Yes. Where and when?
He replied—
7:30 at Limoges? Bobby will pick you up at seven?
She responded—
Perfect.
Her next text was to her sister. This was Annie’s reply.
No work today. Take the day off and come shopping. We need to get
you a new dress and shoes for tonight!
Dress and shoes for dinner with Quinn? Waste of money. Maybe. But why not? I haven’t bought anything in an age. She texted her sister, ate breakfast, and bundled up for the walk to Annie’s apartment.
The women spent the day shopping at Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel. Annie insisted Susanna buy some new lingerie, as she was convinced dessert would happen in Quinn’s bedroom.
They ended up buying a deep purple, wool, form-fitting dress with a low-cut neckline. The sleeves were loose and slit up to the shoulder. A twisted, silver necklace, with several strands of silver chains, plus matching earrings and gray pumps, finished the look.
The ladies dined in the elegant lunchroom at Bergdorf’s, chatting like schoolgirls. A big smile refused to leave Susanna’s face. Anticipation heated her blood, while tension coiled quietly inside her. What will I find? Love? Hate? Back in her apartment, she paced as well as she could in the cramped space as she pondered her opening line.
“Hey, Quinn, great to see you!”
She frowned. “Nope.”
“Hi, Quinn, you look great.”
She shook her head then decided to say nothing first. Let him speak. You reply. Much easier. She put a Matthew Morrison album on her CD player. She danced as she took the tags off the new clothing. Lavender satin bra and matching bikini panties. I’m not sleeping with him tonight. Still, she planned a long bath.
Adding plenty of lilac bath beads, the tub filled with bubbles. She slid in, letting the fragrant hot water relax her muscles. While she scrubbed, then simply soaked, she thought about what she wanted from Quinn. Friendship? Lover? Both? Nothing? She chuckled at her own silliness.
She knew exactly what she wanted from Quinn…everything. Nothing less would do, but she had to tread lightly. She had no idea how he felt about her. Sure, he’d been anxious to mend fences at their last meeting in the park, but now? A lot of water under the bridge since then. Maybe he’s met someone new? Her throat closed up, choking her. Maybe not. But she knew she had to consider the possibility. I’d have seen it in the papers. At least since I got back, if not in Paris.
She blushed as she remembered grabbing a copy of Celebs R Us as soon as she hit American soil, searching for pictures of Quinn and another woman. She recalled expelling a big breath when she didn’t find any.
Listening to “Summer Rain” brought her mind back to Quinn’s bedroom. Her body ached for his touch, but she was cautious. Wait. Yeah, right. Wait. She giggled as she pulled the plug and wrapped herself in a bath sheet.
* * * *
Down the avenue, Quinn Roberts pulled out three pairs of pants and four different shirts. He matched up each without finding a pair he liked. He finally settled on gray, flannel pants and a blue shirt the color of his eyes. A black leather belt and his camel, cashmere sports jacket. He frowned into the mirror. She has such good taste. Look at me. A mess.
He was disgusted but knew nothing in his closet would do. He paced, poured himself a jigger of Chivas. Chugged it. Looked over the men’s colognes parked on his dresser and decided on Mon Ami. French. She’s been in France. What if she’s going to tell me it’s over? What if she met someone else? His nerves were frayed and his stomach tied in knots. I have to tell her the truth. It’s been too long. She has a right to know.
He checked his watch for the fifth time in five minutes. Bobby will be here in ten minutes. He’s getting her after me. If she was dumping me, she wouldn’t meet me for dinner, right? She’s too nice to do that. Unless she’s still pissed. He stopped in the bathroom to brush his teeth on the off chance he’d get to kiss her. Since Bobby was driving, he didn’t need his topcoat. He paced in the lobby of the building, waiting for his ride.
“Nervous tonight, Mr. Quinn?” Crash asked.
“Going to get Susanna back, Crash. Or trying to.”
“Good for you. Much better than the others.” Crash opened the door for a woman.
“There haven’t been many others for a long time.”
