Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It's a chilly afternoon as three friends stroll through Bryant Park's Winter Village, admiring its snowy wonderland. The young married Alpha-Omega couple has seen snow once before on a ski trip, but other than that, none of them ever experienced anything quite like the freezing East Coast temperatures. Rey Kenobi wholeheartedly appreciates the heavy coat that her sister-in-law, Rose, had packed for their adventures in New York City. 

Longing to touch the sparkling white snow, Rey removes her mittens and tucks them inside her coat pockets. She grazes her bare fingers through the fluffy substance sitting atop a waist-high stone enclosure. The contradictory feeling of the soft powder melting under her fingertips slightly amuses her as it also crunches loudly under her new winter boots.

Back where she lived in warm Southern California, her only encounter with anything frozen was the confectionary kind that she would buy from the grocery store or local street vendor.

When they approach the frosted park entrance, a jazzy rendition of "Sleigh Ride" is playing from the hidden overhead speakers. Everything inside the park is completely covered in string lights; from small pop-up shops to all of the trees. As of right now, the decorations' golden glow cannot be seen just yet, due to the bright sun shining above. The only reason why she is able to spot the lights during the day is from the full catalog of photos clogging up their group chat.

Shutting her weary eyes, Rey attempts to divert all the sweet and savory aromas circulating around the common area by breathing through her mouth and out from her nose.

She relaxes on a park bench with her brother’s better half, "I can't believe the year is over and we're in New York."

"Oh, my God, I know! The holiday season is so magical here!! I cannot wait for our reservation in those cozy, little igloos!! I gotta text Poe for ETA updates." Always so full of delight, the shorter friend of the two bounces in her seat as she grabs her cell phone in excitement.

This entire week has passed by in an absolute blur, and if it wasn't for her two best friends, Rey would still be in her bed keeping the blinds closed. 

After many years of habitually believing the worst in everything and everyone, how did she become so hopeful? Was it when she landed her dream job in college? Or maybe it was way before that at her adoption hearing? She tries to pinpoint the exact time frame, but fails to make sense of it all; just like this entire fucked up, life-altering situation. 

Up until three weeks ago, she could always be found late at night in her office, striving to perfect every assignment with her work-wife, Rose Tico who hyphenated Kenobi on her wedding day. Instead of becoming enemies, the two women complemented each other in ways that best showcased their creativity and work ethic. Being an Alpha helped Rey step into the leadership role whereas Rose encompassed the communication and problem solving skills as an Omega. The duo was unstoppable.

That all changed a month ago when a poor excuse of a Beta from their office suffered the wrath of Rey after putting his disgusting hands on Rose. Lines were drawn, sides were taken. It was all those who stood against Rey versus the few who stood alongside her.

"Ooohhhhhh, he's about twenty minutes away!! Right on time," Rose cheers.

Time. What a fickle bitch. The clocks must have decided to speed back up this week without any warning. Days after the company's HR director determined her employment had been suspended until further notice, time ceased to exist for Rey. She acknowledged that it was her own damn fault for being so naïve , for becoming too comfortable in one place and allowing herself to feel as if she belonged somewhere. 

It took her almost fifteen years to call California "home"....but….was it really? Because of these recent developments in her professional life, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

Growing up in the sweltering Mojave Desert, her childhood could easily be described as unbearingly lonesome and unfortunately unforgettable. Once that pounding sun set below the horizon, the darkness of time mocked her for dreaming about her family's return. Moving from one stranger's home to the next, Rey was given zero opportunities to ever venture out of the sunny state that held her prisoner while in foster care. As the long nights blended into weeks, weeks into years, Rey's fragmented memories of her parents began to fade away. The only tiny glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel was her first best friend and adoptive brother, Finn Kenobi.

"REY!! Have you seen the inside of this place!?" Finn rounds the corner and comes rushing out of a small building.

"Will you tone it down, you nutter!?" He pulls her up from her seat while Rose just shakes her head at the two siblings. "It's just a park lavatory, how could it possibl-ohhhhhhhh….OH WOW!!" Rey's jaw drops in amazement from just viewing the entryway. Looking back at Finn, she asks with a wide grin, "Does it get fancier once you go inside?"

Nodding his head excitedly, Finn pushes her toward the Ladies' Room as Rose comes into view, "Go find the Parks Director, Rey, and ask if they need a graphic designer for their website. It's truly a sight to behold....oh baby, I'm gonna cry," Finn jokingly holds back fake tears and Rose pats his back, continuing to shake her head.

Rey smirks at her dorky older brother and enters the park's unbelievably lavish facility as her ears recognize a string orchestra’s soft swells of “O Holy Night” floating down from the ceiling.

Giving the restroom attendant a small smile, she peeks behind a couple of unoccupied, hand-crafted stall doors and is reminded of the time she and Finn both stumbled upon the Taj Mahal of all bathrooms while attending a wedding with their adoptive parents. That discovery sparked their joint obsession of fancy bathrooms as they grew up, sending each other commode photos from time to time. 

Walking over to the dark granite sink, Rey decides to wash her hands just to fully experience some of the fancy loo’s amenities. While adjusting the knobs for warmer water, she lets the steady flow trickle through her fingers as her eyes meet in the mirror. Her sullen gaze catches her off guard as she stares and studies her haunted hazel eyes. 

The last time this hollow reflection presented itself was right before her adoptive parents had given her that life changing second chance. 

She had been on the edge of giving up all hope and succumbing to her decade-long stint in the system when an older husband and wife appeared in Rey's life. Placing a hand over her chest, she feels that gentle squeeze within the confines of her beating heart as she thinks about Obi and Satine Kenobi. They were two of the kindest, most generous human beings on the face of the Earth. Rey first met the Kenobis and their adoptive son, Finn, about fifteen years ago when she was fostered by them for eight months. Back then, she wanted nothing to do with Finn while he was just as determined as he was today, cracking through his sister's tough exterior.

Unbeknownst to both children, simmering below the surface, Rey was on the verge of presenting her Alpha designation. They were finally getting along until one day, something inside Rey snapped. The catalyst to this heartbreaking event occurred in the Kenobi household when a small, very quiet, foster child cried out the only two words she knew how to say: mama and blanket. When Rey had noticed Finn was all wrapped up in the little girl's only possession, she chased him from room to room. He pleaded with her to listen, but the rage bubbling inside blinded all rational thought, and Finn was forcefully shoved into a bookshelf. 

This huge misunderstanding not only led to Rey's removal from the only place that had just begun to feel like home, but she was deemed too violent to be around small children. 

Luckily for these future siblings, they were reunited four years later, due solely to the dedicated and never ending research of Obi and Satine. Once they discovered Rey was just an ill-equipped female Alpha, everything made sense, especially when Finn's same designation had emerged upon Rey's absence.

She can hear the muffled whispers of Rose and Finn outside the fancy bathroom. Rolling her eyes in the mirror, she lets her hands air dry for a second before ripping off a sheet of paper towel. 

"Come on, girl!! Poe should be here any minute. Don't let me find you all curled up on the sofa in there. Yeah, that's right, Finn told me the men's room has one too!"

"Baby, don't yell, just give her another minute," Finn says loud enough for Rey to hear. 

It took her years to understand why the Kenobis, including her brother, ever wanted her to be part of their family; a teenage female Alpha suffering from severe abandonment issues. Even after being on this planet for a quarter of a century, it still baffles Rey that her friends want her sorry ass in their lives. 

She finally walks out, motioning with her thumb over a shoulder, "That's unbelievable! It looks like that fancy bathroom we both got locked out of when we were kids. Remember? It was at one of the weddings we went to years ago with Mum and Dah. Well, for obvious reasons, this one doesn't have a giant hot tub, but it's real close."

"Is there a fancy bathroom distributor that donates the extra ones to parks instead of luxurious hotels or something?" Finn asks, tapping a gloved-pointer finger against his chin.

"You two are so strange; you're lucky I love all your quirks," Rose laughs as Finn wraps his arms tightly around her waist.

"Thanks, baby," he brushes his nose against Rose's for a little eskimo kiss.

"Awww," pretending to vomit, Rey gags, "And you two are so gross.” 

"Ha ha ha, Rey. Just wait for the day you find your soulmate," Rose mocks while sticking her tongue out, prompting Rey to do the same right back. 

Scoffing up into the sky, "Yeah, right! Cause an unemployed, ornery Alpha is what alllll the Omegas and Betas are having wet dreams about these days!"

"Ladies…..behave yourselves. Let's go look at the shops before Poe gets here." Finn tries to direct the conversation elsewhere. 

Rose shoots a sympathetic look at her sister-in-law, "Rey, you know I believe there's someone for everyone." She links her arm through Rey's as Finn grabs onto her free hand.

I'm not so sure about that, Rose.

The first store they enter contains a wide variety of "I Love NY" shirts and memorabilia. Rey approaches some postcards and twirls the stand around to look at the entire selection. One of the photos has an airplane along with Santa Claus in his sleigh being flown by those famous reindeer. 

After yesterday's flight, the jet-lagged trio had been greeted by an energetic Poe Dameron, who can only be described as a royal pain in Rey's ass. He immediately planted a slobbery kiss upon her cheek, and pretended to be in shock when she pushed him away. "Aww, a month apart and still nothing?! Stop hiding your true feelings for me!" 

Although he has a big heart, Poe always ruined that one attribute with his even bigger mouth.

This whole trip was his brilliant idea after all. 

Sighing, Rey continues to spin through the cards and finds herself slightly impressed by all of New York's landmarks. She always dreamed of traveling, but as of last month, Rey was definitely not on board with the plan to visit NYC. The altercation with her co-worker had happened on day two of Poe's week-long stay for Friendsgiving. Her suspension left Rey's finances, apartment, and future with the company all up in the air.

Poe had told her to keep her chin up and hopefully her company would make the right decision before the holidays. She now knows he tried his best to keep her spirits up by cooking her favorite dishes that week; it definitely helped her feel a little better. 

When HR determined her time with the company was over, Rey completely shut down in her bedroom. She was a little relieved that Poe was already back in New York and could not witness her sorrowful state of distress. The moment her termination became known amongst her friends, Rey knew her life would not be the same.

"Where the hell is Poe and when are we eating?"

Rose rolls her eyes at her sister-in-law, "Rey, cut the guy some slack! You slept on his couch last night, so you know he had to wake up early today for work. Not to mention all the food he had to make for the restaurant’s pop-up here in the park and for us ."

"He can’t say no to his boss right now, not with that upcoming promotion he’s excited about," Finn adds. The only person who ever attempted to calmly throw a bucket full of ice on that temper of hers.

Responding to both, Rey says, “I know, I know. It’s just all these vendors are making it difficult for me to concentrate. I didn’t eat breakfast earlier and everything smells amazing! My money is on reserve for emergencies right now, and NO , I don’t want you to buy me food,” shooting Finn a pointed look.

Refusing to be donned as a Debbie Downer for the next few weeks, Rey takes a minute and inwardly sighs, trying to bask in the east coast's fading winter sun. She grabs a hold of Finn's backpack and wordlessly waves at him that she was zipping it up with her phone and wallet inside.

"Laaaaadies and Gentle man ...the party has arrived," Poe appears holding up a large case of food, nodding his head in the direction of the sphere-shaped globes set up in the middle of the park which allowed you and several friends to enjoy a warmer way of eating and drinking outside while encased in glass.

The conversation for the next hour was a mixture of Finn fawning over the park’s fancy bathroom, Rose gushing about the holiday magic of the city, and Poe explaining the brunch dishes he brought them; which included chocolate, hazelnut and raspberry-filled doughnuts - a chorizo with pepper jack cheese quiche - coconut chia pudding - and two different omelettes, one with spinach and feta and the other with avocado and cotija cheese. 

Then there was Rey sitting stock-still, listening to the varying topics and sampling everything, except for the omelettes. 

At the end of their reserved hour, the four friends begin to clean up their garbage and prepare to head back outside. Rey continues to be on the quiet side even though she wants to blow up at Poe for openly staring at her the whole time. 

What the hell is his problem?  

Not even trying to hide the fact that something is on his mind, Poe squints those stupid eyes of his directly at Rey, and says, “Heya, Sunshine….I couldn't help but notice how you were overly enjoying everything except for my omelettes. Did you take your Vitamin D this morning?"

Furrowing her brows at him, "of course I took my suppressants….why would you ask me that?"

"Oh, no reason. Just wondering what was up with all the orgasmic mmmm's and ahhhh's you were making cause it sounds like you might not have taken the correct dosage for the day."

With a shocked gasp, Rey exclaims, “I was not! And I took enough for the next six hours."

Looking directly at her, Finn pauses in the middle of discarding his paper plate and napkin, "Excuse me, but you brought more with you just in case, right?"

“Ummm….” Rey looks from one friend to the next as she contemplates her answer.

"Reyyyy," the group collectively sighs as they exit the little igloo. Poe grabs his ringing phone from his pocket and walks away from Finn looking like a disgruntled pelican.

"Guys, everything will be fine, so stop making this a big deal!" she haughtily reassures her friends while tightening the scarf wrapped around her neck. She's about two seconds away from stomping both feet into the pavement. Rolling her eyes at the pointed glares from Finn and Rose, she takes a minute to readjust the knitted material across her face. 

They try to keep the yelling down as Poe talks to his friend with one finger plugging an ear, "Alright, so we'll meet over by Phasma's for drinks and then head to Rockefeller Center. Sounds great! Okay, bye!"

"Happy now?" Rey sharply asks, leaving only her hazel eyes exposed to the elements. She is wearing a double-layered cream colored overcoat along with her matching set of mittens and hat to complete the ensemble.

"Tens of thousands of people will be filtering into the city every hour, Rey, and a majority of them are here to see the tree lighting just like us," Finn states as a matter of fact.

"Yeah, babes. Only taking a small dosage of suppressants this morning and neglecting to bring any more for later? That was a very bull-headed thing to do, even for you," Rose pauses to click several photos of Finn posing by a statue wearing a Santa hat.

"Oh, please. My body temperature will be perfectly balanced for the next six hours, especially if it does get down as low as 22°F tonight. No one ever notices me at large gatherings like this. Take a whiff of the air!! There are enticing scents available for all designations. I know how to take care of myself if that's what you're all worried about."

Finn tries his best to lighten the mood, "Hey, sis! We all know you have a great left hook, okay? So don't overreact and get all upset. We just want this trip to be amazing after everything that happened back home." 

"The last time Finn and I visited New York City, we were able to sense all the swirling, powerful aromas around us. Just an enormous combination of all these Alpha and Omega scents in one sweaty, lust-filled cesspool," Rose reminisces, wrinkling her nose.

“But that was during the summer, and this time of year is a little different,” Rey points out.

Poe wraps an arm around Rey's shoulder and says, "God only knows how many more of us Omegas plan to be out and about tonight. You're bound to trigger someone into a heat.....or perhaps, vice versa ," he jokingly sniffs her coat with a wag of his eyebrows. 

Rey pushes away her annoying Omega friend's arm, "I'm covered from head to toe, you horny git. Well, besides going to the extremes of squeezing drops of lemon juice into my nasal passages, my scent gland is under like three layers of clothing. I feel perfectly fine with this morning's dose. So, if anyone scents me amongst the 'hundreds of thousands' of others, then I'll just get down on one knee and propose right there." 

Snapping a selfie with the group, Poe adds, "Let's not forget to mention your love of food and these vendors stirring up not just your taste buds on every corner. Who remembers what this girl did for a free taco?!" 

All three hooligans raise their hands at the same time. 

Pulling down her scarf, Rey fires back, "Oh, whatever! That was one time," attempting to cover Finn's hyena-like guffaw with a mitten. "Did you also happen to forget that to this day, Fernando still says my tits help him get through those long, lonely nights? Yeah, that's right, so….HA!" She makes sure to cover her mouth and nose before walking away with her head held high. 

"Sunshine, we're just trying to make sure you'll be comfortable today! Rockefeller Center is still like ten blocks up!" Poe calls after her into the chilled air.

"Thanks, but I'm okay... Dad ," she responds while walking backward, flipping off Poe as she spins around to continue walking away like a petulant teenager.

"You should be so lucky you're not my daughter, Kenobi! I'd have you locked away at home whilst sitting on my front porch yielding a shotgun."

As they turn up at the corner of 42nd and 5th Avenue, to make the seven-block trek up to their final destination, the gang stops to let Rose snap more photos of street signs and pigeons sitting on them.

Rey smiles under her scarf while shaking her head and thanking all her lucky stars in the galaxy for bringing these amazing people into her life. They were her closest friends...no, she corrected, they were her family. The ones who chose to stay with her, unlike the people with whom she shared the same DNA. 

Each one of them knew exactly when to give Rey her space, as they were doing so right now. 

While avoiding eye contact with every passerby along 5th Avenue's bustling sidewalk, Rey ruminates over the last three weeks. 

Never in her wildest dreams could she have ever imagined the chance of scoring a job at one of the most prestigious ad agencies in Los Angeles. Accepting that position four years ago was truly one of the greatest accomplishments of her life. Rey was amazed at the notion of having just the slightest bit of monetary success and independence going into adulthood, especially never having that kind of stability and comfort for most of her life.

Twenty-year-old Rey used to wish she could go back and tell her five-year-old self to believe the words she would later hear in passing: the belonging you seek is not behind you...it is ahead. 

Losing her job was devastating, but it also made Rey feel thankful that she never acquired the means to travel back in time to tell her younger self a bunch of lies.

Those eerie, dark clouds from her past were sadly forming again and seem to have been always there, hiding in plain sight. Feelings of utter desolation and betrayal began to resurface a few weeks ago, reminding her of how she used to wait by a different stranger’s door every year for her parents. 

Rose and Finn have always been there for her no matter what. She considered them both her cheerleaders way before the couple actually met. They officially became mates almost four years ago, exactly a month after Rey introduced them at Rose's 21st birthday party. She knew her Omega work wife and Alpha brother would hit it off splendidly. Not even a year later, the couple wed in a small ceremony with Rey and Paige Tico, respectively holding the titles as the Best Woman and Maid of Honor. 

Poe came into their lives when Rose and Finn were searching for a venue that showcased flavorful food and had a highly regarded baker to make their illustrious wedding cake. The shortest friend of the bunch was absolutely elated upon their first meeting when Poe unapologetically announced his Omega designation. Finn was totally against this entire idea, considering he is Rey’s older brother, but Rose took it upon herself to try and pay it forward in the search for her bestie’s soulmate. Her miserably failed attempts to be meddlesome in Rey’s designation department was proven in the end when the Alpha was found to be more excited about the enticing food rather than Poe's suave advances. 

Anytime she is able to sniff out the extra enthusiasm pouring from Rose’s entire body, Rey has to remind her about that huge error in judgement with Poe always being presented as “Exhibit Fucking A!”

Now, here they are spending the holidays together in New York City.

Rey is fairly certain that Poe plans on introducing them to his newest Alpha obsession. For the last six months, all he did was complain about how terrible it's been working with some dickhead Alpha. But when Poe started singing praises about the same guy one day, Rey just rolled her eyes at him and said she didn't want to hear about his conquests anymore. He laughed and couldn't argue his love for such difficult men and women. 

Which in Rey’s mind meant that another close friend is about to begin a new journey in life while she’s stuck behind. 

Around this time last year, Poe had decided to chase his culinary career across the country, and Rey could not have been more elated for one of her friends venturing out into the great wide unknown. Sure, she missed being his taste-tester and sometimes even that annoyingly charming nature he oozed, but she would never mention the latter.

Snapping out of her reprieve, Rey looks at the upcoming street sign then reaches for her cell phone to check the time. Her pockets are empty! She pinches the bridge of her nose with her mittens as she remembers slipping it into Finn’s backpack for safe keeping.

"Fuck!" Rey swears out loud, turning the heads of an elderly couple crossing the 46th Street intersection. She apologetically shuffles her way around them and retreats back to 45th. Craning her neck at the corner, Rey attempts to pinpoint the last known location she left her friends. 

As she continues walking down the next block, Rey approaches a large group of people listening to a musician play "Joy to the World" on a beautifully, holiday-decorated marimba. 

How did she completely miss this jolly looking man the first time she walked by? It's kind of hard to miss someone wearing the same exact Santa suit as his proud little pup who was rounding up tips. Rey surmises it to her dark thoughts and less than joyful little world. Groaning inwardly, it dawns on her just then that Finn is also carrying her wallet! 

Dammit, Kenobi!! Get your shit together!!

She silently promises to come back and tip the two performers; if she ever finds her friends again. Now even more determined to locate them, Rey is impatiently waiting for the traffic light to turn red. When the pedestrians are given the signal to safely cross, a passing sweet and spicy breeze gently caresses the tiny hairs inside her nostrils. She rubs at the tickling sensation through her scarf, then adamantly shakes her head from thinking about ways to score a free treat at a churros stand.

Suddenly, she is almost knocked to the ground, but not by a physical force as she scans her surroundings. No, Rey definitely walked into something invisible; a suffocating cloud deliciously swirling with vanilla, hazelnut, and spicy citrus scents. She feels the stirrings reminiscent of an electrical storm as every nerve ending in her body fires all at once, beginning from the top of her hair follicles then rapidly traveling down to the tips of her red-painted toes. 

Even through her scarf, she catches notes of nutmeg mixed with chocolate, some kind of berry, and...and cedar?? What the hell could cause all the air to rush from her lungs like this? 

Hunched over in the middle of the intersection with her head between both knees, Rey’s attempting to smother her face with her mittens, but it’s too late. Each and every breath she devours through the knitted material only solidifies the fact that her lungs and airways, her entire respiratory system, has been compromised. The burning sensation causes her vision to become hazy for seconds, maybe even minutes, as millions of tiny, little flares ignite under her skin, traveling rapidly through blood vessels causing her skin to feel extremely itchy. Her Alpha brain roars that she is completely overdressed, so Rey hurriedly rips away her scarf, hat, and unzips the heavy fucking coat that Rose had insisted she wear outside today.

Trying to remove herself from this plane of existence, Rey tightly closes her eyes and swears she can feel the heady notes begin to dissolve as she holds her precious gold locket to her chest.

Cautiously taking in a slower breath through her mouth, she removes her mittens and stuffs them in her coat pockets. Pressing the semi-warm fingers from her left hand into her throat, Rey gently slides them across her collarbone to cup the pulsating gland on her right shoulder. She lets out a low moan feeling the liquid heat pooling in her panties. 

Gulping down the cold late-afternoon air for relief, Rey’s frantic eyes are now trying to focus on solid objects while in search of WHO could have caused her body to respond this way. 

"Sunova-" Being pushed in all directions as tourists now have the light to walk up or down 5th Avenue, Rey feels herself drifting with the crowd as her slightly paralyzed figure gets taken across the wrong intersection. 

Scoffing at the sea of people hurrying by without even a second glance, the urge to shout several obscenities at the ones gawking in her direction also fills Rey with a certain kind of rage. Right now, though, she has more important things to worry about, like her lady parts crying out in distress. 

As she drops the hand from the juncture of her neck and shoulder, Rey winces at the heat emanating from her mating gland. Unable to count them all, but the 753 eyes (yes, a one-eyed pirate is staring)...are all zeroing in on her, making the hairs at the back of her neck stand up. 

The strong, masculine mixture surrounds her again, igniting a spark she has briefly encountered a couple of times in her life. As it flickers down her throat, the reverberating pressure settles at the base of her spine. She visibly shudders not from the cold, which she could no longer feel, but from the rippling force between her thighs.

Frantically swiveling her head from side to side, she is unable to find a familiar face or even her own voice to yell for help. As that same sweet and spicy aroma continues circling, it strikes her like a desert storm with an all-consuming, kinetic energy visibly crackling through the air.

As Rey glances down, her eyes focus on a black glove reaching through the mass of people. A force beyond her comprehension has her extending her own hand out to this unknown being until she pulls back quickly. Cocking her head to the side, she realizes that someone is actually coming to her aid. Upon her hesitation, the gloved hand disappears within the crowd only to re-emerge seconds later completely bare. 

Looking down at this hand, this large unrecognizable hand, she concludes there are only two feasible options. One being that she could accept the help from this mysterious man who obviously is not Finn or Poe….or two, she gives an Off-Broadway debut performance to her one-woman show called Solo Sex on 5th Avenue . 

She takes the hand. 

Chapter Text

Wading through a sloshing sea of bodies and limbs, Rey feels herself being pushed and pulled until her own legs finally dislodge from the striped, slippery pavement. The human barge in front of her is fighting against a slow current of mouth-breathers and suitcases as they roll on by, making Rey grip onto his thick arm tighter and tighter. She ends up losing her balance when a stroller with a crying infant attempts to squeeze in between them, causing her to face plant right into this behemoth’s broad shoulders.

“Hey, watch where you’re going with that thing!” The deep, velvety voice in front of her snarls to the offending party while she inhales his sweet and spicy cedar essence.

Softly whimpering a drawn out, “Ohhhhh, my God, ” into the back of his dark winter coat, Rey rubs her thighs together just for a snowflake-sized bit of relief. Dark, shoulder-length hair flips to the side as her savior, or possibly life ruiner, peers at her from over his shoulder. She feels absolutely sheepish just meeting his gaze with her mouth agape and tongue practically drooling into the fabric.

“Are you okay?” He asks, displaying a magnificent profile and nose she wants to lick...wait, what??

"Umm...y-yes, I’m okay.”

“Good,” he says quickly looking away, “just hold on to me and don’t let go. We’re almost there,” he nods up ahead and offers a second hand behind his back for Rey to take. 

The stroller brigade is cursing at her and the hulking mountain to move out of the way.

As Rey places her hand in his, she turns to the couple and barks, “Jesus Christ, alright! We’re leaving now! Maybe next time, don’t come out with your miserable family!” 

The urge to flip them off is strong .

She can't help but notice the shoulders in front of her shaking. Rey feels him laughing. Everything about him is excruciatingly overwhelming; his scent, his voice, his entire goddamn being.

Standing up on her tiptoes, she attempts to enter the same stratosphere as this complete stranger, "Soooo, where is there exactly?" She nods her head, miming him from a moment ago.

"Just trying to get us closer to where I parked and away from the crowds," he calls out to her while sliding past another stroller.

More crying banshees.

She glares at them through foggy eyes. 

It doesn’t even register how close her body has gotten to his until now. He has her entire frame tucked under one tree-trunk sized arm and the other holding onto her elbow.

They met five minutes ago and Rey is already imagining her fingers tracing along the curve of his hip. 

Finally grasping the bizarre situation that she quite literally stumbled into, Rey continues to ask, "Why, so you can murder me?"

Not missing a step, his head does a double-take as he exclaims, "No! What the hell gave you that impression?" Looking at her with the widest, most gorgeous set of amber eyes.

"Oh, I don't knooow. Maybe since you started dragging me to who knows where ?? Far away from my friends and in front of hundreds of crazy people.

“Don't you mean over there?" 

Rolling her eyes, "Ha ha...Real funny." 

"I know." He looks back down and winks at her.

...this motherfucker, she thinks quietly to herself. Some meet-cute they're having. He's already pissing her off.

Exacerbated beyond belief, she huffs out, "Why the hell did you grab me from the crowd and not just ignore me like everyone else?" Lifting their joint hands into the air as she tries to emphasize her frustrations.

"Are we gonna dance around the fact our scents seem to be affecting one another?" They both step up onto the sidewalk and Rey grips his thigh a little tighter.

"No! I just want to know what made you see me?" 

