Chapter Nineteen
Meredith
I toss a vibrant turquoise sarong at Ryan, the shimmering fabric floating through the air before landing draped across his broad shoulders. He smirks as the fabric catches the light. I pick up a scarf, prepared to fling that his way too, but then someone knocks on the door.
"You might need this," I tease
He wags his eyebrows. "For modesty's sake?"
"If that's what floats your boat, sweetie."
Ryan's eyebrows lift, his lips quirking. He snatches up the sarong, letting it slide sensuously down his muscular arms.
I laugh, turning back to our suitcases. "More for sun protection. You know how easily you burn. Can't have that beautiful dick turning beet red."
The warm island breeze drifts through our open windows, carrying the sweet scent of white ginger lily. I pause in my packing, distracted by the view of turquoise waters stretching to the horizon. Our room at Au Naturel is a slice of paradise, and sometimes I still can't believe this is our home now.
"Speaking of sun protection," I muse, eyeing the collection of hats spread across our bed. "Which one do you think I should bring? The floppy straw one or the chic fedora?"
Before Ryan can respond, someone knocks on the door.
"I'll get that," he offers. "You have important hat decisions to make."
He slings the sarong around his hips as he strides toward the door, deftly swinging it open. "Hello, ladies. How are you this morning?"
"Good morning, Mr. Kimble," comes Maya's cheerful voice. "We're just dropping off some last-minute items for your trip."
Why are my three best friends here? It's simple They're jealous of me because I get to live on a stunning tropical island with an equally stunning husband. Okay, the real reason is that my friends are on their way to Australia for a group vacation. They stopped over for a night on Heirani Motu to see me and Ryan before we begin our transoceanic journey to see all the Au Naturel resorts.
I peek around Ryan's body to see Zara standing in the doorway while Maya and Lila loiter behind her. All three of my friends wear similarly smug expressions, as if they know a wonderful secret but don't care to share it.
Ryan steps aside. "Please come in, ladies. And it's just Ryan, remember? Mr. Kimble is my father."
The trio casually walks into the bungalow, and I can't help but notice that my friends' eyes widen slightly when they realize what Ryan is wearing. Even with the sarong, there's no hiding my husband's sculpted physique—or the bulge beneath that flimsy fabric.
"What a lovely surprise," I say. Since my friends are fully clothed, I consider grabbing a light sundress. But I nix that idea. These ladies already know what Ryan and I look like naked.
My husband ties the sarong around his hips—to make sure it doesn't fall off, no doubt. I shake my head at his meticulous nature. Even after all this time, his attention to detail never fails to amuse and impress me. "Uh, sweetie, what occasion requires a sarong at a nudist resort?"
"You never know," Ryan replies with a wink. "Maybe I'll start a new fashion trend."
The mental image of Ryan strutting around a nudist beach wearing a sarong sends me into a fit of half-suppressed snorts. "Oh, I'd pay good money to see that."
Zara is clearly struggling not to laugh. "Better make it a see-through sarong. Otherwise, he'll be violating the resort's rules."
"He's the general manager," Lila points out. "He wears clothes whenever he's at work."
"Fair point."
Maya settles onto the edge of our bed, careful not to disturb the array of hats. "Speaking of paying good money, you'll never guess what we saw this morning."
I raise an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued. "Okay, you have got to tell me about it."
Zara and Lila exchange knowing glances, barely containing their excitement. Maya leans in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You know that silver fox who checked in yesterday? The one with the designer luggage and the fancy watch?"
"Yes, I remember," I tell Maya, recalling the distinguished gentleman who'd arrived on the last flight. He'd certainly cut an impressive figure, even sans clothing.
"Well," Maya drawls, her grin widening, "we spotted him down by the lagoon this morning, and he wasn't alone."
"Oh, it's even better than that," Zara asserts. "He was with none other than Mrs. Hemsworth."
My jaw drops. "No way. Elaine Hemsworth? The one who's always complaining about the buffet and curling her lip at the idea of eating at a 'common trough,' as she calls it?"
Lila nods emphatically. "The very same. And let me tell you, she wasn't complaining this morning. In fact, she looked positively radiant."
Ryan chuckles, crossing his arms as he leans against the doorframe. "Let me guess. Mrs. Hemsworth found some company at the Coconut Bar last night."
"Got it in one."
I have trouble picturing prim and proper Elaine letting loose with our mysterious new guest. "Well, good for her. Maybe she'll find her next husband on the island and learn how to chill out."
"Speaking of relaxation..."—Maya extracts a small package from her bag—"we brought you a little something for your trip."
I lean in closer as Maya hands me a beautifully wrapped package tied with a silky ribbon. "What's this?"
"Just a little bon voyage gift," Zara explains with a wink. "Something to help you two lovebirds make the most of your travels."
I glance at Ryan, who's watching with equal interest, before I carefully untie the ribbon. As the wrapping falls away, I let out a delighted laugh. Inside is an assortment of massage oils, scented candles, and what appears to be a book of sensual games for couples.
"You guys!" I exclaim. "This is...wow."
Ryan peers over my shoulder, his warm breath tickling my cheek. "Well, it looks like we won't be lacking for entertainment on our trip."
I feel a flutter in my stomach at his steamy tone, imagining all the ways we could put these gifts to use. I turn to my friends. "Thank you all. This is so thoughtful."
"We just want to make sure you two have a memorable time," Lila says. "After all, it's not every day you get to tour nudist resorts around the world."
"Speaking of which," Zara chimes in, "we should probably let you finish packing. Your flight leaves in a few hours, right?"
