Page 27 of Natural Temptation

"Just...you. Everything about you." I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I think it's time I started facing my own fears too."

Meredith wraps her hands around mine. "Together?"

I feel as if a weight has lifted off my shoulders. "Yeah, together."

While the jet's engines roar to life, I make a silent vow. No more hiding. No more letting fear hold me back. Meredith has shown me that life's too short for that bullshit.

And as we take off, soaring over the pale blue expanse of the South Pacific, I can't help but feel we're flying toward something far greater than just a day trip to Fiji.

Chapter Nine

Meredith

I wriggle in my seat, hyper-aware of the small silicone device nestled between my thighs. My pulse races. Just knowing Ryan could set it vibrating at any moment gives me a thrill so intense that I might orgasm at any moment. But Ryan is in control of my pleasure, and I think he's going to draw it out all day long.

What have I gotten myself into?

Ryan is chatting with a gray-haired couple in the back row. He doesn't even glance at me. When the jet hits a pocket of turbulence, I grip the armrests hard enough that I might split the leather with my nails. The toy remains cupped intimately against me, like a lover's palm. A shiver rushes through me that has nothing to do with the plane's movement.

"You okay, Mer?" Maya asks, plopping down beside me. "You look a little flushed."

I smile tightly. "Just excited for the trip."

"Me too," Lila chimes in, taking the seat on my other side. "I can't wait to see Fiji—all of it."

As my friends chatter about our upcoming adventures in Fiji, I try to focus on their words instead of the tantalizing pressure between my legs. But it's no use. My body has become so sensitized that I can barely stand it. My nipples have become tight beads that must be visible beneath my thin dress. No one seems to notice, though.

Ryan walks past me as casual as you please, without even glancing my way.

I sneak a peek at him as he nears the front of the plane and turns sideways to speak to a pair of guests. His expression remains pleasant as he chats with the younger couple, who I've heard are newlyweds. But I swear I see a hint of a smirk playing at Ryan's lips as he throws me a sidelong glance. I suspect he relishes tormenting me this way.

Of course he does, the sexy bastard.

Zara waves a hand in front of my face. "Earth to Meredith. Where'd you go just now?"

I blink several times as I realize I had completely zoned out. "Oh, sorry. Just daydreaming about those beautiful beaches we'll see."

"Uh-huh," Maya agrees with a knowing grin. "I bet you were thinking about our hot tour guide. What was his name again? Rufus?"

"Ha-ha. As if you don't know his name." I peer into her eyes as if I'm deeply concerned. "Did you hit your head coming onto the jet? Maybe you've got an aneurysm, and that's why you can't remember names. Our tour guide is Ryan."

Lila leans over to peer down the aisle. "Look at that fine ass. I don't blame you for wanting to jump his bones, Mer."

"Stop talking about Ryan's ass. Please."

Zara wags her eyebrows. "We can still enjoy the view."

She said that just as Ryan strode past us. Whether he heard it, I don't know for sure. But he seems...quite pleased with himself.

"Oh, you've got it bad, Mer, don't you?" Maya suggests. "I've never seen you so antsy. Must be jonesing for—"

"Shush," I hiss.

My friends all smirk at me.

I roll my eyes, but inwardly, I'm panicking. Are we that obvious? Am I that obvious? What if someone figures out what's really going on? Another wave of turbulence hits and I bite back a gasp as the toy shifts a teeny bit. Ryan still hasn't turned it on, but just knowing it's there, waiting, has me balanced on a razor's edge.

But god, I love the sweet torture he's giving me.

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