"I don't like Mondays," she growls.
"No one does," Rose agrees as they walk off the elevator.
"At least our commute is just getting on the elevator." If she ever has to work another job after this and can't get to work simply by walking downstairs, she's going to—well she'll just have to cross that bridge when she gets to it.
"Yes, thank you for small favors." Rose follows Rey into Beaumont's office that leads into Rey's. Beaumont is already there with his Monday smile on for the ladies.
"A cappuccino for you, Ms. Johnson and a latte for you, Ms. Tico," Beaumont says as he gives them their coffees.
"He's entirely too happy for a Monday," Rey remarks. That earns a nod from Rose and a chuckle from Beaumont.
"I'm chipper so you don't have to be, Ms. Johnson," Beaumont says. He follows Rose and Rey into Rey's office.
"This is why you gave him to me, isn't it?" Rey asks as she sets her stuff down on her desk. "Admit it."
"I'll never confess," Rose says with a grin. "Go away Beaumont, I need to talk to Rey."
"Fine, fine. But I have a stack of mail that I need to go over with her so don't be too long." Beaumont closes the door behind him.
They wait for the door to click before Rose says, "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine—why?" Rey looks up. Rose is looking at her like— "why are you looking at me like that?"
"You said you might be—"
"I'm not," she interrupts. "At least I don't know—anything yet. Or will. I'm probably not. Did I tell you what Lor said? I did, didn't I?"
"Yes, but it was about the Skywalkers, what else did he say?"
"Remember when Lando said that I can't sell?"
"Yes—"
"Lor said that I could," Rey says.
"How?" Rose squeaks.
"He said that he put a loop-hole in the will. If I come under too much distress or—" she pauses for a deep breath. "Decide to start a family. I guess grandfather had a bit of conscious before he died?"
"Is that why you forgot—" Rose begins.
"Oh no. no I honest-to-God forgot them." She takes a sip of her coffee. "I guess that's easy to do with Kylo." She jumps when Rose throws a napkin at her. "Hey—"
"He's a great guy. Now I see why you signed the contract. And after Vegas, I can see why he's become a big part of your life. Now what? Why are you so afraid of telling him who you are?"
"You know why—" Rey begins.
"No, you won't go to therapy anymore which yes, you've been busy since Sheev died just trying to fix his mistakes. But when are you finally going to start living your life?" Rose says, straight and to the point like she's awesome at. That's why she made her a VP, wasn't it?
"I want to meet with Ben Solo and the people from Skywalker. See what he wants. Then—"
"Then—" Rose echoes on the edge of her seat.
"Then I can tell Kylo who I really am. And hope that all this," she says as she vaguely motions to the room around them. "Doesn't scare him away."
"It probably won't. Think about it, they were at the conference, Hux works with him along with Phasma. That was a conference for people in finance. We were only there because of Poe presenting. Then they asked me—"
"Yeah, we don't know all the people in Manhattan. Grandfather did." She takes a sip then looks up to meet Rose's eyes. "Do you think it will be ok?"
"I think it will be amazing! You have a man and maybe a baby! It's going to call me Aunt Ro and I get to spoil it silly!"
Rey wipes her tears. "That sounds so nice—"
"Rey-Rey, you're not that lost kid anymore," Rose is on her feet and around the desk. A tug and her best friend has her arms around her in a hug. "You deserve all this, your happily ever after. Don't ever forget that."
"What if I sell—"
"Then I hope you sell it to me, Finn and Poe. But we don't have to worry about that right now. right now, we have to catch up on too many things. Can't we hire someone to do all this?"
"I wish we could—"
Brbrbrbrbr
"Hell, Ben you didn't look like this yesterday when we got home—what happened?" Hux asks in the elevator leading down from their apartments.
"We had dinner last night then hung out until about ten. Everything was fine until I woke up at three. I was searching for Kira."
"Just call her—you have her phone number, right?"
"I do, but she's probably like us and has stuff—"
"We always have stuff." Hux stops outside of Ben's office. He nods at Ben's PA, Bazine.
"Good morning, Mr. Solo, Mr. Hux," she greets. "The mail and the messages I couldn't answer are on your desk."
"Thanks, Bazine," Ben answers as he walks through the doorway. He turns his head enough to see that Hux is still following him. "What?"
"Call her."
