Chapter 2
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Bella hummed to herself as she stacked the latest non-fiction bestsellers on the rack at the front of the small bookstore where she spent most of her time when not in class. It was Sunday and she was working, nothing new there. After all, she got paid double for the weekend shift and every little bit helped towards those college loans riding over her head. She'd known it would be tough to make ends meet when she'd decided to go on for her Master's, especially in Chicago, but she could honestly say she wasn't disappointed with how things had turned out.
Deciding to go to Northwestern had been the best decision of her life. She'd spent four years away from her family and friends, most of who had congregated in Chicago for school and jobs. When Rose had announced she was moving there to live with Emmett after graduation, she'd known she wouldn't be far behind. After all, why stay away when nearly everyone she'd ever cared about was finally in one place again?
To her surprise, and no great relief, Northwestern had accepted her, and a few months after Rose, she'd headed out to the Windy City as well. At first, she'd wondered if she'd made the right move, what with Emmett insisting she move in with them instead of getting her own place. Even after four years of college, he still thought of her as his little sister that needed protecting in the 'big bad city.' Thankfully, Rose had pointed out how difficult it might be to have another person around all the time, especially its effect on their private life. Two weeks later she had her own apartment and a full moving crew.
She'd settled in nicely, having Alice, Jasper, Emmett and Rose around nearly all the time, Edward a bit less frequently, thanks to his demanding job at Cook County General. The only problem she had was the fact that Alice and Rose were dead set determined to find her a man. She kept telling them she was too busy with work and her studies to settle into a relationship, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. She wondered if it might be better to bite the bullet and tell them she'd already found the man she wanted to be with, but he only thought of her as a friend, or a little sister. Then again, them knowing it was Edward would be far worse. She shuddered at the thought of the matchmaking plans those two would put underway if they even suspected.
"Excuse me, but do you have the latest Kathy Reichs novel, I'm not sure what it's called?"
The voice brought her out of her thoughts and with a smile, she showed the customer to the right section before heading back to the counter, her mind returning to her earlier thoughts.
Edward Anthony Cullen specifically.
Her cheeks heated as she remembered, in vivid detail, the exact effect his smooth, low voice had had on her last night. Closing her eyes, she allowed herself to get lost in the memories of his sinfully seductive words in her ear as she quite shamelessly touched herself with hands she imagined were his. The knowledge that she'd done so in the actual radio studio, while on air, sent another shiver down her spine. Luckily, she'd been the only one in the building, the janitor not coming in until 12:30am, but still, someone could have come in, as they were wont to do to use the equipment after hours and caught her. Or she could have accidentally bumped the microphone and turned it on to catch her breathy moans and pants. She felt her heart skip a beat at the thought and her palms grew sweaty. She'd have to do something about these 'caught in a public place' fantasies. Maybe she could work it into the show tonight.
The show she wondered if Edward would be calling into again. She felt a bolt of arousal run through her body at the thought of his husky voice, talking dirty to her again. Perhaps this time without the shock at knowing he'd recognized her voice. She really never knew what to expect from him, and part of her loved that. And his response to her last night, well, that certainly hadn't been expected. Part of her wondered that she'd actually had the nerve to go along with him- after all, she'd been keeping her infatuation with him secret for years. Still, after hearing the voice that starred in her nightly fantasies up close and personal, indulging in them with her, admitting to having similar thoughts- well, she wanted to scream her pleasure to anyone who would listen.
Probably not, however, a good idea in the middle of a bookstore with a good amount of patrons for a Sunday afternoon. And probably not good to dwell on until she found out if it had been a one-time thing or if he would actually take her up on her challenge again and call the radio station tonight. Her heart skipped a beat again as she wondered what Edward had planned. Because she knew him well enough to know that he never backed down from a challenge, especially not one from her. He hadn't since they were kids.
