Two Days Of A Dream

Two Days of a Dream

A sweet romantic fantasy

By Kathryn Gilmore

Two Days of a Dream by Kathryn A. Gilmore

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

For my wonderful husband, Ed, who saw my need to write and encouraged me.

To my daughter, Sabrina, for supporting me and listening to me talk endlessly about the characters and plot. To my Writers Group in Seward, Nebraska. Local Muse: Victorine Lieske, Gina Barlean, Charlie Volnek and Sabrina Sumsion. Your friendship and feedback have been priceless.

To my wonderful editor, Laurie Boris, for opening my eyes to what could be and for cleaning up my literary messes.

Chapter One

Brinker pushed away from his massive desk and rose from the dark leather executive chair. Stretching to his full imposing height he walked to his built-in bar, flexing his muscles as though they were tight.

Kelly allowed her eyes to follow. He hadn't lost any of his granite toning from his days on the gridiron. She appreciated Brinker's interesting packaging with its many promises, although he was too easy to read: one of her easiest reads since she started her career. Nice packaging, nonetheless. In his case, though, the contents didn't stand up to the asking price.

A dark brown lock fell across his brow as he tipped a glass at her. "Wanna drink?"

She dragged her gaze from his wavy tress to stare into his large, hazel eyes. He shrugged and turned to pour from a crystal bottle.

Yeah, he's going to need the artificial boost,
Kelly thought with pity for his crutch.

Beside him, a glass case running the width of the wall held mementos of his days gone by. Even though the shelves showcased large football awards, he kept his favorite trophies in a little black book. He looked into the mirrored case, spotted his reflection and ran his fingers through his perfect hair. His vanity disgusted Kelly. He turned to face her, a smile in place.

Brinker waved his glass. "Charlotte was impressed, so what's the big deal?"

It had been an easy enough meeting. Kelly remembered. The older woman had seemed receptive to him. But then again, this was easy to assume since all women were. The memory cleared. No, the woman had been politely interested. "You think our new client,
Mrs
. Deblichek, was
impressed
with your innuendos?"

He drew near. "I'm better than you think." Brinker's eyes narrowed, but Kelly saw the blaze and felt the boiling vibes rolling off his ego. Any more obvious and he would have growled.

Then I would have to slap his nose and tell him
"
bad dog”.
Kelly fought back a grin.

His advances, as of late, had been growing more blatant. An underling told Kelly how Brinker boasted that he would tame Kelly and put her in his bed where she belonged. He had as much chance as buying Husker season football tickets on a home game day. The tattle amused her even though she didn't believe the young whelp at first. She took the time to observe and saw how her indifference stimulated Brinker. She conceded to the thought that she had become a well-needed challenge for the spoiled child. His good looks didn't interest her though; she needed more substance than he could provide.

She sighed, holding her ground. She wouldn't let him push her into something she would definitely regret later. She would in no way run to his arms, and she certainly wouldn't run from him.

He studied Kelly for a moment before reaching out to run his fingers along her arm. Kelly knew the move. He did it with all the women. Narrowing her eyes, she stared him down and he withdrew his hand. Smart move on his part.

He was taking too much of her time and it irritated her. "Just because you have most of the women drooling over you doesn't make you the best."

"It gives me an advantage." He grinned as he took a swig.

"It gives you a reputation, that's all." Kelly's frustration boiled up, threatening to expose itself.

"It's well earned." His eyebrows twitched and Kelly rolled her eyes. "But it's not the only reputation I have," he countered.

Shifting to her back foot Kelly crossed her arms over her chest. "Oh yeah, your glory days. You can't sit on your laurels forever, Brinker, they grow thorns."

He lifted his chin and pulled his shoulders back. "The guys appreciated it at the Anderson meeting. It was my entertaining the two partners with my
glory days
that got us that account."

Her voice rose. "It was hard work and thorough preparation that got us the Anderson account." Kelly reined back her irritation.

"That's not what the guys said." He smirked and took another sip.

The memory of how he’d dazzled the two nerdy men with his football stories and how all the bosses congratulated only him grated her nerves. But she kept her emotions in check this time. Taggert, in particular, had oozed all over Brinker. The older CEO barely acknowledging three months of hard work, of which Brinker did none. At least a dozen talented people worked sixty hour weeks to get ready for this presentation, only to be overshadowed by Taggert’s pompous golf buddy. She still rankled at the thought. Top management's coddling of Brinker was the real problem. She would have to do something about their interference.

