As I began work on this, an awesome thunderstorm was going on (I love them!)... Anyway, sorry again for the delay. We are crazy busy with our house and its cutting into my down time when I get my chance to write.
I think everyone will enjoy this chapter, but not tons of progress here. Upcoming is the big reveal chapter which is either Chapter 33 or 34 - it's written but I'm having trouble getting there and want to make sure everything is established in the story that needs to be there before I throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing. As for this chapter, there's still lots of love, attraction and support between Kori and Richard. Enjoy the lovely sap mode (for now - mwahaha!)
Chapter 32
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The Horse Show
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Kori awoke at first light, just after 5 AM. During the night, Richard had again gathered her up in his arms and she found herself feeling very content there. She carefully got untangled from him and padded over to the bathroom. A quick peek outside revealed no rain. She had weathered the storm and Richard had remained by her side, there for her the entire time.
When Kori walked back to the bed, she paused briefly before rejoining Dick under the covers. She had never spent the night with a man before and she was happy that she had shared the night and her bed with Dick. She certainly considered that it would happen on this trip, but to find herself dreaming about marrying him and their wedding night, to awake to his kisses and caresses her body infused with passion, was beyond any fantasy she ever had.
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Dick awoke at about 6 AM. He looked down at Kori, snuggled onto his chest. He worried a bit about her reaction to the previous night and waking up together and silently prayed that she would not regret anything. Their 'sleep-making out' for lack of a better term was unintentional, and Kori did not seem too upset at the time, but he could only hope...
He knew he had to get going soon, to run back to the apartment to change. He had a busy morning ahead of him at the show grounds and was anxious to check on the horses, so he decided to wake Kori.
"Happy Memorial Day," Dick said softly and placed a kiss on her forehead.
Kori stirred and stretched her arms up as she opened her eyes and smiled, "Good morning Richard."
Dick was relieved that she looked so happy. "How did you sleep?"
"Never better. Thank you for staying last night."
"My pleasure. Are you okay with everything?"
"You mean awakening to you kissing me?" she said with a sly smile, "Absolutely."
"I'm so glad you aren't upset," his voice reflecting his relief.
"As I told you, I was dreaming of you – perhaps I was the one who started the kissing."
He chuckled at that. "Perhaps - it was wonderful."
"Yes it was," Kori surprised Dick by putting her arms around his neck, leaning forward for a kiss which he happily returned. "I love you."
"I love you too," Dick replied recapturing her lips and pulling her the rest of the way on top of him.
The kiss quickly grew heated and Dick gently caressed Kori's back.
"Wow," she managed once they broke for air. "I never had any idea how wonderful it would be to sleep in someone's arms and how incredible it is to wake up together."
"You never spent the night with anyone before?"
Kori shook her head 'no', a bit embarrassed.
That gave Dick pause. There were so many nights he had spent with various women. Of course, he ducked out earlier than the morning whenever possible. He could only be even more impressed that she had saved herself. Why had he been so quick to bed women anyway? He really hadn't considered it before and now that he had awakened to this woman that he loved so much, he felt a bit disgusted with himself. Sure, most people consider a sexual relationship as special, but to share a bed was something very special as well.
"Kori," he started, admiring her for her convictions, "I'm glad it was me."
"I am too, and I am happy that we are together."
"Thank you Sweetness and I'm very happy we're together."
"Sweetness? I like hearing you call me that."
"Good, get used to it." He kissed her softly. "But unfortunately, as much as I want to stay, I've got to get up and get over to the show grounds."
Hearing this, Kori gave him a wicked smile and repositioning herself, drawing her legs up and transferring most of her weight onto his chest to pin him to the mattress. "Sorry, you cannot leave."
"Kori!" Dick managed. Unable to sit up at first, he tried using his elbows and still found himself pinned. "Kori!"
"Having trouble getting out of bed Richard?" she said with an innocent tone.
"Very funny." With her weight leveraged onto his chest, he couldn't move. He grunted a few times as he tried to move with Kori on him. "Come on, Kori!"
