Barely Made It Pt. 01

The airport's sliding doors parted, and I stepped inside, my bare feet shocked by the cold tiles. I clutched the damp bath towel that barely covered my body and fidgeted with a small pendant attached to a silver chain around my neck.

SKREEEEEE-OW! SKREEEEEE-OW!

The fire alarm still assaulted my ears--its siren had forced me out of my hotel room in a rush. Mid-shower, soap suds sliding down my legs, no time to grab anything but this flimsy piece of cloth and my passport. I had waited outside for several minutes to be let back in and then I saw the billows of smoke starting to rise from the building. I knew then it was not going to be soon--if ever.

My flight was in 2 hours, forcing me to suck it up and take the hotel's shuttle as I was--wet, covered in nothing but this stupid towel.

The airport's air conditioning pummeled my exposed skin. Goose bumps were my only defense. Shivering, I glanced down to check my situation. The edge of the towel grazed the crest of my breast. Pulling it higher risked revealing everything below. A slit at my hip parted as I walked.

Weaving through suitcases and travelers, I looked for signs for the check-in line. Oh for a coat, a robe, not this tiny scrap. I should have grabbed something else before running but no, I played myself. I assumed it was just a kid pulling the alarm as a prank and would be over in a few minutes. My first impulse was to run out with nothing, but public nudity seemed like something that should stay in my porn search history. Maybe not all fantasies should be explored in real life. I chose the towel because that seemed safe but still exciting.

My gut churned as I veered toward an empty hallway, each step sending a jolt of anxiety, the towel's hem kissing my thighs, teasing ruin. I regretted everything I had ever wished for. If this makes me late, I'll never forgive myself.

Rounding a corner, a woman with a cart of oversized suitcases barrelled into me, rolling over the side of my toe.

"Fuck!" Pain shot through my foot as I clutched my towel and fell. My passport skittered and my ass met tile with a clap. The pain was all-consuming. I didn't hear what the woman said but it was something rude. Her face turned red and she huffed and puffed while slowly rolling the cart away, having lost all her momentum crashing into me.

A man approached me, setting down his backpack he squatted down. "Are you okay?"

"That bitch decapitated my toe," I snapped, pulling my right foot into my lap, expecting to see a baby toe missing--blood spurting everywhere. My pain vanished when I saw it was intact with only a pink scuff. The empty hallway spared me an audience--except for this stranger who could see everything in this position. I could feel the chill air between my legs. I shocked myself as I opened them wider and I looked up at the man.

"You like this, don't you?" He questioned with a smirk and an eyebrow raised.

"No. Why do you say that?" I returned his devilish grin.

"Do you need help up?" He chuckled.

"Please." I reached for his hand. He slid his arm around my waist, lifting me gently.

"I'm Ivan. We're headed towards the check-in. We can take a look at your foot while we wait. Noah has a first aid kit." He gestured to a group of men. There were five of them geared up like they were ready to climb Mt. Everest. Not wanting Ivan's steady hand to leave my waist, I feigned a limp and agreed to join them.

Reaching the winding line, Ivan lifted me onto a stack of suitcases and with a sly grin whispered only to me, "I know you are faking it, you little flirt. Just so you know, Noah has a thing for feet. He gives amazing foot rubs if you need one."

"Oh." I nervously breathed. Playing it cool was impossible. My heart pounded and my palms started to sweat.

"Hello." Noah stepped toward us. I met his gaze and he smiled as his hand raked his tousled hair. I sat as still as I could, legs crossed firm on the suitcase as heat crept up my thighs. Stepping behind me, Ivan put his hand on my bare shoulders. I felt my heart pumping.

"Ivan says you're a doctor," I teased and lifted my leg. Twirling my ankle slowly, I leaned back onto Ivan's chest.

"Not exactly." He chuckled. His hands were warm, cradling my ankle as he lifted it to inspect my foot. "But I've fixed worse after our hikes." His voice was steady but his eyes were hungry. He used an alcohol spray from his first aid kit to sanitise my insignificant wound.

"I think a foot massage would make it feel better." I bit my lip, holding back a laugh. Noah's shocked face looked up at Ivan.

"You're such a bastard." He playfully shook his head.

