Chapter Eight
Ryan
I slip into the massage workshop, trying to blend in with the walls. My interest in the workshop isn't just about gathering data and crunching numbers to find out how successful this event will be, though, not anymore. I need to understand what makes this place tick, what draws people here. But as I wander into the room, the scent of lavender and sandalwood washes over me. I guess that's common with an activity like this. I scan the room to get a read on the participants. The scents I detected a moment ago must have been massage oil. I can't deny it's, ah, kind of nice.
I give the room one more quick scan before I take up my position in the corner. The guests in attendance nod and smile as they amble past me. I offer similar greetings.
But then she walks in. Meredith. The most beautiful, sensual woman I've ever known. She glides into the room with effortless grace, her loose waves of caramel brown hair catching the sunlight that streams through the windows. Meredith's eyes widen briefly as she swivels her head to scan the space, and a soft smile curls her lips.
God, she's beautiful. The lighting casts a warm glow on her skin, and I imagine running my fingers along—
No, you moron, focus. This is work, not playtime.
As Meredith settles onto a massage table, she chats with Zara, her partner for this session. With enormous effort, I manage to look away, reminding myself why I'm here. This is information gathering for the resort, and I need to remain laser focused on that task. Massage workshops could be a lucrative option moving forward.
But while Maya, the workshop leader, begins her instructions, my gaze keeps drifting back to Meredith. The way she closes her eyes and breathes deeply, clearly embracing the experience. The gentle curve of her neck as she tilts her head. The laugh that escapes her lips at something Maya says. It's hard to focus on anything but Meredith when she's right here, clearly enjoying herself. I want to usher her out of the room so I can kiss her senseless, but I hold back. Professional distance and all that crap.
I'm so damn sick of being professional. That's why I've orchestrated that naughty surprise for Meredith tomorrow.
The quiet chatter of the other guests fades from my awareness. Why? Because Meredith just smiled and gave Maya the thumbs-up sign. The gesture wasn't even aimed at me, yet it makes me feel...aroused.
"Now remember," Maya reminds us. "Today is about discovery—of yourselves, of others, of the incredible potential within your own bodies. Ryan, thank you for making this workshop possible. I never imagined I'd have this chance."
"No problem. Mind if I sit in on the session? With my clothes on, that is."
"Sure thing, hon." She winks. "And if you get the hankering for it, go ahead and strip."
A nervous laugh splutters out of me. "Uh, thanks. But I'm still on the clock."
While Maya begins the workshop, I find myself thinking back on how far I've come. I had made sure James and Holly were fine with my plans for guest-led events, and they agreed it was a great idea. The resort is all about empowerment, about shedding inhibitions along with clothing. But this island has also empowered me in ways I couldn't have predicted.
Meredith has been a big part of my transformation. But I still need to tell her about my past, no matter how much I'd rather not do that. It's time for me to man up.
In the background of my thoughts, I hear Maya's voice. "We'll be exploring different massage techniques, but more importantly, we'll be exploring boundaries, communication, and trust."
Her words inspire me to come back to the present. I notice a flicker of uncertainty cross Maya's face, but she pushes through it, her confidence growing with every moment. That's the magic of this place. It brings out the best in people, helps them find strength they didn't know they had and limits they didn't know they could shatter.
Meredith raises her hand. "So, are we massaging each other? I mean, do we each get a partner?"
"Yes, you will—but only if you're comfortable with that."
I cross my arms, tipping my head to the side, curious about Maya's response. Part of me hopes Meredith will choose to let someone else massage her, while another part wants to shield her from prying eyes. Including my own, if I'm being honest.
Maya spreads her arms. "Remember, this is about your journey, at your pace. Now, let's begin."
While Meredith settles into the massage routine, I find myself wondering what it would be like to serve as her partner for this workshop, to feel her skin under my hands, to rub her clit... Dammit . I need to get out of here before I do something stupid. Like volunteering to be her guinea pig. As I slip out, I catch Meredith's eye. She smiles, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.
This is going to be a long day.
I slip into the far corner of the room, leaning back against the wall with my ankles crossed. It's a comfortable pose, one that lets me observe without drawing attention. Maya speaks in a soothing yet confident as guides the group. I'm proud of how she's grown into her role so quickly.
"Ryan!" Lila's voice cuts through my thoughts. She grins and winks. "Why don't you hop up on the table? I'll give you a deep tissue massage."
I shake my head. "Thanks, but I'll pass. I'm just here to observe. And I'm on duty, anyway."
