Chapter: 7 "Reunion" (part two)
Clark stood motionless with his mouth open. He could not fathom what Leon had just told the group about his scariest experience during a mission. He was thankful to be a simple sketch artist.
Barry whistled and shook his head in disbelief, "Damn. I'd shit my pants if scary women had been chasing me with a chainsaw. Since you're sandin' here talkin' about it, I presume you had some good weapons."
Chris laughed and slapped Barry on the back, handing him another beer, "That'd be European ladies for you; they know how to keep their men in line."
Leon smiled and raised his can of beer in a salute. The men in the little European village had not been much different from the women. They all wanted to kill him and they made it hard for him to stay alive.
A movement caught his eye and his actions froze just as he was about to tag a drink. He saw Claire standing, in the well-lit kitchen, talking to Jill. All traces of the young girl were gone from her lovely mature face. Her hair no longer hung low to the middle of her back. She sported a style that confirmed a confident and professional young woman.
Claire moved to the dual glass patio door and slid it open. She advanced toward the group and graced them with a warm and sincere smile. After handing the platter to her brother, she turned to Leon and embraced him adoringly. "Wow, you have filled out in the past two years; nothing but muscle."
Leon laughed and kissed her cheek, "You're as beautiful as ever." Claire touched his cheek and then turned to greet the others who had witnessed the fondness Leon and Claire shared.
The group of friends, some old and a couple new, gathered around the kitchen counters and filled their plates with food from the abundance laid before them. The steaks were hot and juicy to perfection, the side items ranged from homemade potato salad, baked barbeque beans, a vegetable tray to fresh brownies and Key Lime Pie. The dining room had a happy atmosphere full of stories and laughter.
When appetites were sated and everyone wished to unwind, Sherry pulled out a few video games that put the finishing touched on the fun evening. The biggest hit was a 4 player option that involved four sets of 'Conga' drums in place of controllers and a selection of hit songs to play along with.
Leon and Claire watched with limited interest and then retreated to the patio swing, in the back yard, for some private conversation.
"Has the situation with your district attorney improved since our last phone conversation?" Leon questioned.
Clarie pursed her lips and made a small sound of disgust, "You were right. There was something wrong with the relationship." She glanced at Leon and then looked away, "He went back to his ex-wife a few months ago. It seems she was three months pregnant…it's his child."
Leon grimaced and sympathetically offered, "Ouch. You know, being with the government, I could have him disappear, if you'd like."
Cliare chuckled and playfully nudged his right shoulder with her left one, "It's tempting. No, you were right, he wasn't acting like a gentleman. Thank you for being there and listening."
"You're one of my closest friends, Claire. I'll always be honest with you." He looked down at his shoes and gently rocked the swing forward and back ward. He felt like opening up about his dilemma, but wasn't sure how to begin.
Claire's curiosity reflected his thought, "Have you heard from Ada?"
Leon sadly smiled and confided to her a shortened yet informative version of the last encounter, two months prior, with the tall Asian beauty.
(...Flash Back...)
Leon closed the front door of his two-bedroom apartment and tossed his car keys in the small, black dish on a hall table. He was fatigued physically yet energized mentally from the day's rigorous field and combat training. He stayed in shape, both body and soul, with other members of the government's elite forces. His secret service position of guarding the 'First Family' was coming to an end. The president realized that Leon's abilities were wasted when idle in a sentry position. He would serve his country best when he is fully involved in the nation's security.
He opened a kitchen cabinet and decided on a package of Ramen for dinner. It was hardly healthy, but he only felt like showering and then sitting in front of the television. He figured that he'd have just enough time to catch about the last 40 minutes of the Lakers' basketball game. He placed the package on top of the counter, tuned the television to the game and headed for the shower. He was out of his room in a flash, dressed in faded jeans and a white cotton t-shirt. His short, towel dried hair hung in mussed wisps on each side of his temples and ended in an angle to his cheekbones.
He watched the players from both teams run the court and just before the buzzer sounded, the nation saw the Lakers' number 3, Devean George, take an elbow in the face. Leon watched with amused interest as players from both teams began to confront one another. The doorbell rang and he cautiously walked to the front door. He reprimanded himself silently for leaving his gun on his bedroom dresser. He looked through the door's security peephole and caught his breath. He saw a vision that he only dreamed about over the past two years. He slowly opened the door and stared at the sensuous smile of his heart's one desire.
Ada Wong stood before him in black tight fitting low-slung jeans, a red silk midriff blouse, low healed black boots, and a sleek black leather trench coat.
Ada watched Leon carefully from behind black sunglasses. The sureness and confidence that she portrayed with her mouth was a façade over the hidden fear in her eyes that he would close the door on her.
"I hope you like curry," she light heartedly purred in her deeply mysterious voice. In his expression her eyes saw disbelief, relief, longing, and then an invisible wall appeared as his eyes shifted to a spot just beyond her as he stepped back and aside, allowing her access to his home. She slowly crossed the entryway and passed Leon with mere inches of touch.
Leon closed the door and inhaled the intoxicating scent of her perfume. The fragrance was both pain and pleasure, the first time he experienced her signature aroma was in Raccoon City and the last time they met she indifferently saved his life along with Ashley Graham. His body faced the closed door as he slowly turned his head to glance over his left shoulder; her seductive sway left him breathless. He reminded himself that he needed to be very careful; she was working for the enemy and it was quite possible she could be involved with terrorism. The only thing he was certain of was that she is a thief and a spy.
