Rivals desire, p.19
Rival's Desire, page 19
“Good morning, Caesar,” Sandra greeted from her desk. Her bright smile faded when she noticed the grim look on his face.
“What do those two want to see me about, Sandra?” he asked, referring to Francine and Carlotta.
“They just asked that I get you and Viv in here first thing this morning. They didn’t give me the particulars.”
Caesar groaned and started to head to his office. Just then, the elevator doors opened and Vivian stepped out. Caesar’s eyes swept her body encased in a chic, one-piece, forest-green pantsuit. His stare was blatantly sensual and heated. Unfortunately, it regained its coldness when he focused on her face.
Viv sighed and gave a silent prayer of thanks that he had nothing to say. “Hey, Sandra,” she called.
“Francine and Carlotta are waiting for you in Caesar’s office.”
“Right,” she said, already headed in that direction.
Caesar was about to shut the office door, when Viv arrived behind him. She heard the groan of aggravation he uttered, but ignored it. Francine and Carlotta were waiting, along with two men.
“Good morning, you two,” Francine said, smiling when Caesar walked over to hug her.
“How are you, baby?” Carlotta asked Viv, who pressed a kiss against her temple.
Viv grimaced. “I’ve been much better.”
Francine began the introductions. “We’d like you two to meet Joel Dupont and his partner George Fuentes. Joel, George, these are our grandchildren, Caesar Morrison and Vivian Desmond.”
Of course, the two star-struck entrepreneurs knew Caesar and Viv. Grinning broadly, they each rushed forward for handshakes.
Unfortunately, Caesar and Viv were in no mood to be admired. They shook hands with both men, before turning back to their grandmothers.
“What’s all this about?” Caesar asked.
Francine glanced at Carlotta, who nodded. “Well, we thought it was time we told you two we’ve sold the business.”
“What?”
“When?”
“Before we asked you both to take over,” Carlotta explained.
Viv propped her hands on her hips. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“We didn’t want it to affect your work,” Francine said, picking a minute speck of lint from her gray designer pantsuit.
Caesar folded his arms over his chest and regarded both women sternly. “Why’d you bother to bring us in at all?”
“Gentlemen,” Carlotta called, waving the two middle-aged men to the front of the office, “Sandra will show you to the conference room and we’ll leave for the tour from there. Francine and I will be with you shortly.”
Joel and George nodded and left the office. When the door closed behind them, Carlotta resumed her seat next to Francine.
“I think we deserve an answer to that question,” Viv said, pinning her grandmother with a black look.
Carlotta shrugged, toying with a button on the burgundy coatdress she wore. “Well, it’s no secret that Frankie and I were playing matchmaker. Unfortunately, it hasn’t worked.”
Caesar shook his head. “So, this had nothing to do with you entrusting us with the business? It was all about a matchmaking scheme?”
“Well, we never had any intentions for you two to leave your careers,” Frankie assured them.
Viv spread her hands wide. “Then why the elaborate scheme? Couldn’t you have just thrown a party? Set us up on a blind date or something?”
“Please! We knew that would never work. The two of you could barely stand being in the same room. We needed a plan to keep you in close proximity.”
“Why?”
Francine smiled at Caesar who had spoken. “Because, dear, we knew you and Vivian would be happy together. We had time before the changeover took place and decided to use it to get the two people we love most in this world together.”
“Well,” Viv sighed, walking closer to Francine’s desk, “I have to admit I enjoyed the business.”
“More than you enjoy being on stage using that lovely voice?”
Viv sent her grandmother a knowing look and shook her head.
“And, Caesar, I know you wouldn’t leave football to sell dolls for a living.”
“I just hope the deal was worth selling for,” he replied, still in shock at Francine and Carlotta’s intricate plan.
“See for yourselves,” Frankie said, handing Caesar the thick contract. “Last page,” she instructed.
Vivian stepped closer to peer over Caesar’s arm. “How does this affect the employees?” he asked as he thumbed through the pages.
