The airport’s sliding doors parted, and I timidly stepped inside, my bare feet shocked by the cold tile. I clutched a damp bath towel that barely covered my body. The hotel’s fire arm lingered in my ears—its piercing siren had forced me out of my hotel room mid-shower, soap suds clinging to my skin, no time to grab anything but this flimsy piece of cloth and my passport. I had waited outside for several minutes but it turned out not to be a drill and they were not going to allow anyone back in. My flight was in 30 minutes and I had no other option than taking the hotel's shuttle, wet and covered in nothing other than this stupid towel.The airport’s air conditioning attacked my exposed skin. Goosebumps were my only defense. Every eye in the building flicked toward me, half-naked and shivering. I gnced down to check my situation. The top of the towel grazed the top of my nipples. Pulling it higher risked fshing everything below. A slit at my hip gaped, skin exposed more depending on the length of my stride. Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Bohemian Rhapsody repced the sound of the fire arm in my head. I rolled my eyes and prayed to god it would stop. It’s way too fucking catchy.Weaving through suitcases and travelers, a man came running past and clipped my elbow. I shot him a scowl and I checked my towel, yanking the fabric tighter. Oh for a coat, a robe, not this tiny scrap, I whined internally. My jacket was right on the bed, I should have grabbed it. I thought it was just a drill and assumed it would be over in a few minutes. This was my moment to live my fantasy of being barely naked in public. But it became a little too real, like the hotel fire. Fuck, I was so stupid and perverted.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. Rounding a corner, a woman with a cart of oversized suitcases barrelled into me, a wheel crunching my toes.“Fuck!” Pain shot through my foot. My passport skittered and my ass met tile with a cp. Reaching for my foot, I didn’t care who saw what—the pain was all-consuming.A man in green cargo pants approached me, setting down a hiker’s backpack and squatted down. “Are you okay?” His voice carried an accent, his hand rested lightly on my bare shoulder.“That bitch broke my toe,” I snapped, pulling my right foot into my p, rubbing it. My legs parted, but the empty hallway spared me an audience—except for this stranger, whose concern seemed genuine.“Let me help.” He slid his arm around my waist, lifting me gently. His hand brushed just below my breast, and I realized the towel was wide open. Snatching the edge, I wrapped it back in pce, securing the tuck. His blue eyes, crinkled with worry, met mine. “I’m Ivan. Come with us, we’re headed to check-in.”He gestured to a group of rugged guys, geared up like they were ready to climb Mt. Everest. “Noah can check your foot. He has a first aid kit if needed.” I nodded, wincing as I limped forward, Ivan’s steady hand under my arm. My fingers grazed his side, finding hard muscle, and my pulse quickened. Caught in a ndslide. Oh my god shut the fuck up.We reached the snaking check-in line. Ivan, with a sly grin, lifted me onto a stack of suitcases and whispered “Noah’s getting married next week; this trip was his bachelor weekend. He gives the best foot jobs, I mean hand...foot rubs. You should ask for one if you want to tease the foot fiend.”My brows raised with panic, foot fiend?! My surprise didn’t st long as my usual recklessness took over. Surrounded by strangers, half-naked, getting a foot massage? The thrill of it surged in my gut. “Sure, sounds fun...the foot rub.” Pying it cool was impossible. I started to sweat, the air conditioning was not helping now. Noah stepped forward, tousled light brown hair and a short beard. I didn’t really like beards but I wasn’t going to be picky right now—dreams don’t have to be perfect. His brown eyes, warm and pyful, locked onto mine. “Hello,” He smiled. I sat as still as I could, legs crossed on the suitcase as heat crept up my thighs.“Ivan says you’re a doctor,” I teased. Noah’s hands were warm, cradling my ankle as he lifted it to inspect my foot. “I’ve fixed worse after our hikes.” His voice was steady but his eyes were hungry and wild. “I think a foot massage is what would make it better.” I bit my lip, pretending to be serious. Noah’s shocked face turned to his friend. Ivan nodded and nudged him forward. The group closed in around us, partly shielding the line from our performance.Noah’s thumbs pressed hard into my heel, gliding slowly toward my aching toes. The towel shifted, barely clinging to my chest, and my breath hitched. The group was quiet as they stared. Eyes darted from my foot to the sliver of skin now visible near the bottom of the towel. Their expressions a mixture of lust and disbelief. Their attention felt like electricity on my skin. Heat was everywhere like a secret fire inside me. I loved being watched. Looking past Ivan and the others, I saw the rest of the crowd was unaware, either looking at their phones or zoned out with headphones on. Then my heart skipped a beat. An officer near the counter was staring straight at me, his expression unreadable.“God, your feet are perfect” Noah’s voice broke with longing. I shifted my focus back to his hands. Fingers paced back and forth on my arch, a hungry edge to his touch. “I could... lick them, for the pain” His wild green eyes flicked to mine, testing.I ughed, a nervous breath escaping. “No, that’s crazy.” But the heat in my center begged me to say yes, a needy pulse I fought to ignore. He began to slowly spread my toes. My hands tightened on the suitcase as his fingers rubbed between the little digits. I squirmed at how it tickled and my ass grinded on the suitcase handle. A moan almost escaped but I thankfully held it in. This was torture.Ivan cleared his throat. “Line’s moving.” The group shuffled forward, breaking the spell. I hopped down, my towel mercifully intact. Ivan gave me a thumbs up and mouthed bravo. The line branched and I took the shorter one for First Css. “Thank you for the medical attention, Dr. Noah” I said with a small smile. “I’ll send you the bill, Ms First Css.” He winked before heading down the other line.

  —

  At the counter, the young man in a crisp shirt and vest, froze when he saw me. I didn’t bme 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 forward, I felt the towel ride up, baring the curve of my ass to the line behind me. A stifled gasp rippled through the crowd. I straightened quickly, tugging the towel down, heart pounding faster in my chest. I needed to remember not to raise my arms. I scanned the area for the officer I had seen earlier but he had disappeared. Relief washed over me and I let my heart rate slow. I didn’t need to get in trouble—not now. Missing this pne would destroy everything and that bastard Jenson would win. The wyers had been clear yesterday—I had 48 hours to sign the papers but the sooner I arrived, the better.Yesterday felt like a lifetime ago. A lot was different now. I no longer had clothes for one.“You’re set, Ms. Day.” The attendant said, pulling me from my thoughts. He fumbled with the printer, his fingers trembling. “Departure is in 15 minutes. You can make it but you have to run.” “Thanks.” I took my boarding pass and started a light jog toward the gate, thighs brushing together, slick with excitement. I wasn’t just a woman racing for a flight, I was alive for the first time in my life.