Page 31 of Prelude of Love (Harmony of Hearts #6)

Duke cupped Chance’s face with one large hand, thumb brushing over his cheekbone before giving him a lingering kiss. It wasn’t the passionate, demanding kiss from last night. It spoke of care and connection beyond physical pleasure.

My chest filled with warmth at their interaction. It wasn’t Duke being polite to our overnight guest. It was his way of letting Chance know he mattered. The sight of my reserved husband showing such open affection made me fall in love with him all over again.

“My turn,” I announced, stepping forward to claim my goodbye. I slid my arms around Chance’s waist and pulled him close. “Don’t wait until Saturday to come see me.”

“As if I could,” he murmured, his hands settling on my hips.

I kissed him, taking my time to explore his mouth before he had to leave. When I pulled back, I couldn’t resist adding, “We’ll be thinking about you, Princess.”

His cheeks flushed at the nickname, gaze darting to Duke before returning to me. “I’ll be thinking about both of you, too.”

Chance made his way to the door, pausing several times to glance back with an expression that was equal parts satisfaction and reluctance. Each lingering look felt like a promise that he’d return, that whatever was growing between us was worth exploring further.

When the door closed behind him, I turned to Duke with a grin I couldn’t suppress. “Well, that went perfectly.”

He shook his head as he returned to the kitchen to finish cleaning up. “You’re looking rather pleased with yourself.”

“And why shouldn’t I be?” I followed him, taking our dishes to the sink. “Our threesome was incredible, breakfast was a hit, and you,” I said, poking his solid chest with one finger, “were adorable with him.”

“I wasn’t adorable,” he grumbled, though the tips of his ears turned pink. “I was being polite.”

“Is that what we’re calling it? Because from where I was standing, that goodbye kiss looked a lot more than polite.” I refused to let him dodge the issue. “You like him.”

Duke focused on rinsing a plate. “He’s not terrible.”

I laughed out loud. “High praise indeed from the man who spent half the night making him scream.”

“Damn it, Duchess.” The warning in his voice only encouraged me.

“What? I’m merely stating facts. You liked having him in our bed and at our breakfast table. And you really loved calling him Princess.”

That got a reaction. Duke’s head snapped up, his eyes narrowing. “I didn’t mean to.”

“You did, and he loved it. The way he beamed with joy when you called him that at breakfast? Priceless.”

Duke scowled at the dish he was washing. “You’re enjoying this too much.”

“I am, because I was right, and you know it. We all fit together perfectly.” I couldn’t keep the smug satisfaction from my voice as I loaded the plate he handed me into the dishwasher.

His expression softened. “One night doesn’t mean anything.”

“It’s okay to admit you care about him. I saw how you looked at him. How you touched him.” I bumped his hip with mine. “Why are you pretending it was meaningless sex?”

He sighed, his shoulders dropping in defeat. “It’s complicated.”

“It doesn’t have to be. We like him. He likes us. We have amazing chemistry together. What’s complicated about that?”

Duke stated the obvious. “He’s young, famous, and used to people falling all over themselves for him. ”

“And yet he’s the one who looked at you as if you were a god when you called him Princess. Face it, hon. You’ve got yourself another boy to take care of now.”

After loading the last plate into the dishwasher, Duke shut off the water and dried his hands. “You’re not jealous?”

The question surprised me. “Of what? That you care about him? That he fits so well with us?” I shook my head.

“Duke, watching you with him was one of the hottest things I’ve ever seen.

And not only the sex part, although that was incredible.

Seeing you be gentle with him afterward and this morning made me love you even more.

” I cupped his face, going up on tiptoe to kiss him.

His defensiveness faded. “You’re something else, you know that?”

“So I’ve been told. Now, are you going to stop pretending you’re not excited about seeing him again on Saturday?”

A reluctant smile tugged at his lips. “Fine. I’m looking forward to it.”

“And?”

He sighed. “And I like calling him Princess.”

I grinned in triumph. “Was that so hard to admit?”

“Yes,” he deadpanned, making me laugh.

“I want to keep him,” I declared, wrapping my arms around his waist .

Duke rolled his eyes, even as he held me. “He’s not a pet, Duchess.”

“Are you sure? He’s pretty, he purrs when you pet him right, and he looked at you with absolute adoration. And I’m pretty sure you could teach him a few tricks.”

“You’re incorrigible,” he said, but I could hear his resistance fading.

“But?” I asked, hearing the silent word. When he remained silent, I encouraged him. “Tell me.” I gave him my best puppy eyes, the ones he could never say no to.

