Summary: Ben and Kylo couldn't be more opposite, despite being born only twelve minutes apart. Ben is a wild child, the life of every party his wealthy family hosts. Kylo is serious and ruthless, taking over their father's billion-dollar business after his death. Sabrina has spent her whole life living in the apartment above their garage, watching their lives in stolen glances as her father serves as their personal chauffeur. But after a year away in Paris, she comes back a changed woman, all grown up. Ben takes notice, despite his newly announced engagement. Kylo cannot allow the marriage to fall through, as it is crucial for a business merger with the bride-to-be's family. What lengths will Kylo go to, to keep Sabrina away from Ben?
Chapter 1
Sabrina really did try to tune out the sounds of their extravagant party. It was her last night home before leaving for her internship in Paris, and she shouldn't spend it up in a tree spying on her father's employers. But the live music was so tempting, the snippets of laughter and conversation intriguing. She found herself sneaking out of the apartment and down the stairs by the garage doors.
The Solos' garage was massive, large enough to hold at least a dozen cars with room to dance between them. Her whole life had been spent living above it, since she was too small to remember moving there after her mom had passed away. The Solos let them stay for free, in addition to the generous wage her father earned driving Kylo and his mother, Leia, to and from the city or airport for work.
Sabrina walks quietly, trying her best to not catch any of the servant's attention as she ghosts along the tall garden wall that encircles the expansive Solo property. She reaches the huge oak tree and begins climbing, the same way she has since she was a girl. She doesn't have to think about where to put her hands and feet, the motions so well practiced as to be second nature.
The tree looms over the wall, its branches draping the corner of the gardens. She scales it until she reaches her favorite branch, a broad, flat one that lets her lay down somewhat comfortably. Her eyes take in the sprawling lawn, decorated lavishly for the party.
Lights are strung up everywhere, from the gazebos and trees, dotting the pathways that swirl through the flowers. And the flowers are everywhere, cared for by a team of gardeners that work nearly nonstop to make the space gorgeous. There is a massive dance floor on the far side, near where the band plays. And everywhere her eyes dart, she sees the tuxedos and gowns of the other half.
Beautiful women flutter about, their hair in elaborate styles, their dresses draped on them like works of art. Sabrina's eyes skip over them, searching the men in their tuxedos, hoping to spot one in particular. The same one she is always hoping to spot.
There. Ben Solo. She sighs when her eyes land on him, at the broad smile he wears, the way his cheeks crinkle as he laughs heavily. He's somehow lost his jacket, and foregone a bowtie. The top button of his shirt is undone, his shaggy brown hair swept backwards from his face.
He is so effortlessly, stunningly handsome to her. The twins are more than a handful of years older than her, so she's never been lucky enough to catch his eye. The few times he's looked at her, it had been with a passing grin, as if humoring a little kid. And she can understand why.
Even tonight, the woman he's talking to is gorgeous. She's wearing a dress that looks like expensive silk was poured onto her flesh, her hair shining in the twinkling lights. Sabrina is awkward in comparison, not quite knowing how to hold herself, how to project the beauty and grace of one of these socialites.
She feels the jealousy creep in, the way it always does when she spots Ben with another woman at one of the Solos' parties. He has a way of fixating all of his attention on the woman of the evening, performing for her as if his life depended on his charm.
And she watches it, and wishes it could be her. She sees as he snags the bottle of champagne from a passing server, effortlessly balancing two flutes between his forefinger and thumb. She knows his next move by heart. He'll whisper in the woman's ear, and then leave the party. The woman will wait, just for a few minutes. And when she finally moves, she will head towards wherever he's told her to meet him.
Sabrina drops her gaze as the actions play out, as she knew they would. When Ben vanishes from her sight, she lets her eyes trail across the crowd of people in disappointment.
They land on his twin brother, Kylo, dressed in all black to match his hair. Kylo's dark gaze is already fixated on her, watching, as if he has been for some time.
She swallows heavily in alarm, dropping lower to the rough bark of the tree branch. It is no use, he has already seen her. His gaze is unwavering, staring into her eyes, and she feels her heart begin pounding with nerves. Kylo scares her, and has for as long as she can remember. He's unapologetically intense, the crushing nighttime to his brother's sunny daylight.
