Halo

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A/N-thank you very much for kindly reviewing the last chapter. I know this story has dragged on a bit. I never intended for it to have so many chapters, Lol. It has taken on a life of its own. Thanks for sticking with it.

Chapter Sixty-Three-Love and Attraction

Two months later;

Rey had been working out and sparring with Ben until her skin took on a glossy sheen and the salty drops of perspiration invaded her eyes. As she kept moving the sweat was a welcome addition, cooling and helping her to feel like she'd worked hard; it's only when her feet came to a stop that the gentle breeze showed her just how wet her clothing had become. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed Ben strip off his tunic. His skin was glowing as much as hers, highlighting every quivering muscle on his torso. He was like a living work of art, his pale skin so tempting to touch, every move giving away his strength. Rey couldn't believe it was only a few hours ago she had been running her hands all over his upper body. The memory made her blush and she was forced to look away to cover how flustered she was feeling.

Alerted by her thoughts, Ben shot an amused glance in her direction before she had a chance to shut them down. When he turned around completely to face her, she sucked in a sharp breath as his shirtless torso was exposed to her hungry eyes again and she felt the iron clad control she had on her lustful thoughts beginning to unravel. She noticed the beginnings of a smirk pulling at Ben's lips as she accidentally projected her thoughts at him again. Gawking wouldn't even describe her mental state.

Why, oh, why did they have to share one braincell?

Ben was swaggering as he approached, Rey shot him an annoyed glare, causing his smug smile to widen. She wiped her brow with the back of her hand as her line of sight was completely consumed by his mesmerising physique. Why did he have to be so freakishly tall as well as gorgeous? His chiselled chest was directly within her eyeline, to avoid it she had to tip her head slightly so she could concentrate on his face instead. His body was so droolworthy, his skin glowing to perfection after their bout of rigorous exercise.

"Stop gloating, Ben Solo!" She derided him mentally.

"You're so beautiful when you're mad." Ben leaned in and nuzzled the side of her neck, pressing his soft lips on the sweet spot that always drove her crazy. "And just for the record I find you equally as mesmerising. And I'm so turned on by you right now I think I might just explode."

"Ben!" Rey burst out into a stream of nervous laughter at his lame attempt to distract her from her shyness. He knew how anxious she was about the whole 'sex and attraction' thing. He had been so patient and understanding with her, never complaining when she put the brakes on during their intimate moments when she became overwhelmed. She didn't know why she felt so ashamed of her lustful thoughts. He'd let enough of his slip. First time nerves she guessed. She was a virgin, scared to cross the final barrier, she felt so utterly naïve and gauche. She felt his lips softly graze her slender neck and her face heated up again as she realised, she was projecting her thoughts at him again. She summoned enough courage to meet his gaze only to find his warm brown eyes regarding her with love and understanding. "I'm sorry." She apologised, biting her lower lip in her agitation.

"You have nothing to apologise for, sweetheart." Ben said with absolute sincerity. "Its okay to feel nervous. I'm perfectly happy to wait and go at your pace. I'm actually enjoying the journey." He gave her one of his most adoring smiles, the kind that just made her melt.

"But I don't understand why I feel nervous." She answered in frustration. "I want to, I really do."

Ben tucked a lock of shiny brunette hair that had escaped her loose braid behind her ear. "I know you do, but I also know how tough it can be, accidentally sharing your most secret thoughts with someone you're being intimate with. I get just as embarrassed when I can't control my thoughts around you." His eyes twinkled as he brushed his fingers over her hot cheek.

"You do?" Rey was surprised at his admission. He was certainly good at covering his embarrassment. She hadn't sensed any mortification on his part, but then again maybe she was so focused on her own she had totally missed his.

"Of course, I do. Its not easy being in each other's heads all the time. Maybe you should go and speak to someone you trust about how you're feeling. You know, just to get some proper perspective."

"Is that what you're going to do?" Rey asked curiously.

