Chapter 19: Wildfires

When Rey's alarm went off the next morning, she didn't want to move. She was wrapped in a warm cocoon of safety and comfort. It was the best wake up she had ever experienced and she knew exactly whom she owed it to. Even in sleep, she recognized Ben's presence. He had kept her nightmares at bay for the remainder of the night. Any linger phantoms of the terrors she had faced in her subconscious were distant memories after he had woken her in the middle of the night. After his interference, they hadn't returned and she was allowed a night of true rest.

Now, he had both his arms around her, still protecting her, though he was fast asleep. His body was curled around hers, his back facing the stairs down to her living room, sheltering her from her apartment's entry point. It was such a little detail, but to Rey it meant everything. He had taken every precaution to keep her safe, just as he had promised.

Forever.

Rey blushed as she recalled what she had asked of him. At the time, she had been coming back to herself, taking far too long to fight free from the clutches of her night terror. In the present, her mind was clear and as such, she remembered exactly how she had told him she wanted him with her indefinitely. She had never considered herself one of those clingy types, one of those girls who was all over her boyfriend and never wanted him to go anywhere without her. Rey was too independent to act in such a manner. Despite that, she had felt immense relief flood her when Ben had responded, saying he would stay with her.

Raising her eyes to look at him, she scanned his face. He was boyish in sleep, so relaxed and unbothered by anything. Rey reached over, taking his cheeks in her hands. She ran her thumbs across them, allowing herself to feel the smooth skin beneath her own. He had shaved recently, probably not long before he had run into her in Corellia. He didn't wake, but he leaned into her touch, as if he could sense her in his sleep.

She pressed her lips to his, gently, before backing out of his embrace, to get changed in the bathroom. She had her morning kickboxing class to teach in half an hour and she couldn't let herself be distracted by the shirtless man in her bed.

Which was easier said than done.

Closing the door behind her, Rey settled against it. When she had seen him strip off his clothes the night before, she had felt as though she was overheating. Her entire core was engulfed in flames, rippling up her limbs. She had had to replay his concerned response from the car ride over and over again until she had gotten her reaction under control. Ben wanted to take things slow. He wanted to be careful with her. Jumping him the first night they were together was certainly off the table. She only wished her body understood that.

During training, she had seen flashes of Ben's lean stomach and the planes of his abdomen, as they led beneath the band of his training pants. It hadn't surprised him he was sporting shredded abs under all those black shirts, but seeing it up close and personal was enough to make her melt. She had nearly lost all her willpower at the sight of him casually entering her bathroom to brush his teeth. It had been uncomplicated. Neither one of them making it out to be anything more than it was. Somehow the sheer domesticity of the routine had calmed Rey, making her feel more relaxed. And then she had gone and focused on his ass as she leaned down to the sink basin to rinse her mouth out and all her calm was shot to hell.

No! Abort! Abort, she chided herself, flushing at the memory

Thinking along those lines (and about the enticing lines of his body) would only further her predicament. She was only making it harder on herself. She let out a sigh, annoyed with how weak she was. Since she had never been with anyone before, she wasn't even sure how to begin, yet her body seemed perfectly capable of guiding her. And that scared her.

As much as she desired Ben, she didn't want to appear inexperienced or nervous when they came together. He had said he'd never had a girlfriend, but that didn't mean he had never had sex. The thought of him being with someone else caused a flare of jealousy to race through her. She didn't revisit the idea again.

Rey tried to distract herself by getting dressed in her athletic wear. She put on a pair of gray shorts and a black tank top. The shorts were longer, to allow for her kicks without revealing anything, though a devilish part of her brain reminded her of her tiny running shorts she could change into later, if Ben suggested going for a jog around town.

And she was back at square one.

Opening the door quietly, she peered out into her bedroom. Ben's breathing was still low and heavy. Barefooted, she snuck out of the bathroom, around to the opposite side of the bed to grab her water bottle.

"Morning."

Rey froze in her crouching position, hand hovering over her water bottle. Ben rolled over to face her, smirking when he noticed how she was attempting to be quiet.

"Hey."

"Where are you going?" He asked, stifling a yawn.

"Downstairs. Class starts in fifteen."

He groaned, hiding his face in her pillow. She held back a laugh. His fed-up expression was so much like his younger self, when he had been at his mother's side for her speeches. He had always worn a disgruntled look. It was endearing to see him wear it now. It reminded her of the boy he had once been, before his fall-out with his family.

