After an uncomfortable reunion with Cirraen and her notorious guest, Ben leaves to grab drinks, only to find that some Aristos are making Rey their next target, and what he does next will have all the gossip holos talking. Later, and safe within their private box, Ben uses his talented hands to show Rey just how much she means to him.

Aside from the flashes, and the yelling for their attention, and the indecent questions, and the lingering glares from other Aristos who were obviously wondering who Ben was with, it was fine.

Fortunately, there wasn't a formal reception line like at the auction, so Ben basically waved and laughed off questions while Rey tried not to fidget underneath the intense scrutiny. At least, being a nobody from nowhere, it wasn't like they'd be able to find out much about her if they went digging.

She didn't even have a family name, for one thing. And Maz was good about privacy. No, despite what Ben thought, it wasn't really the gossips she had to worry about, it was the Syndicates. They had the means to track people down and make them disappear, but it wasn't like Ben had anything to do with them. His issues were purely Aristo related, right?

Rey reached up self-consciously to make sure her mask was still in place—it was. Ben looked over at her and gave her a smile, his handsome face mostly obscured by his dark mask. Set against his pale skin, the mask made him look even more wicked, which was probably what he wanted. Even masked, Ben was easy to pick out in the crowd, and people called his name and vied for attention as he passed by.

By the time they made it up the long staircase and into the brightly lit corridor of the opera house, Rey was pretty much done with the whole spectacle. "How do you deal with this shit all the time?" she muttered.

Ben shrugged. "It's something I've had to deal with for most of my life. They never let up. As I got older, the target on my back got bigger, so…," he trailed off and smiled.

"You leaned into it?" Rey finished for him.

"Exactly. They think they know me because I'm always in the gossip holos, but that's not true. If anything, no one does."

Rey gently squeezed his hand. "But I do."

"Ahh, you are the exception to every rule I've ever made, aren't you?" he said, returning the gesture as he led her along.

"Since when do you have any rules?"

"I have so many rules. They're just not something people consider when they think of me."

"Oh, yeah? Name one," she baited.

Ben leaned in close, purposefully ignoring the attention they were both drawing. "First of all, I have rules about getting involved with beautiful smugglers."

"Is that right?"

"That's right."

"So, what are you doing now, then?"

Ben's lip quirked. "Well, I don't have any rules about falling for smugglers, so I'm adjusting it."

Rey laughed softly. "I guess rules were made to be broken?"

Ben reached up and gently brushed his fingers along her jaw. "Just so. C'mon, let's go find Cirraen and get that whole business over with."

Rey meant to ask him why Cirraen had bothered spending so much at the auction to win a date with him, if she was just going to arrive with someone else, but she guessed it didn't really matter. Aristos were all about playing games, and Cirraen struck her as the kind of sentient that was constantly pulling at strings to see which threads would unravel.

It was probably meant to upset Ben, but it seemed to be having the opposite effect. Still, it was disconcerting to consider what Cirraen might be cooking up, and she considered just how much trouble one Aristo could bring into their lives while Ben led the way.

The interior of the opera house was the same sort of opulence the Aristos all seemed to favor—gilded accents, glittering lights that dripped with ropes of crystalline embellishments, and plush carpets that would be nearly impossible to walk in if she were wearing heels. But that just set the scene. The real fun was people watching.

And the Aristos had dressed to impress, mostly. Some were barely clothed, but Rey thought that was a fashion statement in its own way. And Ben had been right, people were commenting on their masks. She wouldn't be surprised to see similar looks pop up in the holos in the coming days.

"You're a trendsetter," Ben teased, reading her thoughts.

"I'm just floating along in all of this," she replied. "It's all too…"

"Strange to be real?" She could hear the smile in his voice. Though she realized Ben's life was complicated, it was nice to see that there were parts of it all that Ben liked too. And he did seem to enjoy being at the center of attention. Well, when it was his idea, anyway.

Rey peered around covertly, telling herself that she was just checking for exits and possible threats, when her eyes were really being drawn to the spectacle. There were even a few celebs that she recognized from Galaxy Glitter's blasts and as she and Ben passed by, their eyes were drawn to him—and her. It was weird to be the center of attention of the people she normally snooped on. On instinct, Rey reached up and threaded her arm with Ben's, while he gently tucked her into his side.

It was comforting being near him, even in this place.

"It's less lonely with you at my side," Ben confided.