My gaze flicks to Meredith, and I can't help hoping she'll offer to rub me down instead. God, what I wouldn't give to feel her hands on me again like she'd done the other night when we pleasured each other in her bungalow. But that's exactly why I can't let it happen. If she touches me, even innocently, I'll be harder than the coral reefs that surround our little island paradise.
"Don't be shy, Ryan," Lila teases. "You're so tense. Let me work out those knots."
I wave her off, grateful for the loose-fitting shirt that hides my body's reaction to the very thought of Meredith's touch. "Really, I'm good. You guys carry on."
My gaze is drawn back to Meredith like a magnet. She's listening intently to Maya's instructions, nodding along with every new lesson. A stray lock of hair falls across her face, and I have to physically restrain myself from rushing over there to brush it back.
Shit, what is wrong with me? I'm acting like a horny teenage virgin. Time to get out of here before I drag Meredith down to the floor and do something that will surely get me fired.
"I should get back to work," I mutter, more to myself than anyone else. "Enjoy the workshop, everyone."
As I escape out the door, I catch one last glimpse of Meredith. She looks up, our eyes meeting for a brief, electric moment. The gentle strains of a ukulele float through the air thanks to the band I'd hired. They sound great. Despite my feet trying to lead me away from the massage workshop, I can't help but peek back into the workshop room. Meredith's eyes are closed, her face the picture of serenity.
Maya's soothing voice guides the group. "Breathe deeply, letting the tension melt away with every exhalation. In, out. In, out."
I watch, mesmerized, as Meredith's chest rises and falls in a steady rhythm. God, she's beautiful. The urge to join her, to feel her hands on me, is almost overwhelming.
"Get it together, dumbass," I grumble to myself, ordering my feet to move. "Back to work. You know, the thing you get paid to do."
I shuffle back to my office and wind up knee-deep in invoices once again. When there's a knock at the door, I leap out of my chair. Anything to escape the drudge work. I call out, grateful for the distraction. "Come on in."
A couple shuffles in, their skin an angry shade of lobster red. Ouch . I guess these two didn't read the welcome packet closely enough.
"Mr. Kimble," the woman begins, "we fell asleep on the beach and—"
"Say no more," I interrupt, already reaching for the aloe vera gel I keep stocked for just such occasions. "Let's get you taken care of."
As I'm explaining the best practices for applying aloe to soothe and cool their scorched shoulders, my walkie-talkie crackles to life.
"Ryan, we've got a situation at bungalow twelve," Emilio informs me. "It's a guest with a rather, um...delicate issue. Could you help out, mate?"
I sigh inwardly. No rest for the jerk who keeps fantasizing about a guest. I've just finished up with the sunburned couple, anyway. "Be there pronto, Emilio."
As it turns out, bungalow twelve houses a burly man with an angry-looking rash in places I'd rather not think about. Emilio is blushing and squinting at the same time, like he can't quite convince himself to look at the poor guy.
"It's not contagious," he assures me, scratching furiously. "But damn, is it uncomfortable."
"No problem. I've got just the thing," I tell him, thankful for my extensive first-aid training. As I'm handing him a tube of anti-itch cream, my walkie-talkie crackles again.
"Ryan, the miniten net's down," Marley reports. "A gust of wind snatched it away. We're all tied up with other guests at the moment."
"I'll handle it," I reply, already heading for the door. So much for a quiet afternoon of paperwork.
As I'm jogging toward the miniten court, a flash of brown hair catches my eye. Meredith. She's walking down the main trail toward the beach, a towel slung over her shoulder. Before I can stop myself, I'm veering off course, following her at a discreet distance. The rational part of my brain screams that this is a bad idea, but I can't seem to help myself.
"What are you doing, dumbass?" I mutter under my breath. "You're supposed to be fixing the net, not stalking guests."
But even as I chastise myself, I can't tear my gaze away from Meredith's retreating figure. The sway of her hips, the bounce of her hair, it's like catnip to me. I'm so caught up in spying on her that I nearly trip over a root. Smooth, Kimble. Real smooth. Shaking my head, I force myself to turn back toward the miniten court.
Work first, fantasies later.
But even as I set about fixing the net, my thoughts keep drifting back to Meredith, wondering what she's doing on the beach, imagining her stretched out on the sand...This woman is going to be the death of me, I swear. The moment I finish my task, I realize it's time for my mid-afternoon break. That gives me a perfect excuse to hunt for a certain guest.
I find her on the beach. She won't see me. I'm hiding behind a tree.
