Sweet aches and reputations
Author's note: A little sugar and caf in this, really. Because you guys deserve a break! Don't get too comfortable, though ; )
Rey wakes with a haze in her mind and a sweet relief in her body.
She raises her head from the soft pillow where it has been buried for an indefinite amount of hours, to stare at the rays of light filtering through the cracks of dark, heavy curtains. She blinks lazily. And tenses in alarm at the unknown environment for a moment, before she allows her body to relax back into the mattress.
Because Rey knows exactly where she is. And what has happened.
She drops her face back on the pillow wishing she could just roll over and die. She is surprised that the crimson that is, no doubt, already appearing on her cheeks doesn't stain the clean, white sheets. His sheets. Because this is his bed. In his room. And Rey has been sleeping in it.
Her hand caresses the soft, cotton fabric.
Damn.
Has it felt good…
She turns on her back, the rustle of sheets making her wonder if he spent the night next to her. She usually is a very light sleeper and wakes at the faintest of sounds. And she's pretty sure she would have sensed him because he is such an imposing presence in the Force. But last night obviously affected… that perception, as well.
She must have slept like a rock.
Rey feels a stupid smile forming on her face, as she stretches in the crisp sheets. Stars, this is an amazing bed.
There are voices and a bit of commotion coming from outside the room and Rey realizes to her dread that there are people in Ben's apartment. As in, lots of people. While she is stuck in his room, in his very soft and comfortable bed that doesn't seem to have been touched on the other half of it, now that she notices.
Something inside her sinks.
Rey glances around the room. It looks austere under the half-light, like the rest of his house. Barely any personal belongings lying about for her to study. There is an armchair at a corner and a whole new set of her clothes set neatly on it because she is obviously still very much…yeah.
Definitely die. Because this is the type of situation she never imagined she'd ever get herself into.
She can't hear his voice but she figures he must be somewhere inside commandeering everyone to his heart's desire. And Rey also figures it would be a good idea to actually get out of this incredible bed, shower, of course, because she never lets an opportunity like this pass her by, and get dressed in…
Did he actually go through her clothes?
Oh, gods…
She rubs at her face, chiding herself for feeling so mortified. He saw a lot more things than her clothes yesterday night, after all. No, Rey does not know how she will survive this.
But she does manage to get herself out of his bed, wrapping the blanket around her body, and walk over to his fresher with her bare feet not making a single sound on his lacquered wooden floor. She tries to ignore the door to his closet room that has been left partly open, and does not peek curiously at the rows of expensive suits and thick cloaks that hang inside. She does not look at his comlink set casually on his dresser next to a pile of datapads, nor at last night's shirt draped over the back of a chair. No she simply darts for his pristine, dark grey granite fresher, to let herself indulge at the running water.
There are droplets of water on the shower glass and a used towel thrown carelessly on top of the laundry basket. His shaving set is out in full display and looks recently used. Ben must have been in the fresher while she was still fast asleep. She touches his things, fingering them carefully back in place, wondering what would have happened if she had woken up to see him in the room. Perhaps coming out of the fresher wearing only…
No.
Her thoughts come to a screech. She can't let her mind wander to such places. What happened last night must remain there. She sets his hair brush down with a clank. Her skin feels slightly hot, and her heart is pounding a little erratically but Rey tries to ignore all these insignificant signs, and simply steps into the shower, setting the water to cold.
Around twenty minutes later, Rey emerges from his room weaving her wet hair in a single tight bun in the back of her head. And trying to wear her most impassive face for all to see. Because there is no sane explanation, whatsoever, for her to be coming out of his room.
Luckily no one sees her, since everyone is so absorbed circling their Governor.
A few members of his team are already in the lounge and a stylist is fussing over his hair while he sits in an armchair engrossed in a conversation with Amilyn Holdo and another of Coruscant's Ministers. She thinks it must be Communications. Ben is in his black and purple robes once again, wearing his Governor façade and Rey feels like his world is already becoming a solid barrier between them. Feels as if last night never even happened.
At least for him.
It makes her want to crawl back to that bed.
Ben must have seen her or sensed her because his gaze lifts up instantly, as she walks in the lounge, causing her heart to skitter right then and there.
"Goodmorning," he says as his eyes roam over her fresh clothes, knowingly. "Sleep well?"
Rey is well aware of the connotation behind that innocent remark.
"The mattress was too soft," she grumbles, "I have a stiff neck."
