Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 13

Shelby*

The sun was streaming through the glass doors of the balcony when I finally opened my eyes. My head was pounding from a lack of sleep and caffeine. I wanted to order coffee up to my room, but I needed to shower too badly to wait. After running all the way to the yacht and then sitting in the sauna with Michael, I was salty with dried sweat.

I probably should have showered last night, but, after reaching my room in the early morning hours, I collapsed on the bed and had fallen asleep in my clothes.

I walked into the bathroom, expecting to look like a mess from all the events of the night, my clothes were extremely wrinkled, but I was surprised to see my hair still looked flawless.

“I wish I could afford to get a blowout more often,” I said to my reflection, pulling on a few strands as I admired the style.

I put my hair up and stepped into the hot water of the shower, washing off the previous day. I stood under the steaming water until I was getting a little dizzy from the heat.

As I stood there, I couldn’t help but think about Michael. He’d been so kind to me, and I couldn’t help but wonder if there was a chance he wanted more from our relationship than what one would typically expect between a man and a friend of his daughter’s.

I shook my head. I couldn’t allow myself to think that way. Michael lived in a world I knew nothing about. Not only was he much older than me, he was also Lauren’s dad. Besides, he could have any woman he wanted. Why would he want me?

Returning my thoughts to reality, I finished rinsing my hair and turned off the water. Getting out of the shower, I noticed my skin was as pink as a newborn’s. I wrapped a towel around myself, and made my way back into the bedroom to cool down.

The screen of my phone was illuminated, so I picked it up and lounged back on the bed. I had several notifications from the group chat between me and my roommates, Aubrey and Lin. I knew I needed to let them know what was going on.

Aubrey: Shelby? Are you still alive? We haven’t heard from you in days.

Lin: Maybe she has finally found herself a rebound, and that is why she is too busy for us. My guess is a sexy pool boy!

Me: Sorry, you two. Signal has been spotty. A sexy pool boy, Lin? Is that your guess or your fantasy?

Lin: I think a sexy pool boy should be everyone’s fantasy. ‘Pool boy, refresh my drink, and while you are at it, come rub me down with some tanning lotion.’

Aubrey: Lin, you are the reason I can’t let Gianni read our group messages!

Lin: Sorry, we aren’t as lucky as you to have an amazing boyfriend who k****s the ground we walk on. Some of us have to use our imaginations.

Me: I miss you two so much! I wish you were here with me.

Aubrey: How is everything going? Is the boat as big as we are imagining?

Me: Honestly, it is probably bigger than you are imagining. It is not so much a boat as it is a super yacht. The bathroom in my room is as big as our entire apartment, and I’m just in a guest room. I have my own private balcony! Oh, and yesterday, I got to see a pod of dolphins!

Lin: Dolphins? How cool! I wish I had a rich friend who took me on expensive vacations.

Me: Yeah, it sounds good in theory, but in reality, that rich friend was the one sleeping with my boyfriend for months.

Aubrey: Lauren was the one Todd was cheating on you with?! Why didn’t you lead with that?

Me: Oh, that is not even the worst part. Todd is here on the yacht too. We had already left port when I found out, so I have been stuck here with him.

Lin: No way! What the hell did that scumbag have to say for himself when he saw you?

Me: Um…well… he pretended not to know who I am, and I went along with it…

Aubrey: Oh, Shelb, I’m so sorry!

Lin: Why didn’t you call him out?

Me: I probably should have, but I didn’t want to make things awkward. Like I said before, I am literally stuck on a boat with these people. Plus, Lauren clearly doesn’t know. I didn’t want to hurt her.

Aubrey: That makes sense. Maybe she will dump him before things get too serious.

Me: Oh, one more thing, they got engaged at dinner last night. I had a front row seat for the entire thing. And then their after party.

Aubrey: Are you okay? Do you need me to come get you? I don’t know exactly how I would replace you, but you know I would figure it out.

Me: Thanks Aubrey, but I’m okay.

Lin: s**t Shelby, this is really messed up. What do you mean by you had a front row seat to their after party?

