Rey rushed forward, hand at the ready on her blaster, but before she could get between Ben and the stage jumper, the most curious thing happened. With his hand outstretched, Rey stumbled to a stop just behind Ben, watching as the human woman stopped dead in her tracks. Something was holding her back! Her eyes bulged as she strained against her invisible bonds, like she was trying with all her might to move, but couldn't.
Ben's powers… Rey thought back to his birthday, and the strange way he always seemed to know what she was thinking and feeling. At first, she'd been content to dismiss it all as parlor tricks, but as their connection grew, and with the woman standing frozen before her and Ben, Rey realized that perhaps she too had underestimated Ben Solo.
She'd thought that he needed a bodyguard, and he most definitely needed someone to watch his back with fans like this, but when it came to defending himself, he wasn't too bad at that. The woman was heavily made up with dark brown hair, unnaturally pink skin, and enveloped by layers upon layers of clothing.
Where Ben generally favored less clothing, some Aristos went with decidedly more. Rey realized it was to show off their wealth—that they had enough credits to afford the voluminous, expensive fabrics and jewels, but it often made them look weighed down.
Ben cocked his head a little as his hand returned to his side, but Rey could just make out the subtle motion of his long fingers as he twisted them in the air. The woman's whole demeanor shifted. Where she'd looked almost obsessive when she first tried to move towards Ben, she now looked up at him like she had no idea who he was or what she'd been doing.
More powers? Rey wondered.
"What is… Where am…?" The woman stuttered.
"Ahh! Looks like someone jumped the gun," Almeaa seamlessly cut in, while two droids materialized from behind the stage and ushered the confused-looking woman away.
Almeaa turned and stared into the crowd, a perfectly crafted expression of amusement on her face, though her eyes were anything but. Rey could tell she was pissed, but she was good enough at her job not to show it.
Though Aristo events always made her anxious, maybe this time Rey'd been wrong to worry? There was no threat, just an overzealous fan who'd thought they won when they hadn't. Still, something was off. Her gut told her not to relax—that more was yet to come.
I need that combat umbrella is what I need, Rey mentally chided herself. She'd been so wrapped up in holding hands that she'd forgotten the multipurpose shield. All at once, Rey noticed she was in the middle of the stage, though thankfully the spotlight missed her. She slinked back behind the stage and found a waiting Hux, who also looked pissed.
"Well, that sure was something," Rey muttered before turning back to watch Ben as the real winner came onto the stage.
The crowded parted as a tall Pantoran woman was revealed. She was almost as tall as Ben and fell into the "less is more" fashion category, like Ben. Her barely-there outfit featured a red, sheer top that didn't so much cover her breasts as enhance them.
A tight, black underbust corset wrapped around her waist and flared slightly over her hips. The sheer red of her top continued in a long, flowing skirt trimmed with waves of fabric that shimmered as she strode closer to Ben. Similar to Ben, she wore tiny underthings beneath her skirt, but not much else. Against her pale blue skin, the red of the outfit popped and commanded attention. But it wasn't just her outfit that drew the eye, but her imposing aura.
Her facial tattoos gleamed against her skin, shining silver as the stylized whorls caught the light. Her long, light-purple hair glimmered, cascading down her back. She knew she looked good and, more to the point, she looked like she thought she deserved to be the winner of Ben's auction.
Aristos were notorious for feeling entitled to every little thing in the galaxy, and Rey assumed that extended to Ben. Though he was also an Aristo, his reputation for being a playboy made everyone feel like they were entitled to a piece of him—at least as far as Galaxy Glitter and his fans went.
It probably helped keep him in the holos, but it couldn't be a healthy way to live. Still, it wasn't Rey's business. She was here to guard him and he looked relaxed and was beaming at the woman with his very public smile.
The Pantoran woman closed in on Ben, and Almeaa introduced her. "Presenting Cirraen Lindet from the moon of Pantora, who had the winning bid for Ben Solo's time of two million credits—and just in the nick of time because I almost called it," Almeaa drawled, and even Rey could tell that the auctioneer had been annoyed by the last-minute bid and the chaos that had ensued afterward.
She's nobility, Rey thought as she looked on.
Cirraen leaned in, breasts brushing against Ben's arm as she reached up to gently stroke his face. Rey tried, and failed, not to hate her with every fiber of her being. Ben, for his part, side-stepped her a little, smile still in place as Cirraen winked.