"I bet you say that to all the sentients," Rey deflected. Her cheeks felt warm, and she was grateful that her mask was covering her embarrassment. She should have just thanked him for the compliment, but old self-deprecating habits were hard to break.

"You're the only one who's ever made me feel this way," he replied, and she knew he meant it.

Rey looked up at him. His full lips were parted as if he wanted to say more, but someone else had caught his attention. His mouth closed into a tight line, lips rolling in slightly as his annoyance manifested before quickly disappearing as a forced smile took its place.

Cirraen, Rey guessed, only to turn and have her suspicions confirmed. But she wasn't alone. A man stood with her, slightly shorter than she, and dressed up nearly as fine. Layers of fluttering silks dipped and swooped over his chest and were confined by the high waist of his jet-black trousers. His oversized coat dripped over his body, disguising his shape, though Cirraen had wrapped her long fingers in the plush fabric and was holding tight.

Cirraen was even more audaciously dressed than she'd been at the auction, if that was possible. Her dress looked like deadly flowers were growing out of the shape, which spread out over her breasts in a severe V-shape. The skirt just barely covered her ass, and intricate, vine-like embellishments curled and waved over the edges.

Holographic enhancements shuddered with her movement, creating an ethereal effect with every breath she took. Multicolored whorls overlaid atop the body of the dress matched the tattooed pattern on her face.

Her hair was pulled into a severe ponytail and colored dark purple. It matched the swirling colors of her micro-dress perfectly. Creamy stockings ran down the length of her long legs, held up by silky straps that disappeared underneath the scant skirt. Equally flashy makeup, set against her pale blue skin, finished off her look.

Rey hated to admit it, but Cirraen did look good. Though, with enough time, money, and resources, she supposed that anyone could look beautiful. Cirraen, for her part, only acknowledged Ben, coming close to give him two air kisses, while carefully avoiding his mask.

"Allow me to introduce Sil Aventa," Cirraen purred while returning to her guest. Telling from the look on her face, she clearly thought she'd won some Aristo game. She'd arrived with someone even more notorious than Ben, if the looks from the room were anything to go by.

Rey thought the name sounded familiar, but assumed it was because she'd scanned over it in one of Galaxy Glitter's blasts. But as the man reached out his hand and spoke, she realized her mistake. He was no Aristo. His black eyes flashed as he stared at Ben, thin lips curving into a cruel smile on his icy-pale face.

"Oh, Ben and I have already had the pleasure," his voice rasped. Ben reached out and returned the shake, the dark fabric of his gloves contrasting with the strikingly pale skin of the man before him.

"Always a pleasure, Sil," Ben said, though he sounded a little stilted.

Sil's lips almost smiled. "Is it?" but before Ben could say anything to that, Sil's attention had shifted to Rey. "And who's this?"

"Reina. My date for the evening."

"And here I thought I already knew anyone worth knowing who runs in your circles. Charmed, Reina," the man said, again reaching his hand out.

Rey took it, expecting him to give her the same sort of lingering handshake that he'd given Ben, but he stepped back with a slight flourish and dipped his head before placing a soft kiss on the back of her hand. Ben had kissed her hand the first time they met, but this was nothing like that memory.

Sil's hand was hard and cold against her own, but his lips were ember-hot. A shiver ran through her, something that felt strangely akin to… But no. It wasn't the same as when Ben reached out to her with his power. Still, there was something strange and worrisome about Sil.

"It's lovely to make your acquaintance," she managed. It wasn't. Every instinct she had told her to get away from this man as fast as she could, but here she was, trapped in some bullshit because of a vapid Aristo.

Cirraen clearly had no sort of awareness or self-preservation instincts if she thought coming with this man was a good idea. Finally, he released her hand and slipped back beside Cirraen, who was prattling on about something to Ben—making excuses about the auction date from the sounds of it. Rey barely listened as she tried to study Sil.

He was wiry, but Rey could tell there was real strength hidden beneath the layers of his clothes. He had a hungry look about him and one she was used to recognizing. She'd had that same look on Jakku, as had many others. This was a man who'd clawed his way to the top of…society? No, his sharp features, the look in his eyes, and the impressive scar that ran down the length of his chin spoke to a dark past.

As if noting her gaze, his hand ran along that gash—not from a blaster. No, looked like a vibroblade scar. So, he liked close contact fighting? The fact that he had a blaster on his hip suggested otherwise, but Rey had a hidden vibroblade on her leg, so maybe he'd similarly stuffed a blade into his high boots.

