Translation: make the gala a success or else Liberty had a good reason for Danielle’s dismissal.
The meeting ended soon after. Danielle was too annoyed and wound up to sit in her office and work on the final preparations for the river cleanup that weekend.
Debra poked her head in Danielle’s door. “Hey, I’m about to go pick up supplies for that school presentation later in the week. You need anything?”
“A hundred ticket sales,” Danielle said.
“Don’t let Liberty get to you. Sales always start slow. They’ll pick up.”
Danielle pushed aside her frustration with Liberty. She would make this gala a success. “I know they will.” She filled her voice with confidence.
“Hey, I’ve got something to get your mind off of Liberty. Let’s call the rest of the river rats and hang out tonight. Maybe we’ll come up with some good ideas to shut up Liberty.”
Danielle’s first impulse was to say no. She’d rather figure out how to get more ticket sales for the gala. Maybe even do some door knocking for sponsors. But if she thought about it too much she’d go crazy. A night out with people who understood would help. “Set it up.”
Debra clapped her hands. “Great! Look I’ve got to go. Most of the interns are out taking samples. We all have our cells if you need anything.”
Danielle smiled and waved at Debra as she floated out of the office. With no one there to help distract her from the fact that Liberty wanted her gone, Danielle opted for the best thing to get her mind off of the uncontrollable things in her life. Kicking off her kitten heels, she slipped on a pair of rain boots and stomped out the back of the cottage and down to the beach. Having an office right on the very water body they were trying to protect was the best thing about her job. Every time she thought her work was getting nowhere or that no one was listening or cared, she could look out her window and see the sun reflecting off the waves and remember what she was fighting for. The one thing that she could hold on to in her life.
It was cloudy and drizzling, so she’d put on her pink North Face raincoat for the walk. She liked the beach when it was sunny, but loved it on drizzly days like today. Not as hot, less crowded, and the waters were choppy due to the winds. The sound of each pounding wave would slowly knock away whatever frustration tightened her muscles.
She’d walked a mile down the beach and was on her way back when her cell phone rang in her jacket pocket. She stopped and pulled it. One look at the screen and the tension that had just drained from her shoulders slowly started back.
“Hi, Mom,” she said.
“Hello, Danielle, how are things going with my favorite daughter?” Adele Stewart asked in her cheery voice.
She was an only child, so the compliment didn’t give Danielle any false sense of importance. “The board meeting was rough this morning. I’m out walking the beach now.”
“Is this about the Clear Water expansion?”
“How did you know about that?”
“I read the board meeting agendas that you send me,” Adele said, as if Danielle should have known that.
As little attention as her parents gave her, she was surprised to know that her mom read them. The young girl who still wanted their attention was the part of her that added them to the River Watchers mailing list in the vain hope that they’d at least find her work interesting.
“That’s it, actually. I’ve got a board member who doesn’t think we should ask the town to oppose the expansion before the permit is on notice. I disagree.”
Adele sighed and Danielle pictured her mom shaking her head in disbelief. “I can’t fathom why everyone doesn’t understand the important role we play in making this world a better place.”
“Not everyone thinks that way.”
“They should. Don’t worry, honey, good always triumphs over evil.”
Danielle chuckled. “She’s not evil. She just has her own self-interests.”
“People who refuse to take responsibility for improving the world are a form of evil.”
Words Danielle had heard most of her life. She loved her parents, but many times she’d wished they’d stopped trying so hard to save everyone else in the world and just focus on raising her.
“Where’s Dad?”
“Oh, that’s why I called. We’re taking in another foster child—a boy, eight years old. His mother is in prison and the his father died last year.”
“Another? You’ve already got two kids.”
“I know, but I was so moved by his story when I went to the latest CASA meeting. Danielle, there are so many kids out there who need love. It’s our duty to do what we can.”
“I know, Mom, but you and Dad don’t have to take in every child you come across. I thought you were coming to Ridgeport for the river cleanup this weekend. That’ll be hard to do with a new kid in the house.”
“Oh, Danielle, don’t be selfish. We’ll try to make it if we can.”
Danielle bit her lower lip and dug the toe of her boot into the wet sand. Adele was an expert at hitting Danielle with the guilty stick. Danielle knew there were kids who needed love and affection. She knew that everyone wasn’t blessed to have two parents like she did. But all her life her parents were busy with the causes they took up after they couldn’t have another child.
“We don’t need our own child. Not when there are so many out there we can shower with love.”
Her dad has spoken those words to her mom when she’d cried after another failed pregnancy. Danielle had been nine when she overheard them. A few months later the various projects started. They’d built houses, feed the poor, championed animal rights, and now were taking in foster kids. They had taught her the importance of serving, but they’d also been too busy with their projects to give her any attention. From bad days at school, fights with her friends, or a choral recital they couldn’t attend, their comments were always the same. There were people out there who had it worse than her.
