Page 10 of Sharing Her Heart

John motioned toward the front doors, his playful smile never fading. "Come on in, Felicity. Let’s show you the studio—it’s the best part."

They led her up the grand steps to the front doors of the manor. John walked by her side, and Nathan walked behind her. He’d gone quiet again, but Felicity was very much aware of his presence. Could feel the intensity of his stare even though she was not looking at him. John was narrating a funny story about when he and Nathan first moved into the house as he grabbed the door and pushed it open, stepping inside and inviting her in with a wave of his hand.

Felicity took a step forward but stopped at the threshold, her hand hovering near the doorframe. She could feel her heart racing in her chest, and it was not just from excitement. It wasn’t fear that held her back either. It was something else. Something she felt deep in her heart. An inexplicable feeling that stepping into this house would change everything. If she crossed this line and walked into their world, she would never come out as the same person.

John noticed her pause and turned back, his expression a mix of curiosity and warmth. “What are you waiting for?” he asked, his voice teasing but soft.

Felicity looked at him, then Nathan, who stood a little behind, watching her quietly. There was something about the look in his eyes. It felt like she was being hunted, except she seemingly had no problem being prey if he was the hunter. There was no danger to it. Just interest. A deep, dark interest that awoken things in her she’d long forgotten about.

That look stirred something inside her—a sense of anticipation she couldn’t quite place. She took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and smiled nervously. “Nothing,” she said, more to herself than to them. Then after one more look at the two men who stood waiting for her, she stepped over the threshold.

John led the way, his excitement contagious as he guided Felicity down a long corridor and into what felt like another world—their studio. Her eyes widened in awe as she stepped inside. It was state-of-the-art, every inch of the space thoughtfully designed for sound and comfort. There were plush chairs, modern recording equipment, shelves lined with books, and framed posters of classic romantic novels hanging on the walls.

“This... this is where you record the podcast?” Felicity asked, her voice almost a whisper. She could hardly believe it. She stood in the very place where the magic happened, where Nathan and John’s voices brought stories to life for thousands of listeners.

John grinned. “Yep. This is where the magic happens. Pretty cool, right?”

“Cool?” Felicity laughed, her excitement spilling over. “This is incredible! I never imagined it would be like this.” She walked around the room, touching the equipment and admiring the setup. It was easy to believe they made magic every week in thisvery room. She knew nothing about recording audiobooks, but she could already feel the energy flowing in her.

Nathan had gone to the bar in the corner of the room the moment they walked in, and now he walked toward her with a drink. “Here,” he said, handing the glass to her.

Felicity took the glass, her fingers brushing against his for just a second, sending a shiver down her spine. Just like in the restaurant when he’d somehow managed to get her exactly what it was she wanted, even when she didn’t know she needed it, she knew she needed this drink. And sure enough, when she took a sip of the amber liquid and felt it slide down her throat, it was perfect.

“Thank you,” she said softly, raising the glass in a silent toast before taking a sip.

The warmth of the drink spread through her, calming her racing heart as she glanced around the studio again. She couldn't believe she was here with them.

“Let’s get started,” John said, leading her into the recording booth, his hand lightly resting on the small of her back as he guided her inside. The booth was intimate, soundproofed and softly lit, with sleek black panels lining the walls. Nathan stayed behind for a moment, fiddling with the equipment outside. The space was just large enough for the three of them, but with the setup, it felt close—cozy in a way that made Felicity acutely aware of her surroundings.

“Alright, so here’s how this is going to go,” John said, his voice as smooth and easy as ever, though his tone had an underlying seriousness. He handed her a stack of papers—the manuscript they’d be reading from—and smiled encouragingly. “Don’t overthink it. Just relax, follow the words, and let it flow. You’ve got this.”

Felicity nodded, feeling a mixture of excitement and nerves. She’d listened to their voices for so long, imagining what beingpart of the magic would be like. And now, here she was—about to record with them.

Just as John finished explaining a few more details, Nathan stepped into the booth, his presence immediately filling the small space. As usual, he was quiet, focusing entirely on setting up the microphones and adjusting a few settings on the soundboard. When he moved behind her, she inadvertently backed up, her shoulders brushing against his chest. The contact sent an electric jolt through her, and she quickly pulled forward, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

“Sorry,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s okay,” he said softly in that deep voice, and a tingle rushed down her spine.

John chuckled from beside her, watching the exchange with his usual amused expression. “We’re going to be bumping shoulders a bit,” he teased. “I’ve told Nathan it’s time we put in a bigger booth, but he insists on keeping it this way. We can step out if it’ll make you more comfortable…”

“It’s okay,” Felicity quickly said. The last thing she wanted was to put them out of their way. “I’m fine with this.”

“Good,” Nathan said, and with him so close, she could hear his voice right in her ears. Her heartbeat quickened, and she swallowed twice.

Felicity smiled awkwardly, trying to shake off the nervousness as she stood between the two men. The mics were set up now, two standing side by side in front of her. It felt oddly intimate for the three of them to be huddled together in the small booth, and Felicity found it hard not to be hyper aware of every tiny movement.

“Okay, let’s start simple,” John said, his tone light. “Just speak into the mic and say anything. Doesn’t matter what—just so you can hear your voice and get used to it. We’ll go from there.”

Felicity swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. She leaned forward slightly, her lips brushing the edge of the microphone. She could feel both men’s eyes on her, waiting, and the pressure made her heart race even more.

“Um... testing?” she finally said, her voice tentative and shy as it echoed back through her headphones. She blushed, hearing her voice fill the space. The sound, amplified in this professional setting, made her feel self-conscious and exhilarated.

John smiled at Felicity’s tentative attempt and leaned in slightly, his voice a gentle coax. “That’s good, but let’s loosen you up a bit. Don’t think of it as a performance—it’s just us having a conversation. How about I ask you a few questions to get you more comfortable?”

Felicity nodded, feeling a bit more at ease with John's easy going demeanor. The microphone still loomed in front of her, but the warmth of John’s tone made her feel like she was simply talking to an old friend.

“So let’s start simple,” John said. “What’s your favorite romance novel of all time?”

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