I normally don't mind flying long-haul, as long as I can get my head down, watch a movie or two, read my book, and not be too bothered by anyone. On this occasion I was sure it would be fine as the people paying me to travel to San Francisco had sprung for a Business Class ticket. However when I got on the flight, I found that I was seated next to an American guy a few years older than me, who immediately started chatting. My initial annoyance was somewhat mollified by the fact that he was actually quite good looking in a rugged sort of way, and as it turned out was also both charming and interesting to talk to. He introduced himself as Hal.
We chatted about a range of things until they put the lights out to sleep – at the end we were laughing and giggling together, and he had even started mildly flirting with me. After grabbing a few hours' sleep, I woke up to find him looking at me and holding out a glass of morning orange juice. For some reason I was intensely aware that I must look a bit rumpled and tatty, and told him so.
"Not at all" he said. "You look great first thing in the morning. And I'd be disappointed if you didn't look at least a little disheveled after we've spent the night together!"
Hmm – seemed he had woken up feeling frisky and was ramping up the flirting!
"Well as this is the first time we've slept together you could at least put some champagne in that orange juice!" – I decided I could tease as well.
Hal smiled as he attracted one of the cabin crew and asked for champagne for both of us. We clinked glasses, and I couldn't help feeling he was imagining me lying in bed next to him!
"I'm disappointed you didn't at least change into a sexy little baby-doll before they put the lights out" he said.
"Actually, I always sleep naked" I replied. "I guess you must have missed it."
"I'll definitely be more attentive next time!" he responded.
Just then, the captain came onto the PA system. The cabin groaned as he announced that due to a technical gremlin we would be diverting to Chicago, where we would have to await repairs.
There were general groans, but Hal didn't seem bothered. "Seems like I'll have the pleasure of your company for a little longer" he said. "We'd better get some more champagne!"
It took another two hours before we were on the approach for landing in Chicago, and by then we'd both got through several more glasses – the cabin crew seemed happy to serve us as an alternative to dealing with the moans and complaints from the other passengers. By then Hal and I were laughing and joking, and he'd started to touch me in a familiar way like we were old friends – first with his hand on my arm, then on my hand, then on my knee, just below my short skirt. I found that I didn't mind.
As the seatbelt sign came on, he leaned over and buckled me in, pulling the strap tight. I decided I quite liked that too.
When we landed in Chicago, the message was that we all had to 'deplane' and wait for further information. Grabbing my small cabin bag, I followed Hal down the ramp and into the arrivals area.
"This is going to take a while" said Hal. "Let's go over to the business lounge – they'll find us there if there's any news."
As we walked through the crowded concourse, Hal took my arm to steer me through the people. By the time we arrived at the lounge, he had his arm loosely around my waist. We found a seat together in a quiet corner.
"More champagne?" asked Hal.
"Mmm, maybe in a bit" I said. "But I'm feeling very sweaty and grubby after that flight. I'm going to freshen up. They have showers here don't they?"
"Want me to come and scrub your back?" he asked loudly as I walked towards the showers. I smiled and waved back at him.
By the time I rejoined Hal I was feeling much fresher and cleaner, if perhaps a little uncomfortable.
"Better?" he asked. I nodded.
"I know what it's like" said Hal. "Nothing like clean underwear to start your day off properly."
I laughed.
"That's the problem" I said. "I wasn't expecting a stop, so I don't have any in my carry-on bag. I hope we're not delayed too long or it might start feeling a little draughty!"
"We're not talking commando here are we?" Hal laughed.
I nodded.
"Afraid so. Couldn't bear the sweaty bra either, so I'm lacking a little support too."
"Well, I wouldn't worry about that – you can definitely carry that off! Said Hal, looking appreciatively at my chest. I was wearing a white button-up blouse, and I was aware that I was still a little damp from the shower, causing the fabric to cling. Under Hal's scrutiny I felt my nipples bunching and poking out through the thin fabric. Hal chuckled and I blushed, which made him laugh even more.
"I love you English ladies" he said. "You can be so coy – it's damn sexy!"
"Well, I'd offer to lend you a pair of my shorts, but I'm not sure they'd suit you."
He looked at me thoughtfully.
"Hmm, I don't know though..."
I blushed again. Clearly he was visualizing me dressed in nothing but a pair of his boxers. I could feel my nipples tingling as they scrunched even harder.