"Yeah, I thought I might ask Uncle Chewie for advice. Remember Wookie's are the most romantic species in the galaxy." Ben quipped. "I'm sure he'll be great at the sex talk too."

"Ben!" Rey smacked him lightly on the chest as she began to laugh. He was so cute, using humour to diffuse the tension. She curled her hand around the back of his neck and drew his head toward hers until their foreheads were touching. "Thank you." She whispered gratefully.

Rose Tico bounced into the quarters she now shared with Rey. Her smile and face were glowing with happiness. Finn had just declared his love for her as they took a midnight stroll under the stars. She was still on a romantic high and was dying to share the news with somebody. When she saw Rey sitting on her bed, one of the ancient Jedi texts balanced on her knees as she read, Rose ran over to her and embraced her enthusiastically. "He loves me. He loves me. He loves me!" She sang.

Happiness flowed through Rey as she watched her friend dance around the room in delight. Her customary cautious grin exploded into a radiant smile. "Finn?" She asked.

"Yes." Rose clasped her hand together as her eyes turned dreamy. "He's perfect, Rey. He's so handsome. And when he smiles…." She let out a happy sigh. "I've never felt this way before. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world, Rey. Do you know that feeling?"

Rey's mind immediately drifted to Ben. "I do." She agreed.

Rose floated over to Rey and sat down beside her. "Of course, you do." She said softly. "I know I haven't been his biggest supporter, but over the past couple of months, I've gotten to know him better and I can see he clearly adores you."

It had been Finn, surprisingly, who had encouraged Rose to look past her prejudice against the former Kylo Ren and accept him as the man he was now, "We all deserve a second chance, Rose." He had said.

"He does. Thanks, Rose." Rey curled her fingers around her friend's hand gratefully.

"Why aren't you with him tonight?" Rose asked curiously. It was rare occurrence to see Rey and Ben apart from one another.

"Ben's spending some quality time with his father. I thought I could use the time to catch up on my reading." Rey motioned toward the book she had been reading.

Rose looked at Rey critically. She had come to know the other girl well enough to know when something was bothering her. "What's on your mind, girlfriend?" She asked. "You can talk to me. I won't judge. I promise."

Rey felt the familiar blush coat her cheeks. She wanted to confide in her friend and Ben had essentially given her permission to do just that, but still she was embarrassed. After spending a lifetime alone, she found it hard to open up to others. "Ben and I…" She started to say, but then immediately clammed up again.

Rose noticed Rey's glowing cheeks and guessed the root cause of her friend's embarrassment. "This is about sex." She said bluntly.

Rey's cheeks burned brighter as she averted her gaze. "No." She denied at first, then sighing, admitted it was true. "Yes."

"You're a virgin."

Rey rolled her eyes and huffed out an irritated sigh. "Maybe."

"You don't need to be embarrassed, Rey." Rose said gently.

"I'm not embarrassed. Well I am…I'm more nervous. I mean I love Ben. So much. He has been so amazing. So gentle and kind. I just…."

"Don't know what to do." Rose finished for her when Rey's voice died.

Rey glanced up at Rose through her thick lashes. "I know the basics." She mumbled. "I'm not totally ignorant. I just need…I don't know." She looked at Rose helplessly. "Its usually a conversation a girl has with her mother, right? I never knew mine."

"Rey." Rose murmured as she reached out and hugged her. Her thoughts drifted to her parents and her beloved sister Paige. They may have all gone now, but at least she had been surrounded by love in her formative years. Rey had never had that. "I'm not claiming to be an expert but I can tell you what I know and maybe we can bring Harter into the conversation, too. She's good at giving practical advice."

Relieved tears fell from Rey's eyes as she clung to her friend. Ben had been right to tell her to seek perspective from another person. It made her love him all the more. He understood her so well. She opened up their bond so he could hear her. "I love you, Ben." She declared.

"I love you, too." Came his prompt reply.

A/N-thanks for reading!