She silently thanked Angela, her cohort in the Master's program, for pushing her to apply for the late night DJ slot at the local radio station. Normally, she wouldn't have even thought of radio announcing, much less an 11pm to 2am weekend shift. But the money was good, and when she'd talked to her boss about the type of show he was looking for, well, she'd been intrigued. A bit scared at first when he'd told her, after hearing her audition, that he was hoping she'd be able to create a sexy, relaxed, late night atmosphere where people could feel comfortable listening to different genres of music, and talking about things a little more risqué than the daytime would allow. She'd asked him point blank if he wanted a porn show, relieved when he'd laughed and told her absolutely not. But he wanted something sexy, something that would get ratings, and become a different offering from most of the overnight shows playing on stations around the city.
After talking with Angela, she'd agreed, feeling a bit nervous, but excited. This was something that normal, staid, refined Bella Swan wouldn't even think of doing. No one would suspect it was her, she knew her voice sounded very different if she worked at it. Not to mention talking about fantasies and sexual drives, well, that certainly would send Emmett and Jasper into the heart attack stage. Alice and Rose would probably handle it better, but something had stopped her from telling them. She had to admit though, she was surprised they hadn't figured it out, being that they were fans of the show and constantly talked about listening to it and how Bella should take some pointers from it. There was also the fact that while she preferred to do the show live, there were some nights she had to record parts and go with more music to keep up appearances. Thankfully, with her thesis deadline approaching, it had been easier to make up excuses to get out of the weekend outings, although she caved now and then to avoid being physically dragged out by her friends. Surprisingly it had been easier than she'd thought and so far, no one had said anything to even hint they knew what she did in the wee hours of the weekend mornings.
But Edward apparently did.
Then again, she really wasn't surprised- having hoped somewhere in a corner of her mind when she'd started this, that of all her friends, Edward would be the one to catch on. If she were honest, the instant she'd started planning her show about fantasies, his face had been the only one in her mind. She should have felt bad, considering she was dating Jake at the time, but she couldn't help it. Thankfully, Jake had picked up on it pretty quickly and they'd managed to salvage a friendship, although she knew she'd hurt him more than he'd let on. She hated that, but she couldn't handle coming home to him when she was constantly thinking about Edward, especially since she'd started the show. And the fact that he didn't know that the 'hot chick' hosting his new favorite show was her also rankled. They'd been sleeping together for months, he'd heard her 'bedroom' voice countless times, but obviously it hadn't made all that great an impact. She could honestly say she'd breathed a sigh of relief when he was gone and she could focus all her nightly energy on fantasies about Edward and wondered if he would recognize what her other so called 'best friends' couldn't.
He hadn't disappointed her, although it had taken about a month of shows before he'd responded. Knowing Edward, however, that simply meant he probably hadn't turned the radio on until last night. He wasn't a radio person, preferring his CDs and iPod selections of the day in most cases. Not to mention he was the only other person besides herself that she knew worked weekends more often than not. And being that her show was a Friday/Saturday/Sunday only thing, it made sense.
Still, he had figured it out and obviously had the desired reaction. She'd managed to get Edward Cullen, her long time crush, off on what basically equated to phone sex. A feeling of pride mixed with arousal as she let her mind imagine what scenarios could come up tonight at work, especially if Edward were willing to play along.
"Hey, Bella, something you're not telling us?"
She jumped at Emmett's teasing voice, surprised to see her older brother approaching the counter holding a huge bouquet of flowers. Frowning, she sent him a confused look as he set the arrangement down in front of her. "Those for me?" When he nodded, she felt the worry hit her. "Emmett, what did you do?" If he were bringing her flowers, it was not a good sign.
Emmett's laughter brought her up short. "They're not from me Bells. I'm just the messenger. I caught the delivery guy at the door and offered to bring them to you. After all," he grinned as he settled himself against the counter, "I have to know who's sending my baby sister her favorite flowers. What aren't you telling me?"
Bella felt something blossom inside of her as she reached for the small card, noting the scrawl of her name written on the envelope. Curious, she slid the card out and read the short message written in bold black script.
"Love is in the air- or at least it will be on the airwaves tonight."
