Free Ladyfish by Andrea Bramhall Page A

computer too, but you don’t have to do this all at once. For now, you can borrow stuff from the dive center and then buy when you have the money.” Oz looked away, suddenly aware that she might be intruding on Finn’s personal space and unsure why she felt the need to take control. She let all her other students and divers make their own purchases.
    “Oz, I have the money I need for the equipment. I take it everything I need I can get here?”
    “Yeah. And I’ll make sure you get a good deal. I have some time before I have to be out on the boats, so I’ll take you through, if you want?” Oz knew she was burying herself deeper every minute she spent with Finn, but she wanted to spend time with her, even if she didn’t want to know why.
    They made their way through the store, picking up the various items Finn would need. Oz walked behind her and held a jacket open for her to put her arms through. She lifted it onto Finn’s shoulders and turned her to begin fastening the straps and buckles, tightening each as she went, trying to ignore the swell of Finn’s breasts under her hands and the subtle scent of Finn’s sun-warmed skin. “How does it feel?”
    “Like wearing a rucksack for a hike.”
    Oz smiled. “Wait till you feel it with a full tank attached. It looks pretty good. There are different colors, so if you wanted a pink one, it could be arranged.”
    “Pink? Do I look like a pink girl to you?”
    “Maybe green, then? It would bring out your eyes.” Heat rushed to Oz’s cheeks as she realized she had actually spoken the words out loud. “I mean—you know. It would look good on you.”
    Finn was smiling at her again. “Thank you.” She unbuckled the BCD and slid it from her shoulders. “You’re cute when you blush. So what’s next?”
    Grateful Finn didn’t continue to tease her, Oz ran with it.
    “Wet suit. There are loads of different makes and models out there. Shorties, two-piece sets that have a jacket you can leave off. Different thicknesses. Men’s, women’s, unisex. Even children’s if we need to.” Oz ruffled through a rack of wet suits. “Do you have a preference?”
    “I leave myself in your expert hands, Oz.”
    So many possible double entendres ran through Oz’s head she felt dizzy, but she managed to stifle them. “Okay, so I like SCUBAPRO suits. They have a really good shape for ladies. Generous in the right places without allowing too much space for extra water. Are you looking for a thick wet suit?”
    “What difference does it make?”
    “Well, the thicker the wet suit, the more buoyant it makes you in the water. It means you have to carry a little more weight to descend.”
    They worked out what would work best for Finn based on her body weight and height, with only a bit of teasing about the small size of the wet suit they decided on. Oz did her best to keep her hands to herself, but couldn’t seem to resist pressing the various options against Finn’s body to feel the soft curves beneath the neoprene. She headed into the dressing room with the best option to make sure it fit.
    Oz continued picking out the required items. Boots, fins, regulator, gloves, and a snorkel. She pulled several masks from the shelves and put them together with the pile for Finn to try on.
    “Any chance you can zip me up?”
    “Sure.” Oz turned to her and felt her breath catch in her throat as Finn stepped out of the changing room in the wet suit, turning as she did so. Jesus. She eased the zipper up while Finn held her hair out of the way.
    “Thanks. So does it fit right?” Finn did a catwalk style turn.
    “Definitely.” Oz’s mouth went dry. Focus, Zuckerman. Jesus, you’re acting like a teenage boy! She turned away and rambled, desperately trying to get her body under control.“I pulled out some other stuff here for you. The fins I recommend are boot fins. That way, if you’re walking into the water or anything, you have the boots to protect your feet and you don’t have to