"I will, sometime." He sets down his briefcase. Bazine already has his coffee waiting.
"Ben, I could tell that there's something between you two, something amazing and wonderful. Why are you nervous?"
He remembers Kira last night and how she shook in his arms. "No reason." He sees the work and he wants to groan and run back to Vegas. "I'll see you at the meeting at ten?"
"Of course—" Hux's smirk appears. "Call her."
"Get."
"Fine." Hux walks out and Ben sits.
As he normally does, he focuses on the Palpatine building. But instead of letting himself obsess over it, he calls, "Hey, Bazine?" He waits for her to stick her head around the corner. "Do you know a good travel agent? I need to plan a trip to Jamaica"
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"Anything else?" Ben asks. Besides eating take out at his house on Sundays, they meet at the office at least once a week. It's always the three of them, Ben, Hux and Phasma. This week several others join them pitching their various projects when Bazine nudges his elbow.
He knows the look he's giving her, he practiced it plenty in the mirror after Snoke committed that he had a baby face. As usual, she doesn't flinch. But she does show him her phone and who's calling.
Palpatine.
There are very few things he gave her permission to interrupt him for. Parents and if there is a emergency. Luke. Artoo. And now, if someone from Palpatine calls. A firm nod and she quickly stands and rushes to the hallway.
He's half tempted to follow. But Phasma kicks his shin, "What was that for?" he hisses. Mikata, who was sharing about his next company they are going to buy before Palpatine does.
"Pay attention."
"That was Palpatine on the phone," he mutters back. everyone else around the table hears him because they all freeze and even a couple of jaws drop.
It doesn't take Baz long to come back to her seat. He also doesn't miss the grin on her face. "Do they know?"
"They know who was on the phone," he replies.
"Ah ok." She straightens in her chair, and announces, "Ben has a meeting with Rey Palpatine err—Johnson on Friday of this week."
Hux claps. Phasma nods with respect. Mikata looks at Bazine like he always does, with the heart-eyes of a lovesick calf.
"Very good," he murmurs even though no one else hears him. "Very good."
Brbrbrbrbr
"What are you going to offer her?" Hux asks as they enter Ben's office. He sits in his usual leather upholstered chair by the desk while Ben looks out the window, the same one he looks out to stare at the Palpatine building across the park from them.
"A dollar?" Ben replies as he turns to meet Hux's gaze.
"And she'll laugh you out of the room." Hux shakes his head at him. "Really though, what can we give without it effecting the company too much?"
"I don't want the building—just the Palpatine name." He pushes a notepad with numbers written on it over to Hux. As his friend looks over it, he continues, "I don't want to ask Snoke for anything. I think Mom and Dad will invest if we need them to." The friends are quiet for a moment before Ben continues, "Hell, I'm just glad that she finally agreed to meet."
Even as he thinks that something, well for the lack of a better word, pings deep inside him.
Who is Rey Johnson? Who is this woman that controls one of the biggest and powerful companies in the world?
Why can't he find out anything beyond that online?
"It will be an interesting meeting," Hux agrees. "Is she coming here?"
"She is. I'm not sure why—"
"Probably so she can leave, or run away if she needs to," Hux replies. "Will you please be civil to her?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Ben answers. "You think I'll be a total ass to her—"
"For the past several years you've told me plenty of times how much you hate her and her corporation. What else do I expect when you finally meet her face-to-face. Just do me a favor?" Hux asks. Ben shrugs. "Remember that she's not her grandfather. Maybe she's trying to fix what he did."
"If she is, then why isn't anyone talking about it? I'm almost ready to hire a private investigator to find out about her—"
"I don't think you'll have to do anything like that. Just like you don't care for being compared to your family, give her the same grace. She probably doesn't like being compared to Sheev Palpatine."
"You know something," Ben accuses him. A heady mix of anger and rage floods him at the thought that Hux, one of his oldest and dearest friends would hide anything from him.
And he's not sure at how that makes him feel. Why would Armitage Hux be hiding Rey Johnson of all people.
"I don't—you think I do, I swear to God Ben, if I knew anything I would have told you anything whenever I found out." Hux pauses and their eyes meet. "I promise—"
"I believe you," Ben mutters. And he means it. He does believe him. "She must be paying someone a lot of money to keep her off the internet."