“Guess you finally got tired of the single life, eh?” He smirked.
“Once there was Susanna, there wasn’t anyone else.” Quinn cast his gaze down.
“That’s the way it should be with the right girl.”
Quinn smiled at him. “Got that right.”
Bobby pulled up, and the conversation was over.
Jean Marc sat Quinn at the most private table in the restaurant. He ordered a drink while he waited for Susanna. I’m so nervous. You’d think this was a first date, not a meeting with a woman I’ve already lived with. He smiled at the irony of that.
He hadn’t gone wild in the dating department in years. Serial dating was something he and Chaz got out of their systems while doing summer stock in Pine Grove. It didn’t take long to resonate with both young men the troubles they could have from dating and bedding too many women.
Quinn took a hefty sip of his vodka and tonic while he trained his eyes on the entrance to the restaurant. There she was, looking around nervously, looking more gorgeous than he remembered. He almost dropped his drink. Standing awkwardly, he motioned to her. Jean Marc escorted her to his table. One look and he knew he was hopelessly in love and putty in her hands. Although he had been worried about what he should say when he first saw her, at this moment, everything came naturally.
He eased out of the booth. Watching her sway as she walked toward him, his spirits soared. Jean Marc bowed and disappeared. Quinn couldn’t take his eyes off her. He scooped her into his arms for a huge hug. After releasing her, he gave her a peck on the lips then stepped to the side so she could sit down. Her face glowed. Is it because she’s here with me?
“I’m so glad to see you.” He beamed at her. “You look gorgeous.”
Her tentative smile broadened at his warmth. Quinn ordered a drink for her and a refill for himself. Their fingers drummed idly on the table as their eyes connected.
“I’m glad to see you, too,” she said.
“Before we go further, there’s something I have to tell you. I meant to tell you in the park at our last meeting…I don’t know why I didn’t.”
“I wouldn’t let you. I was afraid it was angry or sad news. Is it?”
He shook his head. “No way. It’s the best news in the world.”
“I was stupid for not letting you tell me then. Go ahead.”
He took her hand. “No recriminations about anything.”
“So tell me. Now I’m curious…gotta know.”
He laced his fingers with hers. “Max bought the book to take it to Broadway, not to film.”
“Broadway?” She turned her head to look at him.
“Broadway. He sold his backers on the project by using my name. He promised them I’d do the play. With that promise, he raised the backing to bring the story to Broadway, and…he offered me the lead.”
Susanna gasped. “Oh my God!” Her hand flew to her mouth.
“I know. I was as surprised as you are.”
“Are you going to do it?”
“Damn right I’m doing it. Are you crazy? I thought Broadway was out of my reach. The script is almost finished. We start rehearsals in four weeks.”
Susanna threw her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. He felt her body shake as she sobbed against him.
“What’s wrong?” He tightened his grip on her, pulling her closer. He reached in his pocket, retrieved his handkerchief, and handed it to her.
“I thought I’d ruined your life. Stolen your opportunity. But now you have it back. I’m so happy for you.”
He buried his lips in her hair, seeking her neck and planting a kiss.
“Yo
u brought me this opportunity…and I’ll always be grateful,” he whispered.
Susanna sat back and dried her eyes. “I didn’t bring you this.”
“You did. Max said you helped him so much with his son, he wanted to return the favor. He wasn’t being a shark. He knew while Hollywood might typecast me, Broadway wouldn’t care. They wouldn’t take a risk backing a new play unless there was a big Hollywood name in the cast.”
“He took a big chance, doing this without telling you, didn’t he?”
“Some producers are gamblers at heart. That’s Max. He wanted to surprise you.”
“He certainly did.” She let out a breath. “So he didn’t betray me…not really.” She whispered to herself before looking up at him.
“Does that fix things for us?” He inched closer to her. His fingers closed around her hand.
“Broken trust is not easily mended.”
The scent of her perfume intoxicated him. “I jumped the gun. I overreacted.”
“But I did talk. I did share that secret with Max. I’m guilty as charged. I wasn’t trustworthy. And you said we were done.”
“What can I do to make things right?” His heart pounded.
“We can be friends…” She slipped her hand away from his.
“Bullshit! Don’t give me that friendship crap. I don’t want to be friends. Do you still love me?”
“There you go, getting all hostile again.” She shrank back.
“Don’t change the subject. I love you, Susanna…”
“Do you? You didn’t when you thought you’d lost the book. Miraculous recovery.”
His face colored. “Okay. Right. I was out of line. I was drunk.”
“Am I going to have to worry that every time you’re drunk, you’ll want to break up? Should I just forget that I let you down then you let me down?
His gaze dropped to his shoes. “I don’t see it like that.”
“What do you see?”
“I see that I love you and want you back. I’m miserable without you.”
* * * *
Her pulse lurched. Don’t run back to him. Walk before you run. Confusion muddled her mind, but her heart pushed her forward.
He slipped his arm around her shoulders and bent until his lips were almost touching her ear. “Say you’ll come back to me. Tell me you still love me, Susie, please,” he whispered.
The scent of his freshly ironed shirt mixed with his masculine scent was enticing. She closed her eyes, resting her cheek against him. She knew she still loved him, and at that moment, knew she always would.
“And if I don’t?” She breathed.
“I won’t stop until you say you do. I won’t stop until you’re mine again.”
Susanna’s pulse kicked up. Just what I’ve been waiting to hear. Her heart was singing, but her head was doubtful.
“We can’t do this to each other again,” she whispered back.
“No, no, you’re right. We both made mistakes, now we have to rebuild our trust.”
“Can we date?” She raised her gaze to his.
“Why not? Come with me to the Academy Awards. Only a month away. We can go on a few dates before then. Come to L.A. with me. Please Susie.”
“Okay.” She smiled shyly.
A huge thousand-watt grin broke out on his face. He kissed her passionately and several of the restaurant patrons burst into applause. Susanna and Quinn were very embarrassed and hid behind their menus while they selected their choices for dinner.
They started with artichaut vinaigrette then Quinn had roasted rack of lamb with a fresh thyme crust, Susanna had Dover sole meuniere, and they finished by splitting one chocolate soufflé.
While they were awaiting their food, they sipped a fine Cabernet Sauvignon. Suddenly, Susanna’s eyes got wide. “Oh my God!”
“What?”
“Max! Oh my. Max. After our fight, I went to see Max…”
“And?”
“I hit him.” Her hand covered her mouth.
“You hit him!”
“I slapped him across the face.” She buried her face in her hands. “I need to apologize.”
* * * *
Café Limoges three days later.
“So what did you want to discuss with me tonight, Quinn? Any problems about the script?”
“Nope. Just a little surprise.”
Max threw a questioning glance at him. Before he could reply, Susanna was at their table. Max ducked for cover.
“Don’t hit me!” He cringed, putting up his arms to protect his face.
“I’m not going to hit you, Max. I’m here to apologize.”
“Guess you talked to Quinn.” He lowered his arms.
She nodded. “Broadway. What a fabulous opportunity for him.”
“I thought so. My way of paying you back for helping with my son.”
“Perhaps if you had told me what you were up to…” Susanna sat down next to Max.
“I wanted it to be a surprise.”
“It was.” She laughed.
They made up, and she kissed his cheek. During a lively dinner, Susanna was privy to discussion of the script and cast. As much as Quinn would have liked to have Chaz Duncan play the second male lead, Chaz was already starring in Hustle and Flow, a musical on Broadway. He had received excellent reviews, too.
There was some discussion about the leading lady, and it seemed that Cara Brewster, also a Hollywood star, was the woman the producers and director wanted for the part. Susanna enjoyed listening to the star and the producer banter about famous names and talk about dialogue and characterization.
