Daddy Down Under

Chapter 1

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 gazed at 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 I hated feeling 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 perfect O of 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.”

I waved my hand dismissively, turning to look out the window so he wouldn’t see the doubt I feared was written all over my face. “We’ll see, Oliver. Let’s focus on the business at hand for now.”

“Okay.”

“I’m heading home to pack. Please call me when you have my travel details.”

As Oliver’s footsteps retreated, I let out a shaky breath. What the hell was I doing? But it was too late to back out now. Maybe this impulsive trip was exactly what I needed to shake myself out of this funk.

Or maybe I was running away from problems I couldn’t solve with money or power. Only time would tell.

My driver was waiting for me at the curb, so Oliver must’ve given him a heads-up I was heading out. “Good evening, Mr. Sullivan.”

“Good evening, Thomas. I’d like to go home, please.”

“Absolutely, Mr. Sullivan.”

My thoughts were all over the place on the short drive to my Manhattan penthouse. I’d bought it because it overlooked Central Park, which would be calming, the Realtor had assured me. The reality was that I barely spent time there, so the view didn’t matter all that much.

“Thank you, Thomas,” I said when he dropped me off in front of my building.

“Have a pleasant evening, Mr. Sullivan.”

I got out, ignoring the paparazzi hanging about, probably freezing their asses off in the cold in the hopes of getting a good picture. The building housed nothing but celebrities, and I was the least interesting of them all—though the paps loved shots of me in “compromising” positions with other men. Not sure what was compromising about kissing and fucking when I was single, but whatever floated their boat. I never paid attention to those kinds of tabloids anyway, my taste running more toward the Wall Street Journal .

After greeting the concierge and the security guards, I took the private elevator to my floor. While sipping from a glass of a superb thirty-year-old Talisker, I started packing. Well, throwing things haphazardly into a suitcase, more accurately. I never packed for myself—that was one of the many things Oliver always did for me. But how hard could it be?

Suits, shirts, ties, socks. Underwear. I needed underwear. Fuck, they weren’t back from the dry cleaning service till tomorrow. I’d have to buy some new ones. In the meantime, I could use those godawful blue silk boxers. They were a classic example of expense not equaling taste. Or quality. As hideous as they were, they’d have to do for now.

My mind wandered as I moved about the room. When was the last time I’d done something spontaneous like this? When was the last time I’d done anything for myself without analyzing every potential business angle?

I paused, a silk tie dangling from my hand. The truth was, I couldn’t remember. Somewhere along the way, I’d built walls so high that even I couldn’t see over them. I’d convinced myself that loneliness was the price of success, that emotional connections were liabilities. But now the emptiness I’d been trying to ignore yawned wide open, threatening to swallow me whole.

I shook my head, trying to dispel the melancholy thoughts. This trip was about business, about expanding my empire. Nothing more. If I could also use it to stave off the boredom, that would be a bonus, but that was it.

But even as I tried to convince myself, I knew it wasn’t true. This spontaneous journey to Melbourne felt different, charged with a potential I couldn’t quite name.

My phone rang, and I put it on speaker. “I’ve made travel arrangements,” Oliver said, his voice crisp and efficient. “Unfortunately, your private jet was scheduled for maintenance since you weren’t supposed to be traveling, and I was unable to secure a private charter for that long of a distance. But I’ve booked you on a commercial flight out of JFK that leaves early tomorrow morning. First class, of course. You’ll have to switch planes in LA and then again in Sydney.”

Commercial? I pinched the bridge of my nose. The thought of dealing with crowds and security lines made my head throb. Jesus, I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d flown commercial. And yes, I was well aware of how fucking privileged that sounded. Still, this wasn’t Oliver’s fault. “Okay, thanks. And accommodation?”

“I’ve contacted the Queen Victoria Hotel in Melbourne’s Central Business District to secure their presidential suite for your stay.”

I was impressed, as always, by Oliver’s lightning-fast efficiency. “Good work, Oliver. What about transportation once I’m there?”

“I’ve arranged for a luxury car service to be at your disposal.”

