Author's Notes…

Quick update! Was feeling the vibe, and you guys begged so nicely!

Falling for the Enemy

Chapter Six

Challenge

Ben's father had told him something frequently when he'd been a child.

"If you ever find a woman who drives you absolutely nuts… makes you wanna pull your hair out and, I don't know, kill yourself to relieve the stress… Keep her."

"Keep her?" Ben had asked, skeptical even at the age of seven. "Mother and you fight constantly. Why would I want that for myself?"

"Listen, kid—drop the attitude." But it was said with a fond smirk and only a somewhat real huff of annoyance. "And we don't fight constantly."

Ben made a small noise of dissent.

Han crouched before his son. The sunlight played over his chestnut brown hair, and his eyes were particularly blue that day. Normally they were hazel. Maybe it had something to do with how blue the sky was.

"That's just… our way of communicating."

"Well, shouldn't you find a better one, then?" Ben retorted.

"It's what works. I'm not saying that's what needs to work for you—arguing all the time isn't… you know, healthy…"

"Father, I know very well you're only still married to Mother because you are not allowed to divorce her in our country." Ben had better things he could be doing. Like climbing out his window and onto the tree that let onto the lawn, where he could escape for hours and no one would notice.

No one ever noticed.

"Ben," Han had said. He chucked his son on the chin when Ben wouldn't look up at him. "If she doesn't drive you crazy, she's not worth your time."

That had never made sense to Ben. To this day, it still did not. Why would you want someone at your side who constantly annoyed you, who made you bicker with them? Ben stared across the room at Rey, seeing Dameron's arm around her, and he didn't like what he felt inside.

"You need a challenge," Han's voice seemed to whisper in his ears. "You're a Solo."

No, what he needed was to tell off his employee, who had blatantly disregarded his rule.

Ben reached Rey's side, not allowing himself to gaze at her body again. That way lay trouble. Trouble of the sort his father was invested in, and he did his best to act exactly the opposite of his father.

"I thought I told you plus ones weren't allowed," he said softly. He didn't want to cause a scene. The shop was different. This was a very ritzy affair.

Dameron, Poe fucking Dameron, chose this moment to turn with Rey still tucked under his arm. He held out his free hand. "Hey, there, Solo. Ignoring the fact that plus ones definitely were allowed, I had my own invitation." He looked down at Rey and smiled.

Ben wanted to punch him in the throat.

Or the balls.

Both.

Yes, definitely both.

Balls first, though.

However, he was a prince, and there was a certain responsibility he bore toward his family. He could not disgrace himself by making a public massacre. It would be terribly frowned upon.

"So you did," Ben conceded while imagining all the ways he could destroy Dameron.

Wait, why was he so bloodthirsty? He hated Dameron, sure. The man was his main competition. But never to this extent. No, it was the fact that he had Rey pressed against him. Rey.

This was simply not allowable.

"May I see you for a moment?" Ben asked Rey stiffly.

"I'm good, thanks," she replied, and Dameron chuckled.

Ben's blood pressure skyrocketed.

He grabbed Rey by the elbow and forcefully dragged her from Dameron, ignoring her struggles. He didn't stop until they were on the second story—the second story where only special invitees were allowed. Dameron stood below, staring up at Rey with worry, alternately glaring at Ben.

Rey yanked on her arm hard enough that she likely bruised herself. He hadn't been keen on letting it go.

"Are you mad?" she hissed. "You have no right to manhandle me that way!"

"You're making a mistake," he snarled.

Rey drew back. "What?"

"Dameron is an idiot. There's no brain in there past the charming good looks. All he knows how to do is race and rescue people."

"That's not—"

"Don't interrupt me!" Ben half-yelled.

"I'll interrupt you if I want to!" Rey half-yelled back.

He reached for her, and she stepped away. Partygoers eyed them curiously. Great. What he'd been wanting to avoid—a giant scene.

"You deserve better," Ben told her.

Rey came so close to him he thought, at first, that she was going to kiss him. She did not. She poked a finger against his chest, and it hurt, but he was a man, and he wasn't going to flinch.

"You treat me like a slave at work," she whispered. "You stalk me so that you can know everything about me. Or, at least, that's my guess! You tried to tell me I couldn't take a date for the evening after telling me it was mandatory for me to be here!"

"It was mandatory," Ben said defensively. Seconds after he'd texted her that it was.

"Let me get this straight—you hate me, and now you think you can dictate who I date?"

Her words were like a blow. Her mouth moved, more angry words spouting forth—he didn't hear her. He had gone inward, to the source of the pain. Why was he so winded? What was wrong with the statement she had made?

"And if you pull a stunt like this one more time, I'll—!"

"I don't hate you," Ben told her.

Rey faltered. "W-What…?"

Ben's ears turned a bright, burning red. This was why he was letting his hair grow out again. Stupid big ears. Giving him away every God damned time.

"Your plane seat for tomorrow has been adjusted to first class," he said shortly.

"What?!" Rey burst out. "I can't afford first class to France—!"

"The whole crew is. My treat."

Rey gaped at him.

"You shouldn't do that," he told her. "It makes you look unintelligent."

"I need to get back to my date," Rey said slowly, her eyes narrowed with what must have been suspicion. "If you'll excuse me." You mad man going unspoken.

"You keep saying date," Ben pointed out.

Rey paused on her way to the top of the stars. "What?"

Ben inwardly cursed himself. He hadn't wanted to state that. He hated that he was interested in her answer. "Not your boyfriend, not even your fiancé or husband. Date."

She blinked at him. "So?"

"It makes it seem like you're not in a relationship," he said, and he could have very well offed himself then and there and been done with it.

Rey pursed her lips. "It's not any of your business."

A slow smile came to his mouth then.

"Goodnight, Solo," she said, and she put her hand on the banister, walking down the exquisitely polished hardwood steps and their antique rug. He had the idle thought that she was made for royalty.

That creamy skin… that charming smile… that delighted laugh… her expression when she grew indignant…

Regal.

He watched her rejoin Dameron on the second floor, watched the other racer check to make sure Rey was all right. She smiled and waved it off, and though concerned, Dameron led them to the bar. Ben had overheard her saying she needed a drink.

"You need a challenge," Han had said, ruffling his hair. "You're a Solo. Solos thrive on them. Or else we get bored. And nothing good happens when we're bored, huh?" He looked knowing and severe, eyebrows raised.

Ben had giggled. It was one of the few memories he had of his father where he had been happy.

Great. Now he needed scotch.

There was a bar on the second floor, and he got himself a glass that cost fifty dollars. It was smooth going down, and Ben used this time to figure out his next move. It couldn't be with Rey… No, he thought as he continued to observe the pair down below, no… it had to be Dameron.

They were all flying to France tomorrow. Cars were prepped, plane seats and a hotel were booked, and everyone's passports were in order.

Everyone's except, perhaps, Dameron's. Being the prince that he was, he could easily call into question some legalities or customs involving Dameron's passport. By the time it all got sorted out, there would be no point in Dameron coming at all, because he would have missed this particular circuit. No, he'd have to wait until the next one.

Ben grinned and took another sip of his scotch. When Rey felt his gaze and looked up at him, he tipped his glass to her. Her brows furrowed. She had no idea what he was on about.

He only wanted Dameron out of the race. Was it cheating? Certainly. He didn't care—and that was the only reason he was going to do it. The only reason.

It had absolutely nothing to do with Rey.