There's a glint of amusement in his eyes and she doesn't want to give him any more food for thought. Holdo smiles at her and the Minister bows his head in respect. Rey nods back politely and heads for the kitchen to pour herself a mug of caf and hopefully get something to eat. Two assistants part a way for her to pass, and she can hear Kaydel already going over his itinerary with Ben for the day. Rey wants to groan. Councils and meetings and interviews… All day long. While she stands in back of him and his wicked, magnetic power, watching him command planets and civilizations as if they mean nothing and wishing he would just turn around and give her one, single glance.
Kriff!
What in R'iia's winds is wrong with her?
Rey has got to stop obsessing so much over him. And find something useful to preoccupy herself. Anything. Or she will completely loose her mind because of this man.
She's already lost her heart to him…
Rey shakes her head to herself in irritation and aims for the refrigerator to make herself something quick to eat, avoiding the processed breakfast that Ben's team has probably brought along.
She's in the middle of picking out some endorian chicken eggs, gill goat cheese and vegetables to make an omelet when she realizes that Ben has decided to follow her into the kitchen, raising a string of objections from the people busy in the lounge. She hears him enter with that whooshing of his robes and those clipped steps coming from his brand new shoes against the floor. She picks a few fresh fruits, as well, and shuts the refrigerator with a thud.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I have a headache."
He has to get his hair done. And nails clipped. There's no reason for him to be in the kitchen pestering her this early in the morning.
"A headache?" He chuckles smugly. "Very well, then. What can I do to help you deal with your headache?"
Arrogant man.
"I think you've done enough."
He remains completely silent at that. Not a single ruffle of fabric. Rey sighs because that might have come out a little harsher than intended. She turns to face him. He's standing closer than she thought, looking at her very, very guarded.
"Are you upset about last night?"
"What! No."
"Did I push you too far?"
She rubs at her forehead and sets the food that's in her arms on the kitchen table. She can't do this right now. She really can't. But he seems to be genuinely concerned, although she can never be too certain with him. She splays her palm on the surface of the table feeling a little exasperated.
"You didn't. It's fine."
"Obviously, it's not fine." He looks at her trying to decipher her real thoughts. But she gives him none. His gaze falls on the table of food and his fingers reach out, brushing powdered sugar off its dark surface awkwardly. "Just for the record, there was no mal intent behind what I asked you to do last night."
He raises his eyes to look at her. There is something a little…adorable about the way he regards her. It reminds her of small cubs of baby animals.
"Well, it doesn't really matter because it's done and it was quite an experience. But it doesn't change anything between us."
"I see..."
And there is also something about his voice.
"Ben…" She sighs and stares at the overhead kitchen lights. "I don't quite know what to do with last night. It might be something ordinary to you that is completely meaningless. But to me…"
"Who says it meant nothing to me?"
She slides her eyes back to his. His gaze has become very indiscernible.
"You probably engage in these sort of activities the whole time with your partners."
"So?"
"Well, I'm not one of them, Ben!"
There is this little part of her that wishes she hadn't allowed for him to go that far. But it's not him she's really upset with. She's mad with her own self for falling so easily prey to his seduction. He's obviously really, really good at it.
An understanding flickers in his dark eyes and his expression softens. "I know you're not one of them, Rey."
And that's exactly what she means.
"Don't look at me like that…"
"Like what?"
"As if I'm wanted. Is that what you do to all women?"
He remains very silent. And still. Just the lightest of bobs from his Adam's apple.
She shakes her head and brushes some of that powdered sugar off the table as well. It's kind of stuck on it and she scrapes it off with the nail of her thumb. Anything to get her emotions under control. Those long fingers of his are still resting on its surface. Inches away from hers.
She feels him step closer. "I know that all this is foreign to you, but I can sense you're curious and drawn to me. And…I'm not saying it in a bad way," he raises his hands in defense as she sends him a glare. "All I'm saying is that if you want to explore certain things I would much rather you did with me…"
"Why you?"
"Because I won't hurt you and push you to do things you don't want to do and..."
"Maybe you already have."
He hesitates a moment and Rey senses his unrest. Serves him good. She hates how self-assured he is the whole time.
"Did you take a shower in my fresher?"
His question startles her and she snaps her attention back to him.
"I didn't want anyone noticing me going from room to room. Is that okay?"
He nods, looking down again. He clears his voice. "I just thought I recognized the scent of my shower wash on you and…" he pauses, chewing on the inside of his cheek. And wiping off a little more of the sugar.
Rey swears his fingers have come closer to hers.