Rey ground her teeth, jaw clicking painfully before she reminded herself to relax.
This is his job. This is who he is. She's… just a customer?
Of course, it wouldn't have been so fucking hard to stomach if they didn't look so perfect together. And both were nobility! Made for each other, even. Before Rey could spiral any further, Armitage cut into her thoughts with a dramatic groan.
"I always hated this part," he huffed.
"What's that?" Rey asked. The governor had one arm positioned under the other, chin set firmly in his hand as he watched Ben. The scowl on his face told Rey everything she needed to know.
"The fans. Never could quite get used to the fact that he wasn't only mine."
Rey could see what he meant. It was hard to watch as Ben was fawned over by others. Anyone with eyes could see that he was just doing what needed to be done, but maybe that wasn't the case for the governor? Maybe jealousy and insecurity had made even someone like Armitage Hux feel like a third wheel in Ben's relationship between himself and his public.
"He does what he needs to do. He's doing it for you," she reminded him, even as she fought her own feelings.
Armitage flicked his hand a little and shook his head. "And he does it so well. He'd have made a great politician if he had any inclination."
"So, you'd have to deal with his mother and him in the Senate?" Rey deadpanned.
Armitage let out a surprised sounding laugh. "Well, my dear smuggler, when you put it that way. I do imagine one Organa is quite sufficient, and those two are good enough at finding themselves in trouble without the Senate."
Rey was about to ask the governor what he meant by that, but a high-pitched peal of laughter drew her eyes back to Ben.
Okay, Ben can be funny, but not that funny! Rey thought uncharitably.
Cirraen had angled close again, her hand brushing over Ben's bicep. Rey turned her gaze toward the crowd, which stared on at the display, envy almost palpable as they stared at Ben and Cirraen. Cirraen smiled broadly and visibly squeezed Ben's muscles while the crowd looked on. Some grumbled, some swooned, and Rey growled.
He was polite and indulgent through it all, like her antics had no impact on him. As if she was entitled to act like such a handsy bitch. Rey could feel her blood pressure rising. Her fist curled at her side and she had to resist the urge to reach out and check that her blaster was still on her hip.
It was silly. This was his job, wasn't it? Rey looked over and saw a little flash of knowing cross Armitage's face and realized that she'd been caught acting just as jealous as he once had. But that wasn't quite right. She wasn't only jealous. She didn't own Ben, but the lack of respect being shown to him by the auction winner was astounding.
By the time she looked back toward the stage, Cirraen was practically rubbing her face into Ben's chest, and it wasn't until Almeaa came over and disentangled the woman that she stopped.
"Let's not damage the merchandise," Almeaa quipped before twirling Cirraen on the stage and away from Ben.
Cirraen tittered as she stared back at Ben. Rey didn't like the way she was looking at him, not one bit. Her eyes were like saucers and her fingers were perched in front of her lips like she almost couldn't contain herself—and, really, she hadn't. Whatever she was seeing when she looked at Ben, it wasn't a person. And he was a person, not an object, but who'd have known it judging from how the crowd reacted.
He was a thing to be possessed by them. A presence to be around so that they could prop up their own popularity by his proximity. He wasn't Ben Solo. He was The Ben Solo, Prince of Alderaan, and the Galaxy's Playboy. They didn't know him, but they wanted him and everything that he pretended to be.
But Rey knew there was more to Ben than met the eye, and there was something about him being here that didn't quite add up. He owed Armitage, he'd said, but for what? What could possibly be worth all this? And, more to the point, he'd have to spend time alone with Cirraen, wouldn't he?
Rey made a face as the woman squealed while Almeaa described what she'd won with her bid.
"Rather repugnant, isn't she?" Armitage offered.
"I don't know how he's managing to look so…" Rey gestured at him. He looked stunning and entirely at ease, but she didn't miss the few times he'd slowly raised his hand, running those long fingers through his hair as he let the soothing scent from his herbal concoction flutter over his senses.
Armitage huffed. "Yes, well, he's had practice pretending to like horrible people since childhood—son of a princess and senator, and all that."
"I can't even pretend," Rey admitted as Armitage chuckled softly.
"Oh, I'm more than realizing that," he mused. "Still, I wouldn't worry."
"What do you mean?"
"He only has eyes for you." A slow smile spread across Armitage's face and, for the first time since meeting him, she thought him handsome. Too bad his face was almost always stuck in a scowl.