By nine o’clock, she begged off because of an early art class at New York University. Peace settled into Susanna’s body as Bobby drove her home. Her step was light and bouncy. Although she didn’t know where this relationship was going, it seemed to have grown stronger because of their separation. Her attitude was fatalistic. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.
Chapter Fifteen
Quinn flew Susanna to L.A. with him in first class. They drank champagne and ate delicious meals. The excellent service made the trip seem like a honeymoon. She and Quinn had been dating but not sleeping together. Their split had shaken Susanna, she wanted to take her time and make sure she wasn’t rushing into anything too fast. Quinn respected her wishes and controlled his libido as best he could. Trips to the zoo and the art museum, coupled with a Broadway show or two and nightclubs, kept them occupied.
When Susanna got off the plane, her stomach was knotted, and her pulse raced. There was a car waiting for them at the airport. Quinn laced his fingers with hers, and they rode in silence, looking out the window.
“You can stay in your old room at the beach, if you’re more comfortable.” He said.
She nodded. He’s more gorgeous than ever. Doubt I’ll end up in that room. A smirk ended up in a chuckle.
“What’s so funny?” He cocked an eyebrow at her.
“Us in separate bedrooms,” she giggled.
“Hey, you don’t have to twist my arm, honey,” he gazed lustfully at her.
Deciding a bath would help her relax, she dumped a little lilac-perfumed bubble bath into the water and watched the bubbles come up. Soaking in the hot water loosened her muscles until she heard a knock.
“Susanna? Have you drowned in there?” Quinn called in through the door.
“I’m okay.”
“Can I come in?”
“Sure.”
Quinn opened the door. She was covered in white, sparkling suds, her black hair resting on her shoulders, and her clear gray eyes turned to him. He stood, staring at her, looking even more handsome than she remembered, his hair cropped short for the movie, his blue eyes shining with love. Her heart lurched. His shoulders seemed to have grown broader since they parted. His T-shirt stretched tight across his chest. She noticed he’d lost a little weight. His waist was slimmer. His abs tightened. He looked delicious.
“Do you mind if I come in?”
“
Please close the door, there’s a draft.”
“Can I wash your back…or anything else that needs scrubbing, touching, or stroking?”
The leer in his eyes and the smirk on his lips made her laugh. “You’re so transparent. Always were.” She grabbed for the bath sheet, but it was just out of reach.
“Allow me,” he said, picking up the big towel and holding it for her.
Susanna pulled the plug and stood up with her back to him, feeling suddenly shy. He wrapped the towel and his arms around her. Closing them tight, he held her to him, bending his head to nuzzle her neck. “God, I’ve missed you.”
She relaxed against him, angling her head to one side giving him more access to her neck. His lips were soft and warm. Quinn fanned his fingers out and pressed them against her belly, pushing her back against him. The pressure of his hands on her body made her want more. The idea of ripping the towel off, then his clothes, and making love right there on the floor put a smile on her face. She took a deep breath, but that only moved his hands up, closer to her breasts.
“It’s been so long, and I want you so bad right now,” he whispered.
A shiver shot up her spine. “Cold?” He asked. How could she be cold with him wrapped around her? She shook her head. A lusty chuckle followed. “I get it.”
She moved away from him, wrapping the towel around her chest. My body hasn’t forgotten his touch. Lust filled her veins to the point where she was afraid to look at him. He lifted her chin with his fingers, and she was forced to raise her eyes to his. “Look me in the eye and tell me you don’t want to make love.”
Susanna palmed his cheek, enjoying the feel of his stubble slightly scratching her skin, staring into his eyes. God I’ve missed you! Her pulse kicked up at the look of desire on his face. “I can’t deny it.”
“Then what are we waiting for?” He folded his arms around her and carried her into the bedroom. After tossing her gently on the bed, he ripped his T-shirt over his head, dropped his jeans and boxers, and then joined her. “I want to unwrap you like a Christmas present.” He slowly pulled the tuck out and peeled back one side of the towel then the other. His breath caught in his throat as his gaze raked her body.
Red Carpet Romance Page 20
