“It doesn’t have to be New York. You can run any marathon. The Seal Beach one next October doesn’t require any pre-reqs. You can just register. Not to mention, even if it was the hospital is one of the sponsors, so I can pull strings.”
“Sure.” I draw out the word with an eyeroll. “And are you going to be my guide and train with me?”
“Pass… Garrett can do it.”
“Hard pass!” I grimace. “The only marathon I plan to do is binge-watchingBridgerton.”I tip my head back and let out a squeal. “You’ve not lived until you’ve listened to the descriptive video of that carriage scene from season three.”
“Really?” He leans forward, his tone conspiratorial. “Is there descriptive porn?”
Of course Garrett picks that moment to return to the table with our drinks. “Seriously, the conversations you two have,” he groans. The glasses make a hollowclunkas he sets them down. “Jensen, your soda is at three o’clock.”
“Thanks.” Palm flat on the table, I slide my right hand to where three would be if the space were a clock and wrap my fingers around the cool glass.
Stop it, butterflies!And this is why I like Garrett. He always tells me the course’s landscape so I can navigate easily. Items on tables. A room layout. This week’s ice cream flavors at Marie’s Scoops. He somehow does it without being asked or making me feel like an imposition.
It's adorable. It’s also infuriating. No matter how much he annoys me, he does something like this, and my heart does that stupid pitter-patter thing.
“So, how does this audio porn work, anyhow?” Anker sounds bemused.
“It’s called erotic audio.” I shake my head. “It’s just a voice actor that walks you through a scenario.”
“Like deep-voiced men who talk you throughsexy timesand call someone a ‘good girl?”
Heat flushes my cheeks. “Sometimes.”
“Fascinating…”
“And this is like athing?” Garrett’s question oozes with dismissiveness.
“It’s huge, Garrett… Though that’s something a woman has probably never said to you.”
A loud laugh belts out of Anker.
I can almost picture Garrett’s scowl. Well, what I imagine it looks like. Thanks to the few times we’ve done human guide, I know he’s tall with broad shoulders and a muscular build.His always-present five o’clock shadow, green eyes, and short chestnut-colored hair are what I’ve put together between my limited vision and others’ descriptions.
“Smartass.” His mouth’s upward curl is audible in Garrett’s humor-laced mutter.
Grinning, I go on, “Erotic audio is a big deal. It appeals to those of us who tend to be more imaginatively or auditorily stimulated.” I lift my glass to my lips and take a self-congratulatory sip. The cool drink fizzes in my throat.
“Who knew an entire world of verbal porn existed?” Anker puffs a breath.
“Yoursister apparently knew.”
“Ugh, don’t want to think about that.” He clicks his tongue. “You know, Garrett, if doctoring doesn’t turn out for us, we may have backup careers as erotic vocal actors.”
“Don’t you dare!” I cover my face with my hands.
The idea of my brother as an erotic vocal performer makes me consider canceling myPillow Talksubscription. As frustrating as Garrett is, I’ll admit his timbre is similar to some of my favorite male voice actors. His “hot guy” voice was what first attracted me. Its deepness almost rumbles through me when he speaks.
Garrett’s judgy remarks and dismissiveness about—well everything related to me—should snuff out my attraction to him. He’s all Mr. Darcy before Lizzie visits Pemberly, with no sign of transitioning from prejudicial grump. Yet, I’m still attracted to him.Seriously, what is wrong with me?
Garrett clears his throat. “Andyoulisten to this?”
That way he says “you” reeks of his trademark “Jensen Judgment.” The question is reminiscent of a head pat accompanying an “Oh, you poor, sad, lonely woman with your dirty audios.”
Screw that!My audios may be dirty, but I’m not sad. It’s healthy. It’s empowering.
“Don’t answer that!” Anker’s interruption is half-groan, half-laugh. “The existence of audio porn is one thing, but knowing my sister’s phone is full of it may be too much.”
