Kylo jerked awake at the abrupt tremor, shuddering irksomely against his thigh. Rey grumbled something unintelligible as she rolled over to her other side, slipping out of Kylo's arms and hugging the covers to fold into herself.
Kylo growled furiously, taking his phone out of his pocket. He grew even more irate when he saw who was calling him so early on a Sunday morning. Reluctantly, he got out of bed to take the call outside so as not to disturb Rey's sleep any further.
He should've ignored the call and not answered, but Kylo was livid. How dare he have the audacity to disturb their peaceful slumber, removing her out of his arms like that? Kylo needed to unleash his anger.
"What the fuck do you want?" Kylo snapped into his phone once he was in the hallway out of Rey's earshot.
"Oh, I'm just checking up on you," a familiar and highfalutin voice declared matter-of-factly. "Having fun, Ren?"
"Cut the bullshit, Hux," Kylo yawned, his brewing rage coloring the words that followed. "I don't have time for this."
"Hmm, time," Hux purred musingly, which further vexed Kylo. Most people cowered in fear before Kylo, but that wasn't the case with Hux. He was one of the very few who wasn't afraid of him. "It's something you're running out of lately, isn't it? Take, for example, yesterday's meeting with Lor San Tekka. It looks like you didn't have time for that appointment either."
"No, I didn't," Kylo stated angrily. "But if your nosy ass must know, I had the appointment rescheduled."
"Rescheduled?" Hux repeated incredulously. "Really? Why, that's interesting since we already lost his account."
"What?"
"I just learnt that he met with Poe Dameron yesterday and decided to go with Resistance Technologies instead. Since our COO was too busy to meet with him, he decided to go with someone who did care about his investment."
"Fucking shit," Kylo cursed as he ran a hand through his hair. "He met with Poe?"
"Yes, he did," Hux sneered impatiently. "You know, I didn't think you would need reminding of how dire our situation is, but it would seem that you do." He stopped briefly to sigh with gusto, as if he were about to scold a petulant child. "Our firm is in trouble, Ren. It's suffering withdrawals and staggering losses. The firm is dying, hemorrhaging money and not all of us have Daddy's trust fund to fall back on."
"I fucking know that already, Hux," he spat his name out with odium. "And to even insinuate that I don't care is a grave mistake on your part. You've no idea what I've done for this company. My company."
"Mr. Snoke's company," Hux corrected, pausing a beat to let that sink in before continuing. "Typical Ren. Always self-centered, arrogant and indifferent to the interest of others. We are but mere stewards of Mr. Snoke's vision-a vision I consider myself extremely fortuitous to be a part of. You should try regarding it in that manner, too. Maybe then you'd take this more seriously."
"Hux-"
"A word of advice?" Hux talked over him, wanting to get one simple message across. "Careful, Ren, that your personal interests don't interfere with orders from Mr. Snoke."
Kylo fumed, his cheeks and ears flushing red.
"Some advice for you, Hux," Kylo countered coolly as opposed to how scalding hot with bubbling temper he felt inside. "For your sake, don't ever tell me what to do. Ever."
"Only when it inconveniences you, it seems," Hux disputed. "I saw that you took me up on my offer. Pity that not even one of Unkar's girls could help you be more… agreeable. Still the same Ren as always."
"Still the same Hux as always," Kylo yanked the phone away from his ear and roared "-a huge pain in my ass," then pressed the button to end the call.
Pretentious ginger pissant, Kylo thought as he dialed another number. He brought the phone back up to his ear.
"Good morning, sir," his assistant chirped cheerily, but Kylo noticed the minuscule quiver in his voice.
"What time did you get Lor San Tekka to reschedule our appointment to?"
"Oh, uh, well… sir, about that… I-he," Mitaka was bumbling like an idiot, trying to find the way to inform his boss of his failure.
"Mitaka, stop," Ren interrupted. "I already know he didn't reschedule the meeting and I'm disappointed to have found that out from someone else and not you."
"Oh, sir, I didn't want to disappoint you!" Mitaka cried. "Which is why I hadn't told you. I was going to reach out to him again today."
"Don't bother," Kylo hissed, then sighed heavily. "He already decided to go with Dameron. I'll just have to double my efforts on getting new clients today. You sent me the profiles of every prominent person that will be in attendance at the match today, correct?"
"That's correct, Mr. Ren," Mitaka replied.