"Stay here. Go back to sleep."

"I will," he replied, as he moved to reach for her, "if you get back in bed."

Rey didn't hold back her laugh this time. She playfully swatted his hand away. "I have to teach."

"Call off sick."

"Ben Solo!"

"What?"

"I'm not lying to your uncle and my boss."

"Fine. Hand me my phone. I'll lie to him."

"Ben!"

"Rey."

No adult male should have been able to pull off puppy dog eyes, but the way Ben was staring at her, she was convinced there was nothing else to compare it to. His pout was difficult to ignore. Sensing her hesitation, he lunged out of bed, slinging at arm around her waist and flinging her back onto the mattress. Rey let out a squeal as he tossed her, bouncing on the bed when she hit. He was on her in the next instant, trapping her body between his legs, as he looked over her.

"I paid a lot for this mattress. We should get our money's worth," he teased.

His comment did little to help Rey in her current inner battle. Was he trying to drive her mad with want? She caught how his gaze lingered on her midriff, where her tank top had come up, exposing tanned skin. Maybe she wasn't the only one fighting themselves.

"I didn't ask you to pay for it." She reminded him, as she surged up and grabbed his upper arms. Using all her body weight, she managed to flip them, so she was straddling him.

He chuckled. "Well, I did. So what are you going to do about it?"

Rey couldn't hold back. In the face of his taunt and her growing desire, she leaned down and kissed him. Ben reacted immediately, rising up to lace his fingers through her hair. He was larger than her and his movements changed their position, so she was seated in his lap while their lips met and tongues danced.

She forgot all about being nervous, too consumed by the fire in her belly. Ben's hips rose off the mattress slightly, pressing his need against her core. Rey moaned into his mouth, sure the heat would burn them both until all that was left was ash.

"Ben."

He leaned back, just enough to see her face. Brushing her hair away, he focused on her. The nerves came back and Rey bit her bottom lip. She wanted to ask him to keep going. It was on the tip of her tongue. Then the nerves came back full force. How did she ask for something if she wasn't even sure what it was?

Well…Ben had offered to teach her.

A knock came at her apartment door. They both jumped apart, as though they were teenagers caught in the act, as opposed to two consenting adults.

"Rey?"

Ben cursed under his breath. His uncle's voice was full of concern and followed by another rapping against the door.

"Coming!"

"Don't go," Ben urged, keeping his hands on her. "Just ignore him."

She gave him a chaste kiss, before detaching herself from him to answer the door. Ben flopped back onto the bed muttering something that sounded an awful lot like, "I'll kill him."

Rey had to fight not to laugh, as she hurried downstairs. Before she unlocked her door, she checked her appearance. She did not want to explain herself to her boss, especially this early in the morning. Deeming herself appropriate, she unlatched the locks and swung open the door.

"Luke."

His old blue eyes scanned her, then the apartment behind her. "Are you alright? I saw some students trying to get in but the door was still locked."

"Sorry," Rey apologized quickly, pushing herself past him to get him away from her apartment and the fact that his nephew was half-dressed upstairs. "I overslept."

"You look a little flushed," he observed. "Are you feeling unwell? Have you been eating enough?

"I'm fine. Just missed my alarm."

He paused, thinking for a moment before asking. "Did you get enough sleep last night?"

"Yes."

Thanks you your nephew.

Luke put a hand on her shoulder. "I know this must be a stressful time for you, Rey. The authorities will catch Plutt. Everything will work out."

"Thank you."

A part of her filled with guilt at Master Skywalker's kind words. She didn't want to deceive him. She wanted to tell everyone in her own time. Five minutes before work didn't seem like the best time to bring it up.

They made their way down to the main studio, where Rey apologized for her tardiness. Strapping her headset on, she chose a workout playlist and started class.

Kylo let out a puff of air. His entire body was thrumming with need. There was no possible way for him to go back to sleep now. He was up… in more ways than one. It was in his uncle's favor he couldn't afford to cause any further incidents to maintain his standing in the league. Kylo was seriously considering manslaughter for his interruption.

He rolled off the bed, padding toward the bathroom. He was in dire need of a cold shower. Well, actually, he was in dire need of release, but he wasn't about to take care of himself in his girlfriend's apartment. He already had one dirty secret he was hiding from her. He didn't need any others.