Diverting his eyes with a faraway gaze, Rey watches his jaw move as he rolls his teeth along the inside of his lips. A nervous habit, maybe? 

"Alright, well I hope this doesn't sound too creepy." He deeply inhales before continuing, "I first caught your scent a block away as you strolled on by. You were walking alone, so I knew it had to be you. There was this—this familiar whiff of air filled with like...freesia and some other fragrant flower. So, I followed it. I followed you . If your scent was able to penetrate through all my suppressants….I had to follow you. You didn't see me, but I saw you," swallowing some air, he looks right at her, "Just you."

"Oh..." Blinking rapidly, she mentally berates herself for such a dumb response to one of the sweetest things anyone has ever said to her. Dropping one hand away, Rey gently rubs over her locket in the center of her chest. 

While taking a moment to observe the man's height, she catches a glimpse of his earlobe peeking out under his hair and black beanie. Biting the inside of her lip, Rey has to fight the tingling sensations urging her to run her fingers through his dark tresses.

"Did I really take you away from your friends? There wasn't anyone around who looked like they might have known you when I offered my hand."

"Well, I was on my way back to them before—" pausing at the memory of his gigantic hand being presented to her.

...before your sexy palm I'd pay good money to ride, appeared out of nowhere...

His shocked eyes respond in a way that alerts Rey she may have said that part out loud, "Before what ?" He exclaims with the biggest smirk spreading across a full set of lips.

"Ummm…." Rey shouts, " BEFORE— I was taken by one of the walking trees from 'The Lord of the Rings'! You realize you took a risky chance with all these police officers stationed on every corner, right?"

Slightly chuckling under his breath, Ben swings her out in front of him as they finally reach a much quieter section of the sidewalk. Now Rey is facing him head-on and she absolutely loves this perspective…just a little more than the view she had from behind.

"Are you calling me an Ent, ya nerd?" he smiles widely as his eyes slowly check her out from head to toe.

She replies back, "Well, if the talking tree's shoe fits…"

"Hmm…..how would they wrap up those roots with shoes?"

Distracted by his wandering gaze, Rey looks up in confusion, “Huh?”

" Ents . The walking and talking trees from LotR? You literally just referenced them."

"I—I know what the fuck I said!" Rey barks back.

Biting back a smile, he shakes his head at her, “Are you always this ferocious when people try to get to know you?”

Rey usually never lets anyone manhandle her in such a way, but this was different. A mouth-watering Alpha male, with strong notes of cedar and nutmeg, shows up out of nowhere and grabs her off the street? 

It just doesn't make any sense. What the hell is happening?

“That depends on who wants to know?” She smirks back with an arched eyebrow. 

Still holding one of her hands, he walks the remaining few steps backward until he is leaning against a sleek SUV parked in between two buildings.

“Well, I do….I’m Ben,” the beautifully speckled bison gestures to himself while he settles her between his legs, widening his stance to be more eye level with her. 

They are now gazing at each other even more up close, and Rey's eyes almost roll back into her head when his chocolate and hazelnut aroma envelops all her senses. He recognizes the dazed expression on her face and immediately withdraws a vial from his pocket. Deftly unscrewing the top with two fingers, Ben places the pad of one digit over the vial’s opening and tips it upside down.

“What’s your name?” he asks while capturing her stare.

Rey immediately recognizes the smell and diverts her attention to the drop of peppermint oil sitting upon the tip of his thick finger. Just thinking about what Ben could do to her with those long appendages has her painfully swallowing for air. She tries her best not to gawk as he slowly dabs the suppressant aid under that amazingly lickable nose. 

Fuck! She abruptly removes her toaster oven of a coat, trying to regain a minuscule ounce of control and throws it on top of the vehicle behind Ben.

As Rey blinks away the lust-filled clouds trying to muddle her train of thought, she finds her voice and squeaks out, “I—I’m Rey." Clearing her throat, she attempts to continue questioning Ben, "Why are we—this just doesn’t—how is any of this possible?” 

He tips the vial upside down again and gestures to the oil dripping down the side of his index finger, “May I? Promise you’ll feel much better.” Rey nods her head enthusiastically and almost loses her balance again. Steadying her by the hip, he continues, “What do you mean by that?”

“Well, have you ever heard of two Alphas reacting to each others' scents like this?”

Ben knowingly smirks while he gently glides that fuckable finger across her upper lip. A cool, peppermint wave flows through her sinuses, almost completely extinguishing the fire burning below.

His eyes drop down to her open mouth while his thumb lightly brushes across her cheek, creating a brand-new constellation connecting her freckles. With a smile and shake of his head, he says, “Not really, but I can probably explain what’s happening right now.”

She slides her hands under his open coat and rests them atop his shoulders. From this new angle, she is able to scan over every beauty mark and mole across his handsome face. Using two fingers, Rey softly massages tiny circles around his gland, but it doesn't seem to garner a reaction like most others. 

Ben drops his forehead down to hers and whispers, “I’m an Omega.” 

Rey’s eyes nearly fall out of their sockets, unable to comprehend the words he just uttered.

“W—what? You ?!” she shrills, “No fuckin' way…”

Ben scratches the back of his neck and says, “One-hundred percent Omega male in the flesh.”

She grabs the sides of his face as if to study a rare, out-of-this-world specimen, easily pushing her body closer to his. Rey finds herself lost in his liquid gold eyes as they shine back at her with complete fascination and a dash of amusement against the SUV. It’s not like you can remotely determine someone’s designation this way.

Slipping her fingers under the edges of his beanie, Rey grazes those irresistible ears. 

“Shhhhhiit,” he shudders under his breath.

At the sound of his head softly hitting the car door, Rey takes this opportunity and places her nose against his throat, causing his Adam’s apple to bob a few times as they both deeply breathe each other in. 

The coast seems to be semi-clear. She pulls down her shirt collar to fully witness how her scent affects him. 

Ben’s entire body livens up and with a low groan, he skillfully lifts her up in his arms. This new position causes her world to tip on its axis as she looks down at him, caressing his ears from above. She realizes the peppermint oil is somewhat waning as it juuust slightly alleviates the rushing sensations and lustful thoughts.

“Alpha…” he whimpers as her legs wrap tightly around his waist. His hands knead the denim pockets of her jeans, tracing the seam between her ass.

Biting down on her lower lip, Rey rolls her hips and pushes into his palm.

The heavy breath Ben releases blows across her collar bone and directly into her gland, evoking a sugary mixture of vanilla into the atmosphere. Ben slams his eyes shut, and now it’s his turn to run his nose up and down her throat ever so softly. One large hand splays across Rey’s back as she releases a long hum of approval. She then buries both hands under the beanie, pushing it back inch by inch, marveling at the way his luxurious lion’s mane menacingly escapes its woven confinement. 

Leaning down, she purrs breathily, “Go ahead and take me…Omega,” and lets her swirling tongue outline the shell of his ear. 

Ben pulls away, looking directly into her hungry hazel eyes. Holding her up with just one arm, he walks like a man on a mission to the back of the SUV. Somehow he's able to dig inside his pocket for some keys. His face is mere centimeters from her sopping wet gland as the SUV's back door opens with the tap of his foot.

As the door rises slowly, Rey tilts her head to the side and asks, “This your automobile?”

Ben snorts before he says, “Nah, I collect random keys off the streets. It helps pass the time when I get bored. Just hit the alarm button and listen."

Shaking her head, Rey says, “Ohhhh, so we have a smart arse here.”

Glancing down at her lips again, Ben cheesily retorts with, “Better than a dumb one.”

"Hmm….pretty sure that's still up for debate." Rey shimmies out of his grip, and when her feet meet the concrete, “Well, it was nice meeting you Ben, but it’s time for me to go find my friends.”

Ben furrows his brows for a second then quickly nods his head, “Oh….um okay.”

Narrowing her eyes at his deflated tone, she continues to say in a fake, cheery voice, “Yup, it’s been fun! Thanks for pulling me out of the crowd earlier.”

He doesn’t make any eye contact with Rey, “yeah, no problem.” 

It's absolutely unfathomable that he could just believe the most asinine words she has ever uttered in her life. 

Is he for real?  

“Hey! I'm just kidding around!!” she exclaims as she pushes his shoulder, which barely even budges.

His eyes finally look up at her as if grasping for a lifeline, “You are?”

Covering her face, she yells, “YES!!” as her voice echoes down the alley behind them.

He finally cracks a small smile, “Ohhh…sorry, I—I thought you weren't interested anymore.”

“I'm the one who's sorry. I was totally not being serious.”

“God, I'm so lame. Please don't feel obligated to keep me company if you're not attracted to me.”

“Excuse me?”

“I'd rather you be honest and let me know before we go any further. The Alphas that I've dealt with in my life have left me wounded and scarred.”

“Ben, I don't go jumping into men's arms like this. Ever.”

He still looks apprehensive with his hands balled in tight fists. Rey climbs into the back of his SUV and removes her sweater, exposing her bra-clad breasts and glistening gland, “Come in here and close the fucking door.”

He salutes her with an adorable, “Yes, Ma’am.”

Once he’s sitting and has the back door closed, she grabs onto his neck and shoulders, wrapping her overheated body around his much larger frame.

“Whatever this is…" she trails off in a whisper, not quite sure how to articulate her feelings. "...it’s too strong for me to just ignore. There’s something awakening inside me....and I’m not sure if it’s good or bad,” Rey's voice quakes as she tries to explain with one hand clutching him and the other around a golden locket dangling from her neck.

His woodsy scent reminds her of this magnificent tree in the Kenobi's backyard, standing tall behind the marble statue dedicated to the parents who saved her life a decade ago.

“No, no, don’t be afraid. I feel it too,” he says, rubbing his cheek against her head.

"You do?" Shaking her head, “I’m not joking around right now. I never react so wantonly in the presence of Omegas." She quickly pulls back, "Don’t get me wrong; there are times when I do fancy certain scents and can’t deny my biological cravings, but this....” she leans into his neck and smells him again greedily, “....this is different. I feel a connection with you, but I'm here wondering why you aren't in the same boat as me."

With a sad sigh, Ben admits, “I’m currently on transitional suppressants. When you walked past me earlier and left my head spinning….I had to find you."

"Transitional suppressants?"

"Yeah, it's what DD's prescribe when you switch to suppressants instead of daily injections. I used to never subject myself to large gatherings because when I go in heat, it’s just completely and utterly mortifying. I know I need to get over the embarrassment, but that's what I get for being raised by my two Alpha parents.” he says, looking at her sideways.

Rey pulls back, “But, I thought you said—”

"Yeah..." Ben cuts her off by tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, “...I know. My parents never married or could figure out a way to make things work. From the minute I presented myself as an Omega, I was just in the way of their own personal agendas,” he lets out a huge sigh and shakes his head, “all the arguing and finger-pointing . My designation became the big family secret they kept from all our relatives and friends. Maybe it did have something to do with them both being Alphas, I don’t exactly know," he admits solemnly as he runs a hand through his hair.

With a giant scoff, Rey adds, "It's amazing how most Alphas are hardwired to ultimately be assholes."

I bet both of my parents were a couple of pitiful Betas , Rey thinks to herself.

"Hmm...but I don’t get that feeling about you,” Ben says while looking at her.

Smiling up at him, she brushes some hair across his forehead, “I’m really sorry about your parents.”

“It’s okay. Our relationships have gotten better. Now that I’m older, I understand that they tried the best they could and failed, plain and simple. My father worried people would think less of me as a man. Heh....I’ve been slowly easing them back into my life this past year.”

Still wrapped up in his arms, Rey’s eyes mist over as she holds his face with both hands to make sure he’s paying attention. “I don’t know what this all means for us in the long-run, but if you give me a chance....you’ll never have to worry about that," she whispers.

“Ugh, Rey, you can’t say things like that to me,” Ben groans with a deep swallow of air. She’s about to apologize when he interrupts her, “No! Don’t be sorry for being a decent human being, a decent Alpha! Never be sorry for that. Hearing those words...it's basically all I ever wanted,” he chokes out, trying to keep his emotions in check.

Rey pushes back his now damp hair, thinking how fucking amazing he looks perspiring while she probably could pass as the clone of a starved, feral cat. Noticing the car's increasing humidity, Ben suggests turning on the A/C as he slides from her embrace and contorts his body around to lean across the console. 

Rey has to physically fan herself with her current view of his ass over the backseat. She tries to distract herself by taking a glimpse outside and realizes the windows are all very dark and tinted. Smirking a little to herself, Rey removes her bra and discards the strappy material off to the side leaving just her necklace on display. It's at that point when she spots an FDNY sticker.

She slams her hand onto the floor and takes a deep, deep breath, “You work for the fire department? Are you a firefighter?”

He replies back, “No, but I used to volunteer with my uncle who is still the chief of Engine 65, why?” Hearing the car start up and the air kick on full blast, Ben works his way back to Rey. He quickly spins his head around the moment he senses an eruption of freesia and vanilla. She’s panting in the corner of the vehicle half-naked.

Ben huffs out, “What the fuck? Are you ok?” Watching her exposed breasts rise and fall with each heaving breath.

Rey is fanning her face and entire body now with both hands, fingers itching to slide under her jeans for relief, “J—Just distract me! I may or may not have a thing for firefighters, and since you’re built like someone who often rescues people, my vagina—I mean MY BRAIN is trying to process that. Oh, myyy God!” 

Rey is really struggling to control her body’s insane response to that thought. That is until the car’s Bluetooth connects with his phone, and the last song he was listening to continues right where he left off.

“Ah shit! Shit, shit, shit...” he fumbles for his phone, trying to disconnect, but it’s too fucking late.

With one arm clutching her stomach and the other holding her necklace in place, Rey collapses to the floor laughing hysterically. She yells at him, “Do not fuckin’ shut this off! Keep it playing!!”

Like an obedient good boy, Ben listens and plops that ass back on the floor with his legs separating them a good three feet. Rey knows this song like the back of her hand, so she rolls onto all fours crawling over to him. Ben can only stare as his brain malfunctions, following the way her shoulders move just like a lioness. When the chorus kicks in, her hands are bracing his thick and sturdy thighs while she sings with the Queen, “All I want for Christmas is youuuuu.....”

Ben covers his face with one hand, but peeks through his fingers while laughing at the whole situation. The most adorable dimples she has ever seen on a grown man are being kept away from her. Unacceptable. This wipes the playful smile off of Rey’s face for a split second as she sits back on his legs.

“You don’t have to hide from me, Ben.” She reaches forward to remove the offending hand as he nods and places it by his side.  

The sudden urge to trace the lines around his smile becomes overwhelming. As she leans in closer, Rey swipes her thumb across both his top and bottom lips, watching him control each breath. She plants her lips against his dimple then leaves a trail of chaste kisses, working toward his lips. She hears him deeply inhale when her fingertips touch his ear again and glances up to see his eyes are completely focused on her.

Flicking out her tongue while watching him, Rey licks the tip of his nose as both hands card into his hair, “Omega,” she sighs breathily, “You can touch if you want.”

Ben immediately grabs her high above the waist, almost completely encompassing both sides of her ribcage. “Fuck.” He caresses both of her nipples with his thumbs and then presses into the silky mounds, “Yessss, Alpha...” 

Rey moans deeply as he tugs her body closer to his own, staring at one another wildly, both waiting for someone to cave in. Like the wings of a hummingbird, Ben's eyes move to Rey's lips and then right back up to her stare.

She gleams, baring her teeth, "I win."

Ben just shrugs his shoulders a little and slides his hand to the nape of her neck while the other one cups her left breast, rolling two fingers around her nipple. 

With a shocked gasp, Rey darts her eyes to his mouth and dives forward, finally tasting those salacious red lips. They are so soft and plush and feel absolutely amazing against her own as she hums in contentment. 

Ben tilts her head in the opposite direction and follows along, angling his face to keep their mouths fused together. 

Tightening her arms around his neck, Rey lays back taking Ben to the floor with her. Her lips are resting against his jaw as she devours a long breath of air. He moans as she grabs a handful of that marvelous hair from atop his head and drags her nails down to the collar of his shirt. Rey parts from Ben’s lips and proceeds to rid him of the despicable material he's wearing. 

Propping himself up on one arm, Ben trails his fingers down her left side gazing at every square inch of her lithe body. When he reaches her zipper, he presses his thumb against her clit through her jeans. 

“Don’t stop, Ben,” she laments with her back arching off the floor. A tiny gasp escapes from her mouth allowing Ben to swoop down and slip his tongue inside. Feeling a little frisky, Rey gently nips at the invading tongue. Ben chuckles and bares down his warm chest onto hers, eliciting an even louder moan from Rey. She massages her tongue against his, grabbing fistfuls of hair, making him look like a wild beast.

“Rey, you smell fuckin’ amazing,” Ben says with his face resting against the side of her head while staring down at her gland.

She catches a glimpse of Ben’s face only proving how palpable his gaze has become to her. “You can taste it, just try not to use your teeth....yet,” she smirks.

Ben’s dark eyes flicker back over to Rey, breathing heavily, he lowers his head down toward her abdomen and tries to locate the end of that hot liquid trail of vanilla and freesia. He takes a deep breath as his tongue juts out to begin the slow trek up her torso. With their eyes glued to each other, Ben laps up the shiny trickle now outlining the curve of one breast.

“Can’t show any favoritism,” he jokingly states while crossing over to her other puckered mound of flesh. Ben shows his appreciation by swirling that tongue of his around her nipple, gently sucking and leaving small kisses along its path.

“ Ohhhh my God….” She is writhing on the floor as he gets back on track and nudges her nipple with that fucking nose. Rey cries out his name as she once again grabs onto his hair trying to keep her body from floating away. No drug has ever made her feel like this. The need to reciprocate has never felt stronger than it has with Ben.

Suddenly, his cell phone starts buzzing on the floor next to them. Ben quickly silences it right before tossing the device across the car. Still fully clothed from the waist down, Rey wraps her legs around Ben’s lower half and surprisingly flips him onto his back. He smiles and runs his hands up and down her legs enclosed on either side of him.

As she ogles Ben’s fantastic physique from above, Rey observes the light sheen forming around his gland. She buries her nose in the center of his rock-hard chest. The way his body calls to her and her alone is driving her mad. She lays her head to the side and watches her hand run along his pectorals and light smattering of hair. When she brushes over a nipple, Rey finds it extremely difficult to leave it alone. Her mouth is on it faster than she thought possible, licking and wrapping her lips around the little nub. As she reaches down to the button of his jeans, her focus moves to his other nipple, sliding herself a little lower on his abdomen. Dropping breathy kisses to wherever she could reach on his body, Rey is interrupted by the vibrations coming from the phone Ben just threw a few feet away.

The soft Christmas tune playing in the background stops as the car’s Bluetooth connects the phone stating, "Call from Chef Prick”. 

Rubbing his face roughly with both hands, Ben yells out, "Goddammit!"

"Do you need to get that?" She laughs tapping her fingers on his chest to the beat of “Santa Baby”. Ben reaches for his phone and silences it again.

"No," Ben grumbles, now bringing her upper torso down to his feverish lips. 

Rey braces herself with both arms on the floor next to his head and slowly feels as if she is going into a coma with every kiss he places along her sternum, collarbone, and breasts.

The phone rings again. 

With a bemused smile, Rey asks, "Are you sureeeee?? It seems like ‘Chef Prick’ might need you more than I do," gently rocking her hips, she watches her locket knock his chin a few times.

Reaching for her ass, Ben halts her gyrations and pulls her body down to lay on his chest. He unenthusiastically slides his finger across the phone's screen and answers the call. They both immediately hear a ton of voices erupt through his speakers as Ben bites out, "What do you want, prick face?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Is that how you answer your phone around the holidays, dick head?" a voice bites back.

Rey’s head shoots up as she gasps, immediately recognizing the voice of “Chef Prick” and covers her mouth with both hands.

"I'm kinda busy at the moment,” Ben says with his eyebrows furrowing at Rey’s reaction.

"Well, I sure hope you’re busy trying to find me and my friends since you're like an hour late now, buddy." Ben looks up at Rey who is frantically shaking her head at him which deepens the confusion written all over his face.

"Shit! I lost track of time, man. I'm sorry,” Ben apologizes while running a hand through his hair.

"It’s fine, we're actually looking for one of the girls in my group. We lost her in the crowd like 45 minutes ago and she doesn't have her phone or wallet on her. Friggin’ Rey."

Ben's eyes immediately dart back to her as she uncovers her mouth, revealing a tiny smile. "You said her name is Rey?"

"Yeah man, she's like my height, maybe taller if she has boots on. Hey, Rose! Rose! Finn, will you get Rosie over here and tell her to stop showing photos of Rey to the cops. No! Don’t tell them she’s an Alpha. Rey will kick all of our asses.”

Ben shoots a devastating smirk in her direction as Rey shrugs her shoulders in agreement with Poe. She goes back to covering her mouth, trying to stifle her laughter. This was comedy gold!

Still laying on the floor, Ben bends his legs and plants his feet firmly on the floor of his car, so he could guide Rey back up to a sitting position against his knees. They both just gaze at each other in wonderment with his large hand splayed across her chest, softly caressing that shiny locket into her skin. 

What are the chances her friend would move across the country and become acquainted with this hulking mountain of a man? A man who debilitated her with his scent in a crowd of people, but then also saved her from being plowed over in the middle of a New York City street?

Poe continues to ask Rose, “Was Rey wearing boots that make her taller than me??"

They couldn't really hear Rose’s response, but Poe tells her to shut the hell up. Rey is biting her lip really hard as she skims her fingertips down the muscular arms holding her up. 

"Anyway, man. Like I've told you dozens of times, she's a real pretty girl with brown hair and light brown eyes—"

"Are they more hazel?" Ben interrupts as he props himself up on an elbow, looking up at Rey as she exhales a deep breath. 

How often did Poe speak about me to Ben?

"What? Uhhh yeah, I think so." By the tone of his voice, Rey can tell Poe is trying to make sense of the turn this conversation just took.

"Freckles scattered across her nose?" That question has Rey biting down on her lip. Ben reaches his thumb to release her mouth from being torn apart.

"You—Wait a minute....HO-LY SHIT....you found her, didn't you?!!" Poe excitedly stutters out, sounding like he's about to lose his mind.

“Maaaybe,” Ben answers while leaning in for a quick kiss.

"Haha!! Guys!! She's ok! Ben found her like I knew he would! I fuckin' KNEW IT!”

“No, you didn’t!” Finn yells in the background.

Poe continues, “I told you assholes he was gonna find her before us! That’s my boy, Ben! Hey there, Sunshine, can you hear me??"

Ben traces a circle around her face, mouthing the word “Sunshine” as she smacks his hand away and rolls her eyes at both him and Poe. "Yeah, I’m here. Pretty damn sure the whole city can hear you,” Rey chuckles.

"Listen, Rey. You take care of him, alright? We'll see you guys in a bit. DON’T FUCKIN’ TIRE HIM OUT!! HAHA, YA GODDAMN ANIMALS—" Ben ends the call not caring to hear any more of Poe’s yelling. 

“That’s enough of him,” he grumbles, covering his face and laying back down on the floor. Rey follows him down to about midway and then uses her arms to prop herself up above him.

With amused eyes dancing along her face, Ben bites his bottom lip, "The girl I've heard so much about," and flings his cell across the floor as he taps her nose with one finger. 

"Guilty, your honor," she grins widely.

He slides a finger under the chain hanging from her neck and gently wraps it once around his finger, grasping the locket to pull Rey down for a long kiss, lips blissfully slanting over hers.

Chapter Text

Beads of condensation trickle down the opaque glass windows like miniature lightning bolts streaking across the sky. The temperature outside may be dropping, but it's quickly rising within their hidden little world. Every gasp, every sigh, and every exhale collectively adds to this electrifying atmosphere. For a brief moment, Rey wonders if any of the blurred figures passing by have become suspicious of this parked vehicle's misty windshield.

"Sweetheart…." A voice whispers.

Just as quickly as that thought had entered her head, it's completely eviscerated with a single word.

Only one thing matters right now.

Only one silhouette.

And it's the Omega towering above her undulating body.

With a low, satisfied hum, she flattens her tongue and licks into the hollow of Ben's throat. Her teeth gently drag along his Adam’s apple as she savors his natural sweet and spicy musk. It feels as though Ben has stopped breathing. She reaches for the back of his head and pulls him closer, latching onto one particularly small speck; a mole, or in his case, a beauty mark because that's what he is - undoubtedly beautiful.

"Fuuuuuuuck," Ben sighs into her ear, bracing half of his frame onto one arm. He grips the leg she just hitched upon his waist and slides his hand down to her firm ass, driving his hips forward a few times.

With a salacious little pop, Rey detaches herself from the side of his neck and gazes up at him. "Ohhhh, you like this?" She uses her foot to glide up and down the slope of his perfect rear end.

Their eyes connect as she meets his gentle thrusts, arching her back off the floor and lifting her pelvis. Never in her life did she think dry humping would be so erotic; truly a sexual awakening. Even with the early stages of rug burn in development, Rey couldn't bring herself to care or even worry.

The reason's simple; Ben is unlike any other Omega she has ever encountered.

Sweeping back his hair, she watches him confirm with a nod against her palm, his lips forming an adorable pout as he deeply swallows some air. Oxygen. The most vital element shared by all creatures and every designation on Earth. Rey distinctly remembers learning the required material in school, but nothing could have prepared her for Ben. It feels like she's discovered a crucial component missing from her everyday life. For the past half hour, a very important study has been conducted on the effects of her scent and Ben….all in the name of science of course. She is absolutely loving every minute of bringing this man another step closer to a state of arousal he hasn't felt in years. 

"You don't even understand, Alpha." He drops his mouth to the smoothest part of her neck, opposite her mating gland. Rey turns slightly to the right, allowing him better access. "It's more than that," his hot breath seers into her skin, "every single part of you is-is calling me." 

Rey shudders into his shoulder then presses her heel into his backside. The suppressants from earlier this morning are definitely waning as she senses a rutting spell could strike at any moment.

"You're quite breathtaking. Do you know that?" He pulls back slightly with hooded eyes. "I'll probably go right in heat if you let me taste your pussy."

Her head falls back to the floor with a thud as she eyes the pinkish skin upon his shoulder like a predator zeroing in on its prey, just seconds away from summoning all her energy to strike this amenable wildebeest. As an Alpha, she can command him to bite her gland or make him give her permission to bite down on his….but Rey isn't like that. She never just took what she wanted, even when every fiber of her being screams at her to do so.

"I bet you taste sensational," Ben whispers as he dips his head down to the top of her breast, taking his time kissing around her nipple.

Does he even realize he's just stoking the embers of her semi-dormant inferno? 

Voices outside distract her with their whistling and cat-calling from the street, obviously taking full notice of the foggy car windows. She wonders if Ben will have to air out the vehicle later….if they ever leave. 

Rey realizes that if she doesn't take control of this situation, they can be trapped inside Ben's car for days with the closest nourishment provider being a pretzel vendor about 20 feet away. Keeping one hand buried in his dark locks, the other trails down to the light hair across his chest and then pinches his nipple.

A hearty laugh escapes from Rey while Ben attempts to give her a stern look.

"You think that's funny?" He presses his knee directly into her hot center. Her lower body bends and twists over his jeans, circling around to relieve her crying clit.

“Mmmm, yesss…”

"Is that a yes because you think it's funny or yes because you want mooore?" 

Shit!

