Page 46 of Prelude of Love
His eyes met mine, searching for the truth. “How do you know?”
“Because I’ve watched you perform. Onstage with Devil’s Chance and in your scenes today, you always put your whole heart into it. That’s not fake.” I squeezed his shoulder. “The ones who should worry are the people who think they have nothing left to learn.”
The smile that bloomed across his face was radiant sunshine. He covered my hand with his, keeping me there. It affected me more than I expected. “Who knew your biggest secret is that you’re sweet under your gruff exterior?”
“Don’t push it.”
But he was already grinning. “No, no, I see right through you now. You’re a big teddy bear.” His thumb stroked across my knuckles. “Thank you. For the food and everything else.”
The warmth in his eyes made me recognize the pull I felt toward something more than physical attraction. It was dangerous and deeply alluring.
Shit.
Chapter Twelve
EARLY
I sprawledacross Duke’s broad chest in our bed. “I can’t believe I missed Chance’s first day of rehearsal. Was he nervous? Did he do well? Tell me everything.”
“He bombed the first few takes, stumbling over his lines with Rook.” Duke’s fingers carded through my hair.
“Poor thing. Stage fright?”
“More like imposter syndrome. But Rook pulled him aside and gave him some good advice.” Duke’s arm tightened around me. “Then Chance got his confidence back and nailed it. The chemistry between them was intense.”
I perked up at the edge in his voice. “Oh? Define intense.”
“You know how movie scenes are. Lots of closeness.”
“Mm-hmm.” I hid my smile against his skin. “And that bothered you?”
“What? No.” Duke shifted beneath me. “I’m saying the kid’s got talent once he gets out of his head.”
“Thekid, huh?” I traced a finger down his sternum. “Funny how you keep calling him that when we both know you’re attracted to him.”
“It doesn’t mean anything.”
I pressed a kiss to his collarbone. “It’s okay to want him. I certainly do.”
“Wanting isn’t the issue.” Duke’s hand stilled in my hair. “He’s young. Famous. This isn’t like picking up someone at the bar for a night like we used to.”
“Maybe that’s why it would work.” I pushed up to look into his eyes. “He needs people who see him as more than just Chance Prince, the rock god. We could give him that.”
Duke grunted but said nothing further.
“Come on, hon. You sounded so proud as you described him nailing that scene today.”
He shrugged. “Because Chance worked hard and delivered. That’s all.”
“Mm-hmm. And cooking him that fancy dinner? That was simply standard customer service?”
“He needed to eat.”
I grinned. “And I suppose the way he flirts with you is?—”
“Exactly what rock stars do.” Duke’s tone mayhave been neutral, but I knew better. “They flirt with everyone. It’s part of their image.”
“But Chance is flirting because he’s genuinely interested in both of us.”