"But why? What is she trying to hide?" Hux put to words what he's feeling.
"No idea—" his next words make him feel and sound like he still works for Snoke. "But if we could find out then we could use that to make her sell—"
He meet's his friend stare. Hux doesn't have to say it because Ben can feel his disapproval. Both of their phones buzz interrupting the conversation from going any further. They both say, "I've got to take this—"
Hux stands and answers hello before he's even out of Ben's office. Only then does he let the smile that hasn't been far below the surface come out.
"Hello beautiful," He coos. Since when did he coo?
"Hello handsome," Kira giggles back. "How are you?"
"I am—" he thinks of all that's happened in the last little bit and while he wants to tell her every little detail, he says, "just Monday morning-been-out-of-town-all-weekend stuff. You?"
"Same," her exhale is already weary in his ear and it's only ten. "Listen, I'll be quick. Cassian called me and there is a family emergency and he and Jyn have to go out of town. He's got tomorrow night covered, but would you interested in hosting with me tonight and Wednesday? He said that should be back by then. I know you're busy—"
"I'd love to," he cuts her off. "What all do we have to do?"
"Oh, you know, just make sure everyone's safe and respected. Throw people out if we have to, stuff like that. I think he was going to call Rose and Hux to come help on Wednesday because it's understandably busier than Mondays."
"What happens on Wednesdays?"
"You don't know? Strip bingo." He can hear the smile in her voice.
"How did I not know about strip bingo before?"
"I'm surprised you didn't. Tonight, is boring, it's dungeon demos and the club closes at ten." she says.
"That doesn't sound boring at all," he practically purrs thinking about her and the St. Andrews cross. "Wear that pink nightie you have."
"Yes, Master," she whispers. "I've got to go. See you around six?"
"See you there." And just like that, his Monday is perfect.
Brbrbrbrbr
This isn't the first time she's hosted, but it's the first time she's doing it without Cassian being here. She runs her hands over the pink satin of the baby doll nightie she has on for tonight. Sure, she's worn it before and she knows she looks, well perfect for Morosis but—she watches herself in the mirror as she turns to admire her side profile before she adjusts her mask-
"You can worry about that later—" her whisper is harsh in the changing room. She's understandably early as expected Cassian left her and Kylo a long-detailed note of what to do but since Holly is coming in and the club's usual staff, Rey's not worried. They will be ready to close by ten. Plus, his keys are on the leather strap around her wrist, giving her all the authority, she needs.
"Alright, let's see if he's here." One last look and a deep breath, not sure why she's feeling apprehensive, but she is. She walks out the door that leads to the club. Since it's a demo evening, the house lights are up and only soda and water is being served. And the staff will be ushering everyone up to the top floor where the dungeon is.
Several of the staff that she knows by name, greet her by her synonym, Kira as she walks through the club. Kylo must not be here yet but then she should check the schedule one more time—the key fits easily into the doorknob and turns the first time she turns it.
"There you are!" his rumbly baritone makes her look up with a grin. He's looking oh-so-handsome in his button up shirt that he's wearing open over a black t-shirt and his leathers.
And his Zorro mask is back in place.
"When did you get here?" She asks as she launches herself into his arms.
Thankfully he catches her.
"Just a couple of minutes ago," he chuckles because she's kissing the parts of his body that she can reach. He sits down in Cassian's chair and pulls her onto his lap. He cups her cheeks and her hazel green eyes meet his whiskey-colored ones and she smiles that smile and he returns it—and the worries of the day just float away.
It's then that she decides that she's going to give him the world, just as soon as she sells the company. A yacht—"do you like the ocean?"
"The ocean? I do—why?" He answers surprise clear on his face.
She leans into him, his hands still on her as her lips claim his. Her kiss is quick, so she can say, "It's a surprise. Now, are you ready for tonight?"
"I think so? Cassian said that you've done this before?" Kylo asks.
"Yes. we just have to make sure everyone's safe. The staff is very well trained we're just here to be their back-up."
"We can do that." He gives her that look before he starts kissing her sternum. "How much time do we have?"
"About half an hour—we can't do it in here!"
"Why not? Go lock the door."
"Kylo—they'll know!"
