Chapter 10

Rey woke slowly the next morning. She felt safe and warm, a rarity in her life up until yesterday. Her sleep hadn't been plagued with nightmares or distorted memories of her childhood. Instead, she had drifted in the dark, uninterrupted and secure.

Now, as her senses awakened with her mind, she became aware of a few things. First, she wasn't alone. Ben was with her. He had kept his promise and remained next to her all night. Second, though they had fallen asleep with him wrapped around her with her back flush against his chest, she awoke to a different position. She was lying with her cheek on his chest, one arm draped over his torso and one leg haphazardly thrown over his own.

Rey blushed. Regardless of the heated kisses they had shared and the feelings he had sparked in her (which she believed were mutual) she was not willing to chance Leia walking in on them if they were to pursue anything beyond kissing. Still, feeling the heat of him beneath her hands made her want it.

Ben must had felt her wandering hands, because he began to rouse. "Mmmm," he turned his head on the pillow towards her. His eyes blinked a few times, as he focused on her. "Morning, little one."

"Morning," she smiled over at him.

He lifted himself up just enough to kiss her, before flopping back into the pile of pillows. "What time is it?"

"I don't know. I just woke up," she admitted.

Ben stifled a yawn and nodded. He placed his hand on her back, rubbing soft circles there. "How did you sleep?"

"Good. You?"

"Perfect."

Rey beamed. She hadn't been the only one to have a restful night's sleep. It was hard not to wish every morning could be like this one.

"You're going shopping with my mom today," he reminded her.

"That's the plan."

He groaned. "Don't sound so enthusiastic."

"Why? Because she does like me even though she has a weird way of showing it?"

Rey meant it to come out jokingly, but as she said the words, she had her own doubts. Leia has every right to be concerned when it came to Ben. Rey had hoped her concern wouldn't affect their relationship. She liked Leia and she wanted the woman's approval.

"She does like you," Ben insisted. "She's just pulling the protective mother act because she's built it up over the last twelve years."

It made sense to Rey — really, it did — but it didn't make it hurt any less. What Leia had brought up about her parents was a shadow Rey felt she'd be trying to escape the rest of her days.

She had never had a sip of alcohol and after her altercation with Plutt, she didn't ever plan on it. Alcohol had already cost her too much in her short life. Rey didn't think she could ever enjoy the substance, even socially.

"Rey." Ben gave her a squeeze. "She's looking forward to today. Everything will be fine, alright, little one?"

"Alright."

"I promise," he told her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She leaned into him, savoring the warmth and comfort his proximity provided her. "If you need a get-out-of-jail-free card, just remind her that you're the best chance she has of ever having grandchildren."

"Ben!"

Rey grabbed the nearest pillow and swatted him with it. He only laughed.

After the three of them had breakfast (and Rey finally caught a glimpse of the snobby Threepio), Ben drove both of them over to the mall.

Rey insisted on sitting in the back, since she was their guest, even after Leia told her she'd be fine.

"It will be like Driving Miss Daisy."

To which Ben's only response was to roll his eyes and tell his mother to get in the car before he left without her.

The Canto Bight Mall was more luxurious than any place Rey had ever been — not that she had much to compare it to. She felt out of place in her jean shorts and tank top paired with her grease covered sneakers. She was almost sure she'd be kicked out of each store, had it not been for Leia and Ben at her sides.

Ben left them to do their 'girl thing,' claiming he had some research to do and errands to run. He gave Rey a chaste kiss on the edge of her mouth before he took off. She smiled as she watched him drive away, still amazed they had found one another.

"Let's go in here first," Leia suggested, leading her inside the mall and making a sharp right into a shoe store.

Rey sighed and resigned herself to the day Leia had outlined for her. When she followed Leia instead, she nearly went right back out. The shoe store was more than sneakers and flip flops. It had pumps, boots, and other styles Rey had no name for. She glanced up at the sign behind the cashier.

Aldo. It was a brand name and, judging by the way the attendants rushed to help her get fitted, an expensive one.

