A Voice Without Reason, page 1
A VOICE WITHOUT REASON
IRENE BAHRD
Copyright © 2023 by Irene Bahrd
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Author Note: All names, characters, businesses, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover by Love Lee Creative.
Created with Vellum
For all the good girls… and Wolf who doesn’t mind calling you one “just one more time.”
CONTENT WARNINGS
By reading this book, you may experience the following side effects:
May make panties wet.
May want to leave your significant other in search of your own Julian.
May want to get handsy at Hamilton.
May reconsider the nickname you have for your lady bits.
You’re welcome.
All joking aside, this is a slow-to-medium burn, instalove romantic comedy with on-page explicit content. It is intended for mature audiences.
Additionally, there are scenes with:
Praise (directed at FMC)
Brief general conversations about various kinks and BDSM
Sexytime in public
PLAYLIST
“I Knew I Loved You” — Savage Garden
“Enchanted” — Taylor Swift
“Meant to Be” — Bebe Rexha
“The Middle” — Zedd
“Only Wanna Be With You” — Hootie and the Blowfish
“Bubbly” — Colbie Caillat
“I Guess I’m in Love” — Clinton Kane
“Breathe” — Faith Hill
“Love Brand New” — Bob Moses
“Don’t Give Up On Me” — Andy Grammer
“If I Ain’t Got You” — Alicia Keys
“Thinking Out Loud” — Ed Sheeran
CONTENTS
1. Becca
2. Julian
3. Becca
4. Julian
5. Becca
6. Julian
7. Becca
8. Becca
9. Julian
10. Becca
11. Julian
12. Becca
13. Julian
14. Julian
15. Becca
16. Julian
17. Becca
18. Julian
19. Becca
20. Julian
21. Becca
22. Julian
23. Julian
24. Becca
25. Julian
26. Becca
27. Julian
28. Becca
29. Julian
30. Becca
31. Julian
32. Becca
33. Julian
34. Becca
35. Julian
36. Becca
37. Julian
38. Becca
39. Julian
Epilogue
Loved A Voice Without Reason?
Mine with Extra Lime
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Acknowledgments
About Irene
Also by Irene Bahrd
1
BECCA
First class upgrade? Fuck. Yes.
I’m not typically the bougie type. Give me a budget airline, cram me into coach, and I’m happy. I love to travel, so when my airline miles added up to earn me this sweet discounted upgrade, I tapped my credit card three times and, poof, we were no longer in sepia-toned Kansas. I’ve only flown first class twice before, but I enjoy the extra perks like free drinks, early boarding, and seats that two of me could easily fit into. Sometimes you just need to treat yourself.
My boarding group is called and I make my way to the gate, scanning my ticket with a skip in my step. As I take my seat, the flight crew member takes my bag and asks, “Miss, would you like something to drink before we take off?”
“Yes, I would love a Manhattan, if it isn’t too much trouble?”
“Of course not, darlin’. Make yourself comfortable, and I’ll have it for you in just a few moments.” She has a sweet Southern accent; I want to bottle up her kindness to save it for later. My agent could surely use some.
I’m on deadline for my fifth book, so I need to make the most of my time. On top of that, I need to edit an old manuscript so it can be sent off to voice actors for an audiobook. A lot is riding on it, so it needs to be perfect. As soon as I get home, I’m going to become a hermit and not leave my apartment until it’s done. I keep my laptop bag to put under the seat in front of me and pull out my computer to dive in. Every second counts.
A few minutes later, I’m editing one of my favorite spicy scenes, where Anna is getting railed by Bryan, when my seatmate’s deep voice startles me. “Mind if I use the overhead light?”
I don’t look up. Instead, I wave him off so I can finish this chapter before I have to stow my electronics. He doesn’t seem to mind my brushoff. Thank goodness Mr. Seatmate understands social queues.
“Here’s your Manhattan.” My new favorite person in the world is back. I lift my gaze from my computer to take it from her, but she is holding two of them.
“Thank you,” Mr. Seatmate replies, taking one.
Huh, interesting.
I take the other. “Thank you”—I glance at her name tag—“Kristina.” She smiles and heads toward the back of the plane.
“Cheers.” Mr. Seatmate lifts his glass.
“Uh, yeah, cheers.” We clink glasses, but I don’t take a sip. I place my drink to the left of me and continue working.
A few minutes later, the pilot’s announcement ends my edits of Anna’s orgasm and I close my laptop. As I reach down to put it away, Mr. Seatmate leans down to put something of his own away, our shoulders bumping. “I’m sorry, go ahead.”