She flinches as he moves, stalking right towards her, and coincidentally, the garden gate. She scrambles to descend the tree as quickly as possible, her hands nearly slipping from the bark in her haste. But despite how fast she moves, Sabrina isn't fast enough.
When her feet thump to the ground at last, the garden gate is swinging open. Kylo's tall form steps through to stop before her, his face bare of emotion as he surveys her. It's always so alarming to her, how the brothers can share a face but use it so very differently.
"I thought I saw little Sabrina, clinging to a tree branch," he says, his tone bored. "Did you see anything fascinating from up there?"
She fumbles under his intimidating gaze, only daring to meet his eyes with brief glances. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to spy," she apologizes instantly, guessing that he disliked it.
"You did mean to spy, otherwise you wouldn't have hoisted yourself up a tree," Kylo argues, stepping closer. The action makes her nervous, as she realizes her back is to the trunk of the tree, with no room to retreat.
Her lips part in dismay, realizing she can't exactly deny his logic. "I meant no harm, it's just, you put on an interesting show," she stammers, trying to explain.
When his eyes narrow, Sabrina realizes her mistake. She hadn't meant to imply his family's parties were an entertainment source for her, or something of a joke. She flinches, trying desperately to find words to smooth over the situation. But before she can speak, she sees Kylo roll his eyes, darting them towards the still-parted gate.
"We do, don't we?" he asks. "All of this show, for some signatures, on some paper."
Sabrina lets out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, though her muscles stay tensed with anxiety. Kylo returns his eyes to her, studying her like something he's found interest in. "You shouldn't let my brother's revolving liaisons hurt you," he says offhandedly. Her eyes widen at what he's referring to.
"What?" she asks, trying to make her voice sound confused. "I don't know what you're talking about."
For the first time since he's confronted her, his face moves, a smirk taking over his features. "You've doted on my brother from afar, since you wore your hair in messy little braids."
Her face flushes hot with the blush that races across it, heart pounding her blood forcefully throughout her body. She can feel her pulse beating in her hands. Kylo looks sadistically amused, the smirk lingering on his face. She can't even force words from her mouth, feeling mortified that he's aware of her crush on Ben.
He prowls forward another step, close enough that she has to tilt her head to look up at his face. His eyes lock onto hers, making her wish she'd left her gaze anywhere else. "You should be glad he hasn't noticed you. He'd use you all up, little Sabrina, in a night or two," Kylo says quietly. She feels tears sting her eyes at the humiliation of the moment. "Then he'd toss you aside, like you're nobody."
Sabrina raises a hand to wipe a tear that dares to leak from her eyelashes. "Please. I want to go," she says, ashamed of how broken her voice comes out.
Kylo steps back, giving her merciful space. "Then go. I'm not stopping you."
She doesn't look at him again as she flees past, headed straight to the staircase that leads up to her home. She practically runs through the small living space, throwing her bedroom door shut in case her father comes home. She collapses onto the bed, shoving her face into the covers. Kylo's words are lingering in her thoughts, bruising her from the inside as they play on a cruel repeat.
It's a while before she pulls herself together, realizing she is almost free of this place. She won't have to see Kylo, or Ben, for a long time. The thought spurs her on as she pulls the brand new suitcase onto the bed. Her father had bought it for her, as a congratulatory present when she'd been offered her upcoming position. She focuses on packing it carefully, preparing for her escape. Eventually, Kylo's voice fades from her mind.
One Year Later
She wasn't sure exactly what had changed her. Was it Paris, expanding her world, making her aware of the endless experiences she wanted to live for? Or was it the internship, making her realize she was smart and capable, that she could go places with her drive? Or was it just the freedom of her life for the last year, bringing confidence to her walk, straightness to her posture?
Regardless, when she returned home, she felt different. Sabrina felt bold, sure of herself, for the first time in her life. She'd learned how to move through life with sureness in her step, and passion in her eyes. It didn't hurt that she'd discovered how to style herself in the culture of Paris, and how to manage the burden of her shyness.
When she steps off the shuttle from the airport, she feels relief at the thought of seeing her father again. But at the same time, the thought of returning to the apartment above the garage does seem to be a letdown. Perhaps she wouldn't need to stay there long. She could find a job, with her new skillset, and be on her way as quickly as possible.
