Rivals desire, p.25
Rival's Desire, page 25
Caesar shrugged. “That depends.”
“Well, either you will or you won’t.”
“Not necessarily.”
Viv slapped his shoulder. “This is not the time to play around,” she scolded, barely managing to contain her laughter.
Caesar sat on the lounge and pulled her onto his lap. “I’d only ask you to marry me, if I knew you’d say yes right away.”
“Well?”
“Will you marry me, Plum?”
“Yes, right away,” she whispered. When he smiled, she pressed a kiss to the corner of his mouth.
Later that evening, Caesar decided to prepare dinner. The cabin’s spacious kitchen was stocked with enough food to last for months. Vivian sat at the oval, maple dining table and was already making out the guest list for the wedding while Caesar chopped vegetables for his stir-fry.
“Is this going to be big or small?” Viv asked, her pen poised over the white legal pad.
Caesar smiled, but did not turn away from his task. “I’d say big, but it’ll take too long to plan and I want you too much to wait.”
“Small,” Viv announced, scribbling the word across the top of the pad. “We’ll finish the list later.”
“We’ll have to issue some kind of press release, too, you know.”
“Oh, yeah,” Viv whispered, making a note of it. Suddenly she snapped her fingers. “We should let Demetrius break the story in Black Biz first.”
“Not bad, we’ll call him next week.”
Silence settled over the kitchen as they returned to their individual tasks. Neither could believe they were actually discussing marriage.
Caesar filled a colander with the chopped vegetables and took it to the sink. “Your partners are gonna be pretty upset.”
Viv frowned and propped her socked feet on the chair next to her. “I think they’ll be happy. They’ve been after me to give you a chance for the longest time.”
“Well, they’ll probably be upset when you tell them you’re leaving the group.”
Viv watched Caesar run the colander full of vegetables beneath the faucet. She was positive she had heard him wrong. “Baby, I wasn’t planning on leaving the group.”
Caesar took a packet of chicken breasts from the counter. His expression seemed to say just the opposite. He remained silent, checking to see if the meat was thawed.
Viv shrugged off his silence. She decided not to dwell on the fact that she didn’t like the turn the conversation was taking. She had a feeling the discussion was far from over.
Chapter 13
The wedding was to be held at Caesar’s home in Chicago late the next week. Vivian decided to take a hotel room in the city instead of staying with him. Of course, Caesar never passed on an opportunity to urge her to move her things to his place.
“This is such a lovely gown,” Carlotta marveled as she studied the gorgeous satin and chiffon creation. “It almost looks tailor-made.”
“It is,” Viv confirmed as she returned the white, satin pumps to their case. “I sent Mommy my measurements in Paris and she had it done as a wedding gift.”
“I haven’t talked to Vanessa in months. Is she coming to the wedding?”
“She really wants to!” Viv called from the closet. “She’s gonna try to shuffle a few meetings and see what she can do.”
Carlotta propped her feet on the footstool in front of the armchair and closed her eyes. “That girl and her high-powered job.” She sighed, referring to her daughter who was a legal consultant for the American consulate in France.
Viv was laughing when she returned to the bedroom suite. Her dark eyes fell upon the gown hanging from the changing screen and she leaned against the dresser. “Grammy, what’s it gonna be like being married to him after all this time?”
Carlotta gave Viv a knowing look. “It’ll be wonderful, sweetie. There’s nothing like marrying your best friend.”
“Best friend…” Viv repeated. “I never thought I’d be calling Caesar my best friend.”
Carlotta pushed herself out of the armchair and walked across the room to hug Viv. “The two of you will have a lovely life together.”
“You promise?” Viv asked, her onyx eyes sparkling with happy tears.
Carlotta shook her head. “Don’t have to. It’s a sure thing.”
The doorbell rang just then and Carlotta stepped back. “I’ll get that on my way out,” she said, patting Viv’s cheek.
