Chapter One
Meredith
As the wheels of the small jet touch down on the grass landing strip, my heart leaps into my throat. This is it. I'm really doing this. Whenever I've dreamed about taking a vacation, I would imagine Cozumel or Italy or maybe even Amsterdam—but never an adults-only nudist resort on a private island in the South Pacific. Yet here I am at the Au Naturel Naturist Resort South Seas. And I'm about to strip naked in front of a bunch of strangers. Fortunately, I have my three best friends with me to take the plunge together.
As I descend the steps of the jet, with our pilot's chivalrous assistance, I give him a smile. "Thank you, Rene. I love your Australian accent. And I can tell you're a gentleman with a naughty streak, just the kind of man I like."
He winks and chuckles. "Don't tempt me, love."
As my shoes touch down on the grass, I know for sure that I'm finally here on the magical island of Heirani Motu. The vibrant colors and luscious aromas of the island drench my senses like warm honey. Lush green palms sway gently in the breeze, framing a sky so blue it almost hurts to look at it. The air is thick with the scent of tropical flowers and salty sea spray.
Mm, this is heaven.
"Welcome to paradise, ladies and gents!" Rene calls out with a grin. "Watch out for the mosquitos, they're as big as Godzilla!"
His corny joke breaks the tension, and I can't help but laugh along with the other guests.
Then a handsome young man approaches us, clipboard in hand. He's clearly an employee of the resort. "I'm Emilio, your assistant manager. If you'll follow me, I'll escort you lot to the resort and get you checked in at the front desk."
Emilio has a smooth New Zealand accent and a cheerful attitude.
As we make our way up the winding trail, my three best friends crowd around me, buzzing with excitement.
"Can you believe we're actually here?" Lila gushes, her green eyes wide as she takes in our surroundings. "It's like stepping into a dream."
"A very naked dream," Maya quips with a wink. "Hope you all remembered to pack your birthday suits."
Zara smirks, linking her arm around mine. "Oh, this is going to be such an adventure. I can feel it in my bones."
I grin. "Well, ladies, are you ready to unleash your wild sides?"
Lila shakes her head. "Honey, my wild side's been caged up for so long that it's gone feral. Watch out, island men!"
As we emerge from the wooded path and onto a sprawling patio overlooking the sea in the distance, my breath catches. The view is spectacular, but that's not what draws my eye. Standing near the edge is quite possibly the most gorgeous man I've ever seen. Tall and lean, with tousled blond hair and piercing hazel eyes. He exudes an aura of quiet authority that makes my pulse quicken.
"Who's the stud?" I murmur to Zara.
She follows my gaze and smirks. "That, my dear, is Ryan Kimble. In the brochure, it said he's the interim general manager and a former Navy SEAL. Didn't you read your welcome packet? If you had, you'd know who he is. Ryan is filling in while the regular general manager and his wife are away."
My gaze remains glued to Ryan as he moves to address the group. The way he carries himself, shoulders back and spine straight, exudes confidence and control. And wow, is that sexy.
"Welcome everyone," he begins, his voice as deep and smooth as aged whiskey. "I'm Ryan Kimble, and on behalf of the entire staff, I'd like to say how happy we are to have you here at Au Naturel Naturist Resort South Seas."
As he continues speaking, my mind wanders to decidedly less wholesome places. I wonder what that tanned skin would feel like under my fingertips. How those strong arms might feel wrapped around me. And oh yes, how his cock might feel inside me.
"Earth to Meredith," Maya whispers, elbowing me gently. "You're drooling."
I blink rapidly, realizing I've completely zoned out. And I whisper too. "Sorry. Just...taking in the scenery."
Zara snickers. "Oh, we noticed. Planning your island fling already?"
"Maybe. A girl can dream, right?"
But honestly, I doubt a hunk like Ryan would want to have a fling with a post-menopausal woman. Must be some fit and sexy older men around here too. Well, there's always Rene, I guess. But I just can't picture myself getting it on with him.
As we await the welcome speech, my thoughts drift back to the brochure. It had promised "two weeks of sun, sand, and freedom that will provide the no-holds-barred experience of a lifetime." My inhibitions are already starting to slip away just thinking about that, replaced by a giddy sense of possibility.
