Making Waves: A Perfect Kisses Novella Read Online Free PDF

got rocky, but that seemed like an unnecessary precaution. Besides, her heart actually gave one of those silly flutters at the thought of sitting next to Will. Yes, she wanted to be with him as a…a professional curiosity. And it wasn’t like they were strangers, even though, for all intents and purposes, she’d met Chase Ryder only a few hours ago.
    And then he’d kissed her and she’d kissed him back like their plane was going down.
    More professional curiosity, Juss?
    “I appreciate this,” she said as Will slid behind the wheel. “Thanks.”
    “You’re welcome, though you’re not giving me much of a choice.” He fired up the ignition and Justin Timberlake’s falsetto voice shot out of the speakers.
    “I see you’re still an unabashed fan of pop music,” she noted with a smile, hoping to relax him with non-surfing conversation.
    “Quite unabashed,” he agreed, returning her smile, though he turned down the music all the way. He rested a hand on her headrest while he backed out of his parking space. She could smell the salt on his skin, causing the back of her throat to ache at a sensory memory.
    A few people honked and waved as he pulled onto the road. “How about we grab a late lunch?” he suggested. “I’m pretty starving.”
    “I’ll bet you are. You were completely amazing. I’m still feeling chills.”
    “Yeah?” A corner of his mouth pulled up into a cocky smile.
    “When you were surfing .” She glanced down at her notebook, hoping her face wasn’t as beet red as it felt. “I was paying close attention since I’m writing about it.”
    “Right.” Will rubbed his square, smooth jaw. “Well, every restaurant is going to be packed because of the Eddie. We can go to my hotel. It’s got a huge patio with a view.”
    Justine’s heart gave an erratically hard thump, then her blood kind of sizzled on its way through her veins. She wasn’t sure if her body was reacting with caution to the idea of going to his room, or responding to the excitement of being alone with him. Her racing pulse told her it was the latter—which she knew darn well was the more reckless of the two.
    “Sounds heavenly,” she said.
    Wow. For a blackmailer, you kind of suck.
    Ten minutes later, Will passed through the gates of Turtle Bay Resort. He pulled up to valet parking and tossed the keys to one attendant while another opened Justine’s door. Everyone called him Mr. Ryder, except when they approached a group of teenagers doing landscaping off to the side.
    “Hey ya, Chase,” one of the kids said to Will. He looked about sixteen and had shaggy, sun-bleached hair and dark eyes that displayed an exotic blending of Polynesia. “So… damn , man, heard ya lost.” He put a hand on Will’s shoulder and grinned.
    Will shrugged. “Can’t win ‘em all.”
    The kid pointed his chin at Justine. “Who’s the bunny?”
    “Don’t be an ass, Anton. The lady’s name is Justine, and she’s both hands-off and eyes-off.” Will pointed at the rest of the guys, then Justine felt his hand go to the small of her back. She automatically leaned into it. “That goes for all of you.”
    “Bro, enough said.” Anton chuckled. “We know not to mess with Chase Ryder. Ooooh.” He wiggled his fingers at Will like he was casting a magic spell.
    Will chuckled under his breath. “Wise ass,” he muttered as he hooked an arm around Justine’s waist, starting to draw her away. He was being protective in a…boyfriend-like way.
    She should not have enjoyed it.
    “Tell your mom I’ll be by to pick up eggs tomorrow,” Will added. “And you guys’ll be at the Pipeline for dawn patrol?”
    “Dude, you know we never miss a Sunday morning surf.”
    “See ya then.” Will and Anton bumped fists.
    “Later,” Anton said, then his eyes slid to Justine. “You, too, ipo — ouch .” The kid’s expression twisted as Will’s hand clamped over his shoulder. “Yo, just messing.”
    “Find someone your own age, kaikua`ana ,”