I'd always promised myself a house with a sauna. A time spent being utterly lazy in a hot sauna, stretched out naked in the warmth, especially after a massage is just one way to heaven.
Even better if there is some pleasant company to share the experience with. And after a lot of searching, visiting places and a whole load of form filling, I found my paradise with its own sauna floating over the tranquil water of a small and extremely picturesque lake surrounded by a forest of proud, tall pine trees.
The lake was quite narrow and a road ran past the opposite bank but it was never busy and was far enough away to let me sunbathe nude without causing offence. I didn't think it could get any better.
Needless to say, the first few weeks after moving in were spent lazing in or around my sauna in a state of unashamed idleness.
One day around lunchtime I grabbed a snack and sat out in the garden with a nice red wine, book and some biscuits and settled into the chair, naked of course, to enjoy the sun and continue my sloth!
At some point somewhere in the background I was dimly aware of a car apparently passing. I had learned to ignore car sounds but then I noticed that this one was moving a lot slower and seemed to be getting nearer.
I reached for my towel - which I'd always kept handy but never needed - stood up and wrapped it round my waist just in time as a car slowly came to a stop near the garage. I could see there was a couple inside. They got out, smiling friendly and walked over. The man was holding his hand out to shake mine and I took it.
"We're really sorry to barge in on you like this," he began. "But we've been driving for ages. We couldn't help noticing what looks like a sauna floating on the lake just back there. Is that yours? Do you have a campsite here? I'm Michael and my wife here is Anna, by the way."
I explained that I didn't have a campsite but said they would be welcome to pitch a tent in the forest by the house if they liked. I have to admit, this offer was influenced in no small measure by the sight of Anna.
She had short dark hair, worn in a very feminine cut. She was about 35, I guessed, while Michael I put at about 42. Her smile was warm and friendly and there was a wonderful sparkle in her dark brown eyes. Her gentle tan suggested recent or ongoing touring and I couldn't help wondering if it was an all over tan.
I found myself trying to picture her breasts without the T-shirt that was covering them. She obviously wasn't wearing a bra as her nipples were proudly pushing through the fabric.
My daydream was suddenly interrupted by Michael explaining they didn't have a tent themselves and had hoped I had one. My heart sank as I had to inform them that I didn't have one. Pondering a solution, I suggested that they could stay a while, chill out a bit and then see if they felt like driving on. If not, we could work something out. They smiled enthusiastically at this.
"There's a shower just inside the door," I said. Why don't you freshen up and I'll make some sandwiches and coffee," I said.
"That's really kind," said Anna. "Thank you so much!"
She grabbed a bag from the car and walked past me towards the house, holding my look and giving me an amazing smile that started a stir under my towel.
"Shit!" I thought.... "Did she notice? Did Michael notice??"
If he did, Michael didn't seem to mind. I brought out two more chairs and we sat chatting while Anna enjoyed her shower. He was actually very amiable and conversation flowed easily. The sound of water stopped and we could hear Anna humming a tune while she towelled herself.
Presently she emerged from the house with only the towel wrapped around her.
"Your turn, Darling," she said. Michael got up and went inside and Anna joined me.
More easy conversation flowed until at one point she said,
"When we arrived, we thought we might have been interrupting a nude sunbathe. Is that right?"
"Well, I wouldn't call it an interruption" I said. "I'm actually glad of the spontaneous visit. It's one of those nice little moments life throws you sometimes."
"That's nice of you to say so," she replied. "But we really don't want to impose. You don't have to keep that towel on if you'd rather not. I know I'd like to lose mine," at which point she stood up and let her towel drop to the chair. I was dumb-struck.