Making Waves: A Perfect Kisses Novella Page 7

  “My tattoo?” he asked. “Does it bother you?”

  “Yes,” she said, not meeting his eyes.

  Chapter Nine

  Would she ever get used to Will’s rockin’ bod? The muscles on his back made those high school lessons about the human body come screaming back. His delts and trapezius, and the way his long and lean latissimus dorsi led straight down to his perfect gluteus—

  “Justine.”

  She flinched and blinked. “Yes?”

  His eyebrows were lifted. “I asked if you’d rather me keep my shirt on.”

  “No. Why?”

  Should we throw a tarp over the statue of David while we’re at it?

  Will walked over to her. “You said my tattoo bothers you. Sorry, I can cover it up if…”

  She was trying hard to keep eye contact with him, when all she wanted to do was study his abs. “Oh, um, I didn’t mean it bothers me.” I actually meant it bothers me that I can’t run my hands all over it. “It’s just, you know…” She faked a shiver. “Dragons are scary.”

  Will laughed and shook his head. “We don’t have to do this now.”

  “Do what?” she asked, leaning forward, imagining what he had in mind that they might do and would it include her hands on his dragon.

  He looked at her intently for a moment, then tipped his chin toward the water.

  “Oh.” She exhaled, feeling her posture slump.

  “Let’s sit a while. It’s a beautiful day. No rush.”

  “Thanks.”

  They were sitting close enough that Justine could pick up the salty scent of his skin mixed with those natural, manly pheromones. He didn’t have to take time out of his day to do this for her. He could be off with his surfer buddies or his family or doing whatever the reclusive Chase Ryder did to celebrate.

  Yet, he was here with her. Why?

  It was pretty evident that today had not helped in her quest to get over Will Davenport. After all that had happened and what she was still discovering, she was even more attracted to him. She gazed out at the tiny waves, trying to make sense of the puzzle running through her head.

  “Well, it’s getting warm.”

  Justine sat ramrod straight. “Already?” She had to admit, even though the sun was halfway down the western sky, it was pretty darn hot, and the ocean looked cool and refreshing.

  Will extended his hand. “Why don’t you walk out there with me, just hang by the shore if you want?”

  She pulled in a deep breath and then blew it out. “Okay.” She reached up and took Will’s hand. It was strong and sure, and just the sense of his fingers around hers made her feel safe. She was grateful he kept ahold of it as they walked toward the water.

  Was the ocean always this loud? The closer they got, the faster her heart beat, and she wondered if Will could feel her hand sweat. Suddenly, Anna’s face flashed before her eyes—happy and alive like she used to be. Then nothing. Justine pulled to a stop, breath catching in her chest.

  I can’t do it, she thought, feeling like a failure. But as quickly as that negative concept hit, another followed. Yes, you can. Anna loved the water, too. Do it for your best friend.

  “Juss,” Will said, watching her with concern.

  She closed her eyes and blew out a determined puff of air. “I hate this,” she muttered. “I hate letting fear have control over me.” She opened her eyes and stared straight ahead. “I really want to go out there, Will.”

  He squeezed her hand. “I know.”

  “I’m stronger than this, I’m better than this.” She turned into the wind and let it whip through her hair. “I just need…” She hated admitting she needed help. But the moment she felt Will’s arm slide around her waist, she didn’t feel as weak.

  “Keep your eyes on the horizon,” he said, pointing with his free hand straight ahead. They stood side by side, watching the place where the blue water hit the blue sky. “Ready to get a little wet?”

  “No,” she answered, but then tagged on a laugh. She wouldn’t mind seeing Will wet, but the thought of herself in there… “I’m nervous.”

  He gave her a squeeze. “I’ve got you.”

  Together, they took a first step. Justine felt like throwing up the second her foot touched a foamy wave.

  “Take my hand,” he said, moving in front of her.

  She reached out and he took both her hands and started backing up, leading her forward into the water like he was teaching her to skate. She took one tentative step, her foot sinking in the wet sand. Then another step.

