Page 54 of Natural Temptation

I sweep her up in my arms and spin round and round until we're both dizzy. Then I kiss her with so much passion that I think even Rene blushed. The crowd cheers. When I glance back, I see several staff members and half a dozen guests observing.

Meredith grins at Rene. "Mind going without a copilot this time?"

Rene grins. "Go on, lovebirds! I'll make do on my own."

Hand in hand, we jog back toward the resort, the jet's engines roaring behind us as Rene lifts off, headed for Fiji.

"What made you do that?" Meredith asks as we jog back to our bungalow. "Proposing in front of everyone? You've never seemed like the dramatic type of guy."

I feel lighter than I have in years, like a huge weight has been lifted. "You might say I got some very pointed advice from the bosses. Turns out they're hopeless romantics."

"Ryan Kimble," she teases, "are you telling me you've gone soft?"

"Only for you, Mer. Only for you."

When we reach the edge of the big patio, I halt abruptly, in need of a short break to catch my breath. Meredith turns to me, clearly as out of breath as I am.

"I have news to share," I tell her, my voice growing stronger. "I was offered the permanent position as general manager."

She crushes her mouth to mine. "Congratulations! You deserve it, sweetie."

A horde of people emerges from the trail, and Meredith and I reluctantly separate. Thunderous applause erupts around us. I'd almost forgotten about our audience, lost as I was in our private bubble of happiness. The faces of guests and staff alike beam at us, their joy palpable.

Mariel, who helped me choose the ring, gives me a wink. "I told you the one-knee thing wasn't too silly."

"You were absolutely right."

Meredith whispers into my ear, "You went full rom-com for me, didn't you?"

"Why not? I would do anything for you, Mer. You bring out sides of me I didn't know existed."

As the crowd continues to cheer and well-wishers begin to approach, I'm struck by how perfectly imperfect this moment is. Here we are, two people who came to this island to escape, only to find a future neither of us expected. The irony isn't lost on me, and I can't help but smile at the beautiful chaos of it all.

I gently tug Meredith's hand, guiding her toward our private bungalow. "Come on, let's take a moment just for us."

As we walk hand in hand along the torch-lit path, the soft sand gives way to smooth wooden planks. The familiar scent of plumeria and sea salt envelops us, a sensory reminder of where our journey began.

"So, Mr. General Manager," Meredith says, "what's our first order of business?"

I sweep her up in my arms, holding her close. "Well, Mrs. soon-to-be Kimble, I was thinking we could start by fucking in our private hot tub."

"Mm, that sounds divine." She taps nose with her finger. "And after that, we could sneak down to that trail we haven't told anyone about yet. I'll grab the massage oil, and you can get the beach blanket."

"Sounds like the perfect plan."

I pause at the threshold of our bungalow, the warm glow from inside spilling out onto the veranda. "I have no idea what challenges we might face in the future. But I do know one thing for certain."

"What's that?"

I rest my forehead on hers. "Whatever comes our way, we'll face it together. Naked or clothed."

Meredith's laughter, bright and uninhibited, fills the air. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

As we step into the bungalow, ready to begin our new life together, I'm filled with a sense of hope and excitement. The path ahead may be uncertain, but with Meredith by my side, I'm ready for whatever adventures await us on this magical island and beyond.

Chapter Seventeen

Meredith

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