Rey blinked up at the governor as his words settled. She hazarded another look at Ben and, sure enough, he caught her eye as a private smile, one of hers, quickly curled his lips before his head tilted as he took Cirraen's hand.
Rey wasn't sure what to do with that piece of information, especially considering it had come from his ex, but she filed it away to think about later. Ben took a slow step back as he drew Cirraen's hand to his lips while dipping into an elegant bow.
The entire time, he held Rey's gaze, staring at her as if she was the one he was bowing to, as if it was her hand in his, as if the lips pressing softly against the back of Cirraen's hand were pressing into hers. She could almost feel it, like sensation and feelings were flowing through that look and shimmering through her.
Rey's body felt tingly, hot, and full up of emotion. She bit her lip as Ben stared on, his gaze lingering for a beat as he pulled back and caught his bottom lip between his teeth, mimicking her action before his lips spread into a charming smile. Whether Cirraen thought it was all for her, Rey wasn't certain, because the only presence in the room that Rey could perceive was his.
What happened next made realize that Cirraen had no idea that Ben wasn't reacting to her. She reached out, hands splayed against him as she leaned forward and rubbed her face into his chest. Rey's hands clenched at her sides as she tried to keep herself from reaching for her blaster.
"Ah, a bit much, isn't she?" Armitage commented lightly, but as Rey looked over, she thought even the snarky governor looked angry.
"It's insane that she thinks this is appropriate," Rey growled.
Armitage lifted a shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. "He's not real to them. Just a pretty toy to use."
"And you're okay with this?"
The governor's eyes flashed before his disaffected expression slipped back into place. "I am not, but it's part of who he is."
"Nobody deserves to be treated like a thing. He's a person," Rey continued, but Armitage waved her off.
"We all have our roles to play, bodyguard. Even you."
Rey looked over at Armitage and watched as something like regret flitted across his face before his expression hardened. He had a role to play—in the Senate, in life, in public. It wasn't fair, but life rarely was. Rey assumed the best anyone could hope for was to find someone who was at least playing on the same stage as she was.
But Ben wasn't on her stage, he wasn't even in the same galaxy as her as far as power and influence went. She'd somehow stumbled into his story and she wondered whether she'd make it through to the conclusion or if she'd end up cut from the performance—or worse. So, Rey stood and played her part. Watching from the wings when all she wanted to do was swoop in and wring that Aristo woman's neck.
Almeaa was starting to wind down the auction as Ben gave a final wave before letting Cirraen curl her arm around his as he led her off the stage. Without prying eyes, the woman was even more insufferable as she leaned in and let her breasts brush against Ben again. Rey's jaw clenched as she stood and watched, trying to keep her expression neutral and probably failing.
Cirraen stared up at Ben as they worked out how to arrange their date. Her scent had filtered in with her presence and it reminded her of too-ripe fruit, just as ostentatious and obnoxious as the Pantoran woman was.
It was decided that Ben would have his droid contact her later or something like that. Rey was having a hard time paying attention given how badly she wanted to throttle the handsy, smelly woman, which only got worse as she again leaned in, breasts skimming against his chest this time as she asked, "But what if I want more than one date?"
Ben smiled. It didn't reach his eyes, but Rey was certain the woman didn't notice. "Oh, we can't always get what we want, but I'm sure we'll enjoy our time together. And who knows what the future holds?"
Rey knew a non-answer when she heard one, but Cirraen wasn't satisfied. "Well, what about now?"
"Now?" Ben repeated. Evidently, he'd not expected her to keep insisting.
Rey almost stepped forward, already halfway done making up an excuse to get him out of spending more time with the woman, but Armitage subtly held his hand out to the side, indicating she should wait.
Whatever he had planned, the Aristo woman was probably more likely to go along with what a governor said, instead of some bodyguard. Armitage straightened his back, raised his chin, and threw on a devastating smile.
What games these Aristos play… Rey marveled as Armitage was absolutely shameless.
"Oh, precious," Armitage called. Ben cocked his head to the side. A quizzical expression crossed his face before he could clamp down on it. "We have a pressing matter to attend to."
Ben beamed at Armitage like he'd just offered him a lifeline. "Of course, how could I forget? Do be sure to have your people speak with my people," Ben purred to Cirraen. It was a dismissal, but evidently not one that Cirraen was interested in abiding with.
"I'm sure it can't be that important! I am the auction winner, after all. Surely you can spare some time for me."