"Yes, that's the point. There's going to be a club full of doms, and I want you walking around with my come in you, claiming you—"
"Master—" she whispers as his words make her wobbly. It doesn't help that she's wearing the shoes he gave her in Vegas. Quickly, she crosses the room, and clicks the dead bolt into place. then she locks the second door.
By the time she gets back to Kylo, he's got his leathers pulled down with his dick out. She begins to sink to her knees, but he stops her. "Let me make you feel good—" she mutters as continues in spite of him trying to stop her.
He realizes her intent because he doesn't stop her again. She doesn't waste any time as she gently takes him into her hand. their eyes meet again as she sucks the head into her mouth. With hollowed cheeks, she takes him deep into her mouth. Before she stops, a little hum that he feels all the way in his balls makes goosebumps erupt all over him.
Several pumps, and he is ready to tell her to stop and that's when she gets up. He raises the arm rests of the leather chair and she settles herself on his lap. Face to face as she lowers herself, he fills her like he never has before.
"Fuck, Kylo—you feel so good," her groan fills the office.
His hands find her hips under the pink satin. Fingers leave their mark as he moves her in time with his thrusts. Breaths shudder in chests as she wraps her arms around his neck. "Kira—Kira—Kira—" he chants as he pushes up into her. She shudders in his arms as her pleasure builds then crests as it washes over her. He pulls her close as he quivers under her.
She's been with enough men that she knows it's not like this every time. Big emotion that sweeps her away. As she waits in his arms for her breathing to return to normal the same though she's been having for a while now comes to mind—she's in so much trouble.
Brbrbrbrbr
Kira walks out of the changing room dressed in her shorts and his hoodie—the same one she lifted from him in Vegas and her little ballerina flats with everything else in a backpack. Kylo didn't mention doing anything after they closed the club, he must be as tired as she is too.
"Is that everyone?" She calls to the staff leaving the dark club. They have plenty of light in the parking lot, from the streetlights but it's still creepy.
She feels a little safer when she spies his SUV.
Jared and Holly catch up to her. "Kylo's coming, he was looking for you."
"Am I in trouble?" She winks at Holly but asks the dark figure that approaches them.
"You should be." He wraps his arms around her then kisses her temple. "How are you getting home?"
"Uber. I wish we could go to Maz's," she breathes.
"Wednesday, after naked bingo—"
"It's strip bingo—" she laughs with him. "I have news. I arranged the meeting to get that issue taken care of."
"You did?" his voice sounds excited.
"I did. Then we can do all that stuff we talked about."
"That sounds amazing." He squeezes her tight just as a SUV pulls into the parking lot then stops in front of them.
"Kira?"
"That's me." she chirps. A quick turn in his arms and a long kiss. "Call me in a minute or two?"
"As soon as I get home."
"Goodnight—" he whispers. The smile she's had on her lips all evening doesn't leave as she climbs into the Uber. He begins to walk to his vehicle but still watches the uber as it pulls out into traffic.
He pulls out into traffic and can see her uber just a couple of blocks ahead of him. Not sure why, but he decides to follow. Maybe he needs to know. Maybe he doesn't want to let her go just yet. Maybe—he catches up to her as the uber rolls to a stop in front of one of the many buildings in Manhattan. His breath catches as the passenger door opens—and his Kira doesn't get out instead it's a tall man in a khaki overcoat.
"Damn it-I could have sworn—" Ben mutters as he drives past. "May as well go on home."
He's on automatic pilot as he lets his mind wander. When he was younger it was easy to dream. Since things happen and his life took several turns that he never expected he hasn't let himself dream anymore. That is until this fated trip to Vegas. Living with Kira for those several days—he can't describe it but it's left him with a yearning for things that he never thought he'd ever have.
He never thought much about the proverbial house with the white picket fence and the yard full of kids—but even as he allows that thought in, his heart leaps in his chest as if it's shouting, yes that's what I need.
Kira and him, with babies everywhere—family. Growing old together, being with each other as time marches on. Yes, that's what we need, his heart demands.
Brbrbrbrbr
"Are we sure about this?" He murmurs to Kira who's laughing. That musical sound surrounds him and makes him feel safe.
"That's why we have so many accessories out, so it's not over in two games." He looks over the baskets full of everything from scarves, to handcuffs to different lengths of rope. "If someone calls bingo, then you have to take something off."
