One More Night

by Brenda Jackson

  “Why would she do that if she’s on your board?”

  “Because she’s only on the board to prove we’re keeping the interests of the business sector in mind. I got a lot of attention from council with my campaign against Clear Water last year. She mentioned that the River Watchers is having too much influence in politics that’s one-sided. She’s not there because she supports our cause.”

  “Sometimes the businesses have a legitimate argument,” he said, sticking close to her as they picked up the litter beneath the bridge. “They can’t all be bad.”

  “I’m not saying they’re all bad, but they can try a little harder to protect our natural resources.”

  Her voice took on the same militant tone she’d used at the public hearing. A tone he’d gotten familiar with in college, which meant she was about to start in on a passionate speech. He didn’t mind when Danielle’s passion came out. He just preferred to have her passion surface in his bed rather than beneath a bridge.

  “So the media was a no-show,” he said before she could start. “I get that’s annoying, but they might still send someone out. It seemed like there was a little more to your funk than that?”

  “My...funk?” She grinned at him.

  “You know you act funky when you’re in a mood. Wrinkling up your cute little nose like you’ve smelled something bad.”

  She touched her nose. He had a strong urge to push her hand aside and kiss her. But, again, kisses were for better places than snake-hiding bridges.

  “What’s bothering you?”

  She dropped her hand. Turning away from him, she sighed and grabbed more trash for her bag. Her bag was halfway full, and so was his. Jacobe took in all the litter in the small section of creek near the bridge. Driving over this road, he never would have realized there was that much trash out here.

  “My parents were supposed to come to the cleanup today.” Danielle wasn’t looking at him.

  “Do they typically come?”

  “No. They typically promise to attend one of my events and not show up.” Her tone rang with the false cheerfulness of someone who’d been let down often but didn’t want to admit their feelings were hurt.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. If I’m a general, then my parents are admirals in the fight against social injustice. They’ve got more important things to worry about.”

  The hurt in her voice tugged at something inside of him. Something that made him want to pull her into his arms until the hurt went away. “More important than supporting their daughter?”

  “I shouldn’t expect to come first when there are so many people in the world that deserve attention more than me.”

  The words sounded rehearsed. He had a feeling she’d repeated the phrase hundreds of times. Whether to convince herself or others was what he wanted the answer to.

  “Has anyone ever put you first?”

  Her lips and the corners of her eyes tightened. “I put myself first.”

  “Do you? You’re always fighting other battles.”

  “I fight important battles. I bring attention to things that affect people who would otherwise be ignored. No one deserves to be ignored or left behind. What battles do you fight?”

  Her words pierced him. The anger in her voice made him freeze. He’d left her behind.

  She walked toward a plastic bag near the other side of the bridge. Jacobe knew it wasn’t his imagination. There was definitely something long, dark and snakelike beneath that bag.

  “Danielle, wait!” He rushed over and jerked her behind him. In one quick swoop, he pushed the bag aside and used his grabber to fling the snake into the water.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  He spun to face her. “Saving you from a snakebite.” Now that the moment was over he realized what he’d done. He hated snakes. They were the one thing he was afraid of, and he’d pushed her aside to face it himself. A surge of masculine pride puffed up his chest.

  Tarzan, huh?

  He looked at Danielle. Ready to soak in her awe and feminine gratitude for him coming to her rescue. Danielle’s eyes sparkled with laughter and her hand covered her mouth.

  “What? Did you see what I just did?”

  She pointed to the water. “You saved me from a piece of inner tube.”

  He glanced in the direction she pointed. Sure enough, a piece of inner tube floated downstream. No sign of a snake anywhere.

  “Well, damn,” he said, and glanced at her. He joined in her laughter.

  “I appreciate the attempt, though.” Her smile softened. “And I’m sorry about that earlier comment. My parents not showing is kind of a touchy subject for me. I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.”

  “I may not have called you, but I never forgot you. Don’t ever forget that.”

  The humor and apology in her eyes shifted into something else. Something warm and inviting that had him taking a step toward her. To hell with the thought that kissing beneath a bridge was a bad idea. He was about to thoroughly kiss Danielle Stewart.

  He reached out for her, his hand grazing her waist. She didn’t pull back. A crackling noise interrupted the moment. Jacobe frowned and looked around.

  Danielle stepped back and reached for the walkie-talkie on her hip. “Go ahead, Debra.” Her voice trembled slightly.

  “There’s a reporter here who wants to conduct an interview and get more information about the cleanup.”

  Danielle’s grin brought sunshine to the dark space they were in. “I’ll be right there.”

  “See,” Jacobe said. “I told you the news would show up.”

  Her eyes narrowed in on him suspiciously. “Did you have anything to do with this?”

  “I may have asked my agent to call a few stations when I was on my way out here. I am here to show people I’m cleaning up my act.” Though he now wished he’d asked Eric to call just to make Danielle smile like that.

  They backtracked back to the Jeep, where the interns and Debra were. Many of the other volunteers were around and the buzz of excitement grew when they recognized him. Jacobe was happy to greet the volunteers, many of them teenagers and families who lived in the area. He snapped selfies that he knew would hit social media and spread the word faster than any interview the reporter completed.

