3. GODDESS
GODDESS
KARSON
Dyson talked to the redheaded woman for a while before he wandered over, murmuring something about her joining us soon.
But I barely took it in—my full attention was on the stage. Even though the crowd pushed me toward the back of the room, I could still see her over a sea of heads.
She scanned the crowd as if she were looking for someone, then a hush fell over the room as the show began.
The sight of her knocked the air out of my lungs—she’s gorgeous.
Dyson stood nearby, oblivious to my captivation.
“Dyson.” I nudged him with my shoulder. “There’s something about that girl. I can’t look away. I mean, obviously she’s beautiful, but that’s not it. There’s something else. I can’t define it,” I finished breathlessly.
He raised a curious eyebrow, then turned to see who had so completely caught my attention.
Who is she?
There was an ache in my chest. I need to know.
“What the hell is wrong with me, Dyson?” I muttered. “My heart’s pounding out of my chest… I’ve gotta meet this girl.”
“Bro, you’re catching feelings,” Dyson said, leaning closer. “Karson Wells, the monk, is officially dead. When Cupid strikes, we’re all powerless, my friend.”
I elbowed him playfully as another wave of people pooled in front of us, pushing me even further away from her. I shuffled to the right so I could still catch a glimpse through the crowd.
As she broke into an elegant walk down the runway, a hush fell over the room.
Her golden bikini shimmered like stardust beneath the glow of the lights. Caramel, sun-kissed hair cascaded over her shoulder, the rest spilling in waves down the curve of her back.
Her playful almond-shaped eyes twinkled, her flawless skin glowing beneath the lights as she moved to the center.
With an elegant pivot, she turned, and my heart stuttered as she sashayed back down the runway and stopped at the end. One hand rested casually on her hip while the other hung loosely by her side as she held her pose and the crowd erupted around her.
“Give it up for our latest contestant! And what a stunning performance that was from gorgeous Gold Coast girl, Ivy!” the compère called.
Applause ricocheted around the room before fading.
“And now folks, get ready for the talent performance!” A fresh wave of clapping drowned out the rest of his words.
Ivy. That fits.
Beautiful name. Beautiful woman.
She took the microphone from him in the steamy, dimly lit room. The crowd quieted. “Thank you so much, everyone! I hope you’re all enjoying the show.” Shouts of agreement flooded the room.
The velvet notes of her voice—an intoxicating sound that made me think of wildflowers and honey—drifted my way. It was like listening to an angel.
Elegance, radiance, and beauty flooded my senses as I took her in. A poem I knew drifted into my mind…
“With each enchanting embrace,flows elegance and grace.
Bestowing her golden glow, all around, wherever she may go.”
Dyson tapped me on the shoulder. “Bro, did you hear me? I asked if—”
“Jesus, I’ve turned into John fucking Keats,” I murmured. “I have to get out of here…”
A knot twisted in my gut. My pulse hammered in my ears, and every instinct screamed at me to get the hell out of there.
If I don’t leave now, I’ll fall completely under her spell.
“I’m done,” I told Dyson in a last-ditch attempt to escape. “Time to call it a night. It’s almost midnight. If our carriage turns into a pumpkin, I’m blaming you. Let’s bail.”
“Whoa! Not so fast, bro. Let’s watch her performance first. Then we can head out. If you still want to,” Dyson said with a satisfied grin.
“No, let’s just—”
“Nope. If you still want to go after she’s done, I won’t argue. Okay? Now shut up, she’s about to start.” He smirked, turning back toward the stage.
“Tonight,” Ivy began, “for the performance part of the competition, I wanted to sing one of my favorite songs as part of a duet, one that I’m sure you all know and love.”
As the opening notes rang out, Dyson almost choked on his drink. “What? You’ve got to be kidding me. That’s the same song you played on the piano at school last year! You two are seriously a match made in heaven.” He grinned.
“But,” Ivy continued, “sadly, the other half of my duet is a no-show. And without a partner, I’ll have to withdraw from the contest. Unless someone, anyone, in the audience knows how to sing it with me?” Her hands pressed together in a prayer position as she gazed down into the crowd.
Dyson glared at me.
“Don’t get any of your crazy-ass ideas,” I warned, turning my attention back to the stage. “You know I fucking hate being in the limelight, bro.”
“You need to get your sorry ass up there and help her out. It’s not every day you get the chance to sweep in like a knight in shining armor.” He shoved me toward the stage.
“No way! Stop!” I froze. This girl was a complete goddess. The thought of standing beside her made my head spin.
