Page 51 of Natural Temptation

I bite my lip, debating how much to reveal. "Just thinking about...time. How little we have left."

Ryan sits up now, his expression serious. "Just tell me what's going on, please."

"Okay." I sit up and wrap my arms around myself. "I want to stay here on the island—with you. Not just for a few days. For good."

"I'm glad you said that, because I want the same thing." He kisses my hand. "You are the love of my life, Mer."

He pulls me close, our bodies entwined. I try to memorize every nuance of every sensation—the warmth of his skin, the taste of his lips, the way his hands fit perfectly on my waist.

Later, as we join my friends and some of the staff for breakfast, the mood is a mix of excitement and melancholy. Everyone's chattering about their plans back home, but there's an undercurrent of sadness at leaving this paradise behind.

"I can't believe we're going home tomorrow," Zara sighs, stirring her coffee absently.

"Yeah, I'll miss you guys," I admit. "It feels like we just got here, doesn't it?"

"Speak for yourself," Lila chimes in, grinning. "I'm ready to sleep in my own bed again. Though I'll miss all you crazies."

"Not looking forward to repeating that thirty-six-hour trip in economy class."

I absently stir my coffee. "Well, at least I won't have to worry about that."

Maya stares at me. "Do you mean..."

"Ryan and I are staying together. Maybe I can get some kind of job here." I toss my Styrofoam coffee cup into the trash can. "But honestly, I'd be happy just to watch him work."

"We've lost her," Zara declares, with sarcastic sorrow. "She's a pod person now."

We laugh, but I catch Ryan's eye across the room. He gives me a small smile, and I wonder what he's thinking.

As the day progresses, I throw myself into every activity, determined to soak up every last drop of island life. My friends and I hike to the hidden waterfall, zip-line through the lush canopy, and lounge on the beach, our bodies bare and free under the warm sun. But as night falls, restlessness takes hold. I slip away from the farewell bonfire, my feet carrying me down to the moonlit shore. The waves crash rhythmically, a soothing counterpoint to my racing thoughts.

As the day progresses, I throw myself into every activity, determined to soak up every last drop of island life. We hike to the hidden waterfall, zip-line through the lush canopy, and lounge on the beach, our bodies bare and free under the warm sun. But as night falls, restlessness takes hold. I slip away from the farewell bonfire, my feet carrying me down to the moonlit shore. The waves crash rhythmically, a soothing counterpoint to my racing thoughts.

I hear footsteps behind me and turn to see Ryan approaching, his silhouette backlit by the distant bonfire. He comes to stand beside me, close enough that our arms brush.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he asks softly.

"I was thinking about us, and what our life will be like from now own. I'm no longer a guest."

"You're so much more than that now." He kisses the top of my head. "My life has done a one-eighty, all thanks to you. I'm grateful, more than you could imagine, to have you in my life.This island wouldn't be half as beautiful without your smile to brighten every day."

As we stand here, bathed in moonlight and possibilities, I know that whatever challenges lie ahead, we'll face them hand in hand. The island may have brought us together, but our story is far from over.

Chapter Sixteen

Ryan

The sun peeks through the slats of our bamboo blinds, painting golden stripes across our bed. I stretch lazily, savoring the warmth of Meredith's body nestled against me. It's been six weeks since we decided to make Heirani Motu our permanent home, and every morning I wake up feeling like it all must be a dream. But it's real.

"Good morning, beautiful," I say, pulling her closer so I can nuzzle her neck.

She yawns and stretches, her sleepy smile gradually widening. "Morning, handsome. Ready to face another day in paradise?"

"Yep. We have the best jobs on earth." I yawn too. "Nothing I'd rather do than hand out sunscreen and condoms to naked people."

We rise slowly, moving through our morning routine with the easy familiarity of a couple who've known each other for years, not months. I brew coffee while she slices fresh papaya and mango from the little garden behind our bungalow. We eat on our lanai, both of us wearing satisfied smiles. The view never gets old—jutting mountains, towering palms, a waterfall in the distance. James and Holly had insisted that Meredith and I move to a different bungalow, one that offers panoramic views of the island. We can hear waves crashing in the distance too.

Once we've finished off our breakfast, we allow ourselves a bit of time to just appreciate where we are. As general manager, however, I'm basically incapable of focusing on only the scenery. Fortunately, the woman I love gets it. She getsme.

---