"Would you like to dance?" He asked. He was certain that his voice was at a higher octave than normal. He was going to blame it on his nerves.
She looked beautiful. She always looked beautiful, but tonight it was different. She was open. No longer confined to office protocol. Straw by her lips, freckled cheeks flushed from the alcohol. He watched as a puzzled look crossed her face. He had shown he was interested, hadn't he?
"Do you know how?" She asked.
He wanted to burst into laughter. She knew who his mother was, didn't she? Instead of laughing at her he smiled, "My mother had me in lessons well into my teens. It is not something you forget."
She looked down, another blush rose to her cheeks. "I-I didn't." she began.
"It's okay, most people forget." He reassured her. He slid off the stool to remove his jacket. He undid his cufflinks and rolled up his sleeves. Watching as her eyes went as round as saucers when his tattoo was revealed. Attraction and curiosity is a dangerous combination.
"What is it?" she asked finally. He could see the question had been burning in her mind for days. Probably since he first sent her a picture of it.
"Conjoining family crests." He explained. He was the last surviving heir of four bloodlines. A combined family crest was his way of honoring the past. Seeing her look of confusion he added, "I'll give you a history lesson sometime if you'd like?" She blushed again and he now knew for certain pink was his favorite color. He would do many things to keep seeing that blush.
He held out his hand, "A dance? As a thank you for all that you do. For Me." He watched as she set her glass down and swallowed. She visually collected herself before she slipped her hand into his and slid off her stool. He led the way to the dance floor.
"Can we have a waltz?" He asked the singer. The lead singer smiled knowingly before turning to his bandmates. After a heartbeat's conversation and some rearranging. They began playing the classic "Fascination." The soft piano and violin filled Ben's ears and heart. He noticed a few people turn their heads to watch. He felt Rey tug at his hand.
He turned her into their starting stance and felt her whole body tense. She didn't like being watched. "Relax," He instructed, "Keep your eyes on me." He encouraged her.
"They aren't really here." She lifted an eyebrow at that one. Looking up at him and nodding a look of determination on her face. He was momentarily stunned, as it often happened when she gave him her full attention. Her eyes looked right into his soul and he was held captive.
He took a steadying breath, then the first step. He moved left-right into a box waltz. He paused holding his breath, waiting for her to follow. She did so smoothly and effortlessly. He relaxed. She narrowed her eyes, "One" She said.
He moved again, she followed. Completely in sync. "Two," He said. She smirked. He completed the box pulling her closer.
She let out a breathless "Three" He turned her, then moved again. The piano notes rising and falling as the violin joined in. Rey's eyes never left his.
One
Two
Three
He was a goner. He cherished holding her this close. It took a great deal of self-control for him to not let his hands roam freely over her body. He could not help his hand from flexing on where it rested on her lower back. Her fingers flexed in his hand and she swallowed.
One
Two
Three
He spun her again and they glided past another couple. Too engrossed with one another to even look away to see who had joined them.
One
Two
Three
They passed under one of the lights. He watched in fascination as her eyes shifted colors from a darker brown to almost gold.
One
Two
Three
She had a light dusting of freckles across her nose and high cheekbones. The pink tint to her cheeks making them stand out more.
One
Two
Three
Her tongue snuck out to wet her lips. His eyes were immediately drawn down to them. He inhaled sharply. It would be an H.R. nightmare if he kissed her. By gods, he wanted to kiss her. Her lips were full and looked like the ripest fruit he had ever seen. They begged to be tasted. He leaned in.
One
Two
Three
The music ended too soon. He saw disappointment flick through her eyes, it was gone in a flash. He knew deep down he felt just as disappointed as her look had been. Reluctantly he let her go and moved back a step. They looked at the band and clapped their appreciation. Taking a bow as the crowd clapped for them.
She turned to him and he held out his arm to her. She linked her's into his and they strolled off the dancefloor together, back to their seats. He was happy to have an excuse to keep touching her.