Armitage looked over at Rey, who was doing her best not to show how angry she was but wasn't doing a very good job of it. The governor gave her a wink before he strolled over to Ben's side. Together, they were almost the same height, but where Ben was tall and broad, Armitage was wiry, and his bulk came from the voluminous layers of his robes.
Still, he looked every bit the governor he was as he stared down his nose at Cirraen. Rey'd been on the receiving end of that look earlier, so she could attest to how impressive it was—even if it had made her want to punch him in his smarmy face.
Armitage curled his arm around Ben's, leaning in ever so slightly, voice a breathy purr as he asked, "Ready, Ben?" The governor ignored what Cirraen had said, and was completely ignoring her presence. Which was hard to do considering how much of her body was on display.
Fortunately, Armitage and Ben both seemed immune to her "charms." Cirraen glared at where Armitage was wrapped around Ben and was just about to say something—probably nasty, from the looks of it, when Ben cut in.
He dipped his head to the side, lips set into an apologetic smile as he said, "I'll look forward to our outing," he assured her, which seemed to placate the woman, at least somewhat.
Cirraen huffed. She was obviously not used to not getting her way. "I'll have my people contact your people, as you said then." She glared up at the governor, decidedly losing out on this little Aristo game.
Rey watched as Cirraen squared her shoulders and plastered on a too-nice smile. This time, she ignored Armitage while reaching out to give Ben's cheek a gentle squeeze.
"Until next time, Ben."
Ben's nose flared a little, but his smile stayed in place as he replied, "Until next time."
Finally, the woman left as one of the serving droids led her from the area. Leaving Armitage, Ben, and Rey alone behind the stage. Armitage stepped away from Ben, but not before giving his arm a friendly squeeze.
"You always did have a hard time saying 'no' to sentients, even when they most assuredly should be hearing it more frequently," he mused while Ben's shoulder slumped a little.
"One of the few things I didn't pick up from my mother," Ben replied.
"Indeed. Your mother does so love to say 'no.'"
The men laughed a little, probably sharing some private memory. In another life, these two could have taken on the galaxy together, Rey thought. But they'd wanted different things. Still, it was nice to see that not all relationships ended with hurt feelings and heartache.
Must be nice. Losing a lover, but keeping a friend, she mused. Didn't seem possible, really, but Rey'd had a hard enough time keeping friends given how frequently she moved around. The thought of willingly letting someone like Ben go was beyond her ability to comprehend. If she had him, she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to let him leave.
"This will get around," Ben mused, and Rey silently agreed. She'd most definitely be reading about a potential rekindling of Ben and Armitage's relationship in Galaxy Glitter's blast, not that there was any basis in reality for that.
Activity started to pick up behind the stage. Droids were flowing this way and that, while sentients of all sorts seemed to be working out the after-auction refreshments and entertainment.
"I'm sure you've had worse things said about you," Armitage replied. "And, besides, the last thing I needed was your bodyguard making a scene back here—blood is so dreadfully difficult to get rid of."
"I wasn't going to…" Rey stalled as the governor looked at her, one perfectly sculpted eyebrow raised.
Okay, so maybe she'd had her hand on her blaster, but it wasn't like she was going to use it. Just… do whatever needed to be done to get the woman away from Ben, that's all.
"Both of you worry too much. I had things under control."
"And were you going to stop before or after she decided to put her hand on your dick?" Armitage drawled.
Ben laughed. "You think she'd have been that shameless?"
"I know so. None of these newly rich Aristos have any sort of class."
Rey snorted. If he thought that about other people with money, she could only imagine what the governor thought of a nobody like her. Even people with money had to have the right kind of money, and for the right amount of time or they weren't worthy of regard either. Rey thought it was a nasty sort of world to live in and, not for the first time, her heart clenched thinking about all that Ben must have endured with a smile.
Before Armitage and Ben could continue their snippy conversation, Almeaa floated in from the stage and she looked pissed.
"Armitage, just what the fuck kind of security do you have here?" she asked before sweeping her long, flame-colored hair to the side. Her similarly red lips were pinched and her skin had taken on an even greener tone, as if registering her annoyance.
"You know I can't account for Ben and his fanbase," Armitage replied.
"And you know that I don't believe that bullshit. Either employ security and droids that can be trusted or let me get you in touch with people who really know how to control a crowd."
Mercenaries, Rey thought. And Mandalorians.
