Page 34 of Daddy Down Under

“Monday?” I frowned. “I can’t work tomorrow either?”

Ocean crossed his arms, sending me a stern look. “You’re in one of my favorite cities in the world. You can’t be here for four weeks and not see anything of it.”

“Between you and Oliver, you’re worse than travel agents,” I muttered.

“I have a feeling Oliver and I would get along very well.”

Jesus, there was a frightening thought. They’d turn my whole existence upside down and smile while doing it. “Lord help me when you two ever meet…”

“I can’t wait.” Ocean stretched lazily, then stuffed the last bit of croissant into his mouth and got up.

“Where are you going?”

“Picking an outfit for you. We’ll be walking all day.”

Jesus take the wheel, was he serious? Oh, he was. Within thirty seconds, he’d laid out a pair of dark-blue shorts, a white Polo shirt, some canvas-type shoes I didn’t recognize with the dubious brand of HEYDUDE on them, and no-show socks. He threw a pair of my new underwear on top. “That’ll do.”

Was there even any sense in protesting? It would only delay the inevitable and cost me a lot of energy. So I sighed deeply. “I’ll hop in the shower.”

“Don’t forget to clean yourself.”

My cheeks heated instantly. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“I thought that was a one-time thing.”

He grinned. “No, you didn’t. You hoped it was a one-time thing, and it’s not. I want to be able to fuck you whenever the mood strikes, so can you do this for me? Please?”

Jesus, when he said please and looked at me like that, I couldn’t even form the word no. “If it makes you happy,” I grumbled, stomping to the bathroom.

“It does, Cash. It makes me very happy.”

Well, that was something, at least. Half an hour later, my ass was squeaky clean, I was slathered in sunscreen at Ocean’s urging, and I was dressed in the clothes Ocean had picked out for me. Which, I had to admit, looked good on me. And the shoes were surprisingly comfy, not at all what I had expected.

“Perfect.” Ocean handed me a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses I didn’t even know I’d brought, as well as a white baseball cap. “You’re gonna need these too.”

“I didn’t know I owned these.”

He grinned. “Until yesterday, you didn’t. I bought them at the beach.”

Of course he had. “Thank you?”

“You’ll be grateful for them once we’re outside, trust me. The sun here is no joke.”

I had no doubt. It was easier not to fight him. Besides, if I agreed to do some sightseeing today, Oliver would get off my ass as well, and I’d be able to get work done the rest of the time.

The morning sun caressed my skin as Ocean and I stepped out of the hotel. Ocean’s confident stride set our pace as we headed toward the laneways, the name for the smaller streets Melbourne was famous for.

“Ready for an adventure, Cash?” Ocean flashed his devil-may-care grin that made my heart skip.

“Lead on.” I hoped I projected confidence because inside, nervous excitement fluttered. This was new territory for me—literally and figuratively.

“Why are these laneways so famous?” I asked as we walked.

“They have the cutest shops and restaurants, but you can also find amazing street art there, like murals and graffiti.”

“Graffiti? I thought that was vandalism.”

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