Page 23 of Natural Temptation

The breeze carries the scent of jasmine, mingling with the freshness of the ocean. I lean back on my elbows, tilting my face up to the star-studded sky. The vastness above me is a stark contrast to the intimate, heated moments I shared with Ryan. I close my eyes, letting the sound of the waves wash over me.

But instead of calming me, every rhythmic crash of water on sand seems to echo the pulsing need in my core. I can almost feel Ryan's hands on me, his lips trailing fire across my skin. My breath catches as I remember the intensity in his eyes, the raw desire barely contained beneath his professional facade. I shift restlessly on the sand.

"Damn you, Ryan. How am I supposed to make it through the night like this?"

Only then do I realize a salient fact. Ryan got me hot and bothered as a devious means of making me forget that I wanted to have a serious conversation with him.

That sneaky rascal.

Chapter Eight

Ryan

I slip into the massage workshop, trying to blend in with the walls. My interest in the workshop isn't just about gathering data and crunching numbers to find out how successful this event will be, though, not anymore. I need to understand what makes this place tick, what draws people here. But as I wander into the room, the scent of lavender and sandalwood washes over me. I guess that's common with an activity like this. I scan the room to get a read on the participants. The scents I detected a moment ago must have been massage oil. I can't deny it's, ah, kind of nice.

I give the room one more quick scan before I take up my position in the corner. The guests in attendance nod and smile as they amble past me. I offer similar greetings.

But thenshewalks in. Meredith. The most beautiful, sensual woman I've ever known. She glides into the room with effortless grace, her loose waves of caramel brown hair catching the sunlight that streams through the windows. Meredith's eyes widen briefly as she swivels her head to scan the space, and a soft smile curls her lips.

God, she's beautiful. The lighting casts a warm glow on her skin, and I imagine running my fingers along—

No, you moron, focus. This is work, not playtime.

As Meredith settles onto a massage table, she chats with Zara, her partner for this session. With enormous effort, I manage to look away, reminding myself why I'm here. This is information gathering for the resort, and I need to remain laser focused on that task. Massage workshops could be a lucrative option moving forward.

But while Maya, the workshop leader, begins her instructions, my gaze keeps drifting back to Meredith. The way she closes her eyes and breathes deeply, clearly embracing the experience. The gentle curve of her neck as she tilts her head. The laugh that escapes her lips at something Maya says. It's hard to focus on anything but Meredith when she's right here, clearly enjoying herself. I want to usher her out of the room so I can kiss her senseless, but I hold back. Professional distance and all that crap.

I'm so damn sick of being professional. That's why I've orchestrated that naughty surprise for Meredith tomorrow.

The quiet chatter of the other guests fades from my awareness. Why? Because Meredith just smiled and gave Maya the thumbs-up sign. The gesture wasn't even aimed at me, yet it makes me feel...aroused.

"Now remember," Maya reminds us. "Today is about discovery—of yourselves, of others, of the incredible potential within your own bodies. Ryan, thank you for making this workshop possible. I never imagined I'd have this chance."

"No problem. Mind if I sit in on the session? With my clothes on, that is."

"Sure thing, hon." She winks. "And if you get the hankering for it, go ahead and strip."

A nervous laugh splutters out of me. "Uh, thanks. But I'm still on the clock."

While Maya begins the workshop, I find myself thinking back on how far I've come. I had made sure James and Hollywere fine with my plans for guest-led events, and they agreed it was a great idea. The resort is all about empowerment, about shedding inhibitions along with clothing. But this island has also empowered me in ways I couldn't have predicted.

Meredith has been a big part of my transformation. But I still need to tell her about my past, no matter how much I'd rather not do that. It's time for me to man up.

In the background of my thoughts, I hear Maya's voice. "We'll be exploring different massage techniques, but more importantly, we'll be exploring boundaries, communication, and trust."

Her words inspire me to come back to the present. I notice a flicker of uncertainty cross Maya's face, but she pushes through it, her confidence growing with every moment. That's the magic of this place. It brings out the best in people, helps them find strength they didn't know they had and limits they didn't know they could shatter.

Meredith raises her hand. "So, are we massaging each other? I mean, do we each get a partner?"

"Yes, you will—but only if you're comfortable with that."

I cross my arms, tipping my head to the side, curious about Maya's response. Part of me hopes Meredith will choose to let someone else massage her, while another part wants to shield her from prying eyes. Including my own, if I'm being honest.

Maya spreads her arms. "Remember, this is about your journey, at your pace. Now, let's begin."

While Meredith settles into the massage routine, I find myself wondering what it would be like to serve as her partner for this workshop, to feel her skin under my hands, to rub her clit...Dammit. I need to get out of here before I do something stupid. Like volunteering to be her guinea pig. As I slip out, I catch Meredith's eye. She smiles, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

This is going to be a long day.

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