Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
In which we explore more of Melbourne and end up with the most spectacular sunset I’ve ever seen in my life.
I’d been worried I’d ruined the mood with our serious conversation, but Ocean seemed to be able to shake it off as we left the café and continued exploring. He impressed me with his maturity.
“What’s our next stop?” I asked as we walked up Queen Street. Ocean had reached for my hand again, and I didn’t mind at all.
“Queen Victoria Market. It’s become a little too touristy, but it’s still one of my favorite spots.”
The energy shifted as we approached the market, the laneways giving way to a bustling cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells.
Ocean grinned. “Welcome to foodie heaven.”
He wasn’t kidding. Long rows held small shops and booths where everything from artisan cheeses to fresh fish, meat, and spices were sold.
We stopped at a shop that specialized in tea. “Oliver is a tea snob,” I told Ocean. “I need to get him some, or he’ll never forgive me.”
My amazement grew as I checked out all the unfamiliar flavors. What on earth was myrtle? I had no clue, but the woman from the shop was waxing poetic about it, so I bought a small tin of a blend called Waltzing Myrtle for Oliver, which has three kinds of myrtle plus other flavors, as well as jilungin tea, which was a native plant that was experimental enough that Oliver would love it.
We bought some hot jam donuts, which were advertised as American, though I’d certainly never had hot ones before. Ocean assured me it would be a crime not to eat those, and he wasn’t wrong. They tasted delicious. Once we’d cleaned our faces, we admired all the different fish and shellfish species and tried some dried sausage. Not my thing, but not bad.
I once again followed Ocean’s lead, hyperaware of how easily he took charge. It was exhilarating. My usual need for control was quiet. Instead, a heady mix of relief and joy washed over me. I was used to being the one calling the shots, but here, with Ocean, I found an unexpected pleasure in letting go.
“Look at these beauties,” he said, stopping at a produce stall. His tanned hand caressed a pile of deep purple figs, the gesture almost sensual. “Wanna try?”
Before I could answer, he’d already purchased two, handing one to me. Our fingers brushed, sending a jolt through my system.
“Go on,” he encouraged, bringing his fig to his lips.
I bit into the fruit, its sweetness exploding on my tongue. A trickle of juice escaped the corner of my mouth, and before I could react, Ocean’s thumb was there, wiping it away. The casual intimacy of the gesture left me breathless.
“Good, right?” he asked, his voice low.
“Delicious.” I wasn’t talking about the fig.
We moved from stall to stall, Ocean confidently selecting an array of local delicacies. I watched, fascinated, as he bantered with vendors and navigated the market’s maze-like layout with practiced ease.
We ended up grabbing some late lunch from a place that made the most delicious sandwiches I’d ever eaten. I devoured my fresh mozzarella with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and a balsamic syrup to the last crumb. Despite the fact that I’d told Ocean I wasn’t very hungry after sampling the varied foods. Guess I was wrong.
“How about we walk off all this food?” Ocean suggested after we were done with lunch. “We can head to the National Gallery and check out the exhibits.”
“Works for me.”
We meandered back down Queen Street and across the river toward the National Gallery, the bustling market fading behind us. The afternoon sun was hot on my skin as we walked, and I kept stealing glances at Ocean. His profile was sharp against the azure sky, and god, he was so pretty. How could someone so young exude such confidence? Then again, his father had been the same—though in a different way.
Oh, Preston had been charming, but it had always been a cold charm, a calculated one. Ocean radiated nothing but warmth. It made me happy to be in his presence.
We spent some lovely hours walking around the National Gallery. I was especially fascinated by their Bark Salon, where they displayed bark paintings. I’d never seen anything like it.
The Yarra River was close by, and we strolled along the riverbank, first on one side of the river and, after crossing it, back up the other side through a gorgeous park. Our conversation flowed as naturally as the river beside us. Ocean shared stories of epic waves and quiet sunrises, of the peace he found in the vastness of the ocean. I was captivated by the world he painted with his words. It made me want to try surfing, which came as a shock.
In return, I told him about my parents and how close we were, about my father sitting guard in his garden with a gun to shoot the dang rabbits—his words—and my mom embracing the country life and taking up canning, baking, and even quilting. He asked me about my work and what I loved about it, and I opened up more than I ever had to anyone.
We paused at a scenic spot along the riverbank. The city’s reflection shimmered on the surface, a mirror image of steel and glass dancing with each gentle ripple. It was breathtaking, like a painting come to life.
“This view never gets old,” Ocean said, his thumb tracing lazy circles on the back of my hand.
I swallowed hard, struggling to focus on the scenery and not the warmth of his skin against mine. “It’s beautiful.”
Ocean turned to face me, his eyes intense. “So are you, Cash.”
My heart hammered. I was used to compliments, to people trying to flatter me for my wealth or influence. But the raw honesty in Ocean’s voice struck a chord deep within me. “I… Thank you,” I stammered, feeling a blush creep up my neck.
Ocean’s lips quirked into a gentle smile. “You’re not used to genuine compliments, are you?”
I shook my head, chuckling softly. “Is it that obvious?”
“Only to someone who’s paying attention, which I am.”
He was. I’d never been the sole focus of anyone’s attention the way I was with him, and I couldn’t even begin to describe what it did to me.
“You know,” Ocean said, returning his gaze to the water, “the river reminds me of life. Always flowing, always changing. You can try to control it, but in the end, it’s better to learn how to ride the current.”
I chuckled softly. “Everything’s a water metaphor with you, isn’t it?”
He grinned, unabashed. “Guilty as charged. But am I wrong?”
I considered his words, watching a leaf float on the river’s surface. “You’re not wrong. I’ve spent so much of my life trying to control every aspect of it. It’s exhausting.”
Ocean’s hand squeezed mine, sending a jolt through my body. “Freedom isn’t about having no responsibilities, Cash. It’s about choosing which ones matter most to you.”
His words hit me hard. “I’ve always equated success with control. The idea of letting go terrifies me.”
Ocean’s gaze was steady, understanding. “But you’re here now, aren’t you? Taking a chance on a day with me, practically a stranger. That’s pretty brave in my book.”
I felt a warmth spread through my chest that had nothing to do with the sun. “Maybe I’m learning to ride the current after all. Also, you’re not a stranger. Not anymore.”
His smile made everything go weak. “Thank you,” he said softly, then leaned in to capture my mouth in a searing kiss.
“I’m getting pretty tired,” I admitted once I could speak again.
“Same. Let’s head to the Eureka Skydeck for dinner. The sunset from up there is absolutely killer.”
“You don’t think it’s booked at such short notice?”
Ocean laughed. “I made a reservation two days ago, and honestly, I doubt there’s a whole lot I can’t accomplish when mentioning your name. Even here.”
“But how did you…? I hadn’t even agreed to go sightseeing with you.”
He shrugged. “I was confident in my powers of persuasion.”
I wasn’t sure if I should be annoyed or impressed. Maybe both at the same time? “Not without reason,” I said with a sigh. “I have a hard time saying no to you.”
“So maybe stop fighting it and say yes.”
“I can see how that would be easy for you.”
“But for you as well.” Ocean grabbed my chin, forcing eye contact. “I’d never do anything to hurt you, Cash. I hope you’re starting to see that by now.”
“Yes.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat. “Doesn’t mean it’s easy for me to give up control.”
“I know…” His expression softened. “But it’ll be worth it. I promise, Cash, it’ll be so worth it.”
The intensity in his gaze made me squirm, and I took a step back. “I’ll try. That’s all I have right now, Ocean. Please don’t ask for more.”
He looked disappointed for a moment but then schooled his expression again. “I’ll wait until you’re ready.”
Ready for what? I had so many questions about this whole exchange. He wanted me to give up control, to let him lead…but to what? What did he want to do with me? I could hardly ask without revealing how much I was considering it, and that was a power I wasn’t ready to hand over to Ocean yet.
“Let’s head to the Eureka building,” he said, and once again, I followed his lead. “I love the food there, though it may not be quite up to your usual standards, but if that’s the case, the view will make up for a lot.”
It did. We were seated at an intimate table near the window, and I couldn’t stop staring outside. The city sprawled beneath us, a tapestry of lights and shadows stretching to the horizon.
“Holy shit,” I whispered, my eyes wide. “This is incredible.”
Ocean chuckled softly as his hand found mine again, his fingers intertwining with my own. The simple touch sent a jolt through my body. “Told you it was worth the trip. Look,”—he pointed with his other hand—“you can see all the way to Port Phillip Bay from here.”
I followed his gesture, marveling at the glittering expanse of water in the distance. As the sun descended, the sky transformed into a canvas of oranges and pinks, painting the city in a warm glow.
“It’s like the whole city’s on fire,” I said, transfixed by the view.
“Yeah, it’s pretty special. Kinda makes you feel small, doesn’t it?”
I nodded, acutely aware of his presence across from me. The beauty of the moment, combined with Ocean’s closeness, stirred something deep within me. A mix of excitement and fear coursed through my veins.
“You okay?” Ocean asked, his eyes searching mine.
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, I’m just… It’s a lot to take in.”
Ocean’s thumb traced circles on the back of my hand. “That’s what I love about views like this. They remind you how big the world is, how many possibilities are out there.”
I turned to look at him, struck by the intensity in his expression. “And what possibilities do you see?”
His lips curved into a smile that made my heart skip a beat. “Right now? I see a whole lot of potential right here in front of me.”
I swallowed thickly. “That doesn’t sound like something a casual fling would say.”
“I suppose not.”
“So what does it mean?”
Ocean brought my hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “Why don’t we take things one day at a time, hmm? Our first week isn’t even over yet, so we have over three more weeks to figure everything out.”
I couldn’t look away from Ocean’s eyes that seemed to see right through me, past all the carefully constructed walls I’d built over the years. It terrified me.
“Cash,” Ocean said softly, his hand squeezing mine gently. “You don’t have to be afraid. I’ve got you.”
With that, he proved again how well he could read me, which should make me even more scared but somehow reassured me. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this way.”
Ocean’s free hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing lightly across my stubble. “Like what?”
“Safe,” I whispered, leaning into his touch. “Accepted. Like I can be…me.”
The last rays of sunlight painted Ocean’s face in warm hues, highlighting the curve of his jaw and the fullness of his lips. God, he was beautiful. And not just physically—there was a depth to him, a strength that both intimidated and attracted me.
“You can always be yourself with me, Cash,” Ocean murmured, his eyes never leaving mine. “No masks, no pretenses. Just you.”
Just me.
God, I wanted that. I craved it.
But did I dare let go?