She asked in hushed tones as the plane shuddered through a series of air pockets, as if it was a car that had run through several potholes at speed, “Once we’re clear of the turbulence, would you care for some cheese or fruit or any other snack to go with your wine, miss?”   Her voice was steady and calm, but she’d reached out instinctively to grip my armrest to keep her balance as the plane continued to rock. She may have planned on reaching for the armrest, but had found my forearm that had been resting on the armrest, instead.

Her touch felt cool and I noticed her fingertips were soft. We both glanced at the long, tapered fingers wrapped around my forearm, the black-colored manicure on her fingernails contrasting starkly with the paleness of my skin.

She didn’t immediately withdraw. Her sky-blue eyes bore into mine as I looked up at her, and sensed her fingers brush lightly on my skin.

With a ghost of a smile, I answered, “Yeah, I may want a (pause) snack with this. Later.”

She walked away with a bit of an exaggerated sway of hips encased in the tight skirt of the uniform all the attendants wore, probably thinking I’d be looking.

She was right, but only partially. I wasn’t really focused on the sexy form retreating into the galley. Part of me was thinking about where we were, instead. We must be halfway to LA by now. Which means we’re flying across the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean.

The plane lurched again.

I struggled to keep the wine from spilling out. After a few minutes of more turbulence, a random question cut through the quiet of the first class cabin, “Five letter word with a “v” in it that’s described by having an intense desire for, or needing something urgently?”

With a smile, I looked past the middle column of seats at the only other occupants of this front section of the plane.

“Crave,” I answered, and took another sip of the red wine, eyeing the woman who’d asked the question over the rim of the crystal goblet I balanced with my fingers.

She tapped the word on her tablet, slim elegant fingers caressing the glass screen.