Page 36 of Natural Temptation

"Good thing this isn't our first date, then." I'd hoped to ease his tension. Not sure my strategy is working. "You don't have to buy me flowers or chocolates."

He chuckles, but it's tinged with sadness. "Fair point."

While his body tenses up, I wait with the proverbial bated breath, wondering what secrets he might impart to me.

"I...I used to be a Navy SEAL," he begins, his gaze going distant. "There was an accident. A mission that went wrong. Horribly wrong."

My throat tightens. Ryan has never shared this much about his past before. I stay silent, afraid that if I speak, I'll break the spell and he'll retreat back into himself. I want to hold him, but I know I shouldn't, not yet. "Sweetie, you don't have to tell me."

"No, I want to, I need to."

He swallows hard, and I struggle to resist the urge to reach out and touch him.

"We were on a rescue mission in Libya," Ryan continues, his voice low and strained. "Four American archaeologists had been taken hostage at a recently discovered ancient site. Intel suggested it would be a small operation, in and out." He pauses, running a hand through his hair, squeezing his eyes shut. "But the intel was wrong."

The waves crash against the shore, their rhythm a stark contrast to the tension in Ryan's body. I simply listen, sensing he needs plenty of space to tell his story.

"We arrived under the cover of darkness. Everything seemed quiet—too quiet. Just as we approached the temple ruins, all hell broke loose." Ryan's gaze goes distant now, and he's clearly reliving the memory. "We were ambushed. Gunfire erupted from all sides. A terrorist group planned to steal whatever treasures they might find, and they knew we were coming. But there were no riches."

Ryan's whole body tenses, the muscles and tendons visible beneath his skin. Yet at the same time, his lips tremble faintly. He clenches his jaw, the muscles ticking beneath his skin. "We fought hard, but we were outmatched. I made it out alive, but..." He trails off, his voice cracking slightly. "Not everyone did. One of my closest friends got hit and...didn't make it."

The pain in his voice is palpable, and I ache to comfort him. "I'm so sorry, Ryan. I can't imagine how horrific that was."

He shuts his eyes, his shoulders bunching up. "It broke me, Meredith. The guilt, the memories, wondering whether I'd done enough to save my friend...I couldn't face it. Couldn't face myself. That mission changed everything. Afterward, nothing felt the same—relationships, daily life...It was like I'd left a partof myself behind in that desert. That's why came here. To escape my old life."

I step closer, my hand hovering near his arm and my voice barely a whisper. "You're not running now. You're sharing something horrific with me. That takes guts."

He hunches his shoulders. "I don't usually...open up like this."

"I'm glad you did."

Ryan's hand covers mine, his touch gentle, and his voice barely a murmur. "Feels like a two-ton weight has fallen off my chest. There's something about you, Meredith. Something that makes me want to let my guard down and shake off all those old issues."

I grin. "Well, we are on a nude beach. Guards down is kind of the theme."

His laughter is genuine as the tension eases from his shoulders. He clasps both my hands. "You've got me there, baby."

Ryan pulls me into his arms, holding me close. We stand here while the sun dips below the horizon, I feel the shift between us. This isn't just attraction anymore. It's something deeper, more complex. And despite the complications, I find myself falling headfirst into whatever this is becoming. After a moment or two, Ryan kisses my forehead and ambles back to his office. Meanwhile, I send a text to Zara asking where I can meet up with my friends.

We're on the beach, sweetie. Turn right and follow the footprints to the mangrove tree.

Zara's directions get me to my destination swiftly.

"There you are, Mer." Zara exclaims, leaping up. "We were starting to wonder if you'd gotten lost in paradise. Or maybe just lost in Ryan's bungalow."

I laugh, hoping the flush on my cheeks can be attributed to the island sun. My mind flashes back to Ryan's vulnerable gaze. "Get your mind out of the gutter, woman."

We spend an hour on the beach, swimming, splashing each other, laughing, and getting a tan. Then Zara announces that we're all going to a foam party this evening.

I stare at her. "Excuse me? A what party?"

"Foam. You'll understand once you see it. But basically, a machine spews nice, clean foam all over the designated party area—in this case, the big patio."

"Sounds...slippery."

"Oh, it is," Lila proclaims. "And that's half the fun. You haven't lived until you've tried to dance in chest-deep bubbles."

Maya grins. "I can't wait to see everyone sliding around."

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