“It’s probably Caesar!” Viv called. She turned back to the full-length mirror near the changing screen and smiled at her reflection. Wearing only a white satin chemise and matching panties, she smoothed her hands across her stomach.
Caesar walked into the bedroom and saw Viv standing before the mirror. “I like it,” he said.
Viv smiled and turned to face him. “It’s over there,” she corrected, pointing to the wedding gown.
Caesar snapped his fingers. “Damn,” he whispered, slamming the door shut. He closed the distance between them and pulled Viv against him. “What are you thinkin’ about?” he asked after they’d stood in front of the mirror for a couple of minutes.
Viv took a deep breath and snuggled into Caesar’s body. “I was thinking about our wedding—after our wedding. How long will it take before we kill each other,” she teased, toying with his bright curls.
Caesar pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I can’t wait to find out,” he whispered.
Vivian nudged her bottom against him and smiled when he grunted and turned her to face him. A low growl rumbled within his broad chest as his hands slipped beneath her satin chemise.
Viv wound her arms around his neck and arched herself into his body. Her lashes fluttered closed and she shivered against the swirls of pleasure teasing her senses. Caesar pulled down the straps of the chemise and treated her shoulders with teasing strokes of his tongue. Viv threw her head back and whispered his name. Her hands stroked and kneaded the hard expanse of his back. Next, she was pulling the lightweight Phat Farm sweatshirt over his torso.
Caesar’s large hands rose to cup Viv’s breasts, his thumbs stroked the nipples until they grew firm and erect. Vivian went to work on the leather belt around the waistband of his sagging blue jeans. When she unfastened the button fly, her fingers stroked the potent arousal bulging against his boxers. Caesar pushed off his sneakers and stepped out of the jeans. Then he lifted Viv and carried her the short distance to the bed. He snuggled his handsome face in the valley between her breasts. His hands rose once more to fondle their softness.
Viv moved beneath him restlessly, her hands massaging his taut buttocks. Caesar’s lips caressed one round breast, before his tongue followed suit. He teased her relentlessly, stroking the dark cloud of skin surrounding the nipple. Finally, Viv uttered a soft frustrated sound and pushed her breast into his mouth.
Caesar chuckled softly and took the hint. His sensuous lips suckled the rigid tip with devastating intensity. His tongue soothed it, drawing breathless cries past Viv’s lips. Meanwhile, his strong fingers curled around the waistband of her panties and eased them down her hips.
“Caesar…” Viv sighed, her long lashes fluttering over her eyes when she felt his fingers inside her.
“Look at me,” he softly commanded, wanting to see the emotion in her eyes as he pleasured her.
Viv complied, focusing on the gorgeous face above hers. She barely noticed when he eased a condom in place and replaced his fingers with his throbbing manhood; her eyes closed and she tugged her bottom lip between her teeth. Caesar smiled, loving the look of undeniable satisfaction on her beautiful dark face. He increased the speed and force of his thrusts, until they reached fulfillment in a slow simultaneous wave.
“So, how’d the group take the news?”
Viv smiled and snuggled her head against Caesar’s chest as she lounged in bed. “They went crazy. They were so happy.”
“Good.” He ran his hands across her bare arms and back. “I knew they’d understand you needing to leave and concentrate on other things.”
Viv suddenly realized they were talking about two different things and raised her head. “Caesar, wait a minute. I didn’t tell them I was leaving.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not.”
Caesar propped himself up on his elbows and looked down at her. “Plum, I thought we decided.”
“No, you decided. I have no intentions of leaving.”
“We did agree to live in Chicago? How will you make that work?”
“Well…there’s a little invention called the plane…”
“Don’t get cute.”
“Caesar—”
“Just think about it. A break maybe? For me, all right?”
Viv closed her eyes resignedly and nodded. “I’ll think about it, Caesar,” she promised.
“Mommy, he’s driving me crazy with this.”
Vanessa Desmond’s double dimples appeared as she stroked her daughter’s hair. “Honey, he’s waited a long time to have you—it can’t be easy going from sparring partners to lovers,” she teased.
