Latte Darling (Darling, #2)

by S.J. Tilly

“What about Brian?” As long as I’m diving in, I might as well jump straight into the deep end. “What about him?” Axel challenges. “You said it yourself that you two didn’t talk much.” “Well, no,” I concede. “And did you tell him anything personal? Share any of the stories that you told me with him?” I shake my head. “Did you tell him he was too nice?” I bite my lip. “Did you call him sweet?” I shake my head again. “Did you tell him he was handsome?” “No,” I whisper. “Then he’s not yours.” He says it with such finality that it takes me a second to realize what he’s really saying. That he’s mine. “And you sure as fuck didn’t show him your pretty little pussy, so I don’t see what the problem is.”

Letting my skirt drop, Axel gives the front of my neckline a gentle tug, so he can look down my dress. I laugh more and slap his hand away. “What are you doing?” “Looking for the end of it.” I snort, and that finally elicits the smallest smile out of Axel. “Isn’t easy access kinda the point of lingerie?” he asks incredulously. “I’d need a pair of shears to get you out of that.” “Oh my god,” I groan. “It’s not lingerie.” “Then what is it?” He’s so lost, and it’s so cute, that I can’t stop smiling. “They’re chub rub shorts,” I try to explain. Axel’s expression turns stony. “Don’t say that about yourself.” He’s so mad on my behalf it makes my heart squeeze. “It’s just what they’re called. They keep my thighs from chafing. Which I know isn’t a sexy topic, but it’s reality. And they, well, they smooth everything else out.” I shrug, my blush finally breaking through my humor. “Keep the jiggling to a minimum. Ya know?” “I clearly didn’t do a good job explaining what I like last night,” Axel grits out, his hand dragging a path across my thighs and up my stomach. “Because all that jiggling, that’s what I fucking crave, Baby Doll. If you’re not bouncing around, I’m not doing it right.” He leans back in his seat. “Now get out of the car, before I drive us straight home and break my promise.” “Your promise?” “Yeah. My promise to wait until tonight to fuck you into tomorrow.”

It’s a good thing I’m not claustrophobic. I might have a slew of other issues, but claustrophobia isn’t one of them. Even if it was, something about Axel feels inherently safe. “Um…?” I wait for Axel to glance down at me, then I lift my brows. “Whatcha doin?” “I wanted to sit here.” “Uh huh,” I grin and shimmy my shoulders, showing him how crowded I am. He has to lean away from me to lift his arm, but once he manages, he drapes it across the back of the booth behind me. A glance over my shoulder shows me a couple of old ladies tittering at the table behind us and I pinch my lips between my teeth. Axel’s big palm closes around the back of my neck, “Eat your food.”

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.”

“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.

“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 shove my hands into the pockets of the giant hoodie, feeling like I’m waiting for some bad news. I just want him to like it. I want to give Axel back some of the happiness that he’s given me today. And this is the best way I know how. His expression doesn’t change as he takes a second sip. My leg starts to bounce so I shift my weight to keep it steady. “Maddie.” Axel locks eyes with me. “Come here.” I shuffle closer, until my knees are bumping into his. “Taste this,” he lifts the mug. “Wh-why?” I ask, slowly pulling my hands out of my pockets. Before I touch the mug, he turns it, so I’ll be pressing my lips against the same spot where his had been. “Because this is maybe the best drink I’ve ever had, and I need you to feel as proud of it, as I feel proud of you.” Oh. Oh, my damn heart. Warmth swells inside my ribcage and my face can’t decide if it wants to smile or cry at his kindness.

My hands start at Axel’s chest, feeling the strong muscles beneath his shirt. But I want more. Dragging my fingertips down his stomach, I hook them under the hem of his shirt and press my palms against his warm skin. And at the same time, his hands pull up the back of my dress, so his big hands can grip my now bare ass. I instantly melt into him. Axel is so big. So damn big and thick and exactly what I’ve always pictured when I’ve thought of my perfect man. He’s a protector and a fighter. But also a giver. Our heads tilt to deepen the kiss and Axel reaches lower between my legs, from behind, his fingertips pressing into the dampness between my thighs. A groan leaves me even as I push up on my tiptoes and arch my back, trying to give him more access.

