Page 19 of Prelude of Love (Harmony of Hearts #6)

Chapter Eleven

DUKE

I leaned against the back wall of my restaurant, arms crossed as I observed the film crew working their magic to transform the Hurly-burly into a different bar for their movie.

The lighting changes alone made the place almost unrecognizable.

I told myself I was only monitoring things, making sure they didn’t damage anything while filming.

It had nothing to do with watching a certain rock star try his hand at acting for the first time.

My protective instincts flared as I watched him struggle, wanting to step in and shield him from Tennyson’s criticism. But after his talk with Rook, Chance had found his footing. Now, seeing him nail take after take, I experienced an odd surge of pride.

“Action!” Tennyson called out for what felt like the hundredth time.

Chance played Cade, a cocky musician who leaned across the bar to flirt with Grady, the bartender Rook was playing. “You know, most people don’t notice the calluses on my fingers from playing guitar until after I’ve gotten them into bed.”

My jaw clenched as Chance ran his fingertips along Rook’s forearm. The touch was casual, seductive, and far too natural for my liking. I burned with a jealousy I had no right to feel.

“I’m not most people,” Rook replied with a slow smile that made Chance bite his lip.

The alpha in me wanted to yank him away from Rook, throw him over my shoulder, and carry him to my office. I’d spread him out on my desk and take him hard, making him grip my shoulders. The image of him writhing beneath me, back arching as I made him beg for more, hit me hard.

“Cut!” Tennyson’s sharp voice snapped me out of my fantasy. “Chance, the touch was perfect, but dial back the intensity. Grady’s supposed to be straight. You’re awakening something in him, not propositioning him at a glory hole.”

I shifted my stance, grateful for the wall supporting my weight. The possessive urge to claim Chance surged through me again as he repeated the scene, this time with a softer, more hesitant touch that somehow was more seductive.

My hands curled into fists. Chance wasn’t mine to possess, to protect, to pleasure until he forgot every other touch but mine. He was free to flirt with whoever he wanted, to use those bedroom eyes on anyone who caught his interest.

“Better,” Tennyson praised him. “But let’s try it one more time. Chance, remember that you’re not trying to seduce him yet. You’re letting him see the real you. You’re only being friendly, got it?”

Chance nodded, rolling his shoulders before stepping back into character. His entire demeanor shifted, becoming more vulnerable, more genuine. When he reached for Rook this time, the touch wasn’t calculated or practiced but was a more honest gesture of connection.

The vulnerable authenticity in his performance punched through my defenses.

It forced me to grapple with the realization that my interest didn’t stop with wanting to bend him over the nearest surface.

I couldn’t deny that some part of me wanted to hold him close, to feel him tremble in my arms as I showed him what real pleasure was.

Watching his walls crumble as I demonstrated how good it could be with someone who knew how to take care of him was the ultimate temptation.

At the same time, I ached to see him satisfy Early’s insatiable lust. I wanted to enjoy his mastery of seduction and take advantage of his youthful energy. Fighting against his playful resistance was the most fun of it all.

I forced myself to take slow, steady breaths. Those weren’t thoughts I should be having about someone fourteen years younger than me who’d made it clear he was only interested in a casual fling. He deserved better than a possessive bastard who wanted to mark him up and keep him.

But as Chance’s fingers traced another pattern on Rook’s skin, all my rational arguments dissolved into a primal need to see what those talented hands could do when wrapped around my?—

“Perfect!” Tennyson’s approval cut through my inappropriate desires. “That’s the energy we need. We’ll pick this up tomorrow. Great work, everyone.”

I pushed off the wall, needing to put some distance between myself and the temptation Chance represented. Those feelings weren’t mine to have. No matter how much my body ached to claim him, to feel his calloused fingers exploring every inch of me while Early joined in the fun.

No, I needed to get my head straight. Whatever attraction I felt toward Chance had to stay in the realm of fantasy where it belonged.

Early needed to stop being so damn persuasive about the younger singer being so tempting.

But I had to admit I missed the fun of having a third to share with my husband.

I watched Chance’s shoulders relax as he broke character, talking excitedly with Rook. The easy camaraderie between them shouldn’t have bothered me, but it did. I’d gotten used to being the one Chance directed that megawatt smile toward.