"Good," Kylo nodded, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. "I'll start looking over them now. How about the… other reports I asked for? How are those coming along?"
"Good so far, sir," Mitaka reported eagerly. "I'm just about done with the list of men who attended the gala last night. I'll get that to you momentarily."
"Excellent. And the other report?"
"I will get right to it after I'm done with the gala list. I was waiting for those places to open first so I can contact them about Kira Knight and then go from there."
A boastful grin appeared on his lips. "I'll check in on your progress with that later."
Kylo hung up, ending the call abruptly as was his custom. Yawning, he went over to the bathroom, stopping briefly in Rey's room to see she was still sound asleep, curled up into a tight ball underneath the covers. He smiled sweetly at her, then went to shower and changed into his Dior Homme steel gray suit with a black shirt and tie.
Once he was finished getting dressed, he grabbed his laptop from his room and made himself a cup of coffee, then walked back towards Rey's room. He saw that she had not woken up yet and Kylo allowed her to keep resting. She could afford to sleep in for a while longer since the game didn't start until noon anyway. Taking a seat at the settee adjacent to her bed, he opened up his computer to study the profiles of potential clients Mitaka had sent, memorizing names, faces, and facts.
About two hours into his poring, there was a loud ping notifying the arrival of a new email. Mitaka had at last sent the complete list of male gala attendees. Kylo had been relatively quiet so as not to disturb the sleeping beauty, but the high-pitched sound stirred Rey.
"Hmm?" Rey mumbled, her eyes fluttering open as she stretched out her limbs in a most languid fashion.
She reached over with her hand and didn't feel Kylo next to her, making her sit straight up. That was when she saw him over on the small couch. He looked extremely handsome dressed in his sharp, polished suit and Rey felt a gradual pressure beginning to build between her thighs at the sight of him.
"Good morning, beautiful," he greeted with a coy grin and a timid wave.
"Mornin', handsome," Rey replied back. She tried her best to look as enticing as possible while discreetly wiping at the corners of her eyes.
"Did you sleep well?" Kylo asked, attempting to choke down a chuckle.
"Yes, I did," Rey yawned, stretching her arms overhead, "for the most part. You woke me up at one point with your snoring."
"Wait," Kylo shifted, "I woke you?"
"Yep," she nodded while getting out of bed. "You snore like a saw through lumber. You really should get that checked out."
Kylo couldn't hold it in anymore, laughing boisterously. "You should get it checked out, too."
Rey crossed her arms. "Get what checked?"
"Your snoring," Kylo snorted loudly. "It's bad."
Rey looked slighted. "I do not snore." Do I?
"You do, and quite loud, too."
Rey could feel her face burn red. Could it be true? No one's ever told her she snored, but then again she never slept with anyone in bed. Only once before with…
She ran to grab her phone and started typing frantically.
Do I snore?
She hit the little blue arrow to send the message. Rey glared anxiously at the three blinking dots on the lower left corner of her screen. It seemed like forever, waiting for her to answer back, but only a couple seconds had passed when she received a text.
Sometimes you do. Really loud, too. Like a Mack Truck :P
Rey's eyes bulged, filling with horror and mortification. She looked up apprehensively to find Kylo staring at her, giggles still upon his lips as his hand tried to smother them.
Why did you never tell me?!
The three dots popped up once more and this time it was a full minute before she got a reply.
We don't really talk. The topic never came up. Now that we each have our own bedrooms, I had forgotten about it. Until Thursday night when we slept in your bed. Then I remembered lol. Why? Did your client complain about it? How are things going with him, btw?
Oh my God, I do snore!
Ttyl, Jess
"I guess I do snore," Rey admitted feebly, tossing her phone on the bed and dropping her head in shame. She was so embarrassed. "My roommate just confirmed it. Sorry."
"It's alright," Kylo chuckled softly, putting his laptop down to make his way over to her. "I apologize for my snoring, too. I guess we both just slept a bit too well."
"I suppose," Rey shrugged once he stopped in front of her. Her gaze remained glued to the floor, still too ashamed to look him in the eye. "Why are you dressed already? Do we have somewhere to be?"
"Yes, we do," Kylo told her while tilting her chin up to peer into her pretty eyes. "We have a polo match to attend."
"Polo? We have that in Chicago?"
"Technically in Oak Brook, but yes," Kylo trailed his long finger along her jawline and Rey's teeth sunk into her lower lip at his electrifying touch. "You woke up just in time. It starts at noon, so you should start getting ready."
"Ok," she looked into his piercing stare, smiling seductively.
The gesture made Kylo throw his arms around her, his left palm resting lightly on the small of her back and his right hand gripping her delicate neck.
"Do you have an answer for me yet?" Kylo asked, pulling her body up against his. "You must've slept on it a bit, I hope."
"Umm, I… you… us," Rey's head spun wildly, losing herself in his intense stare. Kylo's closeness, the charged feel of his touch on her skin, the woody and herbaceous notes of his cologne drawing her in, the firmness she felt pressed against her belly-it was all so heady, so intoxicating. Rey began to lose her balance.
He still wants me to be his? Even after I told him the truth-that even my own mother didn't want me?
"Well?" He nudged urgently, pushing into her so she could feel him even more. Her hazel eyes roamed over his long face, studying the beauty marks peppered throughout, his smoldering deep-set eyes, his sensual full lips. That mouth of his! So inviting, so kissable… It was getting to be too much to resist.
"Umm, I...uh-" Rey shook her head, trying desperately to find something-anything-to distract her so she could regain her footing. "Your breath stinks."
"What?"
"Your breath-it reeks," Rey insisted, wriggling out of his arms.
She caught the look of affront cross his handsome face as he took a step back, making her laugh.
"So does yours," Kylo accused without thinking, his temper beating out his chivalry in that instant. He regretted it almost immediately. Until she spoke up once more.
"Well, I have a good excuse," Rey countered. "I just woke up! You, on the other hand… you've been up for a while now, haven't you?" She tutted disapprovingly and stepped to the side, walking away towards the bathroom. "Next time you try to seduce me, make sure you don't have coffee-diluted halitosis. You'll have a much better chance then."
Kylo set his jaw, placing his hands on hips. His irritation was short-lived, melting away like ice on a sweltering summer day as he stared at her backside, watching her leave.
He's still not playing fair-the asshole, Rey scoffed silently. He thinks he can get me to break first? Hmph! Not if I can get him to bend first.
Rey swiftly pulled her shirt off, tossing it overhead so that it landed right behind her. She peeped over her shoulder, careful not to show her bare chest and caught Kylo ogling hungrily at her. With a huge smirk plastered across her pretty pink lips, Rey gave him a lascivious wink before resuming her steps. Somehow she knew exactly how to push each and every one of his buttons.
Kylo's pants grew tighter around his crotch as he replayed the image of her winking at him, the cheeks of her perfectly sculpted bottom peeking out of her lace panties so invitingly. His mind wandered helplessly, imagining how exquisite her breasts would look like and how much he itched to rip off her only piece of clothing, to have her naked body completely exposed before him. He shook his head, trying to erase the titillating image from his brain. The attempt was futile.
She took over Kylo's body then as he moved automatically, running after Rey until he came up right behind her. He stuck out his hand to grab her, but she hadn't noticed him and shut the bathroom door behind her.
Goddamn it, Kylo rested his hand and head on the door, contemplating his next move. Should he go back? Should he knock? Should he break down the door and fuck her senseless on the bathroom floor?
No, he shouldn't do that. She deserved more than fucking. She merited his reverence and adoration, but he could only give all of him if she gave all of her. He couldn't let her get her way. She couldn't win. No matter how much his body screamed for her, his temperature soaring to a practically febrile state.
Rey placed her back on the bathroom door, biting down hard on her bottom lip as she hastily removed her underwear.
Damn, he looked really good in that suit, she mused, her fingers skimming down her abdomen until they reached her throbbing south. A cracked moan of desperation rang low in her throat as she wished like crazy they were his fingers instead, moving over her body, touching her soft skin, her sensitive-
Kylo heard her through the door, the tantalizing sounds of her grunts, her pants loud in his ear. He knew what she was doing and he wanted so badly to do it himself-to make her scream like a banshee from pure, unadulterated ecstasy. His hand reached for the doorknob as her passionate breaths intensified. He hesitated, though, continuing to listen to her frantic huffs and puffs until she finally found her release.
Kylo just about lost it when he heard his name hang off her lips with a resounding groan. He took a couple steps back, achingly aware of how much she had affected him, but he was unyielding in his resolve. He wouldn't give in. Not yet. Not until she agreed to be his. Only his.
He dashed toward Rey's room to retrieve his computer before locking himself inside his messy room. Kylo needed to find his own release. Once he was done, he unfortunately discovered it did next to nothing to quench his thirst, to satisfy his voracious appetite. For her. Only for her.
To get his mind off of his discomposure, he decided to channel his frustration into finding the bastard who hurt Rey. He grabbed his laptop to open up his email, looking over the list Mitaka had sent him. There were 223 names on it.
"Fuck me," he sighed, scrolling through the long list.
Despite that, Kylo was relentless in his pursuit. He was determined to find out who it was. He couldn't wait until he could get his hands on him, make him suffer and bleed until he was begging for mercy. Begging for death. And he'd be more than willing to oblige to such a request.
There had to be someway he could narrow down the suspects. He sat in a pensive stupor when at last, a light bulb went off in his head. He took out his phone to make a call. Why hadn't he thought of this sooner?
"Hello, Mr. Ren," a thick, Eastern European accent greeted him.
"Madame Plutt," Kylo addressed politely, disguising his detestation for the woman.
"Please, sir, you can call me Unkar," she corrected. "What a pleasant surprise hearing from you. I hope Kira has been entertaining you well, yes?"
Kylo scowled at the way Unkar was referring to her-as if she were some plaything and not a person. He somehow managed to keep his cool. "Yes, she has, but I'm calling to ask you for, for a favor of sorts."
"A favor?" Unkar asked skeptically. "How can I be of service?"
Kylo didn't wish to beat around the bush. He got right to it. "I want to know the name of the man Kira had an appointment with on Friday. The one she had to cancel to be with me instead."
There was a long pause.
"Why… why do you wish to know that?"
"That is none of your concern," Kylo answered icily.
"Oh, it is, sir," she stated firmly. "My clients are my business. Unfortunately, I can not do what you ask of me, Mr. Ren, because of client confidentiality."
"Sure you can," Kylo rebutted confidently. "Just name your price, Unkar."
"Price?" Unkar's voice raised in pitch, her interest obviously piqued.
"Tell me how much you want for the name of that man and I'll give it to you."
There was another pause, but this one was much shorter than the last.
"$10,000."
"Done."
"Well, Mr. Ren," Unkar chuckled greedily. "We have a deal."
"I'm glad we could come to an understanding so quickly," Kylo declared, rolling his eyes. "What's the client's name?"
"I must see money first, Mr. Ren," Unkar announced smoothly. "It is not because I do not trust you, but I am breaking a big rule for you. Very big rule! I need reassurance that it is worth it."
Kylo exhaled sharply. "Hold on." He made the wire transfer to her account on his phone in a matter of seconds. "There. The money is in your account."
"Give me a moment to verify," Unkar had the gall to say to him. He waited impatiently, drumming his fingers on his thigh. "Why, yes, I do see the money. Thank you, sir."
"The name, Plutt," Kylo growled with restless eagerness.
"I think you mean names, Mr. Ren," Unkar corrected.
His brows knitted, confusion etching into his features. "What?"
"Kira had three appointments scheduled that day," Unkar disclosed. "She is becoming my most popular girl, you know-"
"The names then," Kylo bellowed with exasperation. "Give me the names!"
"I do not know or care why you want this information, Mr. Ren," Unkar continued, a slight tremble apparent in her tone, "but I trust you will have discretion."
"Yes!" Kylo assured her.
"I give you a very good deal, Mr. Ren,"
Unkar chuckled. "Three names for price of one."
He listened intently as Unkar named the three men, typing them out on his MacBook. And just like that his list was narrowed down to a much more practical number.
"Always a pleasure doing business with you, sir," Unkar stated once she was done. "Have a good day."
Kylo mumbled incoherently before hanging up. He quickly pulled up the attendee list Mitaka had sent him to see which name matched with Unkar's clients. It took him a long time, the minutes ticking on by as he scoured through each and every single name, but his persistence was rewarded.
Finally, he found a match.
Two matches.
One of these two men was going to wish he had never been born.
"Me and my minty fresh breath are ready to go whenever you are!" Kylo heard Rey call in a sing-song voice from across the hall.
"Great," Kylo yelled back, his fists clenching of their own accord as he stared fixedly at the two names.
Richard Hardy. Patrick Sullivan.
"I'm just about ready, too."
Author's Note: Kylo is so close, you guys! Eeee!
But first... we have a polo match to attend! :D
Thanks so much for reading! And for those who leave reviews, I give you guys HUGS! Big ol' bear hugs, too. Not wimpy ones. :D
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