Chapter Text
“Get off me,” Rey snarled, pushing against Ben’s chest with a strength that surprised him. He shifted his big body off of her, still a little breathless from his recent exertions. Rey moved to sit, roughly swinging her legs over the side of the bed. Ben lay still for a long moment, watching her carefully.
“I can’t believe you did that.” Of course, she was angry, but the softness of her voice belied the emotion behind it. “Just when I started to trust you.” Her eyes fixed straight ahead, refusing to meet his.
Ben’s body jerked up as regret washed through him. “I’m sorry. I got….carried away.”
“Oh, please," she snapped. "Don’t give me that crap, Ben. You knew exactly what you were doing.”
Sliding closer to her, he reached out a hand to touch her shoulder.
“Rey…”
She moved away, getting to her feet in a huff and scrambling to find her clothes.
“You had no right,” she growled. Her pretty new dress was yanked over her head with such vigor, Ben thought she’d tear the delicate fabric.
“Rey, listen to me. It’ll be okay,” he began, leaping to his feet. “I promise--”
“No! I was foolish enough to trust you and you took advantage. Congratulations, Ben. You got what you wanted. I really had a great time tonight until you ruined it.” Her eyes squeezed shut for a moment. “I’ll call for a car, unless you’re going to have one of your men take me.”
He grabbed her wrist in a vise-like grip and her head whipped around to face him. “Please don’t go like this. Stay until the morning at least? And then I’ll take you home.”
“If you think I’m going to spend another minute in this apartment with you, after you--” she trailed off, pressing her lips together.
“It’s the middle of the night, Rey,” he groaned. The glare she shot him in response told him there was not a chance in hell that she was going to back down. Then Ben did something he never did: he dropped to his knees.
At that moment, he didn’t even think about it. All he knew is that the woman he loved, the one he'd finally had the chance to hold in his arms, was about to walk out the door. And if he let that happen, she'd probably never speak to him again.
Stunned by his subservient attitude, so out of character, Rey was rendered speechless-at least for the moment.
He looked up at her imploringly.
“Rey. Please, stay. Give me another chance. I’ll do anything.”
“I’m afraid you’re all out of chances, Ben.” The slight waver in her voice gave him hope. He grasped her hand tightly and held her eyes, fearing that at any minute she would turn away.
“I love you, Rey." Her reaction was swift and sharp; she scoffed, rolling her eyes, but he rambled right past it. "I know you feel something for me. Don't deny it."
She shook her head, letting her breath out slowly. Her beautiful face was marked with pain. “Oh, Ben. What you just did was...unforgivable. That wasn't the action of someone in love.”
He pressed his lips to her knuckles. “I mean it. I’ll do anything I can to prove it, Rey. Please.”
Her eyebrows knitted together. “Ben, you’re married, ” she said sadly. “I never should have gone along with your idiotic scheme. Or the date--none of it."
“I’ll divorce her. I want to be with you.” He shuffled closer on his knees until he was a hair’s breadth away from her. Releasing her hand he wrapped an arm around her thighs burying his face where he’d been pleasuring her not ten minutes earlier.
Rey’s resolve faltered for a moment, her fingers threading through his spunsilk black hair.
“What about your kids?” she murmured, eyes fluttering shut as Ben nuzzled into her.
“I’ll always take care of them. And I’ll take care of you. Always, Rey. If you’ll let me.”
It’s those last words that pulled her out of it.
“I don’t need to be taken care of.” She frowned, stepping away to effectively remove herself from his grasp.
Ben let out a frustrated sigh. He was just about out of ideas.
“Damnit,” she said suddenly. “ I can’t go back to the boarding house tonight. Curfew.”
His eyebrows rose hopefully.
“Okay. So you’ll stay. I can sleep on the couch.”
“No, I’ll sleep on the couch,” she retorted.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m the one who screwed up.”
He sounded so sad and soul-weary that she looked up, but he was staring at the floor. “There are towels and soap and toothpaste in the ensuite. Use whatever you need.” He hung his head and moved to the door. “I’ll be down the hall. Let me know if you need anything, okay?”
She nodded, her righteous indignation drained for now.
“Good night, Rey,” he said before closing the door behind him.
*****
Rey had always been a light sleeper, and that night was no exception.
In spite of the master bedroom’s considerably plush and comfy mattress, which was much larger than her full-size at the boarding house, sleep evaded her. She couldn’t turn off her thoughts about the previous evening. Ben had been so generous, so thoughtful. She had truly been overwhelmed by the ballet, something he’d done all for her, just because he remembered her mentioning her childhood dream. And they really did have a good time at Club 21, at least until Snoke showed up and set everyone on edge.
But what other outcome from this amazing night could she have expected? She was not the type of woman who would ever agree to be someone’s mistress, even someone in a loveless marriage. There was light inside Ben, she knew it, she could sense it, but unless he was ever truly willing to turn his back on the “family” as he called those goons...well, they would never be together.
