Page 66 of Natural Temptation

"Right," he drawls, his hazel eyes twinkling. "And I'm the King of Switzerland. That sundress barely covers the parts of you that belong to me."

"Switzerland doesn't have a king, Ryan."

As we approach security, I can't resist one more jab. "Well, Your Majesty, I hope you're ready to strip for these fine TSA agents."

"They don't need to strip anyone, Mer. They've got computers that can erase your clothing and turn everyone into a nudist."

While we make our way through security, our banter lightens the tedium of the process. Once we're through, we find ourselves with time to spare before boarding.

Settling into seats at our gate, I turn to Ryan. "You know, this trip...it's more than just a vacation for us."

He nods, his expression thoughtful. "I know. It's about growth—personal and professional."

"Exactly." I touch his thigh. "Can't stop imagining all the possibilities for Heirani Motu. The things we might learn, the ideas we could bring back..."

Ryan's fingers twine with mine. "I've been thinking the same thing. This could be a turning point for the resort."

As we discuss our hopes for the future, I'm struck by how in sync we are, how our visions align. It's not just about business, though. We've had a passionate connection since the day we first met, and our marriage only strengthened that bond.

"Ryan," I whisper, "I'm really glad we're doing this together."

He kisses my hand, his smile telling me everything I need to know.

The overhead speakers crackle to life, announcing our flight. A thrill of excitement courses through me as I stand, gathering my carry-on.

"Ready for takeoff?" I ask Ryan, watching as he smoothly rises to his feet, radiating quiet strength.

"As I'll ever be," he replies, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

As we make our way to the boarding area and join the queue, Ryan keeps his hand curled around mind. I rest my cheek on his arm. "I never thought I'd be jetting off to naturist resorts as part of my job description."

"Do you ever miss your job as a bank teller?"

"Oh, hell no." I rest my cheek on his upper arm. "I could never go back to my old life."

As we hand over our boarding passes and make our way down the jet bridge, I can't help but feel like we're on the cusp of something momentous. It's not just about the trip or the resort—it's about us, about the potential of what we achieve on Heirani Motu. We will certainly learn a lot from our current adventure.

We find our seats, stowing our bags before settling in. As the plane begins to fill with other passengers, I reach for Ryan'shand, giving it a gentle squeeze. He turns to me, his hazel eyes searching mine.

"Nervous?" he asks softly.

"Excited. A little scared, maybe. But in a good way."

"Me too." Ryan drums his fingers on his thigh. "There's a lot riding on this trip."

"It's not just about the business, though, is it?" I ask, my heart racing a little as I broach the subject we've both been dancing around.

Ryan's thumb traces circles on the back of my hand, sending shivers down my spine. "No, it's not just about the business. This will be our second honeymoon too."

"I was hoping you'd say that."

The plane begins to taxi, and I relax into my seat, though I'm still holding Ryan's hand. The jet engines roar to life, vibrating through the cabin, and I feel a familiar flutter in my stomach. As we accelerate down the runway, I steal another glance at my husband.

"You know, sweetie, I never thought I'd be jetting off to tour nudist resorts with my business partner—my husband."

Ryan's lips quirk into that half-smile I've come to adore. "Life's full of surprises, Meredith. Especially where you're concerned."

The plane lifts off, giving me a brief sensation of near weightlessness. My throat tightens as I watch Heirani Motu shrink beneath us. The lush green of the island, ringed by pristine beaches and turquoise waters, slowly fades into the vast expanse of the South Pacific.

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