Peter released the harness he had been wearing for the past half hour and stretched his long legs out in front of him. The flight had been relaxing, uneventful and, although he had enjoyed the business trip to New York immensely, he was glad to be home. He was, however, in no hurry to depart, letting most of those sitting behind him on the aircraft move past before venturing into the aisle and removing his hand luggage from the rack above his head.
International flights always relaxed him. Maybe it had something to do with the fact that he had been flying since he was a small boy and loved the sensation of being above everything and everyone. He had a feeling though it was the ritual he had allowed himself for any flight over an hour in length. Travelling alone he had discovered living one of his more deeply needed fantasies was a possibility. He could indulge and no one was any the wiser. Just the feelings, the sensations, the knowledge of what he was doing, could keep him hard for an entire journey and the release once he arrived home was always the best part of the whole trip.
The queue of passengers waiting to go through the 'Nothing to Declare' section of customs moved fairly quickly and he made his way towards the group of smartly uniformed men and women with a smile on his face.
"Would you just step over here, Sir, please?"
"What? I'm sorry, what did you say?"
The voice had startled him; there were still three people in front of him and he hadn't thought it would be his turn for a few more minutes.
"I said, 'would you just step over here, Sir, please'." The voice belonged to a pleasant looking woman of about thirty to thirty-five. Her name badge said 'T. Barker' and, nodding his head, Peter moved towards her trying to ignore the fact that a sexy woman in, to him, an equally sexy uniform was speaking to him.
"Do you have anything to declare, Sir?"
"No, no, nothing." Suddenly, he had no idea why, Peter could feel his heart pumping in his chest.
"Was your visit to the big apple for business or pleasure, Sir?"
"Oh, business, I travel there three or four times a year."
"I see, and what type of business are you in, Sir?"
"Pharmaceuticals; I'm a medical rep, but I sell services rather than actual medication."
"Ok. Would you please open your first suitcase, Sir?"
"I told you I have nothing to declare, Ms Barker. Nobody else is being stopped in this way."
Peter realized instantly that appearing flustered or annoyed wasn't a smart move. Ms Barker's face clouded over and her tone changed from pleasantly authoritative to no nonsense.
"I realize that, Sir, but you have been, and my request is perfectly understandable in today's climate."
Nodding his head Peter began to search his pockets for the keys. Unable to find them immediately he laid his wallet and passport on the counter before pulling out two hankies, his car keys and cell phone.
"I can't find the key for my luggage." An embarrassed flush suffused his face and Peter felt himself begin to sweat.
"I see. In that case, Sir, I will have to ask you to follow me. We will find a suitable key or other implement to enable us to check your belongings."
Nodding his head Peter moved his hand to pick up the various items from the counter.
"I'll take care of them for you, Sir. Newspapers are provided for your convenience. I won't be long."
The small waiting room was both door and windowless. Peter could see the buzzing activity of the airport as he sat, confused and embarrassed and knew he was equally visible. The newspaper was the same one he had read on the plane and so he took a pen from his jacket pocket and began to work, once again, on the cryptic crossword. The answer to one clue which had eluded him, 'Age old rituals or travel official' suddenly became clear and he filled it in with a grimace. He had only completed half of the puzzle during the flight but by the time Ms Barker returned he had not only finished it but also worked through the Sudoku and ordinary puzzles too.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, Sir, but your suitcases appear to be quite old. I'm afraid we had to break the locks."
He said nothing, not sure what the legalities of the situation were. Instead he looked into the young woman's deep brown eyes and waited for her to continue.
"I need you to come with me, Sir. There are some more formalities to complete before we can let you continue your journey."
"Can ... Can I at least call my office, let them know I'll be late?"
"Not at the moment, Sir; maybe in a while."
Ms Barker was walking towards the exit as she spoke. Waiting there and looking at him Peter realized he was expected to precede her.
"If you will turn right you will find a room with a bed and a chair. I wish you to enter, remove your shirt, trousers and underwear and then put on the robe. I will wait at the door, but I'm afraid privacy is out of the question."
Peter thought his heart would stop. She wanted him to strip off? She would stand and watch? Good God, whatever was he to do now?
"I ... I don't understand. What is it I'm supposed to have done? If it involves paying a fine I'll do that. Why ... why do you want me to take my clothes off?"
The slight blush he had suffered earlier was nothing to how Peter felt now. Blood pounded in his ears and his palms were suddenly clammy. A secret he had kept for over ten years was about to be revealed in the most embarrassing of circumstances and he wasn't at all certain he could go through with it.
"No, Sir, there is no fine, at least not yet. I just need you to comply with my instructions."
The woman stood in the doorway and Peter nodded. He put his suit jacket over the back of the chair and then loosened his tie. Slipping it off he placed it on the seat and then began undoing his shirt. That too he put on the chair but then, unable to continue, he turned to his companion.