Meredith dips her toes into the lapping waves, laughing softly as she makes curling shapes in the sand. Her laughter carries on the breeze.
"Oh!" she exclaims, jumping back as a larger wave splashes her legs.
I grin at her surprise. It's been so long since I've felt this...alive. This drawn to someone.
Then I swerve my gaze toward the ocean, catching something in my peripheral vision. I immediately recognize the telltale signs of one of our famous island rainstorms. It isn't here yet, but it will arrive at any moment.
I jog over to where she's still playing in the waves and call out, "Meredith! Time to go!"
She whirls around, her face alight with joy—at seeing me? Not sure. Just as the rain abruptly pours down, her mouth stretches into a wide grin. "Ryan! Isn't this amazing?"
I'm about to respond when a crack of thunder splits the air. Without thinking, I rush forward, sweeping Meredith into my arms, carrying her up the trail toward a large palm tree. "We need to get to shelter. But don't worry, frequent rainstorms are common on South Pacific islands."
"My hero," she teases, her breath warm against my neck.
The palm tree's broad leaves provide a makeshift shelter from the rain. Leaves drip with crystal droplets that catch the sunlight. Meredith's hair is slicked back in a manner that makes her look even more beautiful. The sound of rain mingles with the crashing of waves. Her flushed cheeks and parted lips feel like an invitation to ravish her mouth. As our eyes lock, our lips meet too, and suddenly, we're kissing like the world might end at any second. The wind howls around us, and the rain pelts our bodies, but we're lost in the chaos of our need for each other. It's all-consuming, intense, a wild frenzy of passion born from the tempestuous atmosphere surrounding us.
"I've wanted to do that for days," Meredith whispers when we finally stop kissing, both gasping for breath.
"Me too," I admit. "But we shouldn't go any further, not yet, not until we've—"
Had a serious talk about our pasts . That's what I meant to tell her.
But she silences me with another kiss, and I lose myself in the moment, the rain, and Meredith. But sooner than I'd like, I need to get back to work. The rain has ended, anyway. I need to get back to work, anyway. That means the serious talk I wanted to have with her will have to wait.
I don't see her again until evening.
The veranda thrums with excitement as guests gather for the dance competition Marley and Emilio had suggested. Colorful lanterns hang above our heads and sway in the evening breeze, casting an orange and pink glow over the makeshift dance floor. I adjust my collar, feeling both out of place and fascinated by what's to come. Dancing? Not my thing.
Meredith sidles up to me, her eyes alight with humor. "Come on, Ryan. Show us your moves."
I shake my head, smirking. "Can't. I'm judging tonight."
"Sounds like an excuse to me," she teases, and she sidles even closer. "Afraid you can't keep up?"
I swallow hard, assailed by mental images of holding her close while our bodies writhe in sync with the music. Damn, I want to do that. But I'm on still on the clock, and screwing Meredith on the dance floor wouldn't make a good impression on my staff or the guests.
"Rules are rules," I tell her, hoping my voice doesn't betray the lust coursing through my body.
As the music starts, I take my seat at the judges' table, grateful for the barrier between myself and the only woman who has ever me turned into a lust-drunk moron. Meredith joins her friends, throwing a playful wink my way before twirling onto the dance floor.
I try to focus on the other couples, but my eyes keep drifting back to her. The way she moves, uninhibited and joyful, mesmerizes me. I shift uncomfortably, glad for the tablecloth that hides my stiffening dick. After what feels like an eternity of torture, I finally announce the winners have been chosen, including two runners-up. All three winners receive gift cards.
"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for," I declare, lifting a ridiculous, cheesy trophy carved into a coconut shape. "The first place winner is...Barb Larson! Come get your trophy!"
Everyone grins and chuckles as I hand over the silly trophy. Barb, a grandmother of five, hoists her trophy and grins. "The coconut is mine, people!"
Meredith catches my eye, her smile softening into something more intimate. Now that my duties for the evening are over, I wend my way through the crowd to find Meredith. Hand in hand, make our way down the main path. Outside her bungalow, we halt and face each other.
She presses her body to mine. "Stay with me tonight?"
I cluck my tongue. "Sorry, I can't. It would ruin tomorrow's surprise."
"You're such a tease," she whispers, then pulls me in for a deep kiss.
