Longing for the Beach Billionaire Daddy

Chapter 9 Wet Hair and a New Dress

*Shelby*

“This lever here is the gas, and you steer just like you would with the handlebars on a bike," Michael said from behind me on the jet ski. He had insisted that he would teach me how to drive on our way back.

“Just take it nice and slow out of the cove, you can get up to a higher speed when we get to open water, and you feel more comfortable," he continued.

I could feel his warm breath on the side of my neck, and it sent goosebumps all across my body. I imagined his lips pressing to my neck where his breath was warming. I wondered what his hands would feel like on my body.

“Shelby?"

“Oh, um, sorry, what?" I said, pulling myself out of my daydream.

“Are you ready to go?" Michael said with a small chuckle. I was glad he was sitting behind me, so he couldn't see my face turn red at what I was just imagining.

“Yes, I think so," I said with slight hesitation.

“Don't worry, I'm right here," he assured me. “Just take it slow."

I eased my thumb on the throttle, and slowly, we started moving. I remained at a snail-like pace until we were completely out of the cove and a bit beyond.

“Try giving it a bit more gas," Michael said softly next to my ear.

I wasn't prepared for my stomach fluttering at Michael's closeness and not thinking clearly, I hit the throttle way too hard. My hand slipped from the throttle, and with a rush of air beneath me, I went sailing through the air.

A moment after I hit the ocean, I heard a second splash and knew I'd thrown Michael off of the jet ski, too. As I sank into the water I began to panic. I couldn't tell which way the surface was.

I fought to swim to the surface, disoriented and fighting for air. With a gasp, I emerged from the water and looked around frantically for Michael. He popped out of the water next to me.

“Michael, I am so sorry! Are you okay?" I asked. Michael's mouth broke into a giant smile, and he started laughing. He laughed one of those deep, uncontrollable laughs; he had finally relaxed enough to truly let go. I couldn't help but start laughing too.

“See, that's why you have to wear the kill cord on your wrist. That way, if you fall off, the jet ski doesn't keep going without you," he said and started swimming over to the empty jet ski.

I started swimming after him and watched him as he pulled himself back onto the jet ski. His back muscles flexed as he got back on, and the water droplets dripping down his body emphasized the definition between each muscle.

I couldn't help but imagine running my hands down his back as he hovered over the top of me.

Michael reached his hand down to pull me back on the watercraft, and I had to catch my imagination before I let it wander off too far. He pulled me up effortlessly, and I sat down behind him.

“I think I'm going to let you drive us back now."

“Are you sure you don't want to take the reins again?" he said, gesturing to the handlebars.

“I think it will be safer if I let you take over. It seems like I only have two speeds," I said with a small chuckle.

“Fine, but we're going to have you driving one of these like a pro before this vacation is over," Michael said with a small smile. I wrapped my arms around his waist, and he set off.

As Michael drove us, I replayed watching the dolphins swim in the cove. I was so distracted that it wasn't until he stopped the jet ski that I realized he hadn't gone back to the same dock where the yacht was waiting for us.

Instead, we were at the edge of a small coastal town, where each side of the streets was lined with the glowing lights of shops and restaurants.

“Oh, I thought we would go back to the yacht before dinner. I can't exactly go to dinner dressed like this," I said, gesturing to my now see-through cover up and visible bikini top.

Michael looked me up and down and smiled, “I don't think you would hear many complaints, but don't worry, we can stop at one of the shops and get you something dry."

My heart sank. I had very limited funds, and getting new clothes was definitely not in my budget. Not wanting to admit this, I nodded my head and followed Michael down the street. I'd have to pay him back because I hadn't brought any money with me.

Michael led the way into a boutique called, AmoreBelle, and I could already tell from the window displays that the store was way out of my price range.

The smell of fresh lavender drifted out through the door as soon as it opened. The walls and floors were the brightest white, so all of the customer's attention was drawn to the glamorous dresses hanging on the racks.

I felt so out of place in my simple, and very wet, clothes. I prayed that I would not drip on their floors.

“Well, hello darling, welcome back," said a saleswoman as she came to greet us. She had blonde hair pulled back into a low bun, and she smiled at Michael, clearly recognizing him.