They need to take this slow. Rey reluctantly drops her leg back to the floor, and runs an infuriated hand over her face. “Let's pump the breaks for now, so stop teasing my vagina.” 

"What do you suggest we talk about then?" He asks while caging her in between both of those thick arms. 

She smiles and runs her fingernails up his muscles, "Oh, I don't know. Anything! At the rate we're going though, we'll miss the tree lighting."

"That fuckin' tree isn't going anywhere, Rey, at least not for another month," he inches down toward her breasts again, "so we have plenty of time to get this show on the road."

Heh, she thinks about her one-woman play that almost premiered in front of hundreds of unsuspecting tourists....because of him.

Stopping his descent with a slight command, "Listen to me for a minute," she palms his package with a gentle squeeze.

"NGH! OH myyy God ," he sputters, smacking his hand repeatedly on the car floor in surrender, "Okay, okay! You—you have my attention . Fuck!"

Good….now he knows how it feels to be rendered speechless. 

Sliding her finger slowly down his zipper, "I want this and I want you," Rey whispers, "but for health and safety reasons, it cannot happen in your car. Got it?" She removes her hand and brushes it across his forehead.

"No, you're right,” Ben cracks a small smile and shakes his head, “I'm sorry. It feels like your scent is almost fully there, like it’s on the edge of breaking through me."

"Don't be sorry. In all honesty," she huffs, "the only fucker that should feel shame and sorrow is the one in your pants! How are you not even slightly hard? Are you built like a Ken doll or something?"

"Ken?? Really?? I think that's more up Poe’s alley. I'm more G.I. Joe."

That comment draws out a big laugh from Rey. "Well, I can't really argue against any of that! Seriously, though, we all thought Poe was going to introduce us to his Alpha fuck buddy turned soulmate on this trip."

"Hmmm...would've been interesting, for sure. Meeting you that way," he says while kissing her lips again, "I think I prefer how it happened though," kissing her chin now, "surrounded by strangers, without our friends openly gawking at us," nudging her throat with his nose breathing in her freesia essence. 

Rey squeezes her eyes shut, humming at the touch of his tongue lightly grazing her skin. In a breathy voice as his lips move under her chin, "He used to….always complain about this jerk….storming around, swinging that 'Big Dick Energy' at...at work….oh no..."

An image of Ben wearing an unbuttoned, black chef's uniform appears in her head with the words "Chef Big Dick Energy" embroidered in red.

Slapping a hand down on Ben’s chest, Rey jolts up as if a bucket of icy water was just thrown on her; the frostbite only numbs her brain and fails to ease the throbbing sensation below.

"Ow..." 

"Sorry!" Rey scrambles for her bra and attaches the front clasp of her racerback. "Something just occurred to me a—and I don't think my entire physical or mental being can handle it. So, get dressed now before I do something absolutely absurd," she grabs her sweater and tugs it over her head.

"Uhhh...okay…was that a real command?" Ben quietly glances around for his clothes, looking like a pouty child.

With her mouth agape, Rey stutters, "W-what? No, it wasn't—I would never fully….just please stop doing that with your face."

With a furrow to his brow, "What's my face doing?" He asks while fixing his inside-out sweater. 

Throwing her hands in the air, Rey huffs out, "I don't know, it looks like you were just told Santa doesn't exist and that's why you didn't get a puppy this year."

"Haha, good one! Next you'll tell me that both the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy are fake," he smirks facetiously.

The trunk door slowly opens with a hit of a button, and Rey gracefully sticks the landing as she hops out of the vehicle. Spinning that spectacular ass around on the car's floor like a friggin Ninja Turtle, Ben dangles his legs over the edge. "Listen," pointing a delectable finger at Rey, "my butler used to take me to see Santa and his friggin' elves at FAO Schwartz every year until I was thirteen, so don't tell me otherwise!" he exclaims with a chuckle. 

With her mouth forming a straight line, Rey looks up to the sky and pinches the bridge of her nose, "I should have left when I had the chance." 

She backs up to give this still half-naked water buffalo some room to exit when a more innocent image of Teenage Mutant Ninja Ben manifests in her head. This should put her in hysterics right now, but that damn look of rejection has returned to his face once more.

Oh God, is he taking my comment seriously….again?

"I just….." he pauses for dramatic effect, "miss your tits warming up my face."

Nope….unFUCKINbelievable. 

Glancing swiftly around to see if anyone overheard his megaphone-like voice, she shoots a death glare, "Ben-uh!"

"ReEey," he smiles and props both hands on his hips, eyes gleaming with mischief.

"Just put your goddamn sweater on like a good boy, and let's go. Poe and the rest of my friends are waiting for us." Ben lightly snickers as he pulls the long sleeved shirt over his head, "Alright, fine. Just to be clear . If I wasn't experiencing the long term effects of high-end suppressants and blockers, you wouldn't even be thinking about Dameron right now."

"Is that so?"

"Oh, I know so," he declares as the back door closes. "Let me text that jackass we're on our way."

What Rey knows at this moment is that she's already completely enamored by this man….but that's none of his goddamn business. 

She stands on her tiptoes and stretches for the sleeve of her heavy coat still dangling off the SUV's roof. Using the car's tinted window as a mirror, she straightens her hair beneath the knitted hat.

"Well, come on! The sooner we meet up with everyone, the quicker we can see where tonight goes," Rey says as she buttons up, about to reach inside her pockets for some mittens.

There's a sudden prickling sensation at the nape of her neck as she stands up straight, catching Ben's reflection behind her in the glass. 

"What about tonight ?"

His hooded gaze leaves her breathless and a bit paralyzed as those thick arms engulf her waist, one hand running up her abdomen and the other one traveling south, toward the juncture between her legs.

Completely under his spell, Rey shudders as his upper hand grips at the fabric across her chest, squeezing and kneading right through that heavy coat. Her head falls back against Ben's shoulder as she feels two long fingers from his other hand trace the zipper of her jeans, slowly pressing into her clothed mound. 

"Mmm….Ben, someone could see usssss…"

"I don't fuckin' care." 

She reaches back and cups his neck with one hand, blindly turning her head in search of those plush lips wreaking havoc all over her mind, body and soul. 

"You're not playing fair, Omega." Rey exhales a long misty breath into the air as she feels her body melt into Ben. 

He leans down and plants his lips to her jaw over and over, "Mmm...life isn't fair," kissing her cheek and licking below her ear lobe.

"Yeah, no shit, Sherlock."

Rey thinks about her lonely childhood and the poor excuse of parents that brought her into this world. For what reasons? So she can continually suffer from thoughts of abandonment? So she can be told at a young age she was worth nothing? So she can fail at trying to be invisible, to not get close to others who could ultimately let her down?

"Then command me to stop," he breathes into her parted lips.

That fucking comment puts an end to her woeful postulations. Refusing to do such a thing; to fully compel anyone even when they're flat out asking for it, goes against Rey's moral compass. Instead, she once again initiates a kiss. There is no hesitation. No second thoughts. It's firm but gentle at the same time. A flourishing scent flows through her airways, tickling the back of her throat. Hell-bent on stealing every ounce of air from him, Rey launches herself into his embrace, fingers erratically threading into his hair. Their tongues brush once, twice and on the third time, Ben lets out a groan as he helps twist her body around, gripping her even tighter. 

After a couple of minutes go by, she feels him shiver before finally opening her eyes and taking into account that Ben still doesn't have his coat on.

"Hey…" she gets cut off as he lifts her into his arms and props her against the SUV's trunk door, still hidden in that alleyway, "Ben! I'm sorry, but we really do need to stop. "

"Ughhh, Rey….this back and forth is killing me."

"You don't think I know that already? I'm just trying to put your needs above mine….you wanna go into heat while we're trapped inside your car?” She poses sarcastically, “Fine….let's go back, roll down the windows for fresh air every few hours, so that the entire capital of New York can both smell and listen to us fuck each others' brains out. Maybe we can have Uber Eats deliver three meals a day on the hood of your car?" 

"Pfft!!" He blows out a stupid puff of air, "First of all, the capital of New York is Albany…."

"Oh, bloody hell!!" She flings up her arms and storms away cursing all sorts of gods and deities for always fucking with her life. And especially for sending this enormous bastard her way as she hears him chuckling and jogging to catch up. 

"Awww, Sweetheart!! Come on, it was funny!"

The next crosswalk is just ahead and it's full of cars taking up both lanes, so she makes a mad dash as the timer counts down...3….2….1…

"Rey, wait!!"

As her boots pound into the pavement, Rey can hear Ben calling out her name from a short distance. Her final stride is more along the lines of that long leap every Olympic Gold Medalist runner takes as they cross the victorious finish line. She lands on the opposite sidewalk just as the signal turns orange, warning pedestrians to stop and wait.

"I know you can hear me!! Alpha!!”

Spinning around, she immediately looks for Ben and watches a car stop short as the almost sasquatch-sized roadkill defeatedly hops back to his curb. The driver blares his horn and Ben yells out an endearing, "Fuck off!" 

When they make eye contact, he throws out both arms in a massive shrug and calls over, "Wait for me right there !" by jabbing his fuckable finger in the air to punctuate the last two words.

Rey is definitely feeling the urge to flip him off right now, but comes up with a better idea. Removing her fisted hands off her hips, she elegantly slides them under her armpits and flaps her wings at him from across the street. She doesn't have to command him or even mouth the word, just glaring her eyes and visibly calling him "chicken" is enough for Ben to comprehend. 

She stops flapping around before someone calls the authorities about a looney girl on the corner of 44th and 5th Avenue. After running his hand through his gorgeous hair a few times, Rey's eyes can't help but stare at his mouth huffing and puffing cold breaths of air as he waits for a giant gap to appear between the cars in the lane closest to him. 

Shaking her head the instant he plows toward the dotted median, Rey now knows she's a goner. Clutching at her chest around the spot where her locket resides, she sighs. 

What kind of crazy person would run through traffic for anyone, let alone for her??? 

A taxi car zooms down the next lane, honking his horn a few times which causes their locked gaze to sever for only an instant as Ben dodges a step back before hurtling towards his very own finish line.

Holding back a smirk, Rey yells out, "Are you insane? You could've been killed!!" 

"Rey…"

She turns away from him dramatically and starts walking up the street when a happy, twinkling tune of "Christmas Wrapping" catches her ear. Santa and his little pup are still performing!

Ben reaches for her elbow and she lets him stop her, "Alpha, please forgive me….I—I don't want to mess this up. I never thought I’d feel this cosmic pull with anyone."

Gazing up into his amber orbs, Rey never thought she would ever use the word "enchanted" to describe anyone she came across in her life. Well, except for that princess she met a long time ago. 

Rey touches her locket again and extends her other hand to Ben with her palm facing the sky. He smiles at her and goes to place his unapologetically large mit in hers, but she smacks it away. Ben's confused look makes a toothy grin spread across her face as she reaches out again and says, "wallet."

Without any hesitation, he places the requested item in her hand and watches her pull out a single $20 bill. As she goes to close it, Rey pauses and then extracts another $20 before returning the wallet to him. An amused Ben is left shaking his head as he watches her deposit the money into the tip jar and then skips over to pet the little pup's head.

When she's back at his side, she entwines their fingers and asks, "So tell me, what made you get involved in all those super heavy suppressants?"

Sighing out loud, "Well, I used to teach at NYU, so it was very important to me having complete control over my body's urges. Did I go to extremes and sign up for every type of injection test trial? Yeah, but I was thinking about an instant remedy at the time. Suppressing those hormones from triggering my heats meant I got to keep my job."

"Oh, Ben." Rey frowns deeply while walking close to his side. 

"All because I was too embarrassed to ask my boss for heat leaves, and also needed the Alpha males in my classes to take me seriously. This all stems from my family trying to keep my designation under wraps for almost two decades," Ben puts up two fingers to emphasize the number of decades.

"I can't even imagine you going through all that workplace hogwash. I've read about Omega males being discriminated against in the workplace, but hearing your story hits a little different. I don’t think Poe ever went through any of that in his life."

"No, probably not since he embraces being an Omega, which is why I couldn’t stand being around him when we first met. In our line of work-"

Another image of "Chef Big Dick Energy" flashes in front of her as he's kneading and squeezing those giant hands through two mounds of dough; tasting his confectionery creation with a slow lick of his tongue….

Rey's mittens immediately clamp over her ears as she loudly sings, "DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW, IN A ONE HORSE OPEN SLEIGHHHH!!"

With his eyes bulging from his head, Ben halts all movement, completely dumbfounded, "What the fuck is happening?"

Rey runs over to an oddly colored, mostly grey snowbank and desperately digs for the whitest parts of snow to ball up. Quickly unfastening her coat's top button, she then guides the snowball down under her collar, panting softly, "Can't...explain...right now. Just continue the other part of your story….please and thank you."

With Rey standing in the middle of 45th Street, fondling a giant handmade ice cube to her chest, Ben continues for her, "Uhhh...even though it's been well over a year since my last treatment, I can still feel the suppressants being cycled out of my system. The dosage from this new product I'm on is helping me stay balanced. I was very moody and irritable when I completely stopped the injections."

He studies her breathing pattern and asks, "Are you okay now?" Lifting one hand, Rey motions "so-so" and then places it on her forehead. Ben continues, "When I finally decided enough was enough, I changed careers last year after testing out my uncle’s firehouse—" Rey interrupts with a lengthy moan.

Now she's imagining him all sweaty, covered in soot, wearing just a fireman's jumper with suspender straps accentuating those tits, but he's also biting into a red velvet cupcake while carrying a long hose….

Rey shouts, "UGH, Ben!! You remember how I reacted to an FDNY sticker before...and now knowing the career path you chose is the same as Poe's; this is NOT helping…PLEASE, JUST DON'T FUCKIN' GO THERE!"

"Jesus Christ, what?!" Ben throws both of his arms out, clearly confused. All he can do is watch Rey crouch down and angrily dig into the snowbank again, but this time with two fists full of snow.

Through clenched teeth, Rey shoves the crunchy ice down her shirt and attempts to articulate what is actually happening, "I'm trying to mentally block all inappropriate thoughts of you right now with disturbing images from my past." Pressing clumps of snow into the skin of her chest and gland, she feels tears pricking at the corners of her eyes, "And let me tell you, I could've gotten my master's in childhood trauma."

Rey senses her energy dwindling with each and every exhale as the vice tightens around her lungs. Grasping at the melted ice soaking through her sweater, she fights for another deep, deep breath. 

The downhill battle against her body's overwhelming response to this man is on the verge of a major war and she decides to stop fighting. She loses feeling in both legs and falls to one knee as Ben swoops down to grab her by the arm. Looking up at him, she realizes the position she put herself in looks like a goddamn marriage proposal and wants to die.

"Come here," he breathes, latching onto her elbow and brings her over to a vacant bench. 

Almost in a dream-like state, Rey quietly mutters, "It's okay if you don't wanna deal with this. I'll understand." Ben watches her body become motionless the second she sits down. Her eyes glaze over as if she turned to stone, barely even blinking. "I'm fairly certain my traitorous friends will embarrass me about it in front of you." 

Ben pulls her in close, but it doesn't even matter because Rey is off in a galaxy far, far away. Her eyes are fixated on some nonexistent point on the horizon when Ben wraps his arm around her waist, lifting her from that petrified stare. He gently scoops her up and onto his lap, pushing vagrant strands of hair away from her face. 

Her head immediately perks up at the sight of his precious vial. 

Ben touches his forehead against her temple, nudging his nose against the apple of her cheek. "Sweetheart," he sighs. Closing his eyes, Ben breathes in the soothing oil with her as he finishes dabbing it above her upper lip. "Before those rigorous injection schedules, my heat spells were triggered at the most random places you could imagine." Capping the vial and returning it to his pocket, Ben continues, "There is nothing more humiliating than jerking off for hours in a bathroom because my uncle's fuckin’ poodle came back from the groomers smelling like a goddamn field of poppies.

“How about…” Rey opens and closes her mouth, trying to work up the courage and reveal another tiny fragment of her life, "...living as a nobody, scavenging for food in dumpsters between the ages of five through fourteen?"

"Are you seriously worried about how I'd react to your past?” Shaking his head in disbelief, "Rey, what you had to do in order to survive was courageous," he hugs her limp body closer to his own. "That basic instinct encompasses every single lifeform in the universe, but not many are strong enough to live to tell the tale." Sliding his large hand across her midsection, he asks, "Are you comfortable enough to tell me about that part of your life?"

With her heart feeling much lighter and breathing back to normal, Rey lays her hand against his with ease.  "From what I can remember, my biological parents moved us here to the states when I was eight-years old. They left me at a convenient store in Barstow, California, where I was placed with a different foster family every few months for close to five years." 

She pauses for a moment when Ben leans forward, listening with rapt attention. The emotions bubbling inside are releasing floral notes of freesia and vanilla into the air, surrounding Ben with each passing second.

Dragging her fingernails back and forth across the ridges of his knuckles. "I had to learn very early on that I was on my own." 

The urge to touch him, any part of him, is not overwhelming her senses but actually calming them. Rey angles her body more to face him, running her fingers across his forehead and down to his ear. "None of those adults ever gave a crap about me. None of them ever saw me , I was just nothing. Nothing but a simple write-off that only mattered when the government checks came in." Ben's perfect lips part at the negativity pouring out of her mouth. "I was finally placed with one good family. Turned my whole life around in just a few years. That's how I met my brother, Finn; he was adopted first." She softly tugs on his ear with a hint of a smile, "I think you'll like him, I mean you're besties with Poe, so you'll definitely find Finn more tolerable." 

"Hmph, we're not besties," grimaces Ben.

Pinching his rose-tinted cheek, Rey's smile spreads across her face, showcasing her own little dimples, "Keep telling yourself that, big guy."

All Ben does is shake his head in amusement, sighing a puff of air onto her exposed neck with one arm still wrapped tightly around her. 

He cradles her face with one hand, "Alright, maybe I'll come to terms with that if you try to understand this. Just know,” pausing to make sure she is listening, “there is absolutely nothing you could say or do that would make me think less of you. I've degraded myself almost the same way my whole life. You need to let go of the past...but just the dark times, before your real family found you.” He tilts her head to be more eye level with him, “I've been trying to let go of all kinds of shit. Just let it die. Or else you'll always think you come from nothing…that you are nothing..." he taps her freckled nose, garnering her attention, "but you're not….not to me." 

Biting down on her bottom lip, Rey wants to believe him and their meeting was not just too good to be true. "There are things about me that you don't even know yet."

"And I want to know them all, Rey; the best and the worst parts. I mean, unless you have gotten away with murder, that could be a slight deal breaker," he laughs.

Thinking about that piece of shit Beta she used to work with and how badly she annihilated his face last month, but he’s still breathing these days, so she checks off one of Ben’s boxes: never committed a murder. 

Rey nervously wrings her hands and instead admits, "Wellllll…..If we're being honest, I can't promise I won't want to murder any other Alpha females that come sniffing your way."

"You don't have to worry about that,” he reassures her.

"I don't?"

"No, Rey. I'm yours….if you'll have me. It may not seem like it right now, but there's something about your scent…."

Entwining her fingers through his, Rey's face lights up as she looks up at Ben. He places a kiss on her shoulder and nods his head toward the sidewalk that it's time to go.

As they walk hand in hand towards Captain Phasma's Bar, Rey can't get over the fact of how peaceful her mind has become. She hasn't been this optimistic and hopeful since the age of six when she had a dream her parents were coming back for her. It took almost a whole decade for her to finally realize they simply were not. Her only saving grace during many of those hopeless, tear-ridden nights was Finn.

Standing on the curb waiting for the pedestrian’s crossing sign, Ben shifts behind Rey and wraps his arms around her shoulders. Even with the knitted hat stretched across her head, she feels his lips pressing into her crown and snuggles into his embrace, hooking one hand around his wrist.

"How much further?" Rey asks, tilting her head up.

He turns her body in the direction of the bar, so she could see it from the corner. "Just have to cross this street and make a left."

She nods her head as they both continue waiting. A nearby street vendor is roasting up some mixed nuts and Rey's eyes roll back a little. The spicy nutmeg scent is overwhelming her senses along with Ben who is literally wrapped all around her. With a slight arch of her back, Rey pushes her ass into Ben and sucks in a breath from her mouth. 

The light signals to pedestrians that they have the right of way to cross, but Ben is not moving. His breathing hitches a bit as he tightens his embrace, trying to hold her still. 

"We have to moooove," she says in a haze, laughing at the fact she cannot even budge an inch from this tree’s massive branches.

He buries his face into her hair and sighs, nudging his nose close to her ear, "I know, but first you gotta stop grinding on me like that with those little moans."

With an excited gasp, Rey claps her hands then covers her mouth, “Is little Benny finally awake?”

Rolling those lovely amber eyes at her, he loosens his hold as they make their way across the street. “Hey, do you know what the five fingers said to the sweet little peach?”

“Uhh, no?” 

Once Rey steps up on the curb, she doesn’t even notice Ben’s wind-up until his paddle-sized hand meets her ass with a hard, “SLAP!” 

She whirls around, “Did you really just do that?!” 

A dark chuckle escapes from those goddamn lips.

Random people passing by on the street are giving each other knowing looks and speed up their pace.

"I swear to God Ben, you're gonna get it!” Her fiery, hazel eyes shoot daggers at this colossal cackling idiot.

He saunters up to her with a raised eyebrow, “you promise?” 

“Yeah, I promise to kick your ass later.” The hands-on-her-hips pose is now becoming a recurring staple for Rey.

Lifting her chin with one pleasurable finger, Ben leans in and says with finality, "I'll submit to a beautiful scavenger,” as he slowly eye-fucks her to death. 

With her sudden intake of breath, she barely has a chance to think of a response as anticipation of tonight has her blood bubbling right to its boiling point.

"REY!!" 

"Sunshineeee, over here!!"

Finn and Poe’s loud shouting instantly neutralizes the lust-filled spell Ben had cast upon her. She pivots in the direction of her brother’s voice, eyes scanning for him on the crowded sidewalk.

"Girl, over here!” Rose calls out.

Rey can only laugh as her eyes zip around from face to face trying to locate the smidgens. Once she spots her best friends, Rey glances back at Ben and grabs his hand. 

"Here we go…." Ben whispers closely to her ear.

Chapter Text

As the early-evening sun begins to set further in the cerulean sky, every passerby's breath becomes more and more visible. Little children play around with the cold air, imitating fire-breathing dragons or panting puppy dogs, while adults vary between emitting smoky streams on a leisurely stroll or short, quick puffs as they go rushing off to their destinations.

If Rey concentrates on her friends up ahead and not this gargantuan man by her side, the air flurries from her mouth like a gentle breeze, but with just the slightest turn of her head in his direction, it absolutely stings like ice from a hail storm; or maybe it's just the effect of his hand print on her ass.

When the two siblings are within reach of each other, she squeezes Ben's hand and drops it to give her big brother a hug.

" Ohmygod!!! You guys actually made it!!" Poe yells, jumping up and down as if his favorite team had just won a championship. 

Rey rolls her eyes at his theatrics and feels another wave of calmness wash over as she embraces her brother, rocking back and forth in each other’s arms.

“Well, well, well...look at who found our little Rey of Sunshine," Poe practically beams up at his tall friend as they fist-bump in greeting.

With a shake of his head, Ben lets out a chuckle, “Hey, man. Can you take it down a notch or seven ?” 

"Benny Boy, I simply cannot!!" The super-psyched Omega crows, “We already started a tab inside, so I may be slightly buzzed!! You have no idea how amazing this feels knowing that I was RIGHT!” 

Finn draws back, "Oh, sis. Wow…." taking a little whiff of her hat and face, "And just where have you been for the past two hours, young lady?" He jokingly asks mid-embrace while sizing up Ben, the walking skyscraper.

Turning in the direction they just came from, Rey points, "Oh, just somewhere over there," and gives Ben a little wink at the end of her sentence, upon which he cracks a smile.

Finn’s eyebrows shoot up to his hairline and crows, “Uh-ohhh!! Rosie baby, it’s your turn.”

“What do you mean, ‘Uh-oh’?” Rey asks, scrunching her nose.

“Exactly what I said, Uh -to-the- Oh ." 

Poe tries to wrangle everyone together, "Alright! Listen up! We still have a couple of hours before we need to head on over to Rockefeller Center, which gives you two approximately fifteen minutes to bone again after some food and dr—GUH!!"

Rose cuts him off with the back of her hand, whacking his chest, "Shut up, you idiot!"

"WHaAaT?! No one else fuckin' smells that? The sex pheromones in the air are making my ball hair stand up!"

Ben quickly launches forward to flick his dumb friend in the crotch, but he misses as Poe performs an anticipatingly side-step maneuver. "C'mere, ya little prick!" The giant Omega then chases the much shorter one for several yards, before deciding to turn back around and let that fool keep running.

Rose moves closer to Rey, "Don’t let him bother you, girlie. He likes to see….h—how you….react….holy shit!" Instead of wrapping her sister-in-law up in a hug, she grabs both sides of her face. 

"Oof!" Trying to speak between her squished cheeks, Rey mumbles, "Rosie….you're hurting me…." When she doesn't let go, the Alpha glides her hazel eyes over to her brother for assistance.

As Finn slowly approaches his wife in this hypnotic state, he first uses a soothing tone in an attempt to grab her attention, “Baby? Can you hear me?”

There's no response, just an indefinable sound which is completely uncharacteristic for this typically out-spoken female Omega. Rey watches her brother contemplate over his next move as he wraps his fingers around both of her wrists, and says in a stern, but loving voice, " You can let go now .” 

In slow motion, Rose blinks a couple of times and is clearly transfixed by the removal of her hands from Rey's face. She then clears her throat, while backing away, "Whew!! What happened?"

Shit! Is my Vitamin D really wearing off this fast???

"How much have you had to drink, Rose?" Rey inquires.

"Oh, I only had one at the bar and he’s very tall, dark and handsome,” she says while looking over at Ben's approaching figure, “I mean IT!! Haha...ha... IT was tall, dark, and in season,” she tries to sheepishly correct as Finn stands there with both arms crossed.

Ben sidles up to Rey, “So, is this your family??"

"Yup, this is my much older brother, Finn, and his wife, Rose. Guys, meet Ben—oh, my God….what's your last name?" Whispering the question behind her mitten.

Smiling adoringly at her very elaborate way of asking a simple question, he answers, "It's Solo.”

Solo...his last name is Solo….as in….SOLO SEX…..ON 5th AVENUE…

BEN SOLO….SEX ON 5th AVENUE…...

Dumbfounded for a whole three seconds, thinking she misheard him, “...wait...is it really?"

“Yeah, I'm pretty sure if you want to see my license."

Rey extends her hand, palm up just like she did earlier, "Wallet, please."

I cannot believe I could have actually performed my play with this sexy beast, she thinks to herself.

Rose chuckles, "Why do I get the feeling she's done this already?"

Reaching into his back pocket, "That's because she has and it was to take out forty bucks to tip some fake-ass Santa about three blocks back," Ben recounts the story and hands it over to Rey.

Rose gasps, smacking her husband, "I told you to give them more than ten dollars!"

Finn starts to slowly clap, “Ladies and Gents...my little sister Rey—"

“Solo, you dickhead!" Poe yells out as he makes his way back to the group. 

Upon further inspection, Rey hums in approval of how fuckin' good he looks in the photo and mentally jots down his birthday having just passed about a month ago. 

Smiling to herself…. I see you, earlobes!!