Leia sat by her, as the sales associates assaulted them with box after box of options. Rey insisted she only needed a new pair of sneakers — real ones, not fashion sneakers — but Leia insisted she needed a wide range of options.

After what seemed like forever, they departed with two bags each filled with boxes.

From there they ventured into several boutiques for clothes. Leia handled Rey's protests much the same as she had in Aldo. They meandered in Banana Republic and J. Crew, but the prep style (as Leia referred to it) was not for Rey.

They tried H&M next, followed by Express, Garage, and Free People. Rey had more luck there, opting for plain, simple, and comfortable over fashion. Leia did convince her to toss in a few dressy options, telling Rey she may want them for a special occasion like a date, to which Rey turned scarlet.

"We have one more stop before lunch," Leia told her, as they continued through the mall.

"Great!" Rey cheered, "I'm starving."

Rey had assumed the last stop was for Leia, so when they rounded the corner to enter a lingerie store, she stopped dead in her tracks.

No. The mother of her — 'boyfriend' didn't fit, not with all they had been through — Ben (she was going to refer to him as Ben) was not about to purchase her new undergarments. Absolutely not. Rey drew the line there.

One of the store clerks was already talking animatedly with Leia at the entrance, but Rey hung back. She refused to step inside the intimidating store, especially with her former principal.

Leia caught her wary stare and exited just as quickly as she had entered. "Rey, I'm going to go down to Barnes and Noble to get a new planner for next year. I've arranged for you to have a fitting with Amy."

"A fitting?"

"Yes, for your bras."

"Leia-."

"No, no, don't start!" Leia pressed a credit card into Rey's hands. "Get whichever ones you want. Amy can help make sure you get the right sizes."

"I only need a couple."

Leia scoffed. "You are going to college. You don't want to be doing laundry every day. Get at least a dozen and make sure you pick out a swim suit or two, as well. You'll need it for Spring Break."

Right! Rey wanted to roll her eyes. When was she ever going to have the money to go on Spring Break?

"I'll be just down there," Leia pointed to the bookstore down the hallway. "Come find me when you're done and we can go get lunch." Without another word, she walked away, leaving Rey standing outside the store clutching her bags in one hand and the credit card in her other.

"Ms. Rey?"

She turned to see the attendant waiting for her. With a huff, Rey ventured into the lingerie store.

The girl turned out to be actually quite helpful. Her name was Kaydel Connix and she was a senior at Corellia. Once she found out Rey was set to attend in the fall, there was no stopping her chatter. She gave Rey advice on which of the Greek houses had the best parties, where to get a decent cup of coffee, and pointed out the importance of attending all the football games.

By the time Kaydel was done giving Rey the rundown on her college choice, Rey had her arms full of sixteen different sets of bras and panties in a varying selection of colors. She also had a swimsuit on her arm. Never having owned one before, she wasn't comfortable with a bikini, so she had chosen a black one piece with mesh panels. Kaydel called it "practical sexy," to which Rey just laughed. She wasn't sure if there was a way to be practical and sexy, but she didn't have much experience in that arena.

After paying for her items and thanking Kaydel, she walked down to the bookstore. Leia was already waiting for her, eager to take Rey to one of the restaurants in the mall, where she claimed they had the best Cobb salad.

"Rey," Leia started, as they enjoyed their lunch together, "there's something I've been meaning to ask you about."

Rey paused, her fork hovering over her salad, waiting for what she was sure would be judgement about her relationship with Ben. After the fight she had overheard last night, she was anticipating Leia to dissuade her dating Ben.

"Your foster...father," Leia spoke the word slowly, as if unsure how else to refer to Plutt. "Have you considered filing charges against him?"

Rey hadn't been expecting Leia to bring up her past situation. When she looked into the older woman's eyes, she saw a concern and steel determination. Rey wasn't sure how to respond. Ben was the only one who had ever fought on her behalf before.

