Page 30 of Prelude of Love (Harmony of Hearts #6)

Chapter Nineteen

EARLY

I woke up to the soft sounds of steady breathing.

Turning my head, I found Chance sprawled out next to me, one arm flung dramatically over his face like a tragic hero mid-soliloquy.

His sandy-blond hair stuck up in a thousand directions, a crown of chaos that suited him.

It was almost unfair how good he looked even after last night’s marathon of debauchery.

“Rise and shine, Princess,” I said.

He groaned as he shifted. “Five more minutes,” he mumbled, his voice raspy from sleep and all the moans Duke and I had wrung out of him the previous night.

I chuckled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to his chest. “You can have all the minutes you want later. Right now, I have plans for you.”

His lips curled into a sleepy smile, and he slid his arm down to open his eyes. “Plans, huh?” The sensuous rumble of his voice stirred my arousal. “Do they involve more of what happened last night?”

“That depends.” My hand slipped lower to ghost over his tempting happy trail. “Are you up for it?”

He arched into my touch with a needy little whimper that went straight to my cock. “I think I can manage.” I was about to show him how much he could manage when his expression turned puzzled. “Where’s Duke? Did he sneak off already?”

“Nope. He’s in the shower, probably brooding about whether or not he broke you.”

“Broke me? Please,” Chance scoffed. He stretched his arms above his head, showing off the toned lines of his body before wincing. “Okay, maybe I’m a little sore.”

I laughed and rolled over to drape myself across him like a human blanket. “That’s what happens when you spend half the night screaming our names.”

“Hell yeah I did.”

I swatted his chest playfully as the bathroom door opened and Duke stepped out, towel slung low on his hips and damp hair curling at the edges. My husband looked every bit the rugged sex god he always did, though there was an unmistakable softness in his gaze as it landed on Chance.

“How’re you feeling, Chance?” Duke asked, his tone casual but scanning the younger man to assess for damage.

“Like I had the best sex of my life. ”

Duke huffed out a laugh as he sat on the edge of the bed, leaning over to ruffle my hair before resting a hand on Chance’s shoulder. “Was I too hard on you?”

I watched Chance’s face soften as he registered the genuine concern behind Duke’s gruff exterior. It was adorable how my big, bad bouncer of a husband could turn into such a softie when taking care of people he cared about.

“I’m fine,” Chance assured him. “Honestly, it was amazing.”

Duke nodded but didn’t seem convinced yet, which only made me grin wider. It was rare to see him this doting outside of our usual dynamic. Chance had clearly left more of an impression than my husband would ever admit aloud.

“You’re being sweet,” I teased Duke as I rolled onto my back beside Chance. “Although it’s funny how you’re back to calling him Chance. I guess switching to Princess is only for when things get spicy.”

Duke didn’t say anything right away, but that only made it more fun for me.

“I like it. Princess, I mean.” Chance’s cheeks turned pink as he glanced away again. “It makes me feel like yours.”

The confession hung in the air like a beautifully wrapped gift none of us knew how to open yet.

Duke stayed silent, wrestling with how to respond. “ It’s not about feminizing you or anything like that. Neither is Duchess.”

I cut in before either man could overthink. “It’s his inner caveman staking his claim on people he cares about.”

An unspoken question was written all over Chance’s face: You care for me?

True to form, Duke dodged the emotional minefield by standing abruptly, as if we hadn’t been teetering on some monumental revelation seconds ago. “Breakfast?” After a long beat, he added, “Princess?”

A slow smile bloomed on Chance’s face that made him look even younger. “I’d love that.”

Decision made, we got dressed before heading downstairs to eat.

Duke tried to hide his amusement, but I noticed the fond glances he sneaked our way. The sight thrilled me, making me excited about our new dynamic.

I hummed as I flipped the pancakes on the griddle.

Behind me, Duke moved around with a quiet efficiency that belied his massive frame.

He set the table with his usual no-nonsense precision, pausing to glance over at me every so often.

I caught one of those looks out of the corner of my eye and smirked.

“It smells amazing,” Chance said as he watched me cook, his hair still an adorable mess from sleep. “Can I do anything to help? ”

“Absolutely not.” I pointed my spatula at him like a weapon. “This is my domain, hon. You can sit your pretty self down and wait to be fed.”

“But—”

“No buts, Princess,” I said firmly before softening my tone. “You’re a guest here. Guests get pampered.”