Her breath caught at the bold declaration, no doubt in her mind that it came directly from Edward. The flowers, her favorites of course, were obviously his way of accepting her challenge and she found herself even more eager for tonight's show than she had been. Not to mention they were flowers from Edward and that was enough to make her blush. It didn't go unnoticed by Emmett.
"Well, you going to keep me in suspense? Who sent them?" Emmett's near whine brought her mind back to the present and to the curious gazes focused on her by several customers who'd observed the past few minutes at the counter. Slipping the card into her shirt pocket, she shrugged.
"An old friend I talked to last night. Our conversation apparently provided some much needed stress relief for him and the flowers are his way of saying thanks." Well, it wasn't the exact truth, but it would have to do. She only hoped Emmett wouldn't push it. She should have known better.
"Just what did you two talk about that made him grateful enough to send you flowers?" There was now that all too familiar, and annoying, protective tone in his voice and she knew she had to play this carefully. There was no way she was letting anyone know the flowers were from Edward.
"Old times and other things." She hoped her tone was enough to discourage any further questions. "It's really no big deal." She held up her hand as he started to speak. "Now much as I'd like to chat, I have customers to attend to so I'll talk to you later." She hoped he'd take the hint and leave, thankful to see several women nearing the counter, their arms laden with books.
"You can't put me off, little sister," his voice was determined, "we will discuss this later." Still grumbling, he headed for the door, pulling out his phone, obviously calling Rose to see if she knew anything about the situation. She mentally groaned as she realized Alice and Rose would no doubt descend upon her later wanting details. Hopefully, she could figure out something to tell them before then. Her saving grace, she suddenly realized, was that Emmett, Rose, Jasper and Alice were attending some dinner and drinks event for Emmett's company, so they wouldn't have too long to grill her. Plus, it left her free to await the pleasure she was sure the evening had in store.
Another shiver ran down her body at the thought, and she quickly turned her focus back to her day job, counting the hours until she headed into the station.
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"Well, you Windy City lovers- I'm back with you tonight- where our theme is those secret, sexual fantasies you find hard to talk about." Bella smiled as she husked the words, winking as she waved good-bye to the amused face of the DJ who had just finished his shift. Blowing him a kiss, she turned back to the microphone and spoke into it as if she were whispering in someone's ear.
"But not tonight. Keeping in mind you've gotta keep it somewhat clean, tonight you can call me and feel no shame in sharing those decadent, sinful thoughts that keep you awake and aroused at night. I'm not gonna tell- and who knows, you might just find someone else who feels the same. And if you're still feeling a little shy, here's another favorite song of mine that speaks to one of my deepest fantasies- let's see if it stimulates yours."
Grinning to herself, she hit the switch and the pounding strains of Poison's "Talk Dirty to Me" filled the air around her. She couldn't help it if Poison happened to have quite a few songs guaranteed to stimulate the sexual senses. It also helped the main format of the station was classic rock, although her boss gave her a lot of latitude for her weekend shows. She'd always had an affinity for 80s hair bands, although very few people knew that about her. Then again, she always prided herself on her eclectic taste in music. She knew Edward had it too, another little secret they shared.
The thought of Edward stimulated her already heightened senses as she wondered if Edward was listening. She sighed as she hit the button for the first phone line, ready to listen to the fantasies of her fellow night owls- wondering all the while what Edward had planned.
An hour later she found herself pleasantly aroused by the fantasies she'd had shared with her from the seemingly endless callers. But there was also a pounding frustration that Edward had not been one of them. She pouted unconsciously as she segued out of another break, trying to keep her voice from cueing her listeners into her mood.
"Well, I'm certainly learning some interesting things tonight. Hopefully, all you lovers out there are too. If nothing else, maybe tonight's discussion has sparked in you some new ideas of how to spice up your love life- or jump start that relationship you've been longing for far too long."
She knew her words reflected her own hopes and dreams that had prominently involved Edward for the past few years. Hoping he was listening, sensing her unrest, she hit the button for her next phone call.
