Page 19

Chapter

Eighteen

THE BIG BAD MILLIONAIRE

Willow

“Follow the light. It’ll guide you home.” – W

“ M an, I’ve never tasted more delicious food in my life,” Uncle Cianne groans, glancing down at his plate with a look of sheer delight. “Don’t tell your mom.” He mumbles, cheeks stuffed with a fluffy pancake and syrup, while he flashes a mischievous grin.

I smile and gesture to my mouth, locking my lips with an exaggerated wink, letting him know his secret is safe with me.

Leaning back in my chair, I take a moment to soak in the morning view. The early sun spills golden light over our table, making everything glow with warmth and cheer. Uncle and I are both in our beachwear, ready to spend the day in the sun.

I left my laptop and research notes in the suite because today it’s all about indulging in sun, sea, and adventures.

We’re seated at a table with a stunning view of the ocean, the sound of waves a soothing background to our breakfast. The table like everything else is adorned with holiday cheer. There’s a red tablecloth that pops against the soft, sandy tones of the restaurant. Twinkling fairy lights dance overhead, sparkling all around us, while a small, cheerful centerpiece— a cluster of tropical flowers wrapped in silver tinsel— adds to the holiday fun.

I glance down at my uncle's plate, piled high with waffles decked out in red, white, and green sprinkles, top with a mountain of whipped cream and fresh strawberries. “You’re really embracing the festive mood this morning, Uncle,” I say with a chuckle, eyeing the holiday-themed breakfast he ordered.

He laughs, cutting into his waffles with gusto. “Fuck, yeah, Orla. It’s not every day we get to celebrate Christmas in paradise. Besides, a little holiday cheer makes everything better. Don’t you think so?”

“Sure does.” I look down at my own plate—a red and white omelet shaped like a candy cane, sprinkle with oregano that looks like festive garland. It looks just as delicious as it is whimsical. I’ve been dying to taste it.

But before I can dig in, my uncle reaches into his pocket and pulls out a neatly folded piece of red paper. “This was left at the door for you.”

“What is it?”

He unfolds the paper and places it in front of me. “I believe it is some kind of itinerary for your day off. Is that part of your trip package? Did your company arrange it?”

I have no clue.

I take the paper from him and scan the list confused, but then my eyes widen in delight. “Swimming with baby sharks? Snorkeling at the coral reef? No way!”

I don’t remember any of that being mentioned in our meetings before we traveled here. They only covered the hotel facilities and the trips to the Amazon rainforest.

Uncle nods, a twinkle in his eye. “It sounds fun, kid. Go crazy, yeah? You deserve all the fun—besides, it’s your day off.”

I’m practically bouncing in my seat. “But… but who could’ve done this?”

Uncle takes a sip of his coffee, clearly happy with my reaction. “I don’t know, sweetheart. Maybe it was that pretentious nerd you worked with. He seems pretty taken by you.”

Pretentious? Does he mean Ethan? Could he have done this? No. I don’t think so.

With a happy heart, I finish my omelet, glancing at the itinerary spread out on the table. I think about who could have arranged all these activities for me and how thoughtful the gesture is.

I’ve always dreamed of swimming with sharks, but I never had the chance. I think I somehow lost my nerve over the years, but today I’ll finally get to cross that off my bucket list.

Maybe Mom was right—this trip really could be magical.

Between the quirky holiday-themed breakfast and the exciting activities ahead, it feels like the perfect start to a day of adventure and wonder. A thrill bubbles in my chest, a sense that today’s going to be incredible, and I can’t wait to see what it has in store for me.

The scent of salt and coconut fills the air, mingling with the sound of waves crashing rhythmically against the shore as I walk towards the beach’s lobby.

I glance down at my white flip-flops, feeling the smooth wood beneath my feet. My heart races with a mix of excitement and nerves as I think about finally swimming with sharks. What if they’re not as friendly as I read they are? But the thought of accomplishing something I always dreamed of doing pulls me forward.

A few more steps and the lobby comes into view, a charming open-air space with palm fronds swaying gently above. A few guests lounge on plush cream-colored cushions, sipping fruity drinks. With a pep in my step, I approach the desk where a pretty lady with fiery red hair, clad in a bright polo, greets me with a welcoming smile.

“Oh, hello there. I’m Suzette, and I’ll be your guide today! You must be Willow,” she says, while using sign language, her voice high-pitched and inviting. How lovely that everyone here seems to know sign language. It’s a relief since most places back home don’t tend to be more accommodating to people with disabilities.

