6. WATER WORLD
WATER WORLD
IVY
The second I stepped through the front door after my hike with Karson, the girls screamed with excitement.
“You’ve got an admirer, babe,” Sass exclaimed, brushing her cinnamon-colored hair off her shoulder. “I’d wager they’re from the guy you sang that duet with, hmm? Or are they from that guy who’s been asking you out forever?” She gestured toward a huge bouquet of twenty-four long-stemmed red roses.
I picked them up, inhaling the sweet floral scent, warmth blooming in my chest. Checking the card, I smiled as I read it aloud. “‘For the sweetest woman I’ve ever met.’”
“Aww, that’s so cute,” Olivia cried.
“Hey, where’s mine?” Suki grinned, glancing up at me through thick black bangs as she leaned in to smell the flowers.
“They’re stunning.” I held them closer. “And I think I know who sent them.”
“Yeah?” Curiosity flickered across Sass’s face. “Spill, babe. We want details.”
I slipped the roses into a vase while the girls ordered Thai food.
After the food arrived, we sat cross-legged on the living room floor, passing containers between us and laughing as I told them everything, including how I couldn’t seem to stop staring into those sky-blue eyes of his.
I recycled my container, picked up the heavy vase, and carried it to my room. I showered, then slipped into my pajamas. It’d been a long day, but I couldn’t stop thinking about seeing Karson again tomorrow.
IVY: Someone sent me the most beautiful roses. I wonder who they’re from??
As I pressed my nose against one of the buds, my phone buzzed.
KARSON: I guess you have a secret admirer… Glad you like them. Sweet dreams Ivy.
I sank back onto the bed, my head hitting the pillow, replaying the day, a grin still on my face.
Everything was awash in a sky-blue haze when I eventually fell asleep.
***
I leaned over the blender after my morning yoga session with Sass and Olivia, adding another spoonful of protein powder to our smoothies.
After tossing in raspberries, mango, banana, oat milk, I hit the button, waited for the mixture to smooth out, then poured it into three large glasses.
“So where are you taking this Karson hottie today, Ivy?” Sass asked cheekily, sipping her smoothie.
“We’re going to Water World. I want to see him without a shirt.” I waggled my eyebrows and handed Olivia her smoothie before taking a sip of my own.
“Smart. Plus, you can hypnotize him with that gold bikini again.” Olivia tapped the side of her forehead like she’d just cracked the code.
“Actually, I’m wearing my orange bikini today, so that plan will never work, babe.” We giggled. “But seriously, I just want to have a bit of fun with him before he leaves tomorrow.” I loaded my empty glass into the dishwasher.
“He’s probably fallen hard already. Am I right or am I right?” Sass laughed.
“She’s right.” Olivia nodded. “We all saw you on the stage together. The poor guy doesn’t stand a chance.”
Part of me hoped they were right…
I didn’t want today to be the end of our story. It felt like it’d just begun.
I changed into my bikini, denim shorts, a black singlet, then grabbed my bag and jumped into the car, typing out a quick message.
IVY: I’ve got a surprise for you today! Bring swim gear. Ivy x
I started up my faithful old car and pulled onto the road, heading toward the resort.
This might be the last time I see him. Even if it is, we still have today.
I had to make it count.
***
My heart raced when I spotted Karson on the sidewalk in front of the resort, the white streaks in his hair glowing under the sunlight.
It was a scorcher—even by Gold Coast standards—and I hoped he hadn’t been waiting there too long.
My heart thumped so loudly I thought he might hear as I pulled up alongside him.
He waved and I started to remove my seatbelt. “Jump in before you melt!”
His lips curled into slow, one-sided smile, and the butterflies sent my tummy into a backflip.
“Good morning, Miss Ivy,” he drawled in his heart-stopping accent as he pulled open the rear door with a chuckle. “No need for you to get out.” He climbed over into the front passenger seat and turned to look at me.
“Very smooth,” I said with a laugh.
“I thought you might have decided not to come, that I’d be leaving with a broken heart.” He held his hand dramatically over his heart.
The thought of him wanting to see me like that sent a spark racing through me. But I managed to mumble something about heavy traffic holding me up.
“In case you’re wondering, we’re going to Water World. I can’t wait! In this heat, it’s the perfect day to get wet. Am I right, City Boy?” I smiled.
