Chapter 6

This Moment

Neela stood still in front of Ray's door hesitating on whether to go in or not. She could always sleep on the couch right? No. What would Miranda think if she woke up and saw her there? Taking a deep breath Neela turned the doorknob and slipped in the room.

Ray was looking out the window on the other side of the room. His back turned to the door.

"Ray," Neela practically whispered. Ray turned around to face her, a wide smile on his face. He simply wore a pair of plaid boxers and a plain white t-shirt. Neela couldn't help but blush as silly thoughts flooded her head. She had never noticed how hot Ray actually was.

There was an awkward silence between them before Ray spoke. "So…I was thinking you could take the bed and I could just," Ray paused and looked around his not to small not to big room. "I can just park it on the floor."

Neela could feel her head shake. "Of course not. This is your room, your bed," Neela stopped to think. Was this the right thing to suggest? "We could just share the bed. We're just going to be sleeping." Neela could swear she saw Ray's smile widen.

"OK," Ray couldn't believe his luck. Neela was in his room, going to sleep in his bed. As much as he was happy by these ideas he knew he had to stay controlled. He had no clue how Neela felt about him and he didn't want to ruin anything they had going right now.

Bret's words floated back into his head. "You like her. You should tell her."

As much as he wanted to Ray didn't think that this was the right time. Ray noticed how she hadn't moved from his doorway. Was she uncomfortable? He realized she wasn't in her pajamas and figured she wanted to change.

"I can leave if you want to change," he suggested.

"Ummmm…" Neela rocked slightly back and forth. Maybe if you'd just turn around. I'll only take a minute."

Obligingly Ray turned and for good measure closed his eyes. "Alright," he announced. He heard the rustling of clothes and then silence.

"You can open your eyes now," Neela's voice whispered from beside him. Ray opened his eyes to see her standing beside him at the window. Her eyes focused intently on what was outside.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" Ray smiled, commenting on the amazing city view his window captured. Neela just nodded. Ray enjoyed the silence that lay between them. It wasn't awkward but kind of relaxing. "Neela," Ray couldn't help himself. The moonlight shone on her face and she looked too beautiful for this moment to pass.

Neela turned her face to him and was surprised to find out close it was. Her heart hammered like a drum. What was he doing? Neela knew the answer to that but she wasn't sure how to respond. Did this mean he liked her too? Before she could think any longer Ray's lips gently brushed against hers. Unlike the kiss before this one wasn't so much passion but dare she say it, love. When Neela kissed Ray back she felt warm and tingly. As Ray's arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her against him she felt secure and safe.

Everything that had happened in the last 24 hours faded away from Ray's memory. All that he could think about was Neela. His mind seemed to pick up every memory he had of her. He could picture every time she bit her bottom lip when she got flustered and her organized attitude. He could see her beauty and the way her smile had suddenly lit up his life. Ray held her tightly in his arms, afraid if he let go than he'd wake up and this would all be a dream. As he felt his body guide him and Neela toward the bed he wasn't sure if he should stop. He didn't want her to have any regrets. He didn't want to wake up in the morning and have everything become hell. He wanted everything to stay just they way they were right at the moment. Ray made his final decision. It broke his heart but he started to pull away from her.

Neela could feel Ray pulling away and her heart broke. This isn't what he wanted. He didn't want to be with her. Ray's lips parted from hers and she could feel tears well up in her eyes. She couldn't cry, not here, not now. Her hand instantly flew up to her eyes and she rubbed them quickly.

Ray's face took on a worried expression. "Neela?"

"Sorry Ray, it's nothing," Neela took a step back.

Ray's hands came up and he held Neela's face in his palms. "It's not nothing."

Ray's eyes held such sincerity. His voice rang with such sweetness that Neela knew she couldn't let Ray go. "Why did you stop?" she said softly.

"Stop what?" Ray's thumbs glided over her cheeks.

"Kissing me," Neela felt her face heat up.

Ray's heart jumped. Did she just say what he thought she said? "Neela?" his eyes looked at her questioningly.

She was done. She had just ruined the most perfect thing in her life right now. Neela was about to say something when Ray's lips collided into hers. The warmth and the tingling came back. Neela smiled against Ray's lips and they tumbled onto the bed.