Rival's Desire

“Several times. The last time I saw it, I couldn’t believe how gorgeous it was,” one executive recalled, smoothing a hand over her short hair.

“Well, I love it,” Caesar raved, “You don’t mind coming to work in a place like that.”

A faint yet genuine smile played around Viv’s mouth. Caesar was far more overjoyed than usual and she relished it. Suddenly she began to laugh and everyone stared at her. “Sorry, I’m so sorry,” she gasped, “I’m just happy our grannies entrusted us with the company.”

“And that plush office, right?” Caesar added, a knowing look on his gorgeous face.

Viv’s long lashes fluttered closed as she nodded. “Oh, yes.”

Vivian and Caesar had taken separate cars to the breakfast meeting. Still, they arrived at the office within minutes of each other. Caesar managed to get inside and race to the president’s office just before Viv walked through the door.

“No-o-o!” Viv moaned when she stepped into the posh suite to find Caesar lounging behind his desk. Her desk, files and other essentials were gone. “What happened in here?”

Caesar moved out of his seat and rushed toward Viv with his arms outstretched. “Ah, Plum. Girl, you always surprise me!” he said, pulling her against him for a tight hug. “I had no idea you were giving me the big office!” he bellowed, planting a loud kiss to her cheek. He laughed when Viv pulled away and wiped the kiss from her cheek.

“I can’t believe this!” she whispered in a fierce tone, dropping the leather bag she carried. Her fingers shook madly as she ran them through the glossy curls brushing her cheeks.

“I know. Looks good, doesn’t it?” Caesar asked as he strode around the office like a king surveying his castle. “I think I’ll put my bench press here,” he declared, waving toward the spot where Viv’s desk had been.

“How did this happen?” Viv asked as though she were speaking to herself. “I was very specific.”

“Specific about what, Plum?” Caesar asked, smirking a little as he leaned back against the bar.

Vivian shook her head, mentally replaying the message she’d left Sandra. “I know I told her to have his stuff moved.”

“Speak up, Plum,” Caesar prompted, his intense, deep-set eyes narrowing to thin slits.

Viv raised her hand, pleading for silence.

Caesar pushed himself from the bar and closed the short distance between them, standing behind her. “You know, if you hadn’t left your cell in the car, all this wouldn’t be mine.”

“What are you talkin’ about?” Viv asked as she whirled around to face him.

Caesar walked away and took a seat on top of his desk. “Sandra called during the breakfast meeting,” he announced, seeing the light of realization dawn in Viv’s dark eyes. “She had two free offices and wanted to know which one I preferred.”

Vivian was so angry, she could not speak. Her hands clenched into tight fists as she imagined herself smashing them into Caesar’s smiling face. “You sneaky oaf,” she whispered.

“Me?” Caesar cried, pressing one hand against the front of his cream-colored shirt. “I didn’t try to have you thrown out of here while you were away.”

“What the hell do you call this?” Viv rebutted, spreading her arms.

Caesar moved off the desk. “Payback.”

“I hate you, Caesar Morrison,” Viv stormed, stomping to the office door. “But I promise you this,” she warned, grabbing her bag off the sofa and pointing it in his direction, “you won’t have the last laugh.”

Of course, Caesar’s roaring laughter followed Viv down the hall.

A soft tune filled the small, cozy corner office as Viv stood in the center of the room later that evening. She had just hung the last painting and was admiring the decor. Surprisingly, she found that she loved her new surroundings.

That was more than evident to Caesar when he stepped into the room. Stepping just inside the door, he watched as she surveyed the office. Pure male desire radiated from his incredible gaze as he appraised the outline of her long legs and full bottom beneath the snug-fitting pants she wore.

Vivian turned just then and saw him standing in the doorway. “Come on in, Caesar,” she urged.

Surprised by the polite invitation, Caesar looked around for any sudden dangers awaiting him. Viv noticed his actions and propped one hand on her hip.

“Will you come on?”

With a cool grin on his face, Caesar walked further inside the office. He took in the off-white walls, the small couch and matching cushioned armchairs that were mauve, lavender and cream in color. Tall, healthy green plants stood in every corner. The coffee table was finished in the same rich maple as the desk and frames of the pictures decorating the room.

“You seem to be settling in just fine…or is it an act?” Caesar queried, taking a seat on the arm of the sofa.

Vivian laughed, stepping behind her desk to get started on arranging her file cabinet. “It’s no act.”

“Ah,” he sighed, tilting his head back. “It won’t last.”

“If you say so,” Vivian sang. She refused to let him goad her into another argument.

“Don’t hold your breath waiting on me to return your half of the office,” Caesar advised.

Viv uttered a tired sigh and did not pull her eyes off the folder she held. “I hadn’t planned to.”

Caesar’s brows rose. He was more than a little impressed by the way she handled the defeat. Unfortunately, he knew Viv too well to believe she would just let things go without some form of retaliation.