“Sorry, thanks.” I glance up and… this guy is actually kind of hot. I didn’t get a good look at him before but now that I’ve ogled him a bit, I’m taking mental notes of his appearance for a character in my next book. He could be the youngest brother in a billionaire romance. Or maybe even a quarterback in a sports romcom. The possibilities are endless.
Strong, chiseled jaw… Lush dark hair practically begging to have hands run through it… Perfect golden skin that I could only get from a professional spray tan… Sinfully beautiful light brown eyes that twinkle with mischief… Hands that belong as a necklace and put the Darcy hand flex to shame… Ruggedly handsome with an athletic build. He could throw a girl around with little effort…
Yep, definitely going in a book. My readers are going to love him.
“Sorry, I was a bit rude earlier. I’m on deadline and need to take advantage of every moment I can. The world around me doesn’t really exist right now.”
“No problem, totally understand. I’m starting a new project in the next few days and will be in the same boat. Julian.”
“Becca.”
“So, what do you do, Becca?”
Ugh, I hate small talk.
“I’m a writer.” I could place bets on the next question. $200 says he asks what genre I write.
“What do you write?”
There it is.
“Words,” I reply with a smirk.
He smiles back, biting his lip. “Words?”
“Yes, I write words—on a computer, or sometimes on paper. Depends on my mood.” I hate sharing that I write romance. People usually have one of two reactions. One, they judge that, because I write romance, I must not be good enough to write anything “more serious.” Or, and possibly the worse outcome, they assume that I’m into some seriously kinky stuff. I mean, I am, but that’s none of their business…
“Fair enough.” He pauses, probably waiting for me to ask what he does. I will do no such thing; the last thing I need is to get dragged into a conversation and miss out on precious editing time after the plane takes off. I sip my Manhattan and see how long it takes for this guy to give up. “So, why are you headed to New York?”
“Stuff.”
“Stuff? Let me guess: stuff and things?” he asks into his glass with a sly smile tugging at his lips.
His eyes are playful and, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say this guy is flirting with me. What am I saying? Of course, he is. As a romance author, you’d think I would pick up on things like that sooner. Sadly, it’s been entirely too long since I’ve even thought about a non-fictional man, let alone flirted with one.
He’s enjoying this little banter of ours a little too much. At least he’s trying to be creative. “Stuff, things, and places,” I reply. There will be things stuffed into places, but that’s for Anna, my protagonist, to explore if I can finish my edits this weekend.
“Ah.” We are now entering an epic staredown as we both sip our drinks. He doesn’t know who he’s up against and breaks first. “So, Becca—who writes words and visits New York for stuff, things, and places—can you recommend any museums? I have a few days to kill before a meeting on Monday and could use some suggestions, if you’ve been before.”
I actually live in the Upper East Side, but sure, I might as well play tourist. “I’ve been to a few. Depends on what you’re looking for.”
“I’m looking for an enjoyable weekend with intriguing company.”
&nb
He lets out a soft chuckle. “True, very true. Do you enjoy non-answers?”
“Sometimes.” I don’t elaborate.
“Sounds like your Anna is a little more forthcoming than you are?”
I frown. “Were you peeking at my book?”
“How could I not? It looked like she was enjoying herself with Bryan. May want to rethink his name, though. Not the sexiest name to scream out in bed. It’s up there with Chad.” At first, I’m annoyed, but… he’s not wrong. Maybe I should change it, Bryan is a tad dull for a romance book and I shouldn’t have used it in the first place.
“Well, thank you for your notes, Julian, but I’m not sure I can change it this late in the game.” I can, but I’m not going to… out of spite.
“Come on, let’s workshop this. Ok, I’ll start. How about Dylan?”
“Nope, used that one in a previous book.”
“Ethan?”
“Done before.”
“Todd?”
I shake my head. “That’s worse than Bryan. I’ll tell you what, I’ll consider a name change, if you stop?”
“Deal.” He offers his hand to shake on it. When I take it, my breath hitches.
2
JULIAN
“Did you feel that?” At first contact, a jolt radiated through my entire body.
“Feel what?” She eyes me curiously.
I squeeze her hand. “That.”
“It’s a handshake, Julian. Is this your first?” She might be playing coy, but I can see the surprise in her eyes. She felt it too. I don’t know what it is, I’m drawn to her in a way I’ve never been with another woman. Holding her hand confirms it, there’s something there.
I shake my head and pull my hand back. “Nevermind, you don’t believe what you write.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” She nervously adjusts her glasses.
“You write romance?” She nods. “Well, I’m sure you’ve written a scene or two where your characters share a moment of static electricity. You know, where time stops, they feel a zing course through their bodies, the air crackles between them… their breath hitches.” Thought I didn’t notice?