Viv snuggled her head against her mother’s shoulder. “We weren’t that bad.”
“Ha!”
Viv looked up into her mother’s face, which was like a mirror image of her own. “Mommy, this is my career. It’s the only thing that’s remained constant through all the relationships and heartache. I can’t just give it up like that.”
Vanessa cupped Viv’s face in her hands. “Even though it’s for a husband-to-be? A man that loves you in spite of all the upheavals?” she asked, watching Viv’s gaze falter. “Try to think about his side of it. There may be room for compromise—try finding out why he’s so against you remaining in the group,” she advised, pressing a kiss to the tip of Viv’s nose.
Viv toyed with a strand of her mother’s waist-length dark locks. “Compromise,” she sighed, smiling wearily when Vanessa pulled her close for a hug.
The wedding day arrived and it proved to be lovely. The weather was perfect. With fall fast approaching, the temperature was a comfortable seventy degrees and full, fluffy white clouds scattered across the gorgeous blue sky.
Viv arrived at Caesar’s house very early that morning. Of course, the place was already alive with the sights and sounds of the house staff, caterers and musicians preparing for the event. She couldn’t believe that today was the day they’d begin the rest of their lives together.
The ceremony took place at the edge of the grand backyard. Vivian walked down a long white carpet, which ran through the trees lining either side. Although the bride and groom decided to keep the guest list down to family and friends, there was still an enormous amount of people there. Everyone on hand felt honored to witness the union of two lifelong acquaintances professing their love and commitment to one another. When the minister instructed Caesar to kiss his bride, the kiss was the epitome of passion, love and desire.
“What are you saying?”
“Oh, Viv, you can’t!”
Vivian’s eyes were filled with tears as she told the group that she was leaving. Ivory, Dacia, Anna and Diane couldn’t believe such a happy day was becoming so disappointing.
“Guys, please don’t give me a hard time over this.”
Anna wiped a tear from her eye and tossed her head back. “So how long will this leave be?” she asked.
Viv shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Vivi!” Ivory cried.
“Look,” Viv whispered, raising her hand to silence their arguments. “There’s something eating away at him. I need time to find out what it is. I’ve waited so long to be this happy. I—I just want to do all I can to make it work.”
Diane gasped and reached for Vivian’s hand.
“Honey, we understand,” Dacia whispered, placing her arm around Viv’s shoulders.
“You think he’ll tell you why he wants you to quit?” Ivory asked.
“I don’t know,” Viv admitted, unease filtering through the contentment in her eyes. “Part of me isn’t sure I want to know.”
“Well you know we support you in whatever you decide,” Anna said, stepping closer into the intimate circle they formed in the crowded living room.
“We wish you nothin’ but the best, sweetie,” Diane told her as they all hugged.
Viv cried then, her happiness reasserting itself.
After the wedding, the newlyweds chose to hold off on the honeymoon, which suited Viv just fine. She spent much of her time in her lovely new home. Caesar constantly urged her to change anything she wanted. Viv couldn’t find a thing to redo in the magnificent mansion. Many days, she enjoyed the comfort of the upstairs den where her baby grand piano had been moved.
“Wanna go out for dinner?” Caesar asked when he found her working in the den one afternoon.
Viv smiled, her dark eyes sparkling as they remained focused on a page of lyrics. “You know I’m always in the mood to eat.”
Caesar chuckled. “I know.”
“So where are you taking me?”
“To the best place in town.”
“You’re just now taking me to the best place in town?” Viv scolded playfully.
“It’s just opened,” he informed her, his light brown eyes twinkling mischievously. “The restaurant opens tonight.”
Viv laughed and slapped his shoulder. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I wanted to surprise you,” he said, moving off the stool and pulling Viv with him. “Let’s go get dressed.”
“Goodness, I’ve got so much to do. I’ll need to take a bath and do something with my hair,” she rambled as they walked up the stairway. “I don’t even know what to wear,” she whispered, already unbuttoning the denim minidress she wore.
