Chapter 50: The Weekend at the Spa
Jenny had packed everything: one luggage case fitted into the trunk, but the other had to stay on the minuscule backseat of the Porsche. When I looked at it, she grinned. "You don't need a lot of clothes: t-shirts, Bermudas, a blazer, slacks, shirts, and a tie; that's enough. I need dresses, gowns, nightdresses short and long, transparent or not, bras and panties, perfume, ... James, only a woman would understand me."
When I questioned the dresses (after all, Maureen had said that we would stay nude most of the time) she grinned. "Darling, I'll wear them so that you can take them off. You told me more than once that a naked woman is one thing; a nude woman dressed seductively is quite another matter. And Maureen and I have spent some time to find the right dresses for you to take off..."
We kissed Maureen and thanked her for the present she had given us: a gift not only for Jenny, but for me also. She smiled and said that it was her turn the next time and Jenny nodded vigorously.
"I'll tell you everything once we are back and you can prepare yourself even better!"
One more kiss and we were on our way. It was two hours driving on winding roads into the Blue Mountains, and slowly we left the city pollution behind us. Waze showed us the way and we arrived just for lunch. The spa looked impressive: built into a hill with a view on one side to the forest and on the other side, into the far horizon; I knew that at night we might see the reflection of Sydney's lights in the sky. The reception was small and when I presented my reservation, the young lady was very friendly and efficient, and I had to admit, quite pretty.
She gave me a folder with all the keys and instructions and reemphasized their policy of invisible service.
"Sir, you've three rooms and all of them have a separate entrance to which only three people have a key: you, our manager and the service manager. When you wake up, you give us a call and tell us what you want to be served and at whatever time you want it; we'll advise you with a bell that breakfast is served. When you're in the dining room, you tell us and whilst you are eating, we'll serve the bedroom. It'll take us no more than ten minutes; please be patient and don't return to that room until we sound the bell. As soon as you leave the dining room, you advise us, and we'll clean the table immediately. Other than that, we will not enter your rooms except when you call us."
She smiled and Jenny was impressed: nude all day?
¨Our restaurant is on the other side of the property and has two stars in the Michelin Guide; it is normally crowded, and reservations are necessary, but our guests can order room service from an extensive menu or come to the restaurant: a table is guaranteed. Our wine list is very extensive, and we have a brilliant review from the Wine Spectator, so please tell us what you prefer and there's a 99% probability that we'll have it. This includes a Ch. Petrus and Ch. Margaux, and we have an extensive line of the Ch. d'Yquem. There are also some interesting wines from South America and South Africa; you'll be surprised about the wines our sommelier has selected. Enjoy your stay, Sir, and if you need anything at all, just advise. We want to make your stay memorable."
I thanked her and drove over to the chalet they had selected for us. It was very pretty, and Jenny was thoroughly impressed.
The decoration was modern Scandinavian: clean and simple lines, but wonderful elegant forms and first-class materials were used. There were some pretty paintings on the wall; basically, Australian landscapes, very pretty but not as good as the ones Eileen had collected. A nice veranda with a high hedge around it to guarantee privacy, an ofuro and a smallish pool with comfortable Chaise Lounges around it. Looking at the stereo equipment, I recognized some of the brands: Bose, Bang, Marantz, a Meridien amplifier and preamp ... it couldn't be much better, and I was happy that I had brought enough CD's to use it. There was a huge flat screen TV in the sitting room, and an even bigger Oil painting hanging in front of it from the ceiling, hiding it in case you did not want to waste your time watching American reruns. There was a bottle of chilled chardonnay plus some hors d' oeuvres on a sideboard. It was impressive.
The dining room was as impressive: elegant, classic and pretty. The table served up to six people, but I assumed it would never be used to that extension, since this was a place for two lovers. A big window again looking to the forest and I was certain we would enjoy having our food here. When I opened the door to the bedroom, I saw what they meant with invisible service: our luggage was already placed on a separate support. The bed was big, and I thought we would not have to decide which directions we wanted to sleep in; it would easily take us in any direction. A big bathroom with its own terrace and a Jacuzzi, again surrounded by tall hedges so that privacy was always assured. A big shower for at least two and Jenny was looking at me already with an optimistic grin. The linen was colorful in pale colors and everything shouted of good taste - or a very expensive interior decorator.
The phone rang and the young lady was on the other side. "Sir, this is Jane Halley, please forgive my intrusion. I forgot to tell you that the menu and the wine list are in the top drawer of the sideboard in the dining room; in case you want anything, please let me know. We are at your service twenty-four hours a day. Thank you, and once more my apologies for the intrusion."