A golden belt slung low on his hips disappeared beneath the thick fabric of his overcoat and was doing a pretty piss-poor job of disguising the fact that he was carrying. This man was no Aristo, though he may dress like one. There was an edge to him, barely concealed beneath the veneer of civility.

One wrong move, and this man will go off like a thermal detonator, Rey thought.

Curiously, he seemed to note her assessment. His head tipped to the side, long brown hair sweeping over his shoulder as an unsettling smile slipped into place. He'd be handsome, but there was something off about him. His eyes moved over her like he was searching for weaknesses and, having found none, was looking for other ways to pull her apart.

She didn't like this man and, as Ben shifted at her side, arm slowly wrapping around her middle as he pulled her closer, she realized that Ben was in agreement.

Syndicate? she wondered, and a soft squeeze against her hip told her everything she needed to know. Rey plastered on a smile and pretended to be as airheaded possible. Nothing good would come of drawing this man's interest.

"….And anyway, Sil was only going to be on Bespin for tonight, so I just had to take him along, you know? And, besides, I got what I wanted out of this."

Rey wasn't sure that Cirraen should have said the last part out loud, but her meaning was clear—she wanted the attention from the auction and wanted to keep anyone else from getting it, which meant having the winning bid. She, like so many others, only saw Ben as a means to an end. There was no real regard or affection there, just her own self-interest.

"Now, come along, Ben. I need some photographs, and then you can go back to your… whoever she is."

It was the first time Cirraen had acknowledge Rey's presence, and hopefully it'd be the last time she'd see her this evening.

Ben flashed Rey a concerned look. "I'd rather not leave my date, Cirraen." He didn't say 'with him,' but his meaning was clear enough.

Sil grinned. "Don't worry, Ben. I'll take good care of her."

"That's exactly what I'm worried about," Ben replied. He'd obviously meant for it to sound lighthearted, but Rey recognized the danger here. She'd have to watch what she said with this man.

"I'll be fine. You fulfil your obligations and I'll be waiting here," Rey assured him. As much as she'd rather stay with Ben, she could handle herself.

Cirraen fluttered her hand, long, iridescent nails flashing in the light as she shooed Ben along. Something must have shown in Rey's eyes because as soon as she and Ben left, Sil commented, "Being around her is torturous, isn't it?"

"I wouldn't know," Rey replied. "We've only met twice."

"Trust me," Sil said with a laugh. "There are Aristos, and then there's Cirraen. But you… you're not like them."

"I'll take that as a compliment," Rey chirped.

"Good, it was meant to be one. Still, they are useful."

"Who? Aristos?"

"Everyone has their purpose in the galaxy, don't you think?"

Rey shrugged. She wasn't sure where this conversation was going, but she'd try to keep it as impersonal as possible, and abstract thoughts about the galaxy were as impersonal as it could get. "All feels kind of purposeless, if you ask me."

"Maybe you just haven't found your true purpose yet?" he suggested before stepping closer to where she waited. Though every part of her wanted to take a step back, she knew that was what he wanted. Rey stood her ground.

His scent reminded her of the Aristo parties on Cantonica—sharp, spiced, dangerous. She looked up into his fathomless, dark eyes as he stared openly at her, expression neutral while he took every bit of her in.

"Pity about the mask. I'd love to see your face."

Rey ducked her head as she plastered on a smile, hoping it looked bashful enough. "I'm sure you'd be disappointed."

"Oh, I doubt that very much; Reina, was it?"

"It was—it is," she stammered a little.

Sil let out a little sigh as he leaned in close, looming. His hand reached up and for one horrifying moment, Rey thought he was going to touch her, but he merely held his hand out and stared at it like it was the most interesting thing in the galaxy.

Tattoos and rings encircled his fingers, and against the back of his hand was a very recognizable circular emblem—Crimson Dawn. He was making sure she knew exactly where he was from and who he belonged to. Rey tried to give him a vapid look, but she thought he must realize that she knew exactly what the tattoo meant.

"So curious," he murmured. "Where has he been hiding you? In plain sight, I wonder? He does so enjoy that sort of thing…"

"I'm sorry?" Rey asked, this time genuinely confused. Was he talking about Ben?

Before Sil could say anything further, Ben reappeared, blessedly without Cirraen. "Ready, Rey?" he asked, not even bothering to spare Sil another look.

"Um, sure. It was nice to meet you," she said as Ben gently guided her away.