There were mercs all over the galaxy that doubled as security. Hell, Rey was one of them. And as long as the money kept flowing, their loyalty was mostly without question. Though, some were more unsavory than others, which was why Aristos like Armitage went with approved security options.
"I don't need your Mandos, Almeaa. I just need Ben to wear more clothes."
Almeaa huffed. "I pray to the Gods that never happens," she said while giving Ben look. Even she wasn't impervious to his charms, especially when there was so much of him on display.
"She's probably right," Ben cut in. "I really can't be trusted to wear anything solid to events like this. Too hard to breathe in." Illustrating his point, Ben arched his chest a little, wide rib cage expanding slowly as the blue-butterfly fabric of his dress tightened across his muscles.
Yeah, here's hoping he doesn't start taking cues from Armitage anytime soon, Rey thought before she could stop herself. From the pleased look on his face, she knew he'd heard her loud thoughts.
Almeaa sighed and curled her hand in Ben's direction. "One of the most treasured jewels of the New Republic, and you have sentry droids from the Clone Wars protecting him."
Armitage glared. "They're top of the line."
"And he's top of the food chain. I do hope you have better security for the actual event," Almeaa continued.
Rey'd not thought of that. Here, she'd almost been happy that the auction was over, but she'd forgotten about the part where Ben had to really and truly go on what was basically a date with Cirraen. That was going to be rich.
Almeaa rubbed her fingers into her temples. "Well, I'm off the clock and I swear if there's not ichor in my dressing room, I'm going to reprogram one of your droids to do some murder—Ben, always a pleasure."
And with hardly a look spared for either Rey or Armitage, Almeaa turned, strips of fabric trailing in the air behind her as she commandeered a protocol droid and wrangled them into showing her where her dressing room was.
Armitage groaned softly. "Well, I've had just about enough of today." His sullen, dark droid had chosen that moment to come over and stand beside his master, likely sensing his mood.
"If you will please follow me," the droid called, though he sounded like he'd prefer to be doing anything other than leading sentients around.
"Ready?" Ben asked as he turned to Rey.
"Mmm, yeah. I'm more than ready."
To her surprise, Ben hung back and gently wrapped her arm around his, leading Rey along as they both trailed behind Armitage and his droid. It wasn't long before they were back at Ben's dressing room.
"Well, I'd like to say that we're even now, but we both know that would be a lie," the governor said with a knowing look at Ben. "But we're getting there."
"I do appreciate all that you've done," Ben replied cryptically. Rey wasn't going to ask why Ben owed Armitage anything, but she was curious. Maybe there'd be something in the older gossip holos about it?
Armitage came over and gave Ben a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping back. "Tell your mother that she doesn't have to challenge everything I put forth in the Senate. We may not like each other, but sometimes I think we could work towards the same end."
Ben laughed a little. "I'll try my best."
Armitage nodded, evidently satisfied, and Rey thought he'd leave without much more fuss, but he turned and acknowledged her.
"Smuggler," he said with a little wave as his dark droid led him away. She wasn't sure that she liked him, but after spending some time with him, she wasn't sure that she disliked him either. Armitage was a solid maybe, even if he did refuse to use her name.
Ben dimmed the lights in his dressing room and Rey realized that they were alone together for the first time in hours.
"Well, that was something," Ben finally said as he collapsed into the plush cushions of the couch.
"How do you manage with that shit?" Rey grumbled. She was tired just remembering it all. The screaming. The pawing. The whole event had been chaotic, and he still had to go on a date with that repugnant woman after all that. Rey quickly made her way over to the refreshment table, which had been replenished since they'd last been in the dressing room.
Lots of small finger foods—mostly meats and vegetables, from the looks of it.
"I'd kill for some fucking bread," she grumbled while quickly munching on some broccoli—at least the dip was flavorful.
"Too many carbs," Ben replied.
Rey looked over her shoulder. "Seriously?"
Ben shook his head before reaching up to run his fingers through his long locks. "No, but I think these foods reflect Armitage's preferences and not mine."
"Oh, yeah. That makes sense," she replied, though it really didn't. At least, not to her. Aristos had access to the best in the galaxy and then went out of their way to be picky. She'd never had that kind of luxury, so whenever food was presented, Rey did her best to take advantage of it.
Which sometimes gets me into trouble, she thought, remembering the ichor incident from the spice run to Dev's back on Cantonica. Rey eyed a drink suspiciously, but as she pressed it against her lips, she realized it was just sparkling water.
