A Voice Without Reason by Irene Bahrd

Author:Irene Bahrd [Bahrd, Irene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-06-08T16:00:00+00:00

21

BECCA

This all feels like a game—one I’m losing. I’m torn between wanting to get to know him and shielding my heart from the inevitable pain that’s to come when this is over. Against my better judgment, I resign myself to the fact that this is a once in a lifetime love… lust. Once in a lifetime lust. I’d be foolish to not give in to whatever this is.

Maybe he wasn’t joking about moving here? What if he moved here and it didn’t work out? I’d feel like a real bitch if he moved across the country and things didn’t end in a happily ever after. Why am I even considering this? I’ve known him a fucking week…

“You’re notorious for non-answers, my Becca, but I’ll ask anyway. What’s yours?”

“My what?” I’m so lost in thought that I’ve completely forgotten what we were talking about.

“Your middle name. Unless you want to give me the infamous name of your…” Julian glances to my lap and back up again.

The music stops and there’s clapping all around us but I don’t break eye contact with Julian. I contemplate not telling him either name, keeping the mystery alive.

The air is thick between us. My heart rate has slowed and it’s as if time has stopped altogether. The flame from the candle on the table casts shadows on his face, the flecks of gold shimmering in his eyes as the firelight dances across them.

A cocktail waitress approaches the table. “Pardon me. Can I grab you two something to drink.”

Julian’s eyes never leave mine as he reaches into his pocket, pulling out a few bills. He glances at her long enough to say, “Two Manhattans, please. Keep the change.” He hands her the cash. I sneak a glance and it’s two $100 bills. His gaze returns to mine as she walks away. “You’re really not going to tell me, are you?”

I swallow hard. “Marie.” I clarify, “My middle name is Marie.”

He leans in to kiss my neck, and whispers, “I suppose I don’t need the name of your pussy. The only thing I intend to ever call it is mine.”

My breath catches. “Um, well, someone’s been reading romance books. You have the growly book boyfriend thing down.”

“I’m not fictional. But I wouldn’t mind being…” He sits back and takes a drink, setting down the now-empty glass.

“Mind being what?”

“Since you’re a romance author, I would’ve assumed you’d be able to pick up on a man flirting with you. Your boyfriend, Becca. I wouldn’t mind being your boyfriend.” A boyish grin spreads across his face.

“Are you going to give me your letterman’s jacket too? Or your class ring? Are we courting, my Julian?”

Julian laughs, biting his lip. “Baby, I’d give you whatever you want, if you were mine. I’m sure I could go back home and rummage in the basement of my parents’ house to find my old jacket. I was captain of the football team, you know. You’d be the talk of the whole school wearing it.” He shrugs off his jacket and places it around my shoulders.

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