"Truly. This has been most instructive. It was nice talking to you, Rei…na," he drawled. It took everything Rey had not to start at that. Did he know who she was? There was no way, right? "Ben, let me take one final look at you—Ah, there. A memory frozen perfectly in time," he finished cryptically, dipping his head and stalking off to wherever Cirraen was waiting.

Rey knew Cirraen had been trying to get a reaction out of Ben with this whole performance, but she wasn't sure whether the Aristo knew that she was being played by Sil. Maybe Cirraen thought she could make Ben jealous? Rey almost laughed at the thought.

No, there was something more going on here. But she was going to do some careful digging to see what she could find out. Rey had her own issues with Crimson Dawn, but hopefully the mask would be enough to keep her safe—for now.

Here's hoping Sil didn't have bioscanners, otherwise I might be fucked. Sil hadn't looked modded, not that it was always easy to tell. For the time being, Rey tried to keep herself calm. The last thing she wanted was to give Ben anything more to worry about. And he already looked tense.

"She has no idea what game she's playing," Ben said under his breath when they were finally alone.

"What do you mean? Cirraen doesn't realize that she's trying to manipulate someone who works for Crimson Dawn?"

"Not just works for…," Ben started before taking a deep sigh. "That man… he's not someone to trifle with. I wouldn't be surprised if he arranged to be here with her. Cirraen is wildly outmatched."

"So, she's not secretly running spice?" Rey tried to joke.

"If only it were that simple," Ben replied. Simple wasn't how she'd describe spice running, but she could only imagine what was going on if it wasn't just some dumb Aristo getting in on the game.

"You know, the Syndicates deal in more than just spice, right?" Ben murmured.

Rey leaned in. "Of course, though I try to stay as far from them as possible."

Now I do, anyway, she added as an afterthought. She'd nearly lost her life after double-crossing Crimson Dawn, so she tried to be a little more careful where they were concerned, and a little less reckless.

"Good girl," he said softly. "The last thing I want to think about is you being anywhere near…" Ben trailed off as if searching for the right words. "But really, that man isn't just any goon, he's the leader of this quadrant, and very dangerous."

"So, Cirraen is as smart as she looks then?" Rey drawled, earning her a low chuckle from Ben.

"Basically, yes. Hopefully, she didn't make any bargains with Sil. He always gets what he wants, no matter what the cost."

"Speaking from experience?" Rey asked, but Ben ducked the question and instead implied that he was going to get them both drinks. It was strange that Ben would know so much about the Syndicates—maybe his mother was keeping him abreast of what was happening?

In the power vacuum left after the fall of the Empire, systems and Syndicates squabbled, even now. Rey'd been caught in more than her fair share of fights over the years and, while the New Republic was the dominant power in most of the Core, the Syndicates ruled the outer rim and were looking to expand that power throughout. It made sense that Senator Organa would be following such developments, but Ben? Why should he care?

"Something that sparkles?" Ben suggested. Whatever was going on, he didn't seem to want to talk about it and, given that they were in public, that probably made sense.

Rey grumbled. "I'm your bodyguard. The last thing you should be doing is leaving my side."

Ben beamed charmingly. "You'll be able to see me the entire time, I promise," he said while gesturing to the bar—it was pretty close. Mollified, Rey let him go with a weak little wave. Which, of course, left her open to attack, but not the kind she'd been worrying about.

"And just whom might you be?" called an airy sounding voice.

Rey shifted, keeping Ben in her sights as she turned to face the voice. A coiffed and scantily clad human stood before her, arms linked with a similarly dressed Twi'lek. It would have been easier to describe what their clothing did cover than what it didn't. Still, Rey was impressed that they managed to wear so little without freezing to death.

"Depends on who's asking," Rey shot back. The last thing she wanted to deal with was more Aristo bullshit. She didn't have that kind of time or patience, given all that was going on.

"Oh, a Coruscanti accent. Still, tinged with something prosaic, I think; don't you, my sweet?" the woman said while twirling her long, pink hair. The Twi'lek gave Rey a nasty-looking smile before flicking the end of her green lek in a dismissive manner.

Rey rolled her eyes. The last thing she gave a shit about were Aristos and their stuck-up opinions, and she was about to give the woman a piece of her mind before Ben walked over, smoothly stepping between them as he settled the drinks on a passing droid's tray.

"Trelle," Ben said with a small nod. "Meeala. Lovely to see you this evening. I see you've already introduced yourselves to my date, Reina."

Still, seemed like the human woman wasn't about to back down and obviously took pleasure in trying to make Rey feel out of place. And it shamed Rey to realize that it was starting to work.

