It was bound to be another of those nearly wasted journeys. A long flight to Mexico, two or three boring meetings where the other parties bring up objections and trivial detail about the proposed merger and eventually the whole thing falls flat on its arse.
You can smell them a mile away, initial keenness followed by a request for more information and more and more unproductive meetings. They all end the same way, loads of jet-lag, a big bar bill and no contract.
I reluctantly climbed the steps onto the Jumbo, why do they never use the jetty when I fly? The only consolation is that I get to follow a line of rather curvaceous female posteriors up the steps, some of whom are wearing skirts that are rather too short for the job in hand. Ah the female bum, it never fails to brighten my day.
It really is an enigma. Why should a glimpse of white panties under a short skirt be so titillating, most bikinis these days are much more revealing. I suspect it's the fact that it's not really supposed to be seen. Anyway, no flash of panties today but some spectacular buttocks to muse about.
I turn right and make my way along the cabin. No first class this trip, it's simply going through the motions with no hope of a deal. As I near my seat I notice a rather attractive lady of about my age sitting in my row. Longish dark hair, skin bronzed by the sun and square framed glasses that set off her face perfectly. Delegate? Lawyer? Journalist? She had a pile of papers on the seat next to her and a few more on the lap of her loose fitting red dress. Mmmm things are looking up. She threw me a glance, smiled and said.
"Sorry is this your seat?"
"Eh, forty five B? Yes it is."
"Sorry, I'll just gather my stuff."
"No problem. I'm Victor."
"And I'm Chantelle."
"Good to meet you Chantelle. Can I help?"
"Thanks but it's done now." I sat down beside her and as we had started to talk I didn't want us to slip into silence.
"Judging by your pile of papers, this has got to be a business trip rather than pleasure?"
"Actually I am going to Mexico for a bit of both. How about you, Victor?"
"Business unfortunately. You're lucky to be able to combine the two. May I ask what it is you do?"
"I'm in the travel business. Actually, I am checking out a new hotel for our company as we have decided to add some new holiday ideas to our brochure this year."
"Sounds interesting. I see how you can combine business with pleasure but 'new holiday ideas'? Surely a hotel is a hotel? Pool, number of stars, restaurants, job done; no?" I sensed a slight colouring of her cheeks.
"Pretty much but not exactly! This is a specialist holiday resort for libertines."
"Oh, I see. Well, why shouldn't they have holidays that cater for their tastes like everyone else?"
"You are not shocked? Or maybe it's because you are a libertine!"
"No, but I am a naturist and have been for many years. People used to think that pretty odd back in the day."
"Naturism is good for the health for sure but you've never been tempted to try the libertine life style?"
"Well, it's mainly for couples and I am on my own. Those venues don't usually allow single men."
" Ah of course, so it's not lack of curiosity so much as lack of opportunity then?" And she smiled quizzically. "May I ask where in the city you are staying?"
"At the Hotel Independent. It's nice enough but hardly exciting. Just another tower block with over priced restaurants, over priced bars and over subscribed sun loungers by an inadequate pool."
"You definitely make it sound pretty boring. I don't think our company will be using it. Or if we do we won't get you to do the write up for the brochure!" And as she smiled with amusement he noticed the way her eyes sparkled slightly.
"I guess I won't be getting an advertising job soon." And he smiled back. This could be a better than average flight.
The conversation batted back and forth about all sorts of subjects and shortly before they landed she said.
"Look I've had an idea, but it's only a vague idea so see what you think. You might find it a bit whacky so feel free to say no, I won't be offended. You see, I am a naturist too, that's why the company sent me, because I don't have any hang ups about nudity and this is a clothing optional resort. I have to stay at the hotel to assess it and as I too am alone, and not a libertine, there are events that I am not going to be allowed to go to. If you are interested we could go to one of these events together to see what gives. Only to observe, not to take part of course."
So I am sitting next to an attractive woman, that I have only just met, and she has just invited me to an event where we will both be naked. Now naturist or not, I still admire the female form and the less it is wearing the better. It's not sexual, just research. Well OK it is a bit sexual. What's more we will be in the company of libertines to observe what happens at one of their holidays. Am I dreaming?
"Welllll, why not? A great idea. We are both used to going without clothes and both curious about the libertine lifestyle...I have a meeting in the morning but after that I'm free."
"OK, after your meeting why not come over to the Hotel of Dreams and ask for Chantelle Cabot. I'll tell them that you're coming and I will probably be by the pool enjoying the sunshine. How does that sound?"
"Great. It sounds like a much better afternoon than I expected."