AN: Chapter 10 is up. Enjoy!

A Thing for Passion

Chapter 10

-I wouldn't mind spending the rest of my life with you, if only you wanted to.-

Swaying and rocking to the music, Kori took over the dance floor. What was supposed to be a nice elegant evening turn into something like no other. Rachael and Gar had joined her soon after saying that she was "hogging up the fun." And after they came, everybody else decided to join.

It had been about an hour since she started dancing and her heels were killing her. It had also been an hour since she'd seen Richard. The whole point of me coming on the dance floor was for him. And he's not even here! She thought as Steven twirled her around giving her a 360 view of the room.

"Steven I think I want to sit down now. I'm getting kind of tired and my feet are killing me." He nodded and led her back to the table.

"Would you like a drink?" he asked as she was ready to sit down.

"That would be nice, thanks."

He left the table to retrieve the drinks right before Rachael and Gar came back for a sit. Rachael took off her heels before taking her place beside Kori.

"Dude, I'm beat. I am not going back on that dance floor for the rest of the night. See, I'm already starting to sweat." He held up his arms to show the wet spots under his white shirt.

Rachael wrinkled her nose with a disgusted look on her face which was soon replaced with a scowl.

"I swear, if you embarrass me tonight, I will make your life a living hell," she threatened.

He slowly put his arms down with a scared look on his face.

"Where'd Steven go?" he asked

Kori pointed to the far corner of the building. "He went to go get me a drink."

"Why can't you get something to drink?" Rachael asked Gar.

"Well…why can't you get me any?"

Rachael crossed her arms over her chest. He sighed defeated.

"Rachael, would you like a drink?" he asked through his teeth.

Rachael smiled. "No thank you. I'm not thirsty."

Gar's mouth hung open for a moment before he exploded. "Then what was the sense of going through all that?!"

"I was having fun," she responded.

"Fun? That was totally—"

Kori blocked out yet another one of their arguments for the night and strode over to Steven at the bar.

"What's taking so long?" she asked him leaving over the counter beside him.

"They didn't have the drink I wanted out so they're getting it in the back." He sighed before continuing. "Here goes yours." The bartender slid the drink in front of here but she didn't touch it. Sensing his fatigue, she asked what was wrong.

"Not to burst your bubble or anything but I just…I just want to go home. We've been here for a long time and I'm just bored."

"Steven, we've only been here for an hour and forty-five minutes. That's not very long."

"I know but it feels like it."

"You know at these types of events, everything has to be fashionably late, including announcements," she joked. But he didn't laugh.

"But I've never been to an event like this so I really don't know."

Kori looked up from her drink to stare at him. She shook her head at his antic.

"Listen, if you want to go home I don't-"

"No, I mean, I have to drive you home and-" Kori held up her hand to silence him in midsentence.

"You can go. Don't worry about me. I'll catch a ride with Rachael and Gar or something."

He gave her a disapproving look. "Are you sure? I mean, it wouldn't feel right to leave you here by yourself."

Kori smiled. "I was going to come here by myself anyway. It really wouldn't make any difference."

He flashed a wide smile. "Thanks I really appreciate this. I'll see you tomorrow then."

She didn't even bother to see him off figuring it would be pointless. Once again, I'm dateless. So much for my plan.

She took a sip of her drink and slammed it back on the counter. Then she felt a swift breeze by her ear.

"Slam it any harder and you'll break the cup sweetheart," a hushed voice whispered into her ear.

Kori fell stiff for a moment then turned around only to be met with Xavier's smiling face. Her eyes lit up when she saw him.

"Xavier, what are you doing here?!"

"I guess you can say that I'm…part of this event. So I see you just got date dumped. He's a real stupid guy to be leaving the hottest girl on this planet for some stupid reason like being tired."

Kori blushed at his comment.

"I personally wouldn't mind solving that problem though," he suggested. Kori looked at him and smiled.

"Are you saying that you want to take over the role of being my date?"

"I saying a lot more than that but date would be enough for tonight." Her face now flushed, Xavier wrapped his arm around her shoulder and led her back to the dance floor just as a slow song stated to play.

I guess one more dance couldn't hurt she thought as she wrapped her arms around his neck. They swayed their way deeper into the growing crowd on the dance floor.

Another day is gone.

I'm still on alone.

How could this be?

You're not here with me.

You never said goodbye,

Someone tell me why…

Did you have to go?

