Chapter 10 Leland's List
Notes: Oh my! After a night with female impersonators, how could Natalie and Adrian's date end? A wee bit of parental advisory for this chapter ;)
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"What's this for? I was just about to do a load of wash and found this in your pocket. " TK approached Leland at the breakfast table, a smile on her face. She was holding a sheet of paper and placed it next to his coffee cup. With a sexy laugh she ruffled his hair at the back of his neck. "Leland, what are you up to?"
"Ha, thanks for saving this from the wash! I thought I left that at work." Leland glanced at the list, folded it, and started to slide it into his shirt pocket.
"Wait a minute, Mister!" She stole the list from his hand and unfolded it. As she began to read the list aloud, she motioned for Leland to push his seat away from the table. When he complied, she settled on his lap. "A moonlit walk on the beach? A candle lit dinner at home? A picnic lunch at the Botanical Gardens? Leland, are you planning a romantic outing for us?" TK coyly asked while she snaked her arm around his shoulders.
"Oh, I've been planning, alright." Leland winked and kissed her softly. "But actually, my beautiful bride, this list is for a friend."
"What friend? No wait, let me guess. Hmmm. Someone who clearly needs help in the romance department. Is it Randy?" Leland shook his head no and TK was silent for a moment as she did a quick inventory of his friends. TK's looked at Leland, noticed his grin, and had an astonishing thought. She could only think of one man who fit the profile. "Adrian? He and Natalie are-? Since when? He told you this?"
"Yes TK, Adrian had finally – hold on, my phone is ringing. It's over on the counter, so could you please let me up?" With a sigh of resignation, Leland helped TK off his lap and to her feet and went to retrieve his phone. After several cryptic questions and a few grunts, he ended the call. Pulling his jacket from the back of his chair, he caught his wife in a quick embrace. "Duty calls dear. I'll see you tonight."
"Okay, Casanova. You sure will see me tonight." The innuendo in TK's reply was unmistakable. "Meanwhile-" her voice suddenly brightened, "I think I'm going to try and call Natalie sometime today."
The Captain chuckled while he enjoyed her hug, imagining that call. TK was a natural interrogator and would definitely get Natalie to disclose every detail.
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Natalie could see that Adrian was in a restless mood today. He paced the corridor in the courthouse, waiting to be called for his testimony in a particularly grizzly murder trial. Although the defense attorney in today's trial was not Harrison Powell, this lawyer was well versed in all of Powell's techniques of distraction and degradation and would do anything and everything in his power to get his client off. Unfortunately, the truth didn't matter and the defense would surely try a variety of tricks to try and discredit Adrian's testimony. Natalie sensed Adrian's stress and was afraid it was going to be a long day and an even longer trial.
While she watched him pace, Natalie found her mind wandering back to last night's amazing date. At first she had been afraid that the date might be a disaster, but Adrian had really made her proud. She knew the entertainment at the restaurant had made him uncomfortable, but he had faced his anxieties without complaint. It deeply touched her that, inspired by his love for her, he was challenging himself to be a better man.
"Adrian, why don't you rest for a minute?" Natalie scooted to one side of the bench, inviting him to sit. When he took his place next to her, she rubbed his back, feeling his warmth through his jacket. He leaned forward and stared at the floor, his forearms resting on his knees, his fingers knit together. Natalie fell silent, not wanting to distract Adrian from thoughts of his upcoming testimony. Instead she continued to think of how fun their date had been.
Then Natalie conjured how the night had ended. In slow motion, the memory that she knew was forever etched in her mind started to play. It all started after Adrian had paid the check. With their hands tightly clasped, they exited the restaurant and approached her car. An unvoiced sense of urgency passed between them, causing her heart to race. The parking lot was dark and deserted and Natalie wasn't surprised when he opened the passenger door for her, wanting to drive her home. She had noticed an unmistakable glint of confidence in his dark eyes. But when he got in, she was unprepared for how swiftly he leaned over to kiss her. As she eagerly returned his kiss, she stroked his shoulders and neck, attempting to pull him even closer. Adrian willingly complied and strained forward to deepen their kiss. She soon realized his hand was on her bare knee, caressing her soft skin.
Natalie felt a blush rising as she glanced at Adrian sitting next to her on the bench. This morning in the courthouse they were all prim and proper but last night had been very different. They had been out late and it was a dark, deserted parking lot. His warm hand was on her knee, his finger tips massaging the tender muscles behind her knee. The hem of her dress brushed his hand, teasing him with its silkiness. The car's windows had begun to fog, cocooning them in their own private world. Their kisses turned hungry and breathless, only pausing when they swore their love for the other. Then Natalie gasped when she felt his hand travel from her knee up her leg and caress her inner thigh. She placed her hand on his, stopping any further exploration. She purred in his ear "Adrian, we need to go home. Right now."
