(A/N): Thanks for the amazing reviews! I must warn you that within the next couple of chapters, the reason why this story is rated M shows up. With that said, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter. As always please leave a review if you feel the story is missing something or if you think something is wrong. -Darkrubie
Kori held the phone away from her ear as she heard a usually calm and sardonic voice squeal loudly.
"Rachel I think that is the first time you have squealed." Kori said with a teasing voice.
"I think calling it squealing is a little much." Rachel replied, back to her usual monotone voice.
Kori grinned "Well what would you call it?" She questioned.
"I was simply loudly exclaiming my excitement at the thought of you FINALLY almost kissing Dick. It's about time you two love birds got around to realizing your feelings." Rachel said with a tone that make Kori pretty sure she was smirking.
"Richard doesn't have these feelings for me. He simply got caught up in the moment." Kori said while ignoring Rachel's sigh.
"I wish you two would stop tip toeing around one another, it was the same thing in high school. You two just need to admit your feelings." Rachel said as if she had all the knowledge of love in the world.
"One day it will just click for you two, I'm sure of it." She continued. Kori sighed and said with a hopeful voice
"I really hope your right. Listen I really need to start getting ready for the Ball so I will have to call you tomorrow."
"Make sure you do! I want all the details." Rachel said with a stern voice.
"Goodbye Rachel!" Kori said with a sing songy voice and hung up before Rachel could object.
Kori shook her head while smiling and went to get ready.
"Come in!" Kori called when she heard a knock at the door.
She peaked out into the hallway and smiled at Xavier as he walked in.
"I'll only be a few more minutes so make yourself comfortable" she called out again.
Instead of sitting down Xavier took a moment to look at Kori's living room. He walked over to the fireplace to gaze at the pictures she had. He smiled at one of Kori with her arms around another lovely woman who looked like she would rather be dipped in acid than be hugged. She must be Kori's best friend if she was ok with the contact. Xavier looked over at the next picture and instantly frowned.
"Fuck Grayson. Maybe taking his girl to this stupid party will teach him for passing over me for that promotion. It'll kill him when I go on and on about what an animal she is in the sack." Xavier mumbled to himself.
He glared at the picture and the way Dick looked at Kori like she was the brightest star in the world. Xavier heard Kori coming down the hallway so he whirled around and plastered a smile to his face. His fake smile turned into a real one when he saw the way Kori looked. She beamed at him as he held his arm out and she gingerly wrapped her arm around his.
"You look absolutely stunning." Xavier said which earned him another thousand watt smile.
"Thank you, you look very handsome yourself. Are you ready to go?" Kori asked.
"Absolutely." Xavier said while steering them towards Kori's door.
"This is going to be easier than I thought" Xavier thought to himself with a wicked glint in his eye that Kori was completely oblivious to.
Richard bit back the urge to roll his eyes as he heard the joke told by the old man stand in front of him.
"These parties are the most boring thing in the world." Richard thought to himself.
He noticed the group around him quiet and he almost thought he said comment out loud. Richard quickly glanced up with an apology ready when he noticed that all the men were staring at something behind him. Richard quickly turned to where they were all looking and felt his mouth drop open when he saw the thing responsible for their reactions. Kori was coming down the staircase with with one of her signature amazing smiles. She took Richard breath away yet again. She looked stunning in her emerald, strapless, floor length dress. It hugged her ample curves beautifully and flowed out after her hips. Richard could feel his face heating up at the thought of seeing her curves plastered to his body. He shook his head of the thought and cleared his throat as he crossed the ballroom to greet his dear friend.
"Richard! Don't you look handsome this evening!" Kori exclaimed. "You don't look too bad yourself." Richard said feeling his smile grow as he noticed a blush tinge her cheeks.
She looked down on the ground and her beautifully curled hair fell over her face like a curtain. Richard loved her hair. It was so fiery and soft. Richard could resist the urge to run his fingers through it as he tucked her gorgeous locks behind her ear. Kori quickly looked up and met his eye. Richard felt himself get lost in her earthy eyes and he felt the same spark as he did in the office the other day.
"There you are Kori! I was looking everywhere for you" Richard could feel his eyes narrow as he heard the voice of Xavier drawing near.
He brought out his business smile and bored eyes and he turned to what Richard thought was the scum of the earth.
"Mr. Redd. How are you n this fine evening?" Richard asked in a polite tone.
He noticed Xavier's eyes narrow at and replied back with an almost smug tone.
"Amazing, but then again anyone would be if they had this stunning woman on their arm." Xavier turned to Kori and asked "Well cutie would you like to dance?"
Kori nervously glanced at Richard but before she could reply she heard Kitten's shrill voice exclaim "Of course she would! Richie-poo and I were just about to go dance ourselves."
She sent a quick murderous glare to Kori. Before anyone could say anything Kitten and Xavier dragged their respective dates to the dance floor. Luckily for the star crossed lovers they were still able to look at each other from across the ballroom. They grinned at each other until their dates caught on to what was happening and quickly spun around so Richard and Kori could no longer look at each other.
Next chapter: Something happends in the ladies restroom that will either bring Kori and Richard closer together, or tear them apart for good. ;)