She focused on Brinker. "Yeah, the good ole boys." Brinker dropped his face to hers and his grin briefly disappeared. "At this moment you're their favorite toy, but that won't last forever. It won't be long before they find a new shiny plaything to dangle in front of other clients. Then you'll gather dust on a shelf." She flicked her fingers dismissively.

She watched as he schooled his face, propping up a smile that then twisted into a lopsided grimace. He had potential. Too bad he took the easy path, which gave him no points with Kelly.

Something diverted her from his internal struggle. What caught her eye? Ah, sheen dewed on his perfect features. She had him and they both knew it.

It was getting late and after having to yell at him for half an hour, she was bored. Coming back to his stupid stunt with a new client and his woeful lack of preparation, she jabbed her finger into his hard chest, backing him against his prized trophy case. Stretching to her full height she glared into his widening eyes. Physically she didn't come close to his mammoth height but she didn't need to. They both knew she was better than him.

"If you can't pull your weight in my department, I'll get someone who can."

Slowly shaking his head, he rolled his eyes. "Kelly, Kelly, you know Taggert won't let you." Ignored, her threat dropped to the thick, brown carpet. As he grinned down at her, she grudgingly had to give him credit for the cool performance. She wondered for a moment if his bravado might not be an act.

Taggert, the CEO and Brinker's golf buddy, headed the “good ole boys”. Taggert would oppose his buddy's removal, and obviously the friendship gave Brinker some false confidence. She felt sorry for him, but not enough to let him off the hook. She could read the doubt in his eyes. The doubt that hovered, waiting to pounce.

Continuing to study his eyes she sized him up; another nudge should do it. "So, you think you're secure?"

"Oh Kelly ..." If he patted her head, she would sucker punch him. "Of course I know I'm secure. I'm going to be
your
boss someday." He smiled serenely, his voice level and strong. He fiddled with his tie.

Hmm, she thought. A bead of sweat appeared between his smooth brows. Finally. Now she would shake the last of his confidence. She was tired of this game.

She leaned in close. For a moment her head swam from his bold cologne.
Need to stay in control.
Kelly took a step back to clear her head.

She slid her hands to her hips and narrowed her eyes. "Security in the corporate world is an illusion. No one is safe, not even Taggert. Produce or I'll drag your worthless hide out to make room for someone who will." Turning in a slow circle, she looked at the overdone office. "This is a nice space with a great view of the capital. I'm sure the next guy will appreciate it more."

Kelly sauntered to the door. It wouldn't do to rush, and he had to see that she controlled his future. As she opened the door, three of the office staff scurried away.

Sometimes she hated her job. Today wasn't one of those times. Bringing Brinker down to size felt good. Maybe now she would get the results out of him everyone said he could deliver. If not, she would replace him. She didn't care what Taggert said.

The next guy might not have as much natural talent, but at least she wouldn’t have Brinker’s massive ego to deal with.

Squaring herself in the doorway she turned back to stare into his crumpled face. "I'm not patient."

She turned. The tide of people parted, and with confident strides, she left Brinker to lick his wounds. She could now move on to more important things. Getting out of these torturous three-inch heels topped her list.

Chapter Two

The two privates stood stone still. Millam, on the right and half a head shorter than Tanyard, seemed to be this side of a grin. Captain Duran wanted to rip something apart in his frustration with Millam. Even at his best 'At Attention' stance, there was always the ghost of 'At Ease' that hovered about the young man. As Millam's captain, it was Duran's duty to teach his charge how to be a good soldier so he could keep himself alive. And every day the private was under his command, Duran had to remind the happy go lucky Millam that his life wasn't his own. His life was far more important than that.

Duran sighed and shook his head. He knew that Millam had so much potential if he would just get out of his own way. But how to get that through Millam's thick skull had become the captain's project and the bane of his existence.

Tanyard, on the other hand, stood rigid and sweated bullets. The younger man, a good kid who didn't have Millam's quick wit and smarts, showed promise. If only he had chosen a better friend, he wouldn't keep getting in trouble. He was the kind of kid who flocked to the Corps every year, who learned quickly that home wasn't so bad after all. They would do their hitch with honor, then go home and marry their high school sweethearts. Duran could see Tanyard doing that. Now Millam, on the other hand, he could see in the brig.

Duran paced around them, an angry satellite, obviously too close for their comfort. With each circuit Tanyard flinched. At the end of the third orbit, Duran stood before them, his practiced mask firmly in place.

"Did I tell you to speak!" Millam snapped his mouth shut, the first smart thing he'd done this very early morning. "I can't believe any of my men would pull such an asinine trick as the one you two botched pitifully!" He popped the P for emphasize and a drop of spittle landed on Millam’s shoulder.