Finally, using his legs to help propel him along with his right arm, he rolled them both to the left, and now Kori was the one pinned down.
"Gotcha!" I want this woman to be my wife - whoa, where did that come from?
"Richard?"
"Huh?" Did I say that out loud?
"You just had the most interesting look on your face, what is it?"
"Oh, I just really love you, that's all."
"I love you too."
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"For Heaven's sake Dick, I hope you didn't hurt that girl. I really don't want to deal with a pissed off Galfore." Bruce said to Dick the minute the door to the apartment had closed behind him.
"Good morning to you too Bruce." So much for the good mood today.
"Please just tell me you didn't do anything stupid."
"I would never, ever do anything to hurt Koriand'r!" Dick replied forcefully, using Kori's Tamaranian name for emphasis.
Bruce looked at his son and cocked an eyebrow.
"Look, Bruce, not that it is any of your business, but nothing 'stupid', as you put it, happened. As I told you over the phone, something came up and Kori needed a friend. It is her story to tell, but all you need to know is that she needed me."
"I'll take your word for it, but please realize that Galfore is very protective of her."
"And I'm not?! I love her! God, Bruce, I know you don't think highly of my past relationships but as I know I have mentioned, Kori is different, and we are taking things slow."
"Slow huh? Alright Dick, I believe you." Bruce paused and added, "You love her? Isn't it a bit soon for that?"
"No, its how we feel. I love her and she loves me. And just because your going to ask it anyway, her virtue remains intact."
"And what happened all day yesterday and during your slumber party?"
"Nothing."
"Nothing?" Bruce said incredulously.
"Bruce leave Dick alone." Selina said walking into the kitchen where Dick and Bruce were arguing.
"Selina -" Bruce started in a warning tone.
Selina wasn't deterred. "Dick and Kori obviously care about each other a great deal."
"They may, Selina, but I assured Galfore that Dick was going to continue to behave like a gentleman. I just hope you were discreet."
"God Bruce, nothing happened. I might as well tell you this much. Kori lost her family in one of the bombings in Tamaran and she was having a lot of difficulty getting through the storm yesterday. Loud noises still get to her and she had a severe panic attack. I stayed with her to help her get through it. When the storms continued into the night we decided together I would stay. By the way, I had a cot brought up to the room. " Not that I used it... "And if you'll excuse me, I have to get over to the show grounds."
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The crowds were light at the horse show grounds this early in the day.
Richard had gone to the show grounds early and headed over to the shedrow to make sure everything was ready for their horses. The farm had a few horses exhibiting later in the day in the hunter classes. The weather the day before had been unexpected, delaying the horses' travel and they arrived at the grounds later than they would have liked. Things were a little rushed in the morning and Richard jumped right into help.
Later on, Kori caught sight of Richard, and she couldn't believe her eyes. Her handsome boyfriend was painstakingly plaiting a horse's mane. The skilled, steady hands that had sutured back together the torn skin of accident victims in the ER were sewing in tiny braids into a gray mare's wiry mane. He was softly talking to the young horse as she stood on the cross-ties, moving a front leg every now and then, a bit edgy in the unfamiliar surroundings.
She approached cautiously, not wanted to upset the horse or Dick. Once the braid he was working on was completed, she made her presence known.
"Hello Richard," she said softly.
"Hi Kori," he replied with a smile. "I didn't know you were heading over here this early. I would have picked you up."
"It is fine Richard. It is a glorious morning and I really enjoyed my walk over here. Is there anything I can do?"
"Sure, just come on over here and talk to Bidda here, she's a bit twitchy, its one of her first big shows. Here," Richard took Kori's hand and lead her around to the front of the horse, "you can put a hand on her halter right there. Good. Thanks, I think it'll be a big help."
They smiled at each other for a moment before Dick returned to the mane. She worked around horses too much, but she was used to assisting Dick in the ER and knew his body language well enough to be a help rather than a hindrance.
After a bit, Dick said, "I'm sorry I'm tied up with all this. The storm delayed these guys getting in and everyone is chipping in to get all the hunters ready for their classes.