Damn it .

I shook my head at my ridiculousness. Getting territorial over Chance’s scenes with Rook?

What was wrong with me? Rook was one of my most loyal customers, not to mention a good friend who shared my common-sense values and no-bullshit attitude.

I respected the hell out of him for being so down-to-earth when he was such a huge A-list Hollywood celebrity.

“Great work with that scene.” Rook’s deep voice carried across the bar as he praised Chance. “Your vulnerability really sold it.”

My jaw unclenched. I had no reason to bristle at their easy rapport. I knew beyond any doubt that Rook was completely devoted to Aldo. The way he looked at his boyfriend, as if he hung the moon, reminded me of how I gazed at Early.

Aldo made me realize Rook and I had one more unexpected thing in common: an interest in a significantly younger man. The thought hit me hard. Aldo couldn’t be much older than Chance. Both were in their early twenties, both interested in older men. The parallel made my stomach twist.

But that was different. Rook and Aldo had something real with their committed relationship built on trust and mutual understanding.

But I wasn’t looking to date Chance. Early and I simply wanted to fuck him.

It was a physical attraction mixed with my husband’s enthusiastic encouragement. Nothing more .

The crew bustled around me, shutting down the restaurant for the rest of the night. I still struggled with being closed for the duration of the shoot. The pay was damn good and made up for the inconvenience, but not working was weird as hell.

I tensed when Chance broke away from his conversation with Rook and headed my way. The uncertainty in his expression hit me harder than I expected. It was like watching a puppy waiting to see if it had pleased its owner enough to get called a good boy.

He stopped in front of me, fingers playing with the hem of his sweater as he looked up at me through lowered lashes. “What did you think?”

The need for validation in his voice stirred something deep in my chest. It inspired the urge to gather him close and tell him how amazing he’d been.

Instead, I crossed my arms, maintaining some distance.

“You nailed it, kid. Once you stopped overthinking and let yourself feel it naturally, you were perfect for the role.”

His face lit up, transforming from nervous anticipation to pure joy. The smile he gave me wasn’t his usual calculated smirk or flirtatious grin. It was real, unguarded happiness that made his dimples flash.

“You’re not just saying that?”

I arched a challenging eyebrow at him. “Do I look like someone who gives empty compliments?”

He laughed, the sound rich and warm. “No, you really don’t.”

My fingers itched to reach out and squeeze his shoulder, to pull him into a hug, to show him how proud I was of his performance. But I kept my hands to myself, even as every protective instinct I had urged me to wrap him up and shield his rare moment of genuine vulnerability.

“The way you played off Rook in that last take…” I cleared my throat, fighting to keep my voice steady. “You’ve got natural talent. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

If possible, his smile grew even brighter. The pure happiness radiating off him made my chest ache. He deserved to feel that great about himself all the time, not only in stolen moments between his carefully maintained public persona.

“That means a lot coming from you.” He took a half step closer, and I could smell his spiced cologne that stirred my desire. “I was hoping you’d enjoy it.”

The urge to touch him grew stronger. I gripped my biceps tighter, forcing myself to stay still. Entertaining those thoughts couldn’t be allowed. “You should be proud of yourself. You worked hard, and it showed.”

Chance stepped closer to me, testing my resolve. “What’s my reward for doing a good job?”

Rook’s deep chuckle interrupted Chance’s flirtation. “I hate to break it to you, but Duke’s immune to your charms. Trust me, I’ve watched plenty try and fail.”

“Rook.” I nodded at him as he joined us. “How’s filming going?”

“Better now that someone found his groove.” He clapped Chance on the shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. “Though I admit, it’s strange being behind the bar here. I feel like I’m breaking an unwritten rule about customers not being allowed there.”

“How’s Aldo doing? I haven’t seen him around.” He was a little spitfire who was always entertaining whenever he visited.

Rook’s face softened at the mention of his boyfriend.

“He’s busy with Arsène’s latest collaboration with West.” She was a fashion designer who was also one of my regulars.

Her twin brother, North, was another amusing customer.

“They’re doing some editorial spread downtown, something about urban romance meets classic architecture.

You know how Arsène gets with his visions. ”

“I bet Aldo’s loving it, though.”