This hotel really is a dream come true. All my nerves about being here have slowly melted away with every passing moment. “ Yeah, that’s me !” I sign, trying to match Suzette’s enthusiasm.

“Are you ready for an adventure, Willow?” she asks, handing me a waiver to sign. I can’t help but grin.

I can hardly wait. The ocean sparkles just beyond the lobby, and I can almost feel the cool water around me already. My fingers tap on the desk as I quickly scribble my name, excitement building with each stroke.

I look around noticing that there’s nobody here but me. “Hey, Suzette ,” I sign, looking at her. “ Will more people be joining us on the excursion ?”

She hesitates, her bright smile faltering for just a moment as she fumbles with her clipboard. “Uh, well, there were some last-minute cancellations, so…” She straightens, her expression lighting up again. “Only one other person will be joining you!”

I frown, confused. “ Oh, okay. Will they take long ?”

Just as she opens her mouth to answer, her gaze drifts past my shoulder. Her eyes widen slightly, and she breaks into an even bigger smile. “Oh! It looks like they just arrived!”

I turn, curiosity bubbling in my chest, and my breath catches as I spot Madden striding toward us. His black hair tousled by the breeze, he looks effortlessly cool and so very handsome wearing only green swim trunks, his naked chest on full display. God, he’s strong and ripped, every muscle defined.

I can’t help but steal glances at his tattoos. Each one seems to tell a different story, from what looks like a demon curling around his bicep to a delicate flower resting on his chest, right over his heart.

My gaze drifts to his left arm, where a large, intricate piece wraps around his forearm. It looks like a three-headed snake, its scales glinting in the sunlight. I wonder what it means to him, what stories he carries beneath all that ink.

Suzette’s cheerful voice cuts through my thoughts as she turns to Madden. “Mr. Hunt! Glad you could join us today!”

He nods but doesn't say anything, turning to glare at me as he takes me in from the top of my head down to my white sandals. I took off the cover up I was wearing over my lemon-print bikini and jean shorts. My hair looks curlier than ever, and I absentmindedly play with a loose curl, feeling the hot sun on my skin.

“You’re coming with ?” I ask, trying to avoid his glare. God, how is it that one person has the power to make me feel gooey inside.

Madden looks down at me void of all emotion and then nods. How different he looks today from yesterday when we were surrounded by nature in all its magical glory.

“ B-but why ?” I ask, feeling my nerves take over.

He just shrugs, looks down at me and says, “What why?”

“ I don’t know… I guess I didn’t think you would be interested in swimming with sharks .”

He shrugs. “I guess you were wrong, Wild One.”

But I don’t think I was wrong… not at all.

I remember vividly his distaste for the beautiful creatures. In fact, I remember he hates most of the things he’s done with me during my days here.

“ Huh… I–yeah …”

Our guide, Suzette, claps her hands again, drawing our attention. “Alright, let’s get you two geared up! The boat will be leaving soon.”

As she leads us toward the equipment, I steal another glance at Madden, he’s no longer glaring. Instead, he gazes at me with the same warmth he had yesterday and the day before.

It’s the same look I have when I look at everything that makes my heart happy.

My family.

Nature.

Animals.

Him.

At this moment, he’s looking at me just like he did when we were kids, and my heart flutters.

All because of him.

My black-eyed grump with a heart of gold.

If only he saw himself the way I do.

If someone would’ve told me that I would be spending my day swimming with sharks with my favorite formula 1 driver slash once foster brother who owned my every thought when I was a child, I would’ve never believed them.

But here we are below a blazing sun that is shining so bright that it casts shimmering patterns on the aqua-colored water that surrounds our boat. The water it’s so bright it almost looks like someone spilled a giant bottle of turquoise paint. I’ve never seen a more beautiful water.

Suzette, our guide, leans over the railing, her voice bright and animated. “Look down there! You can see the baby sharks swimming just beneath the surface. They’re curious little creatures and want to say hi!”

I lean in closer, my excitement bubbling over. The water is so clear that I can make out their sleek bodies gliding gracefully beneath us. “Wow… they're so beautiful!” I exclaim, my eyes wide with wonder.

“Yes, they are! These little ones are harmless,” Suzette continues, pointing to a cluster of them. “If you watch them closely, they’re just here to play and explore. “Would you like to swim with them now?” she asks both of us.

I glance over at Madden, his large tattooed arms crossed and his dark brows furrowed like he’s about to face an army of fully-grown white sharks instead of just swimming with harmless baby ones.