Me: I walked out to the pool deck and caught them having s*x in the pool. Then I tripped over a deck chair trying to get out of there.

Lin: Oh, no! Did they catch you?

Me: I still don’t know. I really hope not. I don’t know how I would show my face in front of either of them again if they did.

Aubrey: How did Todd even meet Lauren? It is not like your social circles mix very well.

Me: I was thinking about that a lot last night. I am pretty sure that they met at my birthday party.

Lin: So you are telling me when we were all celebrating you, Todd was off hitting on someone else?

Me: Pretty much. I am realizing a lot about who Todd really is. I think his whole plan was to replace someone rich. I was thinking about it last night. I remember that towards the end of our relationship, he made lots of comments about how poor I am.

Aubrey: You’re not poor! You’re a college student just trying to make it through school.

Lin: Isn’t Lauren the one who dropped out sophomore year to become an influencer?

Me: Yes, that is Lauren. She does actually have a big social media following. And as you both know, she comes from a lot of money.

Lin: Well, that is pretty easy when you can buy whatever you want and post pictures of yourself on your dad’s billion dollar yacht.

Aubrey: So how long until you get back?

Me: I think I am staying another week. We are sailing to the Bahamas. I was told that we will make port tonight.

Lin: Well, that sounds amazing. Do you know what you are going to be doing?

Me: I am not sure yet. I will have to ask Michael what has been planned.

Lin: Oh, who is Michael?

Me: Michael is just a friend.

Aubrey: I am glad to hear at least you’re making friends. Then you have a way to escape from Lauren and Todd.

Lin: Me too. Any pool boys?

Me: Ha ha Lin! Very funny. No, I have not made friends with any of the pool boys.

Lin: Well, maybe you should. There is no better way to get over someone than getting under someone.

Aubrey: I hate to say it, but I agree with Lin. Go get some! There have to be some island hotties at one of your stops.

Me: I can’t believe you two. I have to go. Someone is knocking at my door. I miss you two so much!

Still chuckling at the antics of my two best friends, I set my phone down on the bedside table, smiling to myself. It was good to know that I had at least two friends I could count on for anything.

I wrapped my towel tight around me and checked the peephole in the door and was relieved it was a maid at my door, and not… someone else since I wasn’t even dressed. I opened the door and was surprised she was holding a tray and a box in her arms.

“Good morning, Miss Shelby,” the maid said with a friendly smile on her face.

Confused, I returned her smile but looked suspiciously at the items she was holding. “Good morning. I think there may have been a mix up. I didn’t call down for anything.”

“Don’t worry. There was no mix up,” she assured me, taking a step through the open door. “Where would you like me to set this?” she asked.

I opened the door wider and let the maid in to set the tray down on the table. She set the box gently on the bed, and turned to exit, still smiling at me.

“Do you know who sent this?” I asked, tracking the petite woman with my eyes as she stepped away from the bed.

However the maid did not answer my question. Instead, she continued to proceed to the door with a small knowing smile on her face that made me wonder what she knew that I didn’t.

“Have a good day Miss Shelby.” She gave a small head nod of respect as she flashed me one last grin.

“Thank you,” I said and closed the door behind her.

I made my way over to the tray first. Lifting the cover, I found a stack of pancakes and a side of bacon and eggs. There was also a small pot of coffee and a fluffy pastry. My mouth was already watering at the sight of the food, I inhaled deeply, closing my eyes and imagining how good it would all taste, but I replaced the cover.

The anticipation for what the box could contain was too great.

The box was tied close with a red ribbon, so I untied it and set it to the side. I removed the lid to the box and was surprised to replace a white cotton robe. Immediately, a smile crossed my face, and a small giggle of glee escaped my lips. There was a small note resting on top, the handwriting was small and extremely neat.

Dear Shelby,

Please meet me on our secret deck later this evening. Enjoy some time to yourself.

P.S. I wanted you to be comfortable.

Sincerely,

Michael.

I set the card down on the night stand, right next to the little pink sea shell, and I slipped on the robe. It was even softer than the night before, if that was possible, and it smelled like sandalwood… it smelled like Michael.