Free Making Waves: A Perfect Kisses Novella by Ophelia London

was grateful for that. She was as stunning as ever, but at least he could breathe.
    “I like it,” he said steadily, though his heart was still doing a pretty decent imitation of a jackhammer.
    “Yeah?” She blinked up at him, her eyes looking even bluer against the color of the suit.
    “Yes, definitely,” Will added. “That’s a keeper.”
    A keeper? What the hell?
    “Okay.” She smiled and tugged at her hair. “I’m going to need a towel. Would you pick one out for me?”
    Will swallowed and nodded mechanically, then stared at the outside of the dressing room door after Justine closed it. When he heard the sounds of clothing being removed and saw the shadow of her body behind the door, he swallowed again, turned on his heel, and got the hell out of there.
    He strode toward the row of beach towels by the far wall, blindly reached out and grabbed the first one he came to. He was about to walk to the cash register when he took a look at it. It was hideous orange and had a cartoon whale in the middle. Hmm, not so much.
    So he returned to the rack and did some browsing. He decided on an oversized white towel with pink, aqua, and yellow paisleys. It felt like Justine: classy and feminine, retro and California. He couldn’t help imagining wrapping it around her then holding her against him.
    “Is that for me?” she asked, back in her yellow dress, the blue bikini draped over her arm. “I love it. It’s so cute.”
    Cute wasn’t what he’d been shooting for, but he was pleased she approved. “You’ll want to change into your suit, right?”
    She stopped walking and stared straight ahead. “Now?”
    “Baby steps,” he said, hoping he hadn’t spooked her out of it. “All you’re doing is putting on a bathing suit. You did that two minutes ago. The only difference is, now it’s yours.”
    She bit her lip and nodded. “Okay.” She turned to the cashier and asked if she could use the dressing room one more time. Will stood by the exit, holding her towel. A few minutes later, Justine called to the cashier.
    While he waited, Will pulled his cell out of his pocket to check messages. There were about a million emails sent to his Chase Ryder address. He probably shouldn’t have taken off like this, but he didn’t care. Spending time with Justine was more important—he felt that now more than ever.
    “Ready?”
    He looked up to see Justine before him. She wore the blue bikini top and one of those sarong things around her waist. It was white and sheer and tied in a knot right below her belly button, showing off her curvy hips and flat stomach. She also had a bright pink flower tucked behind an ear. He didn’t know how her beauty managed to stun the hell out of him again, but it did.
    “You fit right in here,” he said, touching the flower. “Like you were born this way.” He held the door open and her shoulder brushed against him as she exited the store.
    “Are we…you know…right now?” she asked after they were back into the car. She looked a little pale and he noticed her fists were clenched and one knee bounced up and down.
    “We’re going to drive for a while,” he said, hoping to calm her mood. “Nothing to worry about.”
    She stared at the dashboard, not blinking. Out of impulse, Will put a hand on her knee. He felt her body freeze but then the bouncing started again. After a moment, it stopped and she exhaled. “Okay. I’m okay. Let’s drive.”
    Will didn’t think she really was okay, but he’d have to take her word for it. “See if you can find some Taylor Swift on the radio, would you?” He grinned and was relieved when she unclenched her fists and grinned back.
    “Isn’t there a station that plays all tropical music?”
    “I think so.” Will worked his way up the dial until he found it. “You’re in luck. Sugar Ray.” He turned up the volume and sang along.
    Justine burst out laughing. “You really are a pop fan. And a terrible singer!”
    “Shh—no killing the groove