So… several of y'all mentioned them being seen at the conference together… this is actually a little paragraph I deleted from chapter 10…

[Good thing most of their clients don't know her face, just her name. Over the years since her and her friends took over, Poe and Finn are more the of the public faces of Palpatine while she's been content to remain in the shadows as she tries to fix things.]

Think of this Grandpa Palpatine as an asshat. Even Rey knew it. remember, Rose's dad didn't really want her working and even hanging out with Rey when they were younger. But then he met Rey and found out that she's just a loveable kid who misses her parents. He also did a lot of shady and illegal stuff. That's another reason why Padme cut ties with him. Then Rey got the company and she's been fixing as much as she could while her Vice presidents basically ran the company.

So, when they sat together at the conference, it was mostly, who is that woman sitting with Ben Solo? Not why is a Palpatine sitting with a Skywalker?

I hope that helps.

Once again, I hope you enjoy this! More fluff! The other stuff is coming… I guess you could say that it will start in chapter twelve… but thank you again for coming back to read! Thank you for the likes, the follows, the kudos, and the comments! They make my day!

And now… enjoy the last little bit in Vegas…

Saturday

He wasn't sure what he was expecting, but he knows that Rose must at some point in time come and do a training with his employees. He just hates that he didn't hear who she works for because he and Kira were a tad bit late and didn't hear her introduction.

That was all his fault because he dragged her into the closest empty closet.

And he found out that she wasn't wearing any underwear under that tight pencil skirt of hers. The same skirt that makes her legs look endless—he doesn't even mind that she wrinkled his suit jacket as she held on to him when he lifted her against the wall.

"Do you think Rose's employer would loan her out?" He whispers as Rose wraps up her hour.

"To do what?"

"To give that same presentation. I know several who need to hear it."

"I'm sure something could be arranged. Talk to her about it."

"I will," he says as he bumps her shoulder. "Do you want to stay for Hux? I don't think his will be as good as hers—"

Before he can continue, Armitage Hux himself comes to the podium. "Welcome, welcome. Come back out, Love."

Kira's jaw drops and his must too. Are they tired of hiding too? Is Kira ready for him to shout to the world how much he loves her.

The words settle in his heart.

The goofy smile appears. Yes, he does love her—so much. Now when to tell her that he's a Skywalker?

His attention is drawn back to the stage. "Since Ms. Tico did such an amazing job, she agreed to come back with me since there wasn't enough time for questions. Now, who has one?"

He's not at all surprised when almost every hand in the small ballroom raises like they are begging for their favorite elementary teacher to pick them to be the line leader for recess.

"She's amazing—" he whispers as Hux begins to organize the crowd for his love.

"She is." Kira agrees. "And it sounds like Hux is awesome too."

"He has his moments, but for the most part he does have good ideas. Phasma is good at helping us flesh out our ideas."

His heart feels like it's stopping. This is the closest they've come to telling each other what they actually do or even who they are. He feels like everything he's ever wanted is within reach but then again if someone says or does the wrong thing—

It will all be gone tomorrow.

And he doesn't think he could survive losing her.

So instead of asking more—he says, "Tacos and slushy margaritas?"

"Please?" she mutters back and just one look into her eyes he knows that she can feel it too.

Brbrbrbrbr

"You know I'm only doing this for you—why can't we get that chef, what was his name?"

"Chef Jacques?"

"Yes—Chef Jacques to come back. I'll even pay for it this time—" she mutters as she opens the bedroom door. She mentioned that she brought her new dress, the same on that Threeipo told her to pack and he told her to get ready. She was going to argue, but he said it in his Dom voice from Morosis that didn't allow for her to argue with him.

She just has to get him to zip her up and put on her heels—but when she walks out her jaw drops. "I knew it—" she murmurs as she takes him in. It's not a tux, but it fits him like one. Clean black lines—classic cut jacket—she doesn't even have to touch it to know that it's a tailored Tom Ford. Her mouth waters as she admits, "Damn you look handsome."

"Sweetheart—" he looks dazed as he takes her in. Bubble gum pink metallic jacquard dress. She knows that he doesn't notice the boatneck or that its sleeveless or even that it has pockets. But by the way his eyes fill with wanting her—she knows that she made the right choice when she picked out this dress last week.

"You look amazing," his whisper is harsh with need as he steps closer.

"Can you zip me up?" She turns to show him her bare back.

And the fact that she doesn't have a bra on.

