Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 63

*Shelby*

“The tree looks incredible,” I said, taking a step back to admire our work.

Michael’s grandmother’s ornaments consisted of whites and icy blues which contrasted with the dark green pine needles.

“Just wait until we light it,” Michael said, rushing over to the outlet and plugging in the strand of lights.

His face lit up as bright as the tree. He looked just like a kid witnessing the magic of it all for the first time. It made my heart swell, and I forgot all about the story Lucille told me, at least for a moment.

“We forgot to add the star on top,” Lucille said, handing the silver star to Michael.

He climbed up the step ladder and placed it gently on the top of the tree.

“It feels just like when we were kids,” Lucille said with a warm smile. She settled herself back in the oxblood leather armchair.

I sat down on the leather sofa that was cuddled up next to the front window. I left the spot next to me open so Michael could join me. As he sat down next to me I slipped my sock-covered feet under his leg to keep them warm. He wound his fingers through mine, stroking the back of my hand with his thumb.

He looked out the window, tapping his foot. I couldn’t help but wonder if he was nervous about something. Whatever he seemed to be hiding was definitely having an effect on him.

Despite his demeanor, we all sat in companionable silence as we watched the fire crackle. The whole room was filled with the warm glow of the Christmas tree. I understood why Lucille had such fond memories of this place. I had been here less than half a day and I already loved the place.

“Oh s**t, I almost forgot,” Michael said, looking down at his watch.

“What did you forget?” I asked, hoping it wasn’t something to do with work.

“I made a dinner reservation for us at this great little Italian place in town. We’re going to be late if we don’t leave right now. I will go see if Bruce can pull the car around,” Michael said, then he took off down the hall.

Lucille sighed and rubbed her forehead.

“Are you okay, Lucille?” I asked.

“Would you mind telling Michael that I am going to sit this one out? I have a pounding headache. It must have been from the flight here. I think it would be best that I go and lay down for the night,” Lucille said.

“Oh, I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do for you?” I asked, watching Lucille step onto the spiral staircase.

“No, no, you two go and have fun. I am just going to turn in early for the night. I am sure it will be gone by morning,” she said with a small wave.

“Okay, feel better,” I called softly after her.

Michael made his way back into the living room and looked around the room.

“Where did Lucille go?”

“She had a headache and decided to go to bed early. So it is just going to be us two for dinner. Do I need to go change before we go?” I said, gesturing to my sweater and jeans.

“Well that is too bad, I hope it is nothing serious…No, you look great,” Michael said, staring up the stairs after his cousin.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be underdressed.”

“Actually, can I change our plans a little? There is this great bar just down the road that has the best burgers. I was hoping I would get a chance to take you there while we were here, but it isn’t exactly Lucille’s taste. We can go to the nice restaurant tomorrow when she is feeling better. How does that sound to you?”

“That sound’s amazing. I am starving after that plane ride, and the thought of a greasy bar burger is already making my mouth water,” I said with a smile.

I felt bad that Lucille wasn’t feeling well, part of me was disappointed I wouldn’t get to see how Lucille and Michael interacted, but the other, more selfish part of me, was excited to spend some time alone with Michael.

He slipped his hand into mine as we walked out the front door of the cabin, where Bruce was waiting with the car already running. The inside of the car was nice and warm compared to the cold winter night. The headlights were the only thing to illuminate the road in front of us.

The bar looked more like a place that the locals frequented rather than tourists. Half of their neon sign was blinking as if it was about to burn out for good, and the front door loudly squeaked as we walked in. Michael walked in like he felt right at home and led us to a booth in the back corner.

“Oh, I almost forgot about their onion rings. Do you want to get a basket of them to share?” Michael asked.

“Honestly, I don’t know if I have ever said no to onion rings,” I said with a laugh.

“Good, because I don’t know if I could trust you if you did. They serve them with a ranch dipping sauce that is to die for,” Michael said, flashing me his teasing smile across the table.

Michael placed our order and sat back in the booth, taking in the bar’s scene.

