Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 44

*Michael*

Shelby and I rode to the park, intending on spending a day in the city. During the ride, I kept glancing over to her to ensure she was alright. All of this stress wasn’t good for her, and she was rightfully concerned.

Something had changed, however, because she held her chin up and kept her eyes narrowed. There was confidence flowing from her posture, and a determined spark to her gaze that had me curious. I didn’t ask, but I was quite intrigued.

This plan would include some fun, thankfully, so hopefully it took her mind off of things even if it was directly part of what was causing this distress.

We parked and exited the car, walking side-by-side but not holding hands. No public displays of affection; that was important for the plan. My eyes focused ahead as we entered the park. Tree branches swayed in the wind as we walked over fallen leaves and broken twigs.

The fresh air was invigorating, and I smiled as I took a deep breath. The smog of the city didn’t touch here as strongly, which was a nice break from the usual hustle and bustle.

Shelby walked along, looking at some birds that flew from branch to branch and focusing on a squirrel that rushed by.

After a few moments of silence, she said, “I hope this works. I don’t want to leave either my dreams or you behind, Michael,” she said. She turned her head and looked up into my eyes, an incredibly serious expression on her face.

I nodded in agreement, feeling my heart flutter with relief. Whatever decision she came to, it was to work with both me and what she wanted. Truthfully, she shouldn’t give up either her heart or brain. That was something I would make sure of.

“Me too,” I replied. “My people are experts in this field. I have the utmost confidence they will be able to get this handled. For today, let me spoil you. You have been through so much. You seem to be doing a bit better today than yesterday, at least,” I said, trying to figure out what revelation she may have come to on that phone call with her friends.

Shelby gave me a smile that lit up the area around us, causing sparks of happiness to rush through me. I couldn’t help but smile back at her in delight. Perhaps everything would work out in the end. I believed what I said, and she did too. Now we just needed Blaine to take the bait.

“I am,” Shelby said, stepping over a few rocks in a babbling brook. She chuckled, watching a dragonfly zip by with fascination. Watching her enjoy herself made me feel good, I never wanted to stop being near her.

She continued, “Our conversation helped me realize that I should calm down a little, and relying on you for a few things is alright. In the end, I’ll get what I want. That is you and my dreams. Thank you, again, for helping with that law firm job. Really. It does ease a lot of stress, even if it’s sort of a free ticket.”

“It is not,” I replied, shaking my head. “It’s your merit, Shelby. You would not qualify or be in any league close without your hard work. A word from me helped a little, sure. But the majority of it is all you,” I said, looking at her seriously.

This caused her smile to widen, and she turned and wrapped her arms around me in a tight, wonderful hug. For just a moment, everything was right. Then, however, we both remembered the plan and pulled apart quickly. Thankfully, the hug only lasted a second.

We carried on down the trail, emerging on the other side of the park about an hour later. I followed the map on my cell phone, well aware that we were being watched by multiple parties.

By now, the people working for Blaine no doubt realized we were on the move through the city, which is exactly what I wanted. Meanwhile, my security had the authorities on standby and were watching as well.

We walked along the sidewalk, passing by other busy people chatting on phones, in a hurry to get to their day jobs. My thoughts shifted to my company for just a moment, but there was nothing to do on that end right now.

I could afford to take my mind off of that for a few days while we got this settled. Perhaps I was incredibly lucky for being able to do so, but I would make that luck count. I had to for Shelby.

Up ahead was an aquarium, labeled, ‘Bluefin Sanctuary.’ It was well known for rescuing marine animals, and I knew Shelby would adore coming here. We entered and paid the fee, free to go through and enjoy ourselves.

First, we stopped at the stingrays. I smiled as I watched Shelby’s eyes widen as she stared at them, placing her hand against the glass (which was permitted here, if gently) and grinning as the one swam up curiously.

Glimmering blue lights in this dark area gave the illusion that we were under water, something this beautiful woman no doubt adored. Gazing at her smiling at the sealife, I couldn’t help but smile myself. She was truly breathtaking.

She matched the place, too. She was in that beach-themed dress she picked out from the closet and looked gorgeous to me. My gaze remained on her more than the animals here, though that was no surprise.

Shelby, of course, was captured by this. We may be going through with a plan, but it was still fun for her. I’d call it the second part of my plan, then. I was glad this was taking her mind off the stress she’d been feeling.

Moving on, we came to a shark tank, and Shelby paused by it. I looked around, feeling eyes on us, and reached up to my headpiece. I whispered, “Any sign of Blaine and his goons?”

The head of security replied, “We have seen signs of them around the area. Moving onto the final part of the plan soon would be wise.” I gave a reply of agreement then glanced over to Shelby.

She had moved onto staring at some dolphins playing around in the water, completely enamored by the animals. I moved over and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, causing her to turn around and eye me curiously.

“It’s time,” I whispered into her ear, receiving a nod. We relocated to a bench near the dolphins, a perfect spot without many passersby. Something one may consider private, for the most part, but I knew wouldn’t be entirely.

Luckily, that was exactly what we wanted. Shelby draped herself across my lap and wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling herself into a k**s. We pressed our lips together, drowning in one another as we began to make out.

Though this was part of the plan, I couldn’t help but revel in this situation that I was once again able to k**s her. Any reason to k**s her was enough for me.

He took the bait.

A flash from the corner of my eye alerted me to a picture being taken, and there was a bit of shuffling as someone, hopefully Blaine himself, tried to get away.

Picking this particularly dark spot was absolutely perfect. He was forced to use a light so the picture could actually be seen. A familiar voice shouted, “GET HIM!” and suddenly there was a swarm of people in uniforms rushing to where the flash had gone off.

Shelby and I ended the k**s and looked over to witness the action in full. Shelby adjusted so that she was sitting next to me as, from the shadows, Blaine was dragged out by my head of security.

I smiled, something particularly fox-like, as I stood up and began walking toward the scene. “In a bit of trouble, aren’t we?” I asked a struggling Blaine.

“Let me go! You have no right to do this!” he sputtered, thrashing about wildly to no avail. People in blue uniforms, the authorities, started to pour into the area as well, joining my security.

They wore annoyed expressions, no doubt because of Blaine’s antics. Understatement in my case, of course. I shook my head in response to the struggling man, letting out a soft chuckle. He was a snake caught in a trap, at this point, and his downfall was inevitable.

I wasn’t the one to reply, but the responding officer was. “Blaine, you are under arrest for blackmail and extortion. You have the right to remain silent. Everything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.”

The response from Blaine was a string of obscenities I didn’t care to pay attention to. He tried to get away, but the officers handcuffed him and held him tightly as they escorted him out.

I turned to Shelby and dipped my head. “He’s a fly caught in a web, no chance to get away. Your reputation is safe now, and the stress from him can be washed away like those ocean waves you love so much,” I said.

Shelby grinned at me, her eyes sparkling. Now, she was crying again, tears gently gliding down her cheeks. However, this time, she wore a huge, delighted smile.

“Oh, Michael,” she breathed, reaching up to cup my cheek and bring my face down to hers. She took me into another k**s, this time thankfully with no flash from Blaine in the background. No distractions.

We wrapped ourselves around each other, barely breathing. It felt as if we were starving for one another and had finally been allowed to dig in. I couldn’t stop the feelings of pure joy that overcame me in that moment.

This time, I lost myself in her, leaving my inhibitions behind. This was wonderful, and I had the wonderful feeling that, perhaps, things would indeed work out.