Junior looked up at her, his big eyes searching her face while he swallowed a mouthful of cereal. Quinn squeezed her hand. “I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks.” A small smile raised the corners of her mouth for a moment then disappeared. She flipped her long, dark locks back over her shoulder and resumed feeding the infant.
“How much is this little guy going to eat?” Quinn turned his attention to the child.
She shrugged. “We’ll find out.” He ate all the cereal so Susanna opened a jar of baby peaches. She spooned some into Junior’s mouth, and he gobbled it up. “Guess he’s going to be a good eater. Probably grow big. After all, look at his father. What are you, six two?”
“Yeah, but he doesn’t take after me.”
“How can you be so sure?”
He shrugged then glanced at his watch and rose from the chair. “I’m late. See you later.” Quinn grabbed his briefcase and was gone before she had a chance to ask where he was going. Nice man, lousy father. Too bad.
* * * *
The elevator came quickly for Quinn. While he rode down, he thought about Susanna. She’s gorgeous. Amazing gray eyes, they look right through me. Smart. Already asking too many questions. Damn! She’s hot. Do I have to keep my hands off her? Can I trust her?
Bobby was waiting when Quinn hit the street. “Where to?”
“Café Limoges in the Park.”
“You got it.” He put the car in gear and pulled away from the curb. “Meeting a new chick there?”
“Yes and no. I’m meeting Jaden Benedict.”
“The author?”
“Yeah.” Quinn turned his gaze to the flowers blooming in Central Park.
“She hot?”
“I want to option her new book, not take her to bed, Bob,” Quinn laughed.
“But you’re taking her out, wining and dining…sure she isn’t falling for you?”
“Come on, Bobby, this isn’t a movie. It’s real life. I’m no Casanova. Just an actor looking for a breakout role. This is the way business is done.”
“Be careful. Women are funny. And with your Don Juan rep and your Joe Martin character and all…she could be interested.”
“The Don Juan stuff is all fake publicity. I’m not interested in her, outside of her book. Hell, I’ve got the hottest babe in the city in my apartment. The nanny showed up today, and she’s blazing.” An image of Susanna’s curves danced through his head.
“Isn’t that convenient?” Bobby laughed. “With any luck she can take care of both you and Junior.”
“It’s not like that. She’s really taking care of the kid. Better watch myself…if she leaves, I’ll be feeding and diapering the little slugger myself.” He looked out the window at the trees sporting light green, spring leaves as they drove down the park drive. Blossoms on fruit trees were bursting with color, adding pink and white to the lovely shades of the season.
“This is as close as I can get,” Bobby said, pulling up to the curb about a block from the restaurant.
“Thanks, buddy.”
“Good luck. With both chicks,” he snickered.
Quinn gave him a grin and got out of the car. He put on sunglasses, hoping to shield his identity as well as his eyes while he walked down the path. Café Limoges was one of his favorite restaurants. He loved French food and, while he watched his diet very carefully at home, he allowed himself to eat what he wanted when he was out.
The maître d’ showed him to a booth. Jaden was already there, drinking. He slid in opposite her.
“It’s about time, Quinn. I’d almost given up.” She took a sip of her white wine.
“Sorry. Got detained by…well, it’s a long story.”
“I have plenty of time,” she said, whipping out a small notebook and pen. “Tell me all about it.”
He laughed. “I don’t think so, Jaden. You know nothing about me is for publication. Even in a book. An actor is entitled to some privacy.”
“I know, just teasing.” She tossed her short brown hair and grinned at him.
“I’m never sure with you.” His brows knitted. The waiter stopped by, and they placed their orders. Quinn ordered eggs benedict, and Jaden ordered a salad.
“Tell me, are we friends, colleagues, lovers…where do you see this going?”
Quinn sat back and stared at her. Definitely not lovers. Can’t trust you, and you can’t compare to Susanna. “Tell me again about your new book.”