I laughed and told Jenny about the message. She nodded. "James, let us order food and wine and while they prepare it, I shall put everything away. Are you certain that they'll not enter any room if we do not authorize it?"
I nodded and said that was what I had been promised and what Maureen had checked; I wondered why that question? "Well, darling, I've spent a lot of time getting some quite interesting outfits, but they are for your eyes only, not for anybody else..." I was looking forward to the next four days...
The menu was impressive, going from Japanese to French to (strangely enough) Cajun dishes and there were no prices. Maureen had told me that she had told the spa that we should not be bothered with prices, as she would pay everything from the company's office.
We selected our food: a shrimp salad for Jenny and an Abalone salad for me as starters, then she selected veal with asparagus and wild rice; for me it was a T-bone steak with baked potato (Jenny laughed "Good for you, because you'll need your strength, as will I¨), and as desserts we had caqui, a delicious fruit from South America, plus an expresso for both. We spent more time on the wine list. The starter was easy: a Krug vintage champagne; the red wine was more difficult, but at the end, we decided on an Oregon Bergström Le Pré du Col Pinot Noir for her and a hearty Syrah, the Adelaide Hills SC Pannell, for me. We would also finish the bottle at night with cheeses.
We told Ms. Halley (I assume she was the lady at the reception desk) about our choices and she said that everything would be ready in 45 minutes. Anything else? I looked at Jenny and she shook her head. I thanked Jane and we went to unpack; that is, Jenny unpacked, and I watched. The two luggage cases delivered a few elegant summer dresses and an enormous amount of seductive night outfits in all colors, mostly transparent, short or long. She finished her job and changed into a little green blouse with almost all buttons already open, and a tight black frock. When I looked at her, she grinned. "Extended local rules: no underwear, but calm down, James. For at least the first two hours, I intend to be decent. Afterwards ... who knows?"
A bell rang and we walked over to the dining room. Everything was prepared for us to serve ourselves: the main dishes were on rechauds to keep the food hot, but I doubted that this would work out. We might have to walk over to the restaurant to get the food properly served. Pity, but I did not like cold food.
I advised Jane and opened the Krug and served Jenny and myself; the wine and the salads matched perfectly. Then I cleaned the table (Jenny was happy for me to serve her) and I uncovered the veal. It was a masterpiece of decoration with little colorful drops here and there; the asparagus looked like it was coming out of a painting and the wild rice had a black-white color. The Pinot Noir matched the veal perfectly.
My steak was rough and impressive; I wondered whether I could finish it? I had asked for rare to medium and when I cut the meat, it was. The baked potato reminded me of a good restaurant in the States with its perfect form and taste.
Her wine had a dark cherry color and tasted of wild red and dark fruits, with a little bit of brown sugar thrown in - I had learned a lot about wines from Maureen and Eileen. My Syrah was hugely intense with black cherry, black plums, and some spices. This was exactly what the steak needed, and they must have turned to magic, because at the end of the meal the food was still hot! It was two-star restaurant food! The fruit was delicious, and I could not find a matching wine for its expressive sweetness and would have to ask Maureen later. The coffee was hot, and I decided that the next time, I would order an Armagnac to go with it.
I pressed the button on the sideboard to advise that we had finished and to bring back the wines at night with a tray of assorted cheeses, and then we retired to the bedroom. Invisible service again: the bed was turned down. They obviously knew why we were here!
They had also come in again and cleaned up whatever had been lying around loose; the bedroom appeared like a photo out of an architect's dream. Jenny turned to me. "What do you want to do with me now, my love?"
I just embraced her for a long time and looking into her sweet blue eyes, I responded: "I want to love you, now and forever."
She smiled happily. "I'm all yours, to do what you want..." and a small grin appeared "Anyhow and anywhere, my love."
I let her go and opened the last button on her blouse and slid it off her shoulder; then I opened the zipper at the side of the skirt and pulled it down. She stepped out of it and stood before me, turning around slowly to let me admire her beauty.
She had a runner's fine-tuned slim body, with a narrow waist, long, long legs, and pert breasts peaked by dark nipples. They were stiff already, waiting to be caressed and I was looking forward to spending a long time with them. Her long raven-black hair tumbled over her left shoulder, reaching to below her breast. I looked at her admiring everything, but then focused on her smiling lips and shining eyes. There was love in them, love for me.