4. DAWN TO DUSK
DAWN TO DUSK
KARSON
The club had thinned to a handful of rowdy partiers. Ivy moved gracefully toward me from across the room, my senses heightening at the thought of meeting her offstage.
The fire I’d felt standing so close to her while we sang together had escalated into an inferno.
She stopped in front of me, her green eyes shining.
I rose slowly from the stool. “Congratulations, Ivy,” I said, unable to look away.
“Thank you so much!” she said. “You seriously saved me up there!” She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tightly. “Thank you. For real.”
She let me go, we stepped back, looking at each other.
My gaze drifted over her, taking in every detail.
Her sheer, strapless dress stopped a little above mid-thigh, and tan cowboy-style boots reached mid-calf. She wore her hair in a messy bun, and every time she smiled, the small creases at the corners of her mouth pulled me deeper under her spell.
“You know, without your help, I would’ve been disqualified right?
Instead, here I am looking forward to the best year ever.
” Flecks of gold danced in her pupils as she studied me.
“Winning this contract with Adore Designs is going to change my life. Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without a singing partner. ”
“Well, you were clearly destined to win from the start, so we couldn’t let that happen.”
She smiled and lowered her gaze.
“You’re a complete goddess, Ivy.”
No. I did not just say that.
Kill me now.
She threw her head back laughing, and I joined in. “Well, I don’t know about that, but I am grateful, that’s for sure.”
We settled onto the stools, and the tension slowly left my body.
She took me in slowly before meeting my stare again.
Desire flickered across her face. I felt invincible.
Suppressing the urge to close the space between us and taste her lips, I drew in a slow breath and focused on the wall over her shoulder.
“So, you’re American?” she asked, sipping her drink.
“My mother’s American, and I’ve spent a lot of time there. But my father’s Australian, which is why I’m back here now.”
The lighting was dim, but it caught the golden tones in her hair, and I wanted to run my fingers through it.
“That’s so cool.” She smiled at me. “Do you like it here so far?”
“From what I can see… it’s absolutely breathtaking.”
Her smile deepened.
We sat talking, the more I learned about her, the more I wanted to know. As we finished our drinks, the mood shifted from light and playful to something deeper, more charged.
There was nowhere else I would rather have been.
She told me about her parents and growing up down the coast in Byron Bay. Her face lit up when she talked about the house she shared with some other models.
The more we talked, the more certain I became.
She was lovely.
My heart didn’t stand a chance.
***
“So, mysterious Karson,” she began, “all I know about you is you’re on holiday with your friend, and you’ve spent a lot of time in the States.
” A mischievous smile tugged at her lips.
“But you’re giving off a bit of a wealthy playboy vibe in those clothes.
” She traced her finger lightly over the sleeve of my shirt. “I know Italian fabric when I feel it.”
“Why, thank you,” I said in a posh accent as she giggled. “Playboy? Yeah, nah. This shirt was a gift.” I grinned, trying to downplay her comment.
“Well, whoever it was from, they have great taste.”
“Seriously, though,” I continued, “I’m just waiting to start college. My plan is to study commerce at the University of Sydney. I had some other offers too, but my father’s determined that I go there.” I shrugged.
“Nice. And what does Karson do for fun?” She gazed at me, resting her chin in her palm.
“Anything that involves the ocean. Skiing too, when I get the chance.” I was careful to underplay the lifestyle. I wanted her to get to know me, not the billionaire’s son.
I didn’t mention the ski chalet in France, where I’d often stayed with staff but rarely with my parents—but for some reason, I suddenly wanted to share that with her.
“I’m a water baby too. The beach is my happy place, and where you’ll usually find me.
I love staring out over the horizon, thinking about all the places I haven’t seen yet.
” A faraway look filled her eyes. “Traveling is on my bucket list, and now, because of this new contract, I might actually have a chance at—”
“Hey!” A brawny guy with a scruffy mullet cut in before she could finish. “You’re that model who won tonight, right?” he said abruptly, not waiting for a reply.
“Me and my friends are heading to a party.” He eyed Ivy. “How about you come along, sweetheart?”
A few of his friends stood behind him, watching.
“That’s a no from me,” Ivy replied, staring into her drink.
“You’ll have more fun with us than with him,” he sneered, grabbing her arm.
I stood abruptly.
“Hey!” She tried to yank her arm free. “Get your hands off me!”
“Let her go.” With my fists clenched, I stepped closer and fixed him with a hard stare. “Now.”
But he didn’t loosen his grip.
Ivy snatched her drink off the counter and threw it in his face.