“BLIND LOVE?” When he nodded, Jaden went into detail about her story of a man temporarily blinded in the war, who falls for a blind girl. “They have a love affair, but then a third man, who is also blind, comes along. The first man—the perfect part for you—gets his sight back, and the blind girl rejects him in favor of the other man who is permanently blind.”
The waiter delivered their food, another glass of wine for Jaden, and a mimosa for Quinn.
“I love the story. Would you be interested in an option?” He sipped his drink.
“Like what? Forty grand to hold the story for you for a year?”
“Five years is about what I figured. It’ll probably take me at least two years to get the go-ahead and a decent script.”
“Five years for forty grand? Come on, Quinn, you can do better than that.”
“Okay, so what do you want?”
“Seventy-five thousand for five years.”
“Seventy-five! That’s pretty hefty.” He finished his mimosa.
“Not for the star of the Joe Martin series. Hey, I’m a lowly author with no money. The book is climbing. It might be a blockbuster. Which is why I can’t sell it cheap. Know what I mean?”
He took a bite of his eggs. Silence fell over the table as they ate. If I can’t sell it to a producer, I’m stuck for a bundle.
“Of course if we were dating…well, how could I hold up my boyfriend for big bucks?”
A chill went up Quinn’s spine. Your bony ass in my bed for a story? Don’t think so. “I prefer not to mix business with pleasure, Jaden. Hope you understand.” Sweat broke out on his palms. Easy, don’t lose this deal.
“Think about how much you can pay, and we can meet again.” Her smile turned to a frown.
“I will. The role of Sam would be perfect for me.”
She shot him a flirtatious look. “I agree. And I’d love to rehearse some of those…scenes with you, too.”
She doesn’t give up. Quinn got the check and paid it. Jaden wound her arms around his neck and kissed him long and hard before leaving. Other patrons looked up and started whispering. Damn, Jaden! Wanted this meeting to be anonymous. He extricated himself as nicely as he could then headed out the door.
The fresh, spring air revived him. After wiping off Jaden’s kiss with the back of his hand, he strolled along, heading back to his apartment. Fortunately, he wasn’t recognized, which allowed him to be simply a New York City resident enjoying a walk in the park.
Chapter Two
Susanna wheeled Junior out of the elevator and almost bumped into Quinn in the lobby. “Another walk?” He asked.
“The fresh air is good for him. Visual stimulation, too. We won’t be long.”
Crash opened the door, and she sashayed out, swinging her hips as she hummed quietly. Quinn turned to watch her. His gaze fastened on her hips swaying back and forth. His mouth went dry, and his palms began to sweat. He noticed her hair, bouncing along with her springy step. Seems happy enough for a girl in her situation.
A smile spread across his face. His last girlfriend had been a crier and complainer. Her manipulative whining drove him crazy. Didn’t seem like Susanna was that type at all. He waited by the door until she entered Central Park and disappeared from sight. Then he returned to his apartment.
Quinn opened the sliding glass doors to his spacious terrace and went outside with a pad and pen. He pulled a chair to the railing and sat down. After clicking the point down on the pen, he began to make a list of his commitments. He’d be leaving for Los Angeles in two weeks. Can
’t leave her alone with Junior. Will have to take them with me.
A lopsided smile raised one corner of his mouth at the thought of taking the lovely Ms. Barnes to his Malibu apartment. When he looked up, he spied her across the street at the playground in the park. The blacktop was deserted except for Susanna and Junior. He put down his pen to watch.
Susanna parked Junior a safe distance from the basketball hoop and picked up an unclaimed basketball lying near the fence. She bounced it several times before crouching down and dribbling like a pro. Quinn saw her maneuver the ball from hand to hand, between her legs, and from one side of the court to the other.
In one fluid motion, she dribbled up to the basket and made the perfect lay-up shot. Standing only five feet, seven inches tall didn’t hinder her performance. He was fascinated by her weaving to and fro, then executing perfect jump shots followed by dead-on hook shots. Damn, she’s got a better hook shot than I do.
Her dad must have taught her. She continued to work out on the court by herself. With each minute her footwork became quicker, more confident, her shots bolder. She was impressive by any standards. Perhaps slightly winded, she stopped, sinking down cross-legged on the asphalt.