I bite my lip, suddenly aware of how much we still need to do before heading to the airport. "Yes, we should really get back to it. But thank you again for stopping by and for this lovely gift. We'll definitely put it to good use."
While my friends file out of the bungalow, giving us hugs and well-wishes, I turn back to Ryan, who's watching me intently. He lets the sarong slip to the floor as he approaches me. "So, shall we test out some of those massage oils before we go?"
"Tempting as that is, we really do need to finish packing."
He pulls me close, his hands warm and deliciously rough on my bare skin. "Are you sure? We could always pack later and take an earlier flight tomorrow."
"Better not. We have obligations, after all."
Ryan sighs and goes back to packing.
For a moment, I simply bask in the glow of knowing a hot younger man loves, until his brow furrows slightly. He reaches for his tablet, pulling up a detailed checklist.
"Speaking of our upcoming adventure," he begins, his voice taking on that familiar, focused tone, "we should review the resort operations before we leave."
I smile and shake my head. Even on the brink of our grand excursion, Ryan's mind is on Heirani Motu. It's endearing, really.
"All right, Mr. Responsible," I tease, peering over his shoulder. "What's first on the list?"
Ryan scrolls through the items, his eyes scanning each point meticulously. "Staff schedules, inventory, maintenance...oh, and we need to brief Mariel on handling guest inquiries."
"Okay, that's a good idea." But I really just want to get on Rene's jet and start our big trip. But I am his right-hand woman, so I will indulge him. "We should also remind the activities team about the new sunrise yoga sessions. And maybe we could ask Rhonda to lead an extra snorkeling tour while we're gone? Guests love those."
Ryan looks up at me, a hint of surprise and admiration in his gaze. "Good thinking, Mer. I'll add that to the list."
As he taps away on the tablet, I can't resist. "You know, if you keep adding to that list, we might never leave."
"Says the woman who just suggested two new items."
I laugh, playfully nudging his shoulder. "Touché. But seriously, Ryan, part of what makes you an amazing general manager is your obsessive need to check things five times."
"Someone has to balance out your wild spontaneity."
I gasp in mock indignation. "Wild spontaneity? I'll have you know my escapades are carefully improvised."
Ryan chuckles, a rich, warm sound that never fails to make my heart skip. "Carefully improvised? Only you could make that work, Mer."
"Admit it, you love my carefully improvised adventures. They keep you on your toes."
"They certainly do." He cups my ass with one hand, humor glinting in his eyes. "And I wouldn't have it any other way."
I glance at our packed suitcases. "I think we're as ready as we'll ever be."
Ryan is about to speak when his phone dings. He has a new text. My husband's brows furrow as he reads the message. "We've been dawdling for too long. Rene just pinged me. He said we should get our 'arses' out of bed and hurry to the jet. Otherwise, he'll take off without us."
We gather our luggage, which showcases our dual personalities—a mishmash of bright floral prints and Ryan's more subdued neutrals. As I hoist my bag, Ryan's hand brushes mine.
"Let me get that," he offers.
"Such a gentleman," I tease, handing it over. "But don't forget, where we're going, chivalry might be the only thing you're wearing."
He pats my bottom. "I think I can handle that."
We make our way through the resort, the familiar paths now tinged with a sense of impending exploits. At the main entrance, our staff has gathered to see us off.
Leilani, our effervescent new activities director, rushes forward to envelop me in a hug. "Have an amazing time, bosses! Bring back lots of scandalous stories!"
I laugh, giving her a quick hug. "We'll do our best to maintain our professional dignity."
"How boh-ring," she stage-whispers, winking at my husband.
Ryan clears his throat, a hint of pink touching his cheeks. "The resort's in good hands with Emilio as interim general manager, not to mention you and the rest of the staff. We appreciate your hard work."
As we say our goodbyes, I'm struck by the genuine affection in everyone's faces. This place, these people...they've become family.
Finally, we're jogging toward the grass strip, ready to jump onto the smaller jet.
"Can you believe we're really doing this?" I ask.
Ryan's arm wraps around me, pulling me closer. "Embarking on a tour of naturist resorts? Where we'll either go clothing-optional or clothes-free? I hear there are horses at the Oregon resort. So yeah, it does seem a bit surreal."
I slap his chest. "You know what I mean. This adventure, just us, exploring new places, new ideas..."
"I know, Mer. And I'm looking forward to every minute of it."
Ryan gallantly offers his hands to help me board the jet. Soon, we're flying toward Fiji. As we touch down at the Suva airport, the possibilities of what lies ahead fill my mind. I never could have imagined I would become the guest services manager at a nudist resort, much less one where almost anything goes. Even Ryan enjoys going au naturel these days.
The Suva airport terminal buzzes with activity as we weave through the crowd, our carry-ons trailing behind us. Ryan's hand rests lightly on the small of my back, guiding me through the chaos.
I smile affectionately at the man who's determined to hustle me into an airliner as quickly as possible. "You know, for someone who runs a nudist resort, you seem awfully keen on keeping me covered up."
"Just protecting my investment. Can't have you causing an international incident before we even take off."
My laughter draws curious glances from nearby travelers. "Me? I'm fully clothed, sweetie."
"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's hand, 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.
"It looks so small from up here," I murmur, a sudden pang of nostalgia hitting me.
Ryan has his gaze fixed on the window. "But it's given us so much."
I think about the trails we've hiked, the hidden waterfalls we've discovered, and the countless sunsets we've shared. Each memory is a thread, weaving us closer together. "Do you think we'll find what we're looking for out there?"
"I think we might find more than we bargained for."
As we climb higher, leaving our island paradise behind, the vast sky stretches out before us. Whatever comes next, I know one thing for certain—with Ryan by my side, I'm ready for anything.