“You bitch,” he yelped, wiping his face with the back of his arm.
“Which part of no don’t you understand?” A surge of adrenaline hit. I took a small step back, hoping he’d leave without more of a scene. “Time to go, mate.”
“I’ll decide when I’m ready to leave, dickhead.” He scowled.
Ivy stood up. “Karson, let’s just go.”
The brawny troublemaker stalked toward me, stopping inches from my face.
“Look, man, we don’t want any trouble,” I said, stepping away. “We’ll just be on our—”
His fist came flying at me.
I raised my arm, blocking the punch as my body snapped into defense.
He spun and fired a roundhouse kick.
I stepped aside, out of the line of fire. With elbows tucked to protect my ribs and my hands raised, I locked onto him. “You should probably walk away,” I said through gritted teeth.
He roared and charged at me again.
I dodged him as he slammed hard into the wall with a heavy thud.
His friends snickered as he cursed and pushed himself upright, coming at me again, this time too close to Ivy.
“Okay, moron, now you’ve gone too far.” I grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back and forcing him to the ground.
“Fuck off!” he snarled, struggling.
“Are we done?” I twisted harder. “Ready to leave?”
He nodded urgently.
“I can’t hear you.”
“Yes!” he bellowed. “Just let me go.”
I released him and moved back as he scrambled to his feet.
“Go home,” Ivy called. “It’s over.”
“Just listen to them,” one of his friends muttered. “Let it go, bro.”
He started for the exit, then spun suddenly and launched a kick at my chest.
Instinct took over. I moved fast and struck him low.
Groaning, he lashed out with a round of wild punches and another reckless kick.
I intercepted his leg with a hard strike to the thigh.
He lost his balance and crashed face-first onto the floor. “What the actual fuck…” he muttered, dazed as he shook his head.
Then came a loud crunch.
We all turned to find a security guard finally standing there, watching as he clutched a large bag of potato chips.
“Everything all right here?” he asked casually. “Was in the bathroom. Thought I heard somethin’.” He shoved another chip into his mouth.
“It’s all good,” I replied. “We were just leaving. You have a good night.”
Ivy stood beside me, glancing down at the guy sprawled across the floor. “Enjoy your party,” she said sweetly.
I bit back a laugh as I took her outstretched hand. “What a clown,” I said. “Hard to believe some guys still act like complete Neanderthals. Are you okay?”
“One hundred percent agree with you there.” She nodded. “And thanks, he was really starting to annoy me.”
“He was getting on my nerves a bit too.” We both laughed.
“Anyway, what the hell was that?” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Are you some kind of ninja or something?”
“Something like that,” I replied, squeezing her hand lightly as we walked out into the waiting night.
***
“It’s just down the esplanade a bit, then we’re there,” Ivy said with a grin. “I usually come here for my morning coffee and a swim if I jog in. It’s a ten-kilometer run. Not a bad way to tick the cardio box for the day.”
“Well, that definitely beats a treadmill.” I grinned back.
“I’ve gotta stay in shape if I want to stay on top of my game. We have to work at it all the time. You can get replaced in a heartbeat in this industry. It’s pretty brutal, to be honest. But it’s a lot of fun, and I love it.”
“It’s great you found what you love doing. And trust me, I don’t think you need to worry about staying in shape. You look incredible.”
Since leaving the club, we’d talked endlessly. I could’ve walked for the rest of the night… as long as I was with her.
I stopped beside Ivy at the edge of the track, taking in the luminescent white sand glimmering beneath the first rays of sunrise.
She pulled her shoes off. “I love this feeling,” she said, digging her toes into the sand.
I toed off my shoes beside her.
“It’s cool you’re going to live in Sydney, Karson. I swam at Bronte once when I was there on a modeling shoot, but I got caught in a rip and nearly drowned. It was crazy!”
Unease crept over me at the thought of her nearly drowning—and remembering that my father owned a sprawling waterfront property at Bronte. Ocean views, multiple levels, and more space than anyone could possibly need. Most of the time, it sat empty, used only for the occasional client visit.
Soon, when college started, I’d be living there. I looked back at Ivy.
“Bronte’s great, but you’ve really got to watch that rip current. The locals call it the ‘Bronte Express.’ It’ll grab you and drag you out before you even realize what’s happening.”
“That’s exactly what happened! The lifeguard paddled out to get me right before I ran out of breath. I was literally about to go under.”
“Ivy, that’s horrible. You must have been pretty shaken. It happens a lot there, but the lifeguards are amazing. I’m just glad someone got to you in time.”