And leave my world so cold…

The song personally made the hairs on the back of Kori's neck stand up. The words were song seemed like they were directed toward her. Suddenly her stomach started to turn, an over whelming sadness washed over her and for a moment, she wanted to be held by Richard but not Xavier.

"Kori, you okay? You suddenly look a little queasy," a concerned Xavier said.

Kori shook her head and tried to put up a front. "I'm fine. I probably had too much to drink that's all." She wasn't quite sure if he believed her or not but he seem to have brush it away.

Every day I sit and ask myself,

How did love did love slip away?

Something whispers in my ear and says…

That you are not alone.

For I am here with you.

I know you're far away…

I am here to stay.

You are not alone.

Her heart started to feel weak. Why was this simple song getting to her? Xavier drew closer to her and she was quite hoping that this pain feeling in her heart would subside.

She laid her head on top of his shoulder looking for comfort and his hands wrapped tighter around her waist. For a moment while she closed her eyes, she pictured Richard holding her just the same way.

Just the other night,

I thought I heard you cry.

Asking me to come…

And hold you in my arms….

I can hear your prayers.

Your burdens I will bear.

But first I need your hand,

Then forever can begin…

His phone started to vibrate and rushed to fish it out of his pocket in the process letting go of her.

"Hello?" he asked kind of annoyed. He was silent for a moment before putting the person on the other line on hold.

"Kori I have to take this call. I'm sorry it's kind of important."

"That's fine I'll just go sit down." He nodded and left her in the middle of the floor.

"Dump number 2," she thought out loud.

"Or maybe not," a familiar voice said from behind her. She turned around swiftly only to be met with a pair blue eyes.

She tried her best not to smile. "What do you want Richard?"

He rolled his eyes. "Geez, I don't know. I mean, standing here in the middle of the dance floor with a beautiful woman in front of me who at the time seems to be dateless. I really wonder what I want."

Her smile brightened up. "Stupid question, huh?"

"You think?" He held out his hand for an offer.

"I gladly accept." She accepted his hand and he twisted her into his arms his hands firmly resting on her waist. Her hands rested around his neck with her hands tangled with his hair.

"So why'd you come?" she asked curiously.

"I saw a damsel in distress and so I thought I'd be the knight and shining armor and come to your rescue."

She laughed. "That's cute, that's real cute. But I wasn't in distress."

"That's not what it looked like tonight."

Kori raised an eyebrow. "Were you watching me all night?"

He bit his lip and searched for an answer. "I wouldn't call it watching…more like…observing."

So maybe my plan didn't fail after all.

They stayed silent as the song continued to play. The words making an impact on both of them. They stirred their eyes away from each other making sure to focus on something other than each other.

This is going to be a long night, they both thought in union.

The announcement was giving about an hour after Kori and Richard's little "encounter" on the dance floor. Bruce announced that Wayne Industries would be teaming up with Redd Enterprises sharing 20% of the stock profit. Kori was shocked to find out that Xavier was part owner of the enterprise.

I guess he wasn't lying when he said he was part of the event she thought as she took a sip of her drink then placed it back on the table. Her eyes wandered to the seat beside her currently being occupied by Richard. He listened attentively to the rest of the announcement, his eyes focused on the stage and no idea that he was being watched.

What she wouldn't give to touch him right now. The dance just wasn't enough for her. And for the first time since she got to Jump City, she observed his features admiring every aspect of him.

Eight years had done well for him so she concluded. His shoulders looked broader, his jaw line looked more hardened, and his hair, stilled spiked as always, seemed a little longer if not more in the front. Bits of hair fell down in his face creating a sexier look which worked well for him. How much cuter could he get?

His overall muscular feature would make any crumple. Why the hell did I ever leave again? Any woman would be stupid enough to let this man go including me, Kori thought as she once again reached for her drink with her gaze still on him.

Bad choice.

The drink tipped over as she tried to grabbed it and spilled the contents not only on the table, but on Barbara who just so happened to be sitting across from her. It's funny how she never noticed her the whole night until now.

"My dress!" she freaked out. She quickly grabbed for a table cloth and wiped it on her dress only to have white paper residue left on it. And because it was black, it really left a stain.

All eyes at the table averted to Kori and Barbara.

"I am sorry, it was an accident," Kori apologized. But it wasn't like Barbara was listening anyway.

"You ruined my dress! What were you thinking?"

"Barbara it's just a dress. Let it go. It black so it's not even going to show," Rachael said annoyed at her foolish uprising.

"Who asked you?" Barbara pushed. Rachael's blood started to boil but she pushed those feelings aside for another day. A day that would soon be coming. She decided to keep her mouth shut before she said something that would later result in her doing something she might eventually go to jail for.

