Life's Canvas

Wrapped in Silk

Chapter 13: Wrapped in Silk

Life's Canvas

Chapter 13: Wrapped in Silk

Dinner proved to be rather easy. Kori had placed herself conveniently next to Richard, so as to separate herself from Bruce Wayne. It wasn't that she didn't like the man... he'd seemed very professional and had the same sort of charisma Richard did, but she didn't want any questions directed at her. She knew it was end up with her having to say something about her relationship with Roy or her part in finding "the body" as Roy's corpse was so eloquently referred to.

Richard had taken her hand under the table, squeezing it lightly to tell her she could leave. She had done so gracefully, thanking Bruce for the chance to dine with him and quickly retiring to her room. By the time she'd reached the top of the stairs, she could hear Richard already begin to explain things quietly, finally revealing to Bruce what connections there were and what was going on with Kori's past.

She had waited patiently for him in her room, suddenly anxious to find whether Bruce thought she was too much of a burden. Nearly three hours later, Richard had come up to her, knocking lightly on her door. She'd only opened the door a smidge, and peeked through. Richard had smiled and laid a very quick kiss to her forehead, letting her know things had gone alright and Bruce had been understanding, before she disappeared back into her room.

The next day, she went down to breakfast to find that Bruce had already left to have a brief discussion with the police on heavier security matters and then would be off to return to his business meeting on the east coast.

Richard stood from the breakfast table. "So Kori, what do you want to do? It's Saturday... you should take a break from the gallery and... maybe we can go do something to take your mind off of everything, you know?" he suggested. Kori smiled appreciatively, standing and going over to his side where she wrapped him in a quick hug.

"Sounds wonderful. Perhaps the mall? I have yet to get a dress and the party is on Wednesday..." she tilted her head to the side.

"Fine with me. We can take my bike if you want," he shrugged but an amused light shimmered in his cobalt eyes. Kori nodded rapturously. Another ride on Richard's motorcycle would be plenty enough to push all thoughts of the recent events out of her mind. Richard grinned and took her hand, tugging her outside. He handed her his helmet, but she didn't take it.

"You should wear it..." she murmured. Richard shook his head.

"Seriously, Kori, I'd feel a hell of a lot better if you wore it," he countered. Kori flushed but accepted the helmet, staring warily up at Richard's unruly hair. It was dangerous for him to ride without a helmet... he really needed to be a bit more conscious of his safety. Kori jammed it onto her head and they got on the bike, peeling from the drive moments later.

The ride to the mall was just as exhilarating as the first time she'd ridden the bike, the smooth roar of the engine vibrating her senses, her head pressed against Richard's back and taking in the Gotham sights behind the visor of the helmet. The ride was a good deal longer, which Kori thoroughly enjoyed, and she couldn't help but laugh with delight as they soared into the parking lot. She bounced off of the motorcycle, tugging the helmet from her head and shaking her auburn locks free. She combed through them swiftly with her fingers. Richard lifted an eyebrow, watching the ritual with interest.

Kori noted his stare and grinned bounding up to him and planting a solid kiss to his lips. She went to draw away, but this time it was Richard who pulled her back in, just long enough to revel in her taste and commit it to memory... not that he wasn't considering her refreshing said memory in the near future. "Mmm..." Richard declared as he let her free. Kori rolled her luminous eyes and slapped him lightly on the arm. Richard shrugged and offered her his arm escort style.