  “Good,” Will praised, beaming at her. She couldn’t help smiling even though she knew he could feel how much her hands shook. “A tiny wave is coming.”

  She nodded, her spine stiffening as cold water lapped halfway up her calves. When they took another few steps deeper, she slid her hands forward, gripping Will’s elbows.

  “You’re kicking serious butt,” he said. “Another wave.”

  This one reached her knees. She tried not to claw her nails into his skin, but she probably was.

  “Juss, awesome job. Now I’m going to let you go—”

  “No!” She shrieked, vice-gripping his arms.

  “It’s fine.” He laughed quietly. “I want to take your hand again. See? You’re standing on your own.”

  Her legs felt like rubber bands, but there she was…standing in the ocean almost up to her waist. The water was invigorating, cold near the ocean floor, but warm where it had been touched by the tropical sunshine. Her mouth was on the brink of a grin when a wave knocked into them, making them both stumble. Before she could steady herself, another wave hit, and suddenly Justine’s lungs wouldn’t work, couldn’t suck in enough oxygen. Maybe just like Anna’s.

  Without thinking, she yelped and threw her arms around Will, flattening herself against his chest.

  “S-Sorry,” she stammered. Part of her brain was embarrassed by the stupid burst of panic, while another part was too freaked to care.

  “You’re okay.” Will’s mouth was at her ear. “Hold onto me.” His arms wound around her, keeping her safely against him. She felt her pulse start to regulate, the irrational panic receding. “I’m going to walk us out a bit farther. Step with me.”

  She nodded and hooked her chin over his shoulder. As Will took a few steps out and the water rose over the bottom of her suit, she inhaled a gasp and jumped, wrapping her legs around his waist, hooking her ankles behind his back.

  Will staggered forward a step, then steadied. “I’ve got you,” he said, adjusting his grip. “You’re safe with me, you’re…Justine, you’re shaking.” He pulled back so he could look at her. His eyebrows were drawn together in concern. “We good?”

  “F-Fine,” she said, even though she had no intention of letting go.

  “Keep your eyes on mine.”

  She nodded, preparing herself to be released. But when Will’s long fingers splayed across the small of her back, her nerve endings sparked into high alert, realizing that she was curled around him like a vine, clawing at sexy, studly Will Davenport.

  A ball of heat lit inside her stomach, rolled up to her chest and cheeks, slowing everything down. Per his request, she kept focused on him, but a moment later, Will’s eyes moved to her mouth, gazing with such intensity she felt herself shudder in his arms.

  As natural as the flow of the tides, his lip touched hers. It was so soft and quick she was afraid she’d imagined it. But then his hand cupped the back of her head and he kissed her again. His lips were firm yet soft, fitting perfectly over hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him so close she had to gasp for air. Her eyes were sealed shut, feeling only his mouth, both salty and sweet. There was a faraway rhythmic whooshing inside her ears she couldn’t place, other than that, the only sound was her pounding heart and Will’s echoing gasps to breathe.

  She felt gravity change as he dipped her back a bit, his hand moving up to the middle of her spine, under her hair, then coming to rest on her cheek. Part of her brain
wondered how he was able to hold her up with only one hand. Just as she was really starting to wonder, he parted her lips with his, deepening their kiss, and she was caught in a dreamy whirlpool.

  Will moaned deep in his throat, a vibrating hum she felt all the way to her toes. They broke the kiss and his mouth slid to her neck as she cradled his head in her arms. Afraid she might drift up and away, she tightened her grip because her current sensation was of floating on air. She felt sun on her face, which didn’t match the slick wetness everywhere else, under her hands, against his skin, between her legs where their bodies were connected. She dipped her chin, hungry for a taste of his neck. It was wet, too…like, really wet.

  She pulled back and forced her eyes open, zeroing in on Will’s face. His lashes had tiny raindrops clinging to them. That was odd. And his cheeks were wet. Oh, hell. Had she been slobbering over him? How attractive.