  “Do you want to talk to the reporter?” Danielle asked while the journalist set up his camera on a tripod.

  “This is your event. You talk first.”

  He watched Danielle handle with ease the questions the reporter threw her way. She used the same confident tone, and he was learning to love that about her.

  One of the teens volunteering came over. “I just want to thank you.”

  Jacobe shook the young man’s hand. “I’m happy to come out and help. I care about our waterways.”

  “Not that,” the kid said. “I’m in the Big Brother program. My mentor told me that you’re a big sponsor. I just want you to know that I appreciate that. It’s helped me a lot.”

  “I don’t do that for the attention,” Jacobe said. “But I’m glad it’s helping someone. Do you live out here?”

  “Yeah. It’s why I volunteered. Me and my little brother used to play in this creek a lot when we were kids. My granddad used to fish out here. Gotta take care of your home, ya know.”

  Jacobe thought about what would happen if Clear Water’s permit went through. Would it be safe for kids to play in the water, for families to fish? “I bring attention to things that affect people who would otherwise be ignored.”

  Jacobe patted the boy on his back. “You do. Keep up the good work?”

  “I’ll try.”

  Danielle called him over then. Jacobe patted the teen on the shoulder and went to do his interview. Two other stations showed up and also interviewed him, Danielle and the various volunteers. Jacobe had planned to giv
e a canned response about doing his part and showing that he cared. Instead, he talked about the importance of protecting Springfield Creek for the kids who played in it every day. He didn’t speak out directly against Clear Water—he needed more information before doing that—but he was no longer sure he could remain neutral in this publicity stunt.

  The look of feminine adoration on Danielle’s face that he’d expected when going up against the inner-tube snake was there after his interview. It sent a twist through his chest that made him want to come back next weekend and do the same.

  The reporters went off to get a few shots of the volunteers picking up litter and the mountains of bags they collected.

  “Thank you for that,” Danielle said. “I didn’t think you would sound so sincere in your efforts.”

  “Neither did I. I guess you’re rubbing off on me just a little.”

  She laughed. “Doubtful.”

  “How are we going to celebrate a successful cleanup?”

  “Debra and I usually take some of the volunteers out for lunch afterward. On Monday, I’ll crunch the numbers and then when I get the weight of the trash from the landfill I’ll send out word to the volunteers and our board.”

  He shook his head. “No, we’ve got to do something a lot more fun than that.”

  Debra came over and wrapped an arm around Danielle’s shoulders. “Did I hear the word fun?”

  “You did,” Jacobe said. “I was just telling Danielle that we need to celebrate a successful cleanup.”

  “Beers over lunch is good,” Danielle said.

  “Shush, woman,” Debra said. “A handsome and successful professional basketball player is offering to throw us a party. Don’t ruin it.”

  Jacobe laughed. “I was thinking more along the lines of taking you guys out on my yacht. You’re doing so much to protect the waterways, why not enjoy it.”

  The thought had just popped into his mind. He wanted another date with Danielle but knew she would find an excuse to say no. A trip on the water with her key staff would allow him to talk to her more and give them a treat for the good work they were always doing.

  “You’ve got a yacht?”

  “Not a big one, but yes, I do. Me and the guys go out deep-sea fishing every once in a while. I’ll take you and the staff out. You can invite a board member or two, as well.” He put emphasis on the words board member. He wanted to meet this person trying to snatch his general’s stars.

  “Yes!” Debra answered.

  Danielle didn’t look quite as convinced. He grinned at her. “Come on, Danielle. Even generals have to relax every now and then.”

  She studied first Debra, then him. He could see the yes in her eyes before she said, “Okay, fine. We’ll treat the staff to a trip.”

  Chapter 7

  Jacobe checked and double-checked the weather forecast the following Wednesday, when he’d agreed to take Danielle and the rest of the crew from the River Watchers out on his yacht. Today, the meteorologist had given a dead-on forecast. The day was sunny and beautiful seventy-six degrees with only a few clouds in the sky. All morning images of Danielle on deck in a skimpy bikini had danced in his head.

  When she, Debra and four of the River Watchers interns arrived at the marina his hopes were dashed. Danielle wore a loose pair of jeans rolled up around her slim ankles and a dark blue crew-neck T-shirt. A thick blue-and-cream-striped sweater hung over her arm. She was covered from head to toe, but that didn’t diminish how happy he was to see her.

  “Right on time,” he said to her and Debra.

  Debra and the interns were equally covered in T-shirts, jeans or khakis, but he could see the straps of swimsuits beneath their shirts. He peeked at Danielle’s neckline, but didn’t see a bathing-suit strap around her neck.

  “We always are,” Danielle said. She glanced around. “I thought you lived on the river. You don’t keep your boat at your home?”

  “I keep her stored here for the winter and most of the year. This is the first time I’ve taken her out this year. When the season’s over, I’ll bring her to my personal dock if I know I’ll go out a lot more.” He glanced at Debra. “You all can go on up. My girl is the Freedom. I hope you don’t mind, but I invited Kevin and Isaiah. Will couldn’t make it. They’re already on board.”