He followed her with his eyes before turning and engaging her, "You know, Ada, I don't have any "Top Secret" information if that's what you're after."
She chuckled softly and removed her sunglasses, "Leon, you don't think that's why I'm here, do you?" She placed the brown paper bag she carried on the kitchen counter and turned her sultry eyes in his direction. "May I take the tour?" Implying that she'd like to see his apartment, she slowly entered the living area as Leon switched the television off with the remote. She removed her coat and Leon took it from her, thankful for the chance to occupy his nervous hands.
Ada casually browsed the bookshelves along the outer wall and stopped abruptly when she spotted a familiar item. A slow smile played at the corner of her mouth as she reached out to examine the item. Between her thumb and forefinger she held a dangling teddy bear key chain and key. In a whisper she said, "You sentimental fool."
Leon knew what she held in her hand and wanted her to believe he could be nonchalant as well, "The Jet-Ski is in the garage, if that's why you're here. I figured you might like it back."
Ada turned and smiled, "You earned it, its yours. I'm glad you made it off the island; I knew you would." She glanced around at the tan colored leather furniture and stylish surroundings. "Nice touch, did you decorate?"
The small talk was becoming unnerving and he felt suspicious. "A decorator came with the job." He stood with his arms folded across his chest and he balanced on the edge of a small kitchen barstool. "Why are you here, Ada?"
"I had some business to attend to here in town," Ada replied casually. She walked back to the kitchen and noticed the unopened package of Ramen noodles. "Looks like I got here just in time for dinner. I brought curry chicken and steamed vegetables." She tried to cover the growing silence and she feared that increasing impatience would only thicken the wall between them. The truth was, she didn't know why she hadn't come sooner. He wasn't the same insecure police officer she had met eight years earlier and he seemed more shut off to her now than in Spain two years ago.
Ada, sighed inwardly, grateful the night could possibly be a new start of sorts. She began to remove the food cartons from the brown paper bag she carried in and lifted a bottle of wine. Handing the Chardonnay to Leon, she asked, "Would you mind terribly?"
As Leon searched for a wine bottle opener, Ada cleared her throat and continued, "My business concluded this morning, much earlier than I expected. There I was, staring at my flight itinerary, with nine hours to occupy myself before I am to leave the States." She glanced quickly at Leon to get an idea of his reaction. He stood to her left, twisting the opener until the cork popped free. Turning back to the empty plates that Leon had placed on the counter, she prepared to dish out the steaming food.
"It finally became so clear to me; I don't have family or close friends to contact or visit. I don't even have fond memories to sit and reflect on. The pleasant memories I can reproduce with a smile are of our time together and those are few and impersonal. Since I had the time to spare I decided that I wanted to make a pleasant memory of us. Even if it is just dinner."
Leon placed a full glass of wine near Ada's workspace on the counter. He held a glass for himself and studied her profile. "When is your flight?"
Ada's eyes met his. "In about six hours…" she stated simply. To her, he was one of the most handsome men she had come across. His finely chiseled features, lazily heart shaped lips and startling blue eyes melted her resolve and warmed her blood with each glance. Her self-importance and instruction to never be involved held her in check, it kept her from reaching out to touch and feel the warmth of his skin beneath her hand. Her gaze drifted over his well-toned and muscular torso before returning to his penetrating eyes.
Leon placed his glass next to hers and stood close enough to her that he once again smelled the delicately intoxicating fragrance she wore. Ada's eyes softened and her lips parted slightly, giving the encouragement Leon needed. He reached forward with his left hand and slowly brushed his knuckles along her right jaw line to her ear lobe. His fingers gently circled her neck while his thumb rested in the soft slope under her ear.
Ada gave in to the tender strokes of Leon's hand and pressed forward until she could smell the clean scent of bath soap and the light scent of fabric softener coming off of Leon's skin tight white t-shirt. Her left hand found the muscular curve of his waist. A warm wave of heat flowed through her face, across her shoulders and to her abdomen. At that moment Ada felt as if she would promise anything Leon asked.
Leon's right arm circled around her thin waist and drew her closer. He looked into Ada's warm brown eyes for a hint of resistance. His lips brushed hers with a feather light kiss just before her pulled back slightly. He continued to watch her face and was relieved when her eyelids closed and a tiny sigh escaped her mouth. Her lips remained parted and her hand smoothly rose to the center of Leon's back, pulling him to her.
Ada leaned closer to Leon and accepted his mouth eagerly. He was amazed that the woman of his dreams was standing in his kitchen and in his arms. Now that this moment was upon him, he wanted to hold her like this until the sun grew cold. His chest ached, his heart hammered wildly, and his lungs struggled for air on his unwillingness to break the long burning kiss they shared.
Leon's hands rested on the small of her back briefly before sliding them under the silk fabric of her top. Her skin was flawless and as soft as the garment that aroused his senses. His lips trailed kisses along her neck and lingered at the base of her neck above her collarbone; her skin smelled of ginger and pear. His breathing became shallow as he closed his eyes and mind to all things around him.
Ada turned her face into Leon's soft hair and inhaled the wondrous aroma of his shampoo. The kiss she pressed to his earlobe was not enough; she drew it into her mouth and gently nibbled it with her teeth.
Leon groaned, lifting her enough so that she could wrap her legs around his hips. Ada's arms rested on his shoulders as he carried her through the small living room and into his modest bedroom.