"You're free to do as you please around here," he continues in a slightly strange voice. "Make dinners or… shower in my fresher. Sleep in my bed…"
He smirks at her and there is something a little impish about it. Rey finds it hard to keep a straight face.
"I am not sleeping in your bed again. And you are not allowed to go through my clothes."
"I'd rather you slept in my bed."
"That's absolutely out of the question."
"You looked good in it."
Rey looks to the side feeling her cheeks start to burn. She cannot believe that this little awkward interaction, this small insignificant conversation between them will probably be the highlight of her day, before the galaxy steals him away from her again. She quickly turns around and heads for the caf machine to pour herself a mugful. And somehow get that speeding pulse of her under control. Ben of course follows her, coming to stand right behind her.
"I can't sleep in your bed again…"She tells him in a hushed voice. She can't have the feel of him so close to her.
"Why?"
"Because I have my reasons."
"What sort of reasons?"
She doesn't say anything back. He looks to the side and lets out this throaty sound, something between a grunt and a chuckle. He rakes his hand through his hair. "I sleep alone in that bed, Rey. I've never brought…"
It takes a moment or two before Rey starts to realize the misunderstanding behind his words. It feels like a punch in the gut.
I am such an idiot.
Such a fool for him. Of course she's not the only woman he's brought here.
She brings her mug of caf to her mouth to take a sip from it and hide the light tremble of her lips.
His long fingers wrap around her mug, careful not to touch her in any way, taking it from her.
"Kaydel made the caf. It's scathing hot. She didn't know any better. It took me nearly a half hour before I was able to take a sip from mine." He sets the mug on the table and picks another one up. "This is for you. I figured you might want some before we get started."
Rey looks up at him feeling her throat constricting. And her eyes watering. Again.
"It's just a cup of caf, Rey," he says softly. "I'm not offering you the galaxy."
"I'm not upset about the damn caf, Ben."
He's looking at her expectantly with those brown eyes so gentle and liquid and that stupid mug that he made for her waiting between them. Almost as if she means something special to him all over again.
"I know you're not." His voice is so soft. Almost velvet.
She tries to hang on to that spike of righteous anger but it dwindles into nothingness before it is even formed.
Rey sighs.
"Ben…"
She steps closer and wraps her fingers around her new mug and around his fingers, giving in to that little intimate moment she has been craving to have since she opened her eyes on his bed this morning. The one she has been denied because of this stupid galaxy and its stupider problems.
His eyes widen slightly and snap down to where their hands are joined.
There's a clearing of throat. "Um, sir?"
But he doesn't seem to be aware of the person standing at the doorway.
"Sir?"
"Ben." She says softly.
"Yes!" He swirls to look at his assistant.
"Excuse me sir, but we'll be late at the Council… And then there's the Press conference in the early afternoon and the Outer Rim ambassador has been requiring an urgent meeting. Not to mention the…"
"Yes. Yes. I'm aware! I'll be right there."
The poor man shuffles away at the growl, and Ben returns his burning attention to her. There's something disheveled about the way he looks at her.
"Go on. You were about to say something…"
Rey takes the mug from him and steps back. "Never mind. It's not important at the moment. You should go back inside."
"No. No! They can wait. Tell me."
"I'm making some eggs for breakfast and some fresh juice, would you like some too?" She asks innocently. He seems worked up and Rey is starting to enjoy this.
"Breakfast?" He sputters. "Who cares about…?"
Amilyn Holdo's very distinctive purple hair appears through the kitchen door and she glares daggers at Ben. "If you don't come out in the next two seconds you are going to face the Council meeting all on you own," she hisses. "Do you understand?"
"Fucking hells, Amilyn! Can't a man have a moment?"
"No, he may not. Especially if he is the Governor of Coruscant. Get your ass inside. Now! Hello, Rey."
"Goodmorning, Amilyn."
Holdo's head disappears as quickly as it appeared, leaving the two of them alone again. She takes a sip of caf. It tastes sweet and creamy, just the way she likes it.
"I have to go," he says hoarsely.
Rey nods, clutching her mug with both hands. His gaze lingers on her hands for a heartbeat before he drags it back up. He seems to contemplate something in that complex mind of his, twirling it for a bit trying to decide what to do with it. Rey waits patiently.
"I wouldn't mind having a little of what you plan on making for breakfast," he says eventually. "Just leave some on a plate for me, if it's ok with you."
Rey smiles. A nice big smile that she couldn't quite contain. "Of course."
He stares at her for a moment more, with this strange new expression on his face before he nods, and abruptly turns around to head back to his team.