  A murmur of excitement went through the interns. Debra’s eyes lit up. “We don’t mind at all.”

  Debra and the interns headed down the pier to where his boat was anchored. Danielle had stuck behind, as he’d hoped. He wanted a few minutes alone with her.

  “Anyone else coming?” he asked.

  “I invited the board president and vice president. They’ve agreed.”

  “Is one of them the council member?”

  Her hair was held back by a dark blue headband and hung to just below her chin. The breeze had blown a few strands into her eyes. He fought the urge to reach out and push them away.

  “Yes, the vice chair of council and president of my board is Liberty Myers. I also invited Mr. Springfield.”

  “Springfield? Is the creek named after him?”

  “Not him, his family. The Springfield family owned much of the land around the creek for decades. Clear Water’s discharge, if the permit is approved, will go through his land, too. He has an interest in preventing the permit, as well.”

  She shifted on her feet and tugged at her bra strap beneath her shirt. Maybe it wasn’t a bra strap? Hope that he would still get to see her in a bikini sprang in his chest. “Do you think she knows that she’s invited so I can change her mind?”

  Danielle shook her head. Her arms crossed beneath her breasts, pushing them up. Jacobe’s eyes dipped. He forced them back up. He wasn’t an adolescent. He wouldn’t stare at her like he couldn’t wait to see what was beneath her T-shirt.

  “As board president, it makes sense for me to invite her on a trip set up as a reward for the River Watchers. I wouldn’t come on too strong, though.”

  “I like coming on strong.” He took a step toward her. Jacobe ran his finger along the edge of her glasses.

  “You’re also very persistent. Jacobe, I meant what I said on our date.”

  Those were words that should have made him take a step back. Words that should remind him that Danielle wanted a relationship. Relationships required trust, and he wasn’t ready to trust anyone again.

  “I know what you want, Danielle.” He ran his fingers down her cheek and neck, stopping at the rapid beat of her pulse at the base of her throat. “I also want you.”

  A line formed between her brows. Dozens of questions floated in her warm brown eyes. “What does that mean?”

  “Exactly what I said. I want you.”

  Voices and footsteps drew nearer. Jacobe dropped his hand and took a step back. He looked in the direction of the noise and saw a man and woman approach. The woman appeared to be in her early forties. Her dark brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she wore shorts and a T-shirt. The man was older, fifties, if Jacobe guessed, with graying hair. He too was dressed casually for a day on the water.

  They spotted Danielle and Jacobe. The woman smiled and waved before they both walked toward him and Danielle.

  “Hello, Danielle. Jacobe Jenkins,” the woman said, holding out her hand. “I’m Liberty Meyer and this is Jeff Springfield. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

  Jacobe shook her hand. “Pleasure meeting you, as well. Danielle has told me how much the board has supported her efforts as the director of the River Watchers. I insisted that we invite you to show our appreciation.”

  Liberty’s eyes shifted to Danielle, then back to him. “We?”

  “Danielle and I are good friends. We’ve known each other since college. I’ve always been impressed by her passion for bringing attention to causes that are easily ignored.”

  Jeff nodded in agreement. “Danielle is th
e perfect person for the job. She is very dedicated.”

  Danielle adjusted her glasses. “I just try to do what’s right.”

  Jacobe rubbed her back. She stiffened slightly but didn’t pull away. She was lucky rubbing her back was all he’d done. He wanted to pull her against him as if they really were a couple. “Not many people are willing to fight for what they believe in. Come on aboard. I’ll let the captain know we’re ready.”

  They went aboard and Jacobe left Danielle with her people and his teammates to give the captain the instructions. Not long after they were heading to sea. He turned on music. He preferred old-school hip-hop, but with the mixed crowd he opted for the new music his friend Dante Wilson was putting out. A fusion blend of classical, hip-hop and jazz. He’d been skeptical of the idea of the fusion mix when he’d first learned about it, but after hearing the music Dante and his group, Strings A Flame, were making, Jacobe had become a fan.

  He’d ordered food for the daytime excursion since they planned to be out for most of the day. They stopped about twenty miles offshore and dropped the anchor. That’s when Kevin and Isaiah mentioned Jet Skis and swimming. The group congregated on the back deck. Debra and the interns and even Liberty and Jeff quickly stripped down to bathing suits and life jackets, and jumped on the Jet Skis.

  Danielle opted out of getting in the water and sat in one of the leather seats and watched. Jacobe chose to stay with her while everyone else played. She had stealthily avoided him while they were heading out to sea, talking with his teammates, Debra, the interns or board members. He guessed she was trying to figure out what he’d meant. He was trying to figure that out, too. He wanted her, but how much was he willing to surrender himself to in order to have her.

  When he sat beside her close enough for their legs to brush, she quickly scooted away. “Not going out with the rest of them?” he asked.

  “Okay, don’t laugh, but I’m afraid of getting on a Jet Ski.”

  He drew back with exaggerated shock. “The river general is afraid of a Jet Ski. You go under snake-infested bridges without batting an eye, but you’re afraid of a Jet Ski?”