  “You’re doing it,” he whispered.

  “Doing…?” Suddenly, that whooshing sound in her ears became clear. The ocean. And she was up to her neck.

  Automatically, she increased her grip, looking around in momentary confusion. They were thirty feet from shore. Will—who was a good five inches taller than her—was able to stand, but probably only barely, while Justine clung to him like a koala on a eucalyptus tree.

  No wonder she’d felt like she was floating away.

  “You’re doing it,” he repeated, touching his forehead to hers. He wore a proud little grin, causing her immediate panic to tail off.

  She felt her face break into a smile. “L-Look at that.” She shivered under her breath. “I’m in the water.”

  “You’re more than in the water. You’re all the way, baby.” He bobbed them up and down.

  Justine squealed and giggled. Curious to test the level of bravery, she released her grip, allowing herself to drift. At first, Will kept his hands on her back, but after a moment, he spread his arms and let her go.

  After a shaky breath, she tilted her chin toward the sky and took long back strokes, slowly getting to know her place in the water again. It was probably like riding a bike, but for her, the movements were even more familiar. Exhilarating—on crack.

  Will whooped then jackknifed under the surface, coming up a few seconds later. His eyes sparkled, seawater caught in his curly dark hair. She splashed him and he splashed back. She hadn’t felt this alive in far too long.

  Pushing back another layer of fear, she dove under. The ocean soaked into her hair, in her ears, enveloping her in a watery embrace. When she broke the surface, Will was clapping over his head, shouting her name. She laughed and kicked a splash in his direction.

  “Hey now, I’ll kick your ass at a water war.”

  “You gotta catch me first!”

  They frolicked in the sea for what felt like hours. Justine never wanted to get out; she’d missed this part of her life more than she’d realized. Only a few times did her mind stray to the darkness. Those were the moments when—if Will was within reach—she couldn’t help pulling close to him until the fear went away. He never commented, he’d just held her until he’d probably felt her stop shaking.

  Maybe someday soon, if she got enough practice, all the fear would be gone for good.

  She took a deep breath, then made a deep dive, actually touching the ocean floor before springing to break the surface. She was grateful to Will for taking the time to give her this gift. Right as he came up for a gulp of air, she couldn’t help it…she swam his way, not stopping until she threw her arms around him.

  “Thank you,” she panted. “You have no idea.”

  He looked a little stunned but then he smiled. “You’re welcome, Michael Phelps.”

  “I’ve missed this…so much.” She’d meant that she missed the feeling of her body immersed in water, but when Will slid an arm around her back, she missed something else much more.

  Without thinking, she kissed him.

  Chapter Ten

  Will didn’t stop to think about what it meant. He simply pulled Justine into his arms.

  Yes, he’d instigated the kiss when they’d first gotten into the water because of how terrified she’d looked. He knew the fear was all in her head, and his gut told him if he could replace that fear for a moment…

  But that moment sped out of control very fast. He hadn’t meant for that to happen. But Justine…she was so damn sexy and kind and amazing…and how could he be expected to think straight when she’d been gripping him like he was her life raft? Like the one person she needed.

  He wanted to be her life raft. He wanted to show her how he felt, how he’d cared for her last year and how much more he cared for her now. After only a few hours in her company, he realized his feelings were growing stronger. Now, they were a runaway train.

  That distracting kiss had turned into a passionate rekindling of something he thought was dead. But Justine was the one kissing him now. He hadn’t grabbed her like before. She’d grabbed him.

  He’d never been a more willing life raft.

  As much as his mind could focus on anything besides her lips, he secured her against him and attempted to drag them to shore so he could stand on steady ground and hold her any way he liked.

  “Will,” she moaned softly, the sweetest sound he’d ever heard.

  His head buzzed when she leapt into his arms like before, her strong legs curling around his back. He teetered to the side, all strength nearly spent from his limbs. The water was only at his waist now, and he opened one eye, zeroing in on the shoreline as his goal, hoping he would make it there before completely collapsing.

