Chapter 20

The knock made Brynn jump, her breath hitching. She cracked the door, feeling…medant–pep–threw… He filled the doorway, tall and lean in a white button-up. A couple of buttons were undone—maybe the room was warm—and it gave a peek at some seriously toned lines. Even through the shirt, you could tell he was stacked—hot as hell without even trying.

Fresh off her spicy livestream banter, Brynn’s nerves went haywire seeing Dominic. Her cheeks lit up red, no warning. Worst part? She was paranoid he’d heard her messing with the fan. That door was basically tissue paper—he had to have caught it all.

Brynn stuttered, face on fire, scrambling for something to say. How do you explain you were jurgooting? Good thing Dominic didn’t dig. He just flicked a quick look at her laptop, then dropped a line that could thaw a freezer. “Don’t stay up too late, alright? Get some sleep.” Then he handed her a mug of hot milk.

Brynn blinked, brain lagging. Oh—he’s just dropping off milk. “Uh…thanks,” she mumbled, still half-dazed. Smooth, deep tone. Dominic hit her with a soft grin, then turned and strolled out, leaving her staring at his back. Her brain melted. A guy this nice, this sweet—her husband? She believes she must’ve been a superhero in another life to score him.

She stood there grinning like a dope for a second before shaking it off. Right—the stream. She darted back to the laptop. The chat was a total mess. [OMG OMG A DUDE!] Fans were spamming, freaking out. [That your husband? His voice is FIRE] someone typed. [Is he a voice actor too?] another threw out. [Have to be—that smooth? No way.] Ja fan jumped in… [Holy crap, that voice…it’s straight out of Tangled Hearts] one squealed. [AHHH if you two voiced that book together, I’d die happy.] another gushed.

“Tangled Hearts” popping up sent the chat into overdrive, fans piling on. Brynn’s face got hot again—because “Tangled Hearts?” Steamy as hell. Big vibes, big…everything. The leads had tension you could choke on. She knew it cold—she’d eaten that book up.

15:15 Tue, 8 Apr HA

Chapter 20

And now her brain was off, picturing her and Dominic in it. “Why won’t you look at me?” she’d tease, all sultry like the heroine. Scared to taste my lipstick… Red satin sheets. Her in a flimsy slip, sliding toward him in that white shirt. She’d tip his chin up with a flirty nudge. He’d grab her wrist, pull her in, and she’d crash against him. “Lipstick’s not enough,” he’d growl. “I want you.” It got way too spicy from there. Brynn shook her head fast, shutting it down.

Nope, not now—still live! She couldn’t let her face spill the beans. “Guys, relax—he’s not a voice actor, just a regular desk jockey,” Brynn cut in, trying to clear it up. “No way he’s hopping on a mic with me.”

[Aw, that’s lame,] fans typed back, the chat drowning in sad vibes. [For real? That voice and he’s not doing this?] someone said, stunned. [He’s got to try it—think of the goldmine!] another pushed. (It’s not a total no-go, right?) a hardcore fan begged.

Brynn fake-pouted. “Hey, you all show up for me, don’t you? Why’s everyone drooling over my husband’s voice now? Keep this up, and I’m going to get jealous!”

[So adorable!] they spammed. Someone poked, [Wait, jealous of us or him?]

“Little of both,” Brynn fired back with a grin, then yanked the conversation back. “Alright, enough—what’s next? Throw your voice picks in the chat, and I’ll grab one blind.”

Fans flipped back to business, tossing suggestions like crazy. Brynn skimmed the screen, snagged a few clips, and jumped in, her voice rolling through the stream. It settled into a chill zone—just her smooth reads and a steady drip of [Love this!] and [Killing it] in the chat.

She’d just finished a bit and was scoping the next when the screen went nuts—Golden Lions, big and loud, blasted across it. Not one, but a freaking tidal wave of them. Brynn’s jaw dropped, totally thrown. Not just her, the fans were shocked, too. The chat locked up, then blew up. [HOLY CRAP—WHALE ALERT!] someone yelled. Who’s this ‘DJHS’ dude?] another demanded. [I counted—FIFTY Golden Lions. FIFTY. I’m done.] a fan said, voice cracking on mic.

Golden Lions were the platform’s big-ticket gift—200 dollars each. Fifty? That’s ten grand, no sweat.

15 Tue, 8 Apr

Chapter 20

The chat went full meltdown. Everyone was trying to figure out who this guy was. ITEN GRANDE! This guy’s not even subbed—lir’s a nobody!] someone screeched. Hole) a fan typed, dazed. HURR) another echoed. [Checked his profile—blank. New account, maybe?) a detective chimed in. What if it’s some kid who fat-fingered it? Saw the lions, thought they were cool, didn’t know it’s real cash?] someone guessed. Could totally see it, another nodded. Brynn’s brain went there too—she started sweating a bit.

She clicked the mystery donor’s avatar and fired off a private message.

BrynnieBee: [Hey! Uh, kiddo, looks like you might’ve goofed. Those effects aren’t cheap—like, serious money! You can ask for a minot refund if you need. I’ll send it back, no stress.]

Meanwhile, Dominic—who’d just dropped that fat tip—was on a video call with Declan, fumbling with the app. Dominic wasn’t a social media guy—never touched apps like this. He’d only grabbed it a few minutes ago to throw some love Brynn’s way. Before Declan could even open his mouth on their call, Dominic caught Brynn’s PM and flashed a quick shh hand at him. Declan just sat there, blank-faced and over it…

Dominic skimmed her private message and smirked. ‘She’s too damn cute,’ he thought, totally smitten with his wife.

DJHS: [Hey, no stress—I’m not some kid. Tipped you because your voice is killer, kinda like my wife’s. Don’t sweat it.]

He typed it out, all smooth. Worried she’d push back, he hesitated, then tossed in more.

DJHS: [Got a good job, nice paycheck. This cash? Barely a dent for me. J]

Brynn read it and scrunched her face. “Tipping me because I sound like his wife? That’s…odd,” she mumbled to herself.

BrynnieBee; [Sorry, dude, can’t take your tips. Money’s not free—nobody should just chuck it around like that.]

BrynnieBee: [Also, you’ve got a wife. Dropping stacks on another woman? Kinda sketchy, no?]

Total dirtbag, she thought, scowling. She’d never had time for sleazy types like that…