Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

“Oh, shoot,” Maddie grumbles from the passenger seat as we make our way along the shoreline of Darling Lake, headed back to her place.

“What is it?”

She holds up her new phone, showing me that it’s open to a text. “I need to go into the shop.”

“Alright,” I shrug and flick my blinker on.

“Wait,” she sits up straighter, “where are you going?”

“To your shop.” I take the turn onto the road that’ll take us directly to BeanBag.

“Oh, but… Um…”

“Did you need to stop somewhere first?”

Now she’s fidgeting. “No, it’s just-” Maddie huffs out a sigh. “Griff is working tonight, and he just texted to tell me that Caroline didn’t show up for her shift. And he didn’t even realize she was late because the espresso machine was acting up. He thinks he’s gotten that fixed, but now he’s panicking because the evening rush is gonna start soon.”

I hadn’t realized how late it was until she said that. But we didn’t actually leave Maddie’s house until almost noon, add on the phone store, a long, late lunch, and here we are already nearing dinner time.

She blows out a breath, “And he’s right because it’s Saturday and you’d think people would all go to the bar, but there are actually lots of people that come in for coffee instead.”

“You got all that in a text?”

Maddie laughs as she taps out a reply on her phone. “Yeah, old man.”

The speed that she’s typing tells me she’s serious.

Dropping her phone in her lap, Maddie turns to face me. “I’m really sorry, but I’m gonna have to stay ‘til close.”

I slow as I take the turn towards BeanBag. “It’s not a problem.”

“But…” her fingers twist in the skirt of her pretty dress. “Well, I guess I could just take an Uber home. Or ask Griff for a ride.”

My foot presses harder on the brake and the car jerks. “I don’t fucking think so.”

Maddie gives me an exasperated look, “If you’re not gonna take me home first to get my car-”

“Baby,” I cut her off, “I’ll drive you home.”

“But-”

“No buts.” Seeing an open spot, I pull in and turn the car off.

“You’re staying?” Maddie sounds shocked, and for some reason that annoys me.

“I’m staying,” I bite out and shove open my door.

Like I’m gonna let some asshole named Griff give my girl a ride home. I see how that skirt rides up her legs when she’s sitting in a car. No way in hell am I letting another man see that. Not up-fucking-close.

Shutting the door, I roll out my neck as I walk to the sidewalk and wait for Maddie to join me.

When she approaches me with her eyes lowered, a pang strikes me in the center of my chest.

I’m an idiot.

Maddie wasn’t trying to dismiss me. She just didn’t want to ask me for a favor.

“Fuck,” I run a hand down my face. “I’m sorry.”

“Hmm?” her tone is light, but she won’t lift her eyes.

She’s pretending like I didn’t hurt her feelings just now and it makes me even madder at myself.

Stepping into her path, I wrap my arms around her small body and hug her to my chest.

“I’m sorry. I’m an asshole.” I press my lips to the top of her head.

Her back rises with an inhale, then she melts into me. “You’re not an asshole.”

She’s so small that my arms encircle her, and the fragility of it all seems to hit me all at once.

“I am. I didn’t mean to snap at you.” I kiss her hair again. “If you’re gonna be with me, you’ll eventually see all my flaws.”

“You don’t have flaws.”

“Aw, Baby, you’re cute but you’re wrong.” I can feel her scoff. “My first, and biggest flaw, is that I’m a jealous piece of shit.”

She shakes her head against me. “You’re not a piece of shit.”

“More than I hope you’ll ever know. Can you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” Maddie’s hands press into my back, on either side of my spine. Her arms are too short – or I’m just too big – for her hands to meet behind me. “And I promise there’s nothing for you to be jealous over. Why would I want anyone else when I have you?”

And just like that, I’m horny as fuck.

My cock starts to thicken and I squeeze my eyes shut.

I’m trying to apologize for being a dick. I can’t walk into her work with a hard-on.

Then stop picturing her pinned beneath you, your cock stretching her wide.

Scolding myself doesn’t make it any better. Because now all I can think about is that soft yellow dress bunched around her waist and her soft cries in my ear.

Her hands flatten against my back, “Axel?”

“Yeah?” I take one final breath full of her scent then straighten, putting a few inches of distance between us.

“If you get bored, I can give you my house key. Then you can come back and get me when I’m done. Since you can’t go home.”

“Can’t I?”

She shakes her head as she takes a step away from me, “No, because you promised me another round with that big fat dick.”

“Minx,” I growl and lunge at her.

Maddie shrieks and skips away from me.

I could’ve caught her before she reached the front door, but throwing her over my shoulder and carrying her away from her business is not the impression I’m trying to make right now.

Not to mention it’s kinda hard to run when your fat dick is at half-mast.

I groan and take a wide step, trying to shake everything back into place.

Then I relive her sweet voice saying those dirty words and groan again. This girl is gonna kill me.

I’m a few paces behind her when I pass through the door and into her cute coffee shop.

It’s airy and cozy and even though I know it’s a chain, I can still feel Maddie’s influence.

Maddie, my Maddie.

Her ass is bouncing around in that bright dress and I have to take another wide step.

It’s not like she’s dressed provocatively, it’s just her. Her curvy little body with handfuls of soft smooth skin. Seriously, give me another few weeks of dating her and I’m gonna need heart meds.

“That was quick!” a boy’s voice calls out from somewhere in the space, and my eyes find him quickly.

He’s rearranging a stack of something behind the counter, a big, relieved smile on his face.

“Hey, Griff.” Maddie walks towards him, lifting a hand. “We were in the area.”

So, this is Griff. A gangly teen. Great, now I feel like even more of an idiot.

Then the kid lets out a whistle, “Looking good, Boss.” And I’m back to hating him.

A rumble rolls out of my chest and the kid’s gaze snaps over to see me stalking up behind Maddie.

His eyes widen and he takes a step back, even though a counter separates us. “Yeesh!”

Maddie is chewing on her lip and I can’t tell if she’s uncomfortable or trying not to laugh. And as much as I want to stake my claim on her, even if it’s just to this spindly kid, I want to respect the fact that this is her place. She’s the authority here. Even if doing nothing goes against every instinct I have.

“Griff, this is Axel.” She pauses and it’s obvious she isn’t sure what to call me. Which is fair, since I think we’re still on our first date. “Axel, this is Griff, my best employee.”

Griff presses a hand to his stomach as he holds his other arm out to the side and takes a bow. “I live to serve.” When he finishes with the ridiculous motion, he tilts his head and looks at me again. “Oh wait!”

Maddie’s hand is making a cutting motion, and I’m guessing she’s trying to subtly gesture for the kid to stop speaking.

But either he doesn’t pick up on it, or he doesn’t care, because he snaps his fingers. “Is this him?”

“Him who?” I ask, letting my stance relax. I tip my head towards Maddie, “She’s been talking about me?”

“If you’re the guy-”

“Griff!” Maddie practically shouts his name, cutting him off.

Instead of looking chastised, he just grins. “Yeah, you’re the guy.”

“Good to hear.” I place my hand on Maddie’s lower back and tip my head down to her, “I’ll find a seat. Go do your thing.”

Her cheeks are blazing when she looks up at me. “Thanks, Axel.”