The cold water, along with the cure he had discovered the night prior, rid him of his erection. Rey had been kind enough to provide him with an extra toothbrush, but he wasn't as lucky with her bath products. It wasn't until he was naked and soaked, he realized all he had was floral scented options, each contained in bottles colored in varying shades of pink.

It wouldn't have been his first choice, still it was hardly consequential. He had stayed overnight with her. The fact she had trusted him in her home, alone for the entire evening spoke volumes in how far they had come. A hand full of feminine scented soap wasn't about to alter his mood.

Once he was finished and towered off, he changed into his training clothes, opting for shorts, since the August heat had set in. He stuffed his bag in one of the open cubbies along Rey's wall. He tied up his sneakers then headed down into the kitchen.

Kylo had about an hour to kill before Rey would be done teaching. It gave him time to pick up caffeine for both of them. He figured if he had to go into town, he could grab some things to make lunch. A peek inside her fridge told him she hadn't gone recently. It was nearly bare.

They hadn't gotten around to ordering last night at the restaurant. Kylo wished they would have. He could have tried to surprise her with a similar meal today, as an apology since they had missed out on the cuisine at Blue Wall.

Had he been on better terms with her friends, he could have attempted to contact one of them. He hadn't forgotten the icy stare Finn had thrown at him. Discussing Rey's favorite meals probably wouldn't come up in conversation any time soon. Maz or Rose or possibly both would be at Kanata Kaffeine. He would ask them when he stopped in to get Rey her tea.

He could hear music from the sound system below blaring and knew Rey's class was underway. With her teaching, there was no reason for his uncle to linger. Kylo exited the apartment, thinking Luke wouldn't be back until the afternoon.

If only.

"Ah, Ben!" His uncle greeted him, as he landed in the office. Luke sat at his desk, scanning a selection of papers in front of him. His attention deferred to Kylo, as the younger of the two circled around to the front of the desk.

Kylo bit his cheek to keep a scathing slew of expletives from slipping out.

"Good morning."

"Uncle."

Luke's eyes went from him, to the stairs of the apartment, and back to him again. Amusement flickered in the blue orbs. "You're here early. Much too early for afternoon classes."

"Indeed."

"Perhaps you didn't arrive this morning?" He questioned, knowingly.

"Perhaps."

"I trust you slept well?"

Kylo gritted his teeth. His uncle had no business prying into his personal life. He had hoped to avoid discussing his relationship with Rey. It seemed that would no longer be an option.

"I did."

"Good. Good." His uncle nodded, returning to his paperwork. He took it as a sign he could leave, only to have his uncle interrupt him once more. "If you mean to keep Rey from her classes, I'd appreciate twenty-four hours notice. And nothing provocative around the children, please. Let's keep it professional, shall we?"

Kylo's grip on the doorknob nearly shattered the ornament. He felt his entire body tense up at the underlying hint. "Yes, of course."

"That's all. Off you go." Skywalker waved him away. Kylo had never been more pleased to leave the office.

He passed a couple of late women on his way out to his vehicle, but his gaze was fixated on Rey. She had her back to the door, bobbing on the toes of her feet as she looked through her phone for the next song. He smiled to himself, seeing her so content, even if it wasn't upstairs in bed with him as he had originally planned. They had time. He wasn't going anywhere without her.

Well, except to get her the tea she craved.

The Vanquish turned over effortlessly and he drove into town. Kanata Kaffeine was busy, as usual. He parked down the block in the first available space, then strolled in.

If Kylo had thought he was safe once he pulled away from Ahch-To, he was wrong. His reunion with Maz was no less embarrassing or painful.

Smack.

"That's for leaving that poor girl on her own all week."

Another smack.

"That's for acting like a stubborn Skywalker when I warned you not to!"

And another smack.

"And that's for not calling your parents, as I told you to!"

Kylo thanked his lucky stars he was built to handle far worse hits than the ones Maz have him. She was still seething when she began making Rey's tea. As she brought the honey out, she eyed him, waiting for him to fight her on her methods.

He didn't.

After speaking with Dr. Connix, he had seen things more clearly. He was determined to be better for Rey. Kylo wouldn't allow his stubborn pride to keep them separated again. He had learned his lesson. One week was torture. Losing her forever would be the end of him.