Leia slid her hand across the table to put on Rey's arm. "I know a lot of very powerful people. I could help you get a restraining order and make sure what happened to you never happens to anyone else again."

"I don't think he'll come after me," Rey commented, "not after what Ben did."

Here she paused, worried Leia would be upset about her son's involvement in the final altercation. "Though I would get the Falcon out of there before he does something irreversible."

"The car is a machine," Leia patted her arm. "It can be replaced. You are made of flesh and blood. There will never be another one like you. Ben knows this." She smiles at Rey, warm and genuine.

Rey didn't hesitate to return the smile. "He learned from the best." She turned her arms so she could squeeze Leia's hand.

The older woman sighed then, the smiling slipping off her face. "I feel as though I owe you an apology, Rey."

"For what?"

Leia's eyes shifted away from Rey's face, focusing on something else in the distance. "I should have championed for you last year."

What?

"Cassian," Leia continued, "Had his suspicions about your home life. When he brought them to me, I planned on getting involved, but I've seen what false allegations can do to a person, so I sought other opinions."

"Other teachers?"

"Yes," Leia nodded, taking a moment to gather her thoughts. "Well I spoke to them, they expressed concern with me showing favoritism. It isn't surprising. The board had been trying to get me to retire for years and some people were looking for a way to push me out."

Rey pushed her salad back. Leia had known about her terrible conditions and had chosen not to intervene because of her job. It felt like a punch in the gut. The woman she had grown up admiring, the one who she had immediately liked, hadn't lifted a finger to help her.

Until yesterday, which begged the question.

"So why now?"

"Ben is rather taken with you."

Rey made a face. Certainly that couldn't be all there was to it. Ben was Leia's only child, yes, but was she so quick to throw caution to the wind just because her son was interested in someone?

Leia read her expression. "He didn't hesitate. He saw injustice and he didn't think of anyone else...just you."

As hurt as she was knowing the truth of Leia's choice, Rey always felt a surge of warmth for how Ben had stood up for her. Even without his memories of her, he had been looking out for her, protecting her despite her indifference.

"Rey, I'm sorry," Leia said, softly. "It was inexcusable of me to turn back on you. Maybe if I hadn't you wouldn't..." She trailed off and Rey didn't have to look at her to know she was admiring Rey's wounded face.

"I...I'd like to go back now," Rey told Leia, her voice wavering a bit.

"Yes, of course."

Leia handled the bill and they rose from their seats. Wordlessly, they made their way to the entrance. Rey was relieved when she saw Ben standing there, waiting for them. Her pace picked up, the moment his eyes caught hers. His calm expression fell away the instant he took in her distraught one. He moved towards her in the same instant and then his arms were crushing her to his chest. She dropped her bags, not caring about the contents within. All she cared about was how it felt to be embraced and accepted by him.

"Shhhh, little one," he whispered into her hair, as he held her. "Shhhh, it's alright now. I've got you."

She never even had to tell him what was wrong.

Once they arrived back at the house, Rey went straight up to the guest room to shower. She didn't bother to say a word to either Ben or Leia. Neither one tried to stop her.

She waited until she stepped under the shower head to cry. It felt as though she had been doing that a lot lately. Knowing the truth, about how she had been passed over by Leia, stung. Even though she had Ben, her abandonment issues were cut open like a fresh wound.

It was clear why Ben had been so cold towards his mother and why they had been fighting. He had known. He had known the entire time that his mother had left Rey at Plutt's. Had their roles been reversed, she would have been livid over the idea a minor had been left in such a state.

As it was, Ben was on the same wave length with her. The moment she stepped out of the shower she heard shouting. She dried off to the sounds of both her hosts screaming at one another. The mid exact words were difficult to discern through the wooden floor boards, but Rey could make out the protective tone of Ben's deep timbre.

She changed into a new set of pajamas, locating it out of one of the dozen or so bags Ben must have brought up while she was in the bathroom.

The set was a basic cotton camisole and shorts in a light gray color. It was practical and covered enough she would feel comfortable walking around her dorm at Corellia in it once she arrived.

The yelling continued and she decided it was in her best interest to stay out of it. She wasn't ready to speak to Leia yet anyway. Instead, she turned her attention to the collection of bags on the floor and began pulling out each of her purchases.

There were jeans in a variety of washes and colors, tops ranging from tanks and tees to long sleeves and sweaters, and an assortment of cardigans, light weight jackets, and hoodies. Leia had scoffed at the casual nature of Rey's choices, so she had caved in and also selected a couple of sundresses, a charcoal pencil skirt, and a little black dress, which apparently was to be called an LBD.

The real reason Rey had picked out those pieces had more to do with looking nice for a potential date with Ben than Leia's insistence for her to have some elegant pieces.

They only had about three weeks left until her scheduled move-in day at Corellia College. Rey wanted to make the most of those days with Ben. She wouldn't be able to work again until her stitches came out, so it would give her an excuse to spend every waking moment with him.

She was so deep in thought, daydreaming about what they could do together, while she organized her new clothes that she hadn't noticed the fighting downstairs had come to a stop. Rey reached down into one of the bags, retrieving a black lace set she and purchased when Leia had left her alone.

At the time, Rey had thought black was practical for under her darker clothing but now as she held it against herself, she realized it was also suggestive. Flush crept into her face and she tossed the pair on to the bed with the other items.

"Did you get those today?"

Rey jumped at the sound of his voice. Ben chuckled and shut the door behind him.

"I came up here to check on you," he told her, "and I'm glad I did." He admired her in her pajama set, stepping closer so he could run the side of his finger down her bare arm. "You're always so warm."

"Is that bad?" She asked, trying to read his expression, as he drank her in.

"No."

Ben leaned down, his hands caressing her hips as his lips met her own. Rey felt he tension from earlier vanish as he kissed her. She reached her hands up to his hair. It was her favorite thing to touch — smooth as silk and lusciously thick, like the rest of him.

Apparently Ben enjoyed her tugging on it and carding her fingers through his locks too because he let out a pleased groan. Rey giggled, giving another tug. He bent down, sliding his hands lower until they were cupping her ass and then with a light huff, he was picking her up.

"Oh!"

"Shhh, little one," he whispered, against her, as he wrapped one arm around her and used the other to shove all her new clothes off the bed and onto the floor. "I've got you, remember?"

As if she could forget. Ben knelt on the bed with one knee, keeping her tight against his chest until he had cleared away all the offending articles of clothing. He set her down and proceeded to pull his shirt off. Rey stared openly at his chest.

The man had been in a coma for twelve years, why did he had an eight pack? How was he so ripped? She had learned all about muscle contractures when she had worked at the rehab center. His peak physical state made no medical sense. Then again, neither did the fact he had been woken up by her and a magical pair of dice, so really, who was she to complain?

Her brain turned off the second Ben crawled over her. She couldn't speak, couldn't move, and she definitely couldn't think... at least not about anything other than his hands on her.

"Did you buy those for me?" Ben asked, inclining his head in the direction he had tossed her lingerie.

Rey felt as though her entire body flushed at the implication.

"Good girl," he crooned, dropping his head to suck at the pulse point on her neck.

If she hadn't been able to think clearly before, Rey found it hard to think at all the second she felt his teeth against her throat. How did he know her body so well? Each time he touched her, it set off a chain reaction of sparks and fire.

She was barely aware of how her body arched up off the mattress and into his own. There was heat radiating off of her skin, like a furnace, and she was convinced she would combust at any moment.

"Ben?"

"Yes, my little one?"

"I need..."

What did she need? She knew what sex was. Just like everyone else in high school, she had had to take the mandatory health class session which went into painstaking detail about it. She had never thought she'd actually need that knowledge. No one wanted her.

Until now.

"What do you need, Rey?" Ben asked, between continuing his assault down the front of her. He hit her collarbone and then went lower, right at the lip of her camisole top.