Watch out, Heirani Motu. Meredith Hayes is ready to play.
I can't help but marvel at the resort's design. The open-air architecture seamlessly blends with the lush surroundings, almost as if the buildings grew organically from the island itself.
"Can you believe this place?" I whisper to Lila, gesturing at the vibrant greenery and colorful flowers surrounding us. "It's like we've stepped into paradise."
Lila grins, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, honey, paradise is just the beginning. Wait until you see what else this island has to offer."
I had thoroughly researched the resort beforehand, poring over the website for weeks to make sure this was the perfect playground for me and my friends. "Did you know there are dolphins that swim along the shore? And strange flying foxes that come out at night? They're officially called monkey-faced bats, but 'flying foxes' has a better ring."
"Ooh, wildlife," Maya chimes in. "As long as they don't interrupt my tanning time, I'm cool with that. Not sure about monkey-faced bats, though. Sounds creepy."
"Speaking of animal life," Zara whispers, nodding toward a group of muscular twenty-somethings, "I spy a few specimens I wouldn't mind studying up close."
I roll my eyes but can't help laughing. "Focus, ladies. This is only day one, so there's no rush."
"Sure, yeah," Lila teases with a knowing roll of her eyes. "So, the 'wildlife.' Is that what we're calling it now?"
As we go on bantering, I only half listen to my friends. In a matter of minutes, I'll be baring it all in front of complete strangers. My heart races with a mix of exhilaration and nerves like nothing I've experienced before. But this isn't fear. It's freedom.
"You okay, Mer?" Zara asks, noticing my sudden quiet.
I take a deep breath. "Yeah, just...processing. This is really happening, isn't it?"
"Second thoughts?" Maya inquires gently.
I shake my head. "No, not at all. After losing Brian, I never thought I'd do something this...daring."
Lila squeezes my hand. "Be proud of yourself, honey. Brian wore you down and ignored you, treating you like a roommate instead of a wife. Now, it's time to take charge of your life and embrace new experiences."
"Thanks," I whisper, blinking back unexpected tears. Then I straighten my shoulders, pushing the bittersweet memories aside. "All right, enough of that. We came here to have fun, right?"
Zara smacks my arm. "That's the spirit. Now, about those young studs over there..."
I laugh, grateful for the distraction. "Down, girl. Let's at least get through the introductions before you start planning your conquests."
As my friends continue their playful debate over which guests look the most "delicious," I find my gaze drawn back to Ryan. There's something about him, an air of quiet intensity that's utterly magnetic. I shake my head, reminding myself that I'm here to relax and have fun, not get tangled up in complicated emotions. Still, as the resort staff begins to gather for introductions, I can't quite shake the feeling that this vacation might hold more surprises than I bargained for.
I pull the welcome packet out of my purse, flipping through the glossy pages absently. The promise of a wild adventure has me tapping my toes in anticipation.
"Ladies, it's showtime," Zara whispers, nudging me forward.
We join the crowd, moving even closer to the temporary dais where Ryan stands. I catch snippets of conversation—hushed giggles, speculative murmurs about what awaits us. My own curiosity bubbles up, threatening to overflow.
Then Ryan steps onto the platform, and the world narrows down to only him. He spreads his arms wide, and I swear the air crackles with electricity. Apparently, tropical islands melt my brain.
"Welcome to Au Naturel Naturist Resort South Seas," Ryan begins, his voice rich and warm. "We're thrilled to have you as our guests for the next two weeks, on this privately owned island that offers the ultimate in discretion and luxury."
I lean in more, hanging on every word like a nerdy schoolgirl with a crush on the football star. There's something about the way he speaks, confident yet approachable, that draws me in.
"I'm Ryan Kimble, interim general manager. But you can call me Ryan," he continues, gesturing to the staff behind him. "And these amazing people are my partners in bringing you the best vacation experience of your lives."
My gaze flicks to Zara, finding an echo of my own excitement in her eyes. We exchange a silent nod, a promise of what's to come.