Forever.

Rey had asked him to stay with her forever. Even if she hadn't been serious, even if she didn't remember having asked it of him, he was glad she had. It gave him hope. One day she may feel as strongly about him as he did about her.

"Hi, Ben!"

Even if Maz felt the need to reprimand him, he could count on Rose to be her normal cheery self.

"Morning."

"Haven't seen you here in a while."

"I was in the city. I had some things to take care of."

Behind Rose, Maz made a 'hmph' sound, indicating her disbelief. Rose ignored her boss, ringing up Kylo's Order while she hummed to herself.

"Thank you." He handed over his typical one hundred dollar bill. As always, Rose responded with eyes blown wide and a chorus of 'thank-you's'.

Maz handed both drinks over the counter.

"Tell Rey we say hi. I haven't seen much of her either," Rose told him. "Maz said she wasn't feeling well."

"I think she's better now," Maz commented with a grin.

"She's fine," he assured Rose at the same, while collecting the drinks.

He hoped he had been quick enough to cover up Maz's remark. He could tell by the way she was watching he, she was trying to goad him. He would not give up any details he didn't have to. He had been forced to admit his intentions with his uncle, but he refused to continue until he checked with Rey. Their relationship was brand new. He wouldn't let them get caught up in some miscommunication again.

Rose was still jabbering away. He had missed most of what she had been going on about, but he caught the last piece as if it was playing in surround sound. "I was hoping she'd be better in time for her birthday."

Her birthday?

His surprise must have shown on his face. Maz took pity on him, moving to help the next customer, while Rose ushered him to the side of the counter. "You don't know her birthday?"

"It hasn't come up," he admitted, suddenly feeling like the worst boyfriend ever.

How could he be a better man if he failed to celebrate such a special occasion. Her birthday should have been one of the first things he had asked. It was then he realized he should have known. After all, he had her file. It had her date of birth, as well as all her other personal information. He had not considered it important at the time, just a useless fact. Now, the file beckoned him so he could remedy this near fail.

"Rey hasn't said much about it to Jess or I," Rose told him. "I don't think she's ever had a birthday party before. She told us Finn and Poe brought her a pizza and boxed wine last year, but they didn't go out to celebrate. She couldn't — what with Plutt and…"

Kylo stopped listening as soon as Rose mentions Rey's former life. Of course she had never had a proper celebration. That scum parading around like her guardian had denied her common decency and respect. There was no way he'd let her have a day to herself, even if it was her birthday. He wouldn't ruin another birthday for her. Kylo wouldn't allow it. He was going to make it the best birthday he could.

The first thing that came to mind was taking her away, possibly to Naboo. She hadn't traveled before and it was his favorite place. She had asked him about it before. Now he had the perfect opportunity to show her. They could walk through the gardens, swim together in the lake, and sleep in together each morning… among other things.

There was one fundamental flaw in his plan. Naboo was his place of choice — not Rey's. He thought back to their text conversation. She had said here was her place because she had her support structure — her self-made family. Getting them all together wouldn't be difficult. Rose and Jess were constantly at the coffee shop, as was Maz. The crew at Rogue One would be around, as long as it was during the day or on a Sunday night. That just left...

Poe and Finn.

Kylo gritted his teeth. Poe wouldn't be the problem. His boyfriend, on the other hand, didn't want Rey dating Kylo. He certainly wouldn't want to go to a party thrown by Kylo for Rey. He needed a way to convince him, a way to show Rey's best friend how important she was to him, so they could go back to being friends before Rey's birthday and before the man left for South Africa.

"Ben…Kylo?" Rose asked, uncertain.

"Ben is fine," he told her, surprising not only himself both both Rose and Maz. Rey was having an effect on more than just his manners.

"Ben," Rose started again. "It's this Saturday. Her birthday, I mean."

Saturday? That didn't give him much time. He had work to do. There was no time to go grocery shopping. He had calls to make. He decided he would take Rey to lunch later. It would make up for their disastrous dinner the night before.

Waving goodbye to Rose and Max, he strolled out to his car. Once the drinks were secured, he engaged his Bluetooth. "Call Dr. Connix."

There were two short rings, then a kind female voice answered. "Dr. Connix's office, this is Billie speaking. How may we assist you today?"