"All right, let's see who's next." Taking a deep breath, she allowed her voice to grow husky again as she spoke into her microphone. "Hi, I'm Antonia Marie and the question of the night is this- what's your deepest, darkest fantasy?"
"Hello Antonia Marie, I'm a huge fan of yours and I only hope you're ready for what I'm going to reveal to you about my deepest, darkest fantasy." Her heart began to pound as Edward's smooth voice poured through the speakers and out into the night. Dear Lord, she'd know that voice anywhere. The thrill that shot through her veins at the fact he was using it on her had her replying before stopping to think.
"Oh, I'm ready for whatever you've got- although it might go easier if you told me your name." She smiled evilly. "After all, if we're going to be talking about your deepest, darkest fantasies, I need to call you something and you already know my name." She shivered and felt a rush of desire at his low laughter as it reverberated through the phone and over her skin.
"My name isn't important," came his low voiced reply and she found herself pouting again as he continued. "And I can guarantee, once you've heard my fantasy, you'll be thinking about what you want my name to be."
She caught her breath as pure desire coursed through her system. It took a moment, but she quickly pulled herself together. Obviously he was going to try and fluster her on air, she had to be ready. Taking a deep breath she leaned in even closer to the microphone, making sure her voice was as deep and husky as ever.
"We'll see about that, I've heard some pretty steamy things tonight, why don't you tell me what you've got and I'll be the judge of if you measure up." Holding her breath, she waited for his response. When it came, she couldn't help but shudder.
"It starts off quite simple really. I see her at a club one night when I'm out with friends. She's wearing a sinfully short black leather skirt and a low cut red top that shows off the lush curves she usually keeps hidden. Every man there wants her and she knows it. But she's smiling at me. She knows that I'm the only man she'll need tonight."
She bit back the small moan that threatened to erupt from the back of her throat. She was picturing the scene clearly in her mind, could see herself locking gazes with Edward across a crowded dance floor. She licked her lips and struggled to reply.
"Ah, the possessive male fantasy. Seems to be a popular one with our callers tonight- the need to exert control of the situation."
"A wise man once said that to master control- you first have to be able to lose it." His reply sent another tingle through her body as she licked her suddenly dry lips.
"Have you mastered that knack yet?" She stopped herself before adding his name at the end of her reply. She had to be very careful. She knew it was getting personal and that was all right to an extent as long as she didn't find herself too far gone. Plus, she figured it could only draw in more listeners. Not to mention that she knew it was exactly the reaction Edward had hoped for. She could hear it in his voice as he replied.
"Wouldn't you like to know, Antonia Marie. May I continue now?"
"I wouldn't dream of stopping you."
"Stopping is the last thing on my mind tonight, especially when I feel her body press tightly against mine as we finally reach each other in the middle of the dance floor." His voice oozed sex by now, and her breathing became rapid as she quickly placed her finger on the mute button of her microphone, not wanting everyone out there to hear how affected she was as she pictured the scene in her head.
"It's crowded, hot and extremely public- but the lights are low and everyone is indulging in their baser instincts. Which is why I press myself against her, letting her feel how turned on I already am. Burying my fingers in her hair, I lean down and crush her lips with mine, giving her the hottest, deepest kiss she's ever received. I can hear her whimper against me, her hands stroking every part of me she can reach."
Her eyes were closed, her show forgotten as her body reacted to the words, her hands already running over her breasts, pinching her nipples through the thin fabric of her shirt. Her body was on fire, the wetness between her thighs soaking through her panties and jeans, giving off a musky scent that she knew could not be mistaken for anything but arousal. Her breath hissed in as she pressed two fingers against her throbbing center, the move sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body.
"You still with me, Antonia Marie? My fantasy isn't getting you too hot and bothered now, is it?"
She came back to reality at the low voiced words, the chuckle in them evident- along with a husky note she knew could only be desire. Struggling for breath, she tried to form a coherent reply.
