AlTonya Washington - Rival's Desire

“Mmm…” Viv confirmed, enjoying the myriad city lights twinkling in the distance.

“I know you don’t think all this is yours?” Caesar queried, rising to his full height.

Viv was twisting her chair to and fro, basking in the success that surrounded her. The tone of Caesar’s voice didn’t affect her at all. “Until Miss Frankie and Grammy get back, it is.”

“The hell you say!”

“What?” Viv replied, turning the chair around. She saw Caesar standing behind the other desk, his fists braced on the glass top.

“There is no way you get to have all this, Viv,” he coldly assured her.

Viv’s gaze widened. “You can’t possibly want this office?”

Caesar’s long brows drew close. “Why the hell wouldn’t I?” he barked, spreading his arms wide. “Look at this place.”

“Yes, look at it, Caesar,” Viv prompted, standing behind the desk. “It’s clearly a woman’s office and since this isn’t a permanent thing, there’s no time for you to clutter it with sports magazines, basketball goals and your weight machines.”

Caesar’s thick lashes closed over his striking amber stare as he struggled to control his temper. “That may be so, Plum, but I’m not about to give this place up to you.”

Viv massaged her neck. “We’ll just have to share it, then.”

“It worked for our grandmothers,” Caesar retorted, taking a seat behind the opposite desk.

Headed to the bar, Viv cast him a tired look over her shoulder. “Yeah, but they are friends.”

Caesar’s deep chuckle rose and he leaned back to prop his long legs on the desk. “Ah, Plum, I’ll hate it when you leave.”

“Ah, Caesar, I’m not goin’ anywhere,” Viv assured him, pouring herself a glass of wine.

“Let’s get to work, shall we?” Caesar advised, rising and moving away from the desk to grab the folders off the coffee table.

Viv took a seat on the long sofa. “I thought you’d never ask.”

Finally, the two of them settled down to work. They spent close to two hours reading files. Afterwards, they tossed questions and ideas back and forth. Not once did it occur to them that they were getting along so splendidly. Soon, they were sharing the sofa.

Vivian began to sing softly as she scanned the last file on her list. She didn’t notice Caesar watching her. He had set his papers aside and was sitting with his elbow propped along the back of the sofa.

“That sounds so good,” he whispered, gaze soft.

Viv glanced up at him and smiled. “Thanks.”

Caesar turned his attention back to his papers. “Would you sing for me sometime?”

“Ha!” Viv bellowed, slapping her hand against her thigh as she laughed. “Yeah, right!”

“What’s wrong?” Caesar cried, a murderous frown beginning to cloud his face.

Viv pushed her thick curls away from her face and pinned Caesar with an amused glare. “Caesar, please, do you remember the last time I sang in front of you?”

Caesar shifted his huge frame on the sofa, grimacing at the sound the leather made. “I don’t remember that.”

Viv set her papers aside. “In high school? Your grandmother had that big cookout before our senior year?”

“Oh yeah…yeah I remember now,” Caesar whispered, nodding his head. “That was somethin’ else.”

Viv’s smile was far from humorous. “Yeah, it was somethin’ all right. I got up to sing and all I could hear was you giggling and talkin’ in the back.”

“I did that?” Caesar asked, feigning shock. He pressed one hand against his chest and his slanting, deep-set stare was mockingly innocent.

“You know you did that,” Viv told him, her black stare narrowing. “You were so loud, I heard you say I sounded like a man.”

Caesar’s full, rumbling laughter burst forth. He fell face-first onto the sofa, pounding his fist against the leather cushions. Vivian began to kick him with her foot.

“I’m sorry, Plum!” he cried, almost breathless from laughter. “I was just a kid!”

Viv punished him with another shove from her foot. “That’s no excuse!”

Caesar held his hands over his head to ward off the blows. “Plum, I was too young to appreciate your singing then.”

Viv couldn’t help it and her contagious laughter soon filled the office. “Good try, but I’m not fallin’ for it.” She moved to leave the sofa. Caesar’s large hand closed over Viv’s ankle and he stopped her.

“I’m sorry, Plum. Honest. If you give me another chance, I promise to be a better listener next time around.”

Viv drew her dress above her knees and knelt on the sofa. “You promise?”

“I promise,” he instantly replied, his gaze unwavering.

Again, their eyes mirrored an emotion that made them forget about all the misunderstandings. It was as though the rest of the world faded away, leaving them alone…together.

Caesar’s fingers slid across the space separating them to trail her bare knee. Viv’s lashes fluttered as a rush of sensation coursed through her from the simple caress. When Caesar’s hand curled around her thigh to pull her close, Vivian’s lips parted in anticipation of kissing him.

Papers resting beneath Viv’s knee crinkled when she moved closer. The sound intruded on the moment, forcing them back to reality.

Caesar cleared his throat and pulled his fingers away from Viv’s leg. She pressed her hand against the nerves twisting in her stomach and moved off the sofa.

“I better get home,” she said, reaching for the stylish, peach wedge-heels sitting beneath the coffee table.

Caesar nodded, but said nothing. After Vivian slipped into her shoes, they tidied the office and left.

“I hope your bathroom is okay,” Caesar told Viv, watching as she unlocked her front door.

Viv walked inside and headed right for the stairway. “I do, too!” she called, sprinting up the carpeted steps. Thankfully, the bathroom was in pristine condition and Viv hugged herself. “I’m gonna take that bath I missed out on!”

“You sure you got time?” Caesar asked when Viv walked back into the living room. “You should be trying to get all the rest you can.”

Vivian sent him a knowing look as she walked over to him. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ll be in top shape for our meeting. Don’t worry,” she added, pressing her palms against his chest. The solid, chiseled muscles forced a gasp past her lips. Sometimes, she forgot just how powerfully he was built. “Good night, Caesar,” she whispered quickly, hoping to hide her embarrassment.

Caesar didn’t tease, but a knowing smile tugged at the curve of his lips. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he promised, heading toward the front of the condo.

Vivian followed him to the door. When he was gone, she let her head fall against the polished maple door. “I can’t fall for that man. Please don’t let me.” She felt more attracted to Caesar in that moment than in all the years she had known him.

Still, aside from the fact that she felt desperately attracted to him, Viv steeled herself against letting things go further. It could never work. A fling was out of the question and anything more serious would not be fruitful—literally. Several years ago, Vivian discovered she was unable to have children. Though she tried not to let it make her feel like less of a woman, it was still something she was ashamed of. She survived the anguish of that by reminding herself that she’d not be partly responsible for bringing a child into a world where things changed so rapidly. Things like a parent’s love…Clearing her throat suddenly, Viv dismissed the upsetting memories and focused her thoughts elsewhere.

Caesar Morrison had crafted a well-known, respected image. Part of that image had a lot to do with the way he felt about children. Kids who otherwise would not stand a chance with society, could look to a man like Caesar for advice and consideration. His work with less fortunate or at-risk youth had gained national and, in some cases, international attention. It wasn’t for show—even Vivian could admit that. Caesar truly dedicated himself to standing up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves.