Chapter 24
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
In which we see more of the ocean and more of Ocean…and both are equally stunning.
“Next up is a short walk through a rainforest,” Ocean said.
“A rainforest?” I frowned. “Australia has a rainforest?”
“It has a lot of them, actually. Most are in Queensland and some in Tasmania, but there’s a small one along this coast in Great Otway National Park. I wanted you to experience what it’s like. The birds… You’ve never heard anything like it.”
As always, his enthusiasm was contagious, and by the time Danny parked the car, I was ready. I now understood why Ocean had told me to wear long pants and long sleeves, along with hiking shoes. Shoes I hadn’t owned, I might add, but had magically appeared in my closet. Ocean really was amazing.
The path into the rainforest was like stepping into another world. The air grew thick and heavy with moisture, wrapping around us like a warm blanket. Towering ferns unfurled above our heads, their delicate fronds creating intricate patterns against the filtered sunlight.
“Listen,” Ocean whispered, his hand squeezing mine.
The cacophony of bird calls was unlike anything I’d ever heard—sharp trills, melodic whistles, and sounds that seemed almost mechanical. It was a symphony of the wild, echoing through the canopy above.
“That’s incredible.” I peered through the dense foliage, trying to spot the source of the calls.
“Right? It’s like nature’s own surround sound system.” Ocean’s eyes sparkled with joy as he guided me along the wooden boardwalk. “And look up there.”
He pointed to where vines twisted around massive tree trunks, creating natural sculptures no human artist could replicate. The forest floor was a riot of fallen leaves and moss-covered logs, creating an earthy perfume that filled my nostrils.
“You know what’s funny?” I ducked under a low-hanging branch. “I’ve traveled all over the world for business, but I’ve never really stopped to experience places like this. It’s always been about the next meeting, the next deal.”
Ocean’s thumb traced circles on my palm. “The ocean might be my first love, but places like this? They remind me there’s magic everywhere if we slow down enough to notice it.”
A flash of crimson caught my eye. A parrot? It disappeared too quickly for me to be sure. The boardwalk curved ahead, disappearing into more lush greenery. What other wonders did this hidden world hold?
As we ventured deeper into the rainforest, the temperature dropped noticeably. The canopy above grew denser, creating an ethereal green glow that made everything seem mystical. Ocean’s hand remained a steady anchor, guiding me around corners and over exposed roots that had begun to encroach on the boardwalk.
“Watch your step here,” he warned, steadying me as I navigated a particularly slippery section. “The morning dew makes everything treacherous until the sun hits it.”
A rustling above caught our attention, and we both looked up to see a flash of gray fur. “Possum,” Ocean explained. “Different from the ones we have back home. These guys are way cuter.”
I chuckled. “Hard to be worse than New York City possums. Those things look like rats on steroids.”
The boardwalk opened into a small clearing where a wooden platform offered a view over a valley thick with ferns and palms. Ocean pulled me to a stop, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind. His chest pressed against my back, solid and warm.
“This is my favorite spot,” he whispered near my ear, his breath tickling my skin. “Sometimes, when the wind comes from the right direction, you can hear the ocean from here. It’s like the forest and the sea are having a conversation.”
I leaned back into him, letting his strength support me as I took in the view. The morning mist was starting to lift, revealing layers of green in every imaginable shade. “It’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful, baby boy,” he countered, kissing my neck.
A loud screech from above made me jump, breaking the moment. Ocean laughed, the sound rich and warm. “Just a cockatoo. They’re the drama queens of the forest.”
“You really know a lot about this place.”
His eyes, true to their nickname, reflected all the wild beauty around us. “I spent a lot of time exploring when I first came here. The ocean was my escape, but this?” He gestured to our surroundings. “This became my sanctuary. Sometimes, you need somewhere quiet to figure things out, you know?”
He was so much more than the surfer dude I had pegged him for initially.
We left the rainforest behind us and continued our drive, rejoining our scenic drive along the ocean.
“We’re at the last viewpoint,” Danny announced, and Ocean and I exited the car again.
“It’s a bit of a walk here, but it’s totally worth it,” Ocean said. “This point overlooks what’s known as the Twelve Apostles, even though there’s only eight left. They’re natural rock formations that are truly awe-inspiring.”
As we rounded a bend, a bright-yellow sign caught my eye. CAUTION: Venomous Snakes it proclaimed in bold letters.
“Whoa, hold up,” I said, unable to keep the alarm from my voice. “Venomous snakes? As in, plural?”
“This is Australia, baby boy. They have venomous snakes here.”
“But…but aren’t those dangerous? Why would we want to walk here if there are snakes?”
He took my hand and pressed a kiss on it. “If that’s gonna stop you, you won’t see any of this beautiful country. There are snakes and spiders everywhere.”
I shuddered. “Not helping, dude. Not helping.”
Ocean chuckled. “Aw, is the big bad billionaire scared of a little snake?”
I shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it. “I prefer my wildlife encounters to be of the cute and cuddly variety, thank you very much.”
He leaned in close, his breath tickling my ear. “Don’t worry, baby boy,” he whispered, the pet name sending a shiver down my spine. “I’ll protect you from the snakes.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile tugging at my lips. “You’d sacrifice yourself for me?”
“In a heartbeat.”
I wasn’t convinced, but since throngs of people were following the path, it couldn’t be that dangerous, right?