During the entire drive home, Natalie's hand rested on his knee. When not executing a turn, Adrian let his hand rest on top of hers, unwilling to break their contact. The drive was eternal, and at red stop lights they turned to each other, kissed softly and murmured vows of love and adoration. When they finally arrived at her street, Natalie desperately rummaged through her purse, looking for her house key. Once the car was parked in the driveway, Adrian opened Natalie's door and, with his hand on her lower back, escorted her up to the front porch.
A bailiff opened the courtroom's door and called for another witness, who had been waiting down the hallway. Adrian shifted his shoulders and studied his hands; soon it would be his turn. Natalie sat up straight and let her hand glide down to his lower back. She knew that, regardless of how the lawyer twisted things, Adrian would be fine in court. She had complete confidence in him, knowing he possessed an amazing inner strength that was overlooked by many. Natalie sighed and suddenly she was back to last night, standing on the front porch with Adrian.
Natalie unlocked and opened the door, took Adrian's hands and deeply kissed him. She then took a small step back, trying to lead him over the threshold. She was shocked that he didn't follow; even though he was still holding her hands, he stayed out on the porch, a distressed look on his face. Suddenly the idea, her terrible idea, of waiting ten dates flashed in her mind. "Adrian? I'm sorry I ever suggested we wait-"
"No, there's no reason to be sorry, Natalie." He pulled her back out on the porch into a tight embrace, his hands warm through the silk of her dress. "I love you and, it won't be that much longer. I need to leave now but, you know, I want to stay." He whispered huskily, his voice deepened by his longing "Natalie, please. Tell me to leave."
Burying her face into his shoulder, Natalie took a deep breath, torn by her feelings. She had immediately been tempted to give in to her own desires and forget her suggestion of a ten date courtship. It would be so easy to simply say the word 'stay' and he would willingly follow her inside. He wanted to stay. But, out of love for her, he had also asked her to be the strong one. Tonight he depended on her to adhere to the limits she had suggested; he had asked her to sacrifice tonight for their future. She knew he wanted to give her some of those romantic outings she had surreptitiously dreamed of, before their relationship proceeded any further. The choice was hers alone. With great reluctance, she slipped from his embrace and took hold of his hands. The words didn't want to cross her lips but she forced them out. "Go home, my love. Thank you for tonight." She swiftly bestowed a soft kiss, let go of his hands, and then took a step back into the house.
Resting his hands on the door frame, Adrian leaned towards Natalie and whispered in her ear "I love you, Natalie." He let his cheek brush against hers and inhaled the scent of her perfume; he wanted this moment to last forever. Recognizing the temptation had not ebbed, he softly kissed her cheek and pushed off the door frame, resolute on walking home. After descending the front steps, he turned to see Natalie still in the doorway. He raised his hand in a farewell gesture, a move she mirrored, and started the long walk home.
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As Natalie exited the courthouse, she spied Leland coming up the sidewalk. "What are you doing here, Captain?"
"Hi Natalie, I was looking for Monk. I thought he had a court appearance today. Where is he?" Leland looked past her, expecting to see Monk emerge from the courthouse any second.
"He's testifying right now. Don't give me that surprised look, Captain. Adrian told me I didn't have to go in with him, he said he was fine. So I'm going to run a few errands."
Leland was taken aback; Monk really had progressed from his days of needing a full-time babysitter continuously watching over him. "Umm, okay. Natalie, could you give Monk something for me? It's kind of top secret, for his eyes only. Promise you won't read it?" When she nodded yes, he pulled a folded up piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. "Remember Natalie, top secret."
Without batting an eye, Natalie took the paper and slipped it into a zippered compartment in her purse. With a mock salute, she laughed at Leland "Special Agent Teeger at your service, sir. I will deliver the message without question, sir."
"Good girl. I'll see you later." Leland turned on his heel and headed back towards his Crown Victoria, leaving Natalie to her errands.
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Later that day, Natalie met Adrian on the courthouse steps. She noticed how tired he looked and felt a rising desire to find the defense attorney and throttle him. "Hey, long day, wasn't it? Are you done testifying?" She asked hopefully as she took his arm and led him to her vehicle.
"No, I have to be back here tomorrow and maybe the next day for more of the same. Natalie, about tonight-"
"Tonight I'm cooking dinner for you at my house, and you are going to relax. Come on, it's chicken potpie night." With a smile, she unlocked the passenger door and opened it for Adrian. After they both closed their door and clicked their seat belts, she unzipped her purse and pulled out the folded list. "Here, this is from the Captain. He says it's top secret, for your eyes only."
Adrian opened it and quickly scanned the paper, a grin appearing on his tired face. Leland was a life-saver; his ideas were simple and yet romantic. He refolded the list and tucked it into his pocket. Slipping his hand into hers, he looked at her with half closed eyes. "Thank you, Natalie. I swear we'll do something special tomorrow or-"
"We are doing something special tonight, silly. I'm going to cook you dinner, okay?" With a wink, she started the car and drove them home.