“Getting wet sounds like a brilliant plan.” His mouth turned up in one corner as he gave me a sidelong glance.
The muscles in my abdomen clenched. I took a slow breath and pulled out onto the road.
We ebbed and flowed up the freeway amid heavy traffic, but it barely registered. I was just enjoying being with him again… Even if it was in a traffic jam.
We talked about everything and nothing. With every story he shared, and each layer that he peeled back, I struggled harder not to fall. I couldn’t believe Karson had walked into my life only forty-eight hours earlier.
It was as if I recognized him. Like we’d been here before. Like he was already in my muscle memory.
Other guys I’d dated weren’t like him. He was kind. Playful. Attentive. And he genuinely listened, wanting to know about my life. Every time I shared something, his face lit up, that disarming smile following close behind.
He looked deeper. He saw me. He got me.
Around him… it was like anything was possible. And bruh, can he sing—
“You look lost in thought.” Karson smiled.
A flush traveled up my neck. “Oh, ahem, I was thinking about you, actually.” I stole a glance at him.
“Fantasizing about me, were you?” He toyed with his necklace, there was a glint in his eye as he shot me a sidelong glance.
“Hey, look, we’re here!” Blinking rapidly, I pulled into the enormous parking lot.
***
We bought our tickets and then found some lockers inside to stash our bags away. Slathering on the sunscreen—a little too generously—we headed toward the rides and heard the blood-curdling screams.
I pointed to the Black Hole ride. “Come on, Karson. Let’s go on that one!”
“Hell yeah. It looks awesome.” He grinned as we moved closer and read the sign.
AN ADRENALINE-PUMPING SPIRAL!
IF YOU FEAR THE DARK…
THIS RIDE IS NOT FOR YOU.
We hurtled through the darkness, screaming the entire way down before emerging into daylight, giggling, drenched, and buzzing with adrenaline.
The sign was right; it was pitch-black.
“Let’s go again!” Karson shouted over the screams.
I shivered as we waited in the shady line, and he wrapped an arm around me, sending a tremble down my spine.
I could almost feel those lips pressing against mine, and a sharp stab of longing hit me. As I stole a glance at his strong shoulders and tanned chest, I brushed my hand lightly across his back.
Okay, wow. This guy is stupid hot.
My gaze trailed to his muscular arms. How would it feel to be wrapped in them?
Little droplets of water beaded on his neck. His messy blond hair had turned a tawny brown now that it was wet. I suppressed an urge to smooth it back from his gorgeous face—
“Ivy?” he said. “You ready?”
We’d reached the front of the line. I pulled myself back into the moment, and we sat on the mats.
After hurtling down the spiral one more time, we decided it was time for lunch.
***
We argued about who was paying for the food, and despite my protests, he quickly made a contactless payment.
Before he put his phone back in the waterproof pouch, a notification came through. He checked the screen, grinned, and flashed it at me to read.
DYSON: I won’t be back tonight :) But don’t worry, I’ll be back in the morning before we need to leave.
“That’s Dyson code for he’s hooking up tonight,” he explained with a chuckle.
Good on Dyson, I thought, giggling. I kind of wish that was Karson and me tonight.
He put his phone back in the bag.
We settled into the plastic chairs around an empty table and were munching hungrily on our fries and burgers when I saw a group of giggling girls, around our age, blatantly checking Karson out.
One of them walked over and tapped him on the shoulder. “Hey, my friend thinks you’re super-hot! Wanna come on some rides with us?” she said, as if he was sitting alone.
Karson, looking uncomfortable, politely declined, then glanced at me.
Ignoring his response, the rest of the group gathered around him and tried to change his mind.
“Hey, you look familiar, have we met somewhere before? I know your face,” said the girl who’d originally asked him on the ride.
“He does look familiar, I was thinking that too,” added the girl opposite her. “What’s your name? Maybe that will jog my memory.”
Karson shuffled from one foot to the other. “Look, thanks, but as you can see, I’m here with someone. If you can leave us to have our lunch, that’d be great, thanks.”
They didn’t budge.
“Oh, come on. One ride, then we’ll go. I promise,” said one of the others.
I slid my chair back and stood up. “Let’s go, babe. It’s time to pick the kids up from daycare—we’ll be late if we don’t hurry.”
The girls gaped at me, then at Karson, before dissolving into a fit of giggles as they hurried away.