“You’ll be fine as hell, as usual,” Caesar promised as he followed her up the stairs. His eyes devoured every inch of her dark skin revealed to him when she pulled off her dress.
Viv began running her bath in the sunken gray porcelain tub. As the bathroom filled with the scents of the honey-almond foam, she went to her closet and selected a long, burgundy silk robe. When she left the walk-in closet, Caesar stood in the doorway, already nude.
“So, um, what’s the dress code at this place of yours?” she asked, running her fingers along the outline of his chiseled abs.
Caesar tugged on the robe’s belt and pulled it from her shoulders. “Wear this and you won’t have a problem getting in.”
“Is that right?” Viv queried, laughing wildly when he picked her up and carried her to the bathroom. “We’re gonna be late,” she whispered as they sank into the bubble-filled tub.
“Damn right,” Caesar agreed as he leaned back in the tub and pulled her on top of him.
Everyone was filled with well-wishes at the grand opening of Caesar’s. Friends and reporters alike filled the gorgeous two-story restaurant. Of course, the media had as many questions regarding the restaurant as they did about the new Mr. and Mrs. Caesar Morrison. The paparazzi went wild when the newlyweds finally arrived. Caesar was devastating as usual in a stylish, three-piece, single-breasted black suit with cream silk lining the inside of the coat and vest. Vivian was beautiful in a stunning ankle-length gown. The bra-styled bodice of the silver-gray gown flattered the natural curve of her breasts and left her back bare to the end of her spine.
The crowd couldn’t have been more pleased as Viv and Caesar mingled among them. Likewise, they were equally generous to the press in their response to questions regarding their marriage and rumors that Viv would not be returning to Intrigue.
“Where did you find the band?”
Caesar grinned and poured Viv more champagne from the chilled bottle. “Good, aren’t they?”
“Yes, are they local?”
“Yeah, um, they performed at a party one of the coaches had after last season. I mentioned the restaurant and told ’em I’d call to see if they were interested in the gig.”
“Is that right?” Viv whispered, her eyes filled with longing as she watched the band perform. She was tempted to ask if there was a lead singer, but she wanted to give Caesar and his dream all her attention that evening.
“How is everything, Mr. Morrison?”
“So far so good, Frank,” Caesar told the smiling waiter who stood next to the table. “How soon does the movie start?”
Frank checked his wristwatch. “About fifteen minutes, sir. We’re trying to finish up all the dinner orders.”
Caesar nodded as his eyes scanned the menu. “What are you having, Plum?”
Viv placed her menu flat on the table and clasped her hands together. “It all looks so good, what do you suggest?” she asked, delighted in watching him assume control.
“Hmm, how about salmon steaks for two, baby peas with onions, a basket of rolls and another bottle of champagne?”
Frank took the order and collected the menus. “Very good, sir. Ms. Des—sorry, Mrs. Morrison.”
“Thank you, Frank,” Viv said, smiling. “So what’s tonight’s theme?” she asked, when the waiter left.
“Romance,” Caesar answered with a smug grin. “We’re having a double feature. Love Jones and then we break so everyone can use the restroom and order dessert. Then, we’ll show Mahogany.”
“Mahogany,” Viv stated. “Wow, we’re goin’ back. I can’t wait.”
The band started a new selection. Once again, Viv was drawn to the performers. She was almost entranced by the piano player’s talent. She could almost hear him playing the songs she’d been working on since her hiatus from the group.
“Plum?”
Viv finally tuned in to Caesar’s calling her. She reluctantly focused her attention on their conversation.
“Hi, I hope I’m not disturbing you guys?”
The five men on stage stood speechless when they heard Vivian Desmond speak to them. Caesar had gone to check on things in the kitchen after the first movie and Viv had taken that moment to sneak on stage.
“Am I disturbing you guys?” Viv asked again, watching the men expectantly.
