Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 83

*Shelby*

We were wrapped in each other’s arms before I even knew what was happening. We kissed passionately, running into walls as we made our way down a hallway and into another room.

Michael pushed me backward onto a feather-down comforter and slipped his shirt off before I had time to catch my breath. I watched him undress as I unbuttoned my jeans and slid them off. Michael climbed on top of me with such a strong desire that it made my core burn with the need for him.

He slid his hands up my waist and under my shirt, slipping it over my head and tossing it, forgotten, onto the floor. This was a Michael I hadn’t seen before. He was usually so meticulous, making me want him more with each slow touch, but the anger from our fight was fueling our passion in a completely different way.

With a quick flick of his fingers, my bra fell away, and Michael took one of my breasts in his mouth, circling the peak with his tongue. I let out a m**n and grabbed the back of his neck, pulling him closer to me.

My need for him had me wet with anticipation, which Michael found quickly with his exploring hands. He g*****d in pleasure at this. Part of me wondered if this was just a dream, like the one I had a few nights ago, but a dream couldn’t feel this good.

Michael’s urgency didn’t wane as he pulled my body into his, and I felt the condom he wore press against my leg, wondering when he’d even put it on. He worked his way into me slowly at first, but his excitement was evident. His h**s rocked me into ecstasy as we immediately found our rhythm together, as though we were never apart.

His quick thrusts sent me over the edge, and I let out a series of loud m***s as I climaxed. Michael couldn’t hold back after hearing me and followed me over the edge, biting my shoulder to stifle his own m***s of pleasure.

***

I wrapped myself in the sheet, exhausted but completely satisfied. The sheets were slightly damp with our sweat, but I didn’t mind at all. I sighed softly and turned over to look at the man I loved.

“Are we okay?” Michael asked, his eyes searching my face.

“I just want things to go back to how they were,” I whispered as though talking too loudly would break the mirage of what just happened.

“Can we get back together?” I asked, as Michael still watched my every expression

“Yes,” he said, pulling me into his chest.

I lay there and listened to the sound of his soothing heartbeat and examined the room for the first time. The king-size bed took up a large amount of space, and the walls were painted a calming duck egg blue. I remember telling Michael, I always dreamed of a room like this. With large windows that let the morning sun in to wake you each day gently.

I could tell the room had large windows, but all the curtains were drawn closed, and suit jackets hung haphazardly on different pieces of furniture. It looked as though Michael had been staying here even in the middle of all the renovations.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked me, a smile playing on his lips.

*Shelby*

We were wrapped in each other’s arms before I even knew what was happening. We kissed passionately, running into walls as we made our way down a hallway and into another room.

“How long have you had this townhouse?” I asked.

“I bought it just before our Hawaii trip, actually. I was waiting to bring you here until after the renovations were done.”

“Why would you need a townhouse so close to your penthouse?” I asked again because his answer revealed nothing.

“I bought it for us, Shelby. I pictured our future here together,” he said, placing a k**s on my head.

“Really?” I asked, sitting up to look at his face more clearly.

Butterflies flitted in my stomach at his statement. We’d only ever talked about the future far enough to plan what we would do when I went back to school for the next semester. However, Michael sounded as though he was talking about a forever kind of future.

Michael got up silently from the bed, wearing just his boxer shorts. He picked up one of the suit jackets that I recognized as the one he had been wearing earlier that day. He pulled a red velvet box from the pocket and closed his hand around it, returning to the bed. He set the small box in between us as he sat down.

“I have been carrying this around for a very long time. I was actually hoping to give it to you in Hawaii, but as we both know, that got interrupted,” Michael said.

“Is that what I think it is?” I said, my heart beating out of my chest.

Michael nodded.

“I was thinking about giving it to you on our Christmas trip too. I had the plan to hide it in the bows of the Christmas tree,” Michael explained as a sad look clouded his expression.

I didn’t want to go back over what’d gone on that night. I wanted to forget that it ever happened, and I wanted to get as far away from the fight we just had. I didn’t want to think about the past anymore; the only thing that mattered to me now was my future with Michael.

“However, as we’ve been apart these past few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about what I would say to you if I ever got the chance to give this to you,” Michael continued, meeting my gaze.

“And what did you plan to say to me?” I asked, hoping he would continue.

“I decided it wouldn’t be fair of me to ask you such a big question without telling you how much your life will change if you do. So far, we’ve been able to keep our relationship out of the public eye. However, if you were to say yes, that would all change.

“Everyone would know who you are and would have a very loud opinion about our relationship. Every time you leave the house, you’ll run into someone who will want to take your picture, whether or not you say it is okay. You will be very much in the public eye,” Michael said.

I hadn’t ever thought as far as what it would be like when our relationship went public. We were only ever concerned about keeping it a secret. My every choice would be followed and critiqued if I said yes.

My wedding would be a large event with press and rich people in attendance. Our married life would be so much different than the past few months we’d spent dating in secret. Our lazy nights cuddled up in my apartment watching old movies would be replaced with red-carpet events, galas, and fundraisers.

As I looked into Michael’s eyes, I realized that even if there were changes, that had to happen to keep him. It would all be worth it to have him by my side.

As I looked into Michael’s eyes, I realized that even if there were changes, that had to happen to keep him. It would all be worth it to have him by my side.

“Shelby, I’m so sorry for everything that has happened between us and the hurt that I’ve caused you. I want you to know that this is what I truly want. I just want to be with you for the rest of my life. Do you see a future with me?” he asked, picking up the ring box.

I clutched the sheet to my chest as I let my mind wander. Would I be able to finish law school? I knew that Michael wouldn’t stop me from pursuing my dreams, but it may prove more difficult to study with all that came with Michael’s lifestyle.

Part of me longed for a fantasy version of Michael that didn’t come with such a different style of life than I was used to. Maybe he would’ve been one of my professors, and once I’d graduated, we would’ve gotten married and lived in a little suburb. I could practice law while he taught classes. Then we’d spend our weekends reading the newspaper and talking about current events.

That thought was replaced with the image of us waking on a Sunday morning in this room, with the light shining in, warming everything it touched. We’d lie in bed all morning, talking about our upcoming week and busy schedules. Michael would tell me about a business trip to Japan he had planned, and he’d ask me to join him. We’d spend the rest of the day making plans for everything we were going to see while we were there.

My imagination slowly drifted away, leaving me back in the present. No matter what version of my life played out, I knew that I would never be happy without Michael by my side.

However, It wouldn’t be just Michael and me against the world. I’d become part of his family, which included Lauren. The thought of becoming Lauren’s stepmom made my skin crawl. I knew that she wouldn’t take the news well and would likely do everything in her power to make my life miserable. Could we last with Lauren against us?

What would happen when the news went public? Blaine wouldn’t take it well that his one chance at blackmailing Michael would be gone. Those pictures would make for a good story but wouldn’t ruin my or Michael’s reputation if we were engaged. We would be able to weather the storm until a better story came along.

Blaine was getting more and more desperate to try and hurt Micahel. If we were engaged, would that put us in more danger? What lengths would he go to?

I took a deep breath, hoping I was making the right decision. Knowing either one I made could end in hurt.

Michael took the ring out of its box and got down on one knee next to me.

A large circle-cut diamond sat in the center with two light blue sapphires adorning each side.

The ring took my breath away.

“Shelby Hatton, will you marry me?”

I took a deep breath before I was able to give him my answer.