Page 72 of Daddy Down Under

“Can you blame me?” The words slipped out before I could stop them, and I blamed the wine for my loose tongue. “You’re kind of gorgeous.”

His laugh was low and rich. “Kind of?”

“Don’t fish for compliments. Your ego’s big enough as it is.”

Danny chuckled from the front seat, and Ocean shot him a mock glare through the rearview mirror. “Eyes on the road, mate.”

I shifted in my seat, resting my hand on Ocean’s thigh. His muscles tensed under my touch, and satisfaction curled in my belly. It was heady, knowing I could affect him as much as he affected me.

“Today was perfect,” I murmured, watching the moonlight glint off the ocean in the distance. “Thank you for showing me all this.”

Ocean covered my hand with his, intertwining our fingers. “The day’s not over yet, baby boy.”

Something in his tone made heat pool in my gut. “Oh?”

“Mmm.” He lifted our joined hands to his lips, kissing my knuckles. “I’ve got plans for you when we get back.”

The promise in his voice made me shiver. “Care to share those plans?”

His thumb traced circles on my palm, each touch sending sparks up my arm. “Let’s just say I plan to make you forget all about those snakes you were so worried about.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

In which a perfect day ends in a perfect way.

I couldn’t stop smilingas Ocean and I stepped back into the presidential suite, still on a high from our amazing day together. It was after midnight by now, but we’d both taken a long nap on the drive back, so I wasn’t that tired.

As I closed the heavy door behind us, the sounds of the bustling city faded, replaced by a comfortable silence. The Melbourne skyline twinkled through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the opulent room in a warm, golden glow.

Ocean’s eyes crinkled as he watched me. “You look like you could use another drink, Cash.”

Oh, we weren’t immediately moving onto the plans he had mentioned earlier? I hid my disappointment.

“Sounds perfect.” I sank onto one of the velvet sofas.

I watched appreciatively as Ocean moved to the minibar with fluid grace, his lean surfer’s body poetry in motion. He bent to examine the wine selection, giving me an excellent view of his ass in his tight pants. My mouth went a little dry.

“Red or white?” Ocean called over his shoulder.

“Dealer’s choice.”

He selected a bottle of red and poured two generous glasses. As he walked back toward me, I couldn’t tear my eyes away. He was so goddamn beautiful.

Ocean handed me a glass, his fingers brushing mine. Even that slight touch sent a shiver through me. He settled beside me on the sofa, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from his body.

“To exploring,” he said, raising his glass in a toast.

I clinked my glass against his. “And to excellent company.”

Ocean leaned back, his posture open and inviting. “What was your favorite part of today?”

“The ocean. It’s constantly changing, evolving, moving. Every time I looked out the car window and every time we stopped at a scenic overlook, it was different. The waves, the light, the clouds…”

Ocean nodded, a wide smile on his lips. “That’s what keeps drawing me in. She’s alive, never the same.”

He leaned in closer with an intensity in his gaze that made my breath catch. His hand reached out, gently brushing a stray lock of hair from my forehead. His touch was featherlight, but it sent electricity coursing through my body. My heart skipped a beat, the simple gesture so sweet and tender.

“I loved spending this day with you,” he said softly. “Seeing you fully relax and take it all in felt like a privilege.” Ocean’s fingers lingered near my temple, tracing a path down to my jawline. “It’s the way you take it all in. You don’t just look. You absorb.”

---