As Oliver rattled off more details, a soft feeling hit me. His dedication was unwavering, even when I was being an ass. I felt guilty, knowing I’d brushed off his genuine concern earlier. “Thank you, Oliver,” I said softly, interrupting his rundown of my itinerary. “I appreciate your thoroughness. And your concern.”

“Of course. Are you sure you’re okay with your flight? I could try to reschedule for later this week when your jet will be available again.”

“No,” I said quickly, perhaps too quickly. “No, it’s fine. I need to be in Melbourne. A commercial flight won’t kill me.”

Oliver’s sigh was barely audible. “What if…? What if I came with you? You’ll need someone to take care of you, and it will be near impossible for me to do a proper job if I’m in New York, what with the time difference and all.”

For a brief, tempting moment, I let myself imagine it: wandering the streets of Melbourne with Oliver, his infectious laugh brightening my days. But then reality came crashing back. Oliver, with his perfect ass and those lips I’d caught myself staring at more times than I cared to admit. Oliver, who was not only my employee but one of the few people I truly trusted.

“That’s kind of you,” I managed, my throat suddenly dry. “But I think it’s best if I handle this one solo.”

I didn’t dare say more, afraid he’d hear the truth in my voice: that having him so close, in a foreign city, with no work buffer between us and both of us single… It would be far too tempting. I’d end up crossing a line I couldn’t uncross, jeopardizing our working relationship and the friendship I valued more than I cared to admit. Somehow, he’d become my only friend, and I wasn’t willing to lose him.

There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Alright,” Oliver finally said, his tone unconvinced. “If you’re sure. Just…take care of yourself, okay? Melbourne’s a long way from home.”

I swallowed hard, touched by his concern even as I bristled at the implication that I needed looking after. “I always do, Oliver. You know that.”

“Cash,” he said, his voice softer than usual, “Make sure to take time to relax. You’ve been working nonstop for months.”

I felt a flicker of irritation, but I quickly tamped it down. Oliver meant well, but I didn’t need coddling. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine. This deal could be huge for us.”

“I know, but your well-being matters too. When was the last time you did something for fun?”

The question hit closer to home than I cared to admit. I slammed my suitcase shut, locking it with more force than necessary. “I have plenty of fun,” I lied, thinking of the nameless hookups that left me feeling emptier than before.

“That’s not the fun I was talking about,” Oliver said dryly, reading my mind as usual, even over the phone.

“Well, that’s the only kind I know.”

“Go sightseeing. It’s supposed to be a gorgeous city. You can do a day tour of the Great Ocean Road and see some amazing sights. Or take a winery trip to the Yarra Valley, do a visit to the zoo to see Australian wildlife —”

“How do you know all this?”

“I did research. That’s my job.”

“You see it as your job to make a list of things I need to see in Melbourne?”

“I see it as my job to take care of you, and making a list of things for you to see in the vain hope that, for once, you’ll heed my advice is part of that.”

The kid was like a freaking dog with a juicy bone. He would not let go. “I need to finish packing and get a few hours of sleep before my flight.”

“Thomas will be there at five a.m. sharp.”

I checked the time and sighed. Great, another short night. “Can’t wait to spend twenty-four hours on a commercial airplane.”

“It’s only twenty-two since we’re not counting your layover in Sydney. And cheer up because most of the plane will be sitting cramped in economy while you’re living the rich life in first class.”

The sharp edge in his tone didn’t escape me. Few people had the ability to hold up a mirror like Oliver could. “I know. I’m sorry.”

“Go get some sleep, Cash. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

He ended the call before I could respond, leaving me strangely guilty. Why was he on my case to have fun anyway? Didn’t he know me better by now?

Despite my impulsive decision, this was still a business trip and nothing else. I needed a change of scenery, but my goal was to close the deal with… Shit, what was the name of the Australian company I was interested in buying? I’d better do some research to prepare myself. After all, I wasn’t sure I’d have Wi-Fi when flying commercial.

When I finally crawled into bed at two in the morning, I fell into a restless sleep, dreaming of Oliver being angry with me.