Page 7 of Prelude of Love (Harmony of Hearts #6)

Duke frowned. “That’s what worries me.”

“About Chance?” I propped myself up on my elbows, studying the concern etched across his handsome face. His furrowed brow made me want to smooth away his concerns with kisses, but I knew this conversation needed to happen.

“He’s fucking twenty-two, Duchess.”

I shrugged. “So? Bolton was twenty-three when we met him, and that worked out perfectly.”

“Until he moved to Wintervale.”

“Which had nothing to do with us and everything to do with his job.” I moved to hold his gaze. “Bolton got a better opportunity, and we were all happy for him. It ended how it should have, with wonderful memories and no regrets.”

Duke frowned but said nothing.

“Besides, you act like Chance hasn’t already had plenty of experiences with threesomes,” I pointed out. “He’s an LA guy. He knows what we’re about. ”

“I don’t understand why you want him specifically.”

I propped my chin on his chest, meeting his troubled gaze. “Because he reminds me of myself at that age.”

“How so?”

“That mask of confidence hiding deep insecurity?” My smile turned wistful as memories of my younger self surfaced.

“The way he desperately wants to be seen as more than a pretty face and nepo baby? We’re exactly what he needs.

You to show him his true strength, me to show him his worth.

I can guarantee he’ll make better music because of it. ”

Duke pulled me closer, his broad hand splaying across my lower back. “If—and that’s a big if—we consider this, he won’t be interested in men who are almost as old as his father. We’re practically ancient to him.”

My laugh was sharp and knowing. “Hon, if you don’t think Chance has daddy issues with Sir Prince as his father, you’re deluding yourself.

Come on, look at his social media posts.

It’s a masterclass in ‘Notice me, Daddy.’” I grabbed my phone from the nightstand, pulling up Chance’s profile.

“Half his posts are either thirst traps or passive-aggressive comments about Sir’s latest relationship. ”

“Those could be marketing posts.”

“Oh, sure. Like this one?” I scrolled to a photo of Chance sprawled across his bed, shirtless, with the caption, “Turning my daddy issues into song lyrics tonight.”

“Fine, point taken.” Duke’s chest rumbled with reluctant laughter.

I set my phone aside, shifting to better see Duke’s face. “Face it, hon. We’re exactly his type.”

“His type for what? A quick fuck to spite his dad?”

I rolled my eyes. “Look how he gravitates toward older men in positions of authority. His manager, his vocal coach, even that director he’s working with are all established guys in their late thirties or early forties.”

“Playing armchair psychologist now, Duchess?”

“Please. We’ve been watching Sir’s kid grow up in the spotlight since he was sixteen. The signs are all there.” I traced my finger along Duke’s collarbone. “He needs stability. Structure. Someone to teach him his worth isn’t tied to album sales or likes on social media.”

Duke stopped my wandering hand. “Do you think we’re the ones to do that?”

“Who better? You’re already halfway to adopting every stray who walks into Hurly-burly looking lost, and I’m excellent at emotional support and sexual healing.”

He snorted. “Is that what we’re calling it now?”

“Would you prefer ‘therapeutic dick appointments’ instead?” I grinned as Duke’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter .

I poked him. “When he arrives in town for filming, you’ll see what I mean.”

Duke groaned. “You need to stop.”

I kept going. “Wait until you meet him in person. He’ll probably walk in, looking all soft and vulnerable, and your protective instincts will go crazy.”

“You’ve thought about this way too much.”

“I think about lots of things.” I ran my fingers up his chest. “Like how pretty he’d look between us or him calling out to you.”

Duke’s breath hitched. “Stop it.”

“What? I’m merely saying his vocal control is impressive. Imagine what other magic his throat can do for you.”

Duke went quiet beside me, tension radiating from his body in waves.

I traced the line of his collarbone, appreciating the tanned skin and sculpted muscles I had worshiped countless times over the years. “What are you thinking?”

“The others we’ve been with…” Duke paused, his words hanging in the air while I continued mapping the familiar terrain of his pecs with my fingertips. “They were only physical attractions. Nothing deeper.”

My laugh came out dry. “Right. Because you totally didn’t care about Bolton at all.” The sarcasm dripped from my words like honey.

Duke’s continued silence spoke volumes. I knew my husband better than anyone, and he had cared about Bolton, especially since he was a musician.

Those late nights at Hurly-burly when Bolton would play, Duke’s eyes had never left the stage.

He’d light up discussing music with him, sharing recommendations, and debating techniques.

It had been beautiful to witness as one of the few things I had never connected with Duke on, which was unfortunate when music moved his soul.