“Everyone keeps their jobs,” Carlotta assured them.
“And receives five percent raises,” Francine added.
When Caesar reached the last page of the book-length contract, he and Viv were stunned speechless.
“You each get fifteen percent of that sum,” Carlotta announced, adding to their silence.
Suddenly, Francine rubbed her hands together and stood. “Well, we promised Joel and George a tour, so excuse us.”
Alone in the office, Viv and Caesar walked around each other, absorbing what had just taken place.
“Some sneaky old broads,” Viv muttered, shaking her head.
Caesar grinned, standing with both hands pushed into the deep pockets of his eggshell slacks. “Too bad it didn’t work.”
Viv turned and took a step toward him. “Caesar—”
“Let’s not discuss it, all right?”
Viv was in complete agreement. She left the office a few seconds later.
Caesar left the office a half hour after the meeting with the grandmothers. He wasn’t inclined to be part of the tour with the company’s new owners. Instead, he took a trip to Jay’s, a sports bar owned by his friend, Jay Wells.
Caesar frequented the bar whenever he was in New York. Of course, the crowd at Jay’s was all avid sports fans and treated Caesar like a king whenever he visited.
“What’s up, man?” Jay greeted, watching Caesar shake hands with a few more patrons.
“What’s goin’ on?” Caesar replied, catching Jay’s extended hand in a hearty shake.
“I was beginning to think we wouldn’t see you in here this time around.”
“Been busy, kid,” Caesar said, sighing as he took a seat at the bar.
Jay calculated the waitress’ tip receipts and sealed them in a bank bag. “Hungry?” he asked from behind the bar.
“Always.”
Jay chuckled, handing Caesar a black, leather-bound menu. “Order up. We’ll have lunch in the office.”
“So what was it like working with Viv, man?” Jay asked, taking a bite of the huge turkey club he held.
Caesar shook his head at the teasing tone in Jay’s slightly squeaky voice. The two of them had known each other since childhood and were as close as brothers. Jay was well aware of the constant feuding between him and Viv. “I asked her to marry me,” he announced.
“Stop lyin’.”
“I’m not. I put the ring on her finger and everything.”
“And?”
“She said no.”
“Ha!” Jay blurted, pressing one hand to his forehead. “Damn, she’s still cold to your ass.”
Caesar shook his head and smiled. “I don’t know, Jay, I get the feelin’ she wanted to say yes. But…couldn’t for some reason.”
“You tell her this?”
“No,” Caesar replied, standing. “Hell no, I didn’t. I was so mad when she turned me down, the last thing I wanted to do was keep trying to reason with her only to have her keep shootin’ me down.”
“I hear ya,” Jay sighed, taking a swig of his juice.
“I don’t know what’s goin’ on with her.”
“You know, I can relate to Viv wanting to wait.”
“Thanks.”
“Nah, serious, man. Marriage is a big thing.”
Caesar raked both hands through his hair. “You don’t have to tell me that, Jay.”
Jay propped a finger alongside his heavy beard. “Don’t you figure she probably wants to be sure this is right?”
“Hell, Jay, she’s known me all her life!”
“That’s probably why.”
“What?”
“All you and Viv have ever done is argue. Y’all have argued over everything—toys, what games we were going to play, who was going to be on what team, everything. Now you love her enough to marry her—”
“She feels the same about me. She told me so and I believe her.”
Jay nodded, his slanting black stare twinkling. “I believe her, too, and I think that’s just why she wants to wait. She wants to make sure it lasts.”
Caesar fixed Jay with a knowing look. “When did you get your psych degree, man?”
Jay shrugged. “Part of being a bartender, kid.”
“I hear ya,” Caesar said, chuckling softly as he resumed his seat. “So, enough about me. How’s it goin’ with you? Business looks good.”
“It’s boomin’, man. With me having so many of my boys playing professional sports, people wanna eat here just to see who might walk in.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Suddenly, Jay began to laugh. “You know you’re not the only one wanting to take the big leap.”
“Who?” Caesar asked, through a mouthful of chicken salad.
