Campaign for Love (13 page)

 

 

Suzy had brought in a few dishes of salted nuts, but didn't want
them
to spoil their appetites for dinner. She popped into the kitchen to
put
the rolls in the oven, and flitted back out again to enjoy the
company.

 

 

Promptly at six-thirty she got up to serve. Elsa went with her to
help,
while Quentin filled the water tumblers and brought in the drinks.
He
also carried in the heavy casserole and filled the beer glasses,
while
Suzanna brought in the salads and the hot salt sticks. She was
impressed with how handy he was in the house, and thrilled she could
find him sexy, but not drop stuff everywhere. She always felt all
thumbs in the office whenever he was around, but somehow, here in
her
apartment, it felt perfect.

 

 

When all were seated with Mr. and Mrs. Reed at the head of the
table,
Suzanna asked Cyrus to say grace. She had guessed that they were
quite
traditional people, and when she saw their pleased expressions, she
knew she'd created just the right impression.

 

 

Not that that had been the goal; she had always been taught to be
thankful for what she had, and what better than a family type
gathering
to remind everyone of the fact.

 

 

If Quentin was surprised, he did not show it, merely joined hands
and
bowed his head with the others. Then they were all digging in
enthusiastically.

 

 

While they were eating their salads, Quentin started to pass the
"heaven and earth." The food was consumed with great enjoyment, with
all asking for seconds. The salt sticks were exclaimed over, as was
the
salad.

 

 

Cyrus recognized the Quik-Bix, the dressing, and of course the Spudz
main course. He was delighted with everything they ate.

 

 

Martha Reed eagerly wrote down the whole menu with a list of
ingredients while they ate, and Barry and Quentin did nothing but
praise her cooking and her cleverness.

 

 

When the dessert arrived and they all realized that it was made with
two of the most standard Imperial Food products, they were overcome.

 

 

Barry said, "I sure am glad I spoke up and wangled an invitation to
a
German dinner. I never expected such a feast."

 

 

Cyrus nodded. "Wow, they're my own products, and I never knew they
could be so good."

 

 

"More dessert, anyone?"

 

 

"I'd sure love it, but Martha would kill me."

 

 

"I tell you what, I'll parcel you up some leftovers."

 

 

Martha and Cyrus both said, "It's a deal," at the same time, and
then
everyone laughed good-naturedly.

 

 

They finally pushed themselves away from the table and went back to
the
living room. Suzanna let Quentin carry in the heavy coffee tray.
While
he was helping her serve it he said, "Suzanna, how about playing
something for us?"

 

 

"Of course, if you'd like."

 

 

Everyone echoed his request.

 

 

"Since we've just had a German meal, I'll play a few German songs."

 

 

She played "Zweig Herten," "Itch Liege Ditch," and "Lorelei," then
went
into some old standards for everyone to sing along, from county and
western to the blues.

 

 

Elsa's soprano and Suzy's contralto blended well, and when they
harmonized the sound was exquisite. Suzy called for requests and
played
them all.

 

 

Afterwards, they sat and talked quietly for a while. The company was
so
contented and well-matched, that the evening ended all too soon.

 

 

They all started to take their leave at about the same time. Barry
offered to see Elsa home, and she accepted gratefully.

 

 

Suzy was glad to see that Quentin did not seem in the least put out
by
Barry having monopolized Elsa for most of the evening.

 

 

Martha and Cyrus were next to leave, thanking Suzanna effusively for
her wonderful if unusual hospitality.

 

 

Then she and Quentin were alone.

 

 

"Right, I had better get started on the cleaning up, madam hostess."

 

 

"Oh no, it is late enough, and I'm sure you have other things to
do."

 

 

"Nonsense, you are not getting rid of me that easily. It was a
wonderful night, and it isn't over yet."

 

 

Her heart beat faster at the prospect of being alone with him, but
she
was pleased at his words and how thoughtful he was being.

 

 

Suzanna was also glad he was staying for a more practical reason.
There
was no feeling more lonely than cleaning up all by oneself after a
party.

 

 

He busily scraped and rinsed plates, loaded the dishwasher, put the
leftovers in the fridge, and got the linens into the washing
machine.
At last everything was restored to order, and they sat down next to
each other on the sofa to empty the martini pitcher.

 

 

"Waste not, want not, as they say!" Quentin said as he poured.

 

 

As they relaxed, Quentin smiled and looked at her with undisguised
admiration. "Suzy, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. You
are
a marvel. You have more talent than any one girl is entitled to. I
loved the food, your voice, your playing. You're so creative, it
makes
my head spin.

 

 

"And what puts me into a complete whirl is the way you kiss. But
before
I begin to think too much about that, and start something I refuse
to
finish, I'm going to say goodnight."

 

 

He got to his feet and started toward the door.

 

 

Suzy followed him, and said quietly, "Thank you for all the help you
gave me tonight, Quentin. I couldn't have managed without you."

 

 

"Suzy, you are a liar, even if you are good for my ego. You could
probably have done it all with one hand tied behind your back."

 

 

He had put his coat on and was standing at the door. "But if you'd
really like to thank me, give me one of your soul-shattering kisses,
then push me out the door."

 

 

"With pleasure," she said as she stepped into his arms. "All except
the
last part, that is."

 

 

She stepped into his waiting arms. His mouth claimed hers as once
more
their lips parted to admit one another's softly seeking tongues.

 

 

Before things could get out of hand, he put her from him gently,
opened
the door and left, saying softly, "Goodnight, my little mystery
woman.
I'll see you on Monday."

 

 

"Goodnight, Quentin."

 

 

Fortunately, he never heard the "darling" that she whispered under
her
breath.

 

 

 

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

 

 

The next morning, Suzanna was awakened by the ringing of her phone.
Predictably, it was Elsa.

 

 

"Suzanna, I had the most marvelous time last night. I haven't ever
seen
two such gorgeous hunks except in the movies."

 

 

"I'm glad you like my taste. Barry must have approved of my taste in
girlfriends too."

 

 

"He's something special. You don't have any designs on him, do you,
Suzy?"

 

 

"You know better than that. He's a really fine person, though. He
took
me to lunch once, but it was business. Romantically speaking, I only
have eyes for Quentin."

 

 

"That's a relief. Barry took my phone number. I hope he's planning
to
use it and wasn't just trying to make me feel good."

 

 

"He'd be out of his mind not to call you. Or haven't you looked in
the
mirror lately?"

 

 

"Yeah, but if he could see you with your hair down and your clothes
off, I wouldn't stand a chance."

 

 

"Nonsense! Anyway, that won't happen. The only one I want to see me
without clothes is Quentin."

 

 

"Suzy! You should hear yourself! Talk about a leopard changing its
spots!"

 

 

She laughed and reclined on the bed languidly. "I know. I can't
believe
it myself."

 

 

"Not that it's worth anything, but I saw Quentin watching you a few
times, like when you were playing piano, and I think the feeling is
mutual. Besides, all he did was rave about you and your outstanding
work as his assistant the whole time you were getting dressed."

 

 

"I hope you're right. Here's wishing both of us luck. Let me know if
you hear from Barry. He's interesting to talk to and a successful
business man besides. He's also a gentleman. He treated me as
royally
as if I'd been a beauty queen the one time we did go out."

 

 

"I'd better hang up. Just my luck to have him call me and I'm not
available. I don't want to run the risk of it going to voice mail."

 

 

"Whoa, don't be too eager either, honey."

 

 

"True. Anyway, got to run. Thanks again for a wonderful evening. The
food was fabulous. I think I gained five pounds."

 

 

"Glad you liked it. The best part was that it was so easy that I had
a
great time at my own party. Afterwards, Quentin stayed to help with
the
cleanup."

 

 

Elsa giggled. "Was that all he stayed for?"

 

 

"Yes, damn it, although I did get a super goodnight kiss."

 

 

"That's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, as your
gran
used to say."

 

 

She giggled at the recollection of all they had shared. "Lots
better,
believe me. Goodbye now, and let me hear from you."

 

 

Elsa said she would and rang off.

 

 

Suzy spent the rest of the day taking care of the usual dull
household
chores, and Quentin was on her mind all day. That night she had
wonderfully erotic dream about Quentin, but even in her dream,
though
he kissed her and fondled her, that was as far as it went.

 

 

Perhaps she was not as ready to take the plunge as she had hoped.
But
when Suzy awoke in the morning, she tried to comfort herself by
wondering if perhaps it was impossible to dream of an experience one
had never had.

 

 

After a late breakfast, she looked up Quentin's number in the phone
book, something she'd never done before with any man, but afterwards
she found it she knew it wasn't in her to call him without a good
excuse. Try as she might, she couldn't think of one. But as it
happened, she didn't have to. About an hour later, he called her.

 

 

"Hi, Suzanna," he greeted her. "It's Quentin."

 

 

"Hello, Quentin. What a nice surprise."

 

 

"I wanted to tell you again how much I enjoyed your dinner. Well,
er...
That's not quite true. I really had a sudden urge to hear your
voice.
Has anyone ever told you that you have a soothing voice?"

 

 

She could feel her cheeks heat. "No, I can't say that they have, but
it's kind of you to say so."

 

 

"Now that I've heard your voice, I do want to tell you again that
the
dinner was super. So was your playing and singing. I think a person
could know you a lifetime and still learn something new about you
every
day."

 

 

"That would certainly keep life from becoming monotonous, wouldn't
it?"
she laughed.

 

 

He was silent for a moment on the other end of the line and then
said,
"I have to be honest here. All I know is that since you came to be
my
assistant, I look forward to work days and find weekends dull."

 

 

"Does that mean my job is secure?" she asked in a bantering tone.

 

 

"I'd rather part with my right hand. In fact, you are my right hand.
Which reminds me, remember they had to reschedule the Femme Fatale
work
we were supposed to have done on Wednesday? Well, we're expected to
be
at there at nine Monday morning. Why don't I pick you up at
eight-thirty and we'll go directly there instead of wasting time
going
to the office first?"

 

 

"Good idea. I'll be down in front of my building at eight-thirty so
you
don't have to keep a cab waiting."

 

 

His next words sounded almost disappointed. "Okay. See you then.
Bye."

 

 

As she hung up the phone, Suzanna grinned to herself. Her gran had
always said, 'The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.'
Could
it be that simple? Could he really be falling for her due to her
dinner?

 

 

Or was it also worth playing a little bit harder to get?

 

 

 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

 

 

Suzanna had just stepped from the elevator when she saw the taxi
pull
up in front of her building.

 

 

Quentin stepped out and helped her into the cab with a curiously
old-fashioned attentiveness which set her pulse racing. He slid back
in
beside her closely, then gave the cabbie the address of Femme Fatale
Cosmetics.

 

 

Once they were on their way, he turned to Suzy, kissed her on the
cheek
and linked her arm through his. They smiled at one another, and she
felt her heart surge in her chest.

 

 

"I forgot to tell you," Quentin said, "that Femme Fatale has hit a
snag. I told you they liked the idea of one model, and the snaps of
the
girls you suggested, but the trouble is, they can't find exactly the
right model."