She often felt out of place and events like this just highlighted the fact that she did not belong in Ben's world. But Ben continued, his arm wrapping around her waist as he tugged her along the length of his body. Rey had to reach out against his chest to steady herself as he held her close.

"And where did you drag her up from, Benny?" Trelle purred. She looked as if she was going to reach out and touch Ben, but he held his arm up to stop her.

"She's quite the treasure and not one I wish to share," he said slowly, a peculiar kind of menace rolling through his words as he glared at Trelle. They felt palpable, like they were lined with something more than just his ire—as if his words had a dark and twisted power to them that he was barely managing to control.

The Force…? Rey wondered as his power surged. Definitely the Force. Even untrained as she was, she could still feel it pulse around them.

Trelle laughed, a sound as hollow as surely her head was. "Debatable. Still, I'm miffed that you didn't seek out one of your own to bring tonight. Considering what an event it is, and all. And you bring an unknown and she's wearing a mask! Why it would be laughable if it wasn't so sad!"

"I think I've had just about enough of you for one evening, Trelle," he said, his tone suggesting he'd rather go an entire lifetime without having to interact with her again.

"My darling, shall we?" he murmured, and because Rey was so startled at what he'd just called her—in public—of all places, she didn't realize what he was about to do next until it was too late.

Instead of leading her away, Ben slid his hands over her body, one hand tangling in the hair at the back of her neck while the other held her waist. He took his time, dipped his head slowly, tongue darting out in anticipation over his luscious lips, as he waited until everyone in the proximity could see.

And what he did next so shocked the Aristos that Rey wasn't certain who would faint first—her at the horror of being at the center of so much attention or them for witnessing it.

Ben Solo, notorious lothario, and consummate space play boy, let his mouth hover near hers, their breaths mingling scant moments before he kissed her. Rey thought she heard a glass hit the ground, but was so distracted by the moment that it blended into the background.

Because Ben Solo had just done the one thing he never did with anyone in public.

He kissed her.

And he may as well have dropped to his knee and asked for her hand in marriage, for all the scandal this would create. But for all the attention, for all the cattiness he was trying to counteract, it was such a sweet kiss. A gentle press of his lips against hers, his hand curling into her back, the soft rumble from his chest as he purred… and enjoyed her.

Rey leaned into the kiss and slipped her tongue out and between his lips, an act that seemed to surprise Ben. Fortunately, Ben recovered quickly and what had started out as a sweet, purposeful kiss was rapidly turning into something dark and delicious.

Her hands dug into the fabric of his shirt as her mind and body reeled. Time solidified around them as the noises of the room melted away. It was just the two of them, their bodies tightly pressed against each other, lips locked. Rey realized there'd be no turning back from this moment and, as he kissed her, she realized she didn't want to.

Even masked as she was, Ben had made his preference known and between Galaxy Glitter and the rest of the Aristos that fawned over him, they'd all be wondering who she was and how she'd managed to get someone like Ben to kiss her in public.

Eventually, Ben had enough sense to pull back before their kiss turned into something even more scandalous. Clearing his throat, Ben gave a withering look to the nasty woman and her Twi'lek partner before he led Rey deeper into the opera house.

All eyes felt as if they were on her and Ben as she carefully followed behind him. Though nothing showed in his demeanor, Rey could feel an energy rolling off of him. It has started with Cirraen's games and been heightened by the Twi'lek and her partner.

He was angry. Rey knew him well enough to be able to tell that much, but she thought there was more going on than he was saying. What was it about Sil that had upset him so much? And what did he mean by, "A memory frozen perfectly in time?" Rey thought she'd ask Ben about it later, when they were in private—at least, if she remembered.

Finally, after passing through an added layer of security, she and Ben arrived at his private box. Originally, it would have been Cirraen and Ben inside, with Rey on guard. But with how things changed, it'd only be herself and Ben now.

With a soft sigh, Ben walked over to a small table. Drinks had been prepared, but instead of taking what was available, he gestured for an attendant.

"Fresh glasses and a sealed bottle, please. Have it readied for the intermission, but not any earlier," Ben directed. A small, ruby-colored, metallic serving droid bobbed their head before leaving to do Ben's bidding.

Rey stepped closer and carefully brushed her hand along his arm. "I'm sorry, Ben. I didn't mean to draw attention like that," she started, but Ben shook his head before taking a look around. They weren't alone and the two remaining attendants, though professional, were definitely listening.

