Okay, folks...This chapter is slightly shorter, but let me tell ya, the next one will make up for it! ;) At least, I sure hope it does...lol. As always, thank you, thank you, thank you, for your reviews. They really keep me going. Enjoy!
Adrian entered Natalie's house, closing the door quietly behind him. It was a late Saturday morning and, surprisingly, for the first time in a long time, he and Natalie both had the day off. He had just experienced the horror of having to purchase...condoms...not to mention, being witnessed by multiple store associates who knew who he was. After such an experience, he needed a moment to decompress.
He leaned his back against the door, spotting Natalie in the kitchen. She was resting her hip against the counter, holding a mug of coffee in both hands. She appeared to be lost in thought. Adrian observed her for a moment. He realized she must have just gotten out of the shower, because her hair fell in soft, wet waves around her face. Her eyes were twinkling in the morning light. Her soft hands cupped the mug so gently it almost seemed to be floating.
Adrian felt his stomach lurch - that familiar sensation he'd been feeling so often lately - and swallowed hard. He reached in his pocket, reassuring himself that the condoms were still there. Despite the awkwardness of it, having talked things out with Dr. Bell the previous day, and going to the store to buy the condoms this morning, had given him a newfound sense of confidence. He now felt a consuming desire to make love to Natalie. He decided he needed to seize the moment before he lost his courage. Inhaling deeply, he stepped towards the kitchen.
"Hi, Natalie," he greeted her softly.
"Oh! Honey, you scared me. I didn't hear you come in."
She sat the mug down on the counter, crossing over to meet Adrian in the living room. Reaching out, she gently grabbed his shoulders, squeezing them lightly before pulling him in for a hug.
After a moment's embrace, she leaned back, her lips hovering over his momentarily.
"Look at this, we finally have a day off together," she whispered, smiling.
Adrian tensed up slightly, his body coming alive to the sensation of Natalie's breath tickling his lips.
She leaned in and they kissed. It was gentle at first, but it quickly grew passionate. Adrian grabbed Natalie's waist with both hands, pulling her in and pressing their bodies together. She inhaled sharply through her nose, surprised by Adrian's boldness. Soon, both of them had begun breathing heavily, as their kisses grew more desperate by the second. Natalie finally broke their kiss, struggling to catch her breath for several moments before nuzzling her face against his neck. Slowly, she began to trail kisses along his neck until she settled just below his ear. She tentatively nibbled his earlobe, her warm breath caressing his skin. Adrian felt shivers course throughout his whole body.
"Natalie-" He rasped, his throat dry.
The yearning in his voice caught her by surprise, and she quickly pulled back and looked him in the eye. Natalie felt a lump form in her throat as she recognized the look in Adrian's eyes. He wanted to make love to her.
Just to be certain, she stepped in closer, gently slipping his sweater off of his shoulders and running a hand down his chest. Adrian sighed, closing his eyes and focusing on the sensation. With nothing now between her hand and his torso except his thin undershirt, he felt almost as though she was touching his bare skin. Stopping just above the waistband of his pants, Natalie tugged slightly, untucking Adrian's shirt. She glanced up at him, checking to see if he was okay with this step. Adrian was biting his lip, his eyes dark with desire and his expression far more confident than she had expected. The anticipation in his gaze sent a wave of excitement through Natalie's body.
"Natalie," he whispered, breaking the silence, "I need you."
Immediately, her heart was pounding in her ears. She took a deep breath in an attempt to steady herself and looked up at him again, reaching out a hand and placing it on his cheek.
"Adrian...Are you saying-?"
"Yes," he replied, his voice calm and level. "Natalie, I want to make love with you."
Natalie felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. Suddenly, she felt so nervous she thought she might throw up. She had imagined it countless times - for far longer than she cared to admit - but she still couldn't really wrap her mind around the fact that it was actually about to happen now. Adrian Monk wanted to make love with her. She braced herself momentarily on Adrian's shoulder, willing herself to pull it together. Realizing how much courage it must have taken for him to say that out loud to her, Natalie decided she needed to act promptly, before he lost his nerve.
Grabbing Adrian's hand, Natalie lead him up the stairs. Once at the top, she opened her bedroom door, looking back at Adrian. The two of them shared a nervous glance. They could feel an energy coursing between them, both of them trembling with anxious anticipation. Natalie reflected for just a split second, realizing she hadn't felt this nervous about sex in her entire life - not even her very first time. That's because this wasn't just sex, of course. But she could only imagine how nervous Adrian must be feeling. Resolving to put him at ease, Natalie gently closed the door behind them.
