Love on Radio (The Wild Diamonds) Read online

“Yeah.”

  She looked at me with worry in her expression. “Look, Ella. I don’t want to scare you away, but please be good to him. I don’t know what your life is normally like, how often you...” She glanced at Dean’s much-too-big jersey that I had appropriated into a dress. “Stay with guys... but Dean is a good man. If you like him, then that’s fantastic. But please, don’t lead him on.”

  “I would never do that,” I said. “I really like Dean. And for the record, I never sleep with guys I just met. I just... I felt such a connection to him. Like I’d known him for years. Does that sound weird?”

  A sad smile pulled on her lips. “That doesn’t sound weird at all. I felt exactly the same way when I met Stan.”

  “What are you ladies talking about?” Dean asked as he walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.

  “You, of course,” Lucy grinned. “Well, I think we’ve taken up enough of Ella’s time. Why don’t you take her out for dinner tonight, Dean? After she’s had a chance to go home and get out of your old jersey, that is.”

  Now both Dean and I were blushing, our cheeks crimson with embarrassment.

  “Uh,” he started, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “Is that something you’d be interested in, Ella?”

  “I’d love to.”

  Lucy smiled triumphantly as we said our goodbyes to her and the girls before walking back to Dean’s apartment.

  My head was swimming with thoughts about what Lucy had said, and I felt as though everything was moving much too fast. But I liked it. It was exciting, and the thought of going on another date with Dean gave me butterflies in my stomach.

  He was unlike anyone I’d ever met before. So genuine, caring and kind-hearted, yet so strong, virile and courageous. He was everything I’d ever wanted in a man. And I loved that he was so... normal. All my life, I’d only ever known people who were in the entertainment industry. I grew up going to movie premieres and being followed around by paparazzi on my way to school. My friends all had famous parents or were famous themselves. I’d started to realize that I’d been living in a bubble.

  Dean was like a portal into a completely new world for me, and even though our lives were vastly different, I had a feeling we could have something special between us if we gave it a chance.

  A few hours later, I was at my apartment, freshly showered and getting ready to go on my second date with Dean. My hands shook as I applied my mascara, and I was surprised at how nervous I felt.

  I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about what Lucy had said, about Dean only ever wanting to dance with his mother or the woman he’d marry. But he seemed so comfortable dancing with me, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

  Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as I remembered the way we flowed together on the dance floor, how his hands felt on my back, that kiss that blew my mind, and I hoped I would experience it again very soon.

  I was pulled out of my fantasies by a knock on the door, and I quickly finished applying my make-up before I ran to answer it.

  My heart skipped a beat when I saw him, looking sharp in a dark grey suit and tie, his eyes twinkling as he smiled.

  “Hi,” I said, gesturing for him to come inside.

  “Wow, Ella. You look beautiful.” He scanned my body, lingering over my red mini-dress.

  “Thank you, and you look very handsome yourself.”

  I followed him into my apartment, slipping my heels on while he admired the view of Central Park from my living room window.

  “This is a great place you got here. Although I gotta admit, I was expecting something...”

  “Bigger?” I asked.

  “Yeah, actually. And more... Hollywood.”

  I laughed. Visitors always seemed surprised that I didn’t live in a huge penthouse. “I know it’s not huge or extravagant, but it’s enough for me. Just because I’m a rockstar doesn’t mean I need to live like one. Besides, I really love the view from here. Can’t beat it.”

  “It sure is a great view.” He agreed, but when I turned around, I realized it was me he was looking at, not the park. I winked at him, and I felt my nipples harden until they were poking through my dress, giving him something even better to look at.

  In a flash, he’d moved across the room and was pinning me to the wall, kissing me desperately.

  “Mmm,” he moaned. “I’ve wanted to kiss you all day.”

  “Why didn’t you?” I asked.

  “I didn’t know if I should, if that’s what you wanted.”

  “Oh I wanted it. Still do.”

