Tap Dance (7 page)

It was really sad, I thought when I was brushing my teeth.  Because if that had been me in Ram's truck, being kissed the way that Ram kisses, I would still be out there until Ram physically removed me.

See what I mean?

Ram-Brain.

Chapter Seven

Ram made a point to get with Detectives Tim Bell and Jeff Trusdale regarding the break in of Marianne's apartment.

"I don't know, Chief," Tim started.  "The whole thing just seems weird.  She has stuff in her place that has value but that stuff wasn't touched."

"Yeah, Chief.  If the perp was looking for items they could fence, then it would've been a different scene.   But, it didn't look like that at all."  Jeff glanced at Tim.

"What do you mean?" Ram pressed.

"Well," Tim drawled taking his notebook out of his back pocket and began flipping pages.  "My first impression was that it wasn't a simple break in.  Not done on the spur of the moment because the prying open of the front door was done with a crow bar or something like it.  Entry into the apartment was the same.  That shows some premeditation."

"The other units in the building weren't touched. But the destruction of the property inside Ms. Gibson's place made it seem like whoever did it was looking for something.  Searching instead of looting."  Jeff pulled his own notebook out.  "And my first impression was that it was done with foreknowledge and, especially with regard to the destruction of Ms. Gibson's clothes, the perp was angry."

Ram nodded.  He had the same impression when he first walked through the apartment.

"Where do you go from here, boys?"

"We're waiting to see if the prints that were captured come up with anything."

"We've canvassed the neighborhood but no one saw or heard anything," Trusdale closed his notebook.  "Truthfully, Chief?  We've got shit."

Ram nodded. 

While they hoped that a print would give them a clue, it was a long shot.  If the perp had their fingerprints on file then they could do something.  But if the perp's fingerprints were not on file, they had nothing.  "Think we can clear her to go back into her place?"

Tim looked at Jeff before answering Ram.  "I don't know.  I'm thinking that its gonna be hard on her to see it.  Not to mention, if we have no clue who did it or why, then she might still be in danger."

Jeff nodded his head in agreement.  "I don't think she should go back just yet.  And the only thing I can think she should do is get the Adjuster out if she has Renter's insurance , then hire a cleaning crew to get rid of all the damage before she actually goes in."

"I'll let her know," Ram said.  "Keep me posted, boys."

"Thanks, Chief," Tim said getting out of his chair.  "I wasn't looking forward to that conversation."

"How's your sister doing, Tim?" Ram asked.  Julie, his younger sister was a student at the University and had taken over Caitlin's apartment when Cait moved in with Jake.

"She's not freaked but I can tell she's uncomfortable," Tim replied.

Jeff did a chin lift to Ram as he left his office with Tim close on his heels.

Ram picked up the phone to call Marianne and then decided he should use his cellphone.  He wanted to make sure she had his number.

The call went to voicemail and Ram left a brief message asking if they could meet to talk.  When he was done and had disconnected the call, he found himself remembering the feel of her in his arms, kissing her, feeling her response to him, allowing him to lead.

He wanted more of that. 

He wanted more of her.

But rumor had it that she was seeing Paul.

Around the bullpen, it was a widely accepted that Paul had a way with the ladies.  Ladies, plural.  And had absolutely no intention of seeing just one woman at a time.  And Ram remembered that Paul was fond of proclaiming he was 'the eternal bachelor'.

Ram didn't understand what Marianne saw in Paul.  But maybe she was that type of woman.  Going out with Paul and then being a very active participant the two times Ram had kissed her.

Ram made his way to the bullpen. "What've you got for me, Boys?"

He chatted with Paul and Ted Pierson, Paul's partner.  They were working on what seemed to be credit card fraud that was being reported by some of the merchants in their small town. 

As they gave him the update, Ram tried to put his feelings for Marianne out of his mind.  He didn't want to think badly of Paul Adler, since he was a great detective and added a lot of value to the small team of detectives at Grantham P.D. 

But he still didn't understand why Marianne was dating him.

Ram was just making his way out of the station when Paul asked him to hold up a moment.

"Hey, Chief.  I just wanted to apologize for stopping by so late the other night," Paul said.

"No worries, Paul."

"Well, I still feel I was out of line and may have made a mountain out of a molehill."

"Don't give it a second thought."

"Well.  Uh.  Okay, then."  Paul turned and walked back up to the bull pen and Ram watched him go.  He meant what he said about not having worries about Paul showing up at Ram's house in the middle of the night to check on Marianne.

Because she stayed with
him
that night.

Kissed
him
that night.

Wore
his
kameez.

Let
him
lie on her, nestled in the warmth of her thighs.

Ram's thoughts continually turned to the memory of her in his guest room and then the time in his truck which kept him in an almost constant state of arousal.  He was keeping a rein on it but it was proving to be difficult.

He was just finishing his last drive through the town, something he did every night.  Just watching and noticing what was going on in the town when it was basically locked down for the evening with only the restaurants, bars and the Starlight Room open. 

As he was slowly driving down Washington St., he saw Paul coming out of Enrique's with a pretty girl half wrapped around him. 

The girl didn't look anything like Marianne.

Ram smiled as he continued to drive.

