Chapter 21
First Date - Part 2
If Dick hadn't been prepared, perhaps Galfore answering the door would have sent him running. Less friendly than he had been earlier in the week, Galfore greeted Dick with with a grumbling "Good evening." Their exchange was mercilessly short when Kori ran interference, insisting to Galfore that she and Dick get going rather than be late for the reservation. Dick made a mental note to thank her for that later.
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Dick was distracted enough by Galfore to not have taken in how lovely Kori looked until they were seated in the back of the Town Car. Even then he really did not have the entire picture of how fantastic she did look, especially because she sat very close to Dick.
Dick noticed after he settled into his seat behind Alfred that Kori had wriggled her bottom a bit so she could be closer to him. Throughout the night he would notice how she touched his forearm or hand when they spoke. How she happily smiled when he took her hand. It was flirtatious, yes, but it really was intimate rather than sexual behavior. It did dawn on him about the cultural differences, the differences in 'proxemic behavior', something he learned about in a long ago entry level sociology or communications course. That was certainly a part of it he realized, Tamaranians were comfortable in closer personal space than Americans, but really it was Kori being Kori, and Kori was just, well, snuggly. Not that he minded. At all. Her little looks and touches had always driven him to distraction since they met, but how should he act on them that they were finally out together? He really didn't want to make any missteps.
They were walking into the Seward Inn just 10 minutes later. The Seward Inn was built in the 1780's and appointed with period antiques, Persian rugs and an eclectic selection of artwork. The Inn still operated as such, offering some 35 rooms for let in addition to the restaurant and bar/lounge areas.
Upon giving his name, an apologetic hostess informed them it would be approximately 45 minutes for their table. Dick scowled but before he could say anything Kori touched his arm and smiled warmly. Taking her hint, they made their way toward the bar and Dick ordered two glasses of Pinot Grigio for them.
Then the unexpected happened.
"Will you be waiting in your room Mr. Grayson?" the hostess asked.
Kori's eye tripled in size and Dick's eyes narrowed.
"We are not renting a room this evening, and I do not appreciate you making any assumptions about my date or myself!"
"My apologies Mr Grayson, I'm so very sorry..."
"Save it," Dick hissed, "and if you'll please excuse us..."
Dick turned to Kori. He was mortified and very angry. They moved back into the lounge for some privacy.
"Kori, I'm so sorry..." Dick began with remorse in his voice, knowing his reputation was catching up to him.
Kori looked at him and believed he was sincere. She took a deep breath and gathered her thoughts.
"Obviously, you did not rent a room for us tonight. I cannot imagine you would."
"Of course not. But, what was said...."
"An assumption was made. Richard, I had a feeling that your 'playboy ways' which Galfore and our friends have mentioned will occasionally come up. Plenty of people will gossip and the Washington social circle appears to be deceivingly small. But as long as these 'playboy ways' are in the past, I will be fine."
"You're far too understanding Kori." Dick replied, obviously relieved.
"But pull anything, I mean anything with me," she said with a coldness to her tone that made him wary, "I will in no way be understanding."
Dick swallowed hard. "I wouldn't blame you at all but I can't imagine ever doing anything like that to you. I would never make any assumptions with our relationship. I promise you. Remember I told you I would do this right?"
"Yes, but what about other women?" Kori asked, the cold edge gone from her voice. "I was not going to bring it up tonight, but I just need to know if you are seeing or plan to see anyone else when you are dating me."
"No Kori, I'm not seeing anyone now and I wouldn't see anyone else while we're together," Dick assured her.
"Very well then," Kori stopped and took another breath and smiled. Finally there was warmth in her tone when she said, "Let's get back on the track then and enjoy our evening."
Dick smiled back, beyond relieved. "You're wonderful Kori. If that didn't ruin the evening, I doubt anything could. Now did you want to stay here? I mean we can go somewhere else if you want."
"No Richard, its fine. You said this is a wonderful place and other than that klorbag of a hostess, there is no reason to leave."
"Very well then, lets find a seat here in the lounge. I'm fairly certain they'll have our table for us shortly."
Kori felt bad for Dick. She had given him the benefit of doubt already but he seemed very deflated and she wanted to reassure him. She also found herself, simply put, drawn to him.
They found a place to sit further back into the lounge. They found a spot behind a pillar, blocking the view out to the rest of the seating area, where they could share a seat on an overstuffed couch. It was more than enough room for three or four, and Dick was very pleased that Kori sat very close, their legs touching. Dick couldn't help but cock an eyebrow at her and she endeared him with a sly smile.
"Too close?" She asked in an innocent manner that did not quite match that smile.
"Not at all."
"Well, its not like this is our first date."
"It isn't?"
"What about coffee a couple weeks back?"
"You count that as a date? I mean it was great but..." His mind drifted to thoughts of the incredible back message and acupressure treatment she had given him which had likely saved him from days worth of pain.
"Well, you were asking me out for coffee as a date, were you not? I mean, you did have a romantic interest in me way back then."
"Kori," Dick said with a chuckle, "I had a romantic interest in you, as you would say, since I first saw you."
"Yes, the famous double take."
"You noticed that?!"
"Yes."
Dick was blushing, as much as he wished he wasn't, he was. He also wasn't sure what to say.
"It was very flattering by the way," Kori offered him, now it was her turn to blush.
"You really are beautiful Kori, I'm not sure if I've told you, and in so many ways."
"Thank you." She paused, his flattery taking her off guard. "Anyway... the coffee date?"
"What about it?" This was going to be interesting...
"To be honest, it was not until I got back in my car that I realized how that could have been misinterpreted."
"How did you want me to interpret it?"
"Well, you looked so uncomfortable and it occurred to me that I could help. So you should have interpreted as such. But again, it did dawn on me afterwards what it could have looked like and what it might have lead to." Kori paused, looking at him squarely in the eyes, " I am very comfortable around you, Richard, like I've known you for a long time. To be honest, I also feel as safe around you as I ever have with anyone . Its not only that I feel safe with you, but you make me feel safe. Am I making sense?"
"Yes, and I'm glad I make you feel safe. On my end there is a connection as I've said, and the familiarity."
"What was going through your mind when we were in the back of your car?"
He answered honestly, "I wanted very much to kiss you but that wasn't the vibe I got it that time."
"Well, you read me right, I mean you read that situation correctly."
"What kind of vibe are you sending me now?"
"You cannot read me?" Kori teased, certain he was reading her loud and clear.
"I have an idea, its just that I do not want to misread you." Dick hedged.
"I think I would very much like to kiss you tonight, you know, because it is our second date."
"Are you sure it is acceptable?" Oh please let it be acceptable.
"Most definitely......and desired." Kori blush deepened at her own directness, her heart beginning to pound as she anticipated his kiss.
Dick felt blood rush to his pelvis and lifted his hand to cup her cheek, he leaned in just a bit.... to hear his name being called by the manager.
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They were shown to a lovely table in a quiet corner of the restaurant, far from the kitchen and completely out of the way of the traffic of the wait staff. Dick gave Mr Manager Interruptus a bit of a glare to back off as he helped Kori with her chair himself. He then took the seat next to her rather than adjacent from her so he could stay as close to her as possible.
She gifted him with a smile and he took her hand, automatically lacing their fingers. Her beauty was accentuated by the soft lights of the votive candles on the table.
"Perhaps we will get to that first kiss when we are somewhere more private," she said, again with that smile that really got to him.
"That does sound like a plan, and by the way I can't wait, but I suggest we read through our menus and change the subject, thinking and talking about kissing you is very distracting..."
"Its just a kiss," She teased, knowing it was anything but just a kiss.
"Oh no, our first kiss will in no way be 'just a kiss'."
"Sure of yourself Dr Grayson?"
"Yes, and it bears repeating, sure of us."
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They ordered their meal and enjoyed a bottle of wine (complements of the house, still trying to re-ingratiate themselves to Dick). They talked about many things, especially about Kori's work. Dick finally got the entire story of her career and education and was able to express how impressed he was with her accomplishments.
"I personally am very glad you decided to take a break and move down here."
"I am too, it appears to have been an excellent decision," Kori relied.
"Are you planning to stay at the Embassy? Tara mentioned you were looking at apartments."
"Galfore has been working very hard to keep me there, he worries about me. I have to point out to him that I did live on my own before. He has not wanted me to look for my own place since..." Kori drifted off.
"Since the incident with Cooper."
"Yes."
"You said earlier that I made you feel safe", Dick said, his eyes darkening and he balled his fists. "But I failed you that night."
"Richard, you did not fail me," Kori said, slapping the table for emphasis, "I do not want you to ever think you failed me. How could you have possibly seen that coming? Like I was telling Rachael, when has anything like that ever happened before? Plus afterwards the kindness you showed me meant so very much."
"I guess so." Dick seemed deflated again. "How are you, I mean, are you still having any pain?"
"To be honest, it is still painful." Kori replied, and feeling embarrassed, she looked away
"Oh, Kori, I am so sorry I had no idea," Dick reached over and touching her cheek, turning her face back towards his.
His eyes had softened again as he looked at her in a way that reflected such an honest sincerity that she wanted to so much to let him know how she felt, but was unclear how to get her point across. She got a little lost in those eyes and realized she hadn't responded for a bit.
"I'll be fine, and thank you so much for caring." She managed finally.
Their meal arrived and conversation shifted away from their feelings to matters of popular culture and Kori found herself occasionally tripping up. Of all the people she had known through her years in the US, he made her feel the most comfortable, he helped her feel like she belonged. He was able to explain anything to her, to answer her questions without embarrassing her, and to laugh with her when she laughed at herself. She was already very attracted to him on many levels, and now realized she was becoming completely smitten.
Their leisurely dinner was drawing to a close, and unfortunately, the evening was going to have to end as well. Kori knew Galfore would be waiting up for her and she told Dick as much.
"Well, we better get you home then," he said, looking a bit apprehensive.
"I am sorry Richard" Kori said, wanting to emphasize that she didn't want to the evening to end. But what she wanted and what she felt was right were two separate things.
"Its fine, but would you make it up to me?"
"And how would I do that?"
"Would you agree to see me before next Saturday?"
"I would love to see you before then, Richard."
"How is tomorrow afternoon?"
"Fine."
"Great, I will pick you up at 12 Noon and dress casually."
"Okay, any chance I can find out what we are going to do?"
"No, its a surprise."
"Good, I love surprises!" Kori replied with a giggle.
Dick laughed. He enjoyed seeing how excited she got about the little things, it was among the many things he loved about her. And then it hit him, there were many things he loved about her, and it actually didn't scare him – now that was quite a surprise.
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In the back of the Town Car, they sat close, holding hands on the short ride to the Embassy. As much as they wanted to kiss, it seemed to each of them a bit awkward with Alfred right there.
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It wasn't a complete surprise that Galfore was at the door of the Embassy. Not having a private moment, Kori could only thank Dick for the evening and Dick thanking her for her company. A gentle kiss over the knuckles and each offering the other a longing look was how their evening together had to end. However disappointed each was for not sharing a first kiss, they had laid down the foundation of quite a solid relationship that evening.
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Coming up: Chapter 22 – Picnic Time
Sorry it took a few extra days to get this up - at least it was pretty long. I had to rework it and had less time than usual with my son home from camp. Hopefully I will update at least twice weekly even with the whole full time mom thing.
Thank you readers and please review! It makes me happy.
Definition: Proxemics - the study of man's transactions as he perceives and uses intimate, personal, social and public space in various settings while following out of awareness dictates of cultural paradigms. (E.T. Hall, 1974)