She jumps at the first touch, and I almost pause, but then her hands reach for me, begging me to move closer. So I do. I shift so just the tip, just the first inch is pressing into her. But then she reaches for me again. And with one thrust, I bury myself balls deep into Maddie’s heat. The scream that leaves her mouth is pure ecstasy. And I know I should hate myself for the pride I feel at that sound, but the devil on my shoulder is cheering, gesturing towards the wall Maddie shares with her neighbor. So I thrust again. And again and again.

“Oh, wow,” Leslie says- and it’s what I’m thinking. “Sorry,” I smile, “this one’s mine.” “Of course he is,” she sighs. Axel strides towards us and for the first time ever I wish for the athleticism to hop over the counter. His footsteps stop when he’s directly across from me. “Hey.” His simple greeting, lined with a hint of uncertainty, turns my smile into a grin. “Hey, Big Guy. What brings you to my little corner of the world this morning?” There’s a tiny shift in his stance as he sheds any last trace of doubt. “I think morning ended a couple minutes ago, Baby Doll.” I glance at the clock, seeing that he’s right. Then he lifts a white paper bag that I hadn’t noticed was grasped in his hands. “Thought you might be hungry.” My jaw literally drops. No one has brought me lunch since… ever. No one has ever brought me lunch. This handsome, sweet-as-hell man is gonna be the end of me.

“Here’s your latte, Darling.” I start to step away, but Axel’s hand darts out, catching me by the hip. The small contact is enough to send my heart into a stuttering gallop. “I like you calling me that,” his voice is low, but I feel the rumble roll down my spine. My stomach tightens. Not with dread but with need. “Darling?” I whisper. He nods. I bite my lip, my blush building before I even ask the question, “I thought you liked when… I called you something else.” His eyes darken and I know he knows what I’m talking about. Axel’s fingers dig into the flesh at the top of my ass, pulling me closer. His voice quiet enough so only I can hear. “You can call me Darling in public, but it’s Daddy in the bedroom.” The color in my cheeks spikes as I drench my panties. “O-okay.” His grip loosens until his hand is falling away from my body. “Unless you have a soundproofed room in back, I’m gonna need you to take a step back and sit down.”

Maddie scoots her chair back then quickly circles the table. “What’s this?” But I don’t really need to ask, because in the next heartbeat, Maddie’s thrown her arms around my neck in a hug. With our size difference, she doesn’t have to bend over much but the angle is perfect for her soft tits to press against the top of my chest.

A whistle greets me as I come down the stairs. “Damn, Dad. Really going for those mobster vibes.” I allow Brian to see my exasperated expression. I don’t have a lot of dress-up clothes. And even though Maddie said it wasn’t fancy, it’s still a wedding – and the first time I’m gonna meet her friends – so I’d rather be a touch overdressed than underdressed. With my limited choices I stuck with black. Black pants, black shoes, and a black button-up shirt. “You got a holster to go with that?” Brian laughs at his own joke. “You need to watch less movies.” “Nah.” He snorts and turns away from me to pull the wrapper off a frozen pizza. “I take it you’re going out with your lady friend again tonight.”

“Just so we’re on the same page,” Brian slides the pizza into the oven, “if you two get married, I’m not gonna call her mom.” My laugh turns into a choke halfway up my throat. “Jesus, kid.” “What? I’m just saying,” he snickers. “She’s not even old enough to be your mom,” I mumble, while I pick my wallet up off the island. “Damnnn,” Brian drags the word out, a huge grin on his face. “Nicely done. Maybe instead of me calling her mom, she can call you Daddy.” I’m not sure what emotion is showing on my face – shock, horror, guilt – but whatever it is, it gives me away. Brian’s eyes widen and his face twists into a mixture of disgust and amusement. “Oh my god! I don’t know if I want to high-five you, or puke.” “How about neither and we pretend this never happened,” I suggest, slapping a handful of bills on the counter. “Deal,”

My Maddie. And she looks fucking divine. She lets the door fall closed, turning all the way forward, and my brain corrects itself. She doesn’t look heavenly. She looks like the Devil incarnate. Swathed in a deep red, her long black hair dances in the soft breeze, and I can’t decide if I want to stare at her glossy lips, dyed to match the dress, or her skin. All that gloriously soft skin I’m dying to reach out and touch. Maddie takes a step towards me and my eyes drop down to the flash of pale flesh at her thigh. Each step closer is a tease. And I have to remind myself that we aren’t alone, because I want to do bad, bad things to her in that dress. And I want to do them now. “You’re staring.” I blink at Maddie’s whispered words and my lungs fill on a much-needed inhale. “Yeah, Baby Doll,” I whisper back, taking my time dragging my eyes up to her face, “I’m staring.”

