Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

Smiling like an idiot, I grab the “More Coffee Please” phone case off the wall.

Having checked the price tags on a few other ones, I don’t bother flipping the little box over. It’s going to be stupidly expensive, but I really love this one – gold lettering set against a swirling white steam pattern on a dark rose background – and at least I won’t have to buy another one.

Clutching the case in both hands, I make my way back to where Axel and Dan are seated.

They seem to be sitting in some sort of awkward silence, and it immediately makes me feel awkward.

Sensing my approach, Axel’s head slowly turns towards me.

His eyes are guarded, his stance serious, but I swear I can feel the heat of his gaze.

My steps slow as I get closer, his eyes move just as slowly as his head does, his gaze trailing from my eyes down to my toes.

I glance over at Dan, except he’s looking at everything but me.

My fingers clutch the case tighter. Whatever this tension is, I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit.

Axel drags my chair out from the table but puts it right next to his. Like right next to his.

I tuck my dress underneath me as I take the offered seat.

My arm bumps into Axel’s side but when I try to scoot over, he drops his arm around my shoulders, holding me in place. And just like that, my unease vanishes.

“You find one you like?” he nods at the tiny box in my lap.

“Yes,” I set it on the table and scoot it over to Dan. “I’d like this one, please.”

“Yeah, uh,” he clears his throat, “It’ll just take a minute.”

Dan doesn’t look up as he sets my new and old phones side-by-side, fiddling around to transfer all the info.

Axel’s fingers brush across the bare skin of my upper arm, sending zips of electricity down my spine. And since Dan’s acting like we don’t exist, I decide to stop caring about PDA and lean into Axel’s side.

“What are you hungry for?” Axel’s voice rumbles from his chest and I melt into him even more.

I don’t have to think about it long, “Waffles.”

“Waffles?”

“Mm-hmm. I don’t know why, but it sounds amazing right now.”

His calloused fingers do another trail up my arm, “I know a place that has damn good waffles, but it’s a little out of the way.”

I tip my head back to look up at him, “I don’t mind. But if you need to get back home, we can go some other time.”

He responds by giving me an incredulous look.

“Okay, fine. We can go to this out of the way place today.”

Axel tips his chin in agreement and I make a show of rolling my eyes.

His cheek twitches and he mouths brat to me.

The man on the other side of the table clears his throat again, making my cheeks instantly color.

“You’re all set.” Dan finally meets my eyes, and his face looks just as flushed as mine feels.

“Thanks,” I murmur and pick up the new phone.

He gives me a small bag, with the phone’s box, my old phone case, and a receipt.

Axel stands from his seat, holding out a hand to help me up. “Let’s go, Baby.”

I hurry to open my small purse, digging around for my wallet, “Hold on, I need to…” but then Dan gets up too, not acting like he’s waiting for payment. “Oh.” I’m back to feeling embarrassed, “Does this all just go on my next phone bill?”

“Er…” Dan looks to Axel, like he’s expecting the big man at my side to answer.

My eyes dart to Axel, to Dan, and back to Axel. “What am I missing?” A suspicion dawns on me. “Did you…?”

I don’t know how to finish that question, because it seems almost too crazy to ask.

Axel’s gaze doesn’t falter. “I took care of it.”

He took care of it.

“You took care of… what?” I glance back over to Dan, but he’s already backing away from the table.

“Thanks for coming in!” he shrugs, then turns and walks away.

I’m watching his retreating form when a big hand covered in a rose tattoo cups my chin.

Not fighting his gentle urging, I tilt my head back to look at him.

“It wasn’t safe to have an old phone.”

 I open my mouth to argue but his fingers tighten just the smallest bit on my chin, silencing me.

“How many times did you wake up to a dead battery?”

This time I don’t need help staying quiet, because the answer is many. I’ve woken up many times to a dead phone. And even though it’s never been an issue, it could’ve been.

“It wasn’t safe,” He repeats, then leans closer, “I want to keep you safe.”

My chest fills with so much emotion it almost chokes me.

“Axel,” my voice breaks on his name.

He shakes his head, “No, Baby. Don’t get sad.” His fingers loosen on my chin, sliding down to palm the side of my neck. “Let’s go get some waffles.”

I roll my lips between my teeth, trying to stop them from trembling.

It’s not the money. Him spending money buying my phone case – or maybe my whole new phone – isn’t what has my heart folding in on itself. It’s the act. The fact that he wants to protect me. The fact that he even cares at all.

Not wanting to make a fool of myself inside the dumb phone store, I nod my head and hold out my hand for Axel.