She lowered her head in her hands as her shoulders began to shake barely enough for him to make out at such a distance. After few moments, she stood up, wiped her eyes with her hand, rolled the basketball back to where she’d found it, and returned to Junior.
Quinn’s chest tightened at witnessing her sadness. The memory of the passing of his dad swept through his mind and heart. That day in the hospital…he’d be so happy about Joe Martin. If only. His eyes watered remembering his beloved father. Reminded of the pain of his loss by Susanna’s brief crying spell, Quinn raised his eyes, searching for her, but she had disappeared farther into the park. The moment of his connection with her was lost.
She’s definitely coming with me. He decided then and there to take Susanna and Junior on his next trip to Los Angeles and anywhere else he needed to go. It’s hard being alone. We’ll be a family until Annemarie returns. He took a deep breath, shuddered slightly, and returned to his list.
Fits and starts, stop and go, his schedule was choppy for the next few months. Then he’d be back on location for the next Joe Martin movie. Annemarie better be back by then. He tensed at the idea she might not come back before he had to leave or that something would happen to keep her from returning at all. His worries were interrupted by his cell phone.
“Hi, Jaden, decided to give me your book?” He walked back inside.
“Not yet. I’m going to be in LA for the premiere of Joe Martin’s Himalayan Adventure. Do you have a date for that?”
“Hadn’t thought about it.” Quinn plopped down on the sofa.
“How about me? We don’t have to be lovers, unless you want to…I could use the publicity.”
“Sure, why not?”
“Good thing you said ‘yes’ because I just bought a dress.”
He laughed. “Pretty confident, weren’t you?”
“I’m always confident when a man wants my book.”
He chuckled then looked up as the front door swung open. Susanna came in, singing to Junior. “E I E I OH.” Her hair, fluffed by the breeze, her eyes shining, and her pink lips parted in a broad smile made her more beautiful than ever.
“Who’s that?” Jaden asked.
“Gotta go,” Quinn said, clicking off the phone, unable to pull his gaze away from Susanna.
She leaned over to pick up Junior, unconsciously giving Quinn an excellent view of her ample cleavage. His mouth went dry. His fingers tingled. She picked the babbling baby up over her head and cooed at him. Quinn’s stare slowly swept over her breasts and down her flat belly to her hips, ending up sliding down her slim legs. He couldn’t stop a lusty smile from curling his lips.
* * * *
“What?” Susanna noticed him staring at her. “Is something showing?” She chested Junior and tugged at her T-shirt with her free hand.
“Nothing. What about dinner?” He rose from the sofa, putting his notebook in his back pocket and dropping the pen on the coffee table.
“Dinner?”
“Yeah. We all gotta eat. Think you’ve got food for Junior, but what about us?”
“Don’t you have anything in the fridge?” She settled the baby on her hip and walked into the kitchen with Quinn close behind. After opening the refrigerator and then the freezer, she turned to him. “Nothing but beer, a lime and some old cheese.” She inspected the cabinets. “And every kind of sweet cereal known to man.” She closed the cabinet door.
“Guess we’ll have to go food shopping.” He lounged against the granite counter.
“We? Am I a cook now too? I don’t remember that as part of the job description.” Her eyes widened.
“I think we need to iron out some things. How about a drink first?”
She nodded as she placed Junior in his highchair.
“Vodka and tonic okay?”
“Sure.” Susanna gathered the ingredients for Junior’s dinner of strained meat, strained vegetables, and fruit before she sat down opposite the little guy. When she fastened a bib on him, he became excited, kicking his legs and gurgling. His eyes brightened. “Look at him. He knows it’s dinner time.” She grinned.
Quinn stared at Junior. “You’re right.”
She mixed the meat with a little bit of green beans, watching Junior’s eyes following her moves. “He’s adorable. What a riot. He’s excited about dinner.” She laughed.
Quinn mixed two vodka and tonics, added a slice of fresh lime, and handed one to her. She took a sip then placed the glass on the table out of the baby’s reach. “Mmm. Good.”