"Hunters?" Kori asked. She knew about polo but did not really know anything about show horses.
"Show hunters are horses that compete on the flat – that is, at the walk, trot and canter in the ring – and also over fences. They are judged mainly on their conformation, movement, behavior and suitability for the sport of fox hunting. The other classes our horses will compete in are Jumper classes. They are judged only on the ability to negotiate a course of jumps within a given time allowed. Hunters are all about control and finesse, Jumpers are all about power and speed."
"Which do you like better?"
Richard chuckled. "Well, when I was younger I loved Jumpers. I loved the speed and the daring, but now that I am a little older, hunters are fine."
"I thought all you ER guys loved adrenalin," Kori teased.
"I have enough excitement plus I hate to fall. Although with you there to take care of me if I do fall," he said, referring to her message after he hand fallen off a number of weeks before, "perhaps I will start riding jumpers more."
"I do not wish to see you fall, but I am always happy to help." Kori felt some heat in her cheeks when she thought about messaging Dick's muscular body.
"Unfortunately, if you ride, eventually you'll fall."
"And I will be here for you."
"I know you will."
Their exchange continued as Dick worked with their staff and the trainer's making sure all the horses would be ready and handed over to the riders. Dick had already explained that although he enjoyed riding a great deal, he didn't feel he was up to competing with the horses at this level and had left it up to the professional riders although he had brought his riding gear in case he was needed to hop on one of the horses to "school" them, to warm them up.
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The day was wonderful. Kori enjoyed the show a great deal, there was so much to do. Whether it was helping Richard get the horses ready, standing along the fence watching the horses and riders warm up and practice, or sitting in their box watching the competition, she found it fascinating and paid close attention. As only Richard could, he explained everything to her. During some of the breaks between the events that the Dark Night Farm's horses were competing, Richard walked hand-in-hand around the show grounds, enjoying the attached country fair, poking around the various boutiques and even riding the ferris wheel (once Richard convinced Kori that it would be fun).
With all the distraction, Kori was able to push back the flood of memories of her childhood in Tamaran and of her family. It had been a long time since she had really thought about it, and truth be told, she had large gaps in her memory from those last months in Tamaran.
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With the hunter classes over for the day and open classes in show jumping set to start the following evening, they had the last 'free night' of their trip. They had a romantic dinner at the restaurant at the hotel by themselves and fell into the playful banter that they had shared since they met.
The food was excellent and things were as close to perfect as they could get. Kori was falling deeply in love with Richard and Richard was falling in love with Kori. He realized that they were getting closer than he had ever gotten to anyone. It scared him a bit, but not enough to change anything.
"As it turns out, things are going to get even busier for me for the rest of the week." He took her hand and stroked it affectionately with his thumb, "I'm glad we have tonight to ourselves."
"I am having a wonderful time Richard and I am certain I will keep myself busy when you are busy with the horses."
"I must apologize for the slight change in plans. It's been great pitching in with Manny and I have such a good feeling about our chances, especially with Bully."
"No need to apologize, I am glad you are having fun and getting a chance to be with the horses. It is exciting, is it not?"
"It is, and you have to be the most understanding woman in the world."
"Understanding? Perhaps, but we have our own lives and interests, I cannot expect you to entertain me 24 hours a day."
"I know, but-"
"No buts, Richard. I am having a wonderful week and I love you very much."
"I love you too. I feel so close to you, and we're getting closer to you every day." Dick took a deep breath. "Kori, you know that storms are predicted for later tonight."
"I did hear something about that..."
"Kori, may I stay with you tonight?"
"Yes Richard, as long as it doesn't interfere with your days tomorrow, I would like that very much."
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Kori had deliberated over what to wear to bed. She had picked up a couple nightgowns that were a bit flirty in her shopping trips with Karen and decided that it might be nice to look her best rather than being in pajamas. Plus, she wasn't sure if they really would get too many more nights together given the show schedule and after discussing it, they agreed that they were not ready for him to share the room for the rest of the week. So, perhaps looking her best would be a nice memory for Richard until they could be together again.