Ryan's lips pucker briefly, the expression almost imperceptible. "Please don't hesitate to ask any of us whatever questions might come to mind. Your welcome packets include a list of our rules. Please abide by them."
A hand shoots up from the crowd, and a man's voice calls out, "Rules? I thought this was supposed to be a naughty place!"
I stifle a laugh, curious to see how Ryan will handle this.
He doesn't miss a beat, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Don't worry. We have only a few restrictions. It's all common-sense stuff and common decency. But you'll find a plethora of opportunities to explore the sensual side of life while you're here on the island of Heirani Motu."
As Ryan continues, I find myself wondering just what those "opportunities" might entail. And whether I'll have the courage to seize them. Telling myself I'm on board for a naughty holiday isn't the same as actually doing it.
Buck up, woman. This is your time to escape from life back home. Seize it.
I lean in, hanging on Ryan's every word as he delves deeper into the resort's philosophy. His voice, rich and confident, sends a warm shiver down my spine.
He sweeps his hazel eyes over the crowd. "Remember, this is an adults-only, clothes-free naturist resort. The few exceptions to that rule are outlined in your packets." Ryan gestures to the far side of the patio. "In consideration of our clothes-free mandate, we provide a few amenities other tourist destinations don't offer. The terracotta bowls located throughout the resort offer free access to sunscreen, insect repellent, and condom packets."
Wait. Condoms? Big bowls of them? Yeah, he just said that. Sure, I'm itching for some hot romance, but I hadn't expected terracotta bowls full of rubbers. Guess I don't need to worry about the box of condoms I bought back in the airport gift shop. When in Rome, dive into the debauchery. Don't think that's quite how the saying goes.
But Ryan is still talking, and I find myself mesmerized all over again.
"And also," Ryan explains, "we remind you that our in-house pharmacy can provide whatever medication refills you might need. We also have a medical doctor and a nurse on staff."
As he speaks, my attention drifts. I begin to consider my options for a vacation fling and sneak a few glances at some of the younger male guests. To my surprise, more than a few are eyeing me appreciatively. Maybe being fiftyish isn't such a drawback after all. I wonder if Ryan is younger than I am.
I take a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent that seems to permeate the island. And I whisper to myself, "You've got this, Mer. Time to live a little for once in your life."
As Ryan's speech winds down, a surge of determination washes over me. This is it. My chance to rediscover myself, to embrace life with everything I've got. I square my shoulders, a silent vow forming in my mind: No more holding back. No more what-ifs.
"And now," Ryan announces, "off with your clothes!"
There's a moment of hesitation, then a flurry of movement. Shirts fly, pants drop, and suddenly the patio is awash in a sea of bare skin. I take a deep breath and peel off my sundress, tossing it aside. And just like that, I'm naked. In public. The tropical breeze caresses my skin, and I can't help but smile. It feels...liberating. Exhilarating, even.
"Well, would you look at that," Lila giggles beside me. "Mer has the girls out and proud!"
I laugh, giving a little shimmy. "Might as well put them to good use. Think they'll help me snag that cabana boy?"
"Honey," Zara chimes in, "with those puppies, you could snag the whole kennel if you wanted."
We dissolve into laughter, the sound mingling with the excited chatter around us. I catch Maya eyeing a group of young men nearby. Her cheeks dappled with pink.
"Earth to Maya," I tease. "Did you see something you like?"
She grins, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Just thinking about the, um, scenery ."
"Speaking of scenery," Lila interjects, "we'd better stock up on lube. Otherwise, we'll be suffering from what I like to call the Sahara Desert Effect. We are mature women, after all."
I snort, shaking my head. "Always the practical one, aren't you?"
As we banter, I can't help but marvel at how natural this feels. Here we are, naked as the day we were born, cracking jokes like it's any other girls' trip. But it's not, is it? This is the start of something new, something life changing. I glance around, taking in the diverse array of bodies on display. Young, old, fit, curvy—everyone seems so comfortable in their own skin. It's infectious, really. I stand a little straighter, feeling a newfound confidence course through me.
"Ladies," I announce, "I think this is going to be one hell of a vacation."