The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

I yawn for the millionth time in the aquarium and blink at the bright light of a flash nearby, body heavy and achy from too much today. Arrick is walking behind me with his arms around my waist, pushing my tired body around like a child.

“Maybe you need a nap before we get dinner.” He nuzzles his nose against my ear from behind, pushing his knees into my legs so he can keep me walking, and holding me up bodily. To anyone watching I am behaving like a stroppy kid who doesn’t want to walk around anymore, and I don’t care. He has walked my legs off, after keeping me up half the night with his undying libido, after a week’s separation. Taken a million selfies at various tanks and ponds and tired me out on some pedal boats for an hour. I am beyond shattered and never ever good when I am tired; I resort to being a five year old kid in a temper tantrum when I can’t be bothered anymore. Completely flaked out and unable to enjoy anymore of this day without some shut eye.

“Maybe you should leave me in bed and go without me.” I yawn again and this time he stops, let’s go to walk in front of me, turns his back to me and encourages me to hop on. Which I do, wrapping legs around him and arms around his neck while I cuddle in. Glad to be off my feet as nearby onlookers throw us disapproving looks. A woman with two children glares at us when her kid asks why she can’t get a piggy ride, but Arrick throws her a winning smile, pats my ass with the hand he slides back and then goes back to holding my thighs up and keeps walking with me. I’m an effortless weight to him it seems, doesn’t even break his stride.

“Not a chance. I have seen the dress you brought over with you and I am not missing seeing you in that tonight.” He squeezes my thighs and starts walking faster, skirting people as he maneuvers towards the nearest exit, having to watch my feet sticking out and saving poor children’s passing faces from impalement.

“I’ll wear it to bed, so you can ogle me when you come home.” I yawn and rest my head against his, closing my eyes to snuggle up and sigh heavily. So much fatigue in one little body is so not good.

“I want you with me. I hate going out without you, baby.” He bumps me higher on his back for a comfier grip and walks on at speed, heading towards the neon signs to leave finally.

“You’re a horrid boyfriend. Forcing me to socialize and go clubbing when I am wasting away with tiredness.” I whine to no one in particular and Arrick answers with a “Hmmmm” of disinterest.

“I’m pretty sure I don’t care right now.” I can almost feel his smirk as he carries me out of the metal gates that lead to the carpark area, still bouncing me along and getting cute looks from other couples we pass. We obviously look so adorable to non-moany people.

“Why am I even with you?” I mock huff at him, poking his cheek with my finger and sighing loudly as if he is being the cruelest person alive.

“Because you love me to death, and no other man alive would put up with your stroppy ass the way I do. Or piggy back you home, because you’re too diva to keep walking.” Arrick gets us out into the crowded car park and drops me on my own feet when he finds his car, holding me up as he manages to locate his keys in his jacket pocket and beep opens the locks.

“I only love you sometimes, like when you let me go to bed and stay there. I’m tired, Arry.” I huff, whine up at him with soft sleepy eyes and flop around dejectedly when he positions me in the car and lifts my feet into the footwell.

“Do I need to buckle you up too or are you capable of that?” He sighs, leaning in to kiss me on the mouth and ruffle my hair. Obviously used to this side of me, patient and indulgent. I lift my hands pathetically and he sighs, leaning in and pulls my belt over me, clicking it in place with a kiss on the cheek.

“You suck. I don’t like you anymore.” I flop sideways so my head rests against the door frame, gazing up at him like a puppy and give a dramatic exhale; he shuts it and comes around to his own side, getting in and pulls his own shut. Arrick buckles his own belt, starts the car, and revs the engine, adjusting his mirrors before he notices I am still scowling at him.

“Sure you’ll love me again when I let you nap. You can crash on the couch while I cook dinner. Might make you smile again… Sleep and food, your two most favorite things in the entire world.” He mocks flatly, completely un-phased with my overly dramatic teen behavior. He’s seen me this way a million times on a million different days and has oddly never gotten annoyed with it.

a third now…. And nope. You’re making me get up to dress up and spend a night with your friends in a noisy bar, when I really could just have a long bubble bath and a smoochy movie in your bed. School holidays could be put to better use than lying dead with a hangover.”

again with a ruffling of my hair before maneuvering the car out of

happily.”

hate me

have to hurt you.” I warn with a low tone and steady deadpan gaze on his face. Not impressed with pretty much telling me he wants bimbo arm candy for a girlfriend, only as an ego

we both know I like that, so feel free, not sure you’ll get your nap though.” He grins cheekily, and I slap his

asshole sometimes, I forget what I ever liked about you.” I sulk now, grumpy from being overly tired. Now I am hungry too and

afternoon. You’re lucky I am probably the most chilled and tolerant male on the planet and don’t carry out my desire to suffocate you.” Arrick wriggles in his seat and fishes in his back pocket, one

illuminated name before it blanks out again and see it’s Natasha; biting my lip, I turn away and stare out the window before he sees

we’ll see how you feel, okay?” Arrick looks my way seriously, catching my eye for a second so that I look at him, a flat

whatever.” I shrug airily. Still pretending to be absorbed in the view outside now I have turned back to it and jump when his hand comes to rest on

road simultaneously as I let out a long sigh

it is.” I am dying to get home and lay down, I hate feeling this wiped out and blame it half on a bad night’s sleep and half on the fuzzy head and runny nose I feel coming, that I’m sure Christian has inflicted on me. Diseased freak he is with his damn cold. As if to prove the

after all. I don’t want you getting sicker.” His eyes scan my face, looking concerned and instantly paternal and it soothes my

blatantly; my contraception injection means I never get them at all, but do occasionally get symptoms of having them and I wonder if this is part of why I feel so tense today. Emotionally overwhelmed when Arry has been nothing but sweet all day; taking me out for one on one time, holding my hand and

place that takes an entire day to get around,

this time every month though, so you get a free keep out of jail card for being a pain in the ass.” He flicks his eyebrows upwards in a cheeky gesture

never tell when you’re being serious or being an ass.” I slump back down in my seat and lift my feet to his dash, so I am practically curled up; he frowns at me but never says anything about the way I

an ass, because you’re easy to wind up and I enjoy it. Part of being my girl, so get used to it.” He reaches out and pinches my cheek to be

one for the tough time I always give him. I am getting too used to Arry indulging me in every way, pandering to me. Not that I can blame myself, he has done

all end up in sex. I think I’ve tainted you.” He winks, and I shake

and instead of pouting, I find myself sliding my hand over the console to curl over his thigh. Solid, muscular thighs that

casually picks up my hand and replaces it on my own lap, grinning at the furious look I give him, and knowing fine well he

Not that I’m complaining.

so cocky, might just go to bed alone and not bother coming at all with that smug ass attitude.” I prod his shoulder, so