"Billie, this is Kylo Ren. May I please speak with Dr. Connix? I need to move this week's appointment up to tomorrow."

Rey was finishing up her morning session with a couple laps around the room, when she heard the Vanquish pull in. Soon after, Ben entered the studio, tearing the focus of her all female class from their cool-down to her boyfriend. Unaware, he removed his shoes with one hand, before delivering her tea to her.

"For you," he greeted her, kissing her forehead, lightly, as he handed over her drink.

"Thank you."

A chorus of 'awwws' came from behind them. Rey blushed, noting her students were all captivated by the exchange between the two young instructors. Putting her tea down on the counter, she stepped to the side of Ben.

"Thank you, ladies. Great class today. I'll see you on Wednesday. Same place, same time."

Ben stood with her at the front while they waited for the women to put away their bags and depart. After several minutes, they were alone.

"How did you sleep?" Ben asked, reaching over to tuck a strand of wayward hair behind her ear.

"Good," she smiled, nervously up at him. She was still worried about how she had asked him to stay forever. "How about you?"

"Best sleep I've had in years," he responded. He moved closer to her, lacing his arms around her lower back. "What are you doing now?"

"Now?" She let out a breathy laugh. "Now I'm cleaning up the floors and then I'm free until the padawans come in after school."

He lowered his face. For a second, she thought Ben was feigning being tired, collapsing against her, but then she felt his lips on her neck, gently sucking on her pulse point. She gripped his arms, feeling the toned muscles beneath her fingers. It only served to make her weak in the knees.

"Ben." She tried to say his name, but it came out more like a sigh than an actually word.

"Let's go back to bed," he said, between the trail of kisses he was leaving down her neck. "I'll help you clean later."

Rey let herself consider his tempting offer. After this morning, she was seriously considering why they had bothered to get out of bed at all. As much as she enjoyed teaching, she enjoyed having Ben's lips on her more. His attention to her bare skin was causing her temperature to rise and a coil to tighten in her abdomen. Then he stepped closer and she could feel his desire against her. All of her reasons for not going back upstairs suddenly didn't feel so important.

She ran her fingers up his arms, up his neck, to card through his hair. She leveraged her new position to pull his face back up to hers. He caught on to her train of thought and slammed his mouth against hers. His arms tightened around her, then he picked her up, setting her down on the countertop next to her forgotten tea.

She continued massaging his head, feeling the soft strands of hair between her fingers, as her mouth worked against his. If she needed air, she wasn't aware. All she could focus on was Ben and how right he felt against her. He must have felt the same, his hands on her waist, keeping her leaning forward into him, while his pelvis ground up to meet her core.

Standing between her legs, gave Ben the perfect angle and Rey lost the ability to think coherently. She couldn't even kiss him back properly. Her entire body was thrumming with need. Nothing else matter. Nothing existed but them.

"Please," he moaned against her. "I need you, Rey."

She nodded, placing her forehead against his, as she clutched his shirt in her hands. "Ok."

It was the only response she was able to articulate, but it was enough for him. He scooped her up easily, keeping her pressed against his chest, and holding her legs around his torso. When he picked her back off the counter, she tensed.

"I've got you, sweetheart. Don't worry. I won't drop you."

Rey smiled, hiding her face in the crook of his neck while he carried her out of the studio towards her apartment. He was holding her carefully, so delicately, as if he was afraid he'd break her and yet underneath all his restraint was the same undying desire she had coursing through her veins. She wasn't sure how he kept it contained.

He kicked the office door open, stepping inside with clear intention. Then he stopped.

Rey picked her head up, out from his shirt, to see the amused twinkling blue eyes of Master Skywalker. In their haste they had both forgotten he was at the academy going through his monthly billing.

"Ben. Rey."

"Uncle." Ben's voice cracked.

"Um… hello," Rey licked her lips, as she scrambled to get down. Blush stained her entire face and she felt like an ungrateful idiot. How could she have done that in her workplace, in a room where she taught children. She groaned inwardly.

"Glad to see you are both keeping it professional."

Rey wanted to die. She wanted God to strike her with a bolt of lightning right where she stood and take her out of her misery. As if being caught climbing his nephew like a tree wasn't bad enough, she had done it in the main studio, only minutes after her class had ended in full view of anyone who could have walked in.