“Darien Howell.”
“D’s getting married?”
“Mmm-hmm…”
“Damn, when?” Caesar asked, reaching for his bottle of carrot juice.
Jay took another bite of his sandwich. “Sometime this fall.”
“No kidding?”
“Say, why don’t you show up at the bachelor party? I know he’d want you there.”
“I don’t know, Jay.” Caesar groaned. The only bachelor party he really wanted to attend was his own. Plus, he’d have to check his game schedule.
“It’s gonna be somethin’ else…” Jay taunted, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief.
Caesar leaned back and toyed with his mustache. “Strippers?” he asked.
“Among other things,” Jay confirmed. “We even have a group performing,” he added, omitting the fact that it was Intrigue.
“Sounds nice.”
“Well come, then. I know it’ll get you out of the dumps.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Caesar replied, tossing his napkin to his empty plate. “All right, tell me when and where.”
Intrigue met for rehearsal at Vivian’s penthouse. Her portion of the building’s rooftop had a pool, hot tub and lounge area as well as a stage and sound booth for rehearsing. The group decided to turn their work into a little get-together. There were light snacks and drinks set out for the technicians and band members. The deck around the pool was lit and everyone was having the best time.
“You throw a good party, Viv!”
“We’re supposed to be working, Carver!” Viv playfully retorted, as she watched one of the sound techs, Carver Graham, fill his plate with cream puffs, shrimp and scallops.
They were having a fabulous rehearsal and it showed. The girls were decked out in gorgeous bikinis with colorful wraps. The atmosphere was extremely mellow and conducive to creativity amid the twinkling lights and late-evening Manhattan sky.
Inside, Shelly was going about her cleaning chores as best she could. The fabulous beats and lyrics radiating from the rooftop had her dancing around the living room instead of dusting. She was about to head upstairs when the doorbell rang. She tossed her duster aside and ran to answer the door. Her eyes widened as a bright smile came to her face.
“Mr. Morrison!”
“Shelly, what’d I tell you about that?”
“I’m sorry,” she gushed. “Caesar.”
“That’s better,” he said, moving his tall frame inside. “Viv home?”
“Mmm-hmm…” Shelly absently replied, too involved with her admiration of Caesar. “The group is rehearsing. I’ll go tell Ms. Desmond you’re here.”
“Hold off on that, Shelly,” Caesar said, pulling one hand from his jeans’ pocket and waving it in the air. “Where are they?”
“On the roof. I’ll show you,” Shelly offered, leading him from the living room to the dark, upstairs den. There, he had a ringside seat for the enticing rehearsal.
Of course, all five members were natural beauties, but Caesar was only interested in one. He smiled, watching Viv frown over some sheet music. Her thick, curly bobbed hair was pulled into a loose ponytail and she wore black cat-eyed glasses. Chuckling softly, Caesar shook his head. He couldn’t understand why she refused to wear them when he was around. They took nothing away from her stunning looks. The way the spectacles sat perched on her tiny nose made her look smart and sexy at once.
The group had finished their set of up-tempo singles and was about to begin the ballads. Vivian sang most of the slower songs, so she stood front and center while her group mates sat behind her on wooden stools arranged in a semicircle. As her full-bodied, rich voice filled the air, Caesar felt a shiver up his spine. Nothing compared to hearing the woman sing live. Vivian had a talent for drawing her audience into the world she created using the song lyrics, her own emotions and haunting voice. Caesar became so affected, he found himself gripping the arms of his chair. Every word Viv uttered brought him closer to going outside and pulling her into his arms.
“Let’s take five, everybody!” Myron Hardison called from the sound booth.
“Hey, Ivory, where’s the second flute part for ‘Special’?” Max MacNeal was asking as he searched his music stand.
Ivory was heading inside. “I’ll check the piano in the den!”
“What’s up, Ivory?”
Ivory gasped and whirled around at the sound of the rough male voice. Her small, green eyes narrowed as she focused on the huge figure seated across the room. “Caesar?”
