The Fallen Girls 💍

Chapter Twenty-One: Sparks

Her body was traitorous. Despite the warning bells sounding in her mind, every inch of her wanted to be near him. As he held her hands, she longed to throw herself back into the blissful warmth of his embrace.

She wanted nothing more than to surrender to him, to fall completely, holding nothing back. She longed to forget reality. Forget that Patsy and the paparazzi were waiting on top of the hill—undoubtedly with hatred in their eyes—and that the whole of America would probably despise her for taking Patsy's place—if that even happened at all. Most of all, she wanted to forget that Wes seemed willing to give up so much for her, and yet, he knew nothing about her. In fact, the little he knew was a complete lie.

As she looked into his eyes. The happiness and warmth in their golden specks looked so close to the beginnings of love. His words seemed genuine. He wanted her. She took a shaky breath. It was hard to believe.

"One week." She found herself saying, a nervous smile on her lips, her heart beating a million miles per second.

His mouth came crashing down on hers before she could catch her breath. She found herself spontaneously gripping his hard body to hers. All of her doubts melting away. He felt so right. She didn't want it to end.

His hand caressed the back of her neck and he groaned when he pulled away from her.

His eyes filled with heat as they met hers. "I've wanted to do that ever since I saw you on the beach—after I'd finished saving you." He chuckled. "Thought it'd be a heroic moment like the ones in the movies, but then you scowled at me and ran away."

Izzy stepped back, catching her breath. She clasped her shaking hands together as she studied his face. "What made you come down here to find me?"

"Honestly?" The curve of his lips set the butterflies in her stomach to flight. "I couldn't stand the thought of that shifty greaser putting his hands on you. And—," he continued, his expression serious. "I suddenly realized as I was standing there, surrounded by everyone who's anyone, that I don't have a single true friend in that entire crowd. All I wanted to do was see you."

She looked towards the hill, her stomach plunging at thought of returning to the reception. "I don't think I can go back up there."

Wes followed her gaze, frowning as a broad man came traipsing down the hill. "Shit. That's Patrick Steel. One of the Confidential's top reporters. I'm sure he's looking to snag a shot of the two of us." He turned to Izzy. "We don't need to finish out the wedding, do we? As long as we don't hurt Rita's feelings, I could care less about the rest."

Izzy wavered, biting her lip. "I think she'd understand."

"Good," said Wes, a twinkling in his eyes. "Cause I've got one more thing I need to do after we lose this guy."

She caught her breath once again as he grabbed her hand. He chuckled a little at her resistance. "Don't worry, it isn't what you're thinking."

They raced through the orange grove, hand in hand. Izzy's chest nearly burst with exhilaration as they shot between the branches, alluding the reporter. She found herself giggling like a schoolgirl as her hair snagged on a branch. Panting, she struggled to hold her dress, to keep it from dragging on the dry earth.

She nearly fell once, but he was quick to catch her, his hands wrapping firmly on her waist. For a brief moment before they set off again, their eyes met, laughing as they both gasped for air. The current between them was electrifying, not like anything she'd felt before.

Next to him, the world seemed so vibrant and beautiful. Every sight and smell was intensified. The sky was a dazzling shade of blue she'd never seen before. The citrusy smell of the grove floated through her nostrils. She'd never felt so alive.