Manhattan Is My Beat (Rune 1)

Is this a joke?

"I was sitting outdoors on the Boulevard St. Germain, and saw her get out of a limousine. I was filled with an intense sense of pre-ordination."

"Like Calvinism," Rune said, remembering something she'd heard her mother, a good Presbyterian, say once. His head turned to her. Frowning, falling out of character, suddenly analytical. He said, "Oh, predestination? Well, that isn't really ..." He nodded, as he considered something. Then smiled. "Oh, you mean, sort of damned if you do, damned if you don't.... That's pretty good. That's perceptive."

"I get off a good one once in a while." What the hell is going on? she wondered. Didn't matter, she supposed. He seemed impressed. Appearances count. Though she realized she still didn't have a clue about

his relationship with the sullen blonde.

Rune was about to say something cool and giddy about Casablanca--about Rick and Ilsa in Paris--when Richard leaned over and kissed her on the mouth.

Whoa ...

Rune backed off, eyeing the blonde, wondering if she was going to get into a catfight here. But the woman didn't notice--or didn't care. She was stepping back, handing the joint to the Woodpecker, who was adjusting the TV.

Is this crazy? Letting three strangers into my loft.

Sure, it is.

Then, on impulse, she kissed Richard back. Didn't back away until she felt the pressure of his hand on her breast. Then she sat back. "Let's just take it a little easy, okay? I've only known you for a half hour."

"But time is relative."

She kissed his cheek, an innocent peck. Destined never to be a tall, sultry lover, Rune had flirtatious down cold.

"I'm feeling deprived," he pouted.

She started to give him another Oh, please glance but he meant the joint the Woodpecker was holding. "Hey, darling, to each according to his need." The woman inhaled long and gave it to him. He took a drag then passed it to Rune.

He said, "What we'll do is assume a Tantra yoga position."

Rune said, "Tantra yoga?"

"Isn't that the sex one?" the Woodpecker asked.

Rune gave Richard an exasperated grimace.

He said, "People think sex is the thing with Tantra yoga. Wrong. It's breathing. It teaches you how to breathe the right way."

Rune said, "I know how to breathe. I'm good at it. I've been doing it all my life."

"Shall we assume the position?"

She was about to hit him with a pillow, when he slipped into an awkward sitting position, three feet away from her, and started to breathe deeply. "Fully clothed," he said. "I meant to add that."

Rune said, "You look like you hurt yourself in a bad fall."

The TV screen flickered, the copyright notice came on.

"Sit next to me," he said. She hesitated. Then did. Their knees touched. She felt a spark of electricity but didn't move any closer.

"What do we do now?"

"Breathe deep and watch the show."

"Yeah," Rune called to the Woodpecker, "what's the movie you picked?"

The credits for Lesbos Lovers came on the screen. The blonde pulled the Woodpecker groggily toward her and covered her mouth with her own. Their arms wound around each other and their fingers began undoing buttons.