Ben flicked his wrist towards the exit. "Leave us, please," he directed and the attendants quickly shuffled out of the private box. Once the electronic doors closed behind them, Ben continued. "That's better. Now, it's just the two of us."

It was a cozy, intimate space, with a bubble of electropaneling that ensured privacy, as they could see out, but no one could see into where they sat. A soft din rose up from the crowd below. Rey was properly impressed, but trying to play it like she'd expected something like this. Large, plush seats were angled toward the stage, and display panels hovered along the sides, so if they wanted a closer look at the performance, cameras could provide that for them. For the moment, they were turned off.

Ben reached out and took Rey's hand in his, leading her around to their seats. The height made Rey feel a little dizzy, or maybe it was Ben, she couldn't tell. He always made her feel a little intoxicated, no matter what he happened to be doing. There were only two seats, suggesting that Ben only ever hosted himself and one other person at a time here, which was about right for him.

Ben gently folded her hand in his as they both settled into their seats, the leather fabric of his gloves smoothing over her skin as he gently caressed her and picked up her earlier train of thought now that they were alone. "You have nothing to be sorry for. They're notorious gossips and have nothing better to do with their time than cause problems."

Rey shrugged, even though some of Trelle's words had hit their mark. "It happens."

Ben turned away and stared out over the crowd. The stage was set. It was some Bith romantic tragedy that was famed for its beautiful story and notoriously hard to sing music. Rey had the foresight to at least attempt to understand what she was getting herself into on this assignment and had looked up the opera beforehand.

As she'd studied the holos, she found she really loved the music. It was hauntingly beautiful, and the sounds resonated with the sadness in her heart. Not that she was about to admit that to anyone.

Ben turned to look at her as the lights dimmed in the auditorium before pulling her hand to his lips to press a chaste kiss there. "Perhaps you will let me make it up to you?" he asked quietly as the orchestra tested their instruments.

"Really, Ben. You don't have to do anything. I imagine what you already did will catch you no end of shit...," Rey started, but Ben silenced her with a gentle nip to her fingertips.

"I want to," he assured her. "Will you let me apologize?"

Rey cocked her head as the long length of her hair dipped to the side. "What did you have in mind?"

Ben grinned and immediately Rey knew he was planning something lascivious and, instead of feeling horrified because they were in public, she only felt curious. Her curiosity had been getting the best of her lately, but it also was getting used to being sated. He always indulged her, made her his focus, and it was intoxicating to the point of being addicting.

Ben spread his arms out to the sides, indicating that Rey should join him by sitting on his lap as her cheeks flushed and her stomach dipped. But she stood anyway, and let Ben get a good look at her before stepping closer. His eyes felt like a brand against her skin. He stared up at her, his face obscured by his mask, but the tightness of his jaw belied his desire for her. He wanted her as much as she wanted him, and that made her feel powerful.

Here she was, Rey Nobody with Ben Somebody—and he wanted her. It felt like a dream, and not one she ever wanted to wake up from. No, all she wanted to know was what was going to happen next and what he'd decided to do with her. With a little flourish of her skirt that revealed her long legs, Rey twirled before sliding into Ben's lap.

Rey leaned into his warmth as his hands skimmed low. "Make me feel good," she murmured as the music struck up.

The opera was beginning. Ben's lips caught her earlobe as he promised, "Always. Always, Rey."

Rey watched as a lone female—Xi'Dec, the famous soprano, from the looks of it—made her way out onto the stage, and from the first note and the first slide of Ben's fingers along her thigh, Rey was entranced. He was going to be the end of her, she just knew it. The opera continued and, all the while, Ben played Rey like an instrument, his touch responding to every take of breath, every twitch of her hips, every quiet moan.

And as the music swelled, Rey reached a crescendo of her own at the urging of Ben's talented fingers, accompanied by his sinful and powerful words. He drew every last drop of pleasure out of her while she sat, helpless and wanton in his lap, while the music cascaded all around them.

Author's Notes:

Hey all! I super hurt my back LOL (I hurt it at work a few years ago, lifting heavy shit blah blah blah retail, and it's been shit ever since). SO! If I missed anything, it was super painful to edit this and I did my best (I know, if it seems like I'm falling apart, it's because I am lol c'est la 2020 or whatever). Anyway, hope you're all doing well. As ever, the smut's been edited out of this chapter, so if that's your thing, head on over to ao3! Thanks for all of the lovely comments and for keeping me going on this. Means more than I can say, honestly. Take care, stay healthy!