Any thoughts of continuing their morning wake-up died as quickly as she wanted to be struck down. Living here would surely eliminate her sex drive with Monk Luke Skywalker as her boss and landlord.

Next to her, Ben seemed equally mortified. His face had gone incredibly pale, or at least paler than normal. It only got worse when his uncle spoke again.

"I'm sure you're mother would be interested to hear you have finally taken the plunge and gotten a girlfriend."

Ben slammed an open palm down onto the desk. "You will not call my mother."

"Oh?"

If Rey hadn't known any better, she would have thought Luke was teasing his nephew. He certainly appeared to be having a good time while he left them to squirm.

"If you tell my mother before I have a chance to, I'll tell her about the summer Maz and I caught you smoking a bong out back while you searched for your zen."

Rey had to stifle a laugh at Ben's use of air quotes for the last word.

Master Skywalker regarded his nephew, cautiously, before he extended his hand over the desk. "Alright, then. I won't say anything and neither will you."

"Deal."

The two men shook hands. Ben straighten up, before taking her hand.

"Come on," he said to her, leading her back out of the office. "Let's get this cleaning done."

It took them over an hour, but Kylo felt accomplished by the time they were done cleaning the studio. The mats were squeaky clean —literally — and the mirrors no longer had scattered fingerprints from his waist down. Rey had a thin layer of sweat across her brow from her rigorous scrubbing. He didn't care. She still looked beautiful.

"Thanks for helping me with this," she smiled over at him. "You didn't have to."

"I wanted to."

"So," she sighed, storing the cleaning supplies under the instructor counter, "What now?"

Kylo still wanted to take her upstairs, but his uncle had not moved from his office. "Let's see how you're progressing." He fell into his starting stance effortlessly, delighted, when she shifted her weight to do the same.

"Hit me with your best shot, Solo."

He didn't lunge at her this time. Rey was light on her feet. Her size granted her more agility than him. He would need to be more strategic in his advance. She expected him to use sheer power against her. He needed to change it up and make her think beyond his usual style.

They circled around one another at first, both unwilling to make the first move. Kylo waited. Rey was not patient. She preferred action to being stagnant and after another minute of silence, she charged at him.

Kylo let her get close enough to strike him, before he sidestepped and twisted around so he was facing her. He had told her to not let your opponent get behind you, if possible. She was quick to remedy the situation, spinning on the balls of her feet to attack once more.

This time, she nearly got her right hook into his ribs. She was lightning fast, her punches cutting sharp and straight. Her technique was flawless, which made him proud, but also wary. Rey was still learning how strong she truly was and she had a hard time estimating the proper amount of force to put behind her hits.

While it may not have seemed to be an issue, any experienced fighter would know how to take her excessive energy and use it against her. He made a mental note to work on it with her in the future, then decided sometimes the best lessons were life experience. So when she advanced on him once more, he caught her punch and used her momentum to flip her.

Rey landed with a thud on her back. He grimaced, hearing the tell-tale 'whoosh' of all the air being knocked from her lungs.

"How did that feel?"

"Like I'm going to wipe that arrogant grin off your face," she told him.

She jumped right back up, coming at him again. If her back was sore from the fall, she didn't let it hinder her movements. Rey progressed towards him, this time, holding back in her assault. He attempted to give her a false opening. She didn't fall for it. Instead, she went for the real opening, catching his left shin.

He let out a hiss, from both surprise and pain. She could pack a lot of power behind her. Small or not, Rey was a force to be reckoned with.

She came around, preparing to put him down by targeting his knees next. It was a logical place to attack an opponent who was taller. She had learned more than technique over the last few weeks. Too bad for her he knew how to counter.

When she kicked out, he bent down, catching her leg and tossing her back down on the mat with another resounding thud. He shifted towards her, aiming to finish their sparring with a grappling session.

Rey caught him off-guard, laying still until he was close enough for her to shove him away while she sprung up.

Still scrappy, he thought, as he rolled over himself to regain his footing.

Kylo reached out, his finger tips barely grazing against her waist where her black tank top had ridden up. Rey stiffened, her nostrils flaring slightly.

At first, Kylo assumed she was in pain. She had taken two falls, both to her back. Though the floors had thick mats, it was still reasonable to believe she'd have bruises tomorrow. Her muscles had to be sore. The be caught the blush adding an level color to her flushed face.

