Page 69 of Prelude of Love
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 crowdhad 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 cornertable 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. “Thewholepackage, huh?”
