*Michael*As I rounded the corner, I was surprised to see Shelby’s red hair flowing off the back of the lounge chair. She looked so relaxed that I felt guilty invading her solace, but I couldn’t leave now. If she noticed me leaving, I’d make an even bigger fool of myself than I’d done the night before. “It looks like you found my hiding place. You must have had the same idea," I said, and her gray eyes fluttered open. “Mr. Astor!” she said, sitting up and turning to look at me.I sat down on the lounge chair next to her and laid back. I was taking full advantage of the moment to make a better impression. “Shelby, you can call me Michael.”“Mr. Astor, I don’t know if…” Shelby started.“Please, I insist,” I said before she could finish.“Alright,” she answered with a small smile. “I am so sorry if I took your hiding spot. I needed some time to myself, so your intern, Reggie, told me how to get here.”“You can stay as long as you’d like. D
*Shelby*I woke up on the fourth day of our trip to a fantastic view. I wrapped a robe around myself and made my way to the balcony. The yacht was no longer moving; we must have come into port sometime during the night. We were docked at a tropical island with white sand beaches lined with palm trees. I could barely hold back a squeal of excitement; Lauren told me yesterday that we would be going on a private luxury catamaran dolphin tour. I was finally going to get my wish of seeing a dolphin in the wild. It would even be worth being stuck on a smaller boat with Todd all day.I had become very creative in finding ways to avoid Todd each day. I still attended every planned activity but managed to sneak away and spend some time relaxing. On a few occasions, Reggie would save me from talking to the other members of the group. I’d also had a few decent conversations with Alison, the woman in our group with short black hair. I liked her far bett
*Shelby*Michael held out his hand to me, and I took it. He helped me off of the swim deck and onto the back of the jet ski. “Let’s go find those dolphins,” he said. We took off, and I had to grab around his waist to stay on the jet ski. I nearly jumped when his skin met mine. It was only then that I realized that Michael was shirtless. I instinctually wanted to slide closer to him, to press my body against his muscular back.I constantly had to work to fight that urge. ‘He is your friend’s dad!’ I screamed at myself internally. I switched my attention back to the water. The water was crystal clear and calm. Looking off the side of the jet ski, I could see to the bottom in some places. We passed over colorful sea life that was so captivating that it almost took my mind off of Michael’s muscular back.Almost.“There is a cove just up here where the dolphins are known to spend time. A boat would have a hard time getting back there, es
*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
*Shelby*I walked out of Amorebelle wearing a new outfit with light pink clothing bags weighing down each arm. I could not remember a time in my life when I had gotten this many new clothes at one time.I also had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that these clothes cost more than I made in an entire year. The saleswomen Jane and McKenzie wouldn’t let me look at the price tags on anything, but as they were ringing up my picks, I caught a glimpse of the total on the computer screen. I didn’t know how I would ever be able to pay Michael back for this shopping trip. I also couldn’t help but wonder how often he did this for women. Jane, who’d worked at the shop the longest, had recognized him when we walked in the door.I didn’t have time to contemplate this because I noticed a maid I recognized from the yacht. She made her way to me and started relieving me of my bags. I made sure to keep the bag with my dress and shoes for the evening. “Miss
*Shelby****“Todd, I am so glad we finally get to spend some time together. It seems like I barely get to see you anymore. I’m so sorry I have been so busy,” I said, smiling at my fantastic boyfriend. I really missed him, but with graduation so close, I had to put all of my efforts into studying.“I’m glad you finally found some time for me,” Todd said in a flat tone. I guessed I deserved that, but the comment still stung.“Where do you want to go eat? I heard there is a great new sushi place just a few blocks over,” I said, trying to switch the mood to a more positive one.“Yeah, that works,” Todd muttered as he pulled out his phone to send a text.We started walking over, and I couldn’t help but feel like something was off, but I relaxed as Todd’s fingers locked with mine.“So, how is work going?” I asked. Todd had graduated with his Bachelor’s degree the year before and started working for his dad’s financial firm after that. “It has been great
*Shelby.*Michael stared at me for a long time after I said that I would be leaving when we got to port the next day. Or at least I hoped I would be. I didn’t even know where we would be, let alone if there was an airport or a ticket home I could afford. “I would really hate to see you go, Shelby,” he said with a serious look on his face.“I think it's for the best,” I answered softly.“The best for you?” he asked. I stayed quiet for a long time. Was I deciding what was best for me and/or running from my problems?“I don’t know….” I answered truthfully. I took another small sip of the wine Michael had poured me and watched the liquid as I swirled it around in my glass.“You know wine always tastes better in the sauna,” Michael said, watching me.I turned to him, “That does sound nice, but I am sure the staff who work the spa have already gone to bed.” “Well, good thing the sauna is in my bathroom,” he said as the corners of his mouth eas
*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