Chance pouted, but I held firm. He shuffled over to join Duke at the table, but not before muttering something about being capable of cracking an egg without ruining breakfast.

Duke watched the exchange with a raised brow but didn’t comment as he continued readying the table. My husband had always been territorial about our space and routines, but there was something almost tender about how he included Chance in them now.

The domesticity of the moment warmed my heart. Chance fit perfectly into the space between Duke’s protectiveness and my nurturing instincts. It made me want more mornings to start the same, with the three of us in complete harmony.

“These look incredible,” Chance said, his eyes wide as he reached for the syrup. “I haven’t had homemade pancakes in forever.”

Duke hummed in agreement, already cutting into his stack. “Duchess’s pancakes are legendary. You’re in for a treat.”

My cheeks warmed at their praise as I settled into my chair between them. “You two are sweet, but they’re just pancakes.”

“Just pancakes?” Chance took his first bite and made a sound that sounded more like our bedroom activities than eating at the breakfast table. “Damn, these are heaven. Like clouds made of butter and happiness.”

“I’m glad you approve,” I said as I began to eat.

“I should have known,” Chance continued as he ate. “Everything you make is amazing. The coffee, those muffins at Brewhaha. You’re like some kind of breakfast wizard.”

I laughed, nudging his shoulder. “A breakfast wizard? That’s a new one.”

“He’s not wrong,” Duke said, his hand finding mine under the table to give it a squeeze.

“Seduction by pancake is your big secret, huh?” Chance joked.

We ate in comfortable silence for a few moments, the only sounds the gentle clink of forks against plates and appreciative murmurs.

Sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, casting a warm glow over our cozy scene.

It felt natural having Chance with us, as if he’d always been part of our morning routine.

“Can you please pass the syrup?” Duke asked, and Chance passed it over with an exaggerated bow.

“Your syrup, Your Grace,” he said in a posh accent that had me snorting into my coffee .

Duke hid a smile behind his mug. “Brat.”

“You love it,” Chance shot back, then froze, as if he wasn’t sure if he’d crossed a line.

“He does,” I agreed. “Duke’s got a soft spot for sassy boys who can keep up with him. Why do you think he married me?”

The tension eased as Duke muttered something that sounded like, “Damn troublemakers, both of you,” while drowning his pancakes in syrup.

I watched with delight as Chance polished off his third pancake. “You weren’t kidding about feeding me well,” he said, licking syrup from his lips provocatively.

“I always make sure everyone leaves my table completely satisfied,” I replied. “Though some appetites are harder to satiate than others.”

Chance’s phone buzzed with a flurry of notifications, making him wince as he checked the screen. “Shit. My manager’s having a meltdown.” He scrolled through what looked like an endless stream of messages, scowling more with each one.

“Damn, real life is cockblocking our morning after,” I sighed dramatically. “It’s such a shame when we were having such a nice breakfast.”

“If you want me, I’ll be coming again soon enough.” His tone was laced with unmissable innuendo.

“For fuck’s sake,” Duke muttered, even as his lips twitched upward. “You’re both impossible. ”

Chance finished his last bite before standing. “Sorry, I have to head out. Apparently, I have six meetings I can’t miss today.”

I pouted. “But what will I do without my new favorite toy? Who will I corrupt now?”

“Pretty sure you managed before,” Duke commented dryly. He stunned me when he asked Chance, “When are you free next?”

The way his face lit up at the question made my heart soar. “I’m shooting every day this week, but my weekends are open.” He tried to sound casual, but the eager undertone in his voice gave him away.

“Saturday?” Duke suggested. “We could do dinner again. Maybe watch a movie after.”

I bit back a grin at his attempt at nonchalance. My husband wasn’t fooling anyone with his gruff exterior anymore.

“Sounds perfect,” Chance agreed too quickly. He tried to play it cool by adding, “I mean, yeah, that works for my schedule.”

I hid my disappointment behind a smile as Chance gathered his things, moving with a slowness that suggested he wasn’t eager to leave our little bubble of morning-after bliss.

“I wish I could stay,” he said, shoving his phone into his pocket with a frustrated sigh.

“It’s the price of fame,” I teased. “Your adoring public awaits while we mere mortals return to our humble businesses. ”

Chance rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his grin. “Trust me, I’d much rather spend the day with you two than listen to another lecture about my branding.”

Duke stepped into Chance’s space with unusual gentleness. “Take care of yourself today. Don’t let them work you too hard.”

Chance looked up at him with wide eyes. “I’ll try.”