"Listen, just go wash off the stain in the bathroom. I'm sure it's not that big of a deal," Richard stepped in.

Barbara holding no power over him whatsoever reluctantly got up to go wash it off in the bathroom.

"Couldn't you have just left her a home?" Gar asked. Richard shot him a glare.

"Shut up Gar."

The guest started to clear out soon after the announcement, Xavier was nowhere to be found, and Kori currently had no ride home. She suddenly wished Victor was there. Being the big brother figure he was, he would have opted to do almost anything for her.

She sighed walked outside where Rachael was waiting for Gar to get the car. She contemplated on whether it was a good or bad idea to ask Rachael if she could tag along. But when the car came up to the curb, she knew there was no chance she would be able to.

The car was a dark green two door Audi convertible. Getting into that car was out of the question.

"Hey Kori, since you relatively got dumped tonight, how are you getting home?" Gar asked bluntly which earned him a jab in the ribs by Rachael.

"Oh I'm sure I'll find a way. Don't worry about me," she assured. Rachael stilled concerned about her new friend stilled was a little bothered about leaving her there by herself.

"Are you positive? I just don't feel right leaving you here by yourself."

Kori waved that off. "I'm fine, trust me. I know how to get a free cab ride."

Gar looked at her quite funny. "Get your mind out of the gutter Gar, I'm not talking about that."

His mouth did a big "O". "So are you coming to the anniversary next Saturday?" He asked.

Kori was quite puzzled. Anniversary? "What anniversary?"

"Richard and Barba—Ow! What was that for?" he asked Rachael as she glared at him darkly.

"Oh, I wasn't supposed to say anything was I?"

Kori's heart fell as she realized that her small efforts were for nothing. They've been together longer than I thought. And here I thought she was just an all-purpose date. She tried to cover up her disappointment and hurt she felt.

"Oh, well, I didn't know anything about and I wasn't invited so I guess I won't be coming." He fiddled with her purse strap and looked down. Rachael's hand reached out from out of the car to Kori's.

"Don't worry about it too much. I mean, you couldn't have expected him to wait that long could you?"

Kori gave a forlorn smile. "I guess you're right. Well, I guess you guys better go. I don't want to keep you here all night."

"Alright, I'll see you later." They sped off into the night with Kori left behind waving at them.

She reached into her purse for her cell and dialed her cab friend's number. It rang two before it went to voice mail. She hung up before she started to redial.

"You're not thinking about calling for a cab are you?" Richard asked as he stood beside her, staring at her.

"How else do you expect me to get home?" she asked unintentionally kind of harshly.

He laughed. "I guess everybody's leaving you huh? I guess I'm going to have to come to your rescue you again."

"Don't you have to take Barbara home?" She made sure that she emphasized Barbara's name.

"Yeah and what's your point? I'm sure it's not a crime to take home two beautiful ladies. And from the looks of it, you're going to desperately need that ride."

She wasn't sure why, but everything he had just said to her sounded…dirty. That alcohol is really starting to get to me.

She finally surrendered and agreed for him to take her home. He walked her to his 2008 Chrysler 300 and told her to wait inside while he went to get Barbara. She sat in the back of the car, tracing the exterior seats and door. This was probably the nicest car she had ever been in.

She breathed in the scent, Richard's caught up in it as well. She honesty didn't know why she yearned for him so much tonight. Maybe it was the alcohol she drank. Maybe it was the song. Or maybe it was the fact that she hadn't had sex in so long and he just triggered her desires. Whatever it was, it was affecting her. Badly.

Richard came back with Barbara at his arms. He opened up her door and closed it after she got in. She didn't seem to happy when she saw Kori in the back seat. And maybe it was part of her plan to act a little overly "lovey dovey" with him the way to their house. He seemed to pull away though, sensing her eagerness. Dropping her off first despite her demands, he got backed out of their driveway and breathed a sigh of relief.

"I swear, sometimes she gets on my last nerve."

"So why are you dating her?" Kori couldn't seem to stop the words from coming out of her mouth.

Richard looked at her through the rearview mirror. "What kind of question is that?"

Kori shook her head. "I asked you the question first."

He sighed heavily and ran his hand through his hair. "I not going to beat around the bush so I'm just going to come out with it…I'm dating her because you left me hanging by a string, Kori. I'm dating her because she's all I can really have right now." He averted his eyes to the road making sure avoid her eyes. "I'm dating her…because I'm still in love with you."