And when I circle around to her driver’s side, I see why. A huge impact encompasses nearly half of the side of her car. The driver’s door taking the brunt, the dent starting just below her window. There’s no way she could’ve rolled it down even if she wanted to. Honestly, I’m surprised the window didn’t crack. My ears fill with the sound of crunching metal. I wasn’t present for this accident, but I know what it would’ve sounded like. And it wouldn’t’ve been pretty. Thank fuck Maddie wasn’t in the car when it happened. She could’ve been in there. My chest feels tight. She could’ve been hurt. My neck feels hot. Just like her parents. My jaw clenches so tightly my teeth start to ache.

When I look back at the car, I see why. Thick creamy thighs fill my vision. Bare thighs. “The fuck?” I seethe, stepping closer. Maddie’s crawling over the center console, ass in the air, so she can climb out the passenger door. And she’s wearing little fucking shorts. Tiny jean shorts that expose the smooth, soft skin of her inner thighs that only I should be familiar with. The shorts, the angle we get from standing next to her little car, it’s all too much. Too much skin. Too much temptation. Too much fucking fury. I glare over at Rodrigo, but he has the brains to keep his eyes averted. A potent mixture of concern and rage fill my mind, as I stomp around to the other side of the car. Maddie’s crawling across the seats because the driver’s door won’t open. My girl drove here in a car with a door that wouldn’t fucking open.

With way more force than necessary, I grip the door handle and yank it open. “Get out!” I snap. Like that’s not exactly what she’s already doing. She freezes, her hand outstretched mid-reach for the door I just pulled open. I have just enough time to see her mouth part in shock at my tone, when a curtain of glossy black hair falls across her face. Another jolt of emotion seizes me. She’s so pretty. So stunning. So goddamn fragile. Crouching into her space, I grip her under the arms and bodily drag her from the car. “Axel!” she shrieks, but I cut her off. “Did you see your fucking door?!” It’s a rhetorical question, and I don’t leave her any time to answer. “Have you lost your mind? Driving here with your car in that condition?” I set her on her feet, then immediately palm the back of her neck.

“Tell me you’re sorry.” A tear rolls down her cheek, even as the sides of her mouth tip up in a small smile, “I’m sorry.” “Tell me you won’t do that again. You won’t make me worry like that.” She nods, “I won’t worry you, again.” “Tell me you’ll be a good girl.” “I’ll be a good girl for Daddy. I promise.” “Fuck.” This is so depraved. So fucked up. So goddamn hot. The angel on my shoulder has long abandoned me, and the devil. Well, he has his dick in his hand and is beating one out to the scene in front of us. “You’re too good for me,” I tell her honestly. Her big eyes staring up at me, her mouth open and waiting. “But I don’t care. You’re going to take all of me and like it.” Her hands curl into fists, gripping the legs of my coveralls, pulling me closer. “My greedy girl.” I shove my dick back into her waiting mouth. “My perfect, greedy girl.”

“What’s in it?” I lift the cup to my lips before he even has a chance to answer. My eyes widening even more when the first sip hits my tongue. “I used one of the guy’s creamers, some sugar cookie something.” He lifts a big shoulder, that slight uncertainty finally breaking through. “It’s the closest thing to a latte that I can make.” Taking a larger drink, I moan in pleasure as I internally swoon at his words. I’m more of a coffee slut than a coffee snob, so I don’t mind the slight bitter burnt notes of the coffee beneath the sugar. And the fact that he tried means the damn world to me.

