Rival's Desire

Vivian’s smile was purely wicked. “You didn’t see me?” she asked, folding her arms over her chest. “And what is it you do for a living?”

The cool expression on Caesar’s handsome face disappeared. “Cool it, Viv,” he warned, catching her little dig at his career.

“What’s wrong?” Viv whispered, leaning against the driver’s side of the massive black vehicle. Her wicked juices were flowing abundantly. Caesar hated it when she made fun of the football profession. “Don’t get mad at me because you can’t see right in front of your face.”

“Viv—”

“Of course, that would explain why you got cut from the team.” She shrieked when he opened the door against her hip. When he stepped out of the truck, Viv pressed her lips together to keep from smiling.

Caesar’s six-foot-eight-inch frame towered over Vivian’s slender form. “For the hundredth time,” he growled, “I was not cut from the team.” His wide chest heaved. “My contract was up and I opted for a change. If you knew anything about the game, you’d know this expansion team has gotten a lot of positive press its first season. A lot of that has had to do with yours truly. We were in the playoffs and are expected to go even farther this year.”

Vivian was quiet while Caesar made his speech. As he talked, she couldn’t help but let her eyes trace his face; an incredibly gorgeous one at that. Caesar Morrison was known for his skill and savvy on the football field and loved for his entrancing looks. Everything about him was coolly…sexual. Broad shoulders, a wide chest and back, and an impressive array of abs contributed to the almost chiseled appearance of his physique. His complexion was a flawless honey-tone, complimented by exquisite slanting light brown eyes and full wide mouth, complete with mustache and double dimples. However, his most unique trait was the headful of curly blondish-brown hair. He wore the healthy crop in a neat afro with sideburns trimmed evenly at his cheekbones. Vivian often wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers through the bright, silky curls. Uttering a silent curse, she ordered her dislike of him to shuffle to the back of her mind.

Caesar had finished the fierce defense of his profession and waited for Viv’s apology. When she only yawned in response, he rolled his eyes and headed toward the porch.

Vivian followed. “I wonder why your grandmother wants to see both of us?” she asked as they approached the grand mansion in Forest Hills, New York.

Caesar studied the heavy key ring he carried for the key to his grandmother’s front door. “Maybe she’s itchin’ to see a good fight,” he mumbled.

“More lemonade, Carly?” Francine Morrison asked the lovely, dark-complexioned woman who occupied the lounge next to her.

Carlotta Desmond waved her hand and smiled. “No, thanks Frankie, I’m fine,” she assured her friend, enjoying the shade of the huge pecan tree.

Francine poured herself another glass of the refreshing drink and took a long swallow. “That Gretchen outdoes herself every time,” she said, referring to her housekeeper.

“Frankie?” Carlotta called, turning on the lounge to give her best friend a concerned look. “Do you think this is a good idea?”

Francine shook her thick, blondish-brown tresses across her shoulder and shrugged. “It better be a good idea, those kids will be here any minute.”

“I just hope this doesn’t blow up in our faces,” Carlotta sighed, propping her cheek against her fist.

“Honey, we’ve been trying to get our grandkids together for years. This might be our last shot.”

Carlotta pulled a black straw hat from her head and ran her fingers through the silky gray strands of her stylish short cut. “I agree.” She set the hat aside. “I still can’t help but wonder if it’s a good idea to force them together like this.”

“Well, I think this is the perfect setup. I mean, it’s time they put those business degrees to good use. Besides, it won’t be forever and it won’t interfere with Caesar’s football or Viv’s singing.”

Carlotta nodded, turning to relax against the lounge once more. “I hope it’s long enough.”

Francine shrugged. “It’ll be rough for a while,” she predicted. “They’ll act like kids for a while. Humph, I believe that office of ours will be in need of some heavy remodeling by the time they’re done with it. Still, I’ve got faith.” She sighed, drawing a long sip from her glass. “Those two have a lot of desire beneath all that dislike. They’ve just never had the opportunity or…proximity to let it flourish.”

Carlotta rolled her eyes over the suggestive tinge to Francine’s words. “Love and desire are two different things, Frankie. How long can one survive without the other?”

“Who says they’re without it?” Francine challenged.

Vivian and Caesar walked out onto the patio to find their respective grandmothers lounging under one of the many towering trees that filled the spacious back lawn.

“What’s my grandmother doing here?” Viv whispered.

Caesar was suspicious, as well, and sent her a confused look before they headed down the wide brick steps leading from the patio.

Francine and Carlotta were so relaxed they didn’t notice their approach. Caesar pressed both hands against his grandmother’s shoulders and planted a kiss to her cheek. Meanwhile, Viv ran her fingers through Carlotta’s hair and kissed her forehead.

“So, what’s going on?” Caesar asked after he had kissed and hugged Carlotta.

“We want to take you kids out to lunch,” Francine announced.

“Lunch?” Viv exchanged glances with Caesar.

Carlotta pushed herself off the lounge and grabbed her hat. “Lunch,” she confirmed, patting her granddaughter on the head.

“What for?” Caesar asked, helping his grandmother to her feet when she offered him her hand.

Francine kissed his smooth cheek. “Guess you’ll have to come to lunch to find out.”

Caesar and Vivian shrugged, knowing they’d get nowhere standing around asking questions.

Francine and Carlotta nodded their approval and headed back to the house.

“Caesar will drive!” Francine decided.

“Oh, Lord,” Viv sighed.

“All right, you two, that’s enough!” Carlotta snapped. “I can’t believe this, we bring you out here to have an adult conversation and you act like this.”

“We just don’t understand why it has to be this way,” Caesar replied, glancing at his grandmother who glared at him murderously.

“Well, we’ve made up our minds and that’s that,” Francine retorted.

Viv massaged her temples before turning pleading eyes to her grandmother. “Grammy, you can’t do this to me.”

A humorous smile crossed Caesar’s handsome face. “Your grandmother can do whatever she wants.”

“Oh shut up!” Viv snapped as she pounded her fist against the pristine, white tablecloth. She was about to stand when Carlotta pointed a finger in her direction.

“Vivian Monet Desmond, sit!”

“And you hush up, Caesar,” Francine warned her grandson when he began to chuckle.

Vivian’s soft mouth curved down into a pout. “Who do you think you are?” she asked Caesar.

He leaned forward and pointed his index finger on the table. “I’m the one who should be running this company.”

“Ha!” Viv blurted, her dark eyes sparkling. “Our grandmothers didn’t come to own a successful company by allowing dumb jocks at the helm.”

Caesar’s easy expression turned murderous. “Watch it, Viv.”

“Or what?”