Oh… is he…? Is he afraid?

But that can’t be.

He’s not only ‘The Madden Hunt’; he’s survived so much that the thought of him being afraid of little sharks completely boggles my mind.

I decided to make him feel less grumpy about the sweet little creature below us. “Oh, they’re so cute.” I coo at the baby sharks below us.

“You have an odd definition of cute,” he grumbles, glaring down at the gentle waves lapping at the side of the boat. His grumpiness and how mad he looks right now only makes me want to giggle more.

“They’re harmless. Don’t be afraid.” I tease, leaning over the edge to dip my fingers in the water. It’s warm and refreshing, and I can’t help but beam in excitement. “Besides, I can just imagine all the likes you’ll get if you post a picture with them. You might break the internet! I can just imagine the headlines now: ‘Hot millionaire and world champion spends time with the little creature of the sea,’ I tease.

Madden rolls his eyes, but there’s a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I am not afraid of the ugly fuckers. I just don’t want to get chomped by baby sharks— that’s not how I want to go out.”

I snort at the ridiculousness.

He’s definitely afraid.

But if he’s afraid then why would he put himself through this if he’s afraid of sharks?

“What’s so funny?” He asks, sounding all grumpy yet his eyes are tender. God, he has the most beautiful eyes.

I bite back a laugh. “You know they won’t bite you. Think of them as little, cute puppies of the sea.”

“Right, puppies with really sharp teeth,” he retorts, but I can see him soften as he glances at the water, sparkling like a million diamonds.

Suzette interrupts. “Whenever you're ready you can jump in!”

“Who would’ve guessed that the big bad two times formula 1 millionaire champion would be afraid of little baby sharks,” I say, already pulling on my goggles. With a last glance at him, I dive in, the water enveloping me in a warm hug. I surface, wiping water from my eyes, and spot the tiny shadows gliding beneath the surface. “Look! There they are!” Sunlight filters through the surface, casting a magical glow that dances across the sandy floor below me.

I swim in place feeling like I belong in here— like a mermaid.

Madden’s hesitant splash follows mine, his expression shifting from skepticism to awe as a small shark swims close. “The little fuckers are no that ugly,” he admits, the grumpiness fading a bit.

“See? They’re harmless and awkward swimmers,” I giggle. As I reach out my hand, one of the baby sharks glides right by, brushing lightly against my fingers like a little fishy high five. “Oh, what a sweetheart. Hi!” I laugh when I notice Madden looking at me as if I’ve lost my mind for reaching out to the sharks. “Go ahead,” I tell him with a gentle smile. “Say hi.”

He looks down at the water and cringes before turning to me. “Fuck, no.”

I laugh, making him frown harder.

“Alrighty then,” A wave of exhilaration washes over me as I kick my legs, and glide further into this underwater paradise with my scaly friends swimming happily around me. The tiny sharks dart around us like tiny torpedoes. I watch in awe as they zip past, their movements clumsy, like they’re still figuring out how to swim without tripping over their own tails.

Sharks are misunderstood creatures. They really are.

Most sharks are not dangerous to humans— people are not part of their natural diet. Despite their scary reputation, sharks rarely ever attack humans and would much rather feed on fish and marine mammals.

Sharks have been known to attack humans when they are confused or curious. If a shark sees a human splashing in the water, it may try to investigate, leading to an accidental attack.

Perhaps that is why Madden hasn’t moved an inch since joining me in the water.

Letting him be, I dip deeper, my fingers brushing against the ocean’s floor. I spot a small sea turtle swimming towards a colorful coral formation in the distance. I smile at the lovely creature as she peacefully swims with the smaller fish.

Somehow the coral reef reminds me of my mother’s garden. It’s full of vibrant colors like bright yellows, electric blues, and fiery reds.

The ocean feels like another world— one with rare creatures and lovely colors.

When I’m unable to hold my breath any longer, I swim towards the surface taking a big gulp of air. Once, there I’m suddenly approach by a baby shark that looks curious and unafraid. The little guy circles around me, its tiny black eyes sparkling with mischief. The shark kind of reminds me of the grumpy millionaire currently mumbling obscenity as more sharks play around him.

For a second, I contemplate swimming over to help him deal with the shark's attention but knowing him he would probably hate that so I choose to let him be.

