Ray nodded. "Yeah. He was big time in to blues and jazz." He softly strummed on his guitar. "I was the only kid and he always said every child of his would learn to play an instrument. My mom wasn't too much of a shaft on piano. She could play like nothing else."
"You play piano?"
"Yep. I play quite a few instruments, actually."
Neela's interest was piqued. "What others?"
Ray smiled. He never really told anyone a lot of himself. He was a private person and he liked it that way, even though others would argue he would open himself up too much to anything. "I play the violin, the saxophone, and the trumpet."
"WOW!" Neela sat straight up. "How come I've only seen you play guitar?"
"Can you fit a piano in here?" Ray grinned. When Neela shook her head, he stopped laughing. "That's why you've never seen me play. As far as the others go, I went through this whole 'gotta be a man' phase and never let anyone see me play them. I don't know why, though." He shrugged.
"For the same reason you don't let anyone know you watch GHOST when you get stood up or that…"
"I told you I was watching the game!" Ray laughed.
"Uh-huh. The game. Sure." Neela laughed back. "What tune is that you're strumming?"
"It's a Dean Martin song."
"What's the title?" Neela looked up at him.
"'Dream A Little Dream Of Me.'" He softly strummed and sang
Stars shining bright above you
Night breezes seem to whisper I love you
Birds singing in the sycamore tree
Dream a little dream of me
Neela sighed as Ray continued to softly sing. She put her head back on his knee, taking in his voice, drinking in the words of the song.
Say nighty night and kiss me
Just hold me tight and tell me you'll miss me
While I'm alone and blue as can be
Dream a little dream of me
Stars fading but I linger on dear
Still craving your kiss
I'm longing to linger til dawn dear
Just saying this
Ray looked down at Neela, who was lost in another world, but he recognized the look that Martha would give as Samuel sang. Mom used to look like that and sigh every time Dad would sing to her. He thought as he continued to sing to Neela.
Sweet dreams til sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they'll be
Dream a little dream of me
Sweet dreams til sunbeams find you
Sweet dreams that leave all worries behind you
But in your dreams whatever they'll be
Dream a little dream of me
"Will you?" Ray stopped playing.
"What? Dream a dream of you?" She looked up at him. "I've dreamt dreams of you since I first saw you." She revealed the secret only Abby knew.
Ray tilted his head to the side and smiled at her. "Really?"
"Yes, Doogie Howser."
"Hey! It was the one time and it was my first day and when was the last time…"
"I remember thinking how to get you out of that suit and tie." Neela teased.
"No fair!" Ray slid down off the couch.
"No fair, what? You got me out of my scrubs, didn't you?" Neela snuggled close to him. "Would you continue to sing to me?"
"But of course. Here's one my dad used to sing to my mom." He looked down at Neela, whose face was glowing soft in the candlelight. "Now, I sing it to you." He softly strummed the strings.
(You're the reason you're the reason you're the reason I'm in love)
You're the reason I'm in love you're my shining star above
You're my every dream come true that's why I love you like I do
Adam shared his love with Eve some may doubt but I believe
I would give my life for you that's why I love you like I do
(I would give my life for you) that's why I love you like I do
You're the reason I'm in love...
Yes you're the reason I'm in love
"That was the most lovely song I've heard in my life." Neela breathlessly exclaimed when Ray finished.
"My mom would always be breathless when Dad stopped singing that song." Ray's voice lowered a bit and Neela heard a bit of quavering. "For the longest time after Dad died, Mom would play that song over and over and over."
"I'm sorry, Ray, I didn't know."
Ray kissed her softly. "It's okay. I never said anything. But, it was what…I wanted that type of life; of love. But, when you're in a band like I was in, the girls aren't interested in romance or Dino or Frankie. And I somehow found myself caught in that circle too. But, when I could, I'd relax to either and…"
"Well, apparently." Neela smiled. "You also cook to them when you think Roomie won't be home for a while."
"Is that all you are?" His green eyes pierced her soul. "Just a Roomie?"
Neela smiled. "Not anymore." She gently moved his guitar off his lap and straddled his lap again. "It's hard to go back to being Roomie when we've made love." She whispered to him and Ray felt the heat of her breath on his ear and he felt the room spin as she gently kissed the lobe. She gently rubbed his chest and he felt himself rise at her touch.
He gently rubbed her back, moaning softly with each kiss on the neck. He knew there would be burn marks from where she touched him. She pressed her body close into his, letting him know of her intention and he obliged. He softly placed his lips on hers and even more gingerly laid her back on the floor. He felt the urgency and fought it.
Take one fresh and tender kiss
Add one stolen night of bliss
One girl, one boy
Some grief, some joy
Memories are made of this
Don't forget a small moonbeam
Fold in lightly with a dream
Your lips and mine
Two sips of wine
Memories are made of this
Ray couldn't help but think Dean Martin had it right. That's how you make memories. His lips began to explore Neela's body. As she quietly moaned and gently writhed in pleasure to his lips and his touch, Dean Martin continued to sing and read his thoughts.
If they made me a king I'd be but a slave for you
If I had everything I'd still be a slave for you
If I ruled the night
Stars and moon so bright
Still I'd turn for life to you
If the world to me bowed yet humbly I'd plead to you
If my friends were a crowd I'd turn my needs to you
If I ruled the earth
What would life be worth
If I hadn't the right to you
If the world to me bowed yet humbly I'd plead to you
If my friends were a crowd I'd turn my needs to you
If I ruled the earth
What would life be worth
If I hadn't the right to you
Ray knew he was a slave to Neela. He couldn't breathe or live without her. Leave it to good ol' Dino to say what every man feels, even if they won't admit it. If not for Neela, I'd have nothing.