Hal's frank appraisal, together with the champagne I'd drunk, were making me feel reckless and a little horny. As nonchalantly as I could, I slipped my jacket off my shoulders, leaving me dressed in just my thin white shirt. I could also feel a tingling between my legs as I was aware that beneath my thin skirt I was naked there too.
Hal's grin was getting broader.
"Hey Em, I have an idea" he said. "I hate to think of you sitting around all day uncomfortable because you're not wearing underwear."
He paused for a moment.
"OK, just trying that on – actually I love thinking of you sitting around with no underwear, but I hate thinking you're uncomfortable."
I leaned forward and swatted him. As I watched his eyes and his grin I realized how that movement had made my unsupported breasts jiggle.
Hal leaned forward.
"There's a 'Victoria's Secret' store downstairs" he said. Why don't we go down and see if we can find something that would work for you?"
I sat back, considering. It did seem like a sensible idea to buy some emergency underwear – but I had more in mind some functional white cottons, rather than the normal VS inventory. Plus – how did I feel about lingerie shopping with this man I'd only just met?
"Sure" I found myself saying. "Why not?"
We gathered up our things, Hal watching appreciatively as I stretched to replace my jacket, and headed down to the main shopping concourse. Hal led me straight over to the VS store and collared an assistant.
"We're looking for something sheer, silky and very sexy" he said, an arm around me possessively as though we were a couple. "Bra size 34B."
I gave him a sharp look – he was a very good judge! He grinned back wolfishly.
The assistant smiled her expensive smile and led us to a rack of thin, shiny and sheer garments. Hal held them up one by one, looking at me and either returning them to the rack or putting them aside. He didn't even ask my opinion.
"Yes, I think this will work very nicely" he said, holding up a set of ice-blue satin low-cut panties with a lace trim and a matching push-up bra. "Why don't you try them on?"
I looked him in the eye, then took the brief garments and disappeared with them into the changing cubicle. I quickly slipped off my skirt and shirt and stood naked for a moment, before slipping into the cool satin lingerie, the protective barrier feeling cold against my naked skin.
I had to admit, Hal had great taste, and a great eye. The lingerie suited me, flattered my figure, gave my rather modest breasts a deep cleavage, and instantly oozed sex appeal. It was a mile away from the white cottons I'd had in mind, and I couldn't help think that I'd probably feel even more turned on wearing this under my clothes than I had when I was commando.
I took a deep breath, and decided to give in to my instinct.
"What do you think?" I asked softly.
The curtain twitched aside immediately – Hal must have been standing right outside. His eyes raked me from head to toe, and I felt I was being stripped again.
"Perfect!" said Hal. "You'd better keep them on – give me the tags and I'll sort out the bill."
"Oh no, you can't do that!" I objected.
For the first time I looked at the price tag and winced when I saw the total – and that was just for the tiny panties!
"Nonsense!" breezed Hal, "it's the least I can do after you've saved me from a long boring journey."
He did a double-take for a moment.
"Oh – unless it's going to cause you a problem with your husband if you come back with an intimate gift from a strange man?"
I thought about Rob's reaction if I unpacked these tiny and erotic garments and told him they'd been a present from a man I'd met on my trip. He'd be so turned on he wouldn't be able to stand!
"No, that's not going to be a problem" I said. "But I can't let you spend all that money!"
Hal shrugged.
"That's what money's for" he said. "Now, are you going to give me those tags or do I have to come and get them?"
"I think you have to come and get them!" I said, laughing as he lunged forward and grabbed the tag on the little panties. As he tugged, the waistband of the panties pulled forward for a moment before the fastening broke, briefly revealing a wide swathe of smooth flesh at the base of my belly. Hal grinned again and reached for the tag on the bra.
"Gently!" I cautioned. "You don't want to break it!"
I turned my back so that he could reach the tag, and felt myself trembling as I felt the touch of his warm hand on my naked back. With a brief tug he detached the label. I turned back round and once again ran into his dark brown eyes raking over my undressed body.
"You know, if that plane hadn't broke, I might have had to sabotage it!" he said.
He turned and went off to find the shop assistant. As I removed the protective layer from the panties and pulled on my skirt and blouse I could hear Hal in the background explaining to the shop assistant that I would be wearing the lingerie straight away, and arranging to pay. By the time I emerged the transaction was complete. I'd made sure to leave a couple of buttons undone on my blouse so that my new deep cleavage was visible along with the lacy edge of the satin bra, and I could see his eyes twinkle in appreciation.