I chew on my lip, “What if it’s weird?” Axel gifts me with one of his rare grins, “Oh, it’s gonna be weird. For him. You know how much shit his friends are gonna give him for his dad stealing his girl?” “I was not his girl!” The hand in my hair slides around to the back of my head, pulling me forward until our noses are nearly touching. “No. You’ve only ever been my girl. Isn’t that right?” I give him a tiny nod. “That’s right.” “Good.” Axel pulls me forward the last inch, pressing his lips to mine. “And we don’t need to worry about any of that tonight, because Brian texted me earlier to say he’d be staying at his friend’s house tonight.” I give him my best incredulous look. “You could’ve started with that.” He shrugs, “Could’ve, but didn’t. Now come on, let’s go inside.”

We eat in silence for a few moments, and I decide I’ve made it. We’ll eat. I’ll insist I don’t need help with the dishes. They’ll go downstairs. And I’ll sprint to Axel’s room to hide under the covers until I die. It’ll be fine. I almost believe it, until Brian looks at me and tilts his head. “You look familiar.”

My arm reaches across the mattress and instead of finding a warm sex nymph, I find empty space. “Maddie?” I grumble her name, reaching out in the other direction but still finding no sign of her. Rubbing my eyes, I lift my head enough to see the bathroom door open and the room beyond dark and still. “What the…” I flip back the covers and climb out of bed. She couldn’t have left. I told her she could borrow one of my cars, but we haven’t talked about which one. And she wouldn’t just up and leave in the middle of the night. Like I did. Wearing nothing but a pair of boxers, I’m fully alert by the time I step out into the hallway.

“Shit,” I curse and hurry my descent. When my feet hit the bottom step, I hear Brian’s shocked tone. “You’re that Maddie. My Maddie!” “She’s my Maddie.” My gruff voice startles everyone. “She was never yours.”

Maddie may have taken my favorite car, but it’s not the only fast vehicle I own. And taking the last turn onto Maddie’s street, I’m thankful for that fact. Because a drive that should take 25 minutes just took me 12. Flying up her driveway, I slam my car into park, yank the key free, and let my long strides eat up the distance to the door. There’re no emergency vehicles, or signs of disturbance, but that’s hardly a comfort. I heard her scream on the phone. I know something’s wrong. “Maddie!” I shout her name even as I pound on her front door. No answer. No sign of movement. I slam my fist harder against the wood. This is unacceptable. I need to be able to get to her. I bang against the door again. I’m this close to breaking the window next to her front door when I hear the lock turn.

he applies more pressure, and the tip of the chilled toy nudges against my clit. The hand around back shifts and one finger sinks into my pussy. We both groan. “Fuck, Maddie. You’re soaking wet.” His hand withdraws, “That’s good.” I feel something bigger, blunter, press against my entrance. “Because I’m gonna fuck you hard for what you did.” “What I did?” I pant the question. He pushes into me, just an inch. “You took a year off my life tonight, Maddie.” He presses in another inch. “And if you ever scare me like that again, this frozen vibrator is going in your ass.” I clench around him, and he curses. Then he slams the rest of the way home.

When I put this one on – a black midi dress with a scoop neck and sleeves that go to my elbows – I could almost feel the burn of Axel’s gaze through the fabric. It made me think maybe this one was too sexy too, but then Axel melted my heart by saying he’d look at me that way no matter what I was wearing. So I stuck with it. He dropped me off about an hour ago so I could meet with Benny, but he should be back to pick me up soon.

“It’s kinda fun to get dressed up. Not so fun to learn about it last minute- the same time half my employees come down with one illness or another.” I shake my head and pull out a small takeout box that I’d hidden under the counter. Benny cracks open the lid, smiling at the cinnamon roll inside, “Their loss is my gain.” “Well Griff should be here soon. He’s a solid worker so you shouldn’t have any trouble.” “Damnnnn, please tell me that’s not Griff. I don’t know if I could handle that.” Benny stares out the front door. My lips are already pulling into a smile because there’s only one man I know that causes that reaction in everyone. Gender and sexual preferences aside. The door opens, and Axel fills the frame. And he looks fine as hell. The way we’re staring at each other must give away the fact we’re together, because Benny sighs. “Honestly, how is it that literally every woman I know is hooked up with a total beefcake?” I snicker. Axel is certainly a beefcake.