His groan hits her and she has to make herself not touch him. He doesn't listen to her at first, but instead she feels his fingertips drift down her spine to where she knows the zipper ends just above her hips—then a kiss at the base of her neck.

The feel of the zipper encasing her like he does makes desire wash over her. She turns in his arms and standing on her toes—her lips meet his.

As always when she first kisses him—it feels like coming home.

He lets her deepen it and she melts in his arms. But it's him who breaks the kiss. "Kitten—we have reservations—unless you want to stay in, order room service—"

"You know, normally id' take you up on that—but you look nice. I want to show you off," she says.

Kylo giggles.

For the rest of her life, no matter what happens she will remember that giggle.

"Alright then, take off your panties." His voice switches from the soft teasing one he's been using for the past couple of days to his Morosis voice- harder, commanding, and deeper, if that's possible.

The shiver of delight that dances down her spine reminds her of the club contract that binds her to him.

Instead of breaking her stare, her eyes stay locked on his whiskey-colored ones as she lifts up her skirt. She hooks her thumbs in the straps at her hips and pushes them until they slide all the way down to the floor.

That Dom sparkle is back in his eyes as he reaches in his jacket.

A skein of pink rope that ironically matches her dress appears in his hand. "You have your gear bag?" she whispers.

"No—while I was out today, I found the local sex toy store that has our favorite rope." His lips claim hers in a quick, hard kiss. Even as he kisses her, the sound of the rope hitting the hardwood floor makes a wave of need wash over her.

She gasps for breath when he breaks the kiss.

It's been a while since he's tied her—and as the thin, soft bamboo slides around her waist she realizes how much she's missed this.

She still holds up her dress as he ties the rope at the base of her spine. When he threads the rope through her buttocks, her breath catches—she hopes, and he does—she spreads her legs even more when she feels his fingers parting her folds to find her clit.

A pinch and a pull as he kisses her neck leaves her grinding into his hand.

"Easy, Kitten," he purrs. But then he steps away from her, and she misses his heat as he comes around to face her. His fingers are in his mouth and when he hums—her knees try to buckle as he smacks his lips. "So nice," he murmurs before he ties a knot and places it where his hand just was.

In quick succession he ties a series of knots that just cover her mound just like the thong she just took off.

She bites back her grin when he sweeps those same panties off the floor and stuffs them in the breast pocket of his jacket.

A wink, another kiss- this one slow and promising and he hands her, her purse—"shoes, you need shoes."

"I do," she agrees.

"Don't move." She watches him as he rushes into the bedroom where she got ready. Her brow rises when she notices both of his hands behind his back. "Do you want these?" He first shows her the flip flops she bought downstairs in the gift shop. "Or these?"

Much to her surprise, with a flourish, he produces a pair of red bottomed shoes. That was easy, she has several pair that she wears almost every day.

But these she's only seen in pictures because everyone back in the City has been sold out—a pink four inch stiletto heel with a to-die-for-scarf around the ankle with the cutest little strap across the toe—"How—" she whispers.

"I've noticed your other shoes. And how you like to dress, even at the club—" she doesn't let him finish because her lips are on his and she hopes that her touch curls his toes like his does for her.

"You bought me shoes along with a spank worthy corset, tacos and slushy margaritas? I might have to keep you after all," she murmurs against his lips.

"That's what I'm counting on—" she steals his breath away as she interrupts him with another kiss. When she pulls away it takes everything, she has to not drag him back to the bedroom when he says, "Come on, beautiful. We have steak and lobster waiting on us."

The shoes are still in his hands when she grins. She grabs the flip-flops and slides them on. "Come on, I'll put these on in the car, because I know that you have a driver."

He smacks her bottom as she sneaks past him. She grabs his hand and pulls him out the door.

Brbrbrbr

"This is pretty fancy," she whispers as they wait for the hostess to find their reservation. "I hope it's as good as our tacos." He looks away for a moment and she wiggles to try to shift the knot-

They both see the panic that crosses the young lady's face as her manager comes over to help. "I am so sorry sir—but it seems that there is no reservation under Ren and we are very busy tonight. I can offer you a seat at the bar—"

He looks down at her, their eyes meeting. A grin on hers matches his smirk. Not so long ago he would have blown up, cussing everyone, calling the owner demanding that he fire everyone. He knows that it's because of this magnificent creature beside him—he doesn't do any of those things. Instead, he says, "Thank you—" tightens the grip he has on her hand and together they walk out.

