Page 4 of Natural Temptation

Zara snickers. "Oh, we noticed. Planning your island fling already?"

"Maybe. A girl can dream, right?"

But honestly, I doubt a hunk like Ryan would want to have a fling with a post-menopausal woman. Must be some fit and sexy older men around here too. Well, there's always Rene, I guess. But I just can't picture myself getting it on with him.

As we await the welcome speech, my thoughts drift back to the brochure. It had promised "two weeks of sun, sand, and freedom that will provide the no-holds-barred experience of a lifetime." My inhibitions are already starting to slip away just thinking about that, replaced by a giddy sense of possibility.

Watch out, Heirani Motu. Meredith Hayes is ready to play.

I can't help but marvel at the resort's design. The open-air architecture seamlessly blends with the lush surroundings, almost as if the buildings grew organically from the island itself.

"Can you believe this place?" I whisper to Lila, gesturing at the vibrant greenery and colorful flowers surrounding us. "It's like we've stepped into paradise."

Lila grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, honey, paradise is just the beginning. Wait until you see what else this island has to offer."

I had thoroughly researched the resort beforehand, poring over the website for weeks to make sure this was the perfect playground for me and my friends. "Did you know there are dolphins that swim along the shore? And strange flying foxes that come out at night? They're officially called monkey-faced bats, but 'flying foxes' has a better ring."

"Ooh, wildlife," Maya chimes in. "As long as they don't interrupt my tanning time, I'm cool with that. Not sure about monkey-faced bats, though. Sounds creepy."

"Speaking of animal life," Zara whispers, nodding toward a group of muscular twenty-somethings, "I spy a few specimens I wouldn't mind studying up close."

I roll my eyes but can't help laughing. "Focus, ladies. This is only day one, so there's no rush."

"Sure, yeah," Lila teases with a knowing roll of her eyes. "So, the 'wildlife.' Is that what we're calling it now?"

As we go on bantering, I only half listen to my friends. In a matter of minutes, I'll be baring it all in front of complete strangers. My heart races with a mix of exhilaration and nerves like nothing I've experienced before. But this isn't fear. It's freedom.

"You okay, Mer?" Zara asks, noticing my sudden quiet.

I take a deep breath. "Yeah, just...processing. This is really happening, isn't it?"

"Second thoughts?" Maya inquires gently.

I shake my head. "No, not at all. After losing Brian, I never thought I'd do something this...daring."

Lila squeezes my hand. "Be proud of yourself, honey. Brian wore you down and ignored you, treating you like a roommate instead of a wife. Now, it's time to take charge of your life and embrace new experiences."

"Thanks," I whisper, blinking back unexpected tears. Then I straighten my shoulders, pushing the bittersweet memories aside. "All right, enough of that. We came here to have fun, right?"

Zara smacks my arm. "That's the spirit. Now, about those young studs over there..."

I laugh, grateful for the distraction. "Down, girl. Let's at least get through the introductions before you start planning your conquests."

As my friends continue their playful debate over which guests look the most "delicious," I find my gaze drawn back to Ryan. There's something about him, an air of quiet intensity that's utterly magnetic. I shake my head, reminding myself that I'm here to relax and have fun, not get tangled up in complicated emotions. Still, as the resort staff begins to gather for introductions, I can't quite shake the feeling that this vacation might hold more surprises than I bargained for.

I pull the welcome packet out of my purse, flipping through the glossy pages absently. The promise of a wild adventure has me tapping my toes in anticipation.

"Ladies, it's showtime," Zara whispers, nudging me forward.

We join the crowd, moving even closer to the temporary dais where Ryan stands. I catch snippets of conversation—hushed giggles, speculative murmurs about what awaits us. My own curiosity bubbles up, threatening to overflow.

Then Ryan steps onto the platform, and the world narrows down to only him. He spreads his arms wide, and I swear the air crackles with electricity. Apparently, tropical islands melt my brain.

"Welcome to Au Naturel Naturist Resort South Seas," Ryan begins, his voice rich and warm. "We're thrilled to have you as our guests for the next two weeks, on this privately owned island that offers the ultimate in discretion and luxury."

I lean in more, hanging on every word like a nerdy schoolgirl with a crush on the football star. There's something about the way he speaks, confident yet approachable, that draws me in.

"I'm Ryan Kimble, interim general manager. But you can call me Ryan," he continues, gesturing to the staff behind him. "And these amazing people are my partners in bringing you the best vacation experience of your lives."

---