My first thought was that she had dropped the towel on purpose. I was preparing to lean back and take a good long look when I caught a glimpse of her face, frozen in mortification.
Damn. Not for me after all.
She unfroze and spun around, grabbing at the towel. I was briefly distracted by the back view of her, which I liked just as much as the front. Then I mentally gathered myself and focused on what she was doing. It seemed the towel had gotten stuck on the corner of the bench. She was pulling at it with one hand while trying to cover herself with the other.
I sighed. Much as I wanted her to stay naked, she obviously didn't. So, there was nothing to do but help. I stood up and crossed the sauna in two long strides.
"Don't," she started to say, but I looked right into her eyes and put my hands firmly on her shoulders. I guided her to the side and gently pressed down so that she sat.
"Just sit there. I'll get the towel."
She opened her mouth as if to say something, but nothing came out. I shoved away all the dirty thoughts prompted by her looking up at me with those dreamy eyes and parted lips. Now was, apparently and very regretfully, not the time. I bent down and examined the towel. It was snagged on a grate that covered the steam vents below the bench seat. I easily unhooked it. I held the towel out toward her, being careful to show her I wasn't looking. Maybe once she was safely covered up again, we could actually introduce ourselves and...
"Thank you," came a voice that was already moving away from me as she snatched the towel on her way to the door. By the time I turned in her direction she had already slipped out, the door slamming shut behind her.
Well, that could have gone better.
I eased myself up onto the bench and sat for a moment before letting out a growl of frustration. It had been months, far too many months, since anyone had grabbed my attention. All the excitement of the moments before turned bitter. Was this amazing chance encounter really going to be ruined by a ridiculous accident with a towel?
I tried to let the steam relax me, but it was no good. I didn't need to relax, I needed action. What was I doing, sitting here moping? If I wanted this woman, I just needed to figure out how to get her.
I left the sauna and showered quickly before finding my way to the booking desk. I put on a slightly intimidating face and approached the man working there.
"Excuse me, I have a problem."
"Of course, sir. How can I make your stay better?"
"I want to make the complaint on behalf of myself and another guest. We were both just in sauna five; it seems you double-booked us. It was quite the shock." I exaggerated those last words as I leaned in against the counter.
"I'm terribly sorry, sir. Let me look at our bookings for this afternoon, and then I can lodge a formal complaint on behalf of you and..."
"Ah, since I was only in a towel, I'm afraid I didn't have any way to record her name. But I can confirm it if I hear it. I'm sure you have it in your system."
"Of course, sir." He hit a few buttons on the keyboard and clicked his mouse.
This might actually work. Maybe I...
"I'm sorry, sir. We only have you booked for that room."
I straightened up and frowned.
"Well, it wasn't just me, so your information is wrong. Or you've got people sneaking into your supposedly exclusive and private saunas."
"I'm sure that's not the case, sir. Only staff are able to open saunas for the guests, and, of course, VIP guests such as yourself, who are given their own keys." He made a few more clicks. "We did have a guest booked in the sauna next door. Perhaps she ended up in yours by mistake."
"Ah, perhaps! What was that guest's name?" I tried not to seem eager.
"I'm afraid it's another VIP guest, and their name isn't given."
Damn it.
"I can certainly still log the complaint for you, Mr. Reade, if you like?"
"No, never mind." The attendant's apologies followed me as I walked away from the desk. I waved them away, lost in thought.
Another VIP guest?I thought I knew anyone who could have been considered a VIP. She must be new. My stomach rumbled and I checked my watch, realizing I was late for lunch with Scott. Maybe he'd have some good ideas.
"Wait,you're telling me you got a woman naked in the sauna and then she ran away?" Scott slapped his knee. "That's amazing. Even I've never had a woman full-on run away from me."