Maggie May is the type of character F. Scott Fitzgerald would create if he were alive today. She comes from the humblest of Kansas beginnings, but “I thought there was something better for me than just conforming,” she says. So she moved to Miami to re-create herself.

Signed to an international modeling agency, she appeared in glossy fashion magazines around the world. Along the way she picked up a burning passion for art, architecture and luxurious travel. These days she feels most at home in such exclusive beachy enclaves as the Hamptons, St. Barts, Tulum and the isle of Ibiza. “I know money doesn’t buy happiness,” she says, “but I do like the finer things.”

Maggie is drawn to all things ­oceanic, so we photographed her on a private cruise in a distinctly Gatsbyesque setting—aboard a vintage Chris-Craft on the sun-kissed waters off California. “I think my ancestors were mermaids, because even though I’m from Kansas, I feel totally from the sea,” she says. “I’m a serious sun worshipper, and I hope to end up living on a yacht or sailboat. On a boat there’s a sense of freedom that you can go anywhere, anytime.” Like the Chris-Craft, Maggie is a classic beauty. Her poise and radiance paid off in front of the camera, especially after a glass of fine wine loosened her up. “I found it liberating to be just like, Fuck it and get naked,” says our August 2014 Playmate. “I totally admire girls who are like that.” So do we.

It’s hard to get a hold on Maggie May. Tall at 5’11”, with light brown hair, brown-green eyes and prominent features, she hails from Wamego, a small town in northeastern Kansas. A full-time catalogue model, she’s always on the go, and she’s called New York, Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and most recently, Los Angeles her home.

“I grew up in Wichita,” she says. “It was pretty boring – I mean, there wasn’t a lot to do, but I played basketball and ran track. Actually, I’d say I was kind of a jock – but I always wore a ton of makeup to the games.” Maggie started modeling young, doing print and catalogues, but it wasn’t until later that she struck out on her own. “My mom wouldn’t let me do it full time,” she says. “When I was older, I entered a swimsuit competition and I was a finalist.” All of a sudden, she wasn’t in Kansas anymore – she was an agency-represented model with more work than she knew what to do with, and an offer from Playboy on the table. “I moved from New York to Los Angeles a few months ago,” says Maggie. “My agency was like, ‘do you want to do Playboy,” and I said I had to think about it. Then I saw the Kate Moss issue, and I thought, if she can do it, so can I!” With that, Maggie was our Miss August 2014. “Now that I’m a Playmate, I’m a little afraid that my grandparents will see my pictorial,” she jokes. “Other than that, my life won’t really change. I get to go to parties and promote my issue – that’s not hard, that’s cool!” See you at the Mansion, Miss August – welcome to the Centerfold.