His driver seems surprised to see them back so early, but when Kylo says, "Take us to where the food trucks park—" he returns their smiles.

"I know just the place."

It only takes him several minutes before he stops. It looks like just any park but then Kylo helps her out and they follow the music and the lights. A lined walkway of green and left-over Christmas lights leads them to a parking lot. But instead of cars and SUVs, it's full of at least twenty bread trucks.

They surround several picnic tables all luminated by string and streetlights.

And surprisingly, they aren't the only ones dressed up. Sure, there are several families out with their kids, but also others who seem to be out on a date.

She'll never admit to how her heart clenches at the sight of the babies and toddlers climbing on their parents.

The hand holding hers squeezes and pulls her close. she starts to dream of a little one with those inky waves of his and her green eyes—when the knot he placed in a certain spot rubs her a certain way and she's right back in the moment.

"I don't see our tacos—how about barbeque?" He asks.

"Didn't you want lobster?" she points out.

"It doesn't matter to me—the beauty of it is we can get different things." He smiles. "I know we both agreed—but is this alright?" He asks his voice sounding suddenly unsure.

"Yes, you know I'm not picky, just feed me. But I know that you wanted somewhere more—fancy?"

"Inside?" he chuckles.

"Hey, one evening when we're back home we can get dressed up again—" her voice trails off. this is the first time either of them has asked, hinted or suggested that either one of them wants more. she won't meet his eyes, half afraid of what she might see there. "We'll talk about that later—" she turns to him but the shadows of the evening hides what she might be looking for. "At least we're in the beautiful desert, even if it gets chilly at night." She grasps his hand that's so tightly around hers. His eyes meet hers and she tugs him until he closes the space between them. She steals a kiss, her lips on his before she grins up at him. "As long as I'm with you, there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

He lets go of her hand and for a moment she wonders what she said that was wrong—but he takes that same arm and wraps it around her shoulders. His lips linger at her temple, and she wraps her arms around his waist.

Neither one of them says it, but she can feel it humming in the air.

"Come on, let's eat." She pulls him after her.

Brbrbrbrbr

"The past couple of days with you have been wonderful," she says before she claims the last bite of pudding.

"It has been, I won't trade it for anything," he agrees as he reaches for her hand. "Though I do have a question—" she raises her brows in response. "How's your rope doing?" He rumbles.

Her giggle fills the air around them. "It makes me feel—like you are near, which you are but—" she pauses, should she say what she wants to say? Loved? cherished? Adored? "I need you—"

"You do?" His Dom voice is back.

"I always need you—" then she shifts so that the knot she's been trying to ignore since they left the hotel doesn't rub—

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing—"

"I think someone's ready to go."

"I think so too."

He grabs her hand and helps her up. A kiss to her knuckles and he tucks her hand into his elbow. He leads her back to the car, neither one mentioning that they all go home tomorrow.

Brbrbrbrbr

"One more swim?" She asks in the elevator.

"Only if we can go skinny dipping again—" he whispers in her ear.

"That's the only way to do it." She turns in his arms. A quick kiss and she says, "Kylo—" she blinks the tears away as he rests his forehead against hers.

"Shh—we're almost there." he pulls her into his arms. "Maybe we can swim later—"

"I just want you to hold me."

"Anything, Kitten," he murmurs. "What's wrong?"

The doors open preventing her from saying anything else because there on the other side stands Poe, Finn, Rose and Hux and Kaydel.

"There you two are!" one of them says.

"Fancy clothes! Where did you guys go?"

"Come on—let's go dancing!" Their employees don't give them a chance to respond because they are all piling into the elevator with them which forces them closer than they already were and to the back.

They stop back on the floor their friends are all staying on but instead of going to their rooms, Phasma joins them.

Her eyes meet his, and he wipes the tear from hers. A kiss on her forehead and he murmurs, "One drink and we'll go back upstairs."

But when they pass the smoky jazz bad at the back of the hotel—she stops. If she has to socialize more tonight, then she's going to do it with his arms around her as they dance the night away. "we're going in here," she announces.

Rose and hux are the only ones who stop, but Kaydel nudges both of them to keep going to the fast-moving dance club at the end of the hotel property.

When she hears those familiar notes—she tugs him along after her. His only response is a raised brow as they enter the smoky bar.