"Okay, Benjamin Philip Solo, meet my two dearest friends," projecting her voice a little louder so Commander Big Mouth can hear her comment. 

"Hey..." Poe, out of breath, winces out each word, "That's...messed up...Sunshine!" 

Finn cackles, "Ohhhh, you gon' need some Aloe Vera for that burnnn!"

Rose steps up first and says, "It's so nice to meet you," shaking his hand, "Would it be too forward of me….to ask if I could hop up on your Two Towers for the tree lighting?" As she gestures to his shoulders, looking very serious.

All Rey can do is giggle behind her hand at the second LotR reference of the day. 

"Rosie! She's kidding, Ben." Finn covers his face in slight embarrassment as he moves forward to shake Ben's hand as well.

Rose glares at Finn and his shoulders, then looks back at Ben, "...but I'm not, though."

"Pleasure to meet you both." Ben smiles in amusement before he is suddenly attacked by a little gremlin. "Jesus, Dameron!! Where the fuck does all this energy come from?" Trying not to lose his balance, he ducks away from Poe's hands messing his hair. "Ugh, can you just not ?!"

"Benny, my boy….wait a second," taking a big sniff of his personal jungle gym, "you don't smell like car sex."

With both hands perched on his hips, Finn asks, "What the hell does car sex smell like, sir?"

Climbing off of Ben, "It's like…." Poe sighs loudly, "a never-ending forest full of evergreen trees, where beams of light shine down from the canopies, giving the earth an ethereal glow while rutting Alphas and their sex-crazed Omegas enjoy the orgy of aromas, being entwined and inside each other….just like the stitchings that connect every fresh page of paper in dozens upon dozens of leather-bound books used as bedding….to fuck on."

Finn drops his head and corrals them all toward the front entrance, "Why did I ask?" 

"You just described those little tree air fresheners and your car's upholstery."

Clicking his tongue and shooting finger guns at Finn, Poe laughs out loud and then spins to Rey and Ben. "Okay, now back to my interrogation...what's the deal with you two?" He's rubbing both hands together conspiratorially, waiting for one of them to crack.

Ben looks like he's about to answer Poe, but then instead wraps his arm around Rey's shoulder, "So, this place is one of my favorite bars in the city."

"Oh? Do tell, Benjamin," Rey amusedly grasps onto his hand.

"Come onnnn, don't pretend like I'm not here!"

Kissing her temple, Ben continues, "There's even a signature cocktail named after me."

"Ughhh…." Poe pretends to barf, "Here we go!"

Rose's head perks up, "Is it the Flying Solo?!"

"Why, yes it is."

"Oh, my God! It's so good, Ben!"

An extremely perturbed Poe exclaims, "God, when will you stop bringing that up?"

“Maybe when it stops bugging the shit out of you, second-runner-up."

"OH!!! I remember this story!! Well, parts of it because I muted the video chat on you," Rey buries her face into Ben's chest to smother her peal of laughter. 

Rolling his big, brown eyes, Poe exclaims, "You're all SO hilarious!! Now, did you guys fuck or what?!" 

Finn reaches over and slaps the back of Poe's head. 

Just wanting this to be over, Rey fires back, "It didn't get that far, you nosy horn dog!"

"Dammit, Ben! That cock-blocking potion of sadness is a real fuckin' bummer!"

Stepping in front of Rey, Ben puts up a hand and uses that deep, velvety voice, "Please explain to me how my sex life has anything to do with you , you deeply weird, small, small thing."

"I love working with ya, buddy, but I need to know if sex improves your work performance. You have yet to bone a single person I've introduced you to this year," Poe puckers his lips directly at Rey, "guess you were just waiting for a certain kind of Alpha ."

The bouncer in front of Phasma's checks all their IDs and opens his door for the gang to enter.

"Hey, Sunshine, maybe Benny boy can show you some of his moves behind the bar," Poe teases as he walks by.

Ben bartends too….

She didn't even have time to glare at the annoying Omega because the smell of all types of food hit Rey square in the face. 

...oh no...

With Ben standing so close, the appetizing finger foods, and Poe's teasing, Rey tries to hold her breath.

….because now, there's Ben standing behind the bar counter with his bodacious chest stretching out a black tank top, thick arms furiously shaking ice and some beverage over his shoulder, while eye-fucking and straining the mixed contents into a fancy glass, topped off with a savory peach slice…

Rey feels the heat spreading from her fingers, her toes, her face, all traveling at lightning speed to her unruly vagina. Thinking fast, she yells, "Rose! Come with me!"

Ripping off her coat and mittens again, she touches her sweaty forehead not even looking back at Ben. Blindly grabbing an arm she hopes to be Rose’s, Rey follows the sign pointing towards the ladies room.

"We'll meet you at the bar, boys! Finny, get my new favorite drink!" Rose calls out over her shoulder as she is dragged to the back of the bar. "Girrrrrrrl…..please, tell me you've scaled Mount Muscle in some way, shape, or form!! I need all the details—STAT!!" 

She turns to look at Rey who is panting up against the door she just locked, clutching her necklace in one fist. The extreme discomfort etched across her friend's face is worrisome,"....babe, what's wrong?"

With hot tears threatening to spill from her eyes, Rey throws her winter coat on the restroom floor. "I-I can't stop these fuckin' images of Ben from popping up in my head!! And the worst part is….we’re not even fucking!” 

She removes her damp hat and sweater, showing her blotchy, deeply flushed skin to her best friend. The Alpha growls out between her teeth, " He's not even naked, Rose!! He just….just stands there looking hot as fuck only wearing a goddamn work uniform, either cooking or mixing drinks , but like sensually ."

Watching with wide eyes, Rose is at a complete loss of words as Rey wrings out her drenched sweater into the sink. "I really wish you brought that back-up Vitamin D, Rey, for your own sake, cause you know this would not be happening if you had agreed to sleep at the hotel with your brother and me."

"You don't have to remind me that I make terrible decisions! I know I act rashly and end up ruining things from time to time!" Rey cries out as she turns on the cold tap.

"Hey, this is a nice bathroom and all, but I highly doubt it’s got those noise canceling walls you and Finn keep raving about,” Rose attempts to lighten the mood and takes the sweater from Rey to blot with paper towels.

Trying to focus on the water running from the faucet and not on her reflection, Rey sniffles, “Thanks for not saying ‘I told you so’.”

“You know I hate saying that...” she chirps, “...but look on the bright side!! If Poe hadn't befriended that hulking Omega mountain, what were the odds of you two ever meeting?"

“Probably slim to none."

“Exactly! So now the real question….why isn't he reacting the same way as you?" 

Rey presses both dripping wet and cold hands to her neck, "He used to be on heavy suppressants and blockers for half of his life. Pretty sure his parents unknowingly pushed him into signing up for those injection trials right out of high school and now he’s taking transitional suppressants to ween off them."

"Oh….wow. I never met anyone who could afford those kinds of treatments before. He must be loaded ."

"I don't know, Rose! Focus!" Rey sputters out drops of water onto the mirror after splashing her upper torso."Was it ever like this for you and Finn?" This time she asks more softly as she stares into the basin, dowsing handfuls of water onto her face and chest. 

Approaching Rey like an injured wild animal, Rose leans forward to speak soothingly, "Babe, you gotta remember, Finn and I briefly used suppressants for a couple of months before mating, whereas you have been on them since you turned eighteen." 

She stands upright, dripping water on the floor, "Well, it's extremely frustrating! I just want to punch a hole in the wall. You have no fuckin' idea."

"Please don't, sweetie, that's all brick right there. We're not watching the tree lighting from a hospital room, so pull yourself together!" Rose exclaims trying to rein in her sister-in-law’s anger. She continues without contacting Rey’s hot skin. "I think the alcohol may have influenced this a little, but I can see and smell your soul bond connection the second we all met outside. That's really special, Rey, I'm completely overjoyed for you, Miss-I’ll-Always-Be-Alone."

"I almost passed out when I scented him in the middle of a crosswalk!! And he even said that he was able to scent me with all his blockers and suppressants….it's unnerving," she adds, still dripping all over the floor.

Three tiny knocks tap on the door just then. 

Rose is rolling out paper towels to dry the sweater some more for Rey, and shouts at the door, "Ocupado!"

The cool compresses Rey had made are wrapped around her throat and being held across her upper breasts and stomach. She sits down on the little stool and suggests, "Maybe you can get Ben for me? He has a vial of peppermint oil that's been somewhat helpful."

The light knocking happens again.

"Excuse me, we need a minute!" Rose is now getting annoyed.

"It's Ben." Rey's head perks up at his voice.

“Speak of the handsome devil,” her tiny friend opens the door just a crack, trying to peek around Ben's massive frame, "You alone out there?"

"Uh yeah..." he fidgets in front of the door, trying not to look like an eavesdropper. Rose opens it wider and pulls him in by the arm.

Rey immediately recognizes the nervous tick he does with his mouth and quickly diverts her eyes away from the thought of jumping into his damn arms.

"Heyyy….we're not doing so great in here." She crosses her arms and nods at Rey sitting on the small couch.

"I had a feeling, which is why I came with this. It's cucumber water with a few drops of peppermint and eucalyptus oil from the bar."

Rose lets out a puff of air and knows that she is staring, but just doesn't care when she grabs him by the elbow, "Benjamin?"

“Yes, ma'am,” he nods, trying very hard not to stare at Rey’s blotchy skin.

"Where the hell have you been all her life?" Rose is feeling emotional for her sister-in-law and cannot contain a single ounce of her happiness.

He shrugs, "I'm gonna say….New York."

"Duhhh, of course!! Okay, well that little beverage sounds amazing! Doesn't it, Rey?" Controlling the tears welling in her eyes, Rose steps over, "I'm gonna let Ben here take care of you now. Just holler for me if you need me to tag in, okay?" Rose directs that question to Ben.

"Actually, I've known the owner for quite some time and she's allowing Rey to use her office for more privacy. I only briefly explained the situation….I hope that was alright, Rey...she's also an Alpha."

"It’s fine, Ben," Rey finally finds her voice, placing her palm against her head.

Rose claps her hands excitedly, "Oh, is that the famous Phas? I need to meet the chick who knocked Poe Dameron flat on his ass!!"

"Wait, is this the same person who slapped him last year?" She asks while slipping her arms through her sweater.

Ben offers Rey his hand, smiling as Rose opens the door, "Yes, and it was amazing!! Poe actually told you guys about that?? Gwen Phasma was my hero that day."

A tiny furrow appears in her brow, but neither Ben nor Rose notice it at the praising of this other female Alpha. 

"Well, he couldn't really hide that five-finger brand across his cheek when he face-timed us! Im'ma go find everyone and hope she'll tell me the story. You sure you're okay?" She turns to ask Rey while studying her facial expressions. 

Rey nods her head, “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Go get your drink on.” She watches Rose blow her a kiss and skips off to the bar.

Ben guides them both down a long corridor, away from prying eyes, and holds her hand as they ascend a peculiar spiral staircase. 

The reinforced, transparent steps glow an eerie red with every footfall, creating the illusion that you seem to be floating up to the second level. Rey briefly remembers seeing the same color scheme upon their arrival.

"I'll try and make sure to introduce you to Gwen later, she's also British so you have something else in common. Man, that was the most satisfying slap across the face, I mean, it was the only one I ever witnessed, but still, the best and most deserved," he declares with a giant smile on his face.

"Mhmm." Nodding along, not really listening anymore, Rey feels a different kind of burn erupting behind her eyes, flames tinted more green than orange and red.

Ben opens the office door and peers down at her, "You okay?"

"I just need to lay down for a minute," she says, completely avoiding his confused gaze.

The room is very spacious with a modern theme showcasing black, white and cream-colored furniture. Even without any windows, it's a well-lit office giving off a faint glow effect from the ceiling. There are carefully placed red accents scattered about the space, and also one entire wall made of chrome behind a dark desk. 

Too caught up in her own deliberations, Rey doesn't even notice the tall, blonde woman stepping out of a closet until it's too late. Ben goes to reach for Rey, but she's already jumping out of her skin, grasping at her chest with a yelp.

"Hello there, my darlings! I'm so sorry for the fright! I was just leaving a few things in here for you," she says, looking at Rey.

Ben introduces the two ladies to each other and hugs Phasma, much to Rey's surprise. 

Gwen's pale azure eyes practically light up as she speaks to Ben.

….seriously?? How is it possible for eyes to sparkle?!

"Well, Rey, it's an absolute pleasure to see you a—," says Gwen delightfully, extending her hand which Rey completely ignores.

"Likewise," interrupts the ferocious, shorter Alpha.

"Rey…" Ben's head tilts almost completely off his neck, showing Gwen his entire shocked face.

Being a total rockstar, she brushes off the unwarranted distaste, "Oh, it's quite alright. I left more cucumber water, extra ice and some mint leaves in the fridge, Benji."

"Thanks, Phas. We appreciate it," side-eyeing Rey.

"Speak for yourself, Benji," Rey actually meant to say that to herself, but her mouth decided to run wild. Ben's horrified look aims right at Rey who just shrugs off her carelessness.

"Ohhhh, you have your hands quite full there, lad! Haha! See you out there shortly. I'll make sure no one comes up here," she says, dimming the ceiling lights.

Once they're all alone, Rey begrudgingly falls back on the soft, black couch, shielding her eyes with both arms. Ben slowly treads over and sits on the low table in front of her, placing the two cups of ice and a pitcher of cucumber water next to him.

She feels his stare but continues to ignore him like a petulant child. So he jumps in first and asks, "Care to explain what just happened?" 

"What?" She huffs out, still blocking her face.

"You know what, that fuckin' unwarranted attitude!" He all but shouts at her. Rey can tell he's losing his patience with the way she's acting, but this is totally new and confusing for her as well.

Tearing her arms away from her face, she yells up at the ceiling, refusing to look over at him, "Oh, I'm sorry if I don't want to hear you talk about that gorgeous Alpha from the goddamn Amazon! I get it, she’s your hero, she's so amazing!! Ugh!!" Rey finally manages to look over at him with a Hulk-like rage mixing more green into her hazel eyes, "Meanwhile, I'm the one over here with my entire body being engulfed in flames just from images of you cooking for me."

Ben’s jaw drops, "Huh? Okay….so, let me get this straight," blinking a few times. "You mentioned these inappropriate thoughts about me before, and for clarification purposes….these images are of me cooking for you and not fucking you?” he asks incredulously. 

Rey groans dramatically, " God , Ben…YES, okay? Your profession turns me on! And now you can add mixing alcoholic beverages with slices of peach—Just shut up!"

"Hey, there is no reason to get all upset,” he places his hand to her forehead, “whoa, you really are burning up."

Shoving his hand away, " No reason to get upset? That's easy for you to say! Do you need your eyes checked? She's like the most perfectly proportioned female Alpha; like a fuckin' goddess designed to mate with you." 

"Sweetheart, look at me." He tries to catch her gaze, but she's fighting against it. "Okay fine, then look at the shelves above you. See those photographs??? Gwen's been happily married to her wife for almost fifteen years."

"I—I mean, well," she doesn't put much effort into looking at the photos from this angle on the couch. She merely glances just to pacify him and sighs, "Alphas do cheat on their mates sometimes!"

Shaking his head, he sighs, "Rey."

"Ughhhh!! When did I become such a jealous arsehole?!"

"Shhhh….shhh, I don't know why you're so jealous, but you're definitely not an asshole...or arsehole," he smiles down at her, "I love the way you say arse, by the way.”

All Rey can do is grunt at this annoyingly attractive man trying his best to logically explain something he seems to understand so well while she’s just laying in a dark cloud of misery.

"Just try to relax; I wanna see if this helps you." With an apprehensive breath, he says, "and don't get mad, but Gwen sorta suggested something since she has a lot more experience in the heats/ruts department."

"I'll try anything at this point," she woefully says, watching his every move.

"Are you in pain?" He asks, inching the bottom of the sweater over her torso, guiding her arms out of the sleeves. 

"My insides feel like they're on fire," Rey whimpers with her eyes closed. She leans forward into his arms with her balmy forehead next to his adam's apple and stares at one of his many, many beauty marks. With her voice barely above a whisper, "You're beautiful, Ben. How am I not supposed to get jealous of an insanely attractive Alpha lighting up in your presence?"

Ben slightly pauses for a second.

He probably just realized the effect he has on other Alphas; male or female.

Feeling his breath fan out across her crown, Rey studies the way those amber orbs of his avert to somewhere across the room and how he adorably nods his head to himself as if he just solved a very complex math equation. 

Carding his fingers through her damp hair, Ben looks down at her and asks, “Do you trust me?”

Her breathing becomes a little heavier as does the intensity settling in his eyes. She has never trusted anyone in her life this quickly, and especially with the way her heart seems to be on the verge of pounding out of her chest....the answer is clear as day.

"Y-yes, I do," biting down on her lip.

He's smiling at her with a dopey grin, "Good, Alpha, I'm relieved you said that. It may be easier if you were undressed for the next thing I have to do. Just sit up for a second and let me roll these underneath you."

He then spreads out three towels perfectly on top of one another, cradling her head with his left hand and guides her body back down to the couch.

Rey unclasps the front clip of her bra and watches Ben's eyes flicker back to her, waiting for those silky tits to be set free again under better lighting.

The first thing he does is drop down to his knees and press several searing kisses into one soft breast, letting his lips warmly wrap around a rosy bud. Her hand grabs a fistful of his hair, eliciting a long, drawn out hum from his mouth. His tongue swirls round and round her nipple, gently sucking her flesh into his mouth before pulling back with a pop. 

She hisses into the air as his gaze is directed onto her shoulder's glistening gland. If she knew any better, the twitch under his eye may be from the feel of her freesia scent tickling the insides of his glorious nose. 

“These towels are here for one reason and one reason only,” with a quick glance at the table, "I'm gonna make you knot right now."

Rey feels as though his eyes and words can do just that without even touching her. A deep moan emanates from the depths of her body, as her thighs rub together.

"Yesssss, Omega."

She reaches down to her pants and unbuttons them, quickly followed next by the zipper. As he tosses the sweater onto a nearby ottoman, she begins to shimmy the denim over her hips and down past her thighs. Ben removes her boots and rips the jeans off her legs like a band-aid, along with her panties. 

Standing above her completely bare figure, Ben gazes upon every curve and freckle; roaming over every perfect square inch of her body. Rey bites down on her bottom lip. 

"Fuck….okay, let's start with these." He rolls two mint leaves and taps her chin to open up. "Just bite down a couple of times, but don't grind them with your teeth.” 

As she does this, Ben sips the cool cucumber water infused with soothing oils and then hands it to her. "Drink as much as you need and just let it wash down nice and easy….okay? Let me know if it becomes too much, cause you see this?" Ben shows her an ice cube between two fingers. "It's gonna follow the water’s path down your body ‘til right about here,” he points down to her navel.

Rey listens to his every word and nods her head. Bringing the glass to her lips, Ben places the ice cube under her chin. The moment she begins to sip Gwen's homemade elixir, Ben slowly slides the ice cube along her throat. When it reaches the valley between her breasts, it becomes a tiny fragment of ice at the end of its trail.

Rey finds herself now humming to her heart's delight. 

“Better?” he asks while grabbing another ice cube to follow the same route.

“Yeahhhh, I can feel my body relaxing. It's just my gland and....well, obviously my damn vagina is the bitch making me uncomfortable.” 

The vanilla and freesia scents are perfectly mixing with her natural arousal, currently clouding Ben's senses as he loses his train of thought. 

“ God , Rey, I really want to taste all of you….."

Just do it, Omega!!

"....but I'll feel like a complete arsehole asking Gwen to leave us alone up here all weekend," he surmises.

With a slight giggle, Rey leans forward to sit up, “Yeah, we can't ask her that. Thank you for helping me, though. Just throw the rest of the ice on my body and I’ll be good to go.”

Shaking his head slowly, he cups one breast and kneads it, “Do you really trust me?”

"Seriously?" With a major eye roll, "What do you think?” she points to his hand on her tit.

He grabs two more cubes, one in each hand, and whispers, "I really hope it’s as much as I trust you, Alpha.” 

Rey parts her lips at his admission, watching with glassy eyes as his hands simultaneously reach for different parts of her body. His left hand travels to her shoulder and gently presses the cube directly into her gland while his right hand places the ice against her hot core.

Ben Solo will be the death of me.

Her entire body almost lifts off the couch with a sharp wheeze as the icy sensations pierce her most sensitive areas. Clenching her jaw tightly, she bucks her hips a little higher so that the ice cube nudges her clit. Ben takes the opportunity and slides it inside, along with his middle finger. 

Throwing her head back against the sofa, Rey groans a tortured, "Ooooooooh my G—"

“Holy shit….You weren't kidding about being on fire," he pushes the ice cube further inside where it melts much faster, turning to liquid magma. The chip at her gland is practically gone, leaving a trail of her floral essence on her shoulder, seeping into the towels.

Unclenching her teeth, a dissatisfied cry escapes when he gingerly removes a shiny digit from her pulsing slick center. The mint leaves trapped in her mouth are almost completely grinded down. The second Ben notices, he lifts a corner of the towel to her mouth and silently instructs her to spit them out. She scrapes as many tiny particles off her tongue as possible before the Omega hands her Phasma’s elixir.

Feeling overheated, she notices him discarding his shirt onto the same ottoman as her clothing. Gulping down the water quickly, Rey hurries back to lay down with waiting eyes.

Ben takes this cue to place six cubes down her sternum and spreads her legs wider. As his right hand covers her gland with two pieces of ice this time, he pours the rest of that cup on the towel next to her thigh. Grabbing three cubes at once, he repeats the same action from just a minute ago. 

One at a time, he slowly inserts each piece of ice as Rey lays undulating upon the towels.

"Omega…" she heaves, "...moooore….pleeeeease."

Refusing to close his eyes, Ben watches her face as he slides two fingers through her slick folds, “Like this?” and pumps them inside her, delving deeper and harder. 

“Yesssss,” Rey whimpers and bends her leg to lean it against the couch, opening herself up even more for Ben, now able to use the cushion as leverage.

The lukewarm water exiting her channel combines with her arousal, dripping onto the towels and permeating the air. As Ben is about to reach for more ice, Rey grabs onto his fuckable palm and begins to grind down as he twists and thrusts into her with two long fingers. 

"Alpha, I can feel you squeezing me," he shudders.

When his thumb begins to circle her clit, “Feels so good...so fuckin’ good,” Rey throws her head back at the sensations tingling at the base of her spine.

"Just imagine this is my tongue right now, tasting every last drop of you." Ben can hear her panting as he pours the second cup of ice down her body, lapping up a cube in his mouth to latch onto her nipple. Mimicking his fingers' ministrations with his cold tongue, Ben sucks harder, massaging her sensitive nub repeatedly with his thumb. 

"Fuuuuuuck," she cries, turning her head from side to side, pleasure ripping through her.

Rey continues to hold his one hand in place as he rotates his fingers inside her, curling them, and hitting her g-spot over and over. Her nails dig into the couch cushion, almost feeling sorry for the lovely fabric. 

“Do you even know how strong and remarkable you are?" 

"Shut up and just keep your fingers inside me." She gasps and rolls her hips at a maddening pace as he begins to swirl a third finger in her slick folds, along with his thumb circling around her clit.

Ben looks fascinated by the sounds she's making and decides to watch her. She can feel his eyes glued to her face without even having to look. 

Opening her eyes, she searches his face for some validity and when she meets that unwavering gaze, Rey cups his cheek to bring him down for a kiss. 

"You're so fuckin' strong, Alpha, you and this magnificent pussy." His voice sounds strained and in awe of the pressure building within her walls. 

The second their tongues touch, Ben continues thrusting his fingers inside, drawing out a long moan from her minty lips into his mouth. 

“Harder, Omega, harderrrr!!”

Kneeling on the floor, he leans across her breasts, burrowing his other arm under her neck. Rey hooks her leg over the top of the couch and pushes against its cushion and into his chest. Now leaning on her side over the edge, she feels him grip her shoulder and the inside of her cunt, carefully pulling her and the towels into his lap. 

They both suddenly choke out a gasp upon impact as Rey is impaled by his third finger. 

"You okay?" Ben looks down at his hand and can feel Rey's tight cunt clenching his long digits inside. 

"I'm perfect," she smiles, bracing her arms around his broad shoulders. She fists one hand into his hair while repositioning herself on this large man’s lap.

He smiles back, "Yeah, you are."

Their lips crash in a fiery kiss that has them both breathing heavily into each other's mouths. Ben secures one arm around her waist and slides that free hand up her back, digging his fingertips into both of her shoulder blades. Using the force of gravity, Rey pushes herself down over and over with every relentless roll of her hips.

"Moooore," she moans into his ear with a lick, gulping a deep breath of air. 

“Tell me what you need, Rey.” 

With a deep, deep breath, she lets herself feel everything....his lips pressed against her cheek, his long fingers pumping deep into her core, his thumb flicking over her clit after every few rotations. Rey's entire body is trembling and shaking as her arousal trickles down his hand, feeling all this pleasure pooling inside, wanting to be released. She squeezes her eyes shut again as her wielding hips begin to lose their rhythm.

She whispers, “Just you.”

Ben slightly falters for only a second and picks up without missing a beat as all the air he just expelled comes rushing back into his lungs. 

Lifting herself a little higher on his lap, she gently guides Ben's head down to her chest and holds him there as her heart beats wildly. He plants a kiss right over her locket and everything becomes too overwhelming all at once. The building sensation has finally reached its peak, fluttering across her nerve endings and down to her pulsing knot; Rey begins to clamp down on Ben's fingers. In one final effort, she feels his thick digits massaging her spongy wall from the inside. Wildly bucking her hips, she shouts his name into his crown and chases down her orgasm.

His continuous ministrations from within causes her brain to forget basic functions like breathing and speaking. Rey tries to say something meaningful, but she is only able to repeat his name over and over until it finally becomes a whisper into his hair. 

Ben releases a couple of shuddering breaths across her chest as his forehead lays against her collarbone, pressing a kiss into her skin. “You’re so tight.”

Trying to come down from this intense high, Rey has never felt herself knot like this before. She inhales his sweet and spicy scent with deep, life altering thoughts.

Will it always feel like this? 

How can I go back when this all encompassing man lives on the opposite side of the country?

Would he follow me back to California and leave his life behind?

"Let's get you back on the couch," he whispers into her skin, securing one arm around her waist and trying to gently lift without hurting her pulsating cunt.

Once she's laying down again, he leans over Rey and releases the bottom lip she was biting down on, "Hi," kissing over the redness.

"Hi," she smiles brightly, "that was fuckin' incredible. My whole body feels like it's floating." Running a hand through her hair, she leaves it laying across her forehead, reminding herself to breathe. "I—I can't even wrap my mind around how this will feel when you're in heat. I hope I can make you feel this good."

Shaking his head in disbelief, "Rey....how can you even doubt yourself? I just met you today and I know you are an extraordinary woman, Alpha, and human being." 

"I've always doubted myself…"

Except not when I was working at my job, which no longer exists

He removes her arm to look directly at her. "You cannot tell me no one has ever mentioned that everything about you is breathtaking, from the way you smell to the way you move. You're absolutely gorgeous," Ben looks at her ruefully, "I've felt the need to pinch myself multiple times today."

Reaching out, she touches his bottom lip with her thumb, "Some have, but it was just in the throes of passion and never meant much to me. Not like it does now….coming from you," she shrugs while caressing his ear, which is right on full display as he rests his head between her breasts.