Sated, at least for the moment, Rey turned back and offered Ben a glass, which he accepted with a smile.
"Don't forget to stay hydrated," she chided. One look at his abs and she knew he wasn't.
Ben chuckled softly. "Rey, I didn't know you cared."
"Oh, no. Just can't have you passing out the next time I make my way onto your lap," she joked.
"Can't have that, can we?" Ben replied before downing the cool liquid with one quick motion.
"No, I'm sure there's something in Maz's agreement about making sure you stay healthy and alive, and besides..." she trailed off before taking his empty glass.
"Hmm?" Ben prompted.
"If you drop dead, who's going to be around to tease me?"
"Ah, and I am so good at teasing you, aren't I?"
Rey's cheeks flushed a little, but a smile still worked its way onto her face. "You are."
Ben winked before curling his fingers at Rey. "Come here."
Though she was inclined to say no out of habit, she was too tired to put up a fight. Dropping his glass off back at the table, she walked over to where he sat. This time, she settled beside Ben and into his solid strength.
"That was terrible," she finally huffed.
Ben pressed a soft kiss to her brow. "What was?"
"The yelling. The mess. That stage jumper—and Cirraen. She was the worst."
"Are you jealous?" he asked, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
"No. Protective!" she replied, a little too forcefully. It was both a lie and more than she'd intended to say. Okay, so she was jealous, but she also wished that he was someone she could protect—not that she hadn't been hired to do just that, but she didn't only want to protect his body. Rey strangely felt like wanted to protect his heart, too. But that certainly went beyond the scope of her job description.
Ben chucked her chin softly. "I'm nothing more than a commodity to them. Might as well play the part." He said it like he believed it, voice hollow.
Watching Ben interact with his fans had made Rey aware just how much of his personality was hidden behind the public mask he wore, and how much he had to work to keep that mask in place. He was strong, confident, beautiful, but there was a fragility behind the performance. How much more could Ben take before he broke? Rey didn't want to find out.
She knew what it was like to live in a world where no one ever really knew the real her. She might not have been a celebrity, but she knew loneliness, and she could see it in Ben.
"Ben, you don't owe them anything."
He smiled, but Rey could tell how tired he was and how much the auction had taken out of him, even as he replied with, "I owe them everything. In so many ways, I'm nothing without them."
"That's not true. You're something to me—someone to me," she said quietly. She just knew her face was every shade of red, but it felt important that he know that. Even if it were to all go to shit, and it probably would, she needed him to know that he wasn't alone, even if he felt that way.
In the quiet of Ben's dressing room, the sounds seemed amplified and Rey's heart was beating so hard in her chest, she was almost certain he could hear it. For long moments, Ben stared at her, lips parted, eyes wide as what she'd just said seemed to settle within him. No masks. No games. Just the truth.
Slowly, he reached out and wrapped his arm around her. Rey almost fell into his lap, but maybe that'd been his plan. He pulled her closer, arms slipping under her as he fit her to his body and held tight. And, she had to admit, it felt nice to be in his lap again, even if the circumstances were different from the first time.
"I think that's once of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me, smuggler," he said finally, lips brushing against her brow as he spoke.
Rey huffed against his chest, the ultra-soft fabric of his fantastic gown brushing her cheek as she replied, "Don't get used to it."
Ben chuckled. "I won't."
Rey nibbled her lip as she thought back to what they'd done in the dressing room earlier, and Ben must have followed her thoughts because he pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before saying, "We can continue later."
"I wasn't…" Rey sputtered.
Ben's lip quirked. She had been thinking about before and whether there'd be something more later. And, after all that he'd had to endure with Cirraen… Well, Rey was feeling a little less than charitable and a little more jealous than she'd otherwise have liked. Still, she was in his lap and Cirraen wasn't. Even if the Aristo woman had a date with him, Rey knew that Ben was a consummate professional. She had nothing to worry about.
Though, she did want to break the audacious woman's nose. Still, it wasn't the only thing that happened during the event. Rey thought back to how Ben had used his powers to stop that stage runner in her tracks. And before she could even get the words out, he was answering.
"It's a power I've used over others… and others have used me for," he cryptically explained.
"Stopping someone in their tracks like that is pretty impressive, but she'd also seemed confused."
"She was. It's not something I like to do often, but the Force does give access to abilities that some find… a little unsavory."