A lone saxophone player with a man behind a piano are in their places on the stage. She's so lost in the melody that she doesn't notice anything else until she hears cymbal ring. Then she sees the young lady with the drums. His fingers squeeze hers and she looks up at him with shining eyes. "My parents—" she pauses so she doesn't start sobbing at the familiar notes filling her soul. "Would dance in the living room to jazz. Daddy would grab Mama and they'd both hold me—"

Silently he kisses the knuckles of the hand still in his and then leads her out on the dance floor. There are several other couples, and they make room for them with easy smiles and friendly nods.

She loves how he pulls her close, a hand on her waist, his other never leaving hers. Her hand trails up his arm until it stops at his shoulder.

He begins to sway, and she leans in until there is nothing between them but the clothes they wear. His lips press a kiss to her forehead then her temple. She looks up at him, a gentle smile on his face.

"This past week has been amazing—" he starts to say something, but she presses her finger over his lips. A kiss and then he sucks her into his mouth with a nibble. "Quit," she admonishes with a smile. "Let me finish please—" she wants to keep looking into his eyes, but she has to look away to be able to finish. "There are somethings I need to take care of back home. Then and only then can I reveal who I am. Because I don't think I can ever let you go."

She feels his breath shudder in his chest. But then she looks up into his eyes—the joy and the excitement she sees steals her breath away. "I think you just made me the happiest man on earth. At least in Vegas." His leans forward until their foreheads touch and breath mingles.

"Just promise me something?" She asks.

"Anything." Is his answer.

"That I'll always be your Kitten?"

"Oh Sweetheart, you will always be more than that." he picks her up against him. He doesn't kiss her right away, but he does hold her while he sways. "How am I going to sleep without you?"

His very breath sounds as ragged as her heart feels.

"For the past year and a half, we've done everything under the sun, but the thought of leaving you tears my heart out. I'm not sure if I can go back to just seeing you on the weekends." She confesses as he sets her down.

"We'll figure it out." a deep breath. "You can always come over to my place."

He said it. The unspoken words that they silently agreed not to ever say. But why does it feel like her heart is going to break and fly at the same time?

"You don't know how much I want to—but let me take care of that big thing first. When we finally—" she lets her voice trail off, not sure how to verbalize what she's feeling. "I just want us to have a new start."

"I like that." he smiles that smirk at her. "Then can we take a long vacation? Without all of our friends?"

"Do you promise?"

"I do, Sweetheart—" she can feel how his voice catches there at the end. And while she feels their need, their want, their desire in the air like it's a physical thing—she kisses him, sealing the unspoken vow between them. "Let's go upstairs?"

"Alright." Hand in hand they make their way to the elevator. Neither one of them feel like going into the overly noisy club so she pulls out her cell.

She shoots a text to Rose and Poe and Finn that she's going up to go to bed—aka don't bother them and turns her phone on silent.

They share a grin as they spy the other doing the same.

The doors close and the floor swoops under their feet as the metal box shoots upwards. It doesn't take long to get to their floor, but she has to keep touching him. Arms around his middle, he pulls her close even as they stop moving.

The doors open with a ding, and he leads her back to their rooms.

"You know, it's silly. We're just going back to New York. It's not like we won't see one another in the city." He says as he unlocks their door.

"I know, but I like holding you close while I sleep." she looks up at him and he steals a kiss, his lips lingering at the middle of her forehead.

Still not letting go—he leads her to their bedroom. He unzips her dress, she eases his jacket off. piece by piece, they undress each other until there's nothing between them.

Even his rope in on the floor between them.

"I'm going to miss this—" he murmurs as she steps into his arms. His arms tighten around her and he rushes them to the bed they've been sleeping in all week.

In a mess of arms and legs they land on the bed. A set of lips on a neck leaves a searing trail of need as they bite nerves that the other knows makes them rock hard and ready. Fingers tangle in waves with a gentle pull sends desire through them with a gasp. He slides home where she welcomes him with a growl of her own. A twist and a shift and she ends up on top with him buried in between her thighs.

His hands find her hips and with a bruise leaving grip, he urges her to move. She follows his silent command when she shifts her hips. He goes even deeper, with her moan echoing it's praise as her tingles gather at her core. She moves her hands to his chest, but he doesn't let her leave them there.

"Put your hands behind your back—" he growls. She immediately listens and he grabs her wrists in one hand while his other hand guides her to lay down on his chest. he shifts, and with a lingering kiss he begins to thrust, fucking up into her.

Their gasps of pleasure fill the bedroom as she comes first. feeling her pleasure, it doesn't take him long to come too.