Latte Darling: Book Two of The Darling Series

The sway of Maddie’s hips is intoxicating, and I watch the movement until they’re only inches from my grasp.

“You ready to go, Darling?” Maddie bites her lip, and I can no longer resist the urge to touch her.

I grip her waist, then let my fingers trail down from her hip to the hem of the soft fabric of her dress. “I’m ready.”

“Can I finish your drink?”

I hand her the last half of my cocktail. I didn’t need this one. I didn’t need the last one either. But having something to hold on to kept me from grabbing her and hauling her off to some storeroom.

“We’re using the drivers,” I tell Maddie, holding out a hand.

 “You know they’re a bunch of teenagers, right?” she says skeptically, while looking at my hand.

I open and close my fist, “Help me up.”

She bursts out with a slightly-drunk laugh and grips my hand.

I don’t actually let her pull me up. There’s no way in hell her tiny self could even budge me, but she is holding my hand. And that’s a win.

A groan leaves me as I stand, instantly dwarfing Maddie with my size.

“You’re sure about the car?” she leans into me.

I was told about the hired drivers during dinner. The newly married couple hired pairs of high schoolers to drive people and their cars home. We ride in my car with a kid driver, and another kid follows behind so they can bring Kid One back to the venue.

“I’m sure.”

“In that case…” Maddie quickly sips the rest of my drink. I know she’s had a couple throughout the evening, but I’m thinking I’m probably the drunker one.

Most of the guests are gone, but there’s a pair of waiting teens leaning against the front of the building when we come out.

They straighten and the shorter one steps forward, “You guys need a ride?”

I nod, causing Maddie to snicker.

I don’t talk a whole lot when I’ve been drinking, and clearly she thinks it’s funny.

My hand slides up from her lower back, pressing up the line of her spine, until I get to the base of her neck. Then I let my fingers grip her. With my hold on her hidden by her hair, and I tighten my fingers just enough to remind her I’m there. And drunk or not, I’m still in charge.

The kid who spoke up, falls in step behind us, as the other heads to her own car to follow.

With so few people left, it quickly becomes obvious which car I’m leading us to.

“No way,” I hear the whisper behind me a second before the voice from the other car yells out, “What?! That’s not fair!”

The girl laughs, calling back, “Whatever, you got the convertible.”

Digging in my pocket, I pull out the key fob and hold it outstretched.

The gesture is mostly symbolic since it’s a button start but I’ll let her unlock the door.

Taking it, she clicks and lets out a girly squeal when the car chirps in response, causing Maddie to laugh.

“Please tell me you live a long way away,” the teen pleads.

Maddie laughs again, as I guide her around to the passenger side. “It’s not that far, but we can take the long way there.”

That statement is followed by another squeal.

I open the front door for Maddie, but she steps back. “I’ll sit in back.” I shake my head, but she holds up a hand, “Axel, you literally won’t fit.”

Knowing she’s right, I drag her closer and press my lips to hers. It’s brief, but it’s all we have time for. Then I release her and open the rear door.

The driver takes her time adjusting the mirrors, and the seat, before easing out of the parking lot.

Maddie guides her through the directions but, recognizing the happiness on the kid’s face when she pulls onto the highway, I break my silence.

“Step on it.”

The girl gives me a wide-eyed glance, then stomps the gas pedal down.

Seeing she has it under control, I relax back. Letting my head loll against the seat back.

I’m almost jolted from my position when fingers brush against the side of my neck, nearest the window.

I can hear the rustle from the backseat as Maddie adjusts herself. Her fingers reaching up into my hair. The nails scraping against my skin.

A small groan builds in my chest, and I’m too far gone to catch it, so I cover it by clearing my throat.

Reaching out, I tap the dashboard and fill the car with the sound of heavy metal. And a quick look at the driver shows me she’s entirely focused on the ride.

So I close my eyes and think of what I want to do in just a few minutes when I get Maddie all to myself.