Chap. 5

Neela got off first and she stopped to get the Chinese food. She also picked up the only copy of 'Ghost' at the video store just as a joke. She felt so good. Almost back to normal. Like we're friends again. Friendship is fine. Lust never lasts anyway.

Ray went to the video store. He rented 'The Omen' but was sorry to see the rental store's only copy of 'Ghost' was rented. He had wanted to rent it as a joke for Neela. And, truth be told, it was a great movie. God it feels good to be back to normal.

Ray unlocked the apartment door and couldn't resist saying, "Honey, I'm home!" He was in such a good mood. Neela laughed at him and he saw that she had set the table. He dumped he stuff and said, "I'm starving." He sat down across from her and started on the eggrolls. Neela served herself some Kung Pau Shrimp. She tasted it and said "Mmmmm. Taste this." She stuck her chop sticks next to his face. He put the shrimp in his mouth and in his mind he grabbed her handholding it near his face and kissed the soft tender skin inside her wrist. STOP IT! Pathetic daydream, Barnett. Stop yourself. Start thinking about severed body parts because parts of your body are doing things they aren't supposed to be doing. It was amazing how fast his body reacted to any impure thoughts he had of Neela. Uncomfortably amazing. Well, he wasn't going to be getting up to do the dishes anytime soon. At least my legs won't be getting up. He thought and had to grin.

Neela wondered what he was grinning at. It was just shrimp. Then Ray reached across with an eggroll dipped in sweet and sour sauce. He said, "Here, try this." She took a bite of the eggroll and watched in fascination as the sauce dripped on his fingers. In her mind she saw herself taking his hand in hers and gently licking his fingers clean.She felt a warmth below her belly region that hadn't been there in a while. Jesus, I really have to stop daydreaming like that! It is a really good thing it's not obvious to the casual observer when a girl has fantasies. She looked in Ray's eyes and then looked away quickly. She thought she had seen something there but she was not sure. Was he thinking what I was thinking? Doesn't matter, I am not going there with him. It is not worth it. I need him as a friend and I am not the kind of girl who can sleep with a guy one night and be friends the next day.

They got back to the business of eating, each with their own plate and carefully not sharing eating utensils or fingers. Thoughts of severed body parts had calmed Ray down considerably but he had lost some of his appetite. He got up to clean the dishes and Neela couldn't resist saying, "Are you trying to impress me or something, because it's working. When did you start caring about cleaning the bloody dishes?"

"When you weren't here to clean up after me." Ray grinned. "Sorry, I couldn't rent 'Ghost' so you'll have to settle for 'The Omen'."

Neela silently went over to the dvd she had rented and took it out of the bag. "Don't worry, I've got it right here." Ray burst out laughing and Neela couldn't help joining in.

"I repeat, I am not watching another stupid horror flick that will ensure I don't sleep at all tonight. So I guess we are watching 'Ghost'. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone unless you provoke me." Neela said, grinning at him. I am really having fun here. Neela thought with amazement. With my handsome, sexy, tattoed, commitment-phobic, eyeliner-wearing, roommate….who is a really good friend and for whom I lust uncontrollably. It's a really good thing I am only in lust with him because he is dangerous enough now. If I was in love with him I would be totally lost. Hopefully, I will get over the lust thing. Although not if he shows up in a towel again….

I love to see her smile. He said, "Go make popcorn and I'll set the movie up." Ray pretended to get out 'Ghost' but when her back was turned he put 'The Omen' in the dvd player.

When she saw the opening credits, Neela yelled "RAY, I cannot watch that again. It scared the crap out of me last time! I couldn't sleep for a week!" She also remembered falling asleep on his shoulder. She didn't want that happening again. Well, okay, THAT's a lie. Talk about dangerous.

Ray thought, Yeah, I remember the last time we watched this and your head was on my shoulder when you fell asleep. Wouldn't mind having that happen again. He said, "Tough, it was my choice and we are watching it. If you can't sleep I'll sing you a lullaby on my guitar." He smirked at her.

"Oh yeah, I am sure that will put me right to sleep. Actually, that might scare me even more than the movie….." Neela threw a pillow at his head.

"Okay, do not start something, because I am a way better pillow fighter than you. As you well know."

"Only because you fight dirty."

"The only way to fight."

Neela figured she better stop the flirty tone they were getting into before she got in the danger zone again. It was fun, though. "All right, Ray, I will watch your bloody movie. Just please don't sing me to sleep too. And if I can't sleep, I am going to keep you up too."

You already do, babe, you already do. Ray thought. He started the movie. Neela sat beside him on the couch about six inches away. When the priest got stabbed by lightening, she grabbed his arm and screamed. Her nails were digging into his arm but Ray really didn't care. He was scared shitless too, but the great thing about horror flicks was that you ended up sitting really close to the girl you were with, if she was as scared as you were. And Neela was. And Ray couldn't help but smile when she moved close enough to him that he could feel her thigh touching his. Screw the romantic films. Give me a horror flick, every time! He thought.

Neela couldn't help moving closer to Ray. She could feel the warmth of his body through his clothes. She was so scared. She looked down and saw her nails had made marks on his arm. She looked up at him. "Sorry, Ray. I didn't realize I was digging in so hard. But I did warn you. So you deserve what you get." She threw a piece of popcorn at him.

"Nice apology, Neela. Never mind. It doesn't hurt. Although I might need sutures if you keep it up. Why don't you just close your eyes and go to sleep. You are watching the movie with your eyes closed most of the time anyway."

Neela ended up closing her eyes with her head on Ray's shoulder. Which made Ray one very happy guy. I am so not moving even if my arm falls asleep. Her hair smelled like strawberries. Great, now strawberries are going to turn me on. As if I don't have enough problems, fruit is going to make me take cold showers. He looked down at her and couldn't resist chastely kissing the top of her head while she slept peacefully.

Neela was almost asleep and couldn't be sure if she was dreaming or awake when she felt Ray kiss her hair. I must be dreaming.