Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

Axel’s garage door is open as I pull up to his house and I see him and Brian standing just inside, next to a stack of boxes.

“What’s all this?” I ask, climbing out of my car.

We’ve spent almost every weekend here since we confessed our love for each other. And it’s only gotten harder to leave every time I have to walk out those doors.

“Hi, Baby,” Axel greets me, something different in his gaze.

“Hi,” my brows raise, wondering what’s up with him.

“Hey, Mads,” Brian grins, knowing it riles Axel up when other people use nicknames on me.

“Hey, Bri,” I grin back, stopping a few feet away.

Axel rolls his eyes before reaching out and pulling me into a hug.

Giving him exactly zero resistance, I wrap my arms around his big body and breathe him in.

“What are you guys moving?” I ask, using a toe to point at the boxes while I’m still smashed to Axel’s chest.

“You.” I feel the answer as I hear it, but it doesn’t make sense.

I pull back from the hug, “What?”

“Well, me too,” Brian chimes in.

I look back and forth between the two. “I’m sorry, I feel like I’m missing something here.”

Axel keeps his arm around my back, holding me against his side. “Brian’s been talking about moving out.”

My eyes move over to Axel’s son, “Really?!”

He nods.

“And I’ve been talking about you moving in.”

My head jerks back to Axel. “You have?”

“I have.” His chin dips down. “I think it makes sense for you two to switch. You move in with me, and Brian moves into your place and pays you rent. If you want.”

The best kind of butterflies fill my stomach.

“I want that,” I whisper. “I want that so much.”

Ever since the first night I slept in Axel’s bed, this place has felt like more of a home than my house ever has.

“You do?” Axel’s eyes look back and forth between mine, obviously surprised I’m not throwing out any sort of objection.

I bite my lip as I nod. “I do. I know what it’s like to think you have time, only to find out you don’t.” I have to swallow against the sudden swell of emotion. “I don’t want to waste any more time away from you.”

I watch his throat work before he presses his hand more firmly against my back, “Come with me.”

Brian gives me a big goofy smile before I’m led away by Axel.

We step into the house, pass through the living room, and move to the stairs.

When Axel guides me to go first, I smirk at him over my shoulder, “I appreciate the enthusiasm, but we can’t have sex with Brian just hanging out down here.”

The hand on my back moves, and I feel a swat on my ass. “Keep walking.”

I make it to the top of the steps and continue down the short hallway.

But when I slow to turn into Axel’s room, he stops me and opens the door on the opposite side of the hall. “In here.”

“What are…” my question dies as I step into the room.

I haven’t been in here since that first tour Axel gave me. It was an unfinished lounge. A second-floor version of a man cave.

But now…

My eyes bounce around the room, taking in the soft colors that have been painted on the walls. The plush velvet chairs, thick rugs, built-in window seat overflowing with colorful pillows, and the bar.

I step closer, new tears filling my eyes.

A narrow marble countertop stretches across the whole back wall of the room. And on the counter are items I know well. A coffee brewer. An espresso machine. A steamer.

Above it are two rows of floating shelves. And on those shelves are mugs. Lots and lots of beautiful, unique coffee mugs.

Stepping closer, I trail my fingers along the front edge of the lower shelf, speechless.

I don’t know what to say. I don’t even know where to start. So, I step along the length of the counter, taking it all in.

Outside, the clouds shift and a beam of light flashes through the window.

And that’s when I see it.

The small gray box, with the lid tipped open, glinting in the sunlight.

My hands begin to shake as I reach for the velvet cube.

Cradling it in my palms, I stare down at the round pink diamond, sparkling amongst a circle of smaller pink stones, on a glittering band of more pink diamonds.

“Axel.” I breathe his name, as I stare.

I know we’re in love. I feel like we’re meant for each other. But this moment, it feels so surreal.

And this ring… I never let myself dream in such detail. But it’s perfect. Better than perfect.

I turn, expecting to find Axel on one knee behind me. But he’s not. He’s standing. And he’s right there.

Big hands grip my waist and Axel lifts me, setting my butt down on the beautiful new counter.

He takes the box from my hands. “It’s no secret that I love you.” He steps forward, wedging his hips between my thighs. “But I’m not sure you understand what that means for me.” He grabs my left hand and presses my palm flat against his chest. Over his heart. “It means that I’m a better man when I’m with you. That I’m happier. And I don’t want to waste another minute either.” He reaches his own hand out, pressing it over my heart. “Life is too short to wait another minute to make you mine. In every way possible.” His hand slips away and he pulls the small ring free. “I know we still have things to talk about. Where to live. How many kids to have. But whatever it is, we’ll find our way. Together.”

“Axel.” My chest squeezes so tight it’s hard to breathe.

“You deserve all the love in the world, Maddison.” Axel’s fingers close around mine to steady my hand. “All I have to offer is my love. But I’ll give you every last bit of it. Every inch of my heart. All the best parts of me.” Then he slides the ring onto my finger. “Tell me you’ll marry me.”

I blink up at him. My entire body illuminates with a whole new kind of happiness. With a whole new kind of peace.

“I’ll marry you.”