Thankfully it looks empty so I move to the center sink and turn the water on. You’re okay. You’re fine. You’re good enough just as you are. I close my eyes and repeat the words in my mind, letting the cool water trail over my wrists. I’m okay. I’m fine. I’m good enough just as I am. Noise suddenly fills the room as the restroom door is pushed open.

When we pull into her driveway, Maddie startles me when she speaks. “You don’t have to come in.” My head jerks to the side, looking at her in the dark. “Not come in?” I shake my head. “That’s not gonna happen.” “But-” I turn off the car. “No buts. You’re sick. I’m not leaving you home alone to fend for yourself.” Maddie’s silent for a moment, then she sniffles. She fucking sniffles. And every protective instinct I have bristles to life. “Maddie.” When she doesn’t look at me, I climb out of the car and circle around to her side – making sure I move fast enough to get there before she can get out – and open the door. I crouch down next to the car, putting us at eye level. “Baby, talk to me. Do you need to go to the hospital?”

Every word that I’m terrified might be true. Slow inhale. I can’t take him acting like this, so caring, while I’m lying to him. He’s being sweet and I’m being deceitful, and it makes me feel like the worst kind of human garbage. Axel doesn’t deserve this. He doesn’t deserve a broken girl, with her broken heart and broken feelings. A tear escapes my eye, slipping down and soaking into my pillow. I need to do better. Or I need to let him go. I can’t drag him down into my misery.

“Maddie, right?” My smile grows into something genuine, and he tips his head again, “I’m Rodrigo.” I stop a few feet away from them, not wanting to just walk past. The other guy snaps his fingers, “Maddie, like Maddison, with the Mini?” “One in the same,” my shoulders shrug up. “Thanks for calling,” I say, recognizing his voice. He grins, “Anytime. I’m Jason.” Rodrigo shoves his elbow into Jason’s side making him scowl. “What?” he rubs at the spot. Rodrigo points behind me, “Axel’s car.” Then he points to me, “Axel’s girl.” Jason’s mouth forms an ‘O’ and he takes a step away from me. Like he’ll catch cooties, or hell, for standing too close. “Uh, yeah, okay.” He rubs the back of his neck. “Probably should’ve let Axel call you.” I shake my head as I hold up the white paper bag. “I’m glad you did. Gave me an excuse to bring him some lunch.” My eyes move past the guys, into the large shop. “Speaking of, do you mind if I go back and surprise him?” Jason holds an arm out, “Be our guest.”

Rodrigo stares at me with a horrified expression, and it’s not until I start to step past him that he speaks. “Are you okay?” It’s a dumb question. And the look on his face says that he knows it too. But it’s nice of him to ask. Only I can’t think of a single word to say, so I just lift my shoulders before letting them fall. I’m not okay. I’m not fine. More tears fall from my eyes.

She was struggling. And she didn’t lean on me. My molars grind as I flex my jaw. We’re gonna need to have a chat, she and I. There’s no secrets. Not between us. How long would Maddie have gone without telling me? If Brian’s new girlfriend hadn’t been sitting in one of the bathroom stalls to overhear every one of Aunt Janet’s poisonous words, I still wouldn’t know.

“Um,” he rubs a hand over the back of his neck. “Where’s the fucking car?” I snap. “She uh…” A bad feeling crawls off the concrete and up my legs. “She what?” I don’t stop until I’m right in front of Rodrigo, and he won’t meet my eyes. “She. What,” I repeat, my anger building. “Shit, man.” He turns and grabs something off the bench behind him before holding it out to me. Slowly, I take the plain paper bag, and the keys for my Charger. I look inside the bag, seeing a couple of sandwiches in clear wrap. My brain is slow to put it all together. “What is this?” I ask the question, worried I already know the answer. “Where did you get this?” “She gave them to me,” he lets out an uncomfortable breath. “When?” He finally looks up at me, “When she left your office.” “When she left my office,” I repeat, like the biggest moron ever. “Yeah. Look, it’s none of my business what happened between you two, but she was pretty upset.” He makes a face. “I don’t do well with crying women.” Crying women.