"Like the… what were they, Sith?"
Ben laughed a little before ducking his head. His lips pressed against the column of her throat as he replied. "Nothing that dark, but kind of. The power to control one's mind belongs to a Jedi and a Sith, but I don't like to use it unless I have to. Manipulating someone's mind like that… It's not something that I enjoy, let's just say that."
"I'm sorry you were put in that situation," Rey offered.
Ben shrugged, but his arms tightened around her. "I've been through worse and, for now, I have more pressing matters to attend to."
"Like?"
"Like the decadent smuggler who's almost in my lap," he purred.
"I am not almost in your lap," she balked.
"But you'd like to be."
"Maybe I would, but you still smell like Cirraen."
Ben looked a little chagrinned. "Let me make it up to you," he said. His lips trailed upwards before gently pressing against the sensitive skin behind her ear as he waited for her reply.
"How?" Even she could hear the pout in her voice.
Ben's laugh rumbled against her skin. "First, we'll make sure you're fed up, showered, and comfortable," he drawled. "And then I'll have my dessert."
Rey swallowed thickly. She didn't feel like resisting him—not this time. There was something more blooming between him and she'd be a fool to turn down his advances now, wouldn't she? Rey'd been wrong about Ben and his intentions before, and maybe she did owe herself this one sweet indulgence.
"What about me?" she managed softly. "What if I want dessert?"
She could feel his smile against her throat as his lips gently plucked kisses into her skin. "Oh, it's the kind of dessert that's best shared."
Rey leaned into his touch, arching her neck a little as his lips teased her. For someone who had a reputation for being a playboy, Ben sure made a girl feel like she was the center of his galaxy. Whenever she was with Ben and the focus of his attention, everything else seemed to slip away, especially her practicality and good sense.
But the more she was with him and the more he gently pulled her into his orbit, the more she realized that maybe keeping walls up only kept people out and didn't do so much to keep her heart safe. Expecting bad things to happen instead of dealing with them when they did was a sure-fire way to suffer twice. And hadn't she suffered enough?
Rey shifted, slipping fully into his lap. With his legs spread wide, she hitched her own up and over his thick thigh and leaned in tight. Ben hummed thoughtfully before his arms slipped under her, shifting Rey so that he had better access to her skin.
Her outfit didn't reveal much, but what it did expose Ben managed to find. His lips trailed, his fingers sucked, and soon she was wiggling in his lap and wanting so much more than she'd be able to get from him in this place.
Still, she could get a little more. Before she could think better of it, Rey braced her hands on his chest and shifted herself so that instead of sitting in his lap, she straddled it. His broad body made it a little hard to spread her legs, but his hands held her hips tight and she settled in.
"Better?" he teased.
"Mmm, much," Rey admitted before leaning in to place a slow kiss on his lips.
This was what she'd wanted. There was a distinct kind of pleasure that came from kissing Ben. Rey got the impression that he didn't do it often—that not everyone was fortunate enough to feel his lips on theirs. For one, she'd never seen him kissing anyone on the mouth in any of the photos of him, and she'd seen hundreds.
So, that he was giving a piece of himself that he didn't seem to share with others meant a lot to her. Ben let her take the lead, lips parting as her tongue gently skimmed over his own. The kiss was slow, like they had all the time in the world to sit and enjoy each other. Sometimes, the need between them was a frantic, fiery thing. But now, it was patient, with a desperate sort of wanting.
Like they were both holding back for fear of needing more. And Rey did want more. Wanted to feel the hard press of him against her body. Wanted to feel his touch and tongue and lips on places that were hidden by clothes. Wanted to feel him from within. He was so tempting, but here she was, tempting him just the same.
His long nose gently pressed into her cheek as she deepened the kiss, and Rey found she loved the feeling. That soft touch on her cheek made her smile and laugh a little against his lips as Ben drew back with a dramatic sigh.
"It's always getting in the way."
Rey leaned in and pressed a kiss against the tip of his nose. "No! It's lovely. I love it."
"My nose?" Ben asked.
From this close, she could see every imperfect, perfect detail of his face. The irregular swipe of his nose, the freckles and moles that contrasted with his pale skin, the full shape of his lips as he spoke, the rise of his dark brow as he looked at her, disbelieving. He was beautiful to her—beautiful to so many people. But there was a vulnerability to his words and expression that made Rey realize that, perhaps, he didn't believe it.
