Page 19 of Natural Temptation

"Ryan, wait!" Meredith calls out, her voice a mix of confusion and anguish. I feel her hand brush against my arm, but I jerk away from the touch, unable to face her. The warmth of her touch lingers, a stark contrast to the cold dread settling in my stomach.

The heaviness of my footfalls makes me sink into the sand with every step. But I can't stop running, not even when the earth shifts under my feet, and I almost fall down. As I put more distance between us, every step feels like some kind of betrayal.The sounds of the beach party grow louder as I approach, but they're muffled by the roaring of my own pulse in my ears.

"Ryan!" Meredith calls again, her voice tinged with desperation. "Please, don't run away from this!"

Her words hit me like a physical blow, but I can't bring myself to turn around. If I look at her now, see the hurt and confusion on her face, I know I'll crumble. And I can't afford to fall apart, not here, not now.

I reach the edge of the party where the flickering tiki torches cast long, dark shadows across the sand. A few curious glances are thrown my way as I hurry past, but I ignore them.

Once I've slammed the door of my bungalow behind me, I sag against it, my eyes closed.

No matter what I might feel for Meredith, I can't drag her into my world.

After a restless night's sleep filled with visions of Meredith writhing, moaning, and coming apart for me, I know I need to do something or I'll go crazy. She is the most incredible woman I've ever met. And she loves to get naughty, that much I learned from our encounter in her bungalow. That gives me an idea. Fortunately, the resort shop offers plenty of options for adults who enjoy a little kink—or maybe more than a little.

Still, I don't feel like outing myself as a potential sex fiend, so I wait until after the shop closes. Then I use my master key to get back inside and grab what I need. I left a note for Mariel explaining that I'd paid for an item, though I fibbed about why I bought it. For a friend, I told her. Yeah, she'll believe that.

What did I buy? A vibrating sex toy that comes with a remote control so I can make Meredith come whenever I feel like it—in her bungalow, in the woods, on the beach, or...in public.

Fuck, I'm getting hard just thinking about that.

I sneak back to my bungalow, heart racing as I clutch the discreet black bag. What am I doing? This is insane. I'm thegeneral manager. I should be focusing on work, not plotting ways to secretly pleasure a guest. But I can't get Meredith out of my head. The way she looked at me on the beach, vulnerable yet determined. The taste of her lips, the softness of her skin. God, I want her so badly it physically hurts.

Pulling out the toy, I slide my hand up and down its length, getting aroused simply by feeling its sleek and curved shape. And by thoughts of what I could do to Meredith with this device. The remote feels heavy in my palm. Images flood my mind—Meredith writhing in ecstasy as I control her pleasure from across the room. Her trying to maintain composure during dinner as waves of sensation wash over her.

My cock strains against my pants. This is wrong. So wrong. But I can't bring myself to put the toy and remote back in the bag.Shit.What am I thinking? I can't do this. It's completely unethical. I'm letting my desires cloud my judgment.

I sink onto the edge of my bed, head in my hands. God, I'm a mess. One kiss from Meredith and I'm ready to throw away everything I've worked for. My professional integrity, my vows to never let anyone get close again. All of it, crumbling because of one amazing woman. But it's more than simple physical attraction. There's something about Meredith that calls to me on a deeper level. Her warmth, her wisdom, the way she seems to see right through my carefully constructed walls. And the pleasure she gave me last night...it was more than hot sex.

And that terrifies me.

I leap off the bed and begin pacing the length of my bedroom. The toy sits on my nightstand, a tempting reminder of my momentary lapse in judgment. I can't use it. I won't. But I also can't bring myself to return it.

With a frustrated groan, I grab my running shoes. I need to clear my head, to put some distance between my dangerous thoughts and the woman who inspires them. The pre-dawnair is cool against my skin as I set off down the beach, my feet pounding out a steady rhythm in the sand. I run until my lungs burn and my legs ache, pushing myself to the limits of exhaustion. But even physical exertion can't drive Meredith from my mind. Her throaty laughter echoes in my ears, and the ghost of her touch traces over my skin.

As the sun begins to peek over the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues, I slow to a stop. I'm far from the resort now, alone on a secluded stretch of beach. The waves lap gently at the shore, a soothing counterpoint to my ragged breathing. I bend over, hands on my knees, as I try to catch my breath and calm my carnal fantasies.

What am I going to do about Meredith? I can't avoid her forever, not on an island this small. And if I'm being honest with myself, I don't want to hide from her. Despite my best efforts to maintain professional distance, she's gotten under my skin in a way no one has in years.

I straighten, thrusting a hand through my sweat-dampened hair. The logical part of my brain knows I should put a stop to this, draw a firm line and stick to it. But my heart...it wants to take that risk Meredith spoke of last night. As I start the long trek back to the resort, I try to sort through the jumble of emotions swirling inside me.Good luck with that, pal.

The sun climbs higher in the sky as I make my way along the shoreline. My muscles ache from the punishing run, but it's nothing compared to the ache in my chest. Images of Meredith flash through my mind—her radiant smile, the warmth in her amber eyes, the softness of her lips against mine. God, that kiss. It was like being struck by lightning, every nerve ending in my body coming alive at once.

I pause to catch my breath, staring out at the endless expanse of turquoise water. The ocean has always had a calming effect on me, but today it only serves as a reminder of my inner turmoil.The vastness of it all makes me feel small and insignificant in comparison.

As I near the resort, I spot a familiar figure walking along the beach. I freeze, my gaze locked on the figure moving toward me. I recognize Meredith's graceful gait. She hasn't seen me yet, her gaze fixed on the horizon as she meanders along the water's edge. For a moment, I consider ducking behind some nearby rocks to avoid an encounter. But something stops me. Maybe it's the way the morning light catches her hair, turning the golden-brown strands into spun gold. Or maybe it's the memory of her words from last night, her willingness to take a risk on whatever this is between us. For reasons I can't explain, I find myself calling out to her before I can stop myself.

"Meredith!"

She whirls around at the sound of my voice, her eyes widening in surprise. For a moment, we just stare at each other across the sand, letting the crash of waves fill the silence between us. I close the distance, unsure of what I'm going to say but knowing I need to say something.

Her face lights up. "Ryan? I didn't expect to see you out here."

"Couldn't sleep," I admit, running a hand through my damp hair. "Needed to clear my head."

Meredith searches my face. "About last night..."

"I'm sorry," we blurt out simultaneously. And we smile at the same time too.

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