Chapter Three
The studio turned out to be a beautiful manor an hour's ride from the city’s center.
Felicity's eyes widened when the electric gates slid open to let the car through, revealing a long winding driveway flanked by towering trees.
The sheer scale of the property left her speechless.
As they drove deeper into the estate, the landscape unfolded into perfectly manicured gardens, with sprawling lawns and vibrant flower beds surrounding a stately manor house that looked like it belonged in a period drama.
The stone facade was majestic, with ivy climbing its walls and large windows that gleamed in the late morning sun.
Felicity leaned forward in her seat, her heart racing with excitement and curiosity.
She knew the podcast was a huge deal and assumed Nathan and John made a lot of money doing it, but this was different.
This level of wealth and luxury seemed unreal.
The car finally pulled up in front of the manor, and as she stepped out, she took in the full scope of the place.
The building was massive, with multiple wings stretching out on either side, and the entire property was surrounded by acres of private land.
The air was quiet and still, giving the space an almost otherworldly feel.
“This is the studio?” she asked, too stunned to think of what she was saying.
“It is,” John replied with a chuckle. “It is also where we live.”
She turned to him. “You both live here?”
“That’s right. Nathan and I spend so much time together that we finally just decided we might as well get a place of our own and live together. Of course, the house is big enough that Nathan can disappear for days when he wants to.”
Felicity glanced between them, still trying to wrap her head around the fact that these two men—whose voices she had been listening to for years—shared this enormous, luxurious home. The idea seemed surreal, almost too good to be true, but then again, everything about today had felt that way.
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 manor’s front doors.
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 entered their world, she would never come out 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 awakened 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.
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 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 this very 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.
“All right, so here’s how this is going to go,” John said, his voice as smooth and easy as ever, though it carried 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 being part 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. “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 hyperaware 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 easygoing 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?”