"All of you, but especially your nose," she insisted with another gentle kiss.
He grumbled a little, but apparently was going to take Rey at her word. Ben's hand gently squeezed against her hip as he reluctantly shifted her. "Help me undress? The sooner we're out of here, the sooner we can get on with our evening."
Rey gave a nod before slipping off of him so they both could stand. Even though she'd helped him dress before, there was an undercurrent that ran between them now, as if he was looking to reaffirm their connection just as much as she was. Her hands skimmed across his tight body as Rey helped him take off the stunning dress. Fabric fluttered as she gently put the dress into his hovering wardrobe.
Before she could turn back, Ben was behind her, arms wrapped tight around her middle as he seemed to take a moment to just breathe her in.
"One last run at the red carpet," he murmured. "You ready for this?"
Rey nodded as she pressed back against his broad body. His warmth radiated around her and she realized that there was no other place in the galaxy that she'd rather be.
But the night was only beginning. Ben let his arm drop as he drew his fingertips along the length of her arm before giving Rey's hand a squeeze. Her stomach flipped a little while she considered the possibilities of what was yet to come between them once they got back to Ben's apartment.
It didn't take long for Ben to change, and Armitage had arranged for Ben's things to be shuttled back to his place, so there wasn't any need to wait for droids to gather things up.
"What about 3PO?" Rey wondered as they left the safety and privacy of his dressing room.
"If he's done his job, then he'll be waiting in the shuttle for us," Ben explained.
Rey was going to ask for some clarification, but by the time they stepped out from behind the stage and into the party, it was too hard for her to hear. The music thumped as Ben stalked through the crowd. Fortunately, by the time people realized it was him, it was too late as he'd opted for a dark, tight-knit robe, with the hood up. It was a good enough disguise to get him to the exit without much trouble. Once there, Ben flipped the hood back, covertly took a sniff of his calming herbs, and then plastered on a brilliant smile to face the front.
If anything, things were more chaotic as people clamored to get one last look at Ben in the flesh. Still, his smile stayed on as he made his way down the carpet, taking time for fans and holonists all with this trademark grace and effervescent presence. Rey wondered how much of that came from his mother, or whether his father was at all as charming as Ben. Still, she couldn't help but feel like the mood of the crowd had changed somehow. Hand on her blaster and combat umbrella ready, Rey stood back and watched as Ben moved along the carpet.
Before they'd all been excited to see Ben and some had thought there was a chance that they'd be able to spend time alone with him. That potential was lost with the winner called. Now, they all fought over scraps as he left pieces of himself all along the red carpet. A smile here. A laugh there. An autograph. A photo. Pieces and never the whole.
But these sentients didn't want the whole picture. They just wanted the parts that they could show off and Ben knew it. Rey realized how hollow that must have made him feel and more than just a little used. But he was almost done now. Ben neared the end of the line and Rey shifted around to where the dark shuttle was waiting, door open.
3PO had already made his way back to the transport and his golden body gleamed from the front passenger seat as he watched. Rey wondered what the droid had gotten up to, but a stir from the crowd pulled her attention away from the droid. A shiver ran through her, reminding her of times where she'd been out on runs, only to find herself in a lurch. Someone was cutting through the crowd like it was hot butter and running right towards them.
Almeaa had been right to worry—Armitage's inadequate security practically melted away as a huge Ovissian male dipped his chipped, yellowing horns and rammed into the crowd, splitting a line whether they moved or not and bullying his way to the front with a blaster in hand.
"This is payback, bitch!" he growled as Rey ran.
Seconds felt like hours as she frantically fought to get between Ben and the male, but could she make it in time? Rey watched, horror settling in as the Ovissian aimed…
And fired his blaster.
Author's Notes: Hey all! Sorry it's been a minute. Life's been pretty garbo lately (sick, death in the family, lots of work, and then hurt my toe), so writing's just been tough. Next chapter should be up a lot faster than this one because it's mostly finished (and a fair bit o'smut, tbf). Anyways, thanks for your support, your lovely reviews and follows (which I'll get to answering, sorry about that too), and for reading 3 Take care wherever you are! Any mistakes are my own ? Oh yeah, sorry about the double cliffy. Originally, the chapter should have just ended here, but I didn't want to deal with like 15k in one go (the last chapter and this one together), so that's that! I can only think of one *big* cliffy to come, but I guess we'll see how things work out lol?