It truly is a long day.
The Council meeting at the Government building drags all morning. Ben sits pensively at the head of the pristine, oval table with the rest of his government gathered around it, as the Minister of Defense explains the alliance with the Chiss, and the attack plan that the Republic has formulated. There are a few murmurs that go around and a few uncomfortable settlings in seats, but the Governor only intervenes in his Minister's speech when something needs to be clarified, or when the unease and tension in the room start to escalate.
It's gloomy outside. With a sky full of leaden clouds and the promise of a thunderstorm. Lightning splits the heavens at the far horizon over the Manarai mountains, electrifying an already tense atmosphere within the Conference room. It's so dark that most of the city's lights have remained lit, making the city glitter like an upturned evening sky.
Rey stands in back of the Governor dressed in her favorite cream colors and a beige cashmere cloak, saberstaff perched on her back as always, gazing at the endless city. She senses a few curious glances being cast her way now and then, and an all-around awareness of her unique presence at the Council. But the members seem to accept her.
As they seem to accept the decisions that their Governor has made.
The battleships are a bit of a pricklier subject since the cost will be enormous and the first down payment to Kuat will have to be made by Coruscant alone. Ben rubs at his eyes as the Minister of Economy takes over to explain how it will be accomplished by increasing taxes and using part of the banking system's surplus to cover the cost.
The Council does not seem to be very happy about that. At the end, however, the Governor manages to gain a marginal vote of confidence from his government. Just as he had expected.
Rey smiles back lightly when Ben swivels his chair to look at her at the end of the meeting, with what seems like relief in his dark, tired eyes.
But the Press conference is a mess.
The grand room is packed to the brim with reporters, holonet cameras and crew members, all sitting at the edge of their seats, awaiting impatiently the Governor's appearance. The Minister of Communications is the one who reads out the official statement of Coruscant's stand in the upcoming war with the First Order, but the Governor is the one who steps is to answer the surge of questions.
The air is stifling and the lights are blinding. Rey struggles to keep her guard up, scanning the room and flipping through surface thoughts, because if another attempt were to take place, then this would be the perfect chance. She even goes as far as using the Force to crunch into heap of metal, a camera that came a little too close to the Governor for her liking. Ben barely bats an eye, but numerous gasps and mutters circle the room at her intervention.
Beads of sweat appear on Ben's temple as the Press conference goes on but he still continues to eloquently answer or expertly dodge the ruthless questions that the reporters throw his way. He seems miraculously composed and imposing, despite the tense atmosphere in the room.
Until one question pops up, that is.
It comes from a young humanoid in unkempt clothing that raises his hand amongst a hundred others. Ben gestures at him slightly bored.
"Governor, the Jedi seems to be your new shadow. Considering your reputation, is she more than that? And what does your soon to be wife have to say about her?"
All sound seems to die out for a few seconds as everyone it the room regards Ben with expectant wide eyes.
"I don't know what reputation you speak of," his deep voice resonates in the room. "Next question."
"There is a source stating that the Jedi and you have a past together and if that is so would you elaborate?" Another reporter asks and Rey notices Ben's knuckles go white as he grasps on the edges of the podium. She is rather surprised that on such a grave and important moment as this, with the galaxy on the brink of war, people are interested in Ben's personal life.
It's superficial and flat out creepy.
"I would reconsider the validity of the sources if I were you," he snaps frigidly.
"Was she a love interest?" A third question appears out of nowhere.
Ben clenches his jaw. "No comment."
There's an uproar of voices as the room seems to stand up to its feet with flailing hands everywhere and a repeat of the previous questions falling from all sides.
Ben glances over his shoulder at Rey. He looks very, very agitated. He refuses to take any more questions and signals for his Minister to take over, as he steps down from the podium in a torrent of protests and blinding lights. He storms off the stage, pausing only briefly for Rey to join him on his side. She thinks she feels his hand on the small of her back as he towers protectively over her, in his attempt to shield her from the cameras, but the sensation disappears all too quickly and Rey is not sure if she ever felt it at all.
"Bastards!" He seethes down the corridor of the Government building as employees and officials hurriedly part a way for him to go through. His long strides devour its length while a few members of his Office along with Amilyn Holdo struggle to keep up with him. Rey is on his side feeling his rage spill like burning acid in the Force. He has barely glanced her way but there is something in the way he walks besides her that makes her feel like he is trying to protect her from curious eyes.
Which is rather pointless.
"What did you expect, Ben?" Holdo concedes a few paces in back of him.
