Page 60 of Daddy Down Under

“I completely understand.” He leaned in for a wet, salty kiss. “And don’t thank me. It’s a pleasure to spend time with you, and besides, you did all the work.”

We had another snack, put on more sunscreen, and then sat on our boards in the shallows and talked, gently bobbing with the waves.

“Preston never went surfing with me,” Ocean said. “He never came to watch me compete either. After my mom died, I was on my own. I would either catch a ride with a friend or RJ, our driver, would take me. He’d watch me and tell me how well I was doing, but Preston never did.”

He’d missed out on so much. It made me realize how lucky I had been with my parents. “I played chess all through middle and high school,” I said. “Arguably the most boring thing to watch, but my parents never missed a tournament. One of them would be there, both if they could make it.”

Ocean smiled at me. “I’m so happy you had such wonderful parents.”

“So am I. Things would’ve been very different if I’d grown up in the foster care system.”

The sun had started her descent, though sunset was still a few hours away. The ocean sparkled and shimmered under the warm light, the waves rolling in with a soothing rhythm. My muscles ached everywhere, a tangible reminder of the new experiences I’d embraced, and the taste of salt lingered on my lips, the result of countless wipeouts and duck dives. The gentle lapping of the waves against our boards created a soothing soundtrack, accompanied by the distant sounds of seagulls.

A deep sense of contentment washed over me. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this free.”

Ocean slowly nodded, a sweet smile playing on his lips. “That’s the magic of the ocean. It has a way of washing away all the bullshit.”

“I didn’t realize how much bullshit I was carrying.”

As I gazed at Ocean, his focus completely on me as usual, a realization hit me with the force of a breaking wave. I was happy. Genuinely, unequivocally happy.

But could it last?

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

In which an amazing day ends in the best way possible…with me seeing stars. Actually, make that a whole damn galaxy.

“I hadway more fun than I expected,” I admitted as we were on the way back.

He patted my knee. “You did well.”

“I’m gonna be majorly sore tomorrow.” I stretched a little, my muscles protesting. “I’m feeling it already.”

“Hmm, that’s a shame.” Ocean trailed his index finger up my thigh. “I had plans for us for this evening.”

“P-plans?”

“Plans of the naked kind.” His fingers trailed higher, then casually rested on my cock, which hardened under his touch. “But if you’re too tired for that…”

He removed his hand, but I snatched it and put it back. “Not that tired. Not tired at all, actually.”

His chuckle was low. “I’m glad to hear it, baby, because I have a fierce need to be inside you.”

Those words sent a jolt of pure want through me. “Tease,” I accused, but there was no bite to it.

Ocean’s grin was downright sinful. “Oh, I fully intend to follow through. But anticipation is half the fun.”

He was right, damn him. The rest of the drive was a delicious torture, every casual touch and heated glance stoking the fire burning under my skin. Thank god for the privacy partition…and one very discreet driver. By the time we pulled up to the hotel, I was practically vibrating with need.

Ocean kept a possessive hand on my lower back as we made our way through the lobby, his touch both a comfort and a promise. The elevator ride seemed to last an eternity, the enclosed space filled with tension so thick I could taste it.

The moment the door to our suite closed behind us, Ocean had me pressed against the wall, his body a hard line of heat against mine. His mouth crashed onto mine, hungry and demanding, and I opened for him without hesitation.

His tongue swept into my mouth, claiming and possessive, and I moaned into the kiss, my hands fisting in his shirt to pull him closer. Ocean’s hands were everywhere, skimming down my sides, gripping my hips, sliding around to palm my ass. Each touch set my nerve endings on fire, turning my blood to molten lava.

“Ocean,” I gasped as he broke the kiss to trail his lips down my throat. “Please…”

“Please, what?” His voice was a low rumble against my skin. “Tell me what you need.”

---