Realization struck. Her flinch wasn't out of pain. She was ticklish. His fierce little fighter was ticklish!

Rey's eyes widened, sensing him putting two and two together. "No!" She put her hands out in front of her, stepping backwards. It was the most afraid he had ever seen her. "No, please."

Kylo chuckled and lunged for her. "Oh, you're mine now, sweetheart." She was fast, but he was faster, grabbing her around her waist and hauling her to the ground. She flailed about, attempting to free herself. It was no use. He used his massive body to pin her down long enough to take his fingers over her. Rey squealed, thrashing under his attention.

"You asked for it," he growled, playfully, his knees caging her in as she laughed beneath him.

"I yield! I yield!" She cried between fits of giggles. His fingers stopped.

He set back in his heels, staring down at her smugly. "Not so tough now, are you, Niima?"

Rey rolled onto her side, before mirroring his seated position. "I can hold my own."

"Not against me."

"We're not done yet," she teased. Before he could ask what else she wanted to review, she was crawling over to him, until her face was directly in front of his. He grinned, already knowing what was to come.

Rey leaned forward, pressing her lips gently to his. Kylo let everything else go, as he returned her kiss. She was propping herself up on her palms, so he took the initiative to cup her face and guide her closer. Just as he tilted her face up to deepen the kiss, Rey sat back.

"Wh-."

"See?" She smiled, triumphantly. "I can hold my own."

"You little minx!" Kylo made a grab for her, but his girl was too quick. She leapt to her feet and took off for her apartment.

Kylo ran a hand through his hair and groaned, reclining back onto the floor mats. This woman was going to kill him — slowly and surely.

After taking showers separately, because Rey would be damned if she had a repeat of her embarrassing display in front of Master Skywalker, Kylo suggested they drive into town for a quick lunch before their usual afternoon nap.

Rey would have been lying if she said she wasn't looking forward to cuddling up against him in bed again, though being so close had its drawbacks when they couldn't do anything about their raging hormones. She felt as if she was a teenager, going through it all for the first time. Technically, she was going through it all the first time, but she was an adult. She felt as though she should be over the driven-by-your-hormones phase. Of course, when she had gone through puberty, it hadn't been in a safe environment and due to being malnourished she hadn't often had her period. She had never felt the overwhelming need to be with someone the way she felt now. It was as if all her suppressed desires had suddenly been unleashed and her body was in overdrive.

Kylo was acting similarly inclined. When she had exited the shower, he had been sitting on the edge of her bed, his knee bobbing up and down as he juggled his foot. It was a nervous tic and she nearly laughed at him for it. The only reason she didn't was because there was actually nothing humorous about their predicament — Not when she wanted him so badly — Which made the ride into town unbearable.

He had thrown on navy blue t-shirt and gray cargo shorts. It was the most casual she had ever seen him. Even in his typical all black athletic wear, he appeared formal. With his hair still drying as they drove into town, he looked carefree and unrestricted, not the uptight man she had met months before.

Rey smiled, reaching her hand over to his, where it rested on the gear shift. He glanced over, returning her smile, as she rested her hand over his. His smile made her skin flush all over again. She wasn't sure how she would make it through the day with the way she felt when all he did was look at her. She was already feeling hot, which had nothing to do with the August weather. She needed another cold shower.

"Where would you like to go to eat?"

"Maz's."

Ben chuckled, shaking his head. "Twice in one day."

"Are you surprised?"

"No," he grinned over at her once more, "not at all." He wrapped his hand around hers, bringing it up to his mouth to plant a kiss on it. "Whatever you want."

Rey wanted him to pull the car over and crawl into his lap. Rey wanted to go back to her apartment and strip down together in her bed. Rey wanted to be with him.

Forever.

Her traitorous mind supplied the wording she had used the night prior. She shivered. Rey had never been in love before, but she was starting to feel as though her yearning for Ben went beyond mere biology. Even though her body burned with lust, her deepest desire was to remain with him — snuggling in bed, training together, having coffee and tea, going for a run — all of it. She wanted it all with him.

Rey had to acknowledge the fact she was falling in love with Ben Solo. And she was falling hard.

A/N: Thank you to my beyond exceptional beta, AbyssalSpark. She just got this chapter and she turned it around in a snap! All for you readers. She deserves a BIG thank you!