Red Carpet Romance (26 page)

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.

“You 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.

“You’re more beautiful than ever. Is
that possible?” He brought his mouth down for a sweet kiss, starting slow.
Susanna’s gaze swept over him. He was more dazzling, more handsome, and sexier
than she remembered. Her pulse kicked up, pumping fire through her veins,
making her dizzy with desire. She touched his shoulders then slid her hands
down his chest. Her fingers moved through his chest hair. Her palms flattened
against his pecs.

“God, you’re beautiful,” she
breathed.

“I can’t be beautiful. I’m a man.”

“You can. You are. Beautiful to me.”
Pleasure at her words reflected in his turquoise eyes, staring into hers. She
pulled him down until her lips claimed his in a passionate kiss. He deepened it
quickly as their desire created heat between them. Resistance flew out the
window when he closed his fingers around her breast. Arching into him, to feel
his skin against hers, made her hot.

The ache inside, from wanting him,
grew quickly into runaway passion. When he lowered his lips to take her peak,
she almost screamed. Celibacy had never agreed with her and waiting for Quinn
had intensified her need for him.

He worked his magic on one breast
then switched to the other. “You smell great, taste great, too,” he muttered as
his hands glided over her smooth skin down to her core. A gasp and a squirm
from her made him chuckle.

“You like torturing me?” she
inquired.

“Slow torture, yeah, lovin’ it. I’ve
been dreaming about this day for months.”

Susanna closed her mouth over the
muscle in his shoulder and sucked. Sinking her teeth into his flesh made him
jump. She giggled and kissed up his neck, trying to lower her hand to his
shaft, but he blocked her. “Uh uh. Nope. No siree. You’re not gonna speed this
up.” He stopped for a second to shake his head and stare into her eyes.

His mischievous expression made her
laugh. “I’m your prisoner?”

“That’s right. Get used to it. This
is my pace.”

“Aye aye, Captain.”

She replaced her lips with her
tongue as she licked a path up his neck to his ear lobe. He sucked in a breath
when she arrived there. She knew it was a sensitive spot for him, and she tried
to focus her attention on it, but he moved down her body swiftly, before she
could attack. His head disappeared between her legs, and she fell back on the
bed with a loud moan. This was the end, she could no longer hold on as an
orgasm ripped through her body.

Resting on his elbow for a moment,
he wore a shit-eating grin.

“Proud of yourself, aren’t you?”

He nodded. “I wanted to send you to
the moon.”

“You did.” She grinned, then grabbed
him, winding her fingers around his erection. “Wow, you’re really hard.”