily and tell me when to pick you up. I’ll tell you when I can’t. I meant what I said. I would see you every second of every day if you let me.” He sighs heavily, eyes homed in on my lack of eating and I refrain from sticking my tongue

up with scrutiny suddenly, wondering if it’s normal that we have

me from his bowl, looking at me like he has no clue what I mean. A teeny

or to hang out, it doesn’t feel different. We’re being so … normal.” I wave my hands about to emphasize my point and then flop onto my elbows once more, caging my bowl. Arrick straightens and

we were, with a whole lot more intimacy and touching.” He shrugs with one shoulder, looks relieved and goes back to what he was doing, reaching out to stop me from sending the contents of my bowl over the edge with the way I am messing

think it would

am saying and the little smile that breaks the corner of his mouth. I