Danielle used to wonder why they didn’t want to shower their attention on her. Was she not good enough? Even though she was older, the feelings of not being enough for her parents hadn’t gone away.
“I’m sorry, Mom,” she said. “Bring him along. I’ve got to meet my new brother sooner or later.”
“We’ll see what the courts say,” Adele said dismissively. “Even though his mother is in jail, they may grant visitation. You know I like to make sure the kids see their parents on weekends if they can.”
She had her answer: her parents weren’t coming. Eventually, she’d stop caring when they missed something of hers because of another commitment. “Don’t worry about it. As long as you guys make the gala in a few weeks that’s all that matters. It’s the inaugural event. I need to make an impression. It would mean a lot to me if you two were there.”
“Of course, dear. Oh, your dad’s home. We’ve got to go get a few things for your brother’s room. I’ll give you a call later, okay? Love you. Bye.”
The call ended before Danielle could say anything more. Danielle stared at the phone for a few seconds, sighed, and then shoved it into her pocket.
“Good thing I don’t crave my parents’ attention,” she said to the wind. “I would be constantly disappointed.”
* * *
The sounds of excited conversation filtered from the house as Danielle trudged up the steps to the office’s back door. She left her rain boots in the mudroom, slipped on her heels and followed the sounds of conversation toward the kitchen. Halfway there, the deeper sound of a man’s familiar voice slowed her steps. Her pulse raced with anticipation and she carefully eased her way to the open door.
“Jacobe?” she said.
He stood next to the sink, a mug of coffee in his hand, surrounded by three of the interns. Blue-gray slacks covered his long legs and a crisp white shirt wrapped his muscles like the most desirable of Christmas present
s. Unwrapping all of that toned, tight body would be something worth celebrating. He glanced up from the group and hit her with his devastating smile.
“Just the woman I was looking for.”
He sounded happy to see her. Heat flooded her cheeks. She looked away and pulled off the rain jacket. If she kept eye contact, she’d start grinning and stammering along with blushing.
“I was out walking the beach. From the looks of things, everyone here made you comfortable while you waited.”
The interns all grinned and hurried to talk over one another about how they’d completed their morning fieldwork. Danielle lifted her hands. “You’re fine. I’m not that much of an evil boss that I’m going to get angry about you being excited when a famous basketball player comes into the office.”
“You have softened up,” Jacobe said. “The Danielle I knew was always on task and never took a break.”
She lifted her chin and met his eye. “That was the Danielle I allowed you to know.”
“I think I got a glimpse of the more laid-back Danielle once.” The corner of his mouth lifted in a smile full of the sinful secrets of that more laid-back Danielle.
She ignored the butterflies crashing around her stomach like drunken seagulls. “You said you wanted to see me—well, I’m here. Let’s go to my office.” She looked at everyone in the room. “You all can get back to work.”
Jacobe grinned and strolled over to her. “That’s the Danielle I know and love.”
She snorted. “Love had nothing to do with our relationship.” She spun away and marched from the kitchen. One of the interns winked at her as Danielle passed. She could only imagine the thoughts going through her mind.
She made her way down the hall to the last door on the right. Jacobe’s footsteps followed.
“You’re wrong,” Jacobe said. “There were a lot of things I loved about you.”
“What, my badgering you to come to our study sessions on time, or my endless lectures about what you could be contributing to make the world a better place?”
She stepped over the threshold into her office, but a tug on the back of her sweater kept her from taking another step. She faltered, then quickly turned. Jacobe let go.
“These little sweaters you wear. I loved those.”
Danielle looked down at her rather unremarkable outfit: gray slacks, a black-and-yellow polka-dot blouse and a bright yellow cardigan, then back up at him. “My cardigans?”
“Yes, you’re just as sexy in those now as you were then.” He lifted a hand and reached for her face. Danielle jerked back before he touched her. He grinned. “I was only going to compliment you on the glasses. I like these better than the ones you used to wear.” When he reached forward this time, she didn’t pull away. Jacobe ran a finger over the hinges and lightly brushed her face. “Between the glasses and the sweaters you’ve got the sexy, good-girl vibe going on. I always knew there was passion in you for more than just class work.”
Her body went up in flames. Taking a step back, Danielle inhaled a deep, shaky breath. “If you’re here to repeat your request from Saturday night, then you’ve wasted your time.”
She wished her office was big enough to stalk to the other side and put a decent enough space between them. Instead, there was little extra space in the small room. Between her desk, file cabinets and plastic tubs filled with materials they used for various functions, she barely had a clear path from the door to her seat behind the desk.
Jacobe followed her farther into the office. His huge, muscled form soaked up all the remaining space in the room. He pushed the door closed. When he faced her again, thankfully, he didn’t step closer and leaned against the door, instead.
“That’s not why I’m here. One of the reasons I came by is to apologize for the other night.”
She’d opened her mouth in preparation for a rebuff. She snapped it closed. “Come again? You’re apologizing?”
