Page 44 of Daddy Down Under

A shiver ran through me at Ocean’s words, his touch electrifying even in its gentleness. My breath caught as I met his intense gaze, seeing desire and something deeper swimming in those impossibly blue eyes. “Well,” I managed, my voice huskier than intended, “I suppose I could be persuaded to share a few secrets. But where’s the fun if I give everything away at once?”

Ocean’s lips curved into a sinful smirk. “Oh, I do love a challenge. And you, Cash, are the most delicious puzzle I’ve ever encountered.”

The arrival of our appetizers provided a welcome distraction from the heat building between us. Ocean had ordered a variety of small plates, each more colorful and aromatic than the last.

“Let’s start with these bánh bèo,” Ocean suggested, gesturing to delicate rice cakes topped with dried shrimp and crispy pork rinds. “They’re like little bites of heaven.”

I hesitated, my usual caution warring with a newfound desire to impress this captivating man. “I’ll trust your judgment,” I said, reaching for one of the tiny dishes.

When I took my first bite, an explosion of flavors danced across my tongue—savory, sweet, and umami all at once. I couldn’t suppress a small moan of pleasure.

“Good, right?” Ocean’s eyes sparkled with satisfaction. “You should see your face right now. It’s inspiring. And so was that sound you made.”

The heat in his gaze made me acutely aware of how that moan must have sounded. I cleared my throat, trying to regain some semblance of control. “It’s incredible. I’ve never tasted anything quite like it.”

As we continued to sample the various dishes, I relaxed, genuinely enjoying the culinary adventure. Ocean’s enthusiasm was infectious, and his knowledge of the cuisine was impressive without being pretentious.

“You know,” I said between bites of fragrant lemongrass chicken, “I appreciate you making me try different things. This is eye-opening.”

Ocean’s smile was warm and encouraging. “Sometimes the most rewarding experiences come when we step out of our comfort zones. Don’t you think?”

I knew he wasn’t talking about the food. My heart raced as I considered his words, the double meaning clear. Was I ready to truly let my guard down with this man? To explore not only new flavors but new feelings?

“You might be onto something there,” I admitted softly, surprised by my willingness to be vulnerable. “I’m finding that I quite enjoy expanding my horizons…with you.”

Ocean’s eyes lit up at my admission. “Well, I’m more than happy to be your guide in all things culinary and otherwise.”

Heat crept up my neck, but for once, I didn’t try to hide it. Instead, I chuckled, the sound surprising even me with its ease. “I’m open to either. You haven’t disappointed me so far.”

Ocean leaned back, his posture relaxed yet somehow still commanding. “What can I say? I have excellent taste.” His gaze raked over me appreciatively, and I felt a shiver of desire run down my spine.

We fell into a comfortable banter, discussing Ocean’s favorite spots in the city. His stories were punctuated with surfing metaphors and oceanic analogies that should have been cheesy but somehow worked coming from him. I laughed more than I had in years, a lightness settling in my chest that I hadn’t realized I’d been missing.

As we finished our meal, Ocean’s expression grew thoughtful. “You know, Cash, I’ve been meaning to ask you something.”

I raised an eyebrow, curious. “Oh?”

“You said you’d be willing to tell me more about my mom. What was she like?”

The question caught me off guard, memories of Marcia flooding back. I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. “Marcia was a force of nature. She had this infectious energy that drew people in. You remind me a lot of her.”

Ocean leaned forward, clearly eager to hear more. I was transported back to those college days, sharing anecdotes of Marcia’s adventures and misadventures. “There was this one time when she decided to organize a midnight mermaid competition in the campus fountain. She managed to convince half her dorm to join her. I’ve never seen campus security so baffled.”

As I spoke, I watched Ocean’s face, seeing glimpses of Marcia in his features, in the way his eyes crinkled when he laughed. It was bittersweet, realizing how much of her lived on in him.

“She sounds amazing,” Ocean said softly, a hint of longing in his voice. “I wish I’d had more time with her.”

I reached across the table, placing my hand over his without thinking. “She’d be so proud of you, Ocean, of the man you’ve become. She would’ve loved to see it.”

Our eyes met, and for a moment, the world around us faded. A connection formed—or maybe only intensified—deeper than physical attraction, rooted in shared history and mutual understanding. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at once.

As the moment lingered, a shadow passed over Ocean’s face. His brow furrowed slightly, and I felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere. “And my father? What was he like?”

The mention of Preston hit me like a bucket of ice water. My hand, still resting on Ocean’s, tensed involuntarily. I pulled it back, trying to mask my discomfort with a sip of water.

“Preston, yes,” I managed, my throat suddenly dry.

The weight of the past pressed down on me, memories I’d tried to bury resurfacing with startling clarity. The laughter and easy conversation of moments ago evaporated, replaced by a heavy silence.

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