Page 9 of Natural Temptation

Zara gives me a knowing wink and a smile. I take a deep breath, feeling the warm island air fill my lungs, and release it gradually.

You're ready for this, Mer, I remind myself.Ready for all of it.

I raise my glass. "To new adventures."

My friends echo the sentiment, our glasses clinking as we imagine the promise of memories to come. Yeah, I might be going a tad overboard with the purple prose. Hey, I never said I was a writer. I'm a bank teller, for pity's sake.

"Ladies, shall we check out our accommodations?" I suggest, draining the last sip of my drink.

My friends nod their agreement.

The sweet, tropical flavor of my cocktail lingers on my tongue as I lead the way into the main resort building. The cool air offers a surprising respite from the balmy atmosphere outside. As we follow the corridors, our bare feet pad softly on the carpeted floors. I guess they don't want anyone to slip on polished wood, so they went for soft carpeting instead.

Maya and Lila dash ahead, clearly too excited to do anything but grin and laugh. I feel exhilarated too, minus the giggles.

Lila raises her key card and grins. "Room 304."

She fumbles with her key card, and the door swings open to reveal a spacious suite bathed in natural light.

"Oh. My. God." Maya's jaw drops as she takes in the panoramic view from the open patio. "Mer, you have to see this!"

I step out onto the balcony, drinking in the breathtaking vista. The sinuous pools wind their way through lush gardens, beyond which the mountains rise majestically, their peaks kissing the azure sky. The ocean glimmers in the distance, a ribbon of turquoise on the horizon.

"Not too shabby," I concur, but my casual tone can't mask my awe.

We spend the next hour exploring each of their suites, oohing and aahing over the luxurious amenities. As I flop ontoZara's king-size bed, a twinge of disappointment hits me, and I sigh.

"I can't believe I'm all the way across the resort from you guys."

But Zara pats my shoulder. "Look on the bright side, honey. You'll have all the privacy you need for any...late-night visitors."

I pretend to be horrified and overdo it a touch. "Please. I'm here to relax, not..."

"Not what?" Lila waggles her eyebrows. "Have mind-blowing, earth-shattering, tropical-island sex?"

The four of us dissolve into uproarious laughter. When we flop backward onto the bed in unison, we laugh even more. Once we catch our breath again, we discuss ordering room service for the four of us, but I make my excuses and leave my friends behind. They don't mind. And I need a bit of alone time after that long plane ride in premium economy class. We pooled our resources to pony up for the extra fees that granted us a teeny bit more comfort. It was still a far cry from first class.

After walking out of Zara's amazing suite, I set off toward my bungalow. It lies in a more secluded area. I had reserved the bungalow only because the resort was almost booked up when we made our reservations. I would've preferred to stay closer to my friends. But as I exit the main building, I lift my chin and feel a bounce in my step that I hadn't noticed before.

Is this freedom I'm feeling? Yes, it is.

The path to my bungalow is a feast for the senses. Vibrant hibiscus and fragrant frangipani line the walkway, their petals dancing in the gentle breeze. The air is thick with the heady scent of ylang-ylang, its sweet perfume mingling with the salty tang of the sea. I pause to admire a towering breadfruit tree, its large, glossy leaves creating dappled shadows on the ground. Nearby, a cluster of bird of paradise flowers reveal their vibrant orangeand blue petals reminiscent of exotic tropical birds ready to take flight.

A melodious trill catches my attention, and I pause, watching a brightly colored bird flit from branch to branch. I swear its song is beckoning me, as if it's crooning, "You belong here, Meredith."

Jeez, I really have gone sappy. So what? I'll embrace the schmaltz.

As I approach my bungalow, my heart quickens with anticipation, though I can't quite explain why. A woven basket sits by the door, overflowing with local fruits and treats. The attached card tells me the basket includes feijoa, guava, and several other exotic fruits I've never heard of before.

I lift the woven lid, inhaling deeply as a burst of sweet, tropical scents wafts up to greet me. The feijoas are oval-shaped and green, their skin slightly bumpy under my curious fingers. I've never tasted one before, but the card promises a flavor somewhere between strawberry and pineapple. Next, the guavas beckon with their yellow-green hue and intoxicating aroma. I can't resist picking one up, marveling at how its soft fuzz tickles my palm. The basket seems like a cornucopia of surprises. There's a spiky red fruit that must be rambutan, according to the card, its wild exterior hiding the translucent flesh within.

My hand hovers over the doorknob, and I take a deep breath. "Well, Mer, here goes nothing. Let's hope my bungalow is as amazing as the suites my friends have."

I twist the knob and step inside, my jaw falling open in awe. The bungalow is indeed a paradise within paradise. Two words whisper out of me: "Holy shit."

Sunlight streams through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a spacious living area that flows seamlessly into an open-air deck. The décor is a perfect blend of tropical luxury and intimate comfort—all natural materials and sensual curves.

I run my fingers along the silky-smooth surface of a driftwood coffee table. "This is...absolutely incredible."

---