Page 25 of Prelude of Love (Harmony of Hearts #6)

Chapter Fifteen

CHANCE

I tried to focus on the incredible food in front of me, but watching Duke and Early together kept pulling my attention away from my plate. The way they moved around each other was mesmerizing, like witnessing a choreographed dance where neither needed to think about the steps.

Early leaned into Duke’s space, touching his arm as he told a story about a regular customer who’d tried hitting on him that morning. “And then he said, ‘Your coffee isn’t the only thing that’s hot here.’”

“Did you tell him you’re married?” Duke’s voice carried a protective edge but also a hint of amusement.

“Yes, and once he found out you’re my husband, it scared him off,” Early said with a laugh.

Duke snorted, already reaching for the wine bottle to top off Early’s glass before it was empty. “Someone has to keep the unworthy vultures away.”

“Says the man who growled at three different people for looking at me funny last week,” Early teased.

“They were undressing you with their eyes.”

I couldn’t stop staring at how natural they were together. The casual touches, the inside jokes, the way Duke’s hand settled on Early’s shoulder when he shifted in his chair, all spoke of years of comfortable intimacy.

Early turned his attention to me. “Speaking of disasters, Melody told me you’ve had some fun ones with cooking.”

I groaned, annoyed that my mom had shared that little tidbit. “Where do I start? There was the time I tried making pancakes for my mom’s birthday. I mixed up the salt and sugar measurements.”

“That’s not so bad,” Duke said. I appreciated him trying to salvage my ego.

“I also somehow set the spatula on fire.”

Early’s giggles were infectious, while Duke’s deep chuckle felt like a victory.

“That’s nothing,” I continued, riding the high of their amusement. “Last year, I attempted to make Christmas cookies. The recipe said to chill the dough for an hour. But I’m impatient, so I put it in the freezer to speed things up.”

“Oh, no,” Early groaned, already grinning .

I grinned. “Oh, yes. I got distracted and forgot about it for three hours. When I remembered, it was a dough-shaped rock. By the time I dethawed it, the cookies came out looking like hockey pucks and tasting like sweetened cement.”

Early wiped tears from his eyes while Duke’s shoulders shook with mirth.

I’d never understood the appeal of domestic bliss before.

My hookups were fun and uncomplicated, just the way I liked them.

But watching them together, seeing how their love filled every corner of the room, made me ache for something I had never been interested in before.

I wanted to be part of their easy intimacy, their shared jokes, their synchronized movements. The realization was almost disorienting. “It must be nice, having that kind of connection. In LA, everything’s superficial.”

“How so?” Early asked, his voice gentle with genuine interest.

“Everyone’s playing a part, you know? Even off camera.” I traced the rim of my glass. “The industry’s full of people who’ll smile to your face while plotting how to use you for their next big break. And guys my age? They’re either trying too hard to make it or so jaded they’ve already given up.”

Duke’s expression shifted. “That must get lonely.”

“It does.” The admission slipped out before I could stop it. “Don’t get me wrong. I love what I do. The music, the acting, all of it. But sometimes…” I shrugged, trying to maintain my usual carefree attitude. “Genuine connections are scarce.”

Early exchanged a look with Duke. “That’s why communication is so important. Being honest about what you want makes everything easier.”

Duke’s hand tightened on Early’s shoulder, but his voice was softer than before. “It’s about trust and respect.”

I tried not to get my hopes up too much. “And what if someone wanted to explore an attraction with you both? Hypothetically speaking, of course.”

Early’s excitement was almost palpable. “Then we’d discuss boundaries. Expectations. Make sure everyone’s on the same page.”

“I’m pretty straightforward about what I want.” I let my gaze drift between them. “Fun, no strings, and good times with attractive men who know what they’re doing.”

Duke’s chest rumbled with a low laugh. “At least you’re honest about it.”

“Always.” I did my best not to fidget with nerves. “What do you two want?”

Early was the first to answer. “We’re open to exploring possibilities with the right person.”

The tension in the room thickened as Duke added, “Someone who understands discretion and respects boundaries.”

“I can do that,” I said, heat building under my skin. “You don’t need to worry about me getting clingy or coming between you two.”

“You sound pretty confident about that.”

“Why wouldn’t I be? Especially after what happened in your music cave.” I smirked as Duke’s expression darkened.

Early perked up. “What happened upstairs?”

“Nothing,” Duke denied, but Early wasn’t buying it.

“Let me guess.” Early’s grin grew wicked. “Chance pushed all your buttons until your dominant side came out to play?”

Duke’s jaw clenched, but he remained silent.

“And I bet you got all growly and possessive, too.” Early sounded excited by the scenario he was creating. He returned his focus to me. “Did he do the thing where he backs you against a wall to pin you in place under him?”

“He definitely did,” I said, aroused by the memory. “I want what comes next.”

“Duchess.” Duke’s warning tone only made Early giggle.

“What? It’s fun seeing you get all worked up.” Early’s teasing smile was adorable. “And imagine how much more fun it would be if we stopped talking about it and started doing it.”

I bit my lip, watching them with hungry eyes. “Yes, please. ”

“We need to clean up first,” Duke said, though his gaze lingered on my mouth.