"Of course not, I've heard steamier'" she managed to reply, pleased to hear her voice sounded steady and strong, knowing she was taunting him and enjoying every minute of it. "And you're in luck because your fantasy happens to be a favorite of mine as well." She smiled as she heard his low chuckle echo around her. "I'm simply looking for the perfect song to compliment the mood."
"And what did you have in mind? Or might I suggest something?" She trembled at the way he spoke the phrase, wondering if she were going to regret this. Then again, no one was going to be able to say that Bella Swan hadn't lived a little in her life.
"Suggest away- I'd love to hear what music you picture accompanying your sexual fantasy." Biting her lip, she waited breathlessly for a response.
"Well, in keeping with the theme of the night- I think another Poison song would fit the bill nicely. You have "Fallen Angel" anywhere around?"
She looked at the microphone for a moment before replying. "I think I can handle that. You surprise me though, is your fantasy woman the 'good girl' looking to let loose for the night?" She tried not to anticipate his answer as she began punching buttons to pull up the song.
"Of course. She's always been everyone's friend, the person everyone takes for granted will always be there. People love her- she's happy with herself, but secretly, she longs for so much more. Longs for those same people to see the sensual side to her nature that's just waiting to be set free."
Damn, he was too good. She really needed to take some control back of the situation before she did something really stupid. Like confess to the entire listening population how glad she was he'd discovered the sensual side to her nature and was doing a damn fine job of setting it free.
"Or maybe waiting for the right man to help her set it free? That man being you I assume?" It was risky, but he seemed to be in the mood to play with fire tonight and she was more than happy to light the match. Alice and Rose would be squealing with glee if they could see her now.
"I know I'm the only man who can set her free, if she's willing to let down the 'good girl' image and meet me halfway."
"Oh, I don't know about her, but if it were me, I'd definitely be ready, willing and able." There, nothing like putting all on the table. Toes curling into her shoes as she waited for his response, she hit the button and allowed the strong rhythm of the rock classic to swell over the airwaves. "So how will this fantasy end- stay with me all you lovers out there and find out when the song is done."
Hitting the 'off' button on her microphone, she then hit the switch that would allow her to talk to Edward privately, without their conversation being broadcast to all of Chicago.
"Want to know how my fantasy ends, Isabella?" Her heart skipped a beat as he dropped the pseudonyms and addressed her in a rich, low voice that started the heat building between her thighs once again.
"If you don't finish it within the next three minutes, I'm afraid I won't be responsible for my actions, Edward." Closing her eyes, she slid the zipper on her jeans down and allowed her fingers to brush across the soaked material of the lace panties she'd worn for the occasion.
"Without caring who might see, I pull your skirt up around your waist and slip my fingers between your thighs. I can feel how wet you are, Bella, you're so eager to take me deep inside you. I stroke first one, then two fingers deeply into your body, loving the way your inner muscles clench tightly around my fingers, milking me the exact way I know you will when I'm buried so deep inside you that you can't tell where you begin and I end."
"Edward-" She panted his name as her fingers slid beneath the soaked fabric and began imitating his words, wishing he were there with her.
"Are you touching yourself, Bella? Imagining my fingers buried deep inside you while you cling to me for dear life, wondering if anyone can see how crazy I'm making you on the middle of the dance floor?"
"God- Edward- I can feel you, you're so hot, so good, but I need more-" Spots appeared behind her eyes as she pressed her fingers deeper inside her, her thumb pushing down hard on her clit.
"You're bucking wildly in my arms, Bella, your hands frantically working at my belt and zipper until you have me in your hands. You don't care that we're in public, that anyone can see us if they care to look."
She moaned as she imagined the feel of him, hard and long, pulsing against her palm. "Edward- feels so good- you're so hot- so hard-" she trailed off on a low moan as she arched her body against her chair, vaguely aware the song was coming to an end.
"I can't wait any longer, Bella, I have to have you! With one quick move, I wrap one of your legs around my waist and thrust hard into you-"
She cried out as her mind provided the visual image while her fingers embellished the sensory ones. Before she could do more than whimper, he went on.