“Did I scare you?” he asked, beginning to chuckle.
Ivory rushed over to slap his shoulder. “Hell, yeah! What are you doin’ here? You want me to get Viv?”
Caesar turned back to the patio. He watched Viv select a few treats from the buffet. “Nah, I’ll wait.”
Ivory found the music on the piano and left Caesar alone in the den. “Hey, Viv, let’s do ‘Intensify,’” she suggested.
Viv looked up and frowned from her perch on the edge of Anna Williams’s stool. “No way. You always cry when we sing that song.”
Ivory handed Max the music, then turned to Viv. “Please? I really want to hear it.”
“Why? So you can cry?” Viv relentlessly teased.
Ivory propped her fists on her hips. “I only cry because it’s so beautiful. Now come on.”
No one could argue with Ivory’s request for long. “Intensify” was one of their best songs. It was by far one of the most soulful. The single had not yet been released for airplay, but everyone believed it would go platinum.
Vivian took a sip of lemon water before signaling for the count-off. The entrancing, electrifying song was performed with stirring conviction. Now, it was even more captivating, because the words were meant for one man.
Silence settled over the rehearsal session after the song ended. Gradually the mood grew lighter and everyone laughed when they saw Ivory wiping her eyes.
“Okay, that’s a wrap!” Myron announced.
“You guys help yourselves! There’s plenty of food left!” Dacia was saying.
For the next ten minutes everyone helped themselves to more delectables from the buffet. Caesar was content watching Vivian interact with her colleagues. She was in an extremely good mood and it showed. As she teased and laughed with the technicians, the animated look on her face made her even lovelier. Caesar knew there was no way he would stop until she was his.
“We’re out, Viv!” Myron called as he and his crew headed off the patio.
“All the food must be gone,” Viv teased, following the group of men inside.
The musicians and the other members of Intrigue followed along. The productive rehearsal had everyone worn out and they were all ready to call it a night. Vivian escorted her guests downstairs and to the elevators. When she had waved off the last one, she took a deep breath and massaged her neck. She was glad everyone decided to leave right after rehearsal. After “Intensify,” her mood began to change. Ivory wasn’t the only one affected. Caesar was all Viv could think of as the words passed her lips.
“No! No, I’m not doin’ this to myself,” she whispered, clenching her fists as she stomped back to her door. “It’s over and…that’s that,” she sighed, leaning back against the front door. Tears began to pressure her eyes and she shook her head to ward them off. After a moment she decided to take a swim.
Caesar was about to leave the den and head downstairs when Viv walked into the room. He didn’t alert her to his presence, but watched as she tossed her wrap to the sofa and padded barefoot across the room in a scanty, gold bikini.
The pool was heated to a comfortable seventy degrees and Viv felt she could’ve stayed there all night. Eventually, she ventured to the edge of the pool and propped her arms along the brick deck. She spotted a pair of stylish, white cross-trainers and looked up to find Caesar watching her from one of the chaise longues.
“How’d you get in here!” she gasped, hoisting herself onto the deck.
“Shelly let me in.”
“She’s gone already.”
“Before she left.”
“Oh,” Viv absently replied. “Thanks,” she whispered when he tossed her a towel.
Caesar was silent as he watched her dry the droplets of water from her glistening dark skin. When she finished and walked over to him, he pulled the towel from her hands and stood.
Their eyes held briefly. Then Caesar’s massive hands curled around Viv’s upper arms and his head dropped. Their lips met in a sweet, passionate kiss. A small whimper slipped past Caesar’s lips. He was overwhelmed by the feel of Viv’s cool body in his arms. At once, the kiss turned hot and demanding. Caesar’s grip around Viv’s arms tightened and he hauled her against his tall frame. He headed inside, with intentions of taking her to the bedroom. He only made it to the den where male desire took precedence over location. The thick, plush den carpet was an ideal spot for what he had in mind. He lowered Viv to the white carpet, his fingers curling around the bikini top and tugging it from her chest.