“Perfect.” I began picking up plates. “Where’s your kitchen?”

“To your left,” Early replied while collecting the wine glasses.

I headed in that direction, bumping shoulders with Duke when he stood beside me at the sink. His body radiated heat like a furnace, making it hard to focus on the task at hand. “I can handle this part,” I offered.

“You’re the guest,” Duke rumbled, edging me away.

Early squeezed between us to deposit glasses and silverware. “Play nice, hon. If he wants to help, let him help.”

Duke grumbled, so Early gestured for me to join him at the island counter. “Here, you can help me put away the leftovers.”

I helped transfer the food to smaller containers for storage. The domesticity of working in comfortable silence, moving around each other as if we’d done this a hundred times, hit differently than my usual hookups.

When we finished putting everything away, Early held out his hand to me. My heart stuttered when his fingers intertwined with mine, warm and steady. “Do you want to join us upstairs?”

My mouth went dry as I glanced at Duke, seeking permission. The seconds stretched between us, thick with possibility. Finally, he gave a subtle nod.

Early squeezed my hand, drawing my attention back to him.

His smile lit up his face as he tugged me toward the stairs.

Their bedroom waited at the end of the hall.

Early’s gentle grip guided me forward. Duke’s footsteps echoed behind me, heightening my anticipation.

I had to fight the giddiness over getting everything I wanted.

My heart raced as I took in the intimate space. The king-sized bed dominated the room, draped in rich navy sheets that seemed sinfully soft. A massive headboard anchored it against the wall, sturdy enough to handle whatever activities they had planned.

Family photos dotted the surfaces of their dressers, along with concert ticket stubs arranged in a collage frame. It provided insight into their lives I wanted to know more about, but now wasn’t the right time.

Before I could explore further, Early’s warm body pressed against my front. His hands settled on my hips as Duke’s larger body crowded against my back, boxing me in between them like I’d fantasized about countless times.

Early’s fingertips stroked my neck with the softest caress.

My breath caught as both men crowded me, their desire for me almost tangible.

His fingers wandered higher, threading through my hair before gripping tight with exquisite pressure that pulled a half-swallowed moan from my throat. “Tell me you want this.”

I stared at his beautiful mouth, already imagining it everywhere. “I want this so fucking much.” Finally, finally, finally.

His lips claimed mine in a kiss that started soft but ignited my blood with its gentle possessiveness. Duke’s fingers flexed against my waist, his grip tightening as Early gave me control.

Unable to hold back, I grabbed Early’s narrow hips, yanking him flush against me as I deepened our kiss with hungry desperation.

He melted under my hands with a breathy sigh, surrendering as he let me take what I needed.

His submission unleashed something wild in me, making me want to devour him while Duke watched.

Early’s erection pressed against my thigh, the hardness of him making me groan as vivid images flashed through my mind of taking Early while Duke took me. My cock strained against my zipper, desperate for relief, for skin-on-skin contact with them both.

Early’s teeth sank into my bottom lip, dragging a hungry sound from me. Behind me, Duke shifted his hips, rubbing his hard length against my ass. My moan got swallowed in Early’s demanding kiss as Duke’s hand slid under my shirt to touch my abs.

Having both men focused on me was a heady experience, their combined attention driving me wild with lust. Duke’s rough touch against my stomach contrasted with Early’s fingertips massaging my scalp. The dual sensations overwhelmed my senses.

Breaking our kiss, he smirked up at me as his fingers twisted in my hair. “Someone’s eager.”

My voice grew husky with arousal. “You have no idea how much I want you both .”

Duke’s teeth scraped over my neck as his palm slid higher under my shirt, his fingers brushing against my nipple. “We want you. And we always take care of what’s ours.”

The possessiveness in his tone made me whimper as Early’s lips found mine again.

I grasped Early’s hips harder, grinding against him with shameless need as Duke’s hand explored my chest, pinching and teasing until I was gasping into Early’s mouth.

Early’s fingers in my hair guided our kiss until I was drunk on the taste of him.

When we broke apart, panting and desperate, I turned to look up at Duke, needing to see the want in his eyes, to make sure it was real.

His large hand cupped the back of my neck, rough calluses scraping against sensitive skin.

Before I could process the contact, he yanked me against his solid body.

I braced my hands against his chest, feeling the hard muscles flex beneath my palms.

His kiss was nothing like Early’s gentle exploration. He crashed into me like a force of nature, demanding and fierce. Where Early had been playful sunshine, Duke was a commanding storm that threatened to blow me away.

Out of habit, I tried to take control, to assert my usual dominance. His growl vibrated through my chest as he tightened his grip on my neck, overpowering my attempt. He demanded complete submission, brooking no argument.

I resisted for a heartbeat longer before surrendering to the onslaught, something I’d never done with anyone else. His triumph rumbled in his chest as his aggressive kiss consumed every thought in my head until there was nothing but sensation and need burning through my veins.

A whimper escaped as my knees went weak. My cock was so hard it almost hurt, harder than I’d ever been from only kissing. I’d never wanted to submit to anyone before, but Duke’s powerful magnetism had me desperate to yield completely as Early urged us to continue.