Sabrina's thinking about the possibilities as she waits for her second bus, the one that will take her home, suitcase sitting by her feet. It's a beautiful sunny day, and she doesn't mind the wait. She's smiling slightly, content with the weather, excited about her upcoming reunion with her dad.
The sound of the sports car pulls her from her thoughts, and she shades her eyes against the sun, pushing her sunglasses more firmly up her nose to see it approach. She recognizes the blue classic Mustang immediately as it pulls up to the bus stop.
Her breath catches as the younger Solo twin puts the car into park, getting out to help his friend pull luggage from the back. He's somehow still just as attractive as memory had insisted, if not more so. Is she imagining that he's grown broader, more muscular, in the last year? The last traces of his boyish face have transitioned into that of a man, though that bright smile still lights up his face.
She mentally scorns herself. The year away has taught her a lot. She ought to know better than to fall back into the trap of idolizing Ben Solo.
The friend he's driven gives him a loose, one-armed hug as they say their goodbyes. He's tall, his reddish hair slicked neatly back. He's dressed stylishly, and he manages to grab all of his bags in one go as he ambles towards the station.
Sabrina hears Ben call out to him. "You sure you don't want help with that?!"
The redhead jerks his head stubbornly, laughing. "I've got it, Solo! Get back to your fiancé!"
Her heart plummets at the sound of the word, even as Ben is laughing too. "What a man you are, Hux! Carrying all that heavy luggage yourself!"
The redhead drops a bag to lift a fist into the air, a middle finger flicking up back towards Ben. He cackles in response, shaking his head as he turns back to his car. He pauses mid step as he seems to notice her. She flicks her eyes away, even as she knows he can't see where she is looking with the sunglasses on.
Sabrina takes a sharp breath as Ben begins approaching her, instead of his car. "Hello," he greets as he draws nearer. "I swear I recognize you. Do I know you?"
She smiles slightly. He doesn't know who she is, and it's amusing to her. Does she really look that different? A new haircut, perhaps. Some different clothes. He truly hadn't noticed her before, had he?
"I don't know, Ben. Do you?" she asks. The flirtation leaks into her voice without her meaning it to. His friend had just said he had a fiancé, after all.
He smiles at the question. "Well you know me. Is that a good thing, or a bad thing?" he asks, eyes sparkling with mischief.
Her heart is slamming into her ribcage at his returned flirting, his presence even more charming up close. She works hard to keep her joy at the attention off her face, trying to play it cool. "I haven't decided, yet," Sabrina answers finally, cocking her head slightly. His smile only grows.
"Well what are you doing standing here? Someone as beautiful as you shouldn't be taking the bus," he says smoothly. She represses a giggle. She'd had plenty of men give her attention in the last year, but somehow none of them have come close to bringing this side of her out.
"Does that sort of line usually work for you?" she asks curiously.
Ben looks away, laughing, running a hand through his thick hair. "Well…yes, actually. But could I give you a ride?" he persists, looking back. "Maybe then you'll tell me your name?"
"I'll take a ride," she concedes. "We'll see about the name."
Ben's grin is victorious as he picks up her suitcase for her, leading her over to the car. "Where do you live?" he asks, opening the passenger door for her. When she tells him the street name, his face turns serious with thought. "Really?! I must know you then. That's my street."
"Hmm," she says dismissively, after he's circled the car to climb in beside her. She watches his hands on the shifter and steering wheel, somehow even managing to find those parts of him attractive. She can't stop the rush that this experience is giving her, the way his eyes flicker over to take her in appreciatively is driving her wild.
"Where did you get in from?" he asks after a moment.
She tries to calm herself, looking away from him to rest her hand on the edge of the open window. The sun and wind play pleasantly on her skin. "Paris," she answers.
"Oh, wow. Did you like it? I've always enjoyed Paris," Ben replies.
"I loved it. I'm a bit sad to be back, actually," she admits. Her eyes slide towards him, looking at his strong features, his sexy lips. Every moment they're getting closer to home, this experience is getting closer to the end. Sabrina dreads when he discovers who she is. She'll be back to being a nobody in his eyes.
