Page 20 of Natural Temptation

"You go first," she offers.

Her beautiful body and that smoky laugh make the decision for me. "How wicked would you like to be, Meredith?"

She edges closer. "What did you have in mind?"

I must be smirking like the devil himself. "Ever hear of remote-controlled sex toys?"

Meredith's grin broadens. "That sounds deliciously wicked."

"Tomorrow, I'm leading a sightseeing trip to Fiji." I pull her closer. "Come with me. You'll need to wear clothes, which means I can slip the device inside you. Then you'll be at my mercy, coming whenever I allow it."

Will I survive doing that to her? It'll be worth a heart attack. I've never been this horny before, and I know one thing for certain.

I will need to fuck her afterward and fuck her hard.

Chapter Seven

Meredith

Palm fronds whisper above me, thanks to a sultry breeze, as I make my way toward the open-air café. My mind has become a whirlwind of conflicting emotions lately, but I know one thing for certain. I can't wait for Ryan to slide that toy inside me. But he won't do that until tomorrow.Damn.The gentle island breeze caresses my skin, but I barely notice, too consumed by thoughts of Ryan's intense gaze, the way his strong hands felt on my body, and the frustrating coldness that followed our first sexual encounter.

But he's not playing it cool anymore. He wants to control my pleasure from afar. That's as hot as hot can get.

I pause to appreciate the breathtaking view of Heirani Motu's lush landscape. The vibrant greens of the rainforest blend seamlessly with the golden sands and crystal-clear waters, a paradise that usually soothes my soul. Today, though, it only serves as a backdrop to my internal struggle.

Maybe that's the appeal, I admit to myself, a wry smile tugging at my lips.The chase, the mystery...God, Meredith, when did you become such a cliché?

Since the day I met Ryan Kimble, that's when.

As I approach the café, my eyes are drawn to a familiar figure seated at one of the tables. Lila, my free-spirited best friend, is hunched over a sketchpad, her curly auburn hair forming a fieryhalo around her face. Her hand moves across the paper with practiced grace, capturing the essence of the island's beauty. A smile tugs at my lips at the sight of her. Lila's presence is always a balm to my restless spirit, her artistic soul a perfect complement to my more practical nature. That's why Lila and I became friends. She was the first person I met at our group therapy sessions.

As if sensing my approach, she raises her head, her face lighting up with a radiant smile. "Meredith! I was just thinking about you. Come, sit with me and tell me everything."

I laugh, shaking my head as I slide into the chair across from her. "Everything? That's a tall order, my friend. I'm not sure I even understand everything myself."

Lila sets her sketchpad aside, leaning forward with an eager gleam in her eye. "Oh, now you have to spill. I know that look, Mer. Something's happened, hasn't it?"

"Maybe." I bite my lip, torn between the urge to confide in one of my best friends and the desire to keep my encounter with Ryan a titillating secret. So I hedge, unable to prevent a secretive smile from tugging at my lips. "Let's just say Heirani Motu is living up to its reputation as a place of new beginnings where anything goes."

"Ooh, mysterious," Lila teases, rubbing her hands together. "Come on, give me something to work with here. I'm an artist, Mer. I need details to paint the full picture."

I lean back in my chair, letting out a deep sigh. "It's... complicated. There's this man, and the connection between us is electric. But he's like a riddle wrapped in an enigma, hot one minute and cold the next. I can't figure him out, and it's driving me crazy."

"Ah, the dance of attraction. It's like a masterpiece in progress, isn't it? Bold strokes of passion, subtle shades of intrigue...Tell me, does this mystery man make your heart race?"

I close my eyes briefly, remembering the intensity of Ryan's gaze and the way he turns me on so easily. "Does my heart race? Absolutely. Like a hummingbird on caffeine."

Lila reaches out to squeeze my hand. "Then maybe the mystery is part of the masterpiece. Embrace it, honey. Let the colors blend and see what beautiful creation emerges."

I open my eyes, meeting Lila's gaze. "When did you get so wise, oh great artist?"

She laughs, the sound as melodious as the island's songbirds. "I've always been wise, my dear. You've just been too busy chasing your own tail to notice."

As we share a moment of laughter, I feel some of the tension rush out of my body. The mystery of Ryan still lingers, but with Lila's encouragement, I find myself more excited than anxious about what lies ahead. Whatever this island has in store for me, I'm ready to embrace it with open arms.

But I still want to know more about Ryan Kimble.

I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Okay, so here's the thing. Last night was...incredible. Like fireworks-exploding, earth-moving incredible."

---