  Fire blazed in his eyes as he slid his tongue into my mouth, his hands tracing over my hard nipples, pinching them lightly. His touch set me alight, waves of heat and passion washing over me as we made out.

  “Wait,” I breathed, pressing my palms against his hard chest, using every ounce of strength to resist the temptation of him. “We better stop, or we’ll miss our reservation.”

  He groaned. “You’re right. Sorry, I just can’t keep my hands off you.”

  “Don’t ever apologize for that!” I smiled as he pulled away, running a hand through his hair as he let out a deep sigh. “Quick, let’s go. Before I change my mind.”

  “Oh, we wouldn’t want that to happen, would we?” he teased, winking at me as we stepped out the door of my apartment.

  Chapter Six

  “I booked us the best table in the house,” he said as we waited in the foyer of the restaurant. He’d held my hand as we walked from my building, sending warm pulses up my arm and into my heart. “Right by the window.”

  “The window?” I asked as a waiter lead us through the crowded room. We reached our table, and he was right; it was directly by the front window, giving us a great view of Central Park and the street – but it also gave everyone else a great view of us, something I’d learned to avoid, being in the public eye.

  I sat down, already spotting the paparazzi who had followed us and were now waiting across the street, clicking their cameras at lightning speed.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked, reaching a hand over to hold mine.

  “Yeah, absolutely.” I smiled, hoping the photographers would keep their distance. Moments later, three of them had crossed the street and were standing directly on the other side of the glass, snapping photos of us.

  “What the...?” Dean looked at them, puzzled.

  “We might have to move to the back of the restaurant,” I said as I stood up and waved down a waiter to help us. Another four photographers had appeared now, all watching us as though we were animals in a zoo. The commotion had drawn the attention of fellow diners, some of whom had already whipped out their camera phones, and I wondered if we should just leave the restaurant entirely.

  The waiter hurried over and moved us to a private booth near the back, somewhere we would be out of view from the paparazzi – both of the professional and amateur variety.

  “I’m so sorry, Ella. I didn’t even think about reporters or anything like that.” Dean said once we had sat down, clearly taken aback by the whole situation.

  “It’s okay. You didn’t know. It’s just hard to escape it sometimes. I actually think it’s kind of awesome that you don’t have to think about that or pre-plan everything you do to avoid a circus. I can’t imagine what that must be like.”

  “I can’t imagine what it must be like to live the way you do, either. Strangers following you around wherever you go, taking photos of everything you do. How do you handle it?”

  “It’s normal for me. I grew up with it. But I remember how hard it was for Jaz, Kelly and Jesse to cope once we hit it big. It was really scary for them at first, getting mobbed by people. But they’re used to it now, too. You learn how to avoid it.”

  “Well, I just learned my first lesson in Rockstar 101: don’t book tables by the front window.”

  We laughed, and I was glad he kept his cool under the pressure of my fame, even though I could still see remnants of panic lingering in his eyes.


  After dinner, I was sipping on my third glass of wine when he leaned in and took my hand in his, sending sparks shooting through my fingertips and down my spine.

  “Hey, I just want to apologize for Lucy putting you on the spot like that today. I feel bad that you got roped into going out with me twice now.”

  “I wasn’t roped into anything. I wanted to see you again, so I was actually excited when Lucy brought it up.”

  “Really?” he asked, eyes wide in surprise, making me laugh.

  “Dean, if I didn’t want to be here, I wouldn’t be. I enjoy being with you. I like you,” I said, making it as clear as possible because he seemed to be uncertain of why I was out with him.

  A gorgeous crooked smile flashed across his face, and his trademark blush was back in full force, making me swoon.

  “I can’t believe it,” he said, still smiling.

  “Believe it,” I said. “Besides, I think I proved to you last night just how much I enjoy your company.”

  We were both blushing then, and I could feel my body starting to swelter under my dress, the source of the heat coming from in between my thighs.