"Fuck- Bella- you're so tight- so wet- God, I want to stay inside you forever- need to get deeper- harder-" She barely heard his words trail off into gasping pants as she moved her fingers faster and harder, all the while imagining it was Edward buried deep inside her.
"Edward, oh please, please!" The words were almost a scream as she felt herself hit the edge.
"Let go, Bella- come for me baby."
With a sharp scream of his name, she felt her body fly over the edge; wave after wave of ecstasy crashing into her. Sinking down into her seat, she could do little more than gasp for breath as she reveled in pleasure. Pleasure that was increased tenfold by the harsh grunt and then cry of her name through the headset she wore.
She had just barely found the energy to breathe again when the final notes of the song faded out. Struggling to find a coherent sentence, she flipped her microphone back on.
"Well- if you weren't before that song, I hope there are now a few more 'fallen angels' out there in Chicago tonight." She knew her voice had an added husky undertone that could not possibly be mistaken for anything but desire. But she didn't care- it might actually turn on some of her listeners to wonder what she'd been doing during the song. Smiling, she hit the button to put Edward once more on air. "Now though, I think we have some unfinished business. You still with me possessive fantasy man?"
She shivered at the longing in his words as she forced her voice to sound somewhat calm. "So how exactly does your dance floor fantasy end?" She desperately wanted to hear his answer, needing to know what he was feeling.
"Oh, Antonia Marie, I don't want to be anywhere else- except maybe on that dance floor with my own fallen angel."
"How do you think it ends?" The smoky tone to his voice had her toes curling again. "I make mad, passionate love to her right there, in public, where anyone could see. Everyone knows she's mine now, and it's the most fantastic experience of my life. And all I know is that when it's over, I want nothing more than to do it again and again and again."
She shuddered with anticipation, knowing he meant much more than his words conveyed. He wouldn't have taken it this far if he didn't, she knew him well enough to know that. And she couldn't wait to find out exactly how much farther he was willing to take it. But she had to get through this show first, much to her frustrated and still aroused body.
"Well, I hope that one day, your fantasy comes true. And if you need a fallen angel, I'm sure there are plenty of listeners tonight who'd be willing to oblige."
"Would you be one of them?"
There was an urgency, a seriousness now to his tone that didn't escape her. She had to bite her lip for a moment, weighing the consequences of her answer. With a small smile, heart leaping, she decided she would go for it. What did she have to lose?
"I'd be at the top of the list." Hearing his low laughter, she smiled as she disconnected the line and segued into the next music set. "And on that note, here's some more music to put you in the mood. I'm Antonia Marie and I'll be with you a few more hours- so don't hesitate to call in and fill me in on a few fantasies of your own."
Once the next song began to play, she turned off the microphone and sunk back into her chair, still basking in the afterglow of her pseudo-phone sex with Edward. It truly had been an amazing night, two nights now that she thought of it.
Licking her lips, she wondered what happened now. Edward, judging from his responses tonight, seemed willing to indulge in non face-to-face sexual encounters, but would he be so willing in real life? Despite his last question, despite the flowers, part of her wasn't so sure. After all, he'd seen her as a little sister, then perhaps a good friend for years, why would it have changed after all those years? Then again, she hadn't exactly been giving off "I-want-to-sex-you-up" vibes around him, trying instead to bury them beneath their friendship.
Still, despite her worries, she was eagerly awaiting his next move. She'd once again thrown down the gauntlet and it was up to him to pick it up. Smiling, she let the strains of Def Leppard's "Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad" wash over her while her mind filled once again with naughty images of the two of them.
She was so immersed in her fantasies that she never heard the door to her studio open. Which was why the warm pair of hands that suddenly settled on her shoulders brought her out of her stupor with a shriek. Whirling around, she found her breath stolen by the figure that stood smirking behind her.
"So, Bella, or should I call you Antonia Marie, are you ready to make good on your offer?"
~*~*~*~*~*~