“Don’t sound so surprised. I am capable of admitting when I’m wrong. You remember that much about me.”
She did, actually. He may have given her a hard time when she fussed about him keeping her waiting and always had a reason for why he was late, but he never tried to blame his inability to keep to their schedule on anyone but himself. She would have had a much easier time not lusting after him if he’d blamed others for his problems.
“I do.”
“I am sorry about approaching you like that. I had a bad game, as you saw. When I spotted you, nothing but good memories of that night popped up. I can’t lie. I wanted you again.”
Her knees went weak. She sat on the edge of her desk to hide the effect. “Oh. Well, good memories or not, I wasn’t there to relive that one night.”
“I guessed as much when you stalked out mad as hell. I still want you, but I’m willing to earn my way into your bed. Not assume you’ll automatically let me there.”
Awareness—no, anticipation buzzed through her body. “You’re here to let me know you’re planning to seduce me?”
He straightened from the door and shook his head. “I do think you should know that I’m perfectly willing to pick up where we left off, but that’s not why I’m here. The other reason for this visit is because I need a favor that involves the River Watchers.”
Her brain fought to keep up. He wanted a repeat of that night? That shouldn’t make her so giddy. Pushing the giddiness firmly aside, she focused on the second statement. “A favor? Really?”
“Really.”
“What kind of favor?”
He rubbed his hands together and examined the various framed awards and news clippings on her office wall. “I’d like to volunteer, do some things to improve my image by helping the environment.” He focused back on her.
“Why?” She crossed her arms and studied him.
“Out of the goodness of my heart.”
She shook her head. “Not buying it. Try again.”
He grinned, completely unperturbed by her reply. “You’re still a hard-ass.”
“I still know when you’re avoiding getting to the point. Why do you suddenly want to help an organization you hadn’t heard of before Saturday?”
“I’ve got a five-game suspension. It’s going to be announced later today. I need something to boost my image in my free time.” He said “free time” as if it were a bad word. For him, she guessed it was. She could imagine how frustrated she’d be if someone took her work away from her.
“What do you have in mind?”
“I checked your website and saw that you have a few things coming up. A cleanup and silent auction. I’ll come help, invite the media, and show everyone that I’m more than just a distraction for the team.”
“You’ve got it all figured out.”
“Those were just my thoughts. You’re the head of this thing. You tell me where you need me to be and I’ll be there.”
She frowned, not sure if she liked the idea. The part of her that needed ticket sales for the gala knew having the star of the Gators attend her events would bring much needed attention, ticket sales and donations the River Watchers desperately needed.
The skeptical part thought this was an offer too good to be true. In her memory, those types of situations always ended with her left behind and forgotten.
“I can tell you’re not convinced,” he said. “I know having me around might cause a headache for you guys. I don’t want to cause you too much trouble. If you’d like, we can go out to dinner and discuss the arrangements.”
Skeptical, Danielle smirked. “We don’t need to go to dinner to discuss you volunteering here.”
“I know that. The dinner is my way of getting you out on a date.” He held up two fingers. “Two birds with one stone.”
Danielle stood and placed her hands on her hips. “Volunteering isn’t how you earn your way into my bed.”
Jacobe
stepped away from the door. With one long stride, he stood before her in the pitifully small office. “Volunteering is only about my basketball image. I came here straight from a meeting with my agent, coach, PR and one of the owners. My suspension right before play-offs is making them question resigning me next year.”
Danielle doubted the Gators would turn away a talent like Jacobe just because of one disciplinary action. But he had been traded because of his outbursts. His point might be valid, but the look in his eyes said something else was on the line.
“What’s really at stake? This isn’t just about re-signing with the Gators.”
His head tilted to the side and surprise filled his gaze. “Why do you think it’s something else?”
“Just a feeling.”
He was quiet for a few seconds before speaking up. “Are you in the habit of turning down people who want to volunteer?”
Fine. He could keep his secrets. As long as he understood she wasn’t going to fall at his feet just because he was bringing publicity to the River Watchers.
“We can discuss volunteer opportunities right here in the office. It doesn’t have to be over dinner.”
“If it’ll make you feel better, we can do that. I still want to take you out tonight.” He tugged on the edge of her sweater, right above her breasts. “Consider a date as the second half of my apology.”
“The first half was more than enough.”
“Then consider it two old friends catching up.”
“We were hardly friends.”
“Then accept the fact that I just want to spend a little time with you. No expectations and no strings attached.” He took her hand in his and threaded their fingers together. “Believe it or not, I’ve thought of you a few times over the years and my thoughts weren’t always about that night. I really do want to go out with you tonight.”
His eyes never left hers. There was nothing sly or mocking in his gaze. The look, his smile and the delicious heat from his body delivered a sensual knockout that nearly stole her voice.
“Jacobe, we shouldn’t blur the lines.”
One More Night Page 17