Duke exhaled slowly. “But you have a point. There’s something real there.” He frowned, shaking his head. “Which makes no sense. He’s twenty-two and famous. He could have anyone.”

“He’s more than his age and his fame, and you know it.” I studied his face, noting the tension around his eyes. “Are you that afraid of having feelings for him?”

Duke’s gaze shifted away. “Losing Bolton was tough.” It was an understatement. He had been devastated to lose our third after years of living happily together. “It wasn’t only the love that I missed. It was the music.”

“That’s why Chance would be so good for you. He speaks your love language in a way I’m incapable of. I want that for you, hon. You deserve that. ”

Duke fell silent again. I stayed quiet, giving him the space to process his feelings.

“If we let Chance in and it doesn’t work out, I won’t just lose him,” he explained after a long pause. “I’ll lose that connection to his music, too. And when it meant so much to me before I even met him, it feels too dangerous, because it’ll mean even more to me when we’re together.”

I softened, placing my hand on his chest. “It’s not dangerous when we both feel the same way about him, hon.

We’re in this together.” I smiled up at him.

“Besides, I’m already halfway to being in love with him.

The way he looks at you like you hung the moon, how he curled up against me this morning, that adorable little noise he makes when he’s happy?

It makes me want to hold him, and squish him, and never let go. You’d better keep up.”

He captured my hand and kissed my palm. “Alright, Duchess. You win. Let’s see where this goes with our Princess.”

I couldn’t contain my excitement, bouncing on my toes. “Really? You mean it?”

“Yes, I mean it.” His smile was genuine now. “But we take it slow, make sure he knows what he’s getting into with us.”

“You know I don’t do slow,” I said with a snort. “Did you forget how fast we fell in love?”

It drew a chuckle from him. “Fair. ”

I pulled him in for another kiss. “I’m happy we’re giving it a shot with him.”

Duke was quiet for a moment, searching my gaze before he nodded. “Despite all the reasons it’s a bad idea.”

“He’ll be amazing for us. You’ll see.”

“For us,” Duke repeated, a promise in the words.

I beamed at him, already imagining all the possibilities ahead. Saturday couldn’t come soon enough.

The morning crowd had thinned out when the bell above the door chimed. I looked up from wiping down the counter to see Chance sauntering in with his incognito glasses that made him look delightfully nerdy.

“Missing something from yesterday, Princess?” I called out, unable to keep the grin off my face.

The nickname made his cheeks flush that delicious shade of pink. “Maybe I’m only here for decent coffee,” he said, but the way his gaze lingered on my face told a different story.

“Mm-hmm. And I’m sure it has nothing to do with how thoroughly Duke and I rocked your world the other night.” I started making his usual without being asked. When I finished, I led him to a corner table away from the other customers. “How are you feeling today? Still walking funny?”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this kind of sore,” he admitted, sitting down with a slight wince. “You’re a lucky man, Early.”

“Aren’t you glad I like to share?” I teased as I passed him his coffee.

He took a sip of his drink and moaned in a way that brought back pleasant reminders of him in my bedroom. “Yeah, I am,” he said with a sincerity that made me want to cuddle him. “I’m even more glad it wasn’t a onetime thing.”

“Oh, honey.” I reached across to boop his nose. “If you think Duke and I are letting you go after discovering how perfectly you fit with us, you’re even prettier than you are smart.”

He ducked his head, but not before I caught his pleased smile. “I didn’t expect to feel this way.”

“And what way is that?”

He struggled for words, reminding me of how young he really was despite his fame. “Like I want more than sex? Which was amazing, don’t get me wrong, but breakfast was nice.”

“Nice?” I repeated, clutching my chest in mock offense. “The internationally famous Chance Prince just described waking up to my cooking as ‘nice.’ My ego may never recover.”

He rolled his eyes. “You know what I mean. It felt good. Normal, but in a good way. ”

“Like you belonged there?” I suggested softly.

The vulnerability that flashed across his face made me want to wrap him in a hug. “Yeah,” he admitted. “Which is stupid after one night, right?”

“Not stupid at all.” I reached out to squeeze his hand. “Duke and I felt it, too. Why do you think he invited you back for Saturday?”

“I figured it was for the sex.”

“Well, obviously that, too. I mean, have you seen yourself?” I gestured to all of him. “But no, Princess. We want you there because we like you. The whole package.”

He perked up at that. “The whole package, huh?”