Understanding clicked into place as I studied my husband’s face. The vulnerability I saw there made my heart squeeze with tender affection.

“Are you afraid you’ll fall for Chance?” I kept my tone gentle but interested, as if I was coaxing a spooked animal. Duke might look like an intimidating bouncer, but I knew the teddy bear hiding under that gruff exterior. “Talk to me, hon. What’s happening in that head of yours?”

“His voice…” Duke exhaled with frustration. “It does something to me I can’t explain. Something that affects me like nothing else despite his young age. And that’s only in recordings.”

I stayed quiet, giving him space to continue. Sometimes Duke needed silence to find his words. After so many years together, I knew when to push and when to wait him out.

“The thought of him having that power over me in person?” Duke’s voice roughened, revealing the depth of his concern. “It feels dangerous. Risky. ”

“Because it’s not just physical?” I already knew the answer, but Duke needed to work through this himself.

He nodded, the simple gesture carrying the weight of his confession. My poor husband was wrestling with his emotions, and I wanted nothing more than to help him through this crisis of conscience.

“You know you’re allowed to have feelings for him, right? I won’t be jealous or feel threatened if you connect with him on that level. Hell, I’ll be thrilled if you do. That’s the whole point of polyamory. It lets our hearts expand to welcome new love into our lives.”

Duke’s arm tightened around my waist. “But what if?—”

“No what-ifs.” I pressed my finger to his lips. “Bolton only left because he got that incredible job opportunity in Wintervale. Nothing went wrong with our relationship with him. In fact, I’d say it was perfect until then.”

“Yeah, but?—”

“I swear to god, if you try to what-if yourself out of being with Chance, I will withhold blowjobs for a month.” The threat earned me an outraged noise that made me grin. “I mean it. Stop letting your protective instincts cockblock you from potentially amazing sex and a meaningful connection.”

“But what about you?” His palm curved around my hip possessively. “I don’t want you to feel left out if Chance and I bond over music.”

I melted at his sweet concern. “Honey, I’ve never been jealous that you and Bolton vibed over music.

Remember how much I loved watching you two geek out together?

It was adorable.” I wiggled closer, pressing my growing arousal against his thigh.

“Besides, picture how hot it would be watching Chance perform a private concert for you. Getting to see his voice affect you in person would be incredibly sexy.”

Duke’s breathing quickened, but he remained silent.

“You really don’t want to hear what other sounds his talented throat can make?” I gave him my most innocent look. “Because I bet he’d sound amazing moaning your name while you’re buried balls-deep inside him.”

Duke heaved a weary, long-suffering sigh.

“Look at me.” I cupped his face between my palms, waiting until his stormy gray eyes met mine. “Nothing will ever change how you love me.”

“I—”

“No, listen. If real feelings develop, we’ll handle it together.” I poured all my conviction into those words, needing him to understand. “But do you want to spend the rest of your life wondering what you missed? Your one chance to have a musician you genuinely respect in our bed? ”

Duke’s sigh carried the weight of years of resistance crumbling. “Not really. I just wish he was older.”

Triumph surged through me, but I kept my expression gentle. It wasn’t about winning but about helping my husband embrace something beautiful without fear holding him back.

Instead of gloating, I pressed soft kisses along his jaw, each one a wordless promise of devotion.

“We’re solid, hon. Nothing and no one can change that.

Chance would only enhance what we have, not damage it.

” The solid warmth of his chest against mine grounded us both in this moment of truth.

“You know what would be fun? Teaching Chance all our favorite positions. Breaking in that gorgeous body of his while you watch.”

Duke’s grip tightened on my hip. “You’re incorrigible.”

“That’s why you married me. Besides, don’t act like you haven’t thought about him sucking your dick.”

“Damn it, Duchess.”

“What? I’m saying what we’re both thinking.” I shifted to straddle his hips, enjoying how his hands moved to steady me. “Plus, imagine the songs he’d write about us. We’d inspire his best work yet.”

Duke snorted. “Is that your plan? Become his muse?”

“It’d be a nice benefit. But we could be the ones who show him what real love feels like and help him find his worth beyond the spotlight.”

“You’re always trying to save everyone,” Duke murmured, but his tone was fond.

“Not everyone.” I leaned down until our lips nearly touched. “Only the ones who need us most.”

“And you think Chance needs us?”

I brushed my nose against his. “Yes, your strength, my nurturing, and our combined ability to make him see stars.”

Duke laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest. “I’ll consider it.” His answering kiss told me what he planned to do about it, and I couldn’t have been happier.