  “I think I need some more convincing,” he said, his eyes darkening with desire. “Care to prove it to me some more?”

  Fifteen minutes later, we were bursting through the door of my apartment, lips glued together as I kicked the door closed and stepped out of my heels.

  A wicked smile pulled at my lips, and I reached behind me and began unzipping my dress. My pussy throbbed with anticipation as he ripped off his jacket, the bulge in his pants growing bigger by the second.

  “Guess what?” I whispered in his ear.

  “What?”

  “I’m not wearing any underwear.”

  He growled, licking his lips as he burned me with his smoldering gaze.

  I grabbed his silk tie, pulling him towards me as I walked backwards towards my couch, slowly lowering my dress over my breasts, exposing my skin inch by inch until I was completely nude. I pushed him back onto the couch and sat on top of him, sighing as his erection pushed against my panties.

  I crushed my lips to his, tasting every inch of his mouth with my tongue.

  My body temperature sky rocketed as he massaged my breasts with one hand and slid the other over my mound, toying with my clit. Pleasure zapped through me as stroked me with his thumb and slid two fingers into my wetness.

  I moaned as I began to rock my hips back and forth over his fingers, feeling him press directly on my g-spot again and again. I leaned back, resting my palms on his knees, giving his long fingers better access to my bliss.

  He took my nipple in his mouth, licking and sucking it as I ground myself against him, quickening my pace as the pressure built deep inside me.

  He cupped my ass in his other hand, holding me firm so he could finger me with more force and precision, and it worked. I felt my orgasm rising, until it hit me hard, rippling through me like a glorious electric shock.

  Suddenly, I was lying on my back on the couch, and Dean had his head in between my legs, drinking in my juices as I came. The touch of his warm, wet tongue sliding in between my pussy lips sent me over the edge again, and my body shook as I dove head first into another amazing orgasm.

  “Do you have any...?” he asked, his hot breath on my sex sending shivers done my spine.

  “Bedside table,” I said, moving my hands down over my mound to keep the pleasure going while he went to get a condom.

  Using one hand to spread my pussy lips, I circled my clit as I watched him undress and roll the condom over his huge erection. The sight of him standing there, naked, masculine and eager to please me, was enough to make me come for the third time in as many minutes.

  “Come here,” he said, gesturing with his index finger, and I obliged.

  I stood close to him, our bare skin touching, his hard cock pressing against my stomach. He placed his fingers under my chin, tilting it up so he could kiss me, and I could taste my own juices on his tongue, driving me wild.

  Using his brute strength, he lifted me up by the thighs, my legs wrapping around his waist as he held me up against him.

  “Oh god!” I yelled as he pushed his cock into me, my pussy stretching as he slid deep inside.

  My fingernails dug into the skin of his back as he slowly pulled out to the tip, before thrusting into me again. He held me tight, and I felt as though I was suspended in mid-air as he fucked me, ramming into me again and again. My legs squeezed his waist tighter with every swing of his hips, and I ground myself against him, relishing in the feeling of him inside me.

  “More,” I begged, and he lowered me back onto the couch, spreading my legs wide as he pounded into me with full force. “Yes!”

  I raised my hips to meet his at every thrust, my hands running down his hard, chiseled chest and abs. His strength was astounding. The way he moved in and out of me with such power blew my mind.

  It wasn’t long before I felt the delicious pressure begin to rise again, so I hooked my legs around him and clutched on tight to the couch cushions, ready to be catapulted into euphoria yet again.

  “Oh Ella. Ella!” he growled as his head dropped next to mine, and knowing he was about to blow turned me on so much that I unravelled straight away.

  Our sweat soaked bodies slammed together frantically as we came together, the rhythmic pumping of his cock inside me only adding to my ecstasy. I bit down on my lip as waves of pleasure washed over me, the final few thrusts making me quiver and moan.

  Finally, we stilled, our breathing heavy as we came down from our collective high.

  “That was amazing,” I said. “You’re amazing.”