“I fail to see your point.” She’s chewing on her lip, drawing my attention to them.
“Liar. I know you felt it. Anyway, you have a new character name to come up with.” I lean back in my seat and close my eyes.
“I… I’m not a liar. You must have just felt turbulence.” I open one of my eyes to look at her in disbelief. We’re taxiing and there hasn’t been so much as a bump on the tarmac. “Ok, fine, there wasn’t turbulence.” She pulls out a tablet and begins reading. “How about Stewart? What do you think? Rolls off the tongue.” She tightens her lips, attempting to hold back laughter. I do my best to school my own features, but crack first when she glances over at me.
I get a good look at her, which is a mistake. She has the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen. I could get lost in them if I’m not careful. “You’re joking right? Please tell me you’re joking. Damn, I’m glad I don’t have to voice female characters often. Could you imagine? Oh, Stewie, right there?”
Laughing, she asks, “You’re a voice actor? Wait, what book are you supposed to be working on? You mentioned a meeting Monday. Oh no, please don’t tell me it’s mine.”
“No, I’m working on a fantasy book, definitely not Stewart’s story.” That earns me another smile from her. “Would you like me to be yours?” I didn’t mean for it to come out that way… Ok, maybe a little. She’s too fun to flirt with.
“Nope, all set. I have a meeting Monday, as well, to pass off my manuscript to my new narration team. It would’ve just been too kismet if it was you. The narrator I’m using has never shown his face and uses a dozen pseudonyms.” Despite her lack of reaction to my words, there’s still a light blush dusting her cheeks. I plan to make it my life’s mission to see how dark I can make it.
“May I?” I gesture to her tablet. She nods and turns it for me. It’s full of markups, so this must be a copy of the book she was editing. I clear my throat before reading aloud. “Anna’s perfect supple breasts call to me and I answer. With a swipe of my tongue, I lick slow, torturous circles around each of her light pink nipples, as my hand cups her mound… Becca, you can’t say mound. It’s awful.”
She covers her eyes, “I know! I’m running out of synonyms for pussy. At least I didn’t write ‘milky folds.’” I shudder at the suggestion. “See, that one’s the worst! What’s one of the worst you’ve had to do for an audiobook?”
“There are so many, but the worst has to be when they call it something like ‘lady garden.’ There is nothing sexy about a lady garden.”
Becca huffs out a laugh. “I promise, I’ve never used that term and never will.”
I take a sip of my Manhattan. “So, what do you call yours?”
“My what?”
“You know what I’m asking, Becca,” I reply, smiling into my glass.
Small lines form at the edge of her eyes and she scrunches her nose as she laughs. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”
“Of course it isn’t, but I’d like to know all the same.”
“I’m not going to tell you, but I can say that I used it in my latest book I’m editing. If you want to know so badly, you can purchase it in three months.”
I do and I will.
“I’ll be the first in line to buy it, highlighters in hand.”
“I was joking. There’s no way in hell I’m giving you the title.”
I pull out my phone and click on the browser. I search for Anna and Bryan, coming up empty. Maybe it’s a different book? I try “Becca romance author.” Nothing comes up but fluffy, closed-door romance books. She probably writes under a different name.
“What’s your pen name?” I ask, not looking up from my phone.
“You just asked me what I named my vagina. You think I’m about to give away all of my secrets today?” She turns back to her tablet.
“Should I buy you dinner first?”
The flight attendant approaches. “My apologies. You’ll both need to stow all electronics.”
“Shit,” Becca grumbles. “Ok, thank you.” Becca places her tablet under the seat. Her shoulders slump as her head hits the headrest.
“I’m sure Anna’s story will be done in time.” I resist the urge to touch her. I’m pretty sure it could be deemed sexual assault if I gripped her thigh, even if it’s in solidarity. I know deadlines are rough on authors, and she’s probably pulling all-nighters to finish her book edits.
“Thanks. It’ll work out. It always does.” She finishes her drink and closes her eyes but, based on her breathing, I can tell it’s just an attempt to ignore me and she’s not actually resting.
As the plane takes off and, since the flirting with Becca has ceased, I’m left with my own thoughts. I know nothing about her, but she is the most intriguing woman I’ve ever met. I’ve done nothing but hit on her since the moment I sat down, yet she never shied away from it, meeting me with a fun, flirtatious energy.
The flight from California will give me more than enough time to get to know her. I know the moment she’s able to take out her laptop, her faux nap will come to an end, and she won’t be able to ignore me.
Our seatbelt signs click off with the familiar ding, as the flight attendant announces that we are able to use electronics in airplane mode. As predicted, I’ve never seen someone move so fast. I can’t help but chuckle.
