A Voice Without Reason, page 3
Breaking eye contact feels like I've been drenched by a bucket of ice water. Becca finally addresses the group. “Thank you all for being here. I appreciate your flexibility with these last minute changes. To ensure we all have the best experience, I’d like to ask Julian and Caroline to run a few lines from chapter 23. I’ve printed out copies and highlighted what you’re responsible for in Anna's POV.”
We ruffle through the papers Becca provided, and Caroline begins, “Julian, I can explain…” She continues thumbing through the pages. “Wait, the character’s name is Julian? I thought it was Bryan. Isn’t your name Julian?”
I try to resist laughing, but a chuckle escapes me. Becca replies, “Changes were made over the weekend before I knew we had a new narrator. It’s purely coincidental, I assure you.”
Oh, my Becca, you are such a liar.
Caroline clears her throat and starts at the top, “Julian, I can explain. He didn’t mean anything to me.”
“He’s my brother, Anna. How could you do this to—”
“I’ve heard enough,” Becca says coldly. “I’ll be in touch.”
She begins to stand and I continue, “How could you do this to me? What we had was special; it transcended time and space. You’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever known…”
“That’s not in my book,” Becca says quietly.
I stand and round the table until I reach her. “You’re right.” I lower my voice. “But does it make it any less true?”
Becca opens and closes her mouth a few times, searching for an answer before she chooses to address the team, “Can we have a moment? Is there a free office where I can discuss something with Mr. Evans in private?”
“Turn left and the second door on the right,” Cassandra says, clearly confused and concerned. Becca turns on her heel and walks out of the room. I follow.
As soon as we’re in the office, she lays into me. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? I had one of the top narrators in the industry scheduled and you think you can just waltz in here and… what’s your deal?”
“I had to see you.”
“Bull fucking shit. You put this in motion when we were on the plane. You’re not even taking a commission? Are you kidding me? I don’t want your money. I want the best damn narrator for the job. You think you can tell their story better than John could have?” Becca begins pacing. “I got lucky with two of my books. If the narration isn’t perfect, I risk bad reviews that don’t just reflect on you, they reflect on me, as an author. This story is very personal to me. What were you thinking? Is this because I wouldn’t sleep with you?”
I stop her in her tracks, one hand on each of her shoulders. “No, absolutely not. This has nothing to do with sex, Becca. I promise you, I would never have requested this job if I couldn’t do it. Tell me what you need and I’ll deliver, I promise you that.”
“Why should I listen to you? I barely know you.”
“You know what, just put the book aside for a moment. Something happened between us a few days ago that neither of us can explain. Have you spent every waking moment thinking about it? Fuck, I know I have. Why else would you change your character’s name to mine?”
A part of my soul left my body when I got in that car to my hotel and didn’t return until I saw her today. I don’t know what it is about her, but I want, no, I need to be with her. Whatever that looks like.
“I changed it to fuck with you.”
I scoff. “Such a fucking liar.” I snake my arm around Becca, pulling her to me until her mouth is a breath away. She whimpers as our bodies collide and I know damn well she wants me as much as I want her. I risk everything and kiss her brutally, tasting and teasing her mouth like it’s mine to explore. A risk worth taking.
My luck runs out when there’s a knock at the door, breaking whatever spell we’re under. “Merlot, are you doing ok in there?”
“Yeah, thanks,” Becca calls, then lowers her voice so only I can hear. “Don’t make me regret this.” She turns and walks out.
5
BECCA
My heels click loudly on the marble floor as I storm back down the hallway. Julian’s footsteps are fast approaching, but I don’t let him catch up to get another word in. I reenter the conference room and take a seat, doing my best to not let that kiss affect me. I didn’t work this hard for everything to be thrown away because of some hot guy.
“Mr. Evans will be resuming the narration for Julian,” I insist, pocketing all of my emotions.
I should really change the name back to Bryan, but it’s the least I can do to make his life difficult. It took pulling some strings over the weekend to get approval for Julian over Bryan, but thankfully they agreed that Anna moaning Bryan wasn’t going to turn anyone on.
Even if I was the one moaning it not so long ago.
I pack up my bag and head for the door. “Oh, and I’ll need the contract adjusted. I won’t be present for Mr. Evans’ recording sessions.”
My publisher can suck it. There’s no way in hell I’m going to sit in a recording booth for hours on end with that man.
I make my way to the elevator, but Cassie stops me before I can get in. “Your publisher isn’t budging on this, since he’s new to romance and smutty books. You’ll have to be there.”
“No. Absolutely not. Pull the contract if you have to, but I’m not going to be forced to hear Julian say ‘you take me so well’ over and over again, until he gets it right.”
Cassie smirks. “I mean, at least he’s not hard on the eyes. There are worse guys I could put in that booth to call you a good girl and describe in great detail how they’d ravish your body.”
“This is my career on the line. I don’t have time to babysit an inexperienced narrator. Give me one reason I should use his voice over John’s.” It better not be because he’s hot.