“Down here, Ivy!” Dyson shouted, though his voice was nearly swallowed by the crowd.
“Go on,” Dyson said, nudging me forward. “Get up there right now!”
“Not happening.” I dug my heels in.
“Why the hell not? You’ve got this. Come on.” He shuffled closer to the stage. “Ivy! Down here! Here’s your man,” Dyson yelled, forming his hand into a pistol shape and aiming it straight at me.
Her gaze met mine.
“He knows the song!” Dyson called, still pointing at me.
She looked right at me, her green eyes shining. A smile so warm it could melt the coldest heart spread across her face. she formed a heart with her hands over her chest.
I made my way toward her, my pulse thundering.
There’s no turning back now.
***
For one suspended moment, it was as if the whole room held its breath.
The first piano chords rang out as the stage manager pressed a microphone into Karson’s hand.
His mind emptied of everything except her as he moved closer. He blinked slowly and took a breath, hoping he’d remember the words.
They stood side by side, almost touching, a current flowing between them as the notes danced around the room.
Ivy glanced out over the crowd before turning back to Karson as she raised the microphone.
She moistened her top lip with the tip of her tongue before her velvet voice filled the room and wrapped around Karson like a warm embrace.
As he lost himself in her emerald gaze, the lyrics fell from his mouth. His arm slid around her waist while Ivy’s hands settled on his chest.
They pressed closer.
Karson’s hand drifted to her hair, brushing a loose lock from her face. She pressed against him, feeling the rise and fall of his chest against hers with every breath.
The final notes faded into the night as they stood anchored to the spot… until whoops of joy and thundering applause shattered the illusion of being alone.
***
KARSON
For a long moment, we just stood there fixed in place on the stage. I watched as the corner of her mouth curled into a radiant smile, and my heart melted all over again.
She raised the microphone, took my hand, turning toward the audience. “Everyone, a round of applause for my savior! This is… wait.” Her gaze locked onto mine. “What is your name?”
I smiled and squeezed her hand softly. “Karson.”
The host, grinning from ear to ear, walked over to us. “What a beautiful performance, you two. Well done stepping up for Ivy when she needed it, Karson.” He turned to the audience. “I think we might need an encore?” The crowd broke into cheers.
“All right, everyone, we’re almost out of time.” He stretched an arm toward the side of the stage. “Time to announce tonight’s winner. Come on out, girls!”
The contestants made their way back onto the stage to loud whistles and clapping.
My time with Ivy was ending.
A dull ache settled in my chest.
“Ivy, you were amazing,” I said, lifting her hand to my lips and pressing a soft kiss against her skin. “Good luck, but you don’t need it.” I let go of her hand and turned to leave.
“Don’t leave! Karson, promise you’ll wait for me? You saved me tonight. At least let me buy you a drink!” She hurried away to join the other contestants.
The world had shifted on its axis.
I left the stage, pushing and shoving my way through the thick crowd until I found Dyson.
“Ha!” He grinned wildly when he spotted me. “Still want to leave, Romeo?” he asked smugly.
“Hell no!” I shook my head decisively. “She asked me to wait for her. You were right to stay. And so right to come here. I owe you, man. But don’t say one fucking word to her about my father. Not. One. Word. I swear… I’ll kick your ass.”
“As tempting as it is to see you try,” Dyson chuckled, “we’ll do this your way. But you owe me.”
The lights shone down on the contestants as the music faded and the compère stepped forward to announce the winner.
He grinned as he opened the envelope. “And tonight’s winner of ten thousand dollars and a twelve-month contract to model for Adore Designs is… Ivy Lawrence.”
My smile broke wide as I joined the deafening applause. Ivy flashed me a look, ecstatic, her radiant smile filling me with warmth.
The compère draped a red sash across her shoulder and placed the crown on her head. After Ivy took a bow, the other girls presented her with an oversized bouquet before slipping backstage.
Dyson grabbed another drink for us, we clinked our glasses together in celebration of Ivy’s win as I tried to put into words what had happened when I’d been up there with her.
With a triumphant grin, Dyson listened gleefully until the red-haired woman he’d been talking to earlier appeared beside him. She slung her bag over her shoulder and tipped her head toward the exit, giving Dyson his cue to leave with her.
“See ya later, man.” He pressed his hand over his open mouth in mock surprise as he followed her.
With a shake of my head, I grinned at him.
But in that moment, I couldn’t have been more grateful to my oldest friend for dragging me out.
I wasn’t going anywhere.