Page 34 of Natural Temptation

Later, in the privacy of my bungalow, I sink onto the bed, my mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. As much as I loved last night and our little game this morning, I'm beginning to feel the old anxieties creeping in again.

Because I still haven't told her about my past.

"What are you doing, moron?" I mutter to myself, running a hand through my hair.

I can't deny the pull I feel toward Meredith. It's more than just physical attraction. It's a connection I've never experienced before. She sees past my carefully constructed facade, challenging me to be vulnerable in ways that both terrify and exhilarate me.

But as I gaze out at the stunning Heirani Motu sunset, reality crashes in. This is a vacation fling, nothing more. In a week, Meredith will leave, and I'll still be here, trapped by my past and my responsibilities.

"You're playing with fire," I warn myself. Yet even as I speak the words, I know I'm already burning.

Chapter Eleven

Meredith

As I dangle my feet in the infinity pool, tiny wavelets lap at my ankles, tickling my skin. The blue of the water seamlessly melds with the ocean horizon. Lila's laughter rings out, drawing my gaze to where she's perched on the pool's edge, her auburn curls catching the light.

"I swear, that zip line was trying to kill me," she jokes. "My stomach dropped faster than my body."

"Baloney," Zara teases, splashing water in Lila's direction. "You were squealing like a toddler the whole time. And half expected you to propose marriage to the tour guide."

"He was pretty cute," I admit. "But Cooper's taken. Or did you not notice the wedding ring on his left hand?"

"What a bummer," Maya declares with no small amount of sarcasm. "This island is like a buffet of hot men. We must sample liberally!"

As my friends dissolve into giggles, I feel a pang of guilt. If only they knew about Ryan and all the naughty things we've done together. Just thinking about our secret encounters gets me wound up. I take a sip of my piña colada, hoping the cool sweetness will calm the butterflies in my stomach.

Zara waves a hand in front of my face. "Wake up, Mer. You zoned out there for a second. Daydreaming about our next adventure?"

"Just enjoying the sunshine, that's all."

Maya sinks back in her deck chair and sighs. "Every morning, I wake up thinking I'm still in my boring apartment back home."

Lila shakes her head. "Get your mind out of the city, girl. We're surrounded by naked gods with equipment that would make any woman blush."

As my friends launch into a debate about which excursion to tackle next, I find my thoughts drifting back to Ryan.

"What do you think, Mer?" Lila asks, pulling me back to the present. "Waterfall hike or snorkeling tomorrow?"

I hesitate, wondering if I can engineer another clandestine meeting with Ryan instead. Guilt gnaws at me just for thinking about that, but the excitement of our stolen moments was intoxicating. "How about we play it by ear? This is a vacation, after all. No need to over-plan."

My friends go back to checking out hot young studs—until I announce that I'm starved. That spurs Maya to suggest we finally try the open-air restaurant.

I take another sip of my drink, the fruity sweetness doing little to quell the bittersweet cocktail of disappointment swirling within me. I haven't seen Ryan yet today. When we settle into our seats at the open-air restaurant, the scent of grilled seafood mingling with the salty air does little to raise my spirits. I miss Ryan. Still, I can't help but smile as I take in the vibrant scene around us—other vacationers chatting animatedly, the rhythmic crash of waves in the distance, and the lush greenery framing our view of the crystal-clear sky.

"I'll have the mahi-mahi with mango salsa," Zara announces, closing her menu with a flourish. "And a piña colada, because why not live a little?"

"Make that two piña coladas," I add, catching the waiter's eye.

As we place our orders, I notice how each of my friends approaches the menu differently. Maya meticulously weighs her options, while Lila confidently chooses without hesitation. It's these little quirks that make our group dynamic so special.

Once the waitress bustles away, Zara leans toward me. "So, Ms. Hayes, what's your secret?"

I nearly choke on my water. "Secret? What do you mean?"

"Oh, come on. You've got this...glow about you. Like you've stumbled onto hidden treasure on this island."

The others lean in, clearly intrigued. I force a laugh, desperately searching for a plausible explanation. "Oh, that? Must be all this sun and relaxation. You know how I burn easily—I'm probably just one shade away from 'cooked lobster.' "

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