“It’s all—”
“Hey, can we talk?” Julian’s deep purr comes from behind me. The elevator door opens and I refuse to acknowledge him as the three of us step in. I deliberately stand on the other side of Cassie, practically holding my breath.
We remain standing there in silence down the twenty-three floors. I’ve never been so thankful for elevator music in my life. The ding, followed by doors opening, has me sprinting out of the elevator.
“Becca, wait. Slow down.” Unfortunately, I don’t get far when he reaches for me, gripping my arm and spinning me in place. “Please.” His low voice sends a shiver down my spine.
Cassie gives me a knowing look but continues to head toward the exit. I need to be careful what I say around him now that we’re working together. There’s explicit content in the contracts that could screw both of us.
My eyes narrow. “Fine, you want to talk? Then talk.”
Julian looks around until he spots two unoccupied leather seats on the other side of the lobby. He takes my hand but I shrug out of his hold as we head over to sit down. He claims a chair, but I stand, arms crossed.
“Please, have a seat. This won’t take long.”
My jaw ticks. “Then, I’ll stand. What do you need to talk about?”
He hunches over and rests his elbows on his knees. With a deep breath, he asks, “What do I need to do to make this up to you? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have emailed Andre on the plane. I was—”
“Did you do this as a PR stunt as soon as you found out who I was? Fuck this. I’m out, Julian.”
“No.” He stands and takes a step toward me. “I didn’t care if you were an up-and-coming self-pub author or the Merlot Bennet. I wanted your book because I wanted to spend time with you. Nothing more. I’ll even narrate under a pseudonym if you want. I just”—Julian rakes his hand through his hair—“I wanted a chance to spend time with you and this seemed like my best option.”
“Shit,” I mutter. “You thought messing with my career was your best option? So, what now? You got the book and now will have to spend countless hours reciting how Anna is getting fucked over and over and over again. Happy?”
Julian takes another step toward me. “Yes. I am actually.”
I should’ve just slept with him. Maybe then he wouldn’t have tried to fuck up my audiobook.
“I know you’ve heard my work. I can do this and I’ll record thirty takes of me saying ‘that’s my good girl’ to get it right, if that’s what you want.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and cups my neck, stroking my cheek. “Let me do this.”
I sigh into his touch… until reality sets in. I like him, that’s undeniable, but he crossed a line.
“You got the job.” I take a step back. “But whatever this is between us is done. I’ll see you tomorrow for a readthrough. Have a good day, Mr. Evans.”
“I can’t believe it! What an asshole.” Amanda shakes her head before downing her shot of tequila and chasing it with a beer.
After the shit day I’ve had, I called one of my favorite author friends for drinks and a debrief. Amanda hit it big with a viral social media video—the equivalent of winning the lottery in the indie author world. She landed a huge book deal with a major publisher and, since then, the two of us have traded off taking the number one spot with online retailers. If anyone understands what I’m dealing with, it’s her. What started out as one drink at a restaurant bar quickly turned into four. At this rate, we’ll need to go dancing after this to sober up before heading home.
I take my shot, savoring the burn with no chaser. “Asshole,” I echo. “The worst part? Julian’s voice is actually perfect for Julian.” I fucked myself. I definitely need to change it back to Bryan… or literally anything else.
Amanda signals for another round. “Let me have a listen.” I hand her my wireless earbuds out of my purse and press play on one of the audiobooks on my app. A minute or two later, her eyes are wide as she takes out the earbuds. “He’s actually good, Becs. Can you imagine what he’ll sound like when he has to groan or growl into her pussy?”
I’m unable to help the laugh that escapes me. “This is a nightmare! He’s hot, too. Did I tell you he’s hot? And flirty. He’s been hitting on me since the moment we met. He actually asked what I call my lady bits.” She chokes on her beer. “Right? Who does that?”
That one I’m taking to the grave.
Our shots arrive and we toss them back quickly, finishing with limes between our teeth. “Ok, let’s settle up and head two doors down to the hotel bar. There are always men there who are hot as fuck and only in town for business. Perfect for a no strings attached evening.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“I haven’t had sex since…”
“Bryan,” we say in unison.
“See, Becs! It’s meant to be.”
We’re probably the youngest people here. A few silver foxes bought us drinks, but I have no desire to go upstairs with someone who likely needs a little blue pill to have a good time. I’ll never yuck someone’s yum, but an age gap romance is not for me.
The man to Amanda’s left is incredibly attractive and most definitely interested in her, so I busy myself reading a book on my e-reader. If I can’t have a real life book-worthy romance right now, I may as well read about a sexy man doing delicious things to a woman in a first person point of view.
Engrossed in a scene, a delicious voice startles me. “Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise.”
I fumble my e-reader and it slides over the bar, clinking against various alcohol bottles on its way to the floor. “Shit. Julian, what are you doing here?”
“I was about to ask the same thing, Merlot.”
Amanda swivels in her seat. “Did someone just say… Why, hello there.” She drinks him in, then gives me a pointed look.
“Julian, this is Amanda. Amanda, Julian. Of all the bars in all the hotels, it had to be here.” I sigh in defeat.
