Page 13 of Prelude of Love (Harmony of Hearts #6)

Chapter Eight

DUKE

The lunch rush pulsed through Hurly-burly like a well-oiled machine. Orders flew from the service window, plates clattered, and laughter punctuated the hum of conversations. I wiped down the bar, monitoring my staff as they navigated the controlled chaos.

A glass shattered somewhere in the dining room, followed by Red’s cheerful “No worries, I’ve got it!” His efficiency at handling mishaps always impressed me.

Much to my frustration, I glanced up when the door opened. Again . For probably the tenth time in the past hour.

“Waiting for somebody?” Red teased as he came behind the counter to make drinks for one of his tables.

“I don't know what you’re talking about.” I focused on polishing an already spotless glass .

Red’s expression made it clear he didn’t believe me. “You’re not hoping Chance comes back?”

“Red.” I gave him a warning look that would have sent most employees scrambling. “Knock it off.”

“Sure.” He grinned, completely unfazed. “Though you might want to tell your face to stop doing that thing it does whenever someone walks in.”

“What thing?”

“That hopeful little twitch before you realize it’s not him, then scowling when it’s only a normal customer.” Red dodged the dish towel I threw at his head. “Your aim’s getting rusty. Must be all that distraction .”

I grabbed another one with a grumble. “You’re lucky I like you so much.”

“Aw, I’m special?” Red cooed dramatically.

“Yes, actually.” I kept my voice gruff but honest. “You’re one of the hardest workers I’ve ever had, and you care about people. That makes you pretty damn special in my book.”

He froze mid-motion, his usual quick comeback dying on his lips. “Wow, I never thought I’d hear you say that.”

I shrugged, uncomfortable with the emotion thick in his voice. “Yeah, well, don’t let it go to your head.”

“Your secret’s safe with me, boss.” Red’s smile turned softer. “Thanks.”

“Get back to work before I change my mind about liking you,” I growled, but we both knew there was no heat behind it.

Red laughed and grabbed his tray of drinks. “Whatever you say, boss.”

I scowled at his retreating form. The compulsive urge to look at the door every time it opened infuriated me. Why was I hoping Chance would come back so soon? There was no reason for it.

It didn’t take long for Red to return to the bar. His knowing grin made me pointedly ignore the front door opening. But eventually, my patience was rewarded.

Melody breezed in with her usual flair, lighting up the place with that confident energy I’d grown fond of over the years.

She wore a flowing emerald dress that brought out the honey tones in her hair.

Her blue eyes sparkled with playfulness as she approached, reminding me where Chance got that trait from.

He followed his mother, wearing sleek, black-framed glasses that made him look like a different person. Something warm and possessive curled inside me, knowing he’d taken my advice.

As he sat on the stool beside her, I could fully appreciate how the frames suited his face, drawing attention to his high cheekbones and those striking blue eyes that danced with devious delight. His sandy-blond hair fell in soft waves around the glasses, and the overall effect hit me hard.

The fact that he’d listened to my suggestion stirred something dark and primal inside me.

I wanted to test what other suggestions he might follow.

The frames transformed him from an obvious celebrity trying to hide into someone who could blend into any coffee shop or library.

He looked sophisticated yet vulnerable, a combination that brought out every dominant instinct I possessed.

It also made him devastatingly attractive in an intellectual way that urged me to drag him into the stockroom, back him against the shelves, and show him what rewards good boys earned when they followed my instructions.

My blood ran hot, imagining pinning those slim wrists above his head while I taught him the pleasures of submission while he fought back.

My mind filled with images of his frames going askew as I kissed him hard, making them fog up. I imagined his hands clutching at my shoulders while I marked his elegant neck. His beautiful lips would part with gasps and pleas as I stripped away his crafted disguise until he was laid bare before me.

I pictured him on his knees, looking up at me with those tempting glasses as he sucked my dick. I itched to run my fingers through his disheveled, sandy hair. A need burned inside me to see his plump lips, red and swollen, stretched to their limits by my thick cock as I?—

“Hello, boys!” Melody’s bright voice snapped me out of my graphic fantasy. I grabbed a clean glass and focused on filling it with water, grateful for the cold liquid to cool my heated thoughts. The last thing I needed was Chance’s mother catching me mentally debauching her son in vivid detail.

I’d known Melody long enough to appreciate how she commanded attention without demanding it. She had a way of drawing people in, making everyone feel at ease. Chance was different. Where his mother’s presence was like a warm hearth everybody gravitated toward, he was a spotlight, bright and bold.

“Melody!” Red lit up with excitement at her arrival. “You won’t believe what Gonk did with his new catnip banana you recommended.”

She gestured for him to continue. “Tell me everything. I swear, your cat is more entertaining than half the shows on TV.”

“He carries it everywhere,” Red gushed. “Even sleeps with it tucked under his chin like a tiny pillow. Look!” He pulled out his phone and showed her pictures, earning coos from her about how cute his cat was.

I started fixing Melody’s usual vodka, blue Curacao, lemonade, and raspberry cordial while trying to focus on the familiar routine instead of how Chance kept shifting closer to Red, laughing at something my employee said.

“Duke.” Her voice cut through my concentration. “ You’re looking especially broody today. Careful, your face might stick that way.”

I grunted, sliding her drink across the bar. “Someone has to maintain standards around here.”

Chance’s laugh caressed me like a physical touch. “Mom, leave him alone. I love the dark and mysterious thing he’s got going on.”

I busied myself, hyperaware of every move Chance made. The way he gestured when he talked. How his glasses slipped down his nose when he laughed. The way his throat worked when he took a sip of water.

Damn it .

Chance caught my eye and smirked, as if he knew what I was thinking. I clearly needed to be more careful.

Red slid his notepad from his apron pocket. “What can I get you today?”

“I’ll have my usual,” Melody said. To Red’s credit, he remembered her preferences and wrote them down. He turned his attention to Chance. “What about you, handsome?”

“Hmm.” Chance tapped his lower lip. “What would you recommend pairing with a vodka mojito?”

“Our burgers are legendary, but the chicken sandwich with ghost pepper sauce is my favorite. Though fair warning, it’ll make your eyes water from the spice. ”

“Challenge accepted.” Chance matched Red’s playful tone. “I trust your judgment.”

I gripped the glass I was drying a little harder than necessary. The easy rapport between them grated on my nerves. Chance had been here all of five minutes and already acted as if he owned the place, drawing Red into his orbit like everyone else.

“Brave man.” Red scribbled on his pad. “Any sides?”

“Surprise me. I’m feeling adventurous today.”

Red’s genuine, unguarded laughter made my jaw clench. “Oh, I like you. You’re going to fit right in here.”

That was it. “Red, take your break.”

Three pairs of eyes turned to me, all sparkling with barely contained amusement. Red bit his lip, fighting a grin. “But I just started my shift?—”

“Break. Now .”

“Yes, boss.” Red’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter as he headed toward the back, shooting Chance a conspiratorial wink.

Melody didn’t even try to hide her snicker. Chance’s expression was pure evil as he watched me, with his glasses making him look far too appealing.

I moved to the drink station, determined to show them all what professional service looked like as I made Chance’s drink with military precision, combining premium vodka, fresh mint leaves, lime wedges, and sparkling water .

Each step received my complete focus as I muddled the mint and lime with exact pressure, measuring the vodka to the milliliter, adding ice in a perfect cascade. I took my time with the garnish, positioning the lime wheel and mint sprig.

When I slid the drink across the bar, Chance reached for it with deliberate slowness. Our fingers brushed during the exchange, sending heat flaring through me. His eyebrow arched, blue eyes darkening behind his frames as his touch lingered a beat too long.

I barely contained the growl building in my chest, imagining how those clever fingers would feel wrapped around my?—

Melody’s amused voice cut through the tension like a knife. “You should try a different approach to intimidate my son. He has a terrible habit of chasing after people who act uninterested.”

“Mom!” Despite Chance’s protest, his grin implied he wasn’t bothered.

“What? I’m merely warning him that playing hard to get will only encourage you more.” She sipped her drink. “You’ve always been drawn to a challenge.”

He rested his elbows on the bar as he fixed me with a heated look. “Can you blame me? Some things are worth pursuing.” He seemed to enjoy my discomfort. “Especially when they come with such impressive benefits. ”

I pulled back from Chance’s heated stare, focusing on rearranging bottles that didn’t need organizing. “Your food will be ready soon.”

“Oh, don’t let me interrupt this delightful tension.” Melody’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Though I should warn you, Duke, my son’s quite persistent when he sees something he wants.”

Chance groaned, but his grin remained playful. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”