I glanced at the address a final time just making sure I had the right one before I stepped out from my van. I was sure between my memory and the gps, I had been right but sometimes it paid to be certain. It wasn't a regular client of ours, somewhere new so it was good to check.
We did a lot of work for people. hot tubs, saunas, pools. We installed them, maintained them checked and made repairs if there was ever a problem. In this case it was apparently an emergency. I had been close by luckily and diverted to go and take a look at the problem.
Stepping from the van I slipped my phone into my pocket and then headed up the path past the neatly tended garden and made my way to the door. I didn't have to wait. I knocked and the door was literally opened right up.
"The repair guy right? You're an absolute life saver. This is a disaster you know." The figure in front of me spoke quickly, flushed skin, pretty face. She was also wearing nothing more than a couple of towels so maybe this really had been an emergency. It was also very much a familiar face. Jennifer Love Hewitt. I had seen her in films and on tv for years. This close and in person she was older yes and the towels concealed her body somewhat but she was really pretty.
I blinked and then drew out my ID for her to check. "Yeah i'm here to check it out. Sauna right? I can see what we can do for you." I eventually stammered out. We dealt with several famous faces but I couldn't say I had met any myself. This was a first and a reminder that maybe I should have checked the name on the callout.
I followed her inside the spectacle of Jennifer stood on her doorstep in a couple of towels could hardly not be noticed I imagined. "So what exactly is the problem?" I asked her as she closed the door behind us and headed down the hallway.
"I don't know the stove started up and then just seemed to stop it wouldn't heat properly. Which is frustrating. This was me time." She shook her head, the frustration evident in her voice until she glanced at me and offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry it's just that today for the entire day the house was mine. My husband has taken the kids out and I'm free to relax and enjoy myself."
"Then don't worry i'll take a look and hopefully you can finish up what you started and get your day back on track." I tried to reassure her as I followed behind.
"That's good. That's really good. I hope you can. I really was looking forward to this time to myself." Jennifer murmured as she led me through the house.
I followed closely trying not to stare much. I had seen her in programmes and films over the years. Being this close to her wearing just a towel.......I suddenly remembered how good she had looked in some of those.
I shook the thought aside as fun as it was and followed behind her as she led the way into the sauna. Music played softly, there was a tray set out to one side discarded when she found it wasn't working properly I supposed.
She stepped aside and waved me forward towards the stove. Settling down I got started. She hovered close by behind one shoulder, a distraction if i'd ever needed one. A quick scan showed nothing obvious untoward. So I stood again.
"I'm going to grab my tools a moment and then take a better look." I assured her. By the time I had returned from van she had vanished and I went to work. It didn't take to long to see her heating element had burned out and needed replacing. Luckily for her I had a replacement on hand.
Another trip back to the van and I was soon back at work removing the broken one when Jennifer returned still snugly wrapped in her towel although the one from her head had disappeared now.
"How is it looking?" She checked cautiously.
"Well your heating element has gone on the stove and it's going to need replacing." I quickly replied as I worked.
"How long is it going to take then is that the end of my sauna hopes for the day?" She asked again.
I smiled a little, hesitating just a second drawing out the reply before I glanced back at her. "As it happens you're in luck. I have a replacement on hand so it shouldn't take to long and we'll have you ready to enjoy yourself."
She looked at me and slowly grinned. "You shouldn't tease me like that. Looking forward to me time today......that's been the highlight of my week." She smirked.
"In that case I wouldn't want to let you down and ruin your day especially if you've been looking forward to it. But we can make sure you still have your time alone just slightly delayed maybe." I assured her.
As I settled down to work Jennifer remained there watching on. It was a distraction in all honesty. Her shapely form, one I had long enjoyed on screen this close and only wrapped up in a towel.......it was almost a thing of dreams. She was also down to earth happy to pass the time making small talk.
I listened as I worked, replied occasionally and kept myself busy replacing the faulty element. "I bet these days to yourself are few and far between with your husband and kids." I asked a little later.
"Oh yeah definitely. With everything that needs to be done I don't think I have a chance to think half the time. It's all worth it. I wouldn't change a thing, but even so everyone needs a little time to themselves occasionally."
"That's fair enough. Everyone does I think. I've got to say though I'm happy that your sauna broke today though. As selfish as it might be that it's delayed your free time it's been a pleasure working for you. I've seen you on tv for years so this is definitely a good day for me and I get to help you out." I smiled a little as I spoke.
"Oh please don't. You'll make me feel old." She shook her head, positioned on the wooden bench to the side of me.
I smiled. "I don't think you need to worry about that. Honestly I remember how good you looked on tv and now i've first hand experience to compare it to.......i'd say you look even better now."
She was silent I was sure she was blushing but I didn't try to look continuing to work. "Well it's kind of you to say i'm flattered even if I still feel old." She replied half laughing.
I paused licked my lips and turned to take a look. Longer this time, lingering as I made my way up the length of her figure. Even wrapped up in the towel she looked great. If anything the towel just made me want to tug it free and see even more. She definitely blushed as she felt my gaze.
I just smiled and then turned back to continue the work. "You don't look old." I remarked. "You just look like you need some time to yourself even if it's a few hours. Rest and unwind and relax a little, enjoy a drink or just some time for yourself. Nothing wrong with that. A little bit longer and hopefully i'll have this working for you so you can get your day back on track."
"That's exactly what I'll get back to hopefully." She agreed still with the feint blush of colour in her cheeks.
"I expect you more than deserve it. Everyone needs to blow of steam from time to time if you'll pardon the terrible pun." I chuckled as I spoke.
"God that really was bad." She agreed shaking her head as she looked over.
"I know I know. I can't say that i'm famed for my whit. Luckily I can fix a sauna so you'll soon be free to blow of as much steam as you want."
She didn't reply immediately just watching me work. Honestly I could have drawn the work out. I'd have enjoyed nothing more than to spend more time with her. But I'd finished the job. Standing back I looked over it a final time making sure everything was in place and ready to go.
"There you should be all set." I turned smiling towards her as I put my tools away. She stood as well moving towards me taking a look.
"All ready to go?" She asked.
"Yep, we'll fire her up. I'll drop my stuff back in the van and then just check it's going properly then you'll be free to get back to enjoying yourself. Enjoying your time alone anyway, not yourself, unless you wanted to, but i'm just going to shut up now." I smiled and stepped back.
Without realising it though i'd stepped on her towel. As she turned with me I pulled her back and she toppled forwards into me. Luckily I stuck my arms out, all reflexes but it worked I caught her before she fell. But suddenly she was pressed against me hands resting on my chest looking back up at me the towel between us but even so I could feel her body, soft, warm oh so tempting.
Swallowing hard I let my hands slide slowly up her back running across her bare skin before i slowly straightened her up. "I'll be back in a second." I murmured slowly just making sure she was safely on her feet before I released her.
I headed back to my van and put the tools away taking a moment to check my phone and take a breather. I was attracted to Jennifer. A lingering sense of nostalgia just the fact she'd felt so good in that brief moment we'd shared. But it was something I had to be careful of. She was a married woman and I didn't want to create trouble for herself or me.
Back inside I made my way back to the sauna. Jennifer was still there clutching the towel around herself. It made me want to tug it free, I could feel the tension now, maybe I'd stirred something made her remember things perhaps. I walked across to the sauna instead and knelt down to look.
It was working fine now, the heat building the first thin lines of steam seeping out into the room to surround us. I didn't need it, I already felt hot just knowing Jennifer was there that lush body just beneath the towel. Silently I cursed it.