Page 13 of Paparazzi Perfect
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 maygo.”
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.Thenwe 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.