"What is with you and touching my stupid ears?" He asks as he props his chin on her chest with both eyes dancing back and forth, completely baffled at her fixation. 

A shocked expression crosses her face, but grins, "How dare you!" Then rounds her finger along the shell of his ear again, "Not only are they quite lovely, but just the way they peek out from under your amazing fuckin' hair....." now carding her fingers across his scalp,"....almost like no matter how hard they try to stay hidden...." 

Heh, kinda like me.

"....someone is bound to spot them. Even amongst several thousand people," she shrugs, "Does that answer your question?"

"It does, more than you know," he utters sweetly, turning his head to glance down her stomach. 

When he attempts to move his fingers inside her, Rey pushes into his hand and stares in wonderment at the back of his head as her fingers disappear into the dark, black tresses of his hair. 

Just inches away from his face, that large hand still engulfs the mound between her legs, resting there as his fingers stay snug within her softly fluttering walls trying to relax.

"This connection we have is pretty amazing. My cock doesn't stand a chance once it's inside you," he laughs heartily and turns back at her as she traces the dotted markings across his expansive back. "And I'm perfectly happy with that as long as you're okay with a semi-broken Omega who hopes to God you'll still feel the same way tomorrow."

She quickly sits up, "Hey dummy, you're not broken.....also, look at me! I'm completely under your spell," she chortles loudly, "Wait, are you a wizard?" and pushes back the hair on his forehead in search of some kind of scar proving her theory. "You probably have a special serum that works on all the sexually frustrated Alphas in the city…..OH MY GOD, DO YOU? I WILL MURDER POE IF THIS WAS HIS IDEA!!!"

"Hey, did someone say, Poe?! I heard my name!!” He yells through the door, “Ben's a big guy, you need another set of hands? I’m ambidextrous.”

Chapter Text

The ceiling lights cloak the monotone office in a faint glow as complete and total silence descends upon the spacious room. Rey defeatedly lays back down and watches Ben press a lengthy finger against his lips, signaling to refrain from speaking as if the intruder outside would be able to hear them exhale. The only discernible sound within this space is the low hum of Gwen’s ventilation system as it begins filtering their lusty scents out into the unknown. 

With a displeased sigh, Rey attempts to ignore the uninvited pain in the ass right outside the door by guiding Ben’s head back down to her chest and pushing away the dark hair rudely obscuring his face. As she combs through his long tresses, her fingers trace over a few beauty marks near his eyebrow causing Ben to close his eyes at the sensation.

In a song-song voice, Poe continues to torment them, “HelloOoOo, anyone in thereeee??” 

Rey feels a grunt of hot air escape his strikingly prominent nose which has her retracting the hand that was about to trace over her second most favorite facial feature. The same calm but strange feeling from earlier sweeps through her entire body, dousing the small burning flames below.

“Hmmm…” Ben turns his head and watches as his slick fingers prematurely slip out of her convulsing nether lips, “...has this ever happened before?”

Flinging her head against the cushion, Rey releases an exacerbated sigh, “Not really, but I’m gonna kill your friend out there. I hope you don't mind if revise my original answer in regards to ever committing murder.”

“Not at all,” Ben inches forward and kisses the underside of one breast, getting a whiff of that heavenly freesia scent, “as a matter of fact, I'll grant you a pardon every time you want to exterminate that pest,” he reassures, enclosing his lips over her flushed, pink nipple. 

Two of his strong fingers are now wandering along the slit between her thighs, gradually edging their way back inside her welcoming cunt..

“Mmmm…..fantastic," she smiles hazily as a warm fluttering sensation travels up her spine. Almost on their own accord, her hips begin rolling when a crazy thought pops in her head. “Wanna make a bet?” 

Asking between his all-consuming licks and rushes of hot air upon her skin, “....does it involve us leaving this room?”

“Nooo…. fuuuuck no," she whispers loud enough for him to hear. Grabbing his face to position his warm mouth over her other tit, she's mesmerized by his lips as they move and suckle her nipple. Inhaling a deep breath, Rey flexes those trembling inner muscles around his fingers, “I bet Poe will speak again before you can get me off and—

“Done."

Ben doesn't even let her finish the wager, driving both fingers into her like a man on a mission and plunging deep inside as she rides the rolling waves to her second orgasm. His thumb rotates around her glaringly red bundle of nerves, shooting powerful little surges down to Rey’s quaking vagina every time he swirls his tongue or nudges his nose into her soft, fleshy breast. 

“Faster, Omega.…please....” she quietly pants, running a hand across his scalp, over his ears, and down to his shoulders.

He spreads two fingers inside her, pumping and massaging the inner walls just like before, “Alpha, you feel amazing….what exactly are we wageri—”

A series of knocks tap on the door as Poe sings into its frame, “Do you wanna build a snowmaaaan?”

"That goddamn prick,” Ben growls out.

Rey blurts out, “ Oh, fuuck just ignore him, please!” Harsh gasps escape from her as she guides his thrusting fingers to a more pleasurable pace. “Pleeease, Omega. I'm almost there....I’m almost…. there ,” then slides her own two digits around her clit. 

Ben's darkening orbs move down to where their fingers are brushing over each other, "Christ, Rey….that's fuckin’ hot."

Positioning his thumb directly under her swollen nub, Ben massages concise circles into the sensitive tissue while pushing up every time Rey’s fingers slither down. He bypasses her mating gland to greedily suck on the pulse point below her jaw, eliciting a throaty moan from the Alpha.

“Just focus on me ….on my fingers….on my tongue....just focus on us ," Ben emphasizes each word with a thrust, lick or kiss.

The thrumming connection between his baritone voice rip-roaring into these highly-responsive zones is unbelievable; her attuned ears, her pounding heart, her erect nipples, and bruised lips are all in a joint prayer circle, sending their best wishes and warmest regards in advance to her unsuspecting lady parts. 

The same lady parts Ben and Rey are collectively stroking in unison.

She bites down on the inside of her cheek, huffing out short spurts of air as she rocks her hips, gripping the sofa cushion with her free hand.

“Omegaaa," she silently gasps.

"Shhhh, sweetheart just let go."

His deft fingers never stop moving as she twists and turns into that large hand, delicately squeezing her own clit as Ben inserts a third finger, filling her to the max as her inner muscles clamp down for a second time. 

"Yessssss….Bennnnn….ohmygod ohmygod !”

Rey lifts up her entire lower torso by using her legs, almost suspending her hips in midair as she covers up the sensual moans with his lips for an out-of-this-world-kiss.

“Guys?”

Releasing a heavy breath against Ben's mouth, she imagines a world where Poe Dameron doesn't exist.

It's fuckin’ brilliant.

“You knew I was gonna lose that bet, didn't you?” He smiles wryly at her, "What was the wager?"

Grasping onto the sofa with much fervor, Rey's brain realizes she almost lost by a mere minute or two. Maybe having Poe Dameron continuously cock-blocking them wasn't so bad.

"Oh, um...nothing, I-I didn't really have it all planned out."

Once her fingers release the plush cushion from that vice-like grip, they go diving straight into Ben's luscious hair, already aiming for his earlobe as a distraction. She follows a trail of beauty marks across his face with her lips and settles in the crook of his neck.

This transient moment of peace is interrupted by the obnoxious sound of Poe jiggling the door handle which has an enraged Ben swinging his head over in that direction.

"Are you fuckin’ serious, Dameron?"

Rey is silently thanking Gwen for locking up her own office for a friend and fellow Alpha she never even met.

"Hey, buddy! I have a few pointers just in case you forgot your way around the clitoris!! Ben? ….did you hear me?? The clit—"

There's some kind of scuffle as they hear a loud feminine voice yell, "You little shit! Get away from that goddamn door!"

"Yes, Sir….OW-AH!! Ow ow ow ow ow," Poe cries out as two sets of footsteps hurry down the stairs.

Gwen is still berating him, most likely pulling him by his ear or throat, "Serves you right, you pervy, little man! Really sorry about that, guys!"

Rey shifts her accusatory gaze back to the Omega kneeling beside her, "That's your friend, Benjamin."

"Hmm….correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't he your friend first?"

"Ah, touché," she chuckles and looks in his eyes, "Did he ever tell you how Rose tried to set us up a few years ago?"

"Heh," he brushes back her hair with an eye roll, "sounds like you have a meddler in the family too. I do remember him sorta mentioning this beautiful Alpha who never gave him the time of day," cheekily smiling down at her, “and I refused to listen to a single story about you….like an arsehole! ”

“Haha! I did the same thing! God, he’s just so infuriating to talk to sometimes especially when his dick takes over the conversation about which Alphas and Betas he wants to fuck. I don't know if he was more annoying back then or now to be honest."

As they both laugh, Rey once again feels that warm slickness being expelled from her inner channel as her body cools down too quickly, loosening its grip around his fingers.

"Don’t worry, it's okay," Ben says in an unflinching voice, sensing her unease and confusion from her vagina’s unusual behavior. When he drops a kiss to her mouth, he hovers over her lips, “I'll tell you what is not okay....for the second time today, I now have to control myself from tasting you on my fingers.”

Rey draws out a long sigh and bites down on her bottom lip as she watches Ben grab a few mint leaves from the table before retreating into Gwen’s half bathroom. When the water turns on for a minute, Rey assumes he’s just trying to wash away or disguise her scent. 

"Hey, so I was thinking…” he chuckles to himself on his way back over, “….the next time your body starts flaring up, maybe you should try envisioning that moron cooking your least favorite foods."

“Oh my God, Ben!” Rey cups a hand over her mouth to prevent herself from howling like a loon. “That’s actually not a bad idea….broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower….” shivering in disgust at the words.

He props a hand upon one hip, "Broccoli, really? So you hate all those cruciferous vegetables."

Bracing herself upon both elbows, Rey doesn't hesitate to snipe back, "Hey! I enjoy all kinds of leafy veggies and their little friends that make up salads, but just not those okay? Or beets...blech!"

"You know….that sounds almost like a challenge," Ben slyly smiles while looming above her.

She quirks a perfect eyebrow back at him, "Why? Because 'Chef Big Dick Energy' thinks he can change my mind about certain foods?"

"Oh, sweetheart, I know I can….among many other things."

He has the audacity to wink at her as she maintains a cool, calm and collected exterior, "Is that a bet?"

"Yeah, I bet I'll have you begging for seconds and thirds....maybe even fourth servings of my delicious spread," he deliberately says in a panty-dropping voice, studying her reaction.

Rey knows full well that her body is highly flammable when it comes to this sexy motherfucker; especially still being completely naked under his watchful stare, but it doesn't feel like she's about to combust into flame….yet.

“Are you trying to seduce me with your culinary skills?” Questioning him with doe-like eyes as she lays her head back down.

“Is it working?” He smiles slowly, showing off those goddamn dimples again.

“Not right now,” she arches her back along the couch and daintily places an arm above her head, trailing a finger from her mouth to the locket between her breasts, "Why don't you draw me like one of those French girls..."

Pinching the bridge of his scrumptious nose, "You're ridiculous....absolutely irresistible but 100% ridiculous."

"Help me up, you rudely large man!" She laughs out loud and stretches her arms in the air, wiggling her fingers at him. Ben grabs her by an elbow and hoists her up so effortlessly, balancing her thighs on both forearms while his fingers knead at her supple behind.

As he strides into the small bathroom, she nuzzles her nose into the crook of his neck, quietly sighing into an ear, "I'm really sorry about earlier….with Gwen. It wasn't my intention to embarrass you or come off as a total wanker," she says regretfully, hiding her face from view. 

Ben slides a towel over the countertop and places Rey upon it, "Don’t worry about it,” he genuinely shakes his head as both hands stroke up and down her legs, “All is forgiven.”

Completely mystified, she whispers, “But why? I pulled a typical dickhead Alpha move....and towards your innocent friend no less.” Rey grips the fabric of his sweater and has to cast her eyes away when his adoring gaze becomes too much for her to handle.

Why is he smiling like that?? Shouldn't he be furious and not brushing a thumb ever-so-softly across my cheek? 

When he doesn't utter another word, Rey's mind begins to wallow in shame for displaying such distasteful behavior. Who would want to be stuck with a mate too afraid to get emotionally involved or just too damn jealous of anyone else leering in their significant other’s direction? 

Just the thought of him settling with her seems like a recipe for disaster. 

“Hey…” Ben tilts her chin with one hand and splays the other across her thigh, massaging his fingers into her soft skin. He looks upon her disbelieving face, “It's because a typical Alpha would have easily resorted to one of those asinine pissing contests or commanded me to back away from Gwen..." he says, leaning forward and kissing right under an ear, "Instead, you transformed into that ferocious little beast who lashes out when she gets overwhelmed by feelings."

His eyes are glimmering right in front of her, full of such understanding, almost as if he can hear her falling into the darkness of her own abysmal thoughts; so he presses his forehead into hers and continues to keep those blinds to the windows of her soul fully open.

"I was with a female Alpha who lied about scenting me," he trails off a little while grimacing. "She claimed to be in love with me and I believed her, not realizing the control she had over me," he shakes his head in abhorrence. "I ignored all the warning signs and continued to be torn apart by her abuse until it was almost too late.” Ben casts his sad eyes downward and swallows deeply, “She was turning me into someone I no longer recognized using compulsion and manipulation. I agreed with everything she said, especially in regards to the way that I looked."

Rey pulls back in confusion, “Wait….the way you looked? What does that even mean?" 

“Well, now that it's embedded in my brain, I still constantly work-out and follow a strict diet to stay in shape," he meets her questioning gaze, "Almost every book written about designations explicitly instructs us on how to attract mates or soulmates. So I listened to the books and to her …." He pauses for a second to kiss Rey's forehead, "I did whatever she wanted and even contemplated going under the knife ‘to fix’ certain parts of me. I did get a few moles and other markings removed to appease her."

Tears immediately spring to Rey’s eyes as she thinks about Ben physically changing anything about himself. Grasping onto her locket, she's now wondering where on his body those beauty marks had been forever stripped away and taken from her.

She slowly inhales in a deep breath, almost scared to even ask, "What—Do I even want to know what she wanted to be fixed?"

Ben glances at himself in the mirror behind Rey, "Probably not….since you seem so fond of them."

A big fat tear rolls down her crumbling face as she latches her hands to both sides of his head. With shaky breaths, her eyes shut tight as her fingers curl around his ears.

They stay just like that for a few minutes, sharing little touches and breathing each other in. When Ben pulls back to study her face, he frowns at the little streams staining her cheeks. His thumb swipes under one eye and his lips kiss under the other, tasting the salty tears. "I can tell that you want to say you're sorry, but don't."

Nodding her head slowly, Rey painfully closes her eyes and asks, "Did she ever say sorry?"

“Never,” Ben huffs a scornful laugh. “The break-up made me realize why my mom worried so much. I guess she sensed I'd be easily seduced by women like Bazine."

Bazine, huh? Sounds like a bitch….

The second Rey hears him snort, she knows that comment was muttered out loud. 

Did she care? 

Nope. 

Rey cups his face with one hand, “Did she try to compel you to stay?”

“Oh yeah, she definitely tried. 

With an air of levity, he shakes his head and looks up at the ceiling, "Honestly, Rey, I'm not sure what happened. It felt like something shifted inside me.” Gazing back into her warm hazel eyes, Ben slides a hand down to her hip. “We were actually visiting some family out west for a funeral and she was being her usual vapid and conceited self. Made the whole trip about her, and I was just disgusted with this asshole Alpha who almost convinced me to marry her.”

Rey feels the tiny hairs at the nape of her neck stand up and then wraps her legs around Ben’s waist, wrenching him closer, trapping their entwined hands between both chests. 

Ben skims his fingers along her side, slowly making its way to a breast. “When I finally told her off, she was gobsmacked and completely caught off guard....called me every hateful name in the book. I didn't give a fuck and immediately left to stay with my Uncle Luke at the firehouse," brushing his thumb across her nipple. "The fact she was the daughter of my ex-boss didn't make my life any easier, but I stuck it out at NYU for as long as I could.”

Tucking some hair behind his ear, she ruefully looks at him, “I’m guessing she told her father about your designation.”

“Yup….I knew it was only inevitable, but it was the way my personal information spread like wild-fire throughout the faculty and student body," with a shake of his head, "several of my lectures were canceled from so many students dropping out of them."

Leaning more into his embrace, she sputters out, “That’s horrible, Ben. I—I can't even fathom what goes through some people’s minds; the blatant disregard for all other lives.”

“It all depends. Certain trials and tribulations of designation life can either strengthen or weaken people. The heart and brain play very important roles, one sometimes can overpower the other. It can take years to figure out that balance between the two."

Rubbing her thumb across his knuckles, “Have you?"

"Yeah, I just stopped overthinking everything and started trusting my gut.”

“For some otherworldly reason, I know I can trust you, Ben." She sighs, "It's just...I-I don't trust ME ."

...and you really shouldn't either…

Ben is about to speak up, but Rey interrupts, "...I don't trust myself to make the right decisions and I'll never ever forgive myself if I hurt you."

"You won't hurt me," he says perceptively, tracing the contour of her breast with one hand.

Grabbing onto his wandering wrist, "How do you know? We only met each other hours ago!” She exclaims.

"I-I’m not sure how much you believe in soulmates and soul bonding, but we were meant to meet today,” he says with conviction. 

Shaking her head at his watery gaze, a breath rushes out of her as she combats those goddamn emotions again. “I’ve run away from everyone, even my own adopted family who wanted me, Ben! No one ever willingly wanted me, and it all started because of my piece of shit biological parents.”

He grips both of her shoulders, “I want you, Rey….in every fuckin’ way possible.” 

She cups the front of his jeans, “Even him?” With a firm amount of pressure, she squeezes her fingers into the denim.

The bulge under his clothing is there; she can feel little Benny and wants to see him more than anything right now.

Ben huffs and drops his head to look at her fingers deliciously sliding up and down the length of his zipper. “I know it seems difficult to understand, but believe me….he’ll be fully functional for you. I promise.” He gently grabs her face with both hands and lays kisses on her freckled nose. 

With her hand still against him, Rey tries to not get excited by that assurance and whispers against his chin, “Can I see all of you??”

Almost blanching at her request, Ben’s forehead becomes riddled with lines of confusion, “What? You wanna see my limp dick?”

“Seriously Ben, I’ve been naked almost the entire time we have known each other. Just let me see your goddamn floppy cock already!”

“But…”

“Benjamin, what is the big fuckin’ deal?”

“Alright!” He yells out, cursing his large fingers as they fumble with the button of his pants.

Rey locks her gaze on Ben’s face as the sound of him unzipping his jeans already has her head in a tizzy. His alluring, gorgeous hair just dangles in front of her now as he leans forward to step out of the offending article of clothing. Gnawing at her bottom lip, she practically pierces it as she waits for him to meet her heated stare. Once both sets of eyes frantically connect, it’s almost as if Ben’s whole being goes into a deep freeze just peering into her soul. He nods his head with a slight smile which Rey reciprocates wholeheartedly, standing on her tiptoes for a kiss.

Ben flicks his tongue over her front teeth as his spicy citrus aroma slowly fills the air around them. Rey observes his glaring red gland. Saliva fills her cavernous mouth as her eyes ping pong back and forth from his lips then back to his savory gland.

Where is that fuckin’ peppermint oil?

His oversized fingers are tenderly fondling her breasts.

In the other room??

His nose nuzzles into her neck, breathing in her floral essence.

Screw it...

Her hands are quaking to lavish both his mating gland and hopefully soon-to-be-erect penis. Sending a quick prayer to all the designation gods to pause his heat spell, Rey grips the back of Ben’s neck and pulls him closer. She can feel his strong tongue licking up her throat and decides it’s now or never. 

Wanting to show her appreciation and to help him feel again, not just basic human contact but the spark of those nerve endings deep inside firing back to life.

Before her own taste buds make it to his spicy raised flesh upon his shoulder, her nose encounters the tickling notes of white pepper, cedar, and nutmeg. She closes her eyes and presses her warm tongue into his gland as the cool sensation of violet leaf and sweet mandarin oranges cling to every microscopic taste receptor.

Ben hisses out her name, blowing hot puffs of air across her throat as he buries his face into her short hair. He runs a palm across her back, from shoulder to shoulder, kissing down her neck avoiding the mating gland.

The hand clinging to Ben’s neck trails lasciviously down his side, softly grazing and kneading its way to his behind. She feels the uptick in his breathing with every swipe of her tongue across his gland. As her hand rounds his thick thigh, she whispers his name into his throat and tightens her legs, securing him in place. With her fingers traveling further south, she blindly dances them across his pubic bone until they make contact with his silky, smooth shaft. And holy shit does little Benny feel so fuckin' soft, so divine in the palm of her hand. She curls her fingers up both sides of his cock and drags them back down with a tantalizing tug. 

Ben whimpers into her shoulder as he hunches and slides his hands under her ass, gripping her cheeks. "Reyyyy…." She can feel an indentation of his teeth as they scrap across her freckled skin.

His mating gland becomes more potent with every lap of her tongue. Rey arduously glides those two fingers back up his penis before reaching a little lower to grip some more. 

Almost keeling over from her sudden squeeze, Ben catches himself on the countertop and gnashes out, “Nghh! Fuck!” 

With a content hum, Rey smiles into his neck at the sounds she's eliciting from this large man, “I’m soooo glad you’re more like G.I. Joe than Ken."

“Jesus Christ, Rey. Can you not make jokes right now with my dick in your fuckin’ hand?"

Ooohhhhh and how my hand is enjoying this….

Immediately pulling back, her eyes rove down to the intended target, and her throat misfires as she is shell-shocked watching her fingers cradle his flesh-toned weapon of mass destruction. She parts her lips and pretends to cough as she clearly tries to cover up the choking sound in her throat.

"I’m sorry, but you do realize how impressive your cock looks when it's not erect, right?" The question is more rhetorical, never expecting an answer from the magnificently endowed Omega. She leans forward to lap around his gland again, her hand gripping and pumping his thick penis below.

“FUUUCCK…." He thrusts into her palm and Rey swears she feels him slightly twitch.

Her eyes shoot up to Ben's, but they are closed tight not even indicating if what she felt actually happened. Deciding to remain quiet, she continues working over his length in slow and gentle strokes. When she licks over the rosy raised skin atop his shoulder, Rey feels the same sensation again as he moves his hips. A tiny breath escapes her mouth as she decides to flatten her tongue against that gland, digging in as hard as humanly possible. She swirls a single digit into the slit at the end of his dick, eliciting several shuddering breaths from Ben. Cupping his jaw, she calls out his name but he doesn't respond. 

Rey abruptly sits up straight while still holding a now not-so-little Benny in the other hand, "Hey, Ben?" 

" Yeeeah ?" He finally answers with a painful grimace.

"Take a step back for me."

His body is already moving but his face is clearly confused at her request, “What, why?"

“Just trust me, okay?" Showcasing a toothy grin, she continues to guide him in reverse and hops off the counter. 

"W-w-w-w-wait a minute!" His brain finally catches up, grabbing Rey as she's about to drop to her knees. "Fuck! Just— hold on ," he blows out a long breath of air, "I've never let anyone actually see my dick like this, so…."

Rey knows she probably looks a little stunned, “Are you serious???"

“I am….” He gulps, “It—it doesn't bother you that I'm not hard right now?" He runs a hand over his face, trying to hide the pink flush spreading over his skin.

"No, Ben,” she shakes her head and places a hand on his chest, “Why would it?"

He mutters with a crestfallen shrug, “….maybe because just like me, it’s weird-looking….and you already know it won't perform the way it's supposed to?”

Scrunching her nose, “Excuse me?” Rey can hear the high inflection of her voice as she begins to get irritated. Her eyes rake down his body as she carefully grasps his hefty cock again, “Omega....I don’t even want to hear the origins of that inconceivable notion,” glaring back up at him with watery eyes, “because according to my expert analysis, Benjamin….this right here is beautiful.” She lowers her voice drastically, “ You are fuckin’ beautiful, okay?” 

They both exhale at the same time as she struggles to get out those last words and Ben does that nervous tick with his alluring mouth again.

A tear slips down her face, “I don't want you to hide from me, Ben,” she stands upright to plant a sweet kiss on his lips and then another to that beauty mark on his throat, “I just want to see all of you..." kissing her way down his chest and abdomen, she seductively lets her tits drag down the planes of his body, “...every single part of you.” Her lips pause right over his well-defined hip bone as she gets down on her knees and places two more kisses upon newly discovered markings. Glancing up at him through her eyelashes, she slides her hands up his thighs and around to his ass as she alternates between her lips and tongue tracing down his inguinal crease. 

He’s trying to watch her from above as one hand smothers the mating gland pulsing in time with the protruding vein in his neck. Just as he is about to choke out her name, Rey slightly pulls back as the softest nudge taps her right on the clavicle.

“Oh!!” She looks up at him the same time his fist repeatedly slams down on the counter as a loud mewl escapes his throat. 

Rey reaches out and holds onto his hand in case he decides to Hulk Smash it again, “Hey...are you okay??”

“MHMMM….” he loudly growls through his air-tight lips.

Sitting back on her calves, Rey is now eye level with little Benny and goes right up to quietly whisper, “Can you feel this?” She lets her hot breath surround the quivering member, trying to tune out Big Ben since this was a private conversation. “You’re so beautiful…” dragging her nails down a nearby thigh, she tenderly catches the twitchy cock in her hand and trails chaste kisses from the base to its head. Even though it’s still slightly soft at only half mast, Rey immediately notices the significant change in girth as she rouses it, jutting out her tongue to taste him. “How does it feel being alive??” She lifts up little Benny to her lips and is about to hush the one heavily panting above when her eyes spot….a spot , a speck of a mole….a beauty mark residing behind his mushroom tip. 

Why is she even surprised that this speckled bison has a special little mark right here? Closing her eyes tightly, Rey feels the dam inside her mouth break open again as saliva crashes over her tongue, rushing through her ears and muting any sounds drifting from above.

Oh, Ben. 

She sees his lips moving, but cannot hear what he's chanting as she gulps down the warm liquid pooling in her mouth. The poor guy is propped on his elbows against the countertop with his head hanging between his arms, just struggling to stand up. 

She has to think of something! 

….Goddammit, but she just wants to taste him some more before this gets out of hand….

….ohhh, yes….her hand….still wrapped snug around this prized penis and dick mole….

….Moley Dick….the infamous giant, white sperm whale hunted by Captain Rey….

The color white suddenly triggers part of a conversation they just had earlier about a certain unappetizing vegetable.

“Cauliflower!” Her hand releases little Benny as she hurls herself back into the cabinet doors beneath the sink. Taking in deep breaths through her nose, Rey observes that the foreboding maelstrom from her salivary glands are now subsiding. 

Ben thumps his forehead on the sink twice, “Rey?” He slowly opens his eyes, peering down at her, “Did you—Did you just say cauliflower to me?”

Rubbing the back of her noggin, she closes her eyes and exclaims, “Yes!! I'm envisioning Poe trying to be….” Rey gags into a fist, “....sexy with piles of those garbage vegetables.”

"Sweetheart, you just smacked your head real hard there, did you mean garden vegetables?"

"No, I meant what I fuckin' said, Solo!!"

Letting out a small laugh, "Man, do I have my work cut out for me." Ben kneels down in front of her, cupping his dick with a low groan. "Soooo," he draws out the word, "you want any…. ice ?"

