Page 1 of Natural Temptation

Prologue

Ryan

The sun gradually sinks toward the horizon, casting a fiery glow on the sky and painting it in shades of blood red with smears of purple, like big bruises on the sunset. I curl my toes deeper into the sand, feeling the tiny grains move beneath my feet. My shoulders are relaxed, my jaw too. The breathtaking scenery of Heirani Motu surrounds me, and the weight I'd felt bearing down on me a few days ago has crumbled away. Still, I can't help wondering if I'll be able to handle swimming in a sea of naked strangers.

Am I ready for this? For a new job in a strange new place? Tomorrow, I'll start my first full week on the island, and my first full day as interim general manager. But this island is nothing like the resort I'd worked at before. This is a nudist resort, after all. The clothes-free kind.

But if I wake up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night...I'll handle it. My best friend taught me how to get through the bad times.

My mind races through an endless list of preparations. Have I double-checked the welcome baskets? Are the trail maps updated? God, I hope the staff remembered to stock extra sunscreen. Then a seabird's cry pierces the air as my thoughts spiral back to the impending arrival of a new crop of guests—my first since I touched down on the island. Can I handle somany new people? All at once? I have no choice. They are my responsibility, and I never let my crew down.

A memory unfolds in my mind as I remember the last time I managed a guest influx this large. It was at a different kind of resort, in a different life. The complaints, the accidents, the sheer unpredictability of human beings, had nearly driven me crazy. Yet now, with so much more at stake, I feel relaxed instead of anxious. Maybe it's the scent of the ocean and rustling of the palm trees that's keeping me centered.

But what if someone gets hurt on the nature trails? Or bitten by shark? Sure, that's likely to happen. I shake my head at myself. "Get it together, Kimble. You've done this before.' "

Yeah, those other instances were at a regular resort where everyone kept their clothes, or at least their swimsuits, on at all times. But I can handle it, for sure. Even as I tell myself the words, I know it's a lie. The pressure to maintain Au Naturel's sterling reputation feels heavier than ever. One misstep, one unhappy guest, and it could all come crashing down.

Don't be an idiot. The whole chain of resorts won't explode just because I flub something.

I turn away from the fading light, my steps purposeful as I head back toward the resort. My mind cranks into high gear as I plot checklists and contingency plans. I need to review the staff schedules one more time, ensure the kitchens are fully stocked, double-check that all the equipment for tomorrow's activities is in perfect working order.

As I walk, I catch my reflection in a nearby window. For a moment, I barely recognize the man staring back at me—all soft smiles and casual certainty, as if I know exactly what I'm doing.What bullshit.I force a smile, practicing the pleasant, welcoming expression I'll need to wear tomorrow and every day after.

"Welcome to Au Naturel Naturist Resort South Seas," I say to my reflection, my voice carefully modulated to project confidence and ease. "The one place where you can truly be yourself."

The irony of those words isn't lost on me. How long has it been since I've allowed myself that luxury? I shake off the thought, squaring my shoulders. There's work to be done, and I won't let my personal hang-ups interfere with the guests' experience. They came here seeking freedom, relaxation, maybe even a bit of romance.

It's my job to ensure they find it—even if I can't seem to find any of that for myself.

Suddenly, the breeze wafts a familiar odor toward me. It smells like blood, mixed with the salty sea air. My heart rate spikes as I scan the beach, searching for the source. Could someone be hurt? My mind races through worst-case scenarios—a guest injured on the rocks, a shark attack, or worse. But it's only a mirage, of course. Yet I'm transported back to another night that I've tried to forget, another place, another lifetime on a different continent.

Then it's over as quickly as the memory had begun.

I blink rapidly, my heart racing. The phantom pain in my chest feels all too real, and I can almost taste the coppery tang of blood on my lips. I shake my head in an attempt to clear the memory, muttering to myself. "Not now, Kimble. Focus on this moment, this time."

The rhythmic crash of waves pulls me back to the present. I turn toward the shoreline, watching as the moonlight glimmering on the water surges and recedes in an endless tango. It's mesmerizing, peaceful. I let out a long breath, trying to match the steadiness of the waves with the ocean's rhythm. My heart rate slows, and the memories gradually drift away from me.

"Amazing, isn't it?" I say aloud as I gaze at the ocean, though there's no one else to hear me. "Paradise on earth."

Here I am, surrounded by breathtaking beauty, and all I can think about is spreadsheets and guest complaints. The duality of it all—the serenity of Heirani Motu versus the chaos in my head—it's almost laughable. I close my eyes, letting the sound of the waves wash over me once again. For just a moment, I allow myself to be present, to feel the sand beneath my feet and the caress of the breeze on my skin.

I open my eyes to watch the last sliver of sun disappear beneath the horizon. The colors turn from pink to purple and finally to darkness. My life has been filled with too much darkness, but I've worked hard to live in the light. Can I ever truly do that? Some scars remain embedded in my psyche forever.

With one last look at the darkening sky, I turn back toward the resort. There's still work to be done, even after sunset, and I won't let the ghosts of my past interfere with the promise of tomorrow.

The shrill ring of my phone cuts through the air like a seagull's cry, yanking me back to reality. I fish it out of my pocket, cursing softly when I see the name on the screen: James Bythesea. I take a deep breath, schooling my voice into a mask of calm professionalism.

"James," I answer, my voice steady despite the sudden uptick in my heart rate. "What can I do for you, boss?"

"How is your first week going, Ryan?" James's crisp British accent crackles through the line. "I trust I'm not interrupting anything important?"

A wry smile tugs at my lips. "Not at all. Just finishing up some last-minute preparations for tomorrow's new arrivals."

"Ah, excellent. That's precisely why I'm calling." There's a pause, and I can almost picture James straightening his crispwhite dress shirt, even over the phone. "How are we looking for the upcoming season?"

I start walking back toward the resort, sand shifting beneath my feet until I step onto the manicured trail. "We're on track, boss. Bookings are up fifteen percent from last year, and early feedback on our newest adventure options has been positive."

"That's...good." But there's hesitation in his voice that makes my shoulders tense up. "However, I can't help but feel we could be doing better. Eve and Val are expecting significant growth this quarter."

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