“Wait, how many kids do we have?” he said as we cracked up. “Thanks, Ivy. You saved me. That was awkward… you Aussies are a determined bunch.” He chuckled and wolfed down his burger.
“Hey! Technically, you’re Aussie too, so careful what you say!” I teased.
I bit into my burger, laughing at myself for being jealous… I’d never felt that way before.
After lunch, we joined the small line at the River Dream.
When our turn came, Karson grabbed the tube in front of us and hurled himself onto it, then I jumped on right beside him.
My thigh pressed up against his rock-hard one, I held my breath as a quiver passed through me. As I checked out his powerful quads, I wondered what he did to get such great muscle tone.
Whatever it is, it’s working.
This guy is a total babe, but he’s so much more. I’ve never met someone so genuinely lovely… it’s so easy with him.
And fun. Why can't he live here?
I leaned closer, savoring the feel of his chest against my arm as we spun down the river through the tropical gardens surrounding us.
One of his hands rested on my thigh while the other was tucked behind his head. He stretched back luxuriously against the soft tube, eyes closed, catching the sun on his face.
Firm jaw. Full lips. Flawless tanned skin.
An elegant nose that fit the proportions of his exquisite face perfectly. Rays of sunshine spilled onto his tousled hair, and a few strands fell down over his forehead.
He smiled lazily. Moving his arm out from behind his head, he shifted closer, tracing his finger slowly up the length of my arm.
A wave of yearning engulfed me. I sighed softly, pressing my palm against his hard, wet chest.
“Ivy, what are you doing to me?” he murmured, tracing my bottom lip with his thumb.
I tilted my head to the side, as his warm lips met mine. Heat surged through me, stealing the breath from my lungs.
As I melted into the kiss, I gripped his chiseled arms. His tongue brushed against mine, sending another rush through me.
We broke apart slowly.
“Ivy, I…” he murmured, frowning as he rubbed his forehead.
The tube twirled down the river as we clung to each other silently. His fingers brushed my cheek and a flicker of sadness crossed his face.
My heart sank. “Karson, I wish you didn’t have to leave. I’m going to miss you.” A lump formed in my throat.
“You took the words right out of my mouth,” he whispered, letting out a small moan. “You know, I’ve never been able to talk to anyone the way I can talk to you.”
The tube bumped up against the river wall, jolting us even closer together.
“We get each other,” he said, the start of a smile playing at his lips. “And I don’t care what you look like.”
“Hey!” I smacked him on the arm lightly. “Watch it, buddy.”
He chuckled and pushed a strand of wet hair off my face. “What I meant was, even if you weren’t exquisitely… beautiful,” he said softly, “I’d still feel the exact same way about you. You have this warmth and inner beauty about you that I can’t resist.”
We entered a dark tunnel, and everything went black. I could feel his chest rising and falling beneath my hand.
“Ivy Lawrence,” he whispered into my ear, “you’re the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. Smart. Funny. Determined… And so hot, I can barely even breathe when I’m around you.” His cheek pressed against mine as we held each other, and came back into the light.
A deep longing swept through me.
“Karson,” I murmured, “these feelings are like like nothing I’ve ever known. And you’re gorgeous, inside and out. But when will I ever see you again?”
His lips traced along my neck, sending a shiver through me as we emerged from darkness.
He pulled away and searched my face, his brow furrowed. “I have to be back in Sydney in time for my mother’s birthday. It’s a huge event. If I miss it, my father will be unbearable. We leave at sunrise, but I promise I’ll come back as soon as I can.”
He was leaving. Tomorrow!
I concentrated on the view past his shoulder, hoping he wouldn’t see the disappointment on my face.
“I’d love that.” I mustered a smile. “And maybe I can visit you too. We could swim at Bronte and try not to get caught in the rip,” I joked, but my heart splintered at the thought of him being hundreds of miles away in just a matter of hours.
“It’s settled. I’ll come back as soon as I can.” His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
We clung to each other… I didn’t want to forget this feeling. Didn’t want to forget him.
Later, we made the journey back through the sweltering parking lot. With fingers intertwined and determined to enjoy our moments together, we talked about our next visit.
But our hearts grew heavy as our feet shuffled along the ground.
The drive back to the resort was a lot quieter than the other drives we’d shared. The weight of our time together ending so soon hung in the air like thunder on the horizon.
We’d only just found each other. And already… we had to say goodbye.