He just has to remind her about their first sexual encounter from only 90 minutes ago. If looks could kill, Benjamin Philip Solo would be six feet underground right about now as he suggestively wags his eyebrows at her.

"You know....for the bump back here," he lightly grazes his hand through her hair to the spot she's rubbing.

With a roll of her eyes, "Oh sure, that's what you really meant."

"C'mere." As Ben encloses his arms around her waist, they stand up together with Rey tucking one side of her face under his chin and Ben pressing kisses to her forehead. “You know I don’t give a shit about that tree lighting, so just say the words and we’ll ditch our friends.” 

In a soft voice, Rey slides her hands up his arms and rests them against his neck, “As tempting as that sounds, Ben….” pausing for a second to lightly scratch the base of his skull with her nails, “....I really do want to see it in person. It’s been a family tradition to watch the special every year since my adoption.”

And who knows when I’ll be in New York City again to see it happen live….

“Then say no more. It actually means something to you and your brother, so let’s get dressed, have a few drinks and get our asses in gear.” 

“Are you sure?”

Ben pulls back to look at her, “Absolutely. Take as much time as you need in here, okay? I'll go downstairs and knock out Poe—I mean, check in with everyone," he grins widely.

Rey quickly nips his lips again and turns to grab a few wash cloths from the rack. As his arms slip away from her body, Ben swipes a single finger down the center of her backside causing Rey to spin and gasp loudly in the small space. Her sudden movement has him running to hide behind the wall.

"You monster!" She yells with a big smile on her face, "Haven't you done enough damage to my poor arse? Probably still have your giant handprint there," chucking a small bottle of lotion at him when he peers around the doorway.

Laughing as he swiftly blocks the object, "I see no damage from here, just a perfectly unbruised and round, little peach of an arse ."

Gently sighing as he hangs onto the door frame, it looks as if leaving her was the last thing he wanted to do right now. A slight pang inside her chest has her adjusting the chain around her neck as he backs away to grab his clothing on the ottoman.

When Ben appears in the doorway again, he’s slipping his head through the sweater, “Don’t miss me too much,” he winks.

“Oh, now you're trying to be cute? You're gonna pay for what you did,” Rey squints her eyes at him.

She can no longer see him but can hear his voice through the wall, “Is that a promise!?”

“You bet your sweet arse it is!"

“UGH! Woman, you're killing me with that accent!” He exclaims with a slam of the door.

Laughing to herself, Rey begins to lather up a washcloth with some hot water and Eucalyptus Mint hand soap. The translucent bubbles allow this combination of rich aromas to permeate the air, eliciting a content sigh from her. Phasma must have this whole building stocked with soothing, remedial aids for all designations. As she scrubs the cloth across her chest then up and down both arms, her eyes suddenly connect with an almost unrecognizable reflection. Rey knows it's her face and body in the mirror, but a few things are different as she focuses on her scent gland which is not throbbing nor red with irritation, but almost completely smooth like the rest of her skin. 

A deep sense of euphoria settles over her entire being as her airways and blood vessels relax enough to not be triggered by the mere thought of that original bet….the one she almost completely finished saying out loud….which would have shown Ben exactly how his all-consuming nature affects her. 

Rey is unable to stop the smile slowly spreading across her face as she examines several visible marks he left on her chest, neck and abdomen. Her hazel eyes seem more vibrant, a bit brighter dancing to every patch of skin as if he purposefully left his call sign behind. She carefully touches her lips, remembering his against them just moments ago, almost as if any pressure bestowed upon them would cause the spell to break and reveal that well-known Kenobi scowl. 

The misogynistic words of her former boss and male coworkers attempt to scratch through this serene moment, telling her to smile, "a pretty girl like you should always be smiling"....

Her condescending douchebag exes that told her she'll never make anyone happy, including herself, "Yeah, you're an Alpha, big deal! There's nothing else special about you"....

The unfit fosters that actually punished her as she stuck up for other children, and never herself, "Look at you, trying to be the hero again. Too bad your parents can't see you now"....

A gurgling sound in the furthest corner of her mind begins to rumble….

Shaking all of these voices out of her head, Rey gently dabs the washcloth across her collarbone where she rounds the cup of her left shoulder. As she turns that side of her body towards the mirror, her soft hazel eyes flare over the deep, jagged lines forever etched into her skin. Rey wonders if Ben had noticed the only thing she received on her twelfth birthday from having to squeeze through a broken chain-link fence as she escaped her drunk foster dad. 

With a twist of a knob, Rey shuts off the hot water and waits for it to run colder so she can soak the small, mint-scented towel again. That soap really is amazing and she’s going to have to ask Gwen how to create her very own stockpile. 

As she holds her breath and presses the cool washcloth against her center, the phantom thrusts of Ben’s fingers somehow still reside within her walls. The low whimper that escapes from her chest is not from pain or discomfort, but from a strange, comforting lull like the ones right after a sandstorm. 

Rey recalls her time away from the Kenobis as a young teen when she used to trek out into the desert wrapped up in all her protective garb and just watch the swirling dust-filled winds build and build until darkness blanketed the sky, smothering the afternoon’s strong sunshine.

Desperate to feel anything in her lonely life, she would sometimes walk into the tail end of a storm when the winds had died down and the lightning bolts had receded to just flashes of eerie glowing lights high up in the atmosphere. With her arms extended out, she would only let the wind whip its falling particles against the bare skin of her hands, leaving tiny abrasions behind as the only proof they ever existed.

She was a survivor who rarely took any risks or unveiled her most vulnerable parts to outside elements, until now and it’s mainly because of Ben. Her entire body has been exposed to this beautiful man who is every bit sweet and spicy just like his alluring scents. 

Chapter Text

The interior design of Captain Phasma’s Bar allows its clientele a glimpse at city life through the panoramic windows which wrap along the curvature of the building. Dozens of tall tables are scattered about the room while long, cushioned couches sit up against the bulbous panes of glass. Beneath the bar’s ring-shaped countertop glows a deep shade of red that perfectly matches the circular ceiling lights, bathing the entire establishment in a dark and sexy ambiance.

When Rey first approaches the main floor, she can already feel the thumping sound system and its heavy bass. Now inside the bar room, a hypnotic holiday song by The Raveonettes has her dancing through a sea of bar-goers in a newly discovered state of mind. Sashaying toward the counter, she finds herself thinking either Ben really does have magical powers or this bar’s atmosphere is just goddamn invigorating.

Rose was right to ask earlier....where HAS he been her whole life? 

Touching her locket, she shudders at the thought of settling for one of her exes like Dominic who always pretended to be the Alpha in their relationship; Iden who became adamant trying to convince Rey to partake in a three-way with her ex-girlfriend; and Anton who constantly gambled away his money in Las Vegas.

An unrecognizable aroma hangs in the air, but Rey deems it completely harmless judging by the lively chatter from everyone around her. It must be some kind of masking agent used for large gatherings. As a waiter waltzes by with a tray of sizzling fajitas, Rey concludes she must be correct in her assumption since her body isn’t reacting to all this food like a four-alarm fire.

The Alpha bar-owner waves at Rey once they make eye contact and leans over the countertop, “Feeling better, my darling?” 

“Actually, I feel quite amazing!” The younger Alpha raises her voice over the music. 

Gwen smiles as she exits the swinging door, “Oh, how wonderful! You seem to be in an extra chipper mood.”

“Well, that’s all because of your phenomenal minty tonic. May I ask….do you have something wafting around in the air?”

“Ah, good nose! It's part of the aromatherapy brand that my wife and I have been perfecting over the years. So far, this combination has been quite effective with every designation….and the best part?” She takes a beat while looking at her customers, “Not a single fight! What you  smell in the air is witch hazel and lavender.” 

Scrunching her nose at the invisible particles floating around, Rey ponders, “That’s what it is??”

“Oh yes. And don’t even worry about it affecting the way your food tastes because it only covers up those pesky pheromones. I may have kicked it up a few notches after Benji mentioned a certain someone was experiencing powerful cravings; so please eat, drink and enjoy the rest of your night!”

As Gwen turns to head back to her station, Rey calls out over the music, “Wait!” There's a brief pause as the tall woman retraces her steps. “I cannot begin to thank you for—for everything …." trailing off, she lets her voice grow softer as Gwen gets closer, "....including the tips you gave Ben while he and I were upstairs.”

The blonde Alpha tilts her head and smiles at the brunette, “Darling, it was nothing. My magical potion does the trick every time for me. I told him to use as many towels as needed since I like wrapping one around my neck then a couple more across my forehead and chest. Is that what you did?” 

“What?” Rey is absolutely dumbstruck as her hand freezes in the middle of brushing back some hair, “You mean, you didn’t—” She cannot even formulate a coherent question as every moment of the sexy ice capades plays through her head in reverse, “But he said—”

That sparkle is back in Gwen's eyes as she lifts a perfect brow, “I’m sensing that he did something entirely different to what I suggested.”

Oh, do you sense it?? I’ll just have to confront that cheeky bastard the minute I lay my eyes on him.

“Why did you leave out cups of ice?” Rey almost regrets asking. 

“To keep your beverages—” Gwen stops speaking as the shorter Alpha’s jaw hits the floor, “—cold.” 

Rey could feel the tips of her ears heat up as waves of embarrassment rapidly spreads across her face and down her neck. 

Oh, my God!

“Okay, now I’m gonna need to know what Benji did with the ice!”

“Well….” she tries to think of something quickly before revealing way too much information, “let’s just say that the….uhhh….ice did its job and cooled a part of me down….something waaaay down ….Oh, bloody hell, I sure hope you weren't expecting those towels back,” Rey cringes, thinking about how she double-bagged those towels and tossed them in the trash.

“Why wouldn’t I get my towels back? What does that mea—” It takes the wise Alpha just a second longer before her eyes begin to light up, realizing what Rey had implied as she attempts to hide her surprised face.

The brunette discreetly points toward her lower region and whispers through gritted teeth, “My whoo-ha.”

“Oi!” Gwen immediately is taken aback as she looks Rey over, then shifts her gaze in the direction to where she knows the group is sitting. “No way! Benji?? The same lil’ Benji I’ve known since he was ye-high??” She points below her shoulder, showing exactly how “short” Ben was when they first met, which was basically Rey's current height. “What an enormous pervert!! Ugh, he's being seduced by that halfwit Dameron."

Slapping a palm to her forehead, Rey curses herself for the mortification she just bestowed upon Ben, who isn’t even present for this conversation. She should've just ended with "Thank you" or with a more fitting high-five.

"I might just steal that idea from him if that’s why you look so serene.”

“Bugger me….” she drags her hand roughly down her face, “Well, I just wanted to say thanks and also apologize for being such a bloody git before. I have never spoken to a stranger like that in my life, and I'm so sorry.” Rey isn't sure if a hug is appropriate until Gwen has her wrapped in a sweet embrace.

“Ah, but we're not strangers now, are we??” The blonde Alpha pulls back, “No need to apologize, Miss Kenobi. That’s all water under the bridge,” she says with such kind eyes.

“Phas! I need more ice up front!” 

Both of their heads swivel toward a tall, screeching ginger behind the bar.

Gwen shouts at him, “Alright, Huxy Baby! Don’t get your knickers in a twist!” She looks over at Rey, “Duty calls. Your party is in the VIP room right back there. I’ll see you around, stranger ,” she says over her shoulder with a little wink.

“Um….okay. Thanks again, Gwen,” Rey says slightly puzzled.

How weird....maybe she’s just referring to some kind of unspoken Alpha mantra where we all know each other in some way. 

Shaking her bemused head, she decides to not dwell on Gwen’s comment and starts making her way over to that far end of the building. Instead of cutting through the horde of thirsty customers, Rey ends up taking the scenic route across the dance floor again. It's shaped like a giant doughnut which separates the tables from the bar itself. She finds herself bobbing along to the beat of the song, swinging those hips as she shimmies past people dancing with their partners.

This transcendent atmosphere is simply incredible, especially in the way it prevents a platter of garlic parmesan chicken wings from triggering her food-starved libido. She fully understands why Ben frequents this bar and it’s not just for Gwen’s friendly face or his signature cocktail, but for those calming effects he must need while taking transitional suppressants. 

Rey’s about midway into the throng of people and already has to thwart off a couple of unabashed men trying to capture her attention. One is easy to out-maneuver when he drunkenly stumbles into her path, but a couple others are extremely over-confident with their grabby hands. This must be the effects of alcohol since her body feels cool as a cucumber with the soothing sounds of Sia wisping through the aromatized air. 

As a set of fingers grip her by the waist, Rey thinks to herself, "not Ben" and instantly plucks them off her body. The second time it happens; once again not Ben, some total creeper actually spins her around and brings them both face-to-face. Rey thinks it might even be the same guy from just half a minute ago; either way, all this touching is absolutely unwanted. 

“Hey baby, you lookin’ for a Beta? Come dance with me," says the red-hued lobster reaching out with his pincers.

When she’s about to unleash that Kenobi scowl, Rey observes the offender’s poor attempt at squaring his shoulders, trying to appear taller as his leering eyes now drift to something behind her. 

The tiny hairs at the back of her neck stand up. 

A sudden sweet and spicy musk with hints of mint envelops the air as two strong arms snake around her torso, squeezing her closer and closer until the notches of her spine relax into this massive being’s sternum.

Before Rey even sees his reflection in the mirror behind the bar, she knows exactly who this is without having to turn around: her life saver. 

“Ben,” she whispers.

Discreetly brushing a thumb under the roundness of her breast, he nudges her ear with that glorious nose and asks, "How'd you know it was me?"

Rey’s lucid mind is whirring in wonderment at how he still has this overwhelming effect on her even with that pheromone diffuser spritzing the air. The only logical explanation right at this moment is someone has been practicing a form of mystical dark arts.

Is this what everyone means by soul bonding?

When her adoptive parents were still alive, discussions of soul mate bonds had to be put on a back burner as Rey acclimated to the Kenobi household and her new high school. Back then, Designation Studies didn’t even exist in classrooms which left many in the dark, especially when their children presented at different ages or as the complete opposite designation of their parents.

As the next song begins playing through the speakers, Ben pulls her in closer if that's even possible. The only answer Rey has for him is a long and low hum as she extends her arm upward and latches onto his strong neck. 

This is my winter song to you.

The storm is coming soon,

It rolls in from the sea.

Ben hunches himself lower so he can press that lickable nose directly into Rey’s mating gland, boldly breathing in her floral essence.

My voice; a beacon in the night.

My words will be your light,

To carry you to me.

Without a single care of being scrutinized, especially if that obnoxious Beta was still around, Rey gives in to her own inhibitions and allows her body to enjoy the feeling of being liquefied in the middle of this crowded dance floor.

Is love alive?

Is love alive?

She places her other hand against his larger one which glides across the exposed skin near her navel, slowly guiding that fuckable palm of his beneath the waistband of her jeans.

They say that things just cannot grow

Beneath the winter snow,

Or so I have been told.

The feel of his thick fingers sliding over her mound has her breathing heavily, grasping a fistful of wavy locks at the base of his skull.

They say we're buried far,

Just like a distant star

I simply cannot hold.

As she looks around at the people nearby, it’s quite obvious that no one is paying any attention to them under these tenebrous red lights. The shadowy figures are completely immersed with their partners; maybe not quite like the two of them right now, but she couldn’t care less.

Is love alive?

Is love alive?

“I was watching you out there, I’ve never seen anyone look so sexy.…” Ben pauses when his two digits skate over her clit and slickness. 

Her eyes roll back so far, she can almost see her inner self taking a leisurely break, cheering from the sidelines.

“....Mmmm….well, we have only known each other," she gulps when he fully cups her breast, "....a handful of hours."

Her head doesn’t even feel a bit fuzzy as she lays it back onto his shoulder, letting her entire frame be engulfed by this mesmerizing man.

"In the past thirty minutes, dozens of half dressed people have entered the dance floor and no one, Rey….no one caught my eye like you."

“So, you’re saying I don't look as sexy when I'm all dressed up?" On her tiptoes, she sighs right in his ear the moment her body begins rocking against his hand. 

“Don't be putting words in my mouth, Alpha.” Ben chastises. Then he mercilessly pulls her closer and grinds his pelvis into her behind, “You’re probably hot as fuck doing something mundane like brushing your teeth dressed in your pjs.”

The music is guiding her rotating hips as she clutches the back of his neck a little tighter, “Well then….” Now it’s her turn for a dramatic pause as she nips his ear lobe, “....you'll just have to wait and see.”

“Is that another promise?” Exhaling a breath laced with eucalyptus and mint, he uses two fingertips to swirl around her clit and then slides them into her wet center. 

All of the oxygen escapes Rey's lungs in a whoosh as she grabs his arm with her other hand. When Ben does the same movement in reverse, her knees buckle almost like a riveted bridge during a California earthquake. 

"Fuck….if this is how wet your pretty little cunt feels without any ice, my life is ruined."

Rey feels slightly empathetic as thoughts of all those sacrificial ice cubes her body had melted earlier were never shown any mercy; not even an ounce of remorse as her own physical being now slowly turns into a writhing puddle. 

"I think it's safe to say we're both royally screwed, but in the best way possible."

"Exactly, Alpha…." Several expletives erupt from him as he continues his ministrations, dragging his open mouth up her neck. ".... exactly ." 

She openly smirks, "Good, because this pretty little cunt," Rey moans in his ear, "still has yet to meet little Benny, but so far she's heard good things." Pushing against this man was a joke; he simply would not budge. 

Once his lips reach her chin, those amber eyes tinted with a crimson glow dart between hers, awaiting Rey’s next move. 

Scoffing at his apprehensiveness, “Omega….” she tilts her head to find his perfect lips, almost mewling at the full gratification of their kiss. 

Does he not realize it takes two to tango? Rey is quite fed up with the stereotype that all Alphas must establish dominance over their Beta or Omega partners. It’s complete bullshit and she’s going to make sure that he understands.

Reaching with her free hand, she palms his slight bulge and bites her lip, skimming her fingers delicately in an upward fashion until she's tracing around the button of his pants.

"Rey, let's hold off on me right now, okay?" He nervously rolls his jaw, pursing his lips.

Wanting to protest, the only thing she can do is nod in understanding, especially after hearing his voice slightly shake. Ben is more anxious of going into heat than getting caught plunging his fingers over and over into her hot core. The way his other arm squeezes her breasts into her chest cavity is both arousing and worrying Rey to the point that he could end up having bigger tits than her before the night ends. 

Pfft!! His are definitely much larger and more massive.

As their tongues sensually stroke, lick and nip at one another, Rey swears that she could see every star in this galaxy and beyond. The magnetism between them is absolutely astounding. Just when she thinks it might be a better idea to save all this for later, Ben applies a little more pressure to her clit. 

Well, okay. Nevermind.

If the combined sensations of his tongue lapping at her bottom lip and deft fingers working their magic is any indication for tonight's main event, she will gladly tap out to this man; the soon-to-be Cunnilingus Champ.

She loves how he can render her speechless with his touch and kiss her so passionately all at once.

Love? 

Her eyes snap open. 

Really, Kenobi?? Did you just….are you….are you seriously falling for him on day one?

Cupping his jaw, she continues kissing him as her hazel gaze scans over his features in secret. The little furrow in his brow, that glorious nose rubbing against hers, every single beauty mark dotting his face, and this fucking mouth's quintessential assault.

I certainly feel something….but it's almost unreal. The sweetest invasion of cedar and mandarin orange flavors swirl around with the calming eucalyptus mint he must have just consumed. It's extremely distracting when those devious, but heavenly fingers are rubbing against my clit….ohhh, yeah I'm already a goner.

Rey inches back to turn and loop her arms around his neck, now wedging that large hand between their front torsos.

"Ben….” She breathes heavily.

Just when she's beginning to think he must not have heard her over the sound system, Ben slowly reopens his eyes. As soon as his molten gaze connects with hers, the embers deep within her thrumming walls begin to awaken, lighting up each and every flame until they are billowing up her spine. 

Gyrating her hips, she brushes some hair behind his ear and latches on the back of his neck again, "....I'm so close."

“That’s it,” he soothes while swiftly flicking over her bundle of nerves, “let go for me, sweetheart.”

Lifting one leg and hooking it around his thigh, Rey grinds down on that fuckable palm. They sigh into each other's mouths, lips sweetly brushing once, twice, and almost a third time when a familiar holiday song starts to play. She lets out a tiny gasp as a giant smile spreads across Ben's face; dimples on full display again. The iconic song will forever remind them of each other. 

He lets his free hand travel along her thigh, gripping it fiercely to then softly sing the lyrics against her ear, "I just want you for my own…." 

Rey slams her eyes shut as the fiery pressure roars to life, scorching its way down each and every vein and blood vessel. Her vagina must be confused or in complete shock that it's these goddamn fingers again and not something a bit more phallic.

"....more than you can ever know…."

Oh, hello, third climax of the night.

Much to her dismay or elation, the beautiful bastard continues singing, "....make my wish come truuuue…."

Every single person in the bar summons their inner diva and busts out their best Mariah impression, dramatically finishing the lyric before the music kicks in.

All I want for Christmaaaaas isssss youuuuuuu

Everyone except for Ben.

He salaciously mouths the words against her ear, using his hot breath and tongue to send shivers down her body. 

As she smothers a choking sound into his left shoulder Rey tries to control her sudden need to climb the talking tree in front of her. All ten fingers claw at his skin, struggling to keep herself from falling over. She huffs and puffs against Ben like someone who just ran a half marathon. With her heart reverberating inside her head, it sounds like that stubborn muscle in her head is finally voicing its opinion to that caged heart of hers.

Whatever the case may be, this conversation between her two most vital organs is clearly overdue and happening at the worst time.

Thankfully, the patrons are still singing along with the song which in turn is helping cover up all their panting. Whatever it was he said, she cannot remember. Typical Rey, losing all her focus when it counts. She hopes Phasma has that amazing beverage ready for her if they ever make it over to the bar counter.

Suddenly, Ben winces.

"Ow," he moves his neck to the side, trying to relieve that iron-like grip of hers. 

"Sorry!"

The moment Rey tries to readjust her fingertips on this human boulder, her leg gives out. It doesn't help that she's been standing on her tippy toes for God knows how long. 

In slow motion, that unexpected feeling of weightlessness rushes down to her gut as she slips through Ben's arm. With the dance floor inching closer and closer, she quickly glances up to see his eyes registering what's about to happen. Rey blinks and she's transported to 48th Street where she fell down to one knee in front of Ben. But this time, he catches her with one arm before she even hits the cold, concrete sidewalk. When she blinks again, Rey is back on the dance floor securely wrapped up in her life saver's embrace. The large hand grasping her ass moves its fingers up to her lower back, making sure she's steady.

"I've got you."

Yeah, you do.

These spare seconds now result in her brain triggering that fight or flight response she knows all too well. It dawns on her that she doesn’t want to run away from him, but alongside him in any direction they both choose to go from here on.

This new development may just be the proof Rey needs to fully understand soul mate bonds.

No one has ever helped make her feel like she was still in control of her own fate. She craved independence after years of being stuck in the system. With guidance from her parents, Rey started to feel like she could conquer more than just surviving the day. She had always fought and worked hard to get where she needed to be; it was those basic skills she perfected over the last two decades.

She knows what she wants and now has to figure out how to tell Ben. This sudden change of heart just wasn't in her nature. Accepting the fact that he could be that person Rose always said was out there waiting for her was just confounding.

With a shaky breath of her own, she determines the time is not now and ends up burying her face in his throat, “Did that just happen?”

"Hmm, you mean….did you just climax on the dance floor surrounded by all these people while our song played?"

He called it our song. 

Rey sighs, feeling his teeth against the shell of her ear as he smiles and settles one hand between her shoulder blades. That’s when it dawns on her….they are slow dancing with his fingers still being held captive inside her. 

She holds on tight as the entire room disappears around them, both swaying gently to a completely different tempo; one that only they can hear. No matter what happens, this song will always remind her of Ben.

Focus, Kenobi! Breathe in and out!

Her eyes must look a bit frantic as they now pivot around the room, looking for anything in the vicinity as a focal point. Luckily enough, she targets her second favorite beauty mark and plants her lips against it while taking in deep breaths through her nose.  

The observant Omega cradles the side of her face and attempts to strike up a conversation in order to help distract her, “Playing nice with the other Alphas?”

“Huh?" She grazes a thumb over his covered gland. "Oh, you mean, Gwen?” Ben nods his head and tucks some of her chestnut hair behind an ear. “You saw me speaking to her from the other room?”

He smirks, “I was over at the bar about to order some drinks when I got distracted by this gorgeous Rey of Sunshine dancing through the horde of people like no one was watching….but I was—”

Pulling his face down to hers, Rey interrupts with a long kiss. "Just so you know," she inches back a tiny bit, "upholding my family tradition is becoming quite difficult with you around."

Ben dramatically sighs, "Alright, say no more. I'm not gonna apologize though."

Rey slinks her body against his and chortles, "For what, fingering me like it's no one else's business?"

"Ha! No way. Definitely not that, but you should know…." he kisses below her ear lobe, "....that Poe likes to blanch his broccoli rabe…."

"Noooo! Pleeeease , don't do this, Ben." 

"....in olive oil and garlic before serving it with sliced links of sausa—"

"UGHHhhh…." Those once fluttering inner muscles calmly release Ben's fingers and Rey exhales a sad, sad breath. "You're so lucky this bar’s peacefulness is keeping my famous scowl in check."

“Well, if Gwen didn't have her voodoo magic in the air, you probably would have seen me raging at Mr. Handsy back there."

An abrupt flash seizes her for a moment as she watches her fists pummeling the face of her sleazy co-worker last month. Rey shakes her head, successfully ending that terrible memory, “You don’t have to worry about me. I can handle myself when it comes to creepy assholes.”

“Good, well that makes one of us.” Ben offers her the crook of his arm and leads them both over to the bar, signaling Gwen's red-headed bartender.

"Hey, Hux. Can I get a Scotch on the rocks?"

"Coming right up,” he says, sounding like he’s on autopilot.

Ben places his giant palm flat against her lower back and wedges her in between him and the bar counter, bracketing both of his arms on each side of her, "Rose told me to order you a Flying Solo, but now that you’re here, what would you like?"

Rey watches Hux scoop ice into a glass and then remembers she's supposed to give him shit for earlier.

"Oi!" Spinning around awkwardly, Rey pokes Ben right in the chest, "So that impromptu ice play....that was your idea and not Gwen's?"

Rubbing at his extra large tit, "Oi yourself, woman. So what if it was my idea?"

"Well, I was under the impression that I was speaking to the mastermind of aromatherapy infusion when I tried expressing my gratitude for eve-ry-thing ," she purposely over-enunciates the last word by adding a few more jabs with her finger.

"Here's your Scotch, Solo."

He quickly thanks Hux without even looking in the bartender’s direction then gently grabs Rey by the wrist to press it into his chest. With his other hand, he reaches for the glass and then halts all movement to shoot her a side-eyed glance, "Wait, you didn't….." 

"That’s right, I did and now she has another thing to name after you….oh, my God….or us both!"

Laughing out loud, he tilts the glass from side to side, "As long as she doesn't mention it to my mother or uncles, I really don't care."

“No?” She tries to stand a little taller to really get a good look at him. "Not even if Gwen thinks you're a giant pervert like Poe now?"

Ben drops a kiss to her jabby little finger and somehow lowers his voice a whole octave, "Why should I be ashamed for giving you three orgasms before I've even tasted you?"

