Page 68 of Prelude of Love
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.”
