Wish Upon a Star by Sabrina Sumsion Read Free Book Online Page A

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 flashed a thousand-watt smile. "Of course she was , they all are."
    Kelly slowly shook her head in disbelief. "You're the most conceited man I've ever known."
    "That's because I'm the best."
    She snorted. "You're not even fifth on the rung."
    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 grown more blatant. An underling told Kelly how Brinker boasted that he would tame Kelly and put her in his bed where she belonged. He’d as much chance of that 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’d 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 that 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