The heat of her body intensified and she was positive she'd die before she could articulate a response.

One of Ben's hands snaked down between them, to rest on her hipbone. His thumb dragged lazy circles under the waistband of her shorts. Rey jerked upward from the sensation.

"Relax, little one," he whispered, his words blowing warmly across her damp skin. "I'm going to take care you."

All Rey could do was lie there and nod. Ben was watching her, making sure she wanted this — wanted him. And God, did she ever!

"You need to be quiet for me, Rey. Can you do that?"

Another nod

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth.

It was a good thing she did because once she gave him permission to continue, Ben dipped his hand beneath the cotton fabric of her shorts. He ran his hand over her core, glancing up to grin wolfishly at her when he realized she wasn't wearing any panties.

"You're perfect," he told her.

Rey couldn't formulate a response. Instead she was forced to grip onto the bedsheets, as Ben traced her folds with his fingertip. She had never been touched there before, not even by herself.

When you lived with someone like Unkar Plutt luxurious like self-pleasure weren't really an option. Plus, she had always been to busy trying to survive to worry about that sort of thing.

Of course now...well, Now was a completely different story.

As Ben's finger continued to tease her entrance, his thumb pressed against her clit and Rey threw her head back, eyes squeezing shy tightly. Behind her lids, she saw stars. It was like getting hooked up to a set of spark plugs. The electricity swam through her veins and went directly to her core.

And all she could think was, "More."

She hadn't realized she had spoken the plea out loud, until Ben picked up his pace, eager to please her and bring her the release she craved. Rey could feel herself rising toward some unnamed landmark, a height she had never before reached on her own. The crescendo built in her belly and cascaded over from there until her whole body was thrumming under Ben's touch.

But it still wasn't enough to send her over the edge.

Rey rolled her head forward, staring at Ben, who was concentrating on his task. "Ben?"

He glanced up at her.

She was still too nervous to ask for what she wanted, but once again, he was on the same wavelength. He surged forward to catch her lips with his own and slipped his finger inside her molten center.

Rey bucked her hips, instinct taking over as she gave into the delicious stretch of her walls around his digit. Ben remained leaning forward, his kisses becoming more frantic and sloppy as he started to thrust his finger in and out of her while keeping his thumb pressed firmly on her button.

The landmark was in sight and Rey let herself meet it.

He caught her eyes and clamped a hand over her mouth just in time to muffle her euphoric cry, as she went careening over the edge.

"Fuck!" Ben gasped, falling forward only far enough so that he could rest his forehead against hers. They were both covered in a fine layer of perspiration, both panting for oxygen they had denied themselves in pursuit of their goal.

Rey felt her body go lax, all the buzzing had stopped and she was left in a blissful state underneath him.

Ben carefully removed himself from her, rolling to the side. She turned lazily to face him, watching as he sucked his finger clean. He returned her stare, never once blinking. The intensity of his gaze as he licked himself clean of her had Rey's body thrumming once more.

"What about you?" she asked.

Ben looked at her, as if she wasn't real. "Rey, you don't have."

She didn't wait for him to finish his sentence. Rey started to help Ben shimmy out of his pants and boxers. It wasn't right that he was constantly taking care of her. She wanted to take care of him too. From what she could remember from health class, he would be very sensitive at the tip of his—

Fuck.

Rey paused, eyes glued to massive member standing erect. How was that supposed to fit inside of her? Up until now their size difference hadn't been a concern to her. She had actually found it comforting, but now she was intimidated and filled with fear that she wouldn't be able to please him the way he had pleased her.

"Rey." Ben wrapped a hand around hers. She looked at where he was holding her hand and an idea popped into her brain.

"Show me how you do it," she suggested.

"What?" Ben clearly didn't believe he had heard her correctly.

Rey moved their hands to his erection, so the back of hand gently ran along the underside of his cock. "Show me how you touch yourself, Ben."