"What did you do there?" he asks. He seems to notice her watching him and gives her a knowing smile, quick and flirtatious, before returning his eyes to the road.
"I was interning at a large company. But I discovered I quite like photography. I think I'd like to pursue that," Sabrina says honestly. The camera in her bag is the most expensive thing she'd brought back, aside from some of the designer clothing her boss had gifted her.
"You get more interesting by the minute," Ben says. They turn onto their street, and he asks the question she's been waiting for. "Which house is yours?"
She takes a deep breath. "Your house."
The response manages to take him aback, his eyes jerking to hers with surprise. She feels as he applies the brakes, bringing the car to a slow stop along the curb, putting it into park. His eyes rove over her face, darting down to the glimpse of cleavage in the neckline of her shirt before returning to her shaded eyes.
"I'm not going to say no to that," Ben says finally, and she feels a tremor of nervous pleasure in her belly at the lust that's now filling his eyes. "But you have to give me more. Who are you? Where do I know you from?"
She pulls the sunglasses off, settling them in her lap before looking back at him. "I'm Sabrina," she admits softly. "My father drives your brother and mother."
"Sabrina…" he repeats, before recognition seems to click on his face. His eyes widen, his lips parting in shock as he looks her over again. "Sabrina, wow. Oh my God, you look so different."
"Do I?" she asks tentatively. She certainly feels different now, but she's positive her face hasn't changed that much.
Ben's hand moves from the gear shifter where he'd rested it, as if he wants to touch her. He stops himself before smiling slowly. "You're beautiful. I must be an idiot."
If hearts could soar, hers would be amongst the clouds, basking in the sun, wings lifting it higher and higher. This moment feels like a dream, even as she knows it is too good to be true. She'd heard the word fiancé, and understands entirely what it means. She can't allow this to continue.
He seems to realize his earlier words with regret. "I'm sorry," he says hastily. "I'm sorry I assumed you'd want to… um, go home with me."
Sabrina laughs softly. "It's fine, Ben," she assures. She loves saying his name, loves the feeling of it in her mouth, even as her brain is screaming at her to stop.
He puts the car into drive again, taking them the rest of the way down the street to pull into the very long, curving driveway of his family estate. When they park, he gets out to help her with her luggage. "I can help-" he begins, but she takes the suitcase from him.
"It's alright, I can manage," she assures with a smile. He rakes his hand through his hair again, not retreating.
"There's a party, tonight," he says suddenly. "I'd like for you to come."
She frowns. "Come to a Solo party? Isn't that an invite-only affair?"
The smile he gives her is so devastating, it should be illegal for him to use it. "I'm giving you an invite. I want you there, Sabrina. Will you come?"
She has to tear her eyes from his to find sanity. "Won't your fiancé be there, as well?" she says, not managing to keep the bite from her words.
His face falls instantly. "It's not like that…Please, come tonight? Just give this a chance?" he presses. She holds her breath when he steps near enough to raise his hand to her cheek, his fingers light against her skin. Just the small touch is so tempting.
"What is this?" she asks quietly.
"I don't know," he replies, dropping his hand. "But let's find out?"
That Evening
Her reunion with her father had been wonderful, and they'd caught up on so much that had somehow managed to sneak through the phone calls unmentioned. That is, until she had told him of her plans to attend the Solo's festivities.
He hadn't approved, but he also couldn't stop her. She finds herself descending the staircase from her childhood home, wearing the only gown she has that is fancy enough for such an occasion. It's expensive, and she could never have afforded it on her own. She finds herself being infinitely thankful she hadn't left it hanging in her apartment in Paris, as she'd considered. The gift from her boss would be put to good use.
Sabrina lingers at the gate before letting herself into the party, feeling half terrified someone will immediately seize her and drag her out. But no one does.
She passes through the party-goers unnoticed, their eyes skipping over her as if she is invisible in her acceptance. She must pass as one of them in the clothing, with her hair pulled up gracefully from her neck, despite the conspicuous absence of jewels. All of the other women are adorned with diamonds and precious stones, the metal draping from their limbs and lobes, weighing down their fingers.
The music at this party is light, wavering in the warm evening air. Yet again, she is struck with the strange notion that she's in a dream. Her whole childhood spent watching these parties, and now she's drifting through one.