The soft light of the morning was gray and bleak, when Rey woke alone in the King-sized bed. Rain tapped lightly on the glass as she rose and went to the window. She wasn't looking forward continuing last night's battle with Ben; she wanted it all to be over. It would be so much easier never to see him again. Of course, he wasn't going to let her go without a fight. She knew this, had known it from the start.
She sighed, went to the ensuite to bathe.
The tub was a large, luxurious clawfoot perched by a picture window, and she bit her lip as she opened the faucet. It wasn’t as if Rey often had the chance to enjoy such luxury. She picked through the bottles of various scented oils and hair products, smelling each one in turn as if she were shopping for perfume in Saks.
At least she didn't need to work today. She could enjoy these fleeting luxuries for a little while longer.
*******
Ben stood at the kitchen counter in only an undershirt and a clean pair of pressed trousers. He was no dummy; he had made sure that Mitaka had a fresh change of clothes laid out in the apartment well before their tryst. It wasn’t as though he had done this often....well, maybe once or twice , over the years. But never with a woman he felt so much for as he did with Rey. She was special, and he was determined to figure out a way to keep her in his life, come way may.
The coffee pot had already begun to perk on the stove when he heard the pipes open up in the bathroom. Of course, she’d be taking a nice, long soak, his girl. A smug little smile bloomed on his face. It was what she deserved, even if she didn’t think so. And especially since, as he deduced, she had rarely if ever had the chance to sample such luxury before.
He settled down in a chair at the small kitchen table, lost in thought. He could have kicked himself for screwing up so badly. Rey's trust had been hard-won, and he'd done the stupidest thing imaginable--again.
He raked his hand back through his hair in frustration and turned to the stove. This was his last chance to convince her he would make good on his promises. He didn't want to lose her.
*****
“Morning,” Ben rumbled, rising from his seat when Rey entered from the kitchen. His eyes were wide and hopeful as he took her in. Her face was flushed and scrubbed clean of makeup, hair damp and curling at her collarbone. Ben thought she looked even more beautiful this way, if that was possible. “Did you enjoy your bath?”
The faintest hint of a smile tugged at her lips and she nodded. “It was fine."
For a long moment, Rey just stood there, wringing her hands. Her eyes darted around the room as if she didn’t know what to do with herself.
“I thought I’d make us some breakfast and then I can.. take you home.”
She sighed. “Ben, I think I should go now. Let’s not make this any harder.”
He took a single step toward her. “Please, Rey. You should eat something. Pancakes?”
Rey huffed, rolling her eyes. “Fine.”
Ben’s face lit up like Christmas morning and he pulled out a chair for her.
“Swell, doll. The coffee's made. Come park your keister and I’ll make you some tea."
Rey settled into her seat, turning away when Ben tried to steal a quick kiss.
“Just breakfast,” she said curtly. Chastened, he pursed his lips and moved back to the counter. “Coffee’s fine.”
Ben said nothing as he poured her a cup and set it in front of her with the cream and sugar. Rey bit her lip, watching him carefully as he returned to the counter to stir the batter.
“Never figured you for a cook,” she quipped.
Ben chanced a sly glance at her. “Every now and again. I used to make breakfast on weekends sometimes, when the kids were little. Don’t get to do it much anymore.”
Rey sipped her coffee in silence, watching as Ben flipped the pancakes on the hot griddle. Her eyes narrowed as it dawned on her that he’d changed his clothes. “Where did you get the clean clothes?"
Ben chuckled. “I had Mitty bring them over. Beforehand," he added.
She gritted her teeth. “You were just so sure that I was going to sleep with you, huh?”
He set the spatula down and looked right at her. “I hoped, Rey. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t hoping. Actually, I thought about having something brought over for you too, but I thought that might be taking it a little too far.” He sighed and turned his attention back to the pan. “Didn’t want to piss you off.”
“Well, congratulations. You managed to do that anyway.”
Ben clucked his tongue and turned the fire off under the pan. He approached quickly and sat down, sliding his chair close so that they were face to face. “Rey.” She turned her head but he gently cupped her face. “Look at me, please.” Rey finally turned to meet his eyes and he sat back.
“I don’t know how to tell you this without sounding like I’ve lost my marbles, but...you do something to me. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
“It was a desperate move.”
“It was,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to lose you. I don’t.”
She cocked an eyebrow. “You never had me, Ben.”
“Hey,” he tutted, lifting a hand to trace the curve of her cheekbone. “I know you like me, at least a little. Come on, doll. Admit it."
“Of course, I do. I wouldn’t have done what--what we did last night if I didn’t.” She dropped her eyes, suddenly shy as images of Ben kneeling between her legs flashed through her head. Picking up on her cues, he moved closer until his lips caressed the shell of her ear. The gentle kiss he placed there sent a bolt of pleasure through her whole body.
