Rival's Desire

“Yes,” Viv replied. It never occurred to her that Caesar could have been upset by her going out with another man.

Carlotta sighed, shaking her head at how clueless Vivian was. “Well, honey, I don’t know what to tell you,” she said, deciding to offer a listening ear and nothing more.

Just then the door opened and Viv saw Caesar. “Grammy, he’s back. I gotta go,” she whispered, pulling off her glasses. She watched him drop his keys to the bar and pour himself a glass of juice. “The grannies said ‘hey,’” she told him as he headed to his desk.

Caesar’s low chuckle filtered through the room. “How are they?” he asked.

“In Hawaii and having a ball.”

“Damn, they didn’t waste any time,” Caesar noted, walking around Viv’s desk and leaning against the edge.

Viv’s lashes fluttered as the crisp scent of his cologne drifted beneath her nostrils. “I guess they knew the company would be in good hands.”

Caesar swallowed his juice, before setting the glass aside. The humor in his entrancing, light brown stare faded to a more serious look. “Plum, I’m sorry about the way I acted earlier.”

Viv shook her head, a few loose curls slapping her cheeks. “No, Caesar. I really should’ve given you some idea about when I’d be back. I should’ve told you about my plans earlier. It was very irresponsible.”

Caesar tapped his fingers against his mustache and smiled. “I can’t believe I’m hearing you apologize.”

“Well, enjoy it because it won’t happen often.”

“I realize that,” he said, leaning down to bring his handsome face close. “I’m sorry anyway,” he whispered, cupping her small dark oval face in his massive hands. He pressed a quick kiss to her mouth and Viv gasped, her lips parting instantly. A low growl rumbled in Caesar’s throat and his tongue slipped inside the dark cavern of her mouth. Vivian whimpered as the slow, rhythmic thrusts of his tongue deepened. Her hands reached up to cover his where they cupped her face. She returned the possessive kiss eagerly as though she were starved for his kiss.

Suddenly, Caesar pulled away as though he was shocked by what had just happened. “Are you ready to get dinner?” he asked, moving away from her desk.

It took Vivian a moment to move from the edge of her seat. “I, um, I have my car, so I’ll…just meet you at Tony’s.”

“See you there,” Caesar called over his shoulder.

Vivian pressed her fingers against her lips and watched the door close behind him.

Chapter 4

Ican’t fall for him, but I’m not doing a very good job of resisting. Viv had been telling herself the same thing since she left work. As she parked her Porsche at Tony’s, a small sports bar not far from the office, she began to chant the phrase. She checked her reflection in the rearview mirror. Clearing her throat, she made a silent decision to try harder to resist Caesar Morrison’s potent charm, unique good looks and undeniable sex appeal.

Meanwhile, Caesar was inside the restaurant ordering himself to do the same thing. He told himself he couldn’t afford to let Viv into his heart any more than she already was.

He tossed back the rest of his beer and looked up just in time to see her walk into the dining room. He shook his head slowly and asked what it was about her. Sure, she was the most sultry member of Intrigue, she was smart, lovely and strong-willed, but she was just too quick-tempered and nerve-racking for him. At least, that’s what he told everyone. The truth was he enjoyed bickering with Viv—mainly because it was usually all on her side. Caesar knew if they started on a serious relationship, the one-sided bickering could easily turn into something more intense. Sooner or later, they would have shouting matches about her and how her fame was upsetting the relationship or vice versa. It would be too much and he would probably lose her all together. There was no way he could allow that to happen, best to keep things the way they were.

Vivian stopped by the bar and ordered a drink before making her way through the dining room. “Hey, Caesar,” she whispered, taking a seat at the secluded round table.

Caesar tilted his head back in greeting and watched Viv get situated.

Viv took in the quiet atmosphere of the practically empty restaurant.

Caesar looked around the dining room, as well. “I took a chance it’d be quiet around this time.”

Viv only smiled and turned her attention to her drink. She didn’t know what they should’ve been discussing: the deal or the kiss. Luckily, the waitress arrived with her drink and to take their orders.

“Let me have another Killian’s lager and I’ll have the chicken fettuccine with a lot of bread and salad.”

The waitress smiled at Caesar, nodding at his request.

“Let me have the T-bone steak, well-done, a big baked potato with cheese, sour cream and heavy butter, two rolls and a large tossed salad.”

“Thank you, Ms. Desmond,” the waitress replied, leaving the two celebrities alone.

“I guess the salad helps with the guilt, huh?”

Viv looked up at Caesar and frowned. “Excuse me?”

Caesar tapped his strong fingers against the table and shook his head. “I guess the salad is supposed to make you feel healthy after eating all that crap?”

“Crap?”

“Come on, Plum. AT-bone? All that red meat isn’t good for you.”

Viv couldn’t have been more surprised by his statement. “I know you didn’t just say that,” she scoffed.

Caesar shook his head. “And what about that potato? Cheese, sour cream and heavy butter? Are you tryin’ to kill yourself?”

“Well, considering the way football players eat, what I ordered was only a snack!” Viv snapped, her temper rising to full steam.

“All ball players don’t eat like that, Plum.”

“Humph, well then explain how most of you end up fat and sloppy?”

Caesar shrugged. “I didn’t say we all eat right, but the majority of us are in prime shape. We have to be.”

Viv laughed. “Mmm-hmm. You have to look good when you fumble the ball.”

Caesar threw his hands up in the air. “I don’t know why I even bother.”

The two of them retreated to their respective corners after that. Luckily, the food arrived quickly.

“Plum, I think we need to lay down some ground rules,” Caesar announced after they had been eating for a while.

Viv wiped her hands and sent him a cool look across the table. “Ground rules for what?”

“For the office. We got some issues that need to be addressed before we continue this…partnership.”

Viv took a sip of her white wine and frowned. “Caesar, what are you talkin’ about?”

“I’m talkin’ about you having lunch with Ray Warren.”

Viv groaned and buried her face in her hands. “I thought we had finished this conversation.”

Caesar’s brows drew close as he glared at her. “I don’t think we should have dates with the employees.”