Page 45 of Natural Temptation

With a heavy sigh, I push away from my desk. Time to rally the troops. As I stride down the hallway toward the staff room, I smooth my features into a mask of calm authority. No one can see how worried I am, how my thoughts keep drifting to Meredith's safety.

"Okay, everyone," I holler as I enter the staff room, clapping my hands to get everyone's attention. "We've got a situation brewing. There's a cyclone heading this way."

Emilio's eyes widen. "Like the one from the grand opening, boss?"

"Similar, but potentially more severe. We need to be prepared for anything."

As I outline our storm protocols, I can't help but scan the room, half-hoping to see Meredith's familiar face among the staff. She's not here, of course. She's a guest, so she's probably out enjoying the island's beauty, blissfully unaware of the danger. But I have other priorities right now. I'm sure Meredith is fine, probably hanging out with her friends.

I straighten my posture and look directly at each of my employees in turn. "Marley, I need you to start battening down anything that could become a projectile. Emilio, coordinate with housekeeping to ensure all guests are accounted for and informed of emergency procedures."

Everyone nods. Any anxiety they might be feeling has been tamped down, determination replacing the initial fear in their eyes. I couldn't be prouder of my team than I am right now.

"Remember," I continue, "we're prepared, we're capable, and we'll get through this together. Any questions?"

As the staff disperse to their handle their assigned tasks, I still have work to do too. But Meredith's face flashes through my mind.Where are you, Mer? Please be safe.The thought of her out there, exposed to the elements, makes my stomach churn. But I push the feeling aside. I have a resort full of people counting on me. I can't let my personal feelings interfere with my duty. With one last deep breath, I stride out of the staff room, ready to face whatever this storm may bring. But even as I focus on the tasks ahead, a part of me remains acutely aware of Meredith's absence, hoping against hope that she'll appear, safe and sound, before the first raindrops fall.

The laptop screen flickers to life, revealing the concerned faces of James, Holly, Eve, and Val. Their furrowed brows andtense postures betray their worry, even through the pixelated video feed.

"Ryan, we've been monitoring the cyclone's path," James begins, his tone solemn. "How are things on the ground?"

I lean back in my chair, projecting an air of calm I don't entirely feel. "We're as prepared as we can be. The staff's been briefed, and we're implementing our emergency protocols."

"What about the guests?" Eve asks in. "Are they panicking?"

"So far, so good," I assure them. "We've closed all the storm shutters, secured loose items, and covered the pool and the outdoor hot tubs. The guests have been informed, but we're keeping things low-key to avoid alarming them."

Holly nods approvingly. "Smart move. And the bungalows?"

"Wind and impact-resistant windows, just like in the guest suites," I reply, ticking off points on my fingers. "We've removed all patio furniture and umbrellas. Anyone in beachfront accommodations will be moved to the main building along with everyone else."

Val, ever the pragmatist, leans closer to the camera. "And you, Ryan? How are you holding up?"

The question catches me off guard, but I recover quickly. "I'm fine. Focused on the job at hand."

A low rumble of thunder punctuates my words. The others exchange glances, but I maintain my composure.

"We trust you, Ryan," James finally confirms. "Keep us posted and watch out for your own safety too."

"I will. Thanks for checking in with me."

The call ends, leaving me alone with the growing sounds of the approaching storm. I turn to the stack of paperwork on my desk, more for something to do with my hands than out of any real need.

A soft knock at the door breaks my concentration, but I keep my attention on the documents I'd been pretending to study. I call out, "Come in."

The door swings open, and I hear the unmistakable sound of bare feet padding across the carpet. My pulse quickens, but I keep my eyes fixed on the papers before me.

"Ryan?"

Meredith's voice, soft and sweet, causes the hairs on my arms to lift and tingle. I glance up, and for a moment, I can't breathe. She's dressed in sweatpants and a T-shirt with sneakers too. Her sun-kissed skin almost seems to glow in the dim light of my office. She sashays toward me, hips swaying, before perching herself on the edge of my desk.

A flash of lightning illuminates the room, casting Meredith's silhouette in sharp relief. In that brief, brilliant moment, I see the vulnerability in her eyes. We both know the danger that's approaching. But the storm isn't the only problem. I still haven't found the time to tell her the truth. As thunder crashes overhead, I realize I'm standing at a crossroads, caught between duty and desire. And as Meredith sits there waiting for me to speak, I wonder if I have the strength to resist the storm that's been building between us since the moment we met.

"Ryan, I can't pretend anymore," she begins. "This time with you...it's changed me. You've changed me. And I need to know if my feelings are reciprocated. Whether I should go home or..."

My heart pounds against my ribs, a rapid drumbeat matching the intensifying wind outside. I should speak, I must speak, and the time has come to act like a man. So, I jump out of my chair. "Maybe I have been anxious about telling you how I feel, but that's over."

The scent of her skin, like coconut and sea salt, envelops me. But it's the look in her eyes that does me in.

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