  “You’re a Goddess,” he said as he lifted his head to kiss me. He rose to his feet, scooped me up in his arms and carried me to bed. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as he climbed in between the sheets next to me.

  “Have dinner with me again tomorrow,” he requested as he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight.

  “I’d love to,” I said, taking hold of his hand. “But I’m going to L.A in the morning. The band and I are doing a spot on the Up Late Show. But I’ll be back in a couple of days, how about then?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll be sure to watch the show. It’s going to be weird seeing you on TV, now that I’ve seen you naked and all.”

  I laughed as he nuzzled closer to me, his soft lips brushing against my ear, the tiny hairs on his chin tickling my neck.

  I wanted to stay in his arms forever.

  Chapter Seven

  DEAN

  “Guys, come on! Shut up!” I called as I sat on the edge of a lounge chair in the TV area of the fire station, watching the opening credits of the Up Late Show. The other guys on duty with me were cooking in the kitchen, making a racket.

  Mike walked in holding a plate of grilled chicken and took the chair next to mine. “Hey, guys! Be quiet, will ya? Dean’s tryin’ to watch his girlfriend on TV!”

  The other guys all came in then, just as eager as I was to watch the show.

  “Girlfriend? Keep dreaming, man,” said Ben, a fellow firefighter.

  “Take a good look at her now, buddy. You’ll never see her in real life again,” laughed another. I sat there with a smug expression on my face as I watched, not having told them that I’d been to dinner with Ella the day after the ball, or that we’d planned on going out again when she came home to New York.

  The host introduced the first guests of the night; the Wild Diamonds. I watched as Jaz, Kelly, Ella and Jesse walked out onto the stage and took a seat. Ella looked stunning in a tight pink dress that stopped just above her knees, her flaming red hair flowing freely around her beautiful face. She really was a Goddess. I couldn’t believe I’d been lucky enough to spend the night with her... twice.

  “Woah, she looks smokin’,” said Ben. “You should have hit that when you had the chance!”

  I turned, giving him a glare that made him sit down and shut up instantly. I hated when guys spo
ke about women like that. My mother had raised me to be a gentleman, and I was grateful for that every time I heard a sleazy comment come out of another guy’s mouth.

  I turned my attention back to the television just as the host started chatting to Ella.

  “Ella, is this true; I heard you got asked out by a fireman, live on radio, and you said yes?”

  Her eyes sparkled as she answered. “Yes, that’s true. A lovely firefighter named Dean called in to the show and asked me to be his date to the FDNY ball, and I said yes. We had an amazing time. I honestly felt honored to be there with such brave and selfless people.”

  The guys cheered around me as the TV audience applauded.

  “Well, it seems like the date went very well,” the host continued. “In fact, we have a photo here that was taken the day after the ball, and if I’m not mistaken, it shows you on another date with that same fireman!”

  My jaw dropped as I saw the photograph appear on the screen, showing Ella and myself sitting at that damn table by the window, my hand holding hers.

  “Holy shit!” Mike yelled, almost dropping his plate of chicken as he turned to look at me, shock written all over his face.

  I felt every set of eyes in the room burning into me, but I didn’t remove my gaze from the television.

  Ella’s cheeks flushed with self-consciousness as she laughed nervously. “Ah, yes. We did go out again.”

  “And will there be a third date?” the host pried, glancing into the audience as they awaited her answer. Even though I knew we had planned to see each other again, I held my breath as I waited to hear what she would say.

  “I hope so, yes.”

  I felt five different hands slapping me on the back as the guys cheered and hollered, shouting congratulatory remarks over one another.

  The band then moved over to the side of the stage to perform their latest song for the audience, Ella smiling broadly the entire time.

  “Wait a minute, wait a minute!” Ben shouted. Everyone went silent, and I turned to him to see what he was going to say. “Did you sleep with her?”

  “I’m not having this conversation with you,” I said, standing up and heading towards the dorms.