  “Will,” she repeated, looking him in the eyes while hoisting herself higher. The pink and blue of the sunset framed her beautiful face. She tipped her chin, exposing her long neck. He couldn’t help pressing his mouth to her soft, wet skin, breathing in the salty, feminine scent. His footing staggered.

  One last time, he summoned his strength and made a beeline like a marine at Normandy. Before he could get them all the way out of the water, he stumbled to his knees. She laughed and held on, not even bothering to look behind her as they tumbled onto the shore. Her blond hair splayed across the sand like an unearthly mermaid’s.

  She was so amazingly beautiful, it actually did feel dreamlike until she reached behind his neck and pulled him down, reminding him how real she was. She was a fighter…the strongest woman he knew.

  Back home, they’d kissed a few times at the end of dates, but this was new. He could be adventurous with her, and passionate—and in the water!—something, a few hours ago, he wouldn’t have thought possible. Will had rode waves tall enough to turn other surfers away, yet now, he’d never felt such a rush.

  But he also knew one of them had to think straight, or else they might be caught in the undertow and swept to China. With his mouth still pressed to hers, he slid his hands under her back and picked her up like a baby, dragging them farther out of the water so just their feet touched the breaking waves.

  To further protect her, he rolled so she was on top, her wet hair falling over her shoulders. He knotted his fingers into her hair and kissed her neck, her shoulders, the indent at her throat. He knew he’d better get a grip before his wandering hands tore off her bikini top. At last glance, only a few other people occupied the beach, and they were relatively far away. But he was pretty sure sex on the beach—the action, not the cocktail—was a big no-no.

  When her fingers went running through his hair, and the curves of her body pressed against him, Will was unable to do much rational thinking. He made sure he kept his hands low on her back, far away from the hook securing her top. That was just too tempting. He wondered if he’d have the strength to carry her all the way to the car. If he didn’t get her somewhere private soon, he didn’t know what he was capable of.

  But he had to try.

  Maybe reading his mind, Justine climbed easily into his arms and Will rose to his feet, holding her against him. She giggled and kissed his cheek, his ear. He was tempted t
o beg her to stop until he got her alone, but he couldn’t seem to recall how to speak.

  He laid her on their towels, and she immediately hooked her arms around his neck. The next thing he knew, he was on his back with Justine on top. Her mouth found his and with the one corner of his mind that was still operating, he reached out a hand, blindly searching for the car key.

  “What is that?” Justine whispered.

  “What’s what?” he asked, hearing the rasp in his voice.

  She released an irritated sigh, then rolled off of him. “My cell is ringing. No, it’s yours.”

  Will exhaled, noticing the sound, too. “I think it’s both.” He reached past her and unburied his cell, brushing sand off the face. There were ten missed called in the last five minutes.

  “That’s odd,” Justine said, just as he was about to say the same thing. “I have a zillion emails. Three from my boss—he got my story…he…” She broke off to gasp. “Will, he loves it! It’s already online and will be in the print edition tomorrow. Front page of the sports section!”

  “Seriously?” He grinned while clicking open his inbox. “I made front page?”

  She elbowed him, then leaned over and kissed his cheek. “No, I made front page, surfer boy.”

  “Congratulations, Juss,” he said with a laugh and rested a hand on her thigh like it always belonged there. “Pull it up. I want to see your brilliant work.” Then he saw that the first email he opened had a link. “Never mind, I think someone sent it to me.”

  Sitting beside Justine while she worked her own phone, Will waited for the page to load. He saw her name first, and his heart flooded with unexpected pride.

  Then he saw another name.

  Pride warped into a hard punch to the stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

  “Shit.” She was right beside him, but her voice sounded far away.

  He read the first two lines of her story—twice—then lowered his phone.

  “Will.” Justine was staring at him with wide, dazed eyes. Her lips were parted but not moving.