Page 70 of Natural Temptation

"You know," Damian begins, wiggling his eyebrows, "I've got a special talent for palm reading. It's all part of the show I do in my gypsy wagon."

"Really?" I ask, intrigued. "That sounds fascinating."

Ryan raises an eyebrow, his skepticism evident. "Palm reading, huh?"

Damian grins. "Oh, it's legit. I've got what we call 'Ludar lidar.' It's kind of like radar, but it's for reading people."

I burst out laughing. "Ludar lidar? I love that."

As the laughter subsides, I turn to the woman sitting beside me, a first-timer at the resort. "So, what made you decide to try naturism?"

Wendy blushes slightly. "Honestly? I wanted to challenge myself. Push past my comfort zone, you know?"

"I get that. It can be intimidating at first, but it's so liberating once you embrace it."

"Exactly," Wendy agrees. "I never thought I'd feel this comfortable being naked around strangers. It's freeing."

Later, as Ryan and I walk back to our room hand in hand, I can't help but sigh. "I miss Heirani Motu."

"Me too. It feels like home, doesn't it?"

I sigh, surprised by the intensity of my longing. "There's just something about the island...the freedom, the dirty escapades."

"The condoms in terra cotta bowls?"

"Among other things."

Ryan pulls me close as we reach our door. "I get what you mean, though. But you know what? I've been thinking that maybe we should take a real honeymoon. Explore some places neither of us has seen before."

My heart leaps at the suggestion. "Really? That would be incredible!"

Once we're inside our bungalow, we both fall asleep swiftly. It's been a wonderful, if exhausting day.

I watch Ryan's chest rise and fall as he drifts off, a contented smile playing on his lips. My fingers itch to trace the line of his jaw, but I resist, not wanting to disturb his peaceful slumber. Instead, I drink in the sight of him, marveling at how quickly he's become such an integral part of my world.

"Who would've thought?" I whisper to myself. "Me, Meredith Hayes, falling head over heels for the stoic resort manager."

As the room grows quiet, save for Ryan's gentle breathing, a sense of solitude washes over me. It's not loneliness, exactly, but a moment of introspection. I think back to the woman I was before Heirani Motu—always searching, never quite satisfied. And now?

"I'm happier than I've ever been," I muse, snuggling closer to Ryan's warmth.

After a while, I surrender to sleep.

Then a thunderous pounding on our door jolts me awake.

"Get up, lazy heads!" a familiar voice booms. "No rest for the wicked, or in this case, the naked!"

Ryan bolts upright, his eyes wide. "Tucker? Is that you?"

"Better believe it. Time to rise and shine."

I can't help but laugh at his expression. "Looks like your best friend's come to join the party."

We throw on some clothes and open the door to see Tucker's beaming face. Ryan told me about his Navy SEAL buddy, but I didn't have the chance to meet him.

Until now.

"Tuck the man is here!" Ryan exclaims, pulling his friend into a bear hug. "What are you doing in Oregon?"

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