He halts right in the middle of the corridor, black robes swiveling ominously around him as he turns to face her.
"What did you say?"
"They do have a point, you know," she continues, ignoring his scathing glare. "Your habits were bound to catch up with you at some point."
"My habits are none of their business." He sneers.
People passing by cringe away from him. The few members of his Council that had followed him grasp the opportunity to discretely disperse, Rey notices. As if they can feel the heavy storm building within their Governor match the one that is being unleashed outside.
"Oh, come on, Ben. You're smarter than that. This is precisely the type of information they are dying to get their hands on."
"I am the best Governor Coruscant has seen in the last twenty years. That should be enough!"
Amilyn crosses her slender arms in front of her chest, looking at him with those icy blue eyes. "You are also the youngest and most scandalous. No matter how brilliant you may be, nothing is ever enough for them. Did you seriously think that Rey of all people, your own personal Jedi, wouldn't get caught up in your mess?"
He narrows his eyes at her. "Rey looks nothing like the women I fuck!"
Rey blinks, feeling a bitter taste rise to her mouth.
"They don't care! How can you be so naïve? If Rey ever meant anything to you, you should have never gotten her tangled up in this. You should have been more careful!"
They must know…
Rey suddenly realizes horrified. The people closest to him seem to know that she and Ben are far from strangers.
His nostrils flare and he walks up to Amilyn, coming eye to eye with her. "Does my mother have anything to do with what happened in there?" He warns in a dangerous voice.
"Now you're being paranoid."
"I wouldn't put it past her."
"Ben. No. Why would she do that to you?"
"Then who leaked the information?"
"Who knows!"
"Then find out! You're not all being paid here to stand as imbeciles in the middle of the corridor staring at me with gaping mouths."
He regards her thunderously for a few moments before turning his attention to Jeff. The man stands completely still and with his gaze fixed solemnly at some statue by the wall. Rey believes he has forgotten how to breathe. The Governor stares him down, as if the galaxy spiraling into catastrophe is somehow his manager's fault. "Fix this." He grits at him, in the end. "And cancel the rest of my meetings for this afternoon."
"Where do you think you're going?" Holdo calls out to his receding black robes.
He snarls over his shoulder without breaking momentum. "You wouldn't want details of my habits now, would you Amilyn?"
Holdo presses her lips together tightly, too irritated to answer anything back. Rey tries to swallow the taste of bile back down. She hasn't seen Ben like this in days, and it's a side of him that she has conveniently pushed to the corners of her mind, pretending it doesn't exist. How wrong she has been.
"How did the reporter know about our past?" Rey asks, rooted in her spot. She sees the Governor halt a few paces away turning to look at her astounded. She completely ignores him.
Amilyn Holdo sighs.
"It's their job to find out such things," she says dejectedly. "Who knows how many credits he has paid to gather such information. Chances are he doesn't know much. Probably has no idea that Ben was once in Luke's academy."
"Rey. Come. We need to leave."
She senses the Governor approach her. His steps resounding in the corridor with a finality as heavy as his demand. But she stares at Holdo's solemn face trying to see all the way down to an unspoken truth. There is a question looping in Rey's mind since the Press Conference, making her feel very uneasy. Anxious.
Tarnished.
"Do they really think I'm sleeping with him?" And she voices it in nearly a whisper.
Holdo looks away.
"Rey, no. It means nothing." Ben is the one who rushes to intervene. "They say these things the whole time. They spin the most incredible stories out of thin air."
"Is this the reason why you didn't want a woman Jedi protecting you?"
He parts his lips, struggling for an answer. Most probably a lie. "Partly."
"Will I affect your pact with the Chiss?"
He feels uncomfortable. She can tell by the way the small muscle under his left eye twitches. "I won't let that happen. Rey…" His eyes dart anxiously on her face and he lowers his voice. "What are you trying to say to me?"
He senses. No. He knows she is about to say something he doesn't want to hear.
"Maybe someone else should watch over you. I don't want to jeopardize the work you've done till now."
"What? No. No. You're not jeopardizing anything. It's fine. I'll figure it out."
"Ben…"
"I said no!" He shuts his eyes at the echo of his voice in the corridor. Rey knows they are making a scene. They both do.
He pulls her to a crevice nearby, away from those prying eyes. Rey is afraid it will just make things worse. Everything they do just makes things worse.
Lightning pierces the sky in the tall window beside them.
He comes to stand right in front of her making the rest of the world disappear. She looks at him. At those dark eyes that always seem so arrogant and self-assured. They seem desperate, now. And afraid.
"Rey?" He leans in to catch her eyes. "Let's not do this here. All right? What do you say? Let's just go back to my apartment and we can talk about it there."
His intensity is becoming overwhelming.
Rey would have never imagined the consequences of her presence next to him. But he obviously has. Way before she ever even arrived. But she understands now. His reluctance and borderline animosity when he first saw her. His distant, cold behavior goading her to turn around and leave. Get as far away from him as possible. That staying next to this man is precarious. Dangerous.
But he is standing so close now, drowning her in his vortex of emotions. He's not letting her think straight.
He rakes his hair and curses in a low voice. Then brings those dark eyes back. They latch on to her soul. Refuse to let her go.
"Don't leave me, Rey. I can't do this without you…"
And that right there is all she needs to know that it is too late. Too late for them to go back to pretending that they don't matter. That they are nothing more than childhood friends that never made it to adulthood. That they are a mistake they need to erase.
"Let's go to the apartment. Come with me back to the apartment, Rey."
Because they matter. And Force help them, they are no longer in control.
"Say you'll stay…"
Force help us…
Rey nods.
He leans in and she suddenly feels like he is about to kiss her. Set those soft lips on hers and wrap his arms around her body. Pull her tight to him. He is so large and solid. The most solid thing she has ever had and Rey can't think how she made it all these years without him.
It all feels so vivid and clear in her mind, and so very much real, that it takes her nearly a moment for her to realize that none of that has happened. That Ben is just standing inches away from her, barely touching her temple with his face. He smells of musk and sweat and heartache and Rey blinks dazed into his black, silky garments.
"Thank you…" he breathes in her strands and Rey feels her whole body come to life. As if this breath has become her own. She turns her head lightly, seeking for its warmth. Reaching for it.
It pants into her parted lips. She can nearly taste it.
Have it.
Breathe it…
"Not here," he says.
His voice is groveled and thick. And shaky around the edges. It caresses the small wisps of hair close to her ear, and spreads into a longing in her chest. Rey feels his body move away but his dark gaze holds the most tender of promises.
Can she dare to hope?
He leads her out of the crevice and back to the corridor keeping a painful distance from her.
"Prepare my ship," he orders one of the guards stationed close by. The man nods fervently relaying the order through his comlink.
Maybe she can.
By the time they reach the exit, the heavens have split and heavy rain is pouring everywhere. It's impossible to see a thing. They are rushed in his shuttle, clothes getting drenched in a matter of seconds. They fall in place across from each other. Wet strands clinging on their faces and cloaks dripping on the cream leather surface of their seats. His eyes simmer as he looks at her in the grey non-light that falls through the windows. The rain pounds relentlessly on the shuttle's haul. And an anticipation is already coiling insider her.
Rey doesn't know if they will make it back to his place without him commanding her to come to him.
The rain is cold and it stings her face as they cross his landing bay. A thunder rolls somewhere in the distance and the ground is slippery under her boots. His arm wraps around her waist, keeping her on her feet and his palm splays on her lower belly.
"Let me touch you tonight, Rey," he says in her ear. It's an order and a plea at the same time, and there is something unhinged in his voice. In the way he looks at her. "Don't make me go through another night without touching you…"
Rey glances away on the verge of the sweetest panic. A shiver runs down her spine.
"Good evening, sir. My lady." Antoine, one of the guards greets them. "I must warn you, sir," he says, as the large doors part for them to enter. "You have a guest tonight."
"A guest?" Ben says over her head. He sounds alarmed. "I'm not expecting anybody tonight."
The lights are on as they enter and the warmth that greets them is blessed and welcomed. But she feels Ben stop cold beside her. Because right in the middle of his lounge, dressed in an elegant and very expensive looking dress stands a woman. She sets her glass of wine down on a side table and turns to smile at Ben.
Rey feels her heart stop.
"Shit." He mutters.
Author's note: Yes, yes *ducks stones* another cliffhanger! LMAO! Any bets on who this is?
Also on a much more serious note. I don't know how many of you are really looking for angsty stories set in our very real universe with its very real problems. When certain things happen in a far, far galaxy it's easy to pretend they don't exist. I have been reading "Hiraeth" by Ferasha lately which is a Reylo story set during the Yugoslav war of the '90s. I don't think I have come across a more realistic portrayal of Kylo Ren than this. And the love they share is truly so pure. I don't know if it's your cup of tea but in case you're looking for a really good story with very direct and heartfelt writing, I'd suggest you give it a try.