Page 59 of Natural Temptation

Meredith has never looked more beautiful than she does today. Yeah, I say that every day, but so what? It's true.

"Do you think you're ready for that naked sand volleyball tournament yet?" she jokes, waggling her eyebrows suggestively.

I groan, pretending to hate the idea, and try to hide the smile tugging at my lips. "Don't push your luck, Mer."

She sees right through me, of course. Her answering laughter makes my smile deepen. "What are you thinking about, sweetie?"

"Just how unbelievably lucky I am." I pull her closer, relishing the feel of her soft skin against mine. "A year ago, I never would have imagined this life."

"You mean you didn't envision yourself walking naked on a beach with your wife?"

"Not exactly."

She hooks her arm around mine. "Do you remember the day first met?"

I let out a hearty chuckle. "How could I ever forget? You nearly gave me a heart attack on the waterfall bridge."

She pulls back, ducking her chin with mock indignation. "Excuse me, but I believe you were the one who stumbled into my peaceful sunbathing spot."

"Only because I was trying to get a break from the clothes-free guests. It takes a while to fully acclimate to all those bouncing tits."

A warm feeling spreads through my chest as I remember how our initial awkwardness slowly dissolved into curiosity, attraction, and eventually love. "We've both come a long way since then."

"You've changed the most, Ryan. I've watched you learn to truly live again and embrace the unexpected."

We stop walking and face the ocean. I turn to face her, silhouetted against the setting sun. "I have something for you."

"Ooh, I love presents."

From inside a hidden pocket in my beach bag, produce an object. It's a small bracelet made of colorful threads and tiny seashells, intricately woven together. "It's not much, but..."

"That can't be what I think it is."

I gently clasp the bracelet around her wrist. "It's a replica of the one you were wearing the day we met. The one that later got caught on my shirt when I oh-so-gracefully stumbled onto your sunbathing spot in the woods."

She laughs, tears welling in her eyes. "You remembered."

"How could I forget?" My fingers linger on her wrist. "It was the moment everything changed."

Meredith runs her fingers over the delicate shells, each one a reminder of how far we've come. "Ryan, this is beautiful. Thank you."

"So, does this mean you're finally going to forgive me for messing up those perfect tan lines that day?"

She playfully swats my arm. "Hmm, I don't know. That was a pretty big offense. You might need to do more than just apologize."

"I think I can handle that."

Her eyes shimmer with excitement. "Oh, Ryan, won't it be wonderful to visit the original Au Naturel resort? I can't wait for that."

"You do realize we'll be stuck on a plane for a long, long time during the flight to Oregon. It won't be a fun fest."

"Oh, I think we can find ways to make it fun," Meredith proffers. "Maybe we can join the mile-high club."

I laugh and shake my head. "Always the adventurous one. But I'm pretty sure that's frowned on these days."

"Spoilsport," she teases, nudging me with her hip. "Fine, we'll have to settle for some in-flight movies and overpriced airplane food."

We continue our stroll along the shoreline, having no destination in mind, just enjoying this island that has become our home.

---