The Carrero Heart - Beginning (Friends to Lovers)

“I miss you more… Did you just get in from school? Bit early for you isn’t it?” He asks softly, immediately homing in on the fact I’m calling him an hour earlier than normal; always aware of minute details like that and it makes me miss him more so and his attentive presence.

“Yeah, I have things to work on for the show that are better done here.” It’s not a complete lie.

“Ah, I see. How’s it going, are you almost ready for it?” he sounds a little distracted and I can hear the hustle bustle of a busy environment.

“So, so. I’ll be running around like a headless chicken right until the show is in full swing, I think. I’m trying not to think beyond the right now or I might freak out.” Closing my eyes and curling up, cuddling a cushion to try to envision him. I so badly need an Arrick Carrero hug about now.

“You will be fine, baby. I have every faith in your abilities and your show will be a knockout. I can’t wait to … Hold on.” Arry answers someone in the room with him, covering the receiver so it’s muffled, and I can hear what I assume is his PA Amanda’s voice in the background and immediately eyeroll. She tends to interrupt whenever I call him, and it irritates me. I miss him like mad and I just want one call where I have his full attention without her feeling like something more pressing should be discussed.

“Sure,” I mumble to no one in particular as his cell is clearly not attached to his head. I listen to the muffled sounds of Carrero Corp and try to picture it in my head instead. I’ve been there a million times now, even in Arrick’s office more than once. Naughty boy had me christen his desk one lunchtime when I took him some food.

I smile at the memory and feel a little less sour about his straying attention. He never really changed from the first months of our relationship and he still has just as high a sex drive as he did back then. Sometimes I revert to not wanting it, to not being touched and sometimes the dreams and memories creep in and shake me up. But Arry has never changed from being understanding and supportive in that way too, and effortlessly seems to know what I need. Be it a hug or distance, or to just hold onto me through a bad dream and lull me out of it with soft words. I couldn’t imagine having anyone else love me in the way he does, and it just makes me want him home more achingly in this second.

“Sorry, baby, we have so much shit going on here these past months. My schedule is crazy, and I never get a minute alone. What were we saying?” He sounds tired. I can picture my tired Adonis, his eyes a hazy brown with flecks of green and that cute cropped hair ruffled messily. He has his brothers’ habit of messing with his hair when he’s agitated or tired.

“My show, but can we switch to another topic as it is just stressing me out. Talk to me about anything else.”

with you to keep you calm and help you before the grand reveal. I can be your muscle, or you know, your assistant or some shit.” That tone in his

a lot of reunion sex, and putting a smile on my face before I have

for you; I’ve seen your sketches remember? I know you’re talented. I may not be a fashion designer, but I know what’s good, and we do work with a lot of your type for our campaigns. Enough that I can see

… It’s a done deal, you’re getting laid on your return, so you don’t have to chat me up.” I giggle at him, lighter, less suffocated with

sure thing… I’m being serious though, Sophs. You’re crazily talented, so stop stressing out about this show.” His soft sexy voice removes the last traces of my anxious turn and I spread

be there… Without a doubt, and

be there. Couple more days and I will be right back beside you, where

are you doing tonight?” I try to change the subject so the anxiety in my stomach

like a bunch of women having a girl’s night out. He really does raise the tone from beers and pizza, to cocktails and steak. What about you? No plans

I see them all day. I guess I just feel tired and like to come home and chill out. An early night after I do some of the sewing I need to do and maybe a movie in bed… You know me… Munchies and a movie and sleep, three of

successful and I let go of the

only this time huskier and a hint of sensual flirting. Arrick can switch on the sexy whenever he feels like it and we are not opposed to sexting and dirty calls nowadays, in fact they have become necessity

say shoe shopping” I answer in a blasé way and

been known to sacrifice many a shoe shopping trip for an extra few hours rolling about my bed, baby. I have no doubts about your love for some Arry between the sheets, and your

with you, you weirdo.” I grimace properly, a little shudder and thank my lucky stars he is not normally someone who gives out such sleazy

much I love sex, especially sex with you… Hold on.” he cuts off again, to another mumbling female voice in the background and this time I hope she heard every word of my man chatting me up and talking about sex with me. She needs to give him some breathing space