Kori heart had never beaten so fast in her life. He's still in love with me? Her heart fluttered with the thought.

The rest of the way to the hotel was silent. Neither dared to look at each other. They reached the hotel so after, Kori getting out as soon as it pulled up out front. Kori didn't ask him too, but he followed her all the way to her door.

"So when are you going to get your own apartment?" he asked hoping he could spark a conversation.

Kori shrugged. "When I get enough money I guess." She opened up the door and stepped inside but turned around to thank him for the ride.

"Thanks for the ride I-"

"So you're not going to invite me in?" he asked as he lead up against the door.

Kori suddenly was at a struggle for words. "I-I don't think that's a good idea."

"I wonder why." He walked right into the room and sat down in one of the sofas provided by the hotel.

Kori stood there at the door shocked that he had just walked right past her. "So you're just going to sit here and do what?"

"Talk. It's really all we can do," he replied.

This is going to be a longer night than I thought.

"Well, I'm going to take a shower so you can stay, you can leave, just do whatever just as long as you don't touch my stuff. Okay?" She grabbed some clothes from her closet and entered the bathroom.

Richard on the other hand, wandered. He eventually came upon a photo album. Sitting down on the bed, he flipped through it, smiling at every picture he came upon. He was surprised to see that she still had pictures of them when they were a couple.

He lost track of time and before he knew it, Kori stepped out of the steaming hot bathroom. He quickly closed the book but she saw it anyways.

"Didn't I tell you not to go through my stuff? Give me that." She walked over to him to grab for it but he pulled it away.

"Why do you still have pictures of us?"

"I-I kind of…cherish them," she mumbled. She made a grab for it once more but he pulled it back again.

"What was that?" He smirked. He loved taunting her like this.

Kori was getting frustrated now. "I said I cherish them okay! Can I get my book now please?"

He willingly gave it back to her and walked over to her bathroom. Because of the extreme steam, the mirror was fogged up and he wiped enough off with his hand to see himself. She came in behind him.

"Richard, tell me why you're really here."

He looked at her through the mirror. "Truthfully, I just wanted to spend some time with you."

"You could of done that any other time. Why now?"

"Because I feel like I've waited too long. And it's not like you really gave me a choice. You've been avoiding me since you got here and quite frankly, I don't know why. I still haven't even gotten an explanation as to why you left in the first place." He turned around to face her. "And that's why I'm determined to get some answers from you, verbally or physically."

She shuttered when he put his hands on her arms. "What do you mean by physically?" she asked even though she clearly knew exactly what he meant.

"I think you know exactly what I mean," he said as he closed the gap between them.

Kori couldn't say that she didn't enjoy the feel of his lips on hers after so long. More or less she was ecstatic. But she knew it was wrong. But she didn't have the power to stop him.

His tongue ran across the bottom of her lip, asking for access and she willingly gave in as her hands snaked around his neck. He backed her into the wall, grabbing her waist and wrapping her legs around his waist. She melted under his touch as his hands reached under her shirt and underneath her bra to massage her breast. She couldn't help the moan that passed through her lips when he started playing with her nipple.

"Richard, this isn't right…" she breathed out a little above a whisper as he began kissing her neck and lower.

"It doesn't have to be right. Maybe all you need to do is feel," he said between kisses.

Her hands were soon entangled in his hair, toying with it. He was about to unhook her bra when his phone started ringing. Frustrated with the interruption, he picked it up letting go of Kori in the process. She was a little more than disappointed but at the same time, relieved that it didn't go any further. God knows how much further she would have gone.

"Hello?" Richard asked in an irked voice. He paused for a moment before speaking.

"Okay, fine I'm on my way…alright bye." He hung up the phone. Richard sighed before he looked at Kori with sad eyes.

"Listen, I'm sorry I never meant for it to go that far it's just that—"

Kori cut him off. "We're both at fault here. I guess you better go before we do something we both regret."

He nodded before heading to the door but stopped half way. "I know you know about the anniversary but I want to know if you're coming."

"I don't know, do you want me too?"

Richard smiled.

"I'd really like that." And with that he was gone. But not before leaving a very mystified Kori behind.

Some night.

Chapter 10 is done and quite fast at that. If there's any confusion at all, don't hesitate to ask even though I'm quite confused myself.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and keep an eye out for the next one. I'm doing the best I can to update faster so hopefully this was good enough. Remember, ideas and suggestions are always welcomed. I do run out of ideas fast.

Canadianth22