They sat in silence watching Junior eat his food. Susanna cooed at him, opened her mouth when she wanted him to open his, and laughed when he laughed. As Quinn’s gaze took in her antics, a slow smile crept over his face.
Holding a bottle with juice, she sat back and took a sip of her drink with her other hand. Then she picked up Junior and took him into the living room. She placed him on a big blanket on the floor, setting plastic baby keys and a few small, rubbery toys within his reach. He grabbed the ring of keys and shoved them in his mouth, gumming them and drooling. Quinn followed her with both glasses.
“He’s teething.” She announced, wiping his chin with a cloth diaper.
“Talk. Now.” Quinn cupped his hand under her elbow and helped her to a standing position. He escorted her to the sofa. Susanna sank down next to him and took a sip of her drink.
“We need to clarify what your duties are. I’m paying you five hundred a week to take care of Junior. But according to the agency, that’s only for six days a week. I need seven days a week. I know that’s tough, but it’s only for two months. Also, I’d love it if you cooked. Can you cook?”
She nodded. “Cooked for my parents when my mom was sick.”
“Sick?”
“She died of cancer three years ago.”
“I’m so sorry.” He placed his hand over hers.
“You were saying,” she said, sliding her hand away from his. He’s a hunk, but this is his kid. He doesn’t want to take care of him at all? Not even one day a week?
“Cooking, just dinner. I’ll get my own breakfast and lunch. Junior seven days a week. How much extra do you want?”
She sucked on her lower lip and rolled her eyes to gaze at the ceiling. How much is that worth? He’s a rich man, I’d bet. Hmm.
“Uh…I don’t know because this is my first job like this…seven fif—”
“How about a thousand a week?”
She gulped, then nodded. “Works for me,” she squeaked out.
“Good. That’s settled. Now, dinner tonight. How about I order something in?”
“That’d be great.” She took another sip and glanced at Junior, who was happily amusing himself.
“What kind of food do you like?” He pulled out his cell phone.
“Anything.” She s
hrugged.
“French?” Quinn raised his eyebrows.
Her eyes lit up. “I’d love that.”
Quinn snapped open his phone and dialed. “Jean Marc? It’s Quinn. What’s your specialty this evening?”
Susanna returned to the floor and Junior’s company. He gurgled and reached for a yellow ring with bumps on it. She pushed it closer to him, watching his progress. French food with Quinn Roberts, snug in his apartment. Some might consider this a romantic date. What happens in two months? He loses his kid? He doesn’t seem to care. I could never love a man who didn’t love his child.
The corners of her mouth drooped. Love? Get real. He’s a movie star. You’re nobody. Don’t even think about love. This is a job, nothing more. When she refocused her eyes on the baby, he was fast asleep. She picked him up and carried him into his room. After changing his diaper and snapping him into a sleeper, she laid him down for the night. Susanna toed off her shoes, wiggled her toes, then padded into the living room.
“I hope you don’t mind I ordered for both of us?”
“Fine. As long as you didn’t order calves brains.” She grimaced and shuddered.
He chuckled. “No. Coquilles Saint Jacques, my favorite. Scallops.”
“Sounds great.” He’s nice, how could he be so cold? She entered the kitchen to set the table.
Quinn was right behind her, placing her drink on the table with his. He opened the refrigerator. “Wine? Chablis?”
“Lovely,” she said, tossing him a shy smile. “Going to wash up.” Susanna retreated to her room and closed the door. She washed her hands and face, re-applying light make-up and a touch of lilac scent. Ripping her T-shirt over her head, she donned a fresh one in coral and a pair of earrings made from tiny seashells. She was quiet as a mouse, with one ear tuned in to the even breathing of the baby in his crib. When she returned to the kitchen, she caught the tail end of Quinn’s phone conversation.
“Right. I’ll have her call you. Thanks, Mag. I know. Love you, too.” He looked up when she came in. His gaze lingered on her chest. “Nice,” he murmured.
Red Carpet Romance Page 2