This isn’t over and I sure as hell am not giving up. My Maddie can try to run, but she can’t hide forever. And when I find her… The smallest amount of tension leaves my bunched shoulders. When I find her, I’m going to make sure she understands just how much she belongs to me. And how much I belong to her.

I walk around the island and pull Brian into a hug. He stiffens at first, clearly not expecting it, and that makes me hug him tighter. “Uh,” Brian pats my back. “What’s this?” “It’s a hug.” “Yeah, okay. Are you dying?” “What?” my head rears back. “No.” “Am I dying?” I roll my eyes, “You’re not dying.” “Good. Glad to hear it.” He tries to squirm out of my hold. “What’s with the hug then?” “They’re good for you.” “Oookay,” he pats my back again. “Get on board you little shit. I’m not letting go until you hug me back.” Brian lets out the biggest sigh I’ve ever heard, then he lifts both arms and hugs me back.

“So…” Griff starts, “You’re uh, absence hasn’t had anything to do with the big angry man that’s come in here every day looking for you? Has it?” I slowly turn my head to look at him. Every day? “What big angry man?” my voice trembles as I ask. Griff lifts his hand to point out the window, “That big angry man.” Without turning to look, I drop to the floor with a squeak. “Oh my god, is it him?!” I hiss. “It’s him,” Leslie walks up, a big grin on her face. She reaches for me, but I swat her hands away. “Stop it! What’re you doing?” Leslie huffs, putting her hands on her hips. “I’m attempting to save you from yourself.” “What are you talking about?” I’m whispering now as I scoot over to the Freak Out Mat. A thick piece of floor mat that’s been here for years, perfect for sudden mental breakdowns. “Did you really think you could just avoid him forever?” The way Leslie says it makes it sound ridiculous. But yes. Yes, I thought I could avoid him forever.

“Maddison.” I press my lips together, the sound of his voice sending shivers of memories down my hunched spine. When I don’t look up, Axel crouches down, one knee on the ground. “Maddison Faye Richards, you can come with me willingly or I can haul you out of here like the brat you are.” His fingers snag a lock of loose hair, letting the curl twist around his finger before he gives it a gentle tug. He’s here. He’s here and he’s right in front of me. And I don’t know why. A heavy exhale feathers across my skin, “Alright.” His tone is so final, it makes the last pieces of my heart whimper in protest. I want to shout. Yell at him not to go. Tell him I’m worth fighting for. But he’s already moving. Closer. Wait, he’s moving closer!

“Wha-” My question cuts off when Axel pulls me to him, bending over until his shoulder is pushing into my stomach. Then he stands. He fucking stands! And I shriek. My equilibrium thrown off when I find myself suddenly hanging upside down over his shoulder. When he starts walking, I reach out and grab at his clothing to keep my face from bumping off his back.

“Out,” I tell her, grabbing her bag from the backseat before climbing out of the car. I know I could just put my hand on her back and walk her to the house. But when I reach her, I know that won’t be enough. So, without warning, I bend and hoist Maddie back up over my shoulder. “Axel!” Hearing her say my name is a balm to my damn soul, but I slap her ass anyways. “Hush,” I kick the car door shut. “And don’t think I haven’t noticed what you’re wearing.” When I saw her drop down behind the counter, I felt a small amount of doubt in my ability to win her back. Then I saw her closer and all that doubt left. Because she was sitting there, refusing to look at me, wearing my sweatshirt.

“I should make you wait.” He strokes up. “I should make you watch me jerk off.” He strokes down. “I should cover you with my cum, so you finally get it.” He steps closer. “To make you finally fucking get it.” Axel climbs onto the bed, closing the distance between us and kneeling between my open thighs. “Finally get what?” I ask, my eyes locked on the cock inches away from my entrance. Axel leans down, bracing his weight on one hand, the other gently closing around my throat. His hand slides higher, until his knuckles push my chin up, making our gazes lock. “That you’re mine.” His grip tightens then loosens. “That I’m never letting you go.” “But-” He shakes his head. “No buts, Baby. My shitty aunt never should’ve said those things to you.” His fingers flex. “But you should’ve told me.”