Yep, no worries at all.

*.*.*.*.*

I was just getting off work,  back to Aunt Estella's when I saw Paul's truck parked on the street.

As soon as I opened the front door, I knew the reason for his visit.

I saw Floyd accepting his due, which were the copious scratches under his chin and all along his belly from Aunt Estella.

"Floyd!" I yelled and dropped my purse reaching for him.  And Floyd deigned to open one eye at the commotion I'd made.  I had been really concerned and with each day that had gone by, I got more and more worried. 

"I was thinking that the only place we hadn't really looked for him was the Animal Shelter, so I swung by this afternoon and spotted him straight away." Paul was leaning against the living room wall watching Floyd revel in the affection my aunt was showering on him.

"Oh, Paul," I said. "Thank you so much." 

He really is a wonderful guy.  I made my way over to him and gave him a hug.

I'm so glad I had him as a friend.

"Oh my God. I don't have any of Floyd's stuff here!"

"Grab your purse and let's plow," Paul responded.

"Is that okay, Auntie?"

"Of course, love.  I'll take care of him," Aunt Estella replied. "Won't I, you beautiful thing."

Okay. 

Too much for me.

Next thing you know, she'll be talking to Floyd in baby talk.

I grabbed my purse from the floor and followed Paul out to his truck.

"So, pet store first, Mari?"

"Mari?"

"You said you didn't like 'baby', so I'm trying to find another word to call you," Paul said with a wry grin as he pulled out onto the street.

"Okay.  Mari it is."

"Actually, I didn't realize how much I used it until you said something."

"Really?"

"Really.  But it's been a
bitch
of a habit to break!"

"You're funny," I said smiling as I glanced at him.

"And, you're beautiful, Mari," Paul replied, catching my glance.

I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes.

We finished up at the Pet Store and as he was pulling out of the parking space, Paul suggested grabbing a bite to eat.

"Sounds good, Paul. What are you in the mood for?"

There was silence and I again glanced his way.

Our gazes caught and I could feel my face heat up.

Christ on a cracker!

He let that question remain unanswered, thank God.

"Enrique's okay with you?" He finally asked softly.

"That sounds good," I replied equally as softly.

We had a great meal and fun conversation, just like always.  But, this time, I made sure my hands were in my lap and stayed there.  Teresa's voice was in my head about the hand holding across the table she'd seen.

I didn't realize I had bought so much cat gear until we were dragging in all the bags and bags of Floyd supplies through to the kitchen.

"Thanks again, Paul, for finding Floyd and then helping me pick out his stuff!" I said, walking him back out.

"It was my pleasure, Mari." He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me to him before I could open the door.

Uh-oh.

I knew what that signaled.

He brought his face to mine and leaned in for a kiss.

It was, like always, pleasant.

But, it wasn't Ram.

I cut the kiss short because, truthfully? 

I didn't want to kiss him.

He was quiet for moment as I broke free.

He looked at me and I looked at him right back.

It took a while, but I think he got it.

I felt bad for the way I had to let him know that I wasn't for him.

Friends, yes.

Friends that stuck their tongues in your mouth, no.

Paul released my waist with a sigh.

"Have a good night, Mari," he said softly.

"You, too."

The door closed quietly behind him as Aunt Estella came to me in the hall.

"Lord have mercy, Mari! 
Two
men on your hands?"

I only hoped to God that Paul didn't hear her.

Chapter Eight

This time of year in the Rocky Mountains had precarious weather.  Some days were picture postcard perfect, with the sun shining and a soft, almost, warm breeze that stirs the air. 

It was precarious because it had been known to snow unexpectedly. 

But I loved that. 

I loved how you were never really sure how it was going to be outside from day to day.

Kind of like life.

But today was one of those perfect weather days and, rather than eat in the small break room in the office or even stay in one of the restaurants, I grabbed a sandwich and drink from Jill's Deli and went to the small park by the library to eat.  I had a favorite bench, half-hidden by the Golden Currant and Sand Cherry bushes with a Wild Plum tree overhead.

I was not paying attention to anything really. 

Enjoying my sandwich and the feel of the Spring sun against my skin. 

Listening to the birds that were slowly coming back to our corner of Colorado. 

Humming a little under my breath.

"Do you always sing when you eat,
Pyari
?"

My whole body stilled at the sound of his voice. 

Oh God,
his
voice.

I was barely able to swallow before I turned to see him sitting next to me.

"Teresa told me where I could find you."

"You were looking for me?"

"Yes, to see if we could have lunch together."

Oh,
God
.

Ram Patel was the most gorgeous man I'd ever seen, and seeing him in direct sunlight only added to that opinion. 

My eyes roamed over his face until I got lost in the depths of his brown eyes.

"Cat got your tongue?" he asked with a smile and I watched as his eyes roamed my face before meeting my eyes again.

"Ram…" I whispered, not able to get another word out of my mouth.

"Please,
Pyari
.  Don't look at me like that and whisper my name."  His soft voice almost sounded like he was in pain.

"Like what?"

"Like…" he broke the gaze and looked up at the trees before turning back.  "Like you would let me worship your beautiful body like I'm aching to do."