She gulps, “Well, then.”

Yup, once again….speechless.

It’s quite astonishing, to say the least, as Rey gapes at the way Ben’s boyish smile lights up his face like the goddamn tree at Rockefeller Center. The fact that he just annihilated every shred of annoyance she was feeling moments ago with his sexy charm is fucking frightening.

Leaning down, he lines up his mouth with hers to ask his question again in between each kiss, "What's. Your. Poison?"

"Umm…." She turns back around to face the bar and scans over all the liquor bottle names. 

Good. At least my brain sort of remembers how to read.

The clanging sound of that giant ball of ice served with his Scotch distracts Rey for a second when she catches his fingers swirling it around. She cocks her head to the side, giving him a weird look as he dries them off on a napkin. 

“It’s to cover up your scent.” 

Signaling with a head nod, she breathily says, "Do it again."

"This?" He repeats the same action then quirks an eyebrow at her while letting those two fingers drip into his glass, "Now what?"

Feasting her eyes on the tiny droplets hanging off the ends of his fingers, Rey grabs his palm with both hands and licks the alcohol right off those digits. The playful grin on his face instantly disappears as he swallows deeply, watching her tongue curl around his fingertips right before she sucks them into her mouth. 

"Rey…."

She glances up at his shaky voice and has the nerve to jut out her tongue to lick the side of her mouth; tasting herself as well as the spicy beverage. Ben's left eye twitches as he decides to drive forward and capture her tongue between his lips, languidly sampling the remnants from her sweet, tangy climax.

"Fuuuck." He pushes her softly against the counter right behind her. "I'm a dead man," he breathes across her lips. 

With a satisfied grin, she shrugs, "Just trying to even out the playing field."

Their little bubble bursts at the sound of Hux speaking to a female co-worker. She's about the same height as Rey with dark brown, wavy hair pulled back in a thick ponytail. 

"Huxy, is this the girl we've been hearing about?"

The red-head heaves out a long sigh, “What do you think?" Arms thrown in the air, "I've been trying to serve other customers, but it's been quite difficult with all their eye fucking."

Ben sheepishly smiles over Rey's head and calls out, “Hey Zor."

"Welcome back to Planet Earth, Benjamin!" She glances over at Rey, "Hi, I'm Zorii."

Turning around to face the female bartender, they both shake hands, "Nice to meet you, I'm Rey."

"Oh, I know who you are, Alpha ," Zorii whispers behind her hand. "I'm an Omega just like our dear Benny Boy right here." She leans forward on both arms, "Can I just say, the two of you look and fuckin’ smell amazing together.”

Rey smiles widely at Ben then quickly realizes what Zorii just said, giving her an incredulous look, “Seriously? You can still scent us over what’s being circulated in the bar?”

Zorii titters, “I sure can. Want me to dissect your notes??” Interlocking her fingers, she stretches them out in front of herself.

“Christ, Zorii, anything to get out of doing actual work,” hisses out Hux in disgust. 

Rolling her eyes, Zorii points in his direction, “Ignore this grouch who smells like a sweaty, old codpiece from the sixteenth century."

The tall ginger scratches the side of his nose with a middle finger and walks over to the register.

Rey looks up at Ben, "Do you mind? I was never really into scenting, but now I'm a little intrigued."

"Of course not, she’s actually really good at it once the blockers fade," he smiles while wrapping her with both arms.

"So, Benjamin…." Zorii claps her hands and rubs them together, "We already know that one of your base notes is the sweet and spicy Tonka Bean which happens to be quite lovely when paired up with Rey's Vanilla base. Then there’s—Hmm...together, you both have this underlying White Musk scent which is a-dor-a-ble." 

"White Musk? That's a new one," Ben says.

As the curly-haired brunette behind the bar leans across the counter, she takes a hyperbolic whiff of the couple and fans their scents toward her face using both hands.

“You know," Rey begins, "I was almost trampled on Fifth Avenue when he walked past me simply oozing chocolate, hazelnut, and raspberries. Thank God, I don’t smell it anymore.”

“Oh shit, and you didn’t ravish him right there in the street?”

“Haha, well maybe I was thinking about it….”

….or performing my one-woman show....

Ben bursts out in laughter, “Was that before or after you thought I was going to murder you?”

Contorting her body around to glare up at him, Rey pinches his smirky mouth shut, “Listen here, smart arse." The cheeky bastard's entire frame wilts at the sound of her voice as he lets out a moan through his goddamn nose. Watching both eyes roll back in his head, Rey continues without missing a beat, "You obviously weren't aware of my twisted sense of humor, but then again, I did end up taking your hand. So the joke's on you, Benny Boy .”

He slowly opens his eyes and they become almost like tractor beams, shining down on her in absolute amusement. 

Before she gets pulled in any deeper with that charming smirk between her fingers, Zorii slaps the counter for their attention, “Okay, lovebirds! Let's get back on topic. I actually don’t smell any traces of those fragrances, Rey, but it's possible they could fully bloom when Colossus here goes into heat….or lets you have a little taste .”

For a moment, Rey ponders if she’s even mentally capable to assist Ben through these spells. The ones he suffered through as a teenager really put a damper on that impressionable stage of his life when he should have been embracing his designation. The physicality between them is borderline inconceivable, but Rey is not at all afraid of this awakening. She only worries if she has what it takes to comfort him over the course of however many days this heat could last.

In the middle of thinking this through, she somehow finds herself smiling as his lips press into the crown of her head more than once; nostrils simultaneously breathing her in and warming the same spot over and over with every exhale.

Zorii takes another long breath through her nose, "Wow, I definitely smell his middle notes now; Nutmeg and spicy White Pepper, but…. you, Rey, you have bushels of sweet fruit all around, like those Raspberries you mentioned and Blackberries. There’s nothing like that coming from Ben; just Cedar mixed with a few other notes I cannot quite grasp yet. Those ones are still being masked by his suppressants."

“Hmmm….well, I may have a few ideas about those top notes," Rey bites her bottom lip.

Drying his fingers on a napkin again, Ben inquires, "Really? Tell us."

Rapidly shaking her head, Rey tucks herself under those tree trunk arms and uses them almost like a shield, "Oh no, no. She's the expert; I'll just sound like an idiot."

"Hey, it's not a big deal, hon. If this friggin' giant didn't cover up his scent 'cause of that beanstalk in his pants, we wouldn't get to play this guessing game," Zorii guffaws.

"Alright….well, before my adoptive parents passed, they used to foster children of all ages; always finding the perfect forever family for each one. With so many kids around, they grew medicinal plants for cuts and illnesses to save money unless it was really serious."

Zorii reaches for her hand, “I'm so sorry for your loss, Rey. They probably would've gotten along great with my parents just talking about their gardens for hours. Were they also hippies like mine?"

"Haha no, but they did don all the crazy outfits from each decade judging by photo albums."

"My parents still drive me crazy with their home remedies, but anywho, which plant did you taste on Benny Boy?"

"I'll always remember Violet Leaf having a very specific scent and I swear I could taste it on you, Ben, with a hint of Mandarin Oranges."

Zorii's jaw drops in amazement, "What? Ben, lean forward!”

“Do I have to?” He whines while being grabbed by the sleeve, trying not to crush Rey against the counter. 

“Nope, can’t smell it yet, but that's because you got him all up in your taste buds, girl," she winks.

Rey bites her lip, “Where'd you learn about this? You look around my age and I know teachers back then completely steered clear from scenting topics."

"See, I was never prescribed suppressants or blockers when I was a teen because my hippie parents grew all sorts of herbs and spices at home.”

“That’s a fancy way of saying weed,” Hux interjects while pouring Jameson into a glass for a customer.

Rolling her eyes, “Okay, fine, half of their garden contained marijuana plants but my parents were able to find safe, alternative ways of infusing those herbs into teas and food without getting high as a kite.”

“So, are you immune to lavender and witch hazel or….”

“Nope, I can just easily identify different scents without them making me want to hump everything in sight. As for you Rey, you’ve got a flower-child vibe my parents would love. There's—”

“Freesia, oh and I'm pretty sure there's some Passionfruit,” Ben spurts out, trying to join the conversation. 

“Way to go, Ben! Luckily, Rey has all these other pretty flowery notes like….Peonies and Champaca to counterbalance the super potent one that could knock out even a six-foot, two-hundred pound Dorothy Gale."

"Wait…." Rey can feel the exact moment Ben stopped breathing above her, "Are—Are you saying Poppies?"

Zorii wipes down the countertop, "I sure am, why?"

Furrowing her brow, Rey glances up at Ben who sounds a bit out of breath when he asks, "Does it matter if that's part of her middle or top notes?"

Zorii repeats the motion of looking up at Ben and then down at Rey, "No, but I believe it's at the top with sultry Passionfruit, so that does make it a little more powerful than the other floral scents…."

"Well, fuck," he says, nodding his head, "I really am a dead man….cool."

"Why do you say that?" Rey's confusion is written all over her face. 

Leaning forward on his elbow, Ben tilts his head down near the Alpha, "Remember I told you about a particular scent that triggered my very first heat when I was sixteen?"

Rey concentrates for a second and replays the whole conversation in her head. Suddenly, she recalls the story where he locked himself inside a bathroom for a couple of hours.  

"Shit."

"Yeah, so if that scent does flourish sometime tonight, I'm most definitely going into heat."

Zorii drops the sanitizer cloth, "Oh….OOoOOoooohhhhh!!! You probably don't have anything ready at your apartment, do ya?"

"No, I don't, Zor. Thanks a lot." He runs a hand over his face and through his hair, looking completely stressed. 

Rey entwines her fingers with the ones he's anxiously strumming along the surface, "Ben, I—I had no idea. My notes were rarely ever brought up in past relationships."

The sound of her saddened voice immediately sobers him up, "Heyy, why are you upset?"

Speaking at a normal volume, she tries to focus on the row of bottles behind the counter again, "I don't want you to be disappointed….w‐with me."

" Disappointed …." Rey feels his gaze scanning the side of her profile, trying to intervene with her far-off stare. Ben's next move is swiftly lifting her onto the counter so she has nowhere else to look, ".... with you ?" His voice is strong and can be heard over the loud chatter and music around them. Stepping between her legs, both hands engulf Rey's face as he patiently waits for her to look down at him. "For what, being unaware of every note that makes up your scent? Then I'm guilty too, sweetheart." She finally shifts her somber eyes, connecting with Ben's as he shakes his head, "You couldn't possibly have been able to predict us meeting today."

One hand remains cupped to her face while the other cards its fingers through her hair. Rey's grief-stricken eyes begin to sting as the sincerity of his words burn into the skin of her cheeks with every brush of his thumb. Gripping the fabric of his shirt with a fist, she cannot look away; not even when she feels him swiping at the wetness trickling from her eyes.

With his hand tangled at the back of her head, Ben laughs incredulously, "I'm a thirty-year old ex-NYU professor who-who didn’t know a single note of my scent, or what a fuckin' Tonka Bean was up until just a year ago." 

She knows he's only trying to lighten the mood, but every word he says makes her want to wrap him in her arms. 

"After I resigned from my job, I immediately started researching and almost booked a trip to South America to specifically find where they're grown."

An emptiness fills her chest, leaving Rey quite confused since she can feel her heart's continuous beats. That pulsating muscle is slowly fighting its way up her esophagus, absolutely ready to declare its love for this unwieldy man. She finds herself struggling to keep those words at bay, forcing down several gulps of air and swallowing her own saliva.

"After being lied to for so long, I never thought I'd believe a single scent reading again. When I stopped my meds and was just a nightmare around everyone, Zorii came out of nowhere one day and asked if I had taken up baking as a new hobby. I must have looked at her like she was from Mars, but I needed more information; about this bean plant and about me. After today, I know you're my only hope of figuring them out."

In an almost humorous, hushed shout, Rey guesses that the two employees are arguing behind her back, "Shut up, asshole! Let them work this out for a minute."

Ben doesn't even bat an eye at them, just tucks one hand on each side of her thigh. "If anything, you should be disappointed with me for not being more prepared," he states, nervously chewing the inside of his cheek.

A sudden need to keep their skin-to-skin contact, Rey reaches up to trace his ears, "Don't, Ben. There was no way you could have known either. I mean, yeah, Poe told you about me, but I'm glad he didn't meddle as much as I'm sure he wanted," she attempts a small laugh and wipes away a stray tear from her chin. "We'll figure something out."

Nodding in agreement, Ben touches her forehead with his and kisses her freckled cheek. 

"You were planning a trip to South America just to learn about Tonka Beans…." 

All he does is shrug his shoulders, "I was."

She chuckles, pretending to push a fake pair of eyeglasses up her nose, "What a giant nerd."

"Wow, you weren't kidding about the eye fucking," Zorii sniffles off to the side, using a napkin to blot her make-up from running.

Looking on in aghast, Hux sneers, "Are you seriously crying over something that has nothing to do with you?"

"Okay, so their relationship doesn't involve me whatsoever, but have you ever witnessed two people in the midst of soul bonding?"

The red-head taps a long finger against his pointed chin, "Now that I think about it….NO, BECAUSE I CHOOSE TO NOT CARE!"

Zorii just ignores the robot with no feelings, "Why don't you guys, I don't know, like skip the whole tree lighting and just buy Omega heat essentials?"

Ben shakes his head, "No, that's out of the question," then looks back at Rey, "You and me. We'll figure something out."

Tilting his head, he leans forward for a sweet kiss, but Rey stops him by pressing an index finger against his lips. "If you do that, I won't be able to stop myself," she whispers while staring at his mouth.

He doesn't need to know that she's keeping a certain set of words hidden from him. If her heart was anything like the locket against her chest, she'd keep those three words inside there just a little longer.

With a toothy grin upon his face, Ben kisses her cheek again and sets her down on the ground.

Zorii cannot help but stand there smiling with a hand over her heart. "Good luck, you guys! Just make sure you load up on towels cause I heard Gwendoline needs some new ones, haha!"

"Gwendoline?" Rey asks while trying not to cringe over the fact that some employees now know about their office antics.

"Yeah, she's our Captain."

Gwendoline Phasma??

Her name does sort of ring a bell….maybe we have met before.

An exasperated Hux has had enough, "Listen, if I bring a few pints to your table, will you both leave and make room for people who are thirsting for actual drinks and not each other?"

"Yeah, we should get back. I'll have my usual and Rey can have whatever she wants."

"I'll try the Flying Solo," she grins up at him.

Gazing down upon her, he says, "You're gonna love it."

I know….

"Ugh, you both are sickening!"

"Don't be put off by this sex-deprived B-E-T-A," Zorii jokingly spells out Hux's designation while grabbing onto his shoulders, "not all of us are complete assholes here."

"Speak for your soddin' self, bar wench," grumbles Hux, shrugging her off of him.

"Come on, this could go on for hours," Ben holds out a hand to Rey and then glances at the verbally sparring duo, "It's some kind of weird foreplay they enjoy."

" THEY?? What do you mean they ??? I refuse to be included in that sentence, Solo."

"Awww, Hugsy! You used to be so unnerving with that big ginger cock of yours," Zorii playfully winks at Hux while waving goodbye to the couple. 

In a huff, he fires back, "I don't know what I was thinking of getting involved with you two lunatics."

Once again, Rey finds herself being towed by Ben through another crowd; thankfully indoors this time with no strollers trying to run them over. As she lowers her arm from waving back at the bartenders, Rey is a little confused by the last thing Hux just said. She recollects some information about Ben's last Alpha girlfriend, but that was it; no mention of any rebounds or polygamous relationships.

Unable to see over the broad shoulders of this giant mountain, Rey knows that the sound of her brother's boisterous laughter means they're getting closer to their destination. Feeling quite anxious, she tugs on his arm to get his attention. With anyone else, ignoring that sort of detail would have been her go-to, but this is Ben. 

Rey pulls him down to speak against his ear, "Hey, who was Hux talking about….when he mentioned getting involved with ' you two lunatics'??"

Ben smirks over at her, "I'll give you one guess."

As they approach the gang's table tucked away in the VIP Room, Poe practically jumps upon the vinyl seat as Ben gives her a knowing look.

"Haha! We send him to the bar for drinks and he comes back with nothing, just Rey! God, I love being right!"

"Get down before you get hurt….hmmm on second thought," Rose contemplates for a second. 

Ben easily slides himself into a vacant spot on that same couch with Poe, but right up against the wall so he can lean back and prop his foot on the cushion. Across the table, both Finn and Rose are sitting on tall stools as Rey leans in between them, forming a small group hug.

“Reyyy,” sings Finn in an amusingly deep baritone voice.

Rose reaches out her hand, “Hey, girlie! How are you?” she asks with a tilt to her head, trying to gauge Rey’s mood.

With her back facing Ben, she grasps onto Rose and widens her eyes, mouthing the words, “Oh, my Godddd.”

“O-Me-Gaaa!! I need details later!!” she whispers excitedly while hopping in her seat.

Loud mouth Poe sits back down and raises his arms up in the air, “Perfect timing, Sunshine! Rosie was just about to tell Ben when you put that dickhead in the hospital.”

Shaking her head, Rey laments, “Pfft, you mean the day I lost my job?”

She makes eye contact with Ben who softly smiles and motions with a head nod for her to come sit with him. Guess it’s time for him to find out she is an unemployed, hot-headed loon.

“Babes, I don't mean to boast, but Ben should know you're a fuckin' badass Alpha,” Rose pumps her fist in the air.

Sighing, Rey takes a seat on the couch between Ben’s legs as he leans forward to whisper, “The best and worst parts, remember?”

She glances back at him over her shoulder and nods with a ghost of a smile. Rey cannot help but feel comforted when Ben wraps his arms around her waist. Leaning against his propped leg, she melts into his embrace, being cradled by his thick thighs. She's about to tell Rose to get the story over with when Hux approaches their table.

“Pardon the interruption, everyone. Special order, straight from the Captain herself for Lady Rey,” says the man as he places not one, but two fancy glasses in front of her. 

“Both are for me?”

"Yep," Hux says with no enthusiasm whatsoever and distributes several bottles of Sam Adams in the middle of the table.

"Oh!! You ordered a Flying Solo!!" Rose lets out a joyous whoop while brandishing her third of the night.

“And this one is just the Captain's signature cocktail—a mojito with a Phasma twist,” the bartender says with a twirl of his hand. 

Rey thanks him for the drinks while sniffing the cucumber, minty goodness of the light green mixture.

“Your server is helping Gwen with the ice machine right now, but since I'm here, you lot need anything else?” Hux asks while taking out his pad and pen.

Poe places his elbow on the table and props his chin on his fist, “Hey there, sailor.”

Hux’s pale, blue eyes travel to the end of the table and with a disgusted sound, he groans, “Ugh, I thought I smelled a desperate little man.”

Poe’s whole demeanor changes as he drops his arm to the table and throws on the charm, “ C'mon now, Hugsy, don’t embarrass me in front of my friends.” Cue those arrogant eyes and cocky smile.

“Oh, don't 'come on me' y—you—OH, BOLLOCKS!” the ginger slams the round tray against his leg, cursing himself for missing the double entendre.

Poe throws up his hands and exclaims, “Wow! Guys, I wish I could apologize for the mouth on this man,” he chides with a shake of his head. “Tsk, tsk...save that kinda talk for the bedroom….or a bathroom stall ….or broom closet,” Poe winks at him.

“Dameron, you're a real pain in my arse,” Hux fires back.

Rey hears Ben hiss through his teeth from behind her as he takes a swig from his winter lager.

“You can bet on that tonight,” Poe annoyingly responds, puckering his lips to kiss the air. 

Ben chortles, “Sorry bud, you walked right into that one,” shaking his head and pointing his beer bottle at the bartender.

Scoffing, “Whatever, thanks for nothing, Solo. I'm fuckin' swapping tables with Zorii,” he marches off in a huff.

Poe's head perks up as drums the tips of his fingers on the table, "Zorii's working tonight?"

Rey glances at Poe and all he does is wag his eyebrows. “He’s just trying to work, Poe. What is wrong with you?” 

“Oh stop, he loves it,” he says reassuringly with a wave of his hand.

Beneath the ice chips in the Flying Solo, there's a small cube that shines a bright red and floating next to that is a tall, blue glow stick.

Rey attempts to hide her smirk as she spins the glass around, knowing full well that she's being watched by the creator of this beverage. It's uncanny how this dark but somehow bright concoction closely resembles both the features of this bar and Ben.

Rey takes a whiff, "Is this—" stopping mid sentence, inhaling all sorts of delicious notes; one being oranges. "Is this gonna taste like you, Ben?"

"What?"

Turning her head to look at him, "This almost smells exactly like you; very woodsy with a splash of sweet and spicy citrus."

"Before today, I only knew that my base notes of vanilla and almonds existed after tasting an illegal Tonka Bean."

Finn ducks low and whispers, "They're illegal?"

"Ha! Of course Rey would be attracted to the scent of a forbidden bean," Poe laughs out loud all by his lonesome. 

Ignoring that dumbass sitting nearby, Ben nods his head at Finn and offers a brief explanation, "Just in the United States. Countries south of the equator use them all the time for cooking, but only in small amounts." 

What a handsome dork. 

Rey is watching him speak and finds the way he expressively uses his hands absolutely endearing. He begins to smile about halfway through, obviously noticing the way she's openly ogling his profile. When he glances over at her, she quickly pretends to push up her invisible spectacles like that was her cover for blatantly staring. He chuckles and boops her nose.

Raising her hand in the air like a student, Rose patiently waits for Ben to call upon her.

"Yes, Rose?" He asks while taking another swig of beer.

"Can you explain why this tastes soooo good??" She takes a sip and bats her eyes over at Poe who just glares right back.

"Well, if you must know." Adjusting himself behind Rey, Ben points to both tumblers filled with the Flying Solo. "For this drink, first make sure the glass is chilled so that the glaze sticks properly. You can easily make that by just whisking confectioners sugar and a freshly squeezed orange until it's thick enough to dip the rim."

Damn, why did he have to say "squeezed" and "thick" like that right in my ear?

"Some patrons enjoy lime a little more for that extra bite , so I usually ask first."

Okay….now, why are certain words making all of my pulse points feel like they're fluttering? 

Rey wonders if Gwen may have forgotten to turn up that diffuser in this lounge.

"Immediately sprinkle some crystalized black sugar along the edge. Let that settle for a minute and then you shake my favorite red wine, Barolo chinato, with London dry Gin in a separate container. That mixture can be strained over some crushed ice. "

This motherfucker….he's doing that on purpose!

"See, babe? I told you it was Gin," Finn nudges his wife.

"Well, I had a very bad experience with it a few years ago. Do you remember, Rey?"

We're sorry, but the number you have dialed is no longer in service….

"Rey?"

Finn leans across the table, "Is she okay?" Snapping his fingers repeatedly in his sister's face.

"Poe," Ben calls out over Rey's head, "say something."

Lifting his eyebrow, he asks, "Like what?"

"I don't know. Tell everyone your, uhhh….Balsamic Brussel Sprouts recipe."

He claps his hands together, "Ohhh, I love roasting those little bad boys. So, the trick is to slightly brown them with avocado oil in the oven for the first ten to twenty minutes, depending on their size. Then I drizzle my special Balsamic sauce all over and roast those brussel sprouts again for--"

Rey moves her head toward Rose, "What?"

"Girl, where the hell did you just go?"

Clearly confused, Rey looks around the table at her friends’ faces and finally lands on Ben. 

"What does she mean?"

He cringes, "I'm sorry, I was only teasing."

"Rey, you totally checked out of the conversation. It looked like you were—were—dammit! What's the word I'm looking for?" Rose smacks the table.

Finn grabs his wife's hand, "Comatose."

"That's it! You were completely still until—until," Rose points at Poe, but looks at Finn and then Ben. "Did you know that would happen when he spoke?"

Slightly shrugging a shoulder, Ben bites his lip, "Possibly."

"What?!" Poe shouts. 

"Oh, you giant shit! You did that in front of our friends?" Rey holds him against the couch and pinches his nipple.

He tries to gently remove her fingers, but she’s got that vice-like grip on him again. "Gahhhh!! I said I'm sorry, Jesus Christ!"

"Okay, well don't do that again." Rey grabs the Phasma cocktail and swallows down two gulps.

Poe leans across the table, "Excuse me? Hi. What the fuck did you mean by that?"

Ben squints one of his eyes at Poe, tilting his head in incredulity. There is no way he was going to answer that unless Rey gave him the okay. 

Waving his hands in front of the couple, "Hello? I want to know!"

A little smirk twists Rey's mouth as she decides to tell him. "When I'm around Ben and need to instantly cool down, I just have to think of you or hear your voice," she says, all nonchalant while sipping her mojito.

Rose laughs, "Benjamin, you devil! I bet you gave your parents a hell of a time as a little rugrat."

"Uh, yeah. You could say that," he quickly takes a swig of beer again.

Sensing Ben's uneasiness, Rey speaks up, "Go on, Rosie, finish your story."

"Baby, you have three!!" Finn yelps in exasperation as Rose slaps his hand away from her glow sticks.

“Where'd I leave off, Ben?”

The Omega places down his bottle, "You were heading down to the storage room.” 

“You mean the basement with no cameras,” Rey bitterly adds while Ben slowly drags his fingers up and down her arm.

Rose’s shoulders deflate a tiny bit, “Yeah, I should have let you help me, but who knew something was going to happen?”

“I did,” Rey says, pointing at herself. 

Rose extends her hand, palm facing up, across the table, “Girrrl….”

“Yeah, yeah,” Rey holds it while rolling her eyes.

Finn covers both of their hands with his and kisses the side of Rose’s face as she begins, “So, I'm in the basement struggling to lift this box over my head when I hear the door I propped open suddenly close. I'm pretty far inside this room calling out hello , hello and no one is answering.” Rose moves her arms a lot when she tells stories, a little like Ben with his hands. “Then all of a sudden, the lights go out! I grab my phone to turn on my flashlight and make a bee-line for the door. But....someone grabs me from behind and—"

I can still smell the dusty room full of documents, metal filing cabinets, and floor-to-ceiling shelving units. Here I am, back inside the basement where Beaumont Kin got away with hurting one of the best people I know.

"Rose?" I called out upon noticing the room still blanketed in darkness. There was no way I beat her down here after Snap Wexley tried asking me out again by the elevators. 

Maybe Rose finished the task quickly and was already on her way back up to our floor. Looking down the hall towards those mechanical doors….there was just no way. 

All of a sudden, my ears heard the sounds of scuffling shoes against the linoleum floor and two very different types of grunts; one full of anger and the other putting up a fight.

Immediately reaching for the light switch, I found it already in the ON position then tried flipping it several times before realizing the power was cut off at its main source. My hand flew to a back pocket and---and my phone was not there!

"ROSE!!" I ran into total darkness, listening for any kind of movement. "Rose, talk to me! Are you hurt?"

The door slammed shut behind me and everything was eerily silent. Holding in my breath so I wouldn't miss a pin drop, a gurgled shout was attempted and my feet were moving.

Taking careful but hurried steps, I was blindly grabbing onto shelves and boxes until a faint glow of light from Rose's phone helped guide me to a horrific scene that plagued my dreams every so often.

The light was beaming up from the floor, illuminating the backs of those canary yellow heels into my brain. The other set of legs were unidentifiable; just a pair of men's trousers blocking out the black and white striped skirt he had lifted above Rose's waist.

