Page 14 of Prelude of Love (Harmony of Hearts #6)

“I am on your side, sweetheart. I’m simply making sure Duke knows what he’s getting into. Although I suspect Early’s already filled him in on your special brand of determination.”

Early had sent me a flurry of texts after Chance’s visit to Brewhaha, but I declined to share that information with them.

“Speaking of Early.” Chance adjusted his glasses, the movement drawing my attention. “We should have some fun together.”

I kept my tone clipped and professional. “Is there some reason you’re spending the afternoons causing trouble in my bar?”

He gave me his best attempt at an innocent look. “I’m being perfectly well-behaved. Though if you’d prefer me misbehaving in your bedroom, all you have to do is say the word.”

“Down, boy.” Melody laughed. “At least let the poor man feed us first before you proposition him. ”

I polished another glass, wondering if I could somehow make myself busy enough to escape the conversation. “Your chicken sandwich will be extra spicy. Maybe that’ll keep your mouth occupied.”

Chance’s voice dropped lower. “Oh, there are much better ways to do that. Want me to demonstrate?”

“Chance.” My warning tone only made him grin wider.

“Yes, Duke?” He batted his eyes innocently.

“Behave.”

“Or what? You’ll punish me?”

Melody cleared her throat. “As entertaining as this is, perhaps save the verbal foreplay for when I’m not present?”

“Sorry, Mom.” He may have apologized, but he didn’t look sorry at all.

She took another sip of her drink as she shifted her attention to me. “You’re handling his advances with admirable restraint. Most people would have caved by now.”

“Most people aren’t married,” I pointed out.

“Early wouldn’t mind,” Chance said. “In fact, I think he’d be quite interested in joining us for some fun.”

“You’ll have to do better than that.”

Instead of deterring him, he lit up with excitement. “I love challenges.”

Tashana emerged from the kitchen with their orders. “Who had the chicken sandwich with ghost pepper sauce?”

Chance raised his hand. She faltered when she saw who he was, but she set it in front of him without further comment.

“That means you must have the grilled salmon with asparagus,” she continued, passing Melody her lunch. “Enjoy.”

They both thanked her before she left.

The presentation was the perfection I expected from my kitchen staff. Chance’s sandwich came with a side of sweet potato fries seasoned with rosemary and sea salt, while Melody’s salmon glistened with herb butter.

“This looks amazing,” Melody said, cutting into her fish. Her eyes closed in appreciation at the first bite. “Duke, you’ve outdone yourself with this one.”

Chance took a brave bite of his sandwich, and I watched with satisfaction as his eyes widened behind his glasses. He grabbed his drink, taking a quick sip before grinning. “Holy shit, that’s got a kick. But it’s incredible.”

Something warm settled in me at their praise, but I kept my expression neutral. “The kitchen knows what they’re doing.”

“Oh, stop being so modest.” Melody pointed her fork at me. “Speaking of which, when are you going to name a dessert after me? ‘Melody’s Midnight Mocha Cake’ or ‘Melody’s Musical Meringue’ would be amazing.”

Chance laughed. “Mom, those are terrible names.”

“Better than anything you could come up with,” she shot back. “Besides, Duke needs something sweet on the menu to match his personality.”

“His personality?” Chance’s eyebrow rose above his frames. “He’s a lot of things, but I wouldn’t call him sweet.”

“That’s because you haven’t known him long enough. Under that gruff exterior is a total softie.”

I gestured to my rock-hard body. “No part of me is soft.”

“You put up a tough front while secretly being an absolute teddy bear.” She took another bite of salmon.

Her presence reminded me so much of my mother, with the same quick wit and the ability to see through people’s defenses.

Mom would have loved her, would have joined right in with the teasing.

The thought brought an unexpected ache of fondness rather than the usual sharp pain of loss.

“Though I must say, Duke, the whole strong-silent-type thing really works for you.”

“It does,” Chance agreed. “Especially when you get all protective and commanding.”

I rested my hip against the counter and nodded at his plate. “Eat your sandwich before it gets cold.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” His playful tone made my jaw tighten. “By the way, I had the pleasure of meeting Early at Brewhaha this morning. He’s delightful.”

“He is that,” I agreed in a neutral tone.

“He mentioned the three of us should get together sometime.” Chance’s smirk grew wider. “For dinner, of course. Though I’m open to other activities.”

I gave him a look. “You’re really doing this in front of your mother?”

“Oh, please.” Melody waved her hand. “Do you think this is the first time I’ve heard him proposition someone for a threesome? At least this is with a lovely couple instead of those twins from that nightclub in Vegas.”

“Mom!” Chance almost choked on his mojito.

“What? I’m merely saying that you have better taste now.” She turned to me. “Though I hope you’re not scandalized. My son has always been very adventurous.”

I fought back a smile. “I’m getting that impression.”

He recovered. “The real scandal would be if these two gorgeous men didn’t take me up on my offer. Early seemed quite interested.”

“Early appreciates someone who can hold him down,” I pointed out.

“And you’re not interested at all?” Chance challenged, adjusting his glasses in a way that drew attention to his long fingers. “Because that’s not the impression I got from how you were looking at me earlier.”

“I was thinking about how much paperwork it would be if you choked on the ghost pepper sauce.”

Melody burst out laughing. “Oh, you’re good. No wonder Early married you.”

“His main reason was because I can reach the top shelf without a step stool.”

Chance’s grin turned wicked. “I can think of several other benefits to your height. And those arms. And?—”

“Chance,” Melody interrupted, putting an end to his fantasy.

He might have inherited his mother’s quick wit, but he wielded it more as a flirtatious dance than her playful sparring. Together, they created a rhythm of banter that was enjoyable to take part in.

I relaxed despite my best efforts, drawn into their orbit of warmth and humor. It was nice. Different from the usual lunch rush, but in a good way.

“Besides,” Melody continued, “if you’re going to seduce someone, you should at least be more creative about it. I raised you better than such basic compliments.”

“What would you suggest?” Chance asked.

“Well, for starters?—”

“We are not having this conversation,” I cut in, but I couldn’t quite keep the amusement out of my voice .

Melody pretended to scowl. “I was going to give him some motherly advice.”

“About how to seduce me?”

“About how to seduce you properly .”

Against my will, a chuckle escaped me. Lunch wasn’t what I’d expected when I woke up this morning, but somehow, it had become exactly what I needed, even if I’d never admit it out loud.

After Melody finished eating, she gathered her purse, flashing us both a knowing smile. “I’ll be right back, boys. Try not to cause too much trouble while I’m gone.”

As she walked away, Chance’s playful demeanor shifted. His eyes found mine, more focused than before. “Can I ask you something?”

“You just did.”

He ignored my deflection. “Why are you so soft with my mom? I mean, don’t get me wrong. She’s amazing. But you’re different with her.”

The question caught me off guard. “She reminds me of my mother,” I admitted, surprising myself with my honesty.

“Same type of strength. Same way of seeing right through people’s bullshit while still being kind about it.

My mother had that same grounding presence, where no matter what chaos was happening, she could handle it with grace. ”

Chance’s expression was thoughtful as he listened. Then his lips curved into that dangerous smile. “So, how do I get you to be that sweet with me? ”

“Try being less of a brat,” I shot back, grateful for the return to lighter territory.

“Speaking of being good…” He adjusted his glasses. “Do you like them? I took your advice about the Clark Kent effect.”

A growl rumbled out of me before I could stop it. “They suit you.”

He pushed the frames up his nose with one finger, the gesture somehow both innocent and deliberately seductive. “Though I have to admit, following your orders gives me all kinds of ideas about what other directions you could give me, especially in bed.”

The little tease knew what he was doing, which made it even worse. Or better. I wasn’t sure anymore. He kept pressing my buttons with deliberate precision, making me want to push back twice as hard. But that would only encourage him more, which was probably his goal all along.

With those glasses, he looked like a naughty librarian fantasy come to life. “This proves I can be very obedient when inspired.” His voice dropped to a sultry purr that made my blood run hot. “Want to see what else I’ll do if you control me?”

“I’m not interested in controlling anyone.” My tone came out sharper than intended, an edge of steel that reflected years of watching people abuse power dynamics. The sick games they played at my bar and past relationships had taught me where those lines needed to be drawn .

“Whoa.” Chance blinked, taken aback by my vehemence. The playful spark dimmed in his expression as uncertainty crept in. “All I meant is you’ve got this whole dominating vibe going on.“

“There’s a difference between being in control of a situation with consent and manipulating someone for your own benefit,” I explained, drawing from countless experiences breaking up fights between drunk assholes who didn’t understand boundaries.

“I don’t play those kinds of games.” I didn't need a spoiled rock star thinking he could push my limits for his own entertainment.