Page 1 of Daddy Down Under

CHAPTER ONE

In which I make an uncharacteristically impulsive decision that somehow feels right anyway. And there are words I never thought I’d say because I don’t believe in feelings.

I gazedat the glittering Manhattan skyline, the lights twinkling like distant stars against the velvet night sky. Below me, cars crept like Hot Wheels along slush-filled roads and people were little ants navigating the packed streets. My corner office on the eighty-fifth floor afforded a million-dollar view that never failed to remind me how far I’d come. Yet, as I sat in my custom Italian leather chair, I felt a hollowness in my chest that no amount of success could seem to fill.

My eyes drifted to the framed photo on my desk—my adoptive parents and me at their farmhouse in the Catskills last summer. Their smiling faces made the ache in my chest throb. When was the last time I’d felt that kind of warmth, that sense of belonging with anyone but them?

I sighed, running a hand through my salt-and-pepper hair. At forty-four, I had more wealth and power than I’d ever dreamed of as an orphaned kid from Queens. My name was respected, my business was included yearly in the top ten of the Fortune 500, and my email inbox was always full of invitations to speak, attend, and donate.

I was bored out of my mind.

Ennui.

Such a melodious, rich word for the most awful feeling in the world. Okay, maybe not the absolute worst, but it definitely ranked in my top ten. Or at least in my top twenty. Whatever. The point was that Ihatedfeeling this spoiled boredom where nothing excited me anymore.

I felt old. Ancient. Way past my prime, despite what my many lovers told me. Their compliments about my body boosted my ego but never reached my soul, which was as empty and black as always.

Jesus, I needed a kick in the butt. Or slap in the face. Maybe both.

Maybe it was because a series of deals had gone bad, some after putting many hours into them. Somehow, I’d lost my magic touch, and it was unnerving. I built my company from scratch, guided by a business instinct that rarely failed me, but lately, my radar had been off.

Or maybe it was because it was January, the start of a new year, yet I couldn’t make myself excited about anything. No New Year’s resolutions, no plans that made my heart pump faster, nothing to look forward to.

I needed…something. Something had to change, to give, because I couldn’t do this anymore. I was one bad day away from losing my shit, and I couldn’t afford that. Also, way too embarrassing. I had an image to maintain and all that.

I needed to get away. A change of scenery would do me good.

I sat up straight. That was it. I needed a reason to be gone for a little while. Force myself out of this endless routine and open myself to new experiences. Get out of this rut.

My mind raced, considering the possibilities. Japan, maybe? Culture-wise, that might be a challenge. Also, I wanted to score hookups easily. So Japan was out. Somewhere in Europe? The French were great lovers, and the food was amazing, but did I want to spend a few weeks in Paris? Not really. London? Prague? Amsterdam?

Hmm, the deal brewing in Australia could use my personal touch. Same language, no issues getting laid, and Australia was literally on the other side of the world. I couldn’t get farther away than that, so that had to do the trick, right?

Before I could second-guess myself, I shot to my feet and strode to the door. “Oliver!” I called, my voice echoing in the empty hallway. Everyone else had left already, leaving me and my personal assistant. “I need you in here.”

My heart pounded as I paced back to my desk, adrenaline coursing through my veins. This was crazy, impulsive. But for the first time in months, I felt alive.

Seconds later, Oliver breezed in, his brown hair still perfectly coiffed and his slim figure accentuated by a tailored suit that made his perfect bubble butt pop. His brown eyes sparkled behind his glasses as he flashed me a sassy grin.

“What’s the emergency, boss? Did we run out of that fancy imported coffee you love so much?”

I chuckled, some of the tension easing from my shoulders. “Not quite, Oliver. I’ve decided to handle the Melbourne deal personally, and I need you to make the travel arrangements.”

Oliver’s eyebrows shot up, his mouth forming a perfectOof surprise. “Melbourne? As in Australia? I thought that was a complicated acquisition that could take weeks.”

“It is and probably will. It’s an excellent opportunity for me to spend some time there. I’ve never been.”

Oliver stepped closer, concern etching lines across his youthful face. “I’m not used to you being this impulsive. Are you feeling all right?”

I forced a confident smile, hoping it didn’t look as strained as it felt. “Of course,” I lied smoothly, leaning back against my desk with practiced nonchalance. “Sometimes a CEO needs to get his hands dirty, right?”

“Is this because of the Kramer deal?”

He was referring to one of the recent acquisitions that had gone wrong for reasons I still couldn’t quite figure out. Everything seemed to be going well until they pulled out at the last moment, citing a higher bid from a different company.

“No. Well, not specifically. I’ve had a string of bad luck, and I figure a more personal approach might make the difference.”

Oliver’s eyes narrowed, and for a moment, I was sure he’d call me out on my bullshit. But then his professional mask slipped back into place, though worry still lurked in his gaze. “I’ll make the arrangements right away. Though I do hope you’ll at least consider taking some time to enjoy the city while you’re there. All work and no play makes Cash a dull boy, after all.”

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