And I needed it. I didn’t realize how much before but I did Bette. I needed to tell you how much you hurt me, how angry I was,” Tina admitted. “And I needed to apologize to you too, to tell you I’m sorry…” her voice dropped off.

Bette’s face mirrored her confusion. “Apologize? What for? What did you mean when you said you had forgiven us both…?”

Tina swallowed. Without thinking she cupped Bette’s face brushing her thumb along the jawline where she’d bitten her so savagedly that night.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you Bette. I swear I lost my mind…”

  Bette covered Tina’s hand still cupping her cheek, “I wish so much we’d had this conversation four years ago.”

Tina bit her lip softly, and considered her response.

“I don’t think I could have had this conversation four years ago. It’s kind of like the cheating. I just needed to be hurt and angry for a while.

“There were no words that you could have used Bette that would have ‘fixed’ things and made it easier for me to come home. We both needed time and perspective.”

Bette’s eyes filled, returning Tina’s sad smile.

                 ******************

“Hot towels?”

Bette silently gestured for two. The steward, using tongs, placed steaming rolled up terry cloths on the arm table between them.

Bette thanked him and silently handed one toward Tina.

“Thank you,” the blonde murmured, unrolling the hot towel. She brought it to her and laid it flat again her face- moaning her pleasure as the hot moisture restored her.

Bette swallowed, involuntarily reacting to Tina’s moan. A hot flush spread thru her from more than her own hot towel.

“What time do you have,” she asked, checking her own watch.

“Almost seven.” 

They exchanged a guarded glance, each wondering what the other was thinking.

“We land around eight, right?” Tina raised an eyebrow.

“I think so,” Bette nodded.
 

“Well… I should go freshen up. I need to make myself presentable for my production meeting,” Tina decided, gathering together her toiletry bag and make up.

“You look beautiful,” Bette protested, without thinking. She blushed immediately. Tina smiled with pleasure at the compliment.

 Reaching behind Bette’s seat, Tina rose and tried to extract herself from the row without making Bette get up. Using the headrest for support she straddled in front of Bette, pausing for a moment in front of the brunette with an arm extended on either side of Bette’s frame.

They were face to face and Tina found the smell of Bette’s shampoo shockingly familiar and inviting. Exchanging an uneasy, knowing glance with Bette, Tina continued on her way into the aisle.

“Oh yeah. I’m screwed,” Bette thought to herself watching Tina exit the cabin. She signaled to their steward for more coffee.