Page 28 of Natural Temptation

I did come to Heirani Motu for adventure, didn't I? Well, this definitely qualifies. As anxiety and excitement war within me, I can't help but wonder what other surprises Ryan might have in store for me.

The cabin door swings open and Rene swaggers out, his gray hair tousled and his blue eyes twinkling with scampish humor. "G'day, folks! Just thought I'd pop out and let you know the good news. We don't need a pilot anymore!"

A ripple of nervous laughter spreads through the cabin.

Rene grins, clearly enjoying himself. "Yep, our good mate AI is taking care of everything. I'm thinking of catching some shut-eye or maybe skydiving. Anyone care to join me?"

Despite my predicament, I find myself grinning and laughing. There's something infectious about Rene's carefree attitude.

"All right, all right, I'm only pulling your leg," Rene chuckles. "We're on autopilot at the moment, smooth sailing ahead. Now, who's ready for a proper Fiji welcome?"

As Rene launches into a colorful description of Fiji's attractions, I wriggle in my seat, acutely aware of the toy nestled between my thighs. Every tiny movement sends a jolt through me, and I'm torn between wanting to squirm and staying perfectly still.

Rene disappears into the cockpit, shutting the door behind him.

A moment later, his voice crackles over the intercom. "Ladies and gents, if you look out your windows, you'll see a pod of humpback whales frolicking in the waves. Quite a sight, eh? I'll descend to a lower altitude so you can get the best view."

My friends practically leap over me in their excitement, pressing their faces against the glass. Lila breathes, "Oh my god, Mer, you have to see this."

I hesitate, not trusting myself to move. "I'm good here, thanks."

No, my voice didn't sound oddly strained. Nope, not at all.

Liar.

That's when I feel his presence. Ryan leans in close, his breath warm against my ear and his voice low and teasing. "Having trouble, Meredith? I could always help you up if you'd like a better view."

Through gritted teeth, I whisper, "You're making this very difficult for me, you know."

He smiles with a wicked glint in his hazel eyes. "That's rather the point, isn't it?" Then, in a louder voice, he declares, "Come on, I know a spot where we can get an even better view of the whales."

Before I can protest, he's gently pulling me to my feet. I follow him to the back of the jet on shaky legs because the toy just shifted again. We settle into two empty seats, far from prying eyes. As I gaze out at the majestic whales breaching the waves, I can't help but wonder if I'm in over my head. But with Ryan's calming presence beside me and the thrill of the unknown buzzing through my veins, I realize I don't really give a damn. This is exactly the kind of adventure I came here for.

I still have my face plastered to the window as the whales recede from view. Once our whale-watching experience is over, Ryan excuses himself and heads back to the cockpit.

"Duty calls," he tells me with a wink and a sparkle in his eyes.

I watch him go, admiring the confident set of his shoulders and tightness of his tush.

No sooner has he disappeared than I feel a sudden, delicious vibration between my thighs. My breath catches, and I grip the armrests of my seat.

"You okay, Mer?" Lila asks, leaning toward me. "You look sort of, um, flushed."

I fake a smile, desperately trying to keep my voice even. "I'm fine. Just...excited about the sight-seeing tour."

The vibrations intensify, and I bite my lip to keep from gasping. That devious man is playing with the remote and having a ball torturing me. My cheeks burn, but I can't deny I love every minute of it. Can't wait to find out what he'll do next.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Zara presses, her brows furrowed. "You're squirming like you've got fire ants in your panties."

I laugh, but voice comes out a bit too high-pitched. "Just restless, I guess. Long flight and all that."

"Long flight? It's only an hour from Heirani Motu to Fiji."

"Well, it, uh, feels longer. And I'm fine, I swear."

Zara shakes her head but then turns her attention to Lila and Maya. As my friends chatter around me, oblivious to my predicament, I'm caught between embarrassment and arousal. But secretly, wickedly, I hope Ryan doesn't stop.

While the jet begins its descent, Rene's voice crackles over the intercom. "Ladies and gents, we're approaching the Suva airport. Hope you're ready for some fun in the sun!"

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