"But it looks like several want to get naked." And they do. Most of the unattached subs are wearing nothing but pasties and bottoms, while doms have on shirts and their leathers.
"Well yeah. They can still find a Dom—" she admits with a wink. "But I have mine."
"Damn right you do." He lowers his voice so he can whisper in her ear, "Do we have to stay for all this?"
"What do you have in mind, Sir?" She murmurs back.
"We could go back to Cassian's office—"
"That would work, that way we're close in case they need us."
"If they can't handle calling bingo for a bunch of horny perverts, then Cassian needs to hire some new people." He steals a kiss. "Let's go?"
"Holly?" The receptionist hums. "We have to go get something in the office—"
"It's good," she says with a wink. "Make sure you look everywhere for it."
"For what?" He asks. But then he realizes that Holly winked—and Kira grins and he nods. "Never mind. Come on, Kitten." She takes his hand and skips along beside him. The Doms nod respectively while the subs look at them in envy.
Kira steps closer to his side. The office door opens easily while he holds it open for her. She enters before him, and they wait for the door to close. A giggle and a moan as he pushes her against the door.
"You look so pretty, I need to buy you one of these in every color." He licks down her neck as he picks her up against the door. "I've imagined this all day long—"
"What?" she asks, her voice breathless, in his ear. She bites his ear lobe, and his moan is her answer.
"You needy before me—" he grunts as he pushes inside. "This is what I dream about, this is what I need. Fuck Kira—" her arms are around his neck and her legs around his waist as he pushes in, then out. His thrusts are soon in time with her mewls of need. Fingers are in his waves—first she loosens the knot of the silk mask. It falls in-between them as he strips her bit of lace off. His lips claim hers as he moves. He must have more than his lips as he hits a new angle that only he's been able to reach.
She shudders in his arms as he gives in to the tingles that are washing over him. Foreheads touch, breath mingle as he stills as he spills.
He wants to tell her the words that have been on the tip of his tongue since that first night in Vegas. How he needs her—and he thinks she feels the same as she looks up at him with her heart and dare, he say, love in her eyes. He kisses those same eyes and then the very tip of her nose.
It's now or never. He should just tell her.
But it's her who moves first as her legs slide down his as she lets go. He doesn't let her step away but pulls her close again before she can step away. "We should go check on Holly. She might need us."
"fine—" he grunts as real life invades on them again.
Brbrbrbrbr
"More coffee?" Beaumont asks.
"Thank you," she says as he refills her cup. It's finally Friday.
Her breath is shaky as she exhales trying to catch a hold of her emotions. Yesterday, instead of giving in to what she really wanted to do, run away and find Kylo—she worked on various little projects.
Anything to keep her mind off of today.
As much as she wants them all to go with her, only Rose is going. She even took great pains this morning going through her closet, not happy with anything she pulled out to wear. Then she didn't have time to hang everything back up, and feels plenty of guilt for leaving it all to Threepio to clean up.
She finally settled on a grey pencil shirt, a pink blouse that mimics Kylo's dress shirts and the shoes with the bows that he gave her.
Yes, it's silly, but they do help. She'll be able to tell him soon all about this and he'll laugh about her using the shoes as a little part of having him with her—they are more professional than the hoodie she just took off a little bit ago.
She turns to look out the window at her usual view of the Skywalker tower. "Oh Kylo—I wish you were going with me."
Brbrbrbrbr
"Is she here?" he asks Bazine.
"She just arrived with another lady," Bazine offers. She looks like she wants to say something but then she shakes her head and look back down at her computer. "I put her in meeting room number five."
"Very good. Does she have the usual tea and coffee?" Hux asks. Ben asked him in a sudden fit of nerves to sit in the meeting.
"Yes, I just dropped the tray off." Bazine still looks nervous but doesn't say anything. A slight shrug, Ben steps away and starts down the hall with Hux close behind.
"Did she seem alright?" Ben asks.
"Yeah, she's always like that. Are you ready to finally meet her?"
"I am. I still can't believe that I'm just now getting to meet the granddaughter of Sheev Palpatine. I can finally destroy that bitch like her family tried to destroy mine. Nothing else will feel as good as getting to take her little crappy company apart share by share until there's nothing left—" he only stops talking because he's rounding the corner into meeting room number five.
"Kira?" he chokes.
Yep, it finally happened!