She offers her hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Julian. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“Is that so?” Julian asks with a smirk. He signals to the bartender and orders himself a Manhattan.
Of course he had to drink the same thing as me…
I finish mine in a few quick gulps and toss down $40. I lean in to Amanda and keep my voice low. “Well, I better head out before another audiobook contract of mine is hijacked. See you Thursday for lunch?” Amanda nods, her attention mostly on the tall drink of water next to her. As I get up, I wrap my arm around her from behind and press a kiss to her cheek. “Have fun, girly.”
She pats my arm and I release it as she whispers, “You were right about him… hot.” I groan, rolling my eyes. “See you for lunch, babe.”
I try to move past Julian but he catches me by the waist. “Leaving so soon?”
“Early morning,” I lie.
His lips brush my ear, causing the hairs to rise on my neck. I hate and love the effect he has on me. “One drink?”
“No good can come from it.” My gaze meets his as he steps back. “Are you staying here?” I ask and he nods in reply. I should make it my mission to not come within twenty blocks of this hotel as long as I know Julian’s in New York. “Goodnight, Julian.”
I only make it three steps when he asks, “Why didn’t you change it back to Bryan?”
Glancing back at him, I reply, “Always wanted to know what it would be like to call out ‘Julian’ in bed. This is the closest I’ll ever get to it.”
His boyish grin couldn’t be wider. I shouldn’t flirt with him. I shouldn’t keep him on as my narrator. I shouldn’t want him. Yet… here we are.
6
JULIAN
I can’t keep my eyes off her as she walks away. Becca turns back once and… fuck it. I take out a $20 from my wallet, slap it onto the bar, and run after her.
“Good luck, Romeo,” her friend calls after me.
“Becca, wait.” She doesn’t stop, so I pick up my pace. When I reach her, I catch her hand and pull her toward me. “I have an idea. Do you trust me?” She looks down at our hands and back up at me, but doesn’t pull away.
“No,” she replies flatly.
“Will you at least hear me out?”
With a sigh, she concedes, “Sure.”
“Come on, I’ll explain on the way.” I begin guiding us toward the elevator. We barely make it a dozen steps before she pulls her hand from mine, ending the little adventure we were about to embark on. “I have my equipment upstairs. I want to record a few chapters for you and get your feedback,” I explain.
Becca crosses her arms. “Record them and send me the files.”
“Real-time feedback. I want to know what I can fix in the moment.”
“I swear, Julian, if this is some weird elaborate ruse to get me naked…”
I let out a hearty laugh. “I mean, if you want to be naked, I certainly wouldn’t complain.” My eyes wander halfway down to her chest but I catch myself and quickly look back to her emerald green eyes. “Everything is set up in the living room of my suite.”
“No improv like you pulled when we were in the meeting?”
“I promise.” I offer my hand. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
I can’t believe she actually agreed. Shrugging off my jacket, I toss it onto the back of the closest chair and grab two bottles of water from the mini fridge. I’ve been chasing this woman since the moment I sat down next to her on the plane and I’m not giving up until I’ve won her over. The first step is to get her to forgive me for the stunt I pulled. If I play my cards right, we’ll have a chance to get to know one another better and, if I’m lucky, she might even let me take her on a real date.
Becca pulls up a copy of the audiobook notes on my computer. “Where do you want to start?”
After reading through her book over the weekend, I know I’m in for a rough few weeks. Between the rollercoaster of emotions these characters have and the on-page sex, it’s going to be quite a range for me to master.
“How about chapter 12?” A sly smirk spreads across my face.
Her eyes widen and she replies, “Oh, um… sure.”
I take the computer from her, scroll to chapter 12, and prep the rest of my equipment. “You’ll need to sit closer if you want to listen in.”
“I can hear just fine from where I’m at, thank you.”
“Becca, sit next to me. I won’t make a pass at you. You have to listen through the headphones to have an idea of what this will sound like once recorded.” I offer a set of my headphones to her. With a sigh, she gets up from the opposite chair to sit next to me on the couch. “Can you do Anna’s part to help with pacing?”
“I don’t record audiobooks. I’m an author. I know what I want from a narrator, but I don’t want to do it myself. I want someone else to do it for me.” She laughs nervously. “That, uh, came out wrong. You know what I mean.”
Oh, I absolutely do. But I want to play the long game here.
“You don’t have to add inflection, just read the words on the page for me.”
Reluctantly, she starts reading.
Anna: We spent two hot nights together and now I have to work for him. Every time Julian walks by, my stomach twists and I can’t catch my breath. Pulling me from my thoughts, he taps my desk and demands.
Julian: “Anna, can I see you in my office?”
Anna: I nod and swallow hard, following him down the hall. I wait in the doorway as he rounds his desk and sits in his large leather chair.
Julian: “Have a seat.”
Anna: I stay rooted in place.
Julian: “Sit, Anna.”
Anna: I take a deep breath and sit in the chair opposite him.
Julian: “Since we’re working together, I need to make one thing clear, kitten.”
Anna: I swallow hard.
Julian: “I want you.”
