Synithia Williams - Full Court Seduction

Playing for keeps

Straitlaced conservationist Danielle Stewart is known for passionately protecting the Florida coastline. Only one man knows about the other side of Danielle, the one she keeps concealed behind prim cardigans and glasses. Back in college, Danielle shared a sizzling night with Jacobe Jenkins. Next day, he left for the NBA draft, and his talent for troublemaking has made him as infamous as his on-court skills. Now chance has thrown them together again, and Danielle sees a perfect way to boost awareness for her favorite cause.

He’s older, wiser and a lot more notorious, but one thing about Jacobe hasn’t changed: his deep attraction to Danielle. Supporting her conservation efforts could improve his public image—and give him a second chance with the woman he still regrets leaving behind. But the lasting kind of love takes more than a trick shot. Will he overcome his bad-boy reputation and put his heart on the line for what could be the biggest play of his life?

The porch light flickered, casting the area in shadows. She’d been meaning to change that bulb.

“Thanks again,” she said, getting her keys out of her purse.

Jacobe took her elbow in his hand and turned her to face him. He stood so close that she had to tilt her head even farther back to meet his gaze. In the flickering light of the porch, she couldn’t make out the expression in his eyes.

“I respect your honesty, Danielle.” His other hand came up to brush across her chin. “Don’t think this kiss means otherwise.”

Her heart fluttered and anticipation tingled every inch of skin on her body. “Who said you could kiss me?”

His dark eyes met hers and the corners of his mouth tilted up in a sexy smile. “Tell me I can’t and I won’t.”

The air crackled around them. Sparks of heat filled her chest. Her eyes lowered to his lips. Full and soft. Based on the smoldering heat in his eyes, his lips desperately wanted to touch hers.

“One kiss,” she whispered.

Dear Reader,

I’m no sports expert, but since I live in a house with an avid sports fan—my hubby—it’s no wonder I got the idea for a sports romance. Once that idea hit, I immediately wanted the story to be a basketball romance. Maybe because my favorite sport in high school was basketball and my first professional-athlete crush was a basketball superstar.

Full Court Seduction is the result of that inspiration. Jacobe Jenkins is a basketball star who needs to improve his reputation. Danielle Stewart is an environmental activist who needs publicity for her cause. They knew each other in college and shared one night neither one of them can forget. They come together for mutual benefit, yet their chemistry is hard to ignore.

Hope you enjoy Jacobe and Danielle’s journey to their happily-ever-after.

Sincerely,

Synithia W.

Full Court Seduction

Synithia Williams

www.millsandboon.co.uk

SYNITHIA WILLIAMS has been an avid romance-novel lover since picking up her first at the age of thirteen. It was only natural that she would begin penning her own romances soon after—much to the chagrin of her high school math teachers. She’s a native of South Carolina and now writes romances as hot as their southern settings. Outside of writing, she works on water quality and sustainability issues for local government. She’s married to her own personal hero, and they have two sons who’ve convinced her that professional wrestling and superheroes are supreme entertainment. When she isn’t working, writing or being a wife and mother, she’s usually bingeing on TV series, playing around on social media or planning her next girls’ night out with friends. You can learn more about Synithia by visiting her website, www.synithiawilliams.com, where she blogs about writing, life and relationships.

Before you start reading, why not sign up?

Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

SIGN ME UP!

Or simply visit

signup.millsandboon.co.uk

Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

For Ashley and Toya, my ride-or-die sisters since forever.

Acknowledgments

The biggest thanks to Farrah Rochon for organizing the Destin Divas Retreat. I plotted Full Court Seduction at that retreat and made a few new writing friends. I have to give special thanks to Destin Divas Jamie Wesley, Carla Freed and Lena Hart for helping me define a “Hollywood ending” for Jacobe and Danielle, and divas K. M. Jackson and Kaia Danielle for your valuable feedback on the draft. Finally, to my wonderful hubby, I truly appreciate you watching our two boys while I’m off in the writing world. Writing would be much harder without your support.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Event planning would be the death of her.

Which was why Danielle had taken a break from planning the next few events for the St. Johns River Watchers to get a cup of coffee. She was pretty sure that if she hadn’t taken the break, her heart was going to wave the white flag and go on permanent strike against the stress she put herself through.

The sound of footsteps running toward the kitchen of the small beachfront cottage that served as the River Watchers office preceded the appearance of Danielle’s education-and-outreach coordinator, who was rushing toward the door.

“Danielle, have you heard?” Debra said between huffs. Her cheeks were red from the sprint. She pushed her thin jet-black hair behind her ears, making her gothic-inspired cross earrings swing against her pale neck. Her black pants, boots and Nightmare Before Christmas T-shirt were splattered with glitter, a leftover from a presentation at a kindergarten class earlier today.

“Heard what?”

Debra looked to the ceiling and shook her head. “You’re not angry, so I’m assuming you haven’t heard. I spoke with Mr. Springfield today—the state hasn’t automatically denied the permit allowing Clear Water to discharge into Springfield Creek.”

Danielle set the mug on the counter, coffee and gala temporarily forgotten, and crossed to the small wooden dinette table. “What? They should be shutting down, not expanding.”

She’d fought on behalf of the River Watchers all last year to get Clear Water’s permits revoked. The small wastewater provider couldn’t handle the sewage from the rapidly growing area coming to them and had exceeded their permit limits for pollution levels going into a tributary of the river. The state had agreed and ordered Clear Water to come up with a plan to reduce pollution or shut down.

“They think that expanding their operation and adding another discharge point will make them meet our demands.”

“The creek can’t handle that.”

Debra nodded. “I know that. Mr. Springfield certainly doesn’t want it going into the creek. He worked too hard with us to put the easements in place that will stop it from future development. Now all those efforts are threatened if this happens.”