Going under water again, I smile wide, watching as the shark wiggles its little fins playfully at me. Oh, so he wants to play. I reach out slowly, not wanting to spook it and to my delight, it brushes against my hand. I’m surprised when it’s softer than I expected. It’s a gentle reminder that even the fiercest and scariest creatures can have a sweet side.

Just like the man who is afraid of sharks yet he’s here with me now…

“Look at you, you little cutie!” I whisper, my voice bubbling in the water. The shark swims away for a moment, then returns, as if inviting me to follow and join in its game.

Come on… how are people so afraid of them! Okay I get it, the images online and the movies paint them as these evil sea monsters but how could something so sweet be that evil?

I think not.

With a happy heart, I kick off the bottom and follow, diving and twirling in a playful chase. In this moment I’m transported back to the times I swam in the ocean with my mom pretending to be mermaids. She told me once that when she and my aunts were little they had a tough childhood and didn’t get to do things normal kids did because of their parents but that didn’t stop them from using their imagination. Mom said that they played mermaids in the shower and she one day dreamt of swimming at sea and years later my father made that happen. He made all her dreams happen.

And then he made sure she never had to daydream a day in her life with him. Every dream and goal he helped her achieve them and made real for her— for us.

As I dive deeper, caught up in a game with the baby sharks, I suddenly hit something solid. The unexpected thud sends a jolt through me, and I surface with a gasp, my heart racing. Blinking away the salt water, my heart settles when I realize it’s Madden—well his massive tattooed chest.

“Oh, I’m sor—” I start, but the words are lost as he instinctively draws me closer, our faces inches apart. His grip is firm but gentle, and I can feel the warmth radiating from him even through the cool water.

I’m suddenly caught in his spell as his black eyes penetrate my soul.

Like everything he looks at me, the world around us fades into a blur, the baby sharks swirling gracefully like little shadows beneath us, completely unaware of the moment unfolding above. Madden’s eyes lock onto mine, and for a heartbeat, everything else disappears—the sparkling water, the silly and happy sharks, even the awkwardness that usually fills the air between us.

“Are you real, Willow O’Sullivan?” he quips, frowning at looking all grumpy. But there’s that softness in his gaze that makes my heart flutter.

I gulp suddenly feeling out of breath as he holds me closer in his arms. We’re so close that I can feel the beat of his heart and the heat of his skin under my wet palm.

I’m so lost in the moment that I forgot that he asked a question. What did he ask? My brain scrambles to remember.

“Uhhh.”

Madden’s gaze deepens, and his expression not only looks serious but focused as if he’s trying to memorize every detail of my face, and it sends a flutter of butterflies swirling through my stomach. Will the sight of him ever stop making my heart flutter? I don’t think so. His eyes search mine, and I can almost hear the thoughts racing in his head.

I wonder what he’s thinking right now? Is he as affected with my closeness as I am?

“Are you real, Willow?” he asks again, his voice low, almost breathless.

I nod, feeling the butterflies multiply inside my stomach. “Y-Yes, I’m real. Just ordinary me.” I flash him a playful smile, hoping to lighten the weight of the moment.

But his expression shifts, a frown creeping onto his face as he glances at my lips. “There’s nothing ordinary about you, fairy,” he says, his voice almost a whisper. “You could never be ordinary because you’ve never felt real.”

Real?

What does he mean by that?

I frown, confused.

His words hang between us, heavy yet… sweet.

As if under this man’s spell, I lean in slightly, my heart racing. I’m nervous. More than that actually but there’s also this strange pull I can’t fight against. I don’t want to either.

Madden’s gaze drops to my lips, and I can feel the heat between us building. The world is a blur; it’s just us, floating in this perfect, blue paradise.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Madden leans down until his nose is touching the tip of mine, his breath of my face and his lips close— so close I can almost taste them.

He’s going to kiss me.

But then, out of nowhere, a baby shark zips between us, its little body gliding right between our faces, slapping Madden on the face with its fin, successfully crashing the moment.

I shouldn’t. I know I shouldn't but I can’t help it.

I burst into laughter, the sound bubbling up uncontrollably at Madden’s shocked expression then turns to irritation as he glares at the shark.

“I take it back,” he grumbles.

“Take back what?” I try to contain my laughter but it’s futile.

His black eyes move from the shark swimming away happily back to me.

“They’re ugly little fuckers. Ugly and fucking cock blockers.”

That’s it. I laugh. I laugh hard.

He looks adorable when he’s beefing with a fish. That's something I never thought I would say about Madden Hunt.

The big bad millionaire is not only afraid of little cutesy sharks but he’s also their number one hater.