Back in my own bed, I toss and turn, my mind racing with possibilities. The toy I bought sits on my nightstand, and just looking at it gets me aroused. All I can do is close my eyes, take my stiffy in my hand, and beat off until I'm too tired to think about Meredith. But I keep picturing her expression and her reactions, the way she'll squirm and gasp while I'm remotely detonating her. Sleep finally claims me, but all my dreams involve Meredith, the toy, and the erotic torment I have planned for us both.
When I leave my bungalow in the morning, I wonder if what I did last night will show on my face. But no one gives me horrified looks.
And now, I'm standing on the patio delivering another speech.
"Listen up, everyone," I call out, clapping my hands to get their attention. "Remember, we're heading over to Fiji today. That means clothes on at all times."
I catch Meredith's eye and fight to suppress a grin. She's wearing a flowing dress that barely reaches her knees makes her look both elegant and irresistible.
"Rene's got the jet prepped and waiting on the grass strip," I continue. "Head on down, and we'll be taking off shortly."
As the guests wander out to the jet, I gently touch Meredith's elbow and murmur, "Can I have a word?"
"Of course."
I lead her away from the group. Once we're hidden from view by the foliage, I turn to face her. "I've got a surprise for you."
My voice comes out gruff. That's what happens when I spend hours jerking off to thoughts of her. I think I shouted at one point too.
Meredith's eyebrows lift. "Oh? I do love a surprise—from you. What have you dreamed up for me, sweetie?"
Instead of answering, I reach into my pocket and pull out the slender, curved toy. Her eyes widen as I back her up to a tree and lift the hem of her dress. She's already growing slick, that much I can feel even through her panties.
"Ryan," she gasps. "What are you—"
I silence her with a quick, ravenous kiss, then gently slide the toy inside her panties. Thank goodness she wore underwear. The toy nestles between her labia perfectly and covers her clit too. I can't stifle my groan at the thought of what's to come and what I'll do to her today. The mere thought of switching the vibrator on when she least expects it makes me breathe harder.
"There." I smooth her dress back down. "Now, whenever I want, I can do this."
I pull out my phone and tap the screen.
Meredith's eyes flare wide for about two seconds. Then she catches her bottom lip between her teeth, releasing it little by little while her tits heave. "I'm at your mercy, hm?"
I can already smell her cream, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to take her right here, right now. "Consider this payback for all the times you teased me mercilessly with that body. By the time we return to the island, you'll be begging me to let you come."
Meredith's tits bounce with every labored breath she takes. Her cheeks are flushed too. They've turned the same shade of dusky rose as her nipples.
"You're evil," she declares, but there's a wicked gleam in her eye that tells me she's loving every second of this.
I clasp her hand. "Come on. We don't want to keep Rene waiting."
As we walk toward the airstrip, I can't help but think that this day trip to Fiji is going to be the longest—and most exhilarating—flight of my life. I guide Meredith toward the jet, her hand warm in mine and the faint scent of her cream teasing my senses. The other guests are already boarding, their excited chatter blending into the background. All I can hear, see, or think about is her . When Meredith's steps falter slightly as we approach the steps, I know the toy is working its magic.
And I haven't even turned it on yet.
"You okay there?" I ask with false innocence, unable to keep the smirk off my face.
She shoots me a look that's equal parts lust and exasperation. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"Guilty as charged."
Meredith and I are the last passengers to step onto the jet. I can't help but marvel at her composure under the circumstances. I know she must be experiencing intense, arousing sensations inside her body. Yet even while she greets our fellow travelers, she remains cordial, and apparently, relaxed.
"Beautiful day for flying, isn't it?" Meredith suggests to Zara, her voice only slightly breathier than usual.
I watch her interact with her friends, feeling a surge of admiration. This woman, who only took up nudism a few days ago, is now embracing adventure in ways I never imagined. Her courage, her willingness to push boundaries, those traits are among the many things about her that impress me. Once we settle into our seats, a realization hits me. Meredith's transformation isn't just physical. It's ignited something in me too. I've spent so long playing it safe, hiding behind rules and professionalism. But now...
I slant toward her, my lips brushing her ear. "You're incredible, do you know that?"
She turns toward me, her brows lifting. "What brought that on?"
"Just...you. Everything about you." I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I think it's time I started facing my own fears too."
Meredith wraps her hands around mine. "Together?"
I feel as if a weight has lifted off my shoulders. "Yeah, together."
While the jet's engines roar to life, I make a silent vow. No more hiding. No more letting fear hold me back. Meredith has shown me that life's too short for that bullshit.
And as we take off, soaring over the pale blue expanse of the South Pacific, I can't help but feel we're flying toward something far greater than just a day trip to Fiji.