The sun painted the ocean in a kaleidoscope of colors—deep indigos bleeding into vibrant teals and soft lavenders. I was mesmerized by the changing hues, each turn in the road revealing a new masterpiece.
“It’s like the ocean can’t make up its mind.”
He chuckled softly beside me. “That’s the beauty of it. Always changing, always surprising you.”
I’d never met anyone who appreciated beauty the way Ocean did. He was so present and aware of the wonder around him.
“This is the spot,” he said softly, leading me to a wooden platform that jutted over the cliff edge. The wind whipped at our clothes, carrying the tang of salt and the distant cry of seabirds. “The locals call this Nature’s Symphony.”
I could see why. The waves crashed against the rocks below in a rhythmic pattern, creating a haunting melody that seemed to echo off the cliffs. The fading sunlight caught the spray, turning it into diamonds that danced in the air. I was mesmerized by the display. “It’s like the ocean’s putting on a show for us.”
Ocean stepped behind me again, his arms wrapping around my waist, and I melted back against him. “You know what’s funny? I’ve seen this sunset probably a hundred times, but watching you experience it for the first time makes it feel brand new.”
Something in his tone made my heart skip a beat. I turned in his arms, finding his eyes already on mine. The intensity in them stole my breath more effectively than any view could.
“Ocean…” I started, but he pressed a finger to my lips.
“Just let me look at you for a minute,” he whispered. “The way the light’s hitting your face right now… you’re glowing, baby boy. You look happy.”
I swallowed hard, caught between the raw beauty of nature around us and the equally raw emotion in Ocean’s eyes. “I am happy,” I admitted, the words feeling like a confession and a revelation. “Happier than I’ve been in… I can’t even remember how long.”
Ocean’s hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing across my skin with a tenderness that made my chest ache. The wind ruffled his hair, turning the blond strands into a halo in the golden light. “You deserve to be happy,” he said, his voice carrying that quiet certainty that seemed to cut straight through my defenses. “To experience life beyond board rooms and balance sheets. To feel alive.”
As if to punctuate his words, a particularly large wave crashed against the rocks below, sending spray high into the air. The mist caught the sunlight, creating a momentary rainbow that seemed to arch between us and the horizon.
“I think…” I hesitated, struggling to put into words the realization that had been building all day. “I think I forgot what that felt like. Being alive, I mean. Really alive, not just existing.”
Ocean’s smile was soft, understanding. “The ocean has a way of reminding us. So does love.”
The casual way he dropped that word made my heart stutter. Before I could respond, he leaned in and kissed me, soft and sweet, tasting of salt air and promises. When he pulled back, his eyes held mine, serious despite his gentle smile.
“I know you’re scared. I can feel it in the way you hold back like you’re waiting for the other shoe to drop. But, Cash? I’m not going anywhere. Whatever happens tomorrow with the final results of the audit, whatever storms come our way, I’m right here.”
The intensity of his words hit me like a wave, threatening to pull me under. My chest felt tight, emotions I couldn’t name churning inside me like a riptide. Part of me wanted to run, to retreat to the safety of my carefully constructed walls. But a larger part wanted to dive in headfirst, let Ocean pull me into his depths.
“How do you do that? How do you just…say what you feel, without hesitation?”
He brushed his thumb across my bottom lip, sending sparks through my entire body. “Because life’s too short for hesitation, baby boy. The ocean taught me that. You never know when the perfect wave is coming, but when it does, you either catch it or watch it pass you by.”
The metaphor wasn’t lost on me. I closed my eyes, letting the sound of the ocean below ground me. “And this is our perfect wave?”
“Look at me.” When I opened my eyes, the intensity in his gaze nearly knocked me backward. “This isn’t a wave, Cash. This is a tsunami, and it’s already swept us both off our feet. The question is, will you fight against the current or let it carry you?”
I took a shaky breath, overwhelmed by the truth in his words. The setting sun painted his face in shades of gold and amber, making him look almost otherworldly. My hands trembled as I reached up to cup his face.
“I’m not a strong swimmer.”
Ocean’s laugh was soft, tender. “Good thing you’ve got yourself a lifeguard then.”
“Is that what you are? My lifeguard?”
His eyes darkened, and he pressed closer until I could feel the heat radiating from his body. “I’m whatever you need me to be, baby boy. Your lifeguard, your anchor, your safe harbor in the storm.”
The possessive edge in his voice made my knees weak. I couldn’t look away from Ocean’s face, couldn’t break the spell of this moment.
“I think…” My voice cracked, and I had to swallow hard before continuing. “I think I’m already drowning in you.”
“Then stop fighting it,” he murmured, his lips brushing against mine. “Let me show you how beautiful it can be when you surrender to the tide.”
A gust of wind whipped around us, carrying the scent of salt and possibilities, and I made my choice. Instead of answering with words, I kissed him, pouring everything I couldn’t say into the press of my lips against his. His arms tightened around me, and I stopped trying to stay afloat and let myself sink.
Darkness fell as we started our drive back, and soon, it was pitch black around us. We ate more snacks from the hamper—Ocean insisted on feeding me—and drank the wine he’d brought, and I felt like I was floating.
I was in love. This was the real thing, and while Ocean hadn’t said the actual words, I knew he felt the same way.
I leaned back in my seat, watching the shadows dance across Ocean’s face as we drove through the darkness. The wine had left me pleasantly buzzed, but it wasn’t the alcohol making me feel lightheaded. Every time he glanced my way, my heart did a little flip in my chest.
“You’re staring,” he said, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“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.”