“Jane, it is good to see you still work here. This is Shelby," Michael said. “I need you to help her find some new outfits. As you can see, we need to get her out of these wet clothes."

“Anything for you. I already have some great pieces in mind that will go perfectly with her hair. I will go get you a room started, hun," Jane said and walked away.

“I am going to head over to the men's store next door, but I think you should try this one," he said as he grabbed a cocktail dress in a deep midnight blue and handed it to me.

“Your room is right this way," Jane said and gestured for me to follow her.

“I'll see you soon," Michael said and turned to leave, but before walking out the door, he stopped to talk to one of the other women on the sales floor. She immediately started gathering dresses off of the racks.

I walked around the corner, and there was a pedestal in the middle of the room surrounded by mirrors and changing room doors.

I'd watched TV shows where women tried on wedding dresses in a setting similar to this, but I never imagined myself in a place like this.

“I put some things for you to try in the first room on the right, Shelby. Can I get you anything? Champagne?" the woman asked.

“That sounds lovely," I said while I tried to hide my shaking hands.

I turned and shut the door of my changing room as soon as the saleswoman was out of sight. The changing room was already lined with outfits for me to try on.

I took a deep breath before looking at the price tag on the dress Michael had handed me. I could have cried and probably would have had it not been for a soft knock on the door.

I opened the door, and the saleswoman Michael spoke to before leaving was standing there, with her arms full of elegant dresses.

“Mr. Astor asked me to make sure you leave in a semi-formal dress. I brought some great options. My name is McKenzie. I am so sorry I didn't catch your name earlier," she said as she started hanging up the dresses on the hooks in the dressing room. She had dark brown hair braided neatly.

“My name is Shelby," I answered. I considered running out the door and waiting by the jet ski until Michael returned but knew I would have to explain eventually.

“Well, Shelby, please let me know if you need anything."

“Actually, McKenzie. I have something to confess," I say nervously.

McKenzie looked confused but let me continue.

“Everything in this dressing room is way out of my price range. Honestly, I probably couldn't afford a pair of underwear."

McKenzie smiled and giggled a little. My face dropped; I could not believe she was laughing at me for being broke.

“I am so sorry, Shelby. I am not laughing at you; I totally understand your concern. I just figured you already knew. You don't have to be able to afford anything here."

“What do you mean?" I ask, still confused.

“Michael already has everything covered. He told me I am not allowed to let you leave this store until you have found a dress and at least ten new outfits," McKenzie said, amused with the shocked look on my face.

“I can't possibly go along with this," I said, my voice cracking.

“You have to, Shelby. If you don't, we won't earn any commission." McKenzie leaned closer and whispered, “I can't afford the underwear here either."

I was uncomfortable with the idea of Michael spending so much money on me, but I refused to be the reason that these women missed out on a huge commission. I immediately felt better, knowing I had much in common with McKenzie and possibly Jane.

“Okay, where do we start?" I said with a small sigh of defeat.

“Let's start with the everyday outfits and move on to the gowns after," she said and then added, “Oh, we can also spend some time looking at the underwear if you'd like."

I knew my face must have turned as red as my hair at that comment, so I quickly busied myself trying on the first top within reach. Then, I realized how this must look to these saleswomen, how it would look to anyone.

I started to wonder how many other women he's done this for; the saleswomen seemed used to this type of thing.

I quickly pushed the thought out of my mind. It didn't matter what this looked like; Michael was just a kind person. Plus, there was no way he would be interested in someone like me.

After many outfit changes and finding more new clothes than I'd bought for myself in an entire year, all that was left to pick out was a dress. McKenzie and Jane had outdone themselves in giving me beautiful options.

I tried on every single one and was met with many compliments from the sales team as I modeled them on the platform in the center of the dressing rooms.

Jane refilled my glass of champagne and asked, “Have you decided which one you want to go with?"

“I have one more left to try on before I decide," I said and slipped back into the changing room.

As soon as I put on Michael's choice, I knew it was the one I would be wearing out. The midnight blue silk slid over every curve of my body like it was molded specifically for me. The dress brushed the floor, but a slit up one side made it easy to move in.

“Wow," two voices behind me said in unison.

“I'll take this one."