“I know,” he crooned. “You’re my good girl. Acting all hard-boiled, but in my arms, you go soft and melty like ice cream.”
Rey struggled to regain her composure, pushing him away. “It’s not. Not going to happen again. Not after what you pulled.”
“Tell me what I can do, Rey. How can I convince you?”
When she looked back at him, her eyes were hard. “Leave the family. I won’t be a gangster’s moll.”
Ben huffed, jerking away angrily. “That was never my intention, Rey. You have to know that.”
“Prove it,” she spat. “Walk away from Snoke and all his goons. Go legit.”
He stared back, lips parted. “It’s not that easy.”
Rey shrugged. “Well, neither am I. And that’s the only way we’ll ever be together. I’m not going to be your little caged songbird.”
The silence that spread out between them was deafening. After what seemed like forever, Ben nodded slowly. “I get it.”
“Good. I think you should take me home now, Ben.”
This time, he didn't argue with her.
Ben had insisted on wrapping up the pancakes for Rey to take, despite her protests. It didn’t make sense for them to go to waste, after all.
By the time he got back to the house, he was madder than a wet hen, and the worst part was: the person he was really angry at was himself.
He’d screwed up royally, and there didn’t appear to be any way he could fix it. Part of the reason he’d fallen for Rey was her sheer fire and determination. He could understand her being angry initially, but he’d just hoped he could find a way to break down that stubborn will of hers.
He was wrong.
It was nearly ten when he burst into his own kitchen, scowling, and was met with the ire of his wife. She turned suddenly from the counter where she was rolling out some kind of dough and shot him a deathly glare.
“And where have you been all night?”
“I had a card game that ran late. Stayed over at Mitty’s.” The lie rolled easily off his tongue with the ease that comes with practice.
“Why do I find that so hard to believe?” she huffed, hands balled into fists at her sides.
Ben shrugged. Bazine’s attitude was the last thing he wanted to deal with right then. Choosing to ignore her over his grumbling stomach, he went straight to the fridge and peered inside.
“I don’t know, and I don’t care.”
Incensed, Bazine pouted her pink lips and crossed her arms over her full, rounded breasts. The same breasts that Ben had once lavished with attention, back when they had first married; the same breasts that had nursed their two babies, helping them to become sturdy, fine children.
“We’ll see how you feel when I file for divorce. Maybe you’ll care then.”
Ben straightened his long body and turned to face her fully.. “I doubt you’d have the guts to go through with it, but you know what, Baz? You’d be doing me a favor.”
A flash of hurt crossed her pretty features and then was gone. “Is that so?”
Ben felt acid rise in his throat. If his stomach hadn’t been empty, he’d be sick. “That’s so. And I don’t get why it’s suddenly so important to you.” He shook his head in frustration. “It was bound to happen sooner or later,” he said, slamming the fridge door and turning to leave. “Do what you need to do.”
He'd reached his emotional limit already, and it was only ten a.m., for Christ’s sake. He hadn’t even had breakfast and his mind was swirling with how to handle the two most important women in his life.
Although Bazine’s importance in his life was mainly in the past now, she was still the mother of his two children. And how their marriage ended would have an effect on him, and their kids, one way or the other. But at this point there was little he could do about it.
Ben ordered a huge breakfast, eggs and sausage with buttered grits and toast. He downed coffee like it was water, finding it helped him regain just a bit of clarity as he looked at the steaming mess in front of him that was his own life.
He was so caught up in his thoughts that he never saw the man approach him.
“Well, well, well. We meet again, my boy.”
Ben startled at the rough drag of the voice, his blood chilling at the recognition. His eyes snapped to the cold blue ones of the wraith before him.
He’d often imagined the death of this man, at the hands of a mutual enemy or his own. His appearance at that very moment couldn’t have been less welcome.
“Seems so,” he bit out.
“Ohh,” Snoke said with false concern. “Did you have a long night?” That fiendish smile of his widened a bit. “Where’s your lovely young lady?”
Ben grit her teeth. “She’s home.” Where I should be right now .
“Ah, I can see I’ve caught you at a bad time,” the old man wheezed. “I’d like to talk to you soon about something soon, though. We’ll need to arrange a meeting soon. For later today, if possible."
“If you have something to say to me, say it now.”
Snoke tilted his head as if confused by Ben’s bluntness. “Oh. I see. Well, then…”
Ben took a sip of water and set the glass back on the table loudly, anxiety blooming in his chest.
“Well?”
“I’d like to talk about your friend, the little thief. What was her name again?”
Ben couldn’t get his lips to move as icy dread lanced through his body.
The bastard knew.
“Ah, yes,” the old man concluded with a smug grin. ”Rey.”