And that was her last rational thought before Quinn sank deep inside her. She had forgotten how good he was, and now she discovered that his desk was at the perfect height. He helped her up; she drew her knees back and he moved in close. Testing her, he found her more than ready. She climaxed immediately. But she hadn't finished with him yet. 'Fill me,' she commanded hoarsely. Nursing him, she worked her muscles. 'I want all of you.'
And that was exactly what she got, only now realising that neither of them had paused long enough to use protection.
They returned to the party together and Magenta soon forgot her moment of concern. None of this was real. It was wonderful, but it was still only a fantasy, and all she'd cared about while she was living the dream was that Quinn lost his brusque business-manner. He'd done more than that, Magenta realised when Quinn put his arm around her waist. Something had changed between them, bringing them closer.
Quinn remained at her side from that moment on, and everyone accepted them as a couple-though, in fairness, everyone had had quite a bit to drink by this time. The spacemen were barely distinguishable from the aliens, she noted with amusement as Quinn forged a passage through the heaving throng of green-smudged silver people and silver-streaked green folk.
But at least she wasn't on her own when it came to the way she felt about Quinn. If anything, he was more outwardly affectionate in front of the other people than she was, and when the party finally drew to a close their destination was in no doubt.
They seemed to laugh all the way back to his house. Quinn drove smoothly and fast, and still found time to regale Magenta with stories of how far the party had gone in loosening everyone up. 'You're definitely in charge of office parties from here on in,' he told her. 'You have the knack of bringing people together.'
Never more so than now, she hoped when Quinn swung the car into the drive and they both climbed out.
They barely made it through the front door before they fell on each other, kissing and touching, as if tomorrow with all its uncertainties was almost upon them and the here and now was a fragile, unpredictable thing that refused to be captured or slowed down.
They made love on the hall rug, which fortunately was thick enough to cushion them, and wide enough so they didn't have to test the cold, hard marble floor. If there was anything nicer than snuggling up to Quinn, she had yet to discover it. When they were both briefly sated, Quinn suggested they go to bed. 'Now there's a novel idea,' she observed, laughing with happiness as he swung her into his arms.
She should have known that happiness was as fragile as time-and that it didn't do to be too greedy where either was concerned.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
THE idyll lasted for a matter of weeks. During this time, they visited a fun fair; Quinn won a lop-eared rabbit on the shooting range and held Magenta tight when they rocketed through the candy-floss-scented air. Playing it serious, they went to an art gallery one day and to a concert the next, before Quinn changed the pace, taking her down into a cellar for some alternative musical entertainment, where the throbbing beat rang off the walls along with the sweat.
Switching styles, he escorted her to an up-town disco where they danced on a mirrored floor beneath coloured lights. On another night they saw Breakfast at Tiffany's at the cinema with an exquisitely beautiful Audrey Hepburn in the lead. One evening they decided to stay at home and cuddled up in front of the television, watching Goldie Hawn playing the ditsy blonde in Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in. Then late one night they discovered a mutual love of jazz, and ate hot dogs at a late-night cab stand after the jazz club, sharing anecdotes with friendly cabbies as they licked mustard and ketchup off each other's fingers.
She was falling in love, Magenta realised as Quinn walked her home along the embankment, where the river Thames stretched wide and silent at their side like a black-satin ribbon sprinkled with stars.
It was a wild, funny, tender, rollercoaster time, during which they grew as close as two people could grow. Now tomorrow was Christmas Eve, a time for presents, fun and celebration.
It was definitely not a time for Magenta to be clutching the edge of the sink in the ladies' room at the office, while wondering if she was going to pass out or be sick.
I'm pregnant, she thought, staring at her green-tinged reflection in the mirror.
It had only been the one time without protection, but one time was enough. And she was sure. She had never been more certain of anything in her life-she was expecting Quinn's baby.
But how could this happen in a dream-world?
Anything could happen in a dream, Magenta reasoned, though dreams didn't usually feel as realistic as this, nor did they usually last as long. She was growing increasingly concerned-or was that hopeful?-that perhaps she really was in the sixties. There was no need for her to buy a pregnancy kit to confirm what she already knew. The changes in her body had been swift and all-consuming. She was late, sick and, more important than all of that, had the overwhelming sense that she wasn't alone in her body any longer, a fact which thrilled her beyond belief. She felt instantly protective of the tiny life inside her, even though motherhood wasn't part of her life plan, or even her dream plan. And, yes, it might have taken two to tango, but she had never asked anything of Quinn and she didn't intend to start now.
The rest of the day passed quickly, with everyone tidying up the loose ends of the campaign in preparation for the launch after the holidays. Magenta stayed behind to make sure the new top-flight team of men and women had everything they needed before she left. Quinn was still working in his office when it came time to lock up. She had some chilly hours of uncertainty ahead of her, she reflected, picking up her coat in the staff room. She was the only one who knew about her baby-Quinn's baby-and, though she could happily cope with a pregnancy, she would prefer to do so in a world she understood. 'Oh, why can't I wake up?' she murmured, without realising Nancy had joined her in the room.
'Long, hard night?' Nancy suggested with amusement. Opening her handbag, Nancy began to touch up her make-up.
'A great night,' Magenta admitted honestly. She hadn't spent a night without Quinn since the party, which was weeks ago now, and they had all been great.
'Is there something wrong?' Nancy said, turning to look at her with new interest.
'No,' Magenta said with a laugh in her voice. 'Long, hard day, that's all.'
'Are you sure that's all? You look to me like you're hiding something.'
'No, I'm not.' She was a hopeless liar. Nancy had become her best friend in this strange dream-world and Magenta was eager to share her news with someone. 'Except … I've got something amazing to tell you.'
To Magenta's dismay, Nancy paled. 'You're not pregnant, are you?'
'Why do you say that?'
'It's the first thing that popped into my mind.'
'And if I am? Would that be so terrible?' From the expression on Nancy's face, Magenta realised she was clinging by her fingertips to cloud nine-that as far as Nancy was concerned it was that bad.
'If you're married, that's fine. If you're engaged, that's almost acceptable-though it would raise eyebrows and cause a whole world of unwanted comment here.'
Magenta laughed incredulously. 'Are you saying only married women can have children?'
'That's the usual way, isn't it?'
Dumbstruck, Magenta stared at Nancy, a girl she had thought so feisty and up to the mark in everything.
'You're having Quinn's baby, right?' Nancy demanded in her usual forthright way.
She nodded.
'And you're seriously considering going ahead with the pregnancy?'
'Of course I am. What else would I do?'
'How long have I got?' Nancy murmured under her breath.
'You disapprove?' Magenta couldn't have been more surprised.
'I don't, but everyone else will.'
'But it's no one else's business. I'm not asking for help. I won't be a burden to anyone. I won't even expect Quinn to take an active role in bringing up his baby if he doesn't want to.'
'Boy, are you naïve.' Nancy was full of concern now. 'Honestly, Magenta, I always thought you were smart, but now I'm not so sure. Can't you see what this will do to your reputation? Oh, forget that,' Nancy said, shaking her head in exasperation. 'You won't be able to work, so what will your reputation even matter?'
'That's a little dramatic, isn't it?' Magenta demanded wryly. 'I can't see why it should change anything.'
'And how many unmarried mothers do you know?'
'Well, none in this-' She had been about to say 'this world' but quickly held her tongue.