"You may have to beg," Ivan bends down to whisper, "Oh shit, what is your name?"

"Clara." My face turned up to look at him.

"Noah won't do it unless you beg, Clara." Ivan begins to caress my neck. The way he said my name sent shivers down my spine.

I take a deep breath and sigh, "Please Noah, I need a foot rub. I don't know if my foot will ever recover without one."

The group closed in around us, partly shielding the line from our performance.

Noah answered with thumbs pressing hard into my heel, gliding slowly toward my aching toes. The towel shifted, barely clinging to my chest, and my breath hitched. Ivan's hands matching Noah's rhythm, ran his fingers up and down the sides of my neck. I watched them travel down my breast and one hand grasped the knot of the fabric. My core jolted not knowing what he was about to do. His hand remained in place and I realized he was keeping the edge from falling further.  

The group was quiet as they stared. Eyes darted from my foot, to my rising chest, to the sliver of skin now visible near the bottom of the towel. Their expressions were a mixture of desire and disbelief. Their attention felt like electricity on my skin.

Looking past the wall of men, I saw the rest of the line was oblivious. Most were glued to their phones, or staring aimlessly ahead, earbuds sealing them in their private soundscapes.

"God, your feet are perfect" Noah's voice broke with longing. I shifted my focus back to his hands. Fingers twirling circles on my arch, a hungry edge to his touch.

He began to slowly spread my toes and he let out a quiet groan. My hands tightened on the suitcase as his fingers rubbed between the little digits. I squirmed when it tickled and leaned into Ivan's chest behind me, my ass grinding on the suitcase handle.

"Don't break my suitcase, Clara." Ivan said as he softly combed his fingers through the hair at the nape of my neck. This was torture.

Ivan's hand stilled and he cleared his throat. "Line's moving." He gave me one last squeeze on the shoulder and the group shuffled forward, breaking the trance. I replaced Ivan's hold on my towel as Noah placed a tiny kiss on my baby toe before helping me down.

"Thank you for the medical attention, Dr. Noah" I said as I readjusted the loose towel and left the line completely.   Confusion filled their eyes as they watched me join the empty First Class lane instead.

"I'll send you the bill." Noah shouted. Ivan gave me a thumbs up and mouthed Bravo.

--

At the counter, the young man in a crisp shirt and vest, froze when he saw me. I didn't blame him. Everything about me screamed hot mess. My wet hair stuck to my neck, my skin flushed, wearing nothing but a fucking towel.

"Hello." I slid my passport over. Leaning against the counter, I felt the towel ride up, baring the curve of my ass to anyone behind me. I straightened quickly, tugging the towel down. I needed to remember not to raise my arms.

The attendant opened my passport and his hands had a slight tremble. He used one finger to slowly but firmly hammer the letters on his keyboard. His eyes darted between the screen and my passport, as if he expected the information to change at any moment. The phone rang and gave him a jump scare. He put his hand to his heart as he answered it.

"Yes?" His eyes darted to me, then immediately away. He turned around and I couldn't hear anything else.

I anxiously looked around, my fingers finding the pendant of the necklace moving it back and forth along the chain.   Ivan and Noah were talking in line to my right, their faces lit with lingering amusement. I continued scanning, trying to distract myself. My heart skipped as my eyes landed on a security officer standing at the far end of the check-in counter, his piercing dark gaze fixed on me through the crowd of travelers. His handsome face was an unreadable mask. He raised his radio to speak and walked away.

My blood was racing with a mix of fear and thrill that prickled my skin. Missing this plane could ruin everything. I had had my fun in line, letting Ivan and Noah's warm hands distract me from the weight of it all--but now, it was time to focus. They had been very clear in their instructions. I only had 48 hours to deliver what I carried to London. Magnus Varnier's acted as if he'd already won during last night's call, unaware that I held the key to his downfall.

"You're all set, Ms. Day." The attendant said, pulling me from my thoughts. He did not look well. I grabbed my boarding pass and gave him a sympathetic smile, "Thanks."

I sprinted towards the gate, thighs brushing together, slick with excitement.   The necklace bounced slightly against my chest, reminding me of the data chip that was hidden inside.   

I wasn't just a woman racing for a flight, I was alive for the first time in my life.