Their waiter was waiting for them to arrive. "Bonita." He said, " Another?" He inquired, gesturing to their drinks. Ben looked to Rey eyebrow raised.
She smiled at them. Then addressing the waiter, "I'll have to decline."
The waiter turned to him. Why not? It was the weekend. "I'll have another. And both checks please." He said. He turned to Rey as she smacked his arm if you could call it that. She looked surprised and tried to speak. He cut her a look. And her mouth snapped shut. " My mother would disown me if I let her favorite employee pay for a meal that I interrupted."
Rey's mouth turned into the perfect "O" of understanding. She nodded her agreement. Placing her hand just over his tattoo she said, "Thank you."
Once again Ben was hit with a desire to kiss her. He dipped his head and said, "You are welcome." What to do now eluded him. He knew one thing for sure, he had found a way to connect with her that wasn't work-related. He'd take that as a victory.
~8*~8*~8*~8*~8*~8*~8*~8*~8*~8~
Rey shifted in her chair. Dancing with Ben had been the most exquisite form of torture she had ever endured. She had yet to remove her hand from his arm. Even the lightest of his touch on her back felt like a brand. She had savored the closeness and feel of him beneath her fingertips.
When they had danced his movements had become sure, assertive. He was in control. He led her and she followed. It thrilled her, giving in to his directions. Moving and feeling. Allowing her mind to rest. This was a new adventure and she didn't want it to end.
Even now, minutes after she was still touching him. As an affectionless child Rey was starving for as an adult. Finn and Rose had told her too many times to count that she had little to no personal boundaries. Poe could have cared less, he was just as affectionate as she was.
However, touching Ben was completely different. Her whole body felt as if it were on fire. He had awakened something within her. And if she had felt starved before she was now ravenous. It wasn't until he had held her that she realized it was HIS touch she craved. She came alive under it.
"Maybe it's the alcohol" Her little voice snarked.
The waiter appeared with Ben's last drink and the booklet that held their combined checks. A part of her was in protest of him paying. It wasn't a date. Another part, the one in cahoots with her pocketbook was grateful. And yet a third part of her was already coming up with ways to pay him back. At the very least to do her part.
"How about I cover the tip?" She suggested fighting back a yawn.
He gave her a look that screamed: "Not Amused." So she elaborated, "What would your mother think of her favorite employee taking a handout from a man?" She had to bite her lip to keep from smiling at the expression he gave.
He looked so taken aback for a moment then his expression changed. Looking impressed he said, "Touche" a smirk forming on his lips.
She pulled her hand from his arm and was immediately aware of the loss of contact. She took a breath to steady her nerves. Reaching around to her purse she pulled out a ten-dollar bill. When Ben was finished with the booklet he handed it to her to put in her tip. She tried to be fast as the waiter was headed there way, but she was distracted by Ben's amazing penmanship.
"Did he have to appeal to every part of her?" She questions herself.
Ben drowned his drink in one sitting. And Rey openly stared at him. His body was relaxed. Unlike when they were at the office and he was as tense as a bowstring. She watched his adam's apple bob as he swallowed. Then her eyes roamed down to his buttoned-down shirt. She marveled at how well it fit him. It was always pressed and cleaned. She had often wondered if he kept a spare in his office, just in case. She pulled her eyes away just in time, as he was turning to her. She did not want to get caught staring again.
What was going to happen now? She pondered as his eyes met hers. She sucked on her bottom lip. Watching as his eyes went right to her lips then back to her eyes.
Oh. Were not the sweetest kisses the ones shared between the eyes a thousand times.?
He swallowed, "Are you - I mean would you like an escort home?"
"Did she? Oh Yes."
She felt his huff of laughter filling the space between them. When did they get this close? Wait for a second, She had answered him out loud. She had liked the sound of his laugh too much to be embarrassed.
He stood and put on his jacket before helping her wiggle into hers. He extended his arm once again to her. Taking a moment to move her bag to her shoulder and collect herself. She then linked her arm with his. Arm in arm they made their way to the doors of the Cantina and out into the night.