“You’ve spent a lot of time in Vale, haven’t you?” I asked.

“Well, I used to spend a lot of time here. Why do you ask?”

“You just seem so comfortable here. It seems like you act more like yourself like you are finally able to relax. I figured it was because you spent a lot of your time growing up here.”

“I did spend a lot of time here. My grandpa and grandma loved the cabin and would spend as much time there as possible. During the summers, I would spend a lot of time here with them while my parents were off who knows where. They would be gone for weeks on end, and I would spend my days hiking in the mountains with my grandpa or sightseeing with my grandma.”

“That is so sweet. I wish I could have seen little Michael running around in the pine trees,” I said as the waitress returned with the beer, burgers, and a big basket of onion rings.

Michael took a long drink from his glass, “It was honestly the best part of my childhood staying here with them. Even after they got too old to spend as much time here, I would come here by myself to destress from taking over the family business. I have really missed it these past few years. It feels like coming home, being back here.”

“Why did you stop spending time here? I have never heard you talk about it here before we came. You clearly love it here, so what kept you away?” I asked, dipping my onion ring in ranch dressing and taking a big bite.

“I just don’t have a lot of free time anymore,” Michael answered simply.

“That might be because of me,” I said with a laugh. “I have taken up all of your vacation time for the last few months.”

I knew that a big reason he had stopped coming to the cabin had actually been because of the incident with Marmie and Lauren, but I didn’t want to expose that I knew about that. Part of me hoped that Michael would tell me on his own.

“Spending my weekends with you has been much better than sitting in the cabin all by myself,” Michael said, laughing too.

“If you would like, we could spend more time here together. I really like the cabin, and I would love to see the views off of the porch in the summer, I bet it is unbelievable.”

“It really is. The wildlife will sometimes walk right in plain sight. That is actually a great idea. I could even take you fishing if you would like. I promise to bring you back when the weather warms up.”

“I have never been fishing before. Let’s plan a trip back then,” I said with a smile.

We focused on the food in front of us. I couldn’t help but push for a little more information. I still had that nagging feeling that Michael wasn’t telling me everything about his past.

“So you explained what happened in the past couple of months that has kept you away, but what about before you knew me? Why have you stayed gone so long?” I asked.

“Honestly, life happened. My dad passed away, and everything to do with the company became my responsibility. Then Blaine happened, he started blackmailing me for money and even went as far as sending threats to Lucille. I felt like my life would fall apart if I left New York for more than a few days. I felt like he was always watching me, waiting to strike. I guess, in the end, he really did.”

I paused for a minute, thinking over what Michael’s life must have been like, dealing with Blaine. I hated that he had so much power over Michael, and over our relationship.

“Would it really be that bad if he did leak the pictures?” I asked softly.

Michael set his burger down, which he was bringing to his mouth to take a bite. He stared at me curiously and a little worried.

“Shelby, I have been able to stay out of the press for a few years now, but it would just take one story or picture, and I would be on the front page of every gossip magazine. I am still considered one of the most eligible bachelors in New York; the press would post those photos everywhere. I would rather they keep thinking that I am eligible, so you can live your life without being followed everywhere you go or have your picture taken every time you leave your apartment.”

“I know it would be a big deal for a while, but eventually, they would get bored of our story and move on,” I said with a shrug.

Michael reached across the table, slipping his hand under my chin and lifting my eyes to meet his.

“I like to keep the important things in my life a secret. That is the only way that I can keep what is most precious in my life for myself. I don’t want to share you with the world, Shelby. I am working on something right now so that those pictures won’t pose such a threat anymore. I just need you to be patient with me.”

“Okay, Michael, I trust you.” My heart beat faster at the curiosity of what Michael had planned. If this wasn’t about taking our relationship public, then what could he be planning?

I leaned over the table, Michael meeting me halfway, and kissed his lips to stop myself from thinking too much about it. It felt like we were getting a second chance at our vacation, and I wasn’t going to spoil it.