Page 25 of Prelude of Love

“And you’re telling me this out of the kindness of your heart?”

“Let’s just say I enjoy a good show.” I straightened up, enjoying how his gaze followed my movement. “And watching you try to scale his walls could beveryentertaining.”

“What about your walls?” His hand brushed mine as he reached for his coffee. “Are they as sturdy as his?”

“Mine? Oh, honey. Worry about getting past his before you think about mine.”

“I love a good challenge.”

“Cocky.” I raised a challenging eyebrow. “But confidence only gets you so far. The real prize goes to those with stamina.”

“Trust me, I’ve never had complaints about my stamina.”

“No?” I pretended to study him. “I suppose that’s one benefit of your youth.”

Chance snorted. “I love how you say, ‘my youth,’ like you aren’t also young.”

“Aren’t you cute?” I cooed in a teasing tone. “You really know what to say to make a guy feel special.”

His eyebrows furrowed. “What do you mean? At best, you’re only a couple of years older than me.”

“If by a ‘couple of years,’ you mean fourteen, then sure.”

Chance’s jaw dropped. “You’rethirty-six? I don't believe you.”

“Thanks for the compliment, cutie.” I blew him a kiss.

He ran his hand through his hair as he continued staring at me in disbelief. “Wow. I thought you were like three years older than me. Although if you’ve been married to him for fifteen years, I guess I should have done the math, huh?”

I couldn’t resist teasing him more. “That’s why it’s adorable you think you have the experience to handle two older men who know exactly what they want.”

His breath caught. “Is that an offer?”

“Only if you can convince my caveman husband.”

Chance lit up at the challenge. “You think this is a game, but I’m particularly skilled at making convincing arguments.”

“Oh, honey. I’ve served enough coffee to know the difference between someone who’s thirsty and someone who’sthirsty,” I teased. “And you? You’reparched.”

“Maybe I have a thing for charming baristas who see right through me.”

I shrugged, barely able to suppress my grin. “I’m merely providing excellent customer service.”

“Is that what you call this?”

“Well, satisfactionisguaranteed.” It was too much fun to flirt with Chance. “Though some customers require more personal attention.”

He leaned forward with interest. “And what kind do you think I require?”

“That depends entirely on how well you can follow instructions.” I let my gaze drift toward Duke’s bar across the street. “Starting with learning to play nicely with others.”

“I can be nice.” His voice dropped an octave. “Especially when properly motivated.”

“Motivation isn’t the issue. It’s whether you can handle being thoroughly managed.”

“I’d love to be managed right now.” A hint of weariness replaced his teasing tone.

As fun as the banter was, I could tell from the sudden tension in his shoulders that something was troubling him. I pulled out the chair across from him and sat down. “What’s really on your mind?”