After coming up to the room and watching a little TV, Kori changed into a French blue satin nightgown. It was floor length and had a fairly deep V neck but the bodice was overlayed with lace and offered support so it was more of a gown than a negligee. Kori felt beautiful in it and as she stepped out of the bathroom, Richard's jaw dropped. Kori blushed a bit, but was also pleased with seeing Richard in long silk pajama bottoms and nothing else.
Temptation did not win out as each was a bit nervous over their attraction to the other. They still shared a few passionate kisses which each was satisfied with before falling asleep in each other's arms.
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Thunderstorms did indeed come that night.
"No!" Kori cried out in her sleep, waking Richard up.
"Kori, shh, wake up! Its okay, I'm here!" Richard pulled her close stroking her cheek.
"Oh Richard, I'm sorry." A loud rumble of thunder was heard and Kori shook involuntarily.
"Its okay, Kori. Is it always this bad?"
Kori couldn't answer. As pleasant as her dream had been last night, tonight's dream was a nightmare, seeing her family bloody and broken.
"Kori? What can I do?"
"Stay close."
She clung to Richard who quickly fell asleep, leaving her alone with her thoughts and the storm. But she couldn't lose the image in her head. She hadn't recalled that image before. Perhaps it wasn't real, or was it one of the repressed memories from those last few months in Tamaran.
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Somewhat later, the storm was pulling away and Kori slipped out of the bed and sat out in the bay window in the sitting area of the suite. She started to cry and couldn't stop herself. She missed her family so much, especially her mother. She would have loved for her mom to meet Richard and to have her mother there to talk to, to see her falling in love. She really needed her mother's advice and guidance right now. It occurred to her, perhaps for the first time, that if she were ever to wed or have a child, her mother would not be there to share the experience, to guide her, to help her.
She hugged herself and hung her head, no longer able to see out the window and watch the rain as her tears fell harder and faster.
Lost in her sorrow, she didn't hear Richard come up behind her.
"Oh, Sweetness," he said softly in her ear as her put his arms around her.
"I miss them so much."
"I'm sure you do."
"My parents would have loved meeting you."
"And mine would have adored you."
Kori paused, processing what Richard was saying and she turned in his arms to look at him.
"I lost my parents too Kori, when I was eight."
"Oh, Richard, I had no idea."
"I know, we haven't talked about it." His voice was so gentle, so reassuring.
"No, neither of us have spoken that much about our pasts."
"Kori, I am here if you need me, but as much as I need to share my past with you, I just can't right now."
"I understand." She leaned in a starting kissing him, the kisses quickly becoming fierce. When they broke for air, she said in quiet desperation, "take me to bed Richard."
Richard gave her a nod and scooped her up, carrying her over to the bed bridal style, their eyes locked on each other. He placed Kori on her back and settled his weight over her, kissing her with more passion than ever before.
They broke apart, breathless. "Kori, we shouldn't get carried away."
"But Richard," she began in protest.
"Kori, I know you need to feel something, to drown out the sorrow, to fill the void. I want to do the same, but we can't. When we make love, it can't be like this."
When we make love.
Kori's tears began to fall again. How could he be this wonderful? "I... agree. I'm sorry..."
"Please, please don't be sorry. But that doesn't mean that we can't kiss each other, reassure each other." Richard rolled off of her and resumed kissing Kori as they lay side by side.
"Thank you Richard."
"Kori, we agreed to wait and I am more than fine with that. We don't need to dance around about it every time we're together."
"I know, I am just so torn, I have such strong feelings for you," she added softly, "such desire for you. But I don't mean to lead you on -"
"You aren't Kori. Come on, lets get some rest, its a big day tomorrow."
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Not my best, but hopefully you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading and please review! It really helps.
As I mentioned, the past will reveal itself soon. Anyone with guesses or a sneak peak, please PM me. I certainly wouldn't mind input. The next chapter should go up within 48 hours (but no promises)!
Thanks to everyone for their interest in this story!
LJ