He cursed under his breath, too low for her to understand what he had said. "I can't believe you're mine," he muttered, shifting to kiss her temple before he guided her hand over his hard-on.

She let him direct her hand, her small fingers barely reaching around him. Rey brought her second hand over, situating one on top of the other so she could hold all of him.

"Good, that's good." Ben placed his hands over hers, showing her how to much pressure to apply and the best way to stroke.

Rey had always been a fast learner and after a minute or so, she was pumping without anymore guidance. Ben's head flopped back onto the bed, his breathing becoming ragged.

"Little one," he tugged at the strap on we camisole. "I want to see you. I want these off."

She ignored him at first, but he became more insistent, pawing at her pajamas, until she paused her efforts long enough to strip bare. Once they were both naked, Rey moved back over him to resume.

That was when Leia called up the stairs, causing them both to jump.

"What do you kids want for dinner?"

"Goddamn it," Ben hissed.

"Is she going to come up here?" Rey felt all the blood drain from her face. Leia hadn't been inclined to help her before. If she caught her jerking her son off, Rey was sure she'd kick her out.

"No," Ben growled. "I told her to give you some space."

"We have to answer her."

"Cover your ears," Ben instructed her. Rey clamped her hands over her ears just as he boomed, "Just order from Mos Eisley and call it a night!"

"Fine!" Leia screamed back.

Ben shook his head, before turning back to Rey. "Where were we?"

Rey reached for him, noticing clear beads of liquid had formed at the tip. She thought of how Ben had licked his fingers cleaned and what it had done to her to see such a sight. It was time for him to get a taste of his own medicine.

She stacked her hands on his cock, working up a slow steady rhythm as she pumped him. Ben's head lulled to the side, falling back on the pillows once more. Rey waited for his eyes to flutter close before she leaned down and took the tip into her mouth.

Ben jerked at the surprise sensation. "Rey, what are y—." The rest of the question turned into an unintelligible noise as she sucked the fluid off his member.

Taking in his very pleased reaction, Rey continued to stroke him while using her mouth to taste him. Ben's hands were fisting at his sides and his hips twitched earnestly every so often, but he controlled himself enough not to buck out of her hold.

"Little one," he moaned, "I'm...I'm not going to last of you keep— uh!"

Rey made him forget his protests as she moved her hands lower, one still pumping him, while the other massaged his sack. She bobbed her head down a bit further too, taking in as much of him as she was able to.

"Rey. Fuck, Rey! I'm gonna-."

She felt his cock twitch and then he was spilling into her waiting mouth. Rey slowed her ministrations, coaxing him through his aftershocks. His hips pulled several times before his release ended.

Wiping her lips with the back of her hand, she gave him a satisfied smirk, as she maneuvered herself to lay down next to him on her bed. "Where did you learn to do that?"

Ben gazed over at her through bleary, blissful eyes. He cocked an eyebrow at her question.

"What you did to me before? How did you know where to…to touch me?"

"You ladies went shopping and I…did some research," he informed her, his ears turning red. His prior confidence ebbed away and the man who had made her body sing turned back into the shy, inexperienced person she had come to know.

"Research?" She teased, gently shoving his arm.

The color darkened on his ears and bloomed across his face. "I didn't want to disappoint you."

Rey's teasing ended immediately. "Ben," she took his face in her hands, "you came back to me. You got me away from Plutt. You gave me some place to stay and food — food, Ben," she stressed the importance of that particular one. Food was never something she hadn't had to work for or worry about. He had resolved all of that for her. "I don't think you're capable of disappointing me."

"I love you," he replied, reaching out to stroke his hand down her bare side.

"I love you too."

Rey snuggled into his side, content to enjoy another moment wrapped up in him. Ben hugged his arms around her, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"After twelve years lying in a bed, I didn't think I'd ever want to spend any length of time in one again," Ben commented, "but you've proved me wrong again, little one."

A/N: Thank you to my beta star-horse for going through this one with me while I went back and forth on the one scene. Her advice always helps!