In a rage I had not felt for over a decade, I grabbed the blonde little fuck boy by the collar and slammed him to the ground. There was no mistake at who this was even in such a bleak setting, those stupid fucking highlights can be spotted a mile away.

The second I saw Rose take a full breath, holding her neck with shaky hands and saying she was okay; it was like red drapes were drawn across my eyes. I'm not sure if my plan of attack was the right move, but if he got away unscathed, I would never be able to forgive myself.

I made sure he saw my face as Rose attempted to shine that light and document our surroundings. 

When my fist connected with his jaw, the relief that spread through my body was unexplainable. Pulling back my arm, I saw this piece of shit's smug face.

"Your career is over, Kenobi," he snarled, licking his bloody lip.

"Well, if that's the case," I remember shrugging and letting the bastard have every single ounce of my pent up rage.

That's when everything became a blurred mess.

Blinking a few times, Rey is back in the present with Rose wrapped around her. Releasing a huge sigh as she tightens their hug, the Alpha thinks about how much she absolutely hates this story but doesn't regret it. 

What if she had listened to Rose and never followed her downstairs? It was just another regular workday. What made her think her best friend was soon going to be in peril? What would Obi and Satine say if they were still alive? Would they be disappointed? 

Every milestone she and Finn accomplished, their parents always took them out to celebrate. Once Rey accepted that bloody job's offer, she was overjoyed for making Obi and Satine so proud. She'll never forget the looks on their faces, especially when her dad got choked up making a little speech in the restaurant. She touches her locket and feels glad they were around for all those good, memorable moments. 

As Rose backs away, cupping the side of her sister-in-law's face, Rey notices those glassy eyes and lets go of the necklace to point a finger, firmly saying, "NO. Don't you dare, Rose!"

"Okay! Sorry, I just can't help but get emotional!" She exclaims, fanning her eyes with both hands.

Squeezing Rey’s arm, Ben sits forward, “Jesus Christ. Did you get any clear photos?”

“I tried, but my shaky hands ruined the video leaving us with blurry screenshots. The fact we're graphic designers doesn't help our defense either, since we could have 'doctored or tampered' with evidence,” Rose growls out.

"If I didn't react that way, I would have gone with you to file a police report," Rey says in a solemn voice. 

The short Omega looks upon the group, throwing her arm up in the air, "Hon, the way that little bitch carried on about being attacked, they would have gone after you instead! We're lucky he and his father didn't press charges."

Finn tries to get his wife’s attention, "Babe."

She continues speaking, "Yeah, I had a few bumps and bruises but nothing like the scars he'll have for the rest of his life. It's been almost a month, we gotta let it go."

Poe taps a finger against his chin, "That's riiiight. Rey went feral the day after I arrived at her apartment….interesting."

Lifting an eyebrow at him, she just tells herself to ignore whatever this jackass has to say.

Suddenly Finn raises his voice, "Babe!"

"What?" Rose looks at him with wide eyes then turns back to reach for her glass.

"I went to see him at the hospital," Finn says quietly while looking down the neck of his beer bottle.

Rose's head spins so fast that her hair whips her across the cheek, "You—You did WHAT?!"

"Finn," Rey scrunched her brow at him.

Lifting his shoulders in embarrassment, "Part of me wanted to look that creep in the eyes….well, it was just the one eye since his other was all bandaged up…."

Ben snorts through his nose and leans forward, lifting Rey's hand to press a kiss across her knuckles.

"...and just fuckin' tell him off. Then the other part of me wanted to finish what she started," he says, pointing at his sister. "The fact that little prick needed reconstructive surgery for what, his eye socket and jaw? That was good enough for me."

Rose sighs, "Good, so you didn't do anything stupid."

"Weeeeell," Finn lays an arm across his wife's shoulders, "that depends on what you classify as stupid."

Poe's eyes light up, "Go on…."

"Lord, please give me strength. What did you do, husband?"

"I just said a few unsavory BUT TRUE statements and nowIhavetostayeight-hundredfeetawayfromhim."

"He has a restraining order against you now?!"

Bashfully scratching his neck, Finn gulps, "Yes, but I was just defending your honor, love of my life….my queen….my world."

Rose shakes her head at him, but cannot stop the smile spreading across her face so she kisses him soundly. 

Ben looks at Rey, “So, you both got fired? That doesn't seem kosher.”

Rose comes up for air to quip, “Technically, I walked out with Rey when HR and security came to escort her off the premises. I quit and she was suspended.”

"As if I would still work there after finding out he wasn't reprimanded harsher than me."

"He could have totally sued both of us, but that piece of shit didn't because he'll forever know his ass was handed to him by a woman."

"I'm so sorry that happened to you, Rose. To both of you. Does that asshole still work there?" He asks, settling his mouth beside Rey's ear. 

"He just so happens to be the boss's son."

"Of course he is," Ben rolls his eyes.

"Yeah, our friend Kaydel said he received a 'slap on the wrist' which probably means he has to wait another year for his promotion."

“This shit should have been on the news! I can't believe you both didn't fight back harder,” Poe says in his most disenchanting voice.

Rey sits up from Ben's embrace, in full defense mode, “How exactly were we supposed to prove anything without any goddamn surveillance footage?”

“Yeah, the fucking cowards we spoke to at the law firm advised us NOT to bring the Kin family and their business to trial, especially without any other witnesses or previous victims stepping forward,” Rose angrily mentions as Finn tries to calm her down.

Poe shrugs like an arrogant son of a bitch "Well, that wouldn't have stopped me."

"That's because you're a man and people listen to you, no matter your designation! No one would ever sympathize with Rose when a Female Alpha got involved," Rey glares at him.

Ben's voice booms over Rey's head, grasping her shoulder to bring her back into his chest and directing the question at Poe, "Hey, what'd I say before?"

Throwing up his hands in surrender, Poe air quotes, "You said to not tease Rey when she came out of your little sex den. Nothing was mentioned about staying quiet during story time."

All Ben could do was glare his eyes at Poe, "Just stop aggravating them! You put your two cents in so now knock it off," he tries his best to not shout in Rey's ear and looks down at her apologetically. 

Poe just doesn't know when to quit, "Rey, you told me about your parents and how they never gave up trying to get you back into their family--"

Her eyes dart back over, but Finn has had enough, "Poe! I'd keep my mouth zipped if I were you! Our parents would have encouraged her to do what was best. She doesn't need our family's name to be dragged through the mud in some kind of hideous trial where their corporate lawyers would have had a fucking field day!"

With his hand rubbing her thigh soothingly, Ben whispers from behind while turning her body towards him, "You know...if that shitty situation never happened, you probably wouldn't be here right now."

The weight of his words hit her like a soothing cup of her favorite iced tea.

With a tilt of her head, Rey's eyes dance back and forth, absorbing his strikingly dark orbs from all the red lighting, "I know," she smiles, with her hand touching his jaw right below his ear.

Ben looks down at her lips and back up to her gaze with a teeth baring grin. Swooping down, he brushes his lips against hers and tightens his hold around her waist. Rey slides one hand into that goddamn luxurious hair, tracing his ear again which causes him to shake his head, deepening their kiss with another smile.

When the food arrives, Rey doesn’t even notice until she hears Finn loudly chewing on a cheese dipped pretzel, "Amazing."

In complete awe of Ben, Rose asks, "Did you see how he calms her down…." pointing at Rey first and then at Poe, "....and shuts him up?"

"Oh, both of you can fuck off," Poe throws a fried zucchini stick at them, getting up from the table. "I'm gonna find Zorii."

Rey pulls back from Ben, "Hey! Don't mess with my new friend, Dameron!" 

"You made another new friend?" Rose exclaims, sounding impressed. 

"Yeah, you'll like her. She's a scent reader."

Finn points at the mozzarella sticks on the table, "Look, we got your favorite."

"Yeah, yeah, in a minute," she turns back to Ben, not even glancing at the food.

"Un-be-lieve-able," Rose pops a fried pickle into her mouth.

"Yeah, if I wasn't here and you told me this happened? I'd think I married the world's shortest liar."

Rose pushes his shoulder, "Oh, shut up! I told you and your sister repeatedly that there's someone for everyone out there in the world."

"Who knew she'd turn into a ball of Alpha putty after being introduced to an Omega with an illegal scent?" Finn snickers while dipping an egg roll into some duck sauce. 

"Yeah, but this extra-large Omega also makes Poe run for the hills."

"Shhhhh…don't make any sudden movements. You might spook them and we'll be stuck dealing with Poe on our own tonight."

Before they know it, the tree lighting is in T-minus ninety minutes.

Chapter Text

Bundling up their winter attire, Rey and her friends are trying to exit Captain Phasma’s while a horde of new customers arrive. She throws on her coat and wonders if she'll ever see the inside of this bar again. Just like the bacon-wrapped egg rolls she devoured back in the VIP section, she tries to savor every morsel of Gwen’s impeccable interior design. Her wistful gaze travels about the room, surveying the journey that began at this very spot. The therapeutic atmosphere and rambunctious staff has left a long-lasting impression on the Alpha; and if she’s being quite honest, that titillating dance floor keeps calling her name.

She turns back around to the walking Ent and immediately bites down on her lip. Miss I'm-Always-Going-To-Be-Alone sidles right up against the towering redwood as if she's been doing this for years. After deliberately hiding in plain sight for so long, it feels like the storm is finally beginning to settle and she can see a glimmer of light. What resides in that light may be unknown for now, but she’s willing to throw all caution to the wind and embrace it. 

Covering up a coy smile, Rey props her forehead against Ben’s shoulder as he reaches back for her thigh, squeezing it twice in acknowledgement of their close proximity. She slips an arm around his midsection and nestles the side of her face into the soft threading of his sweater. Her new happy place. 

A wintry mix permeates from his body; wafts of cool peppermint every time he exhales and warm cedar whenever he brushes a hand through his wavy tresses. Inhaling deeply through her nose, the spicy-citrus blend tickles at the back of her throat. Her eyes dart around for a distraction and land on her favorite couple. 

Finn just placed a sweet and tender kiss on his wife's crown. Upon noticing Rey's stare, he lifts an eyebrow and waits for one of her snarky comments, but it never comes. There's no way she can tease the couple, not when the entire front of her body is crushed up against this human shield in a similar fashion to how they first met; minus the strollers from hell.

Finn nudges his wife and Rey prays they don't call attention to her and Ben. The smile spreading across Rose's face is borderline embarrassing. 

Their pace slows down as the queue of bar-goers comes to a complete halt. It doesn't help ease her issues of PDA when Ben lifts their entwined hands and kisses hers twice, placing it against his beating heart. 

"Aaaaaaawwwwwww!" Both Finn and Rose gush out loud, causing an inquisitive Ben to look over at them then down at Rey perched below his shoulder. 

Grumbling a pitiful shut up in their direction, Rey can feel her mouth begin to salivate and pinches her lips together, trying to assuage the tremble in her breaths.

Ben detects it right away, "Hey, how far are we again?"

With the world's most dramatic eye-roll, Poe exhales, "Dude, you've lived in the city your whole life….AND not to mention, your lovely, vivacious mother works like three….blocks north of—"

Just before he ends his sentence, Rey is visibly seen unclenching her fist from Ben's chest and blowing out a relieved stream of air.

"OH—Reeeeeal funny! Using me again! You guys are the fuckin' worst," the fed-up Omega spins around.

Ben laughs out loud, "What! It's not our fault your dimwitted mouth is some kind of sexual deterrent!" Slipping his arm around Rey's waist, he continues, "It could be a side hustle. Now you can open your own business, and instead of banking on the scents market, record your voice and other annoying shit. Just brand it as a new, all-natural way of combating flare-ups in public places." He fishes out the peppermint vial from his coat pocket and hands it to Rey.

Rose catches her attention with a know-it-all grin and mouths, "There's someone for everyone." 

The Alpha tries to hide her smile with her hand as she dabs that minty goodness beneath each nostril.

Ben and Poe continue to argue when her eyes meander to the dance floor again. Under that perpetual crimson glow and through a sea of writhing bodies, something peculiar catches her off guard. A very tall man with waves of dark, dark hair shifts into view. She stares for an unhealthy amount of time, registering the way his body moves….just like….

Ben.

A breathy flow of air slowly escapes from her slackened jaw. She looks upwards at the extra-large Omega glued to her front and then back at the man out on the dance floor. 

It’s uncanny. 

Did he forget to mention having a twin?

Fixated on his doppelganger’s movements, Rey hazily follows the way his shoulders dip and roll with the music’s beat. The man’s large frame hunches down a bit, obviously dancing with someone slightly shorter with chestnut-colored hair. In a mixed state of bewilderment and adulation, Rey continues to whip back and forth between Ben now chatting with her brother and the mysterious figure about ten yards away. 

Maybe Omegas like Ben really grow around here like trees….

They both share identical profiles, right down to their perfect noses, ears, and lips….lips so full and noticeably swollen, grazing along the curvature of a feminine cheekbone. 

She forces herself to blink several times in quick succession just making sure her brain isn’t playing tricks on her and replacing every man in this bar with dozens upon dozens of Ben Solos.

Jesus Christ.

Her body wouldn't be able to handle the overstimulation.

This couple still has yet to completely turn in Rey’s direction, so all she can do is continue to observe them from afar. One minute, they are gently swaying with the woman’s back to her male counterpart’s front, completely ensconced in their own little world. And then, this brazen female literally takes matters into her own hands by firmly gripping his hair, angling their heads in such a way to align their lips just right. 

Time is at a standstill as he leans in every so slowly, parting his lips, inching closer and closer to the woman's hidden face. If Rey was sitting down, she surely would be on the edge of her seat. 

The holiday music currently playing in the background is barely recognizable as the bass pounds heavily throughout the bar, sounding distorted as if the DJ had begun to play it at half the speed.

Rey finds herself explicitly invested now and if she’s not careful with her unwavering stare, she could accidentally awaken a beastly rut. Although it’s been dormant for almost a decade, today’s excitement plus her waning Vitamin D could potentially be catastrophic. Holding in her breath, she watches as the man surprisingly stops, his mouth just hovering over the woman’s awaiting lips.

In a state of confusion, Rey scrutinizes this period of hesitation with every fiber of her being.

He's definitely not a Beta. So which one could he be? An Alpha or Omega??

About eighty-five percent of the time, a person's designation status can correctly be presumed by physical appearance alone. Their demeanor around others most certainly gets taken into account, especially the way each person carries themselves in the public eye. That doesn't mean you can never evolve as a person. You may not be able to fight against nature, but your designation also does not define you. 

The overconfidence oozing from this man is purely apex predator behavior; someone who enjoys teasing the “lesser” designation before going in for the jugular. On the other hand, this possible Omega may be one of the most considerate humans alive, giving his dance partner the freedom of choice.

The petite woman hungrily surges forward, now in full view as she rises up on her tiptoes to kiss that goddamn smirk off his pale, angular face.

Fuck, she looks like….

Rey slowly peels herself off Ben’s sweater. Her eyes are the size of saucers, bulging out of their sockets. It's as if someone suddenly siphoned all of the oxygen from the room. She hears a song playing in the background, one she has heard a few times already today.

‘Cause I want you here tonight,

A large shadow ripples across the bar, engulfing the sea of people like a tidal wave. For some reason, it doesn't reach the couple. Instead, a dazzling beam of light illuminates them at the epicenter. 

Holding onto me so tight….

It’s….it’s her and Ben. 

What more can I do?

Rey ghosts a fingertip along her lonely bottom lip, traveling the same route as doppelganger Ben on the dance floor. His rousing tongue licks into her eager mouth over and over. On the sideline, she finds herself squeezing her thighs together at the sight of this Omega taking control of their kiss; practically dislodging his jaw to taste more of her.

Baby, all I want for Christmas is you….

Dance-floor Rey obscenely throws back her head, allowing the Omega full access to the slim column of her neck. She vividly remembers that moment feeling way too much and not enough all at once. A startling moan ricochets across the dance floor from her identical twin.

What the fuck is happening?

Am I dead?

Dance-floor Ben nips around her mating gland with his mouth.

Rey feels herself shiver just watching from afar.

Yeah, I must be.

She's almost mirroring her dance-floor self; both versions breathing heavily with their jaws hanging open, one out of shock and the other in pure ecstasy.

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

She cannot believe the audacious moment replaying before her eyes; simply due to the fact that even though it may feel like an out-of-body experience, this actually just happened about an hour ago.

Viewing herself from this angle feels quite invasive but also invigorating. She seldom fancied such acts of intimacy, even in privacy. It always felt like a chore; bringing herself or previous partners to climax. Her true abhorrence came out whenever complete strangers; or worse, certain family and friends, subjected her to public displays of affection. In all honesty, Rey avoided PDA at all costs much to the dismay of her exes. Sometimes, if she was surprised by a kiss or sudden embrace, a small voice from within would cry out NO! She never understood where it came from, but listened to it every single time by either discreetly leaning away or flat out cringing in their faces. 

If Rey somehow fucked with the space time continuum, and the anti-omelette version of herself from eight hours ago just happens to appear from thin air, she surmises time travel would be easier to explain than the Dance Floor Finger Jam she partakes in the middle of a packed club. This wanton disposition is completely unlike her; the polar opposite actually. Never in her life has she ever felt the urge to let go of all her inhibitions and diffidence for anyone. 

But Ben’s not just anyone, is he? 

It didn’t matter who she was with or how pleasing their scent was to her entire life force. There was just never an urge to grope or be fondled out in public, even though it was socially acceptable for Alphas to take and do as they please. 

She zips her coat up all the way while turning her gaze for the nine-hundredth time to view this remarkable walking tree. 

Ben Solo is an enigma. 

An extremely sweet and sensual, sasquatch-sized Omega whose scents swirled into her world and turned it utterly upside down. Rey feels incredibly thankful that the universe has decided to unveil Ben now, during one of the lowest points in her life.

There may be hope after all.

If he was only there for all the other low points, she reflects. 

It takes everything inside her to peel her gaze away from one Ent to the other.

A rush of air escapes from Rey’s parted lips as dance-floor Ben slides his large hand up her abdomen and grazes the undersides of both her breasts in almost one grip. She feels herself fully blushing, knowing damn well what happens next when her own hand latches onto his wrist then guides his fuckable palm beneath her jeans. That sinful mouth of his softly drags across her skin and leaves a minty trail right up to her unsuspecting earlobe. At that moment in time, Rey remembers, Phasma’s fresh peppermint was the only recognizable scent she could decode. But now, after Zorii’s reading, she can confirm Mandarin Oranges and that forbidden Tonka Bean were both present. 

Their special spotlight suddenly intensifies in brightness, forcing Rey to shield her eyes. It ruptures into a majestic cloud of smoke, radiating a warmth that seeps into every layer of her skin. As all the bar attendees fully reappear, she glances around to see if any of them were affected or at least had witnessed that phenomenon.

Nope, not a single person.

The sudden burst of Ben’s laughter brings her back to her circle of friends. “Just like that?”

Rose is wiping tears from her eyes, “Yup, that’s all it took!”

She wants to know what has everyone cracking up, but judging from Ben’s wry smile and Finn’s signature guffaw, it was probably at her expense. Instead of becoming aggravated as usual, Rey wraps herself around the Omega and props her chin upon his giant shoulder. What is it about this man and why was she just as obsessed with him from behind as she was with his front? If she isn’t careful, walking behind him will be a fucking safety hazard, especially if they happen to hike up a cliff; she'd be a goner. 

“You enjoy flashing men for food?” He asks while peering over his shoulder.

“I sure do,” she states matter-of-factly.

“Oh, is that so?” Turning around to face her head-on, Ben has a full smile plastered on his face. “I may need to test out this theory.”

Before Rey even notices, she’s grabbing both of his hands and hooks them around her lower back. With a tilt of her head, she asks, “Do you own a taco truck?”

Clearly not following this inquiry, Ben cocks his eyebrow, “Um, no.”

"Are you from Guatemala?" Rey keeps one hand over his two large mitts at the base of her spine and uses the other to brush an invisible piece of lint off the front of his sweater.

"No."

Her fingers spread out and gently massage circles between his amazing tits. “Hmmm….does your name happen to be Fernando?” She asks while flirtatiously batting her lashes at him. 

“No….” He grips all ten of his digits into her taut ass, “....I’m sensing we have a slight dilemma here.” 

The motion brings them impossibly closer with Rey once again on her tiptoes. She's certain the saliva pooling in her mouth is due to Ben’s semi-hard and hefty member pressing into her upper thigh. Running a delicate hand over his pinkish gland and up to his neck, she clicks her tongue, “Your senses are correct, Benjamin .” 

He closes his eyes for a minute, breathing in her vanilla and floral scent. Before he even opens them back up, Rey cups both sides of his face and plants light kisses atop his eyelids and nose, and just when she’s about to reach his mouth, Ben pulls her flush against his chest and smashes his lips against hers; finally stealing a kiss.

“POE! We need the assistance of your de-boning skills!”

“They’re not hearing us….at ALL!”

"Alright, people! Enough with the tonsil hockey!" 

“You’re gonna have to do better than that, Dameron.”

The designation-soothing agents must be less effective while approaching the front door. The twirly effects of Phasma's delicious mojito and Flying Solo are both proving to be a wonderfully disastrous combination.

Even though Poe is barking at them, Rey pulls back smiling like an idiot and much to her relief, so is Ben. 

He tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, “If I purchased a food truck tonight, will that resolve this issue with my name not being Fernando?”

“Oi! Anything to get a flash of these little bosoms.”

Ben drops his gaze to her chest and then cracks a smirk, “I plan on more than just seeing them, Rey.” 

An insatiable warmth floods her body as he teases another promise for tonight through those devilish lips. She pecks them before he’s torn away by Poe.

“You guys are gonna practice social distancing for the next two hours! After that, you can go fuck like rabbits on top of any NYPD patrol car for all I care.” Poe purposefully whips his scarf into Finn's face, "We're super fuckin' late! Chop chop!" 

And just like that, the pulsating vaginal muscles deep down inside Rey are completely extinguished. She sighs in relief. There’s no time to fool around right now. Her brother shoots the Omega one hell of a death glare, filling her with pride until he follows up with a terrible Bruce Lee impersonation.

It won't be an easy task, but she'll have to focus all of her energy on getting through the next couple of hours near Ben with barely a drop of Vitamin D left in her system. She lifts her gaze up to the ceiling asking all forces of the universe for help, but then remembers their sexy ice-capades happened on the second floor. Surely, Gwen has some magical potion stashed away for such eccentricities, otherwise, her office is forever marked with Rey’s floral essence.

Poe stomps his foot and claps in between each word, " CHOP! CHOP!"

"Fuck man, why are you so goddamn annoying?" Ben's voice booms.

"Babe," Finn pouts while raising his two hands, already strapped in those fancy ski-gloves. His wife lets out a chuckle and helps zip up the winter coat he forgot to secure first.

Rey can still honestly say those two are the absolute cutest Alpha-Omega couple to grace the Earth, but as she side-eyes Ben walking a few feet away from her, also stealing little glances himself; she's beginning to think there may be some new competition in town. 

Finally, they reach the front entrance with Phasma’s bouncer stationed at the door. The second he opens it, both siblings gasp at the frigid air blasting into their faces; eyeballs instantly crying out in pain.

"Oooooooohhhh hell no!!" Finn yells as a stream of white clouds billow from his gaping mouth.

"Nope, screw your social distancing, Poe," Rey shrieks as she runs over to Ben and jumps into his arms trying to face away from the Arctic air. 

"Well, that lasted a lot longer than I thought. At least the cold air will help keep your body temps down, ya horn dogs!" Poe blows out a long breath, watching it disappear into the night. “Come on, it's not so bad.”

"I agree with Poe, for once!"

Every head swivels in Rose's direction.

"Are you—Honey, how many scarves do you have on?" Finn hollers, "Come here, my little Eskimo!"

Ben nudges Rey's shoulder which is being pressed into his face, "Sooo, I heard you enjoyed brunch earlier today."

Smiling, Rey peers down at him, "Mhmm, I did." She tugs his beanie lower to keep his precious ears warm. "Why do you ask?"

"Well, Poe made a comment before on how you ate everything except for his food."

"Except for his food??" Both brows furrow as she hops out of his embrace, "Okay, so I may have skipped over the omelets, but I did try everything else. What a bloody wanker," Rey states in a huff.

"Guys! Why do we keep stopping?"

Up ahead, it seems as though an impatient Poe is about to throw a tantrum.

Rose gestures to the words flashing above them and on the other side of the street, "Because the sign has the DO NOT CROSS hand , genius!"

"Rey." Taking one long stride, Ben positions himself in front of her, walking backwards along the sidewalk. "You only ate the food that I prepared."

Poe furiously points at the city's hanging tri-colored traffic light, "This is RED which means," gesturing wildly over at the car idling beside them, "HE CANNOT TURN!"

She grabs onto his wrist when they reach the street corner and their friends, pulling him to a full stop, "Wait, seriously?"

"One-hundred percent," he smiles. "Poe asked me to help him out since he was picking you guys up from the airport and I was already working late last night."

"Oh my God, Ben," shaking her head in wonder, "You made that amazing quiche? And those like Nutella doughnuts?"

"I did," he shyly scratches the back of his neck, "So, it's not just one of his over exaggerations?"

"Everything was heavenly! I didn’t speak for over an hour because I was on Cloud Nine savoring every bite—Oh shit! I guess it makes sense; the way I reacted on Fifth Avenue. You still smelled just like those doughnuts!"

He chuckles as they start crossing the intersection, "I baked those earlier today so they'd taste fresh, but the rest was prepared last night."

Pat yourself on the back, Rey. You haven't proposed yet with all this food talk….

Fuck!

"Uhhh….one second," she pecks his lips and jogs over to Rose, "Girl, we need to talk." She looks over at her brother who hasn't moved from his wife's side. "Finn? Do you mind?"

Pretending to be hurt, he presses a gloved hand to his chest, "What, am I not cool enough to be privy to girl talk anymore?"

"Um, you never were to begin with, so move along," she swipes her hand through the air. 

"Fine! I'll just hang back with my dudes."

She shoots him a sour look, "Don't call them your dudes, you sound like an idiot."

Rose hooks her arm through Rey's, "What's up, babes?"

Speaking with her voice at a lower volume, Reys inches her head closer to her friend, "Remember when I jokingly said if anyone scented me today, I'd get down on one knee?" 

"Haha, tell me you didn't."

"No!" Rey nervously gnaws on her lip and looks back at Ben for a second, "You gotta help me just get that crazy thought out of my head."

"Rey, I'm losing blood circulation in my arm."

"Sorry! Sorry….it's just….it's crossed my mind a few times already. What if I blurt it out and scare him away?? I don't think I'm even ready for that kind of commitment right now. We live across the bloody country and just met, dammit! He—he can't—there's no way he could be ready to deal with me."

"Okay, hold up. I heard what he said to you back at the bar. Wanting the best and worst parts of you ," her smile slowly drops, "Do you think it's an act? I know you've been in a similar situation before….are there red flags?"

"No, not at all. Quite the opposite actually."

"The opposite?"

"Yeah, I see myself holding up a white flag, surrendering to these feelings and to him. I fell to one knee on our way here and almost completely shut down at just the implication of proposing."

"Let me get this straight. You found an Omega—"

"Well, he found me," Rey interrupts. 

Rose squints up at her dense friend, "You scented an irresistible Omega who drives you wild; to the point where you tried squaring off with another Alpha twice your size, and—"

Rey interrