Page 84 of Prelude of Love

“Mom,” I groaned through a grin.

“Don’t ‘Mom’ me,” she said, ruffling my hair before turning to Duke. “You were magnificent,honey. I should have known you were an amazing singer with that deep voice of yours.”

It was sweet seeing an almost bashful side of Duke as he accepted my mother’s praise. “Thank you, Melody.”

“No, thankyou,” she insisted. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen my son so inspired onstage.” The knowing look she gave me made me want to crawl under the table.

“It was all Duke,” I said, enjoying the way his eyebrows shot up at my uncharacteristic deflection of a compliment. “His voice is pure sex. I’m tempted to convince him to quit the restaurant business and start a new band with me.”

He snorted. “Not happening, Princess.”

Him using his nickname for me in public sent a thrill through me that I couldn’t hide. Based on the satisfied gleam in his eyes, he knew what effect it had.

We all took turns saying goodbye to Red. Early hugged him tightly, slipping what looked like an envelope into his pocket. Duke’s farewell was brief but laden with emotion in a fierce hug. Fitzy and I gave him warmer hugs, thanking him for letting us be part of his send-off.

“It meant the world to me,” Red said in a teary voice. “I’ll never forget this night.” A call from one of his regulars pulled him away.

The evening continued with more performances, drinks, and laughter. I enjoyed the company, thesmall-town warmth of the gathering, and how everyone seemed to know and care about each other. But beneath it all ran an undercurrent of anticipation, a simmering need that grew with every accidental touch and heated glance between the three of us.

Early’s hand hadn’t left my thigh, occasionally venturing higher before retreating. Duke’s jaw tightened each time his husband’s fingers inched upward. The tension was delicious torture, and I savored it while simultaneously counting the minutes until we could leave.

As much as I was having fun, I was desperate to get back to Duke and Early’s house and celebrate in bed. The memory of our last encounter burned bright in my mind, and after our performance, whatever happened between us would be even more intense.

I couldn’t wait to see if Duke would make good on his sexy promises that he sang to me while looking as if he wanted to devour me whole.

Chapter Twenty-Six

DUKE

Once we arrivedhome after the benefit concert, I guided Chance toward the bedroom, my hand at the small of his back as we climbed the stairs. My body thrummed with arousal that had been building since the moment our voices had intertwined onstage. Early followed close behind, his breathing already quickening with anticipation.

I claimed Chance’s mouth in a fierce kiss that had him moaning against my lips. My hands made quick work of his clothes, tearing at buttons and zippers with urgent need. I had held back for the rest of the concert, but I couldn’t wait one more second to be buried in his tight heat.

“Someone’s eager,” Chance teased between kisses while he removed my jacket and shirt.

“You have no idea,” I growled, walking himbackward toward the bed as the rest of our clothes came off.

Early chuckled. “I think he’s been wanting to do this since the first note you sang together.”

I pinned Chance to the mattress, my larger frame covering his as I held his wrists above his head. The heat of his body against mine made me burn hotter. His body yielded to me, his lean muscles tensing and relaxing under my grip.

“Fuck, Princess,” I murmured against his throat, nipping at the tender skin. The salt-sweet taste of him lingered on my tongue as I dragged my teeth across the sensitive spot where his pulse hammered. “Do you have any idea what you did to me up there?”

“Tell me.” Chance arched beneath me, his body responding beautifully to my touch. He gasped as I trailed kisses down his chest, my mouth leaving damp marks across his flushed skin.

Early settled beside us on the bed after grabbing lube from the nightstand. “You two were incredible. It was practically like listening to your voices having sex. The way you harmonized was the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. I want to get ready while I watch.” He slicked his fingers and started stretching while watching the show.

I took the bottle next, coating my fingers before snapping the lid shut and I tossing it aside. “Spread your legs for me, Princess.”

He complied without question, his thighs falling open with an eagerness that made my cock throb. I circled his entrance with slick fingers, watching his expression shift from anticipation to pleasure as I teased him with light touches before pressing one finger inside. The tight heat gripped me, pulling me deeper.

“More,” he demanded, pushing against my hand as he grabbed the sheets.

The stretch made him gasp, his mouth falling open in a silent plea. I stretched him while I kissed a path down his torso, mapping the contours of his abs with my tongue.

Early moaned beside us, the wet sounds of his own fingers working inside himself punctuating his heavy breathing as he watched. “Look at how desperate you’re making him, hon,” he encouraged, his voice thick with arousal.

Without warning, Chance bucked beneath me, his muscles bunching as he tried to flip our positions. His hands pushed against my shoulders as he struggled against my hold, attempting to take control but unable to move my larger, more muscular body. The futile effort only made me harder, my cock leaking against his thigh.

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