Her eyes fall onto Kylo, and she immediately is pulled from the dreamlike sensation. He doesn't look at her in the curious way Ben had at first. He recognizes her instantly, his eyes darkening with suspicion.
Sabrina licks her lips nervously, the old sensations of fear creeping up her spine at his presence. He also looks somehow different after only a year. His face has matured as much as Ben's, his black hair styled back to not block the impact of his striking features. He's as beautiful as his twin, but his eyes are filled with contempt at they glare into hers across the garden.
She's spared from his wrath by a warm hand caressing the skin of her shoulder. It skates down to settle on her exposed lower back, just above where the gown sits, daringly low. She turns her head to see Ben's smile, immediately warming her.
"You came," he says happily.
"I did," she admits. "Are you going to introduce me to your fiancé? Where is she?" she asks, pretending to scan the people around them.
Ben's expression falters. "She isn't here tonight. And I can reassure you, the engagement is very much tentative."
"Why be engaged if it is so tentative?" she asks doubtfully, at least able to listen to her reason enough to know when a man is bluffing.
Ben drifts closer, his arm encircling her waist to pull her against his side. Her body warms instantly at the closeness, a tremble passing through her when she feels his lips graze her ear. "The arrangement would be beneficial to the business," he explains softly, low enough that no one nearby can overhear. "But I'm not entirely sure it would be beneficial to me. Not after seeing you today, Sabrina."
"I'd hate to give you doubt," she replies, voice shaking slightly.
He pulls away enough to catch her eye, the flirtatious promise in his gaze sending her heart beating frantically once again. She feels like she is at a distinct disadvantage, with the way her body responds to him so readily. She shouldn't have come at all, and yet she is thrilling at the slightest looks from him.
"You've filled me with doubt," Ben corrects her. "Will you sneak out of here? Meet me in the solarium?"
Is that where he'd taken all of his women, all these years? The solarium? Will he bring a bottle of champagne, and two flutes, to share with her?
She nods, ignoring her better instincts.
The Solarium
Sabrina's only been waiting a few moments in the dark space when she hears him approaching. She turns, expecting the sight of his disarming smile, anticipating tasting champagne and then perhaps his kiss.
She's met instead by the sight of Kylo.
She swallows in shock, stepping back a bit from the sight of the older brother. His face is stern, his eyes and hair and suit all blurring together into a forbidding black vision, only broken by the paleness of his skin.
"Welcome back, Sabrina," he greets her.
She raises her eyebrows slightly, questioning him without speaking. Where is Ben? Why has Kylo come in his place? Had he seen her sneak from the party, and followed her?
"I tried to warn you about my brother," Kylo says, his voice sounding irritated. "And yet here you are, playing dress up, so ready to waste yourself on him for a night."
"This isn't any of your business," she says, her voice coming out strong with her anger. The memory of the last time she'd spoken with him, when he'd belittled her, fuels her. "You should leave."
Kylo's smile is cold. "I can leave, but Ben isn't coming to meet you."
Her heart drops as she realizes what he means. "You've come to deal with me… to send me away," Sabrina says softly.
The smile falls slowly from his face, leaving it unreadable. She continues on, her emotions carrying her forward into a scornful mockery. "Is that how this goes? You come in here, and you tell me… 'I'll give you a thousand dollars, to leave this party right now!' And I'm supposed to say, 'No, five thousand dollars, if you want me to go'. And then you say-"
"Ten thousand dollars," Kylo interrupts. Her mouth drops open. His voice, his face, is deadly serious. "Ten thousand to leave this party, to leave Ben alone. To stay away from him."
Hurt and shame fill her and she spits out, half hysterically, "Twenty! Why not twenty thousand!?"
Kylo stalks forward, crossing the few feet that separate them like a predator locked onto the sight of prey. When he stops in front of her, his voice is dangerously low. "Fifty thousand. To never look at him again."
The tears return to her eyes readily, as he drags back all the pain and rejection he'd inflicted on her just a year before. She is a nobody, and he is here to dispose of her as such. She searches his expression, desperate to understand how he could be so cold to her. She swears his eyes flick down to her lips before settling with determination back on hers.
"To hell with your money," she hisses. She ignores the forbidding flash of anger on his face, brushing past him to storm out of the solarium.