Chapter 16
Rey felt the warmth of him before she opened her eyes. He smiled at her and she quietly yawned, "Good morning."
"Good morning," he said as he kissed her forehead.
"You're still here…," she said sleepily.
"I couldn't sleep," he said as he rolled onto his back and put his right arm behind his head. He looked at her. "I was afraid if I did sleep, this wouldn't be real when I woke up." He sighed.
Rey put her head on his chest again. Her finger moved in the fine hairs on his chest, tracing a circle on his skin. "I know how you feel," she spoke quietly.
His left arm went around her waist. "I know you do. You are the only one who understands."
She could tell they were both afraid of all the emotions they were feeling. She was with the Resistance which he had sworn to destroy. He was the Supreme Leader of the First Order which she was determined to overthrow and bring balance back to galaxy. He had wanted her to take his hand so they could rule the galaxy together. But not like that – not with the fist of cruelty and destruction. She wanted to take his hand, but not with those consequences… those lives lost… planets destroyed.
He shifted under her to put his other arm around her. "Rey, don't think that right now."
"It's hard not to," she whispered. "You could stop. Come home to Leia. Be with me."
"After all that has happened, do you think people would welcome me back with open arms? Forgive and trust me again?" He rolled her onto her back and hovered over her. "No. That will never happen." He pushed a strand of her hair behind her ear.
They laid there looking at each other. She understood. He had done so much to so many people. "I did."
He smiled at her. "Because you know the real me. Not the part I play. With you, I can be different."
His nakedness was causing a distraction and she felt her desire rising in her again. She could tell it was also on his mind about her. He exhaled loudly. "I'd better go…"
Rey pouted. He pulled her into a deep kiss and she wrapped her arms around him.
Her door sounded. Rey looked to the door and back at Ben. She groaned.
"Duty calls," he whispered. One last kiss and he vanished.
Rey flopped her arms back onto the bed and groaned her disapproval. The door sounded again. Rey pulled herself out of bed and drew her robe around her.
"Yes?" she inquired.
'Rey, it's me …Poe."
Rey rolled her eyes. What now?
She unlocked the door and Poe pushed his way in past her. The door shut and she turned to him.
'You didn't get your dress and stuff returned yet and I was..," he stopped as he looked at her. He looked at the dress on the floor. Then her bed. Her room was a bit of a mess. The sheets were half on the floor. She checked her robe to make sure it was fully on. The color from his face drained.
"Sorry, "he stammered. "I've interrupted something…" He paused looking hard at her. "Are you hurt?"
"What?" asked Rey, confused.
"The bruise on … your… neck…" He paused. "Okay I am going to go." He started to leave as he now was blushing.
"Wait, Poe. Let me get the dress and things so you can return them." She started gathering the item and placing them back in the bag. He awkwardly waited, running his hand through his hair. She handed him the bag and gave him a shy smile.
He cleared his throat. "Thanks." He began to leave then turned back to her. "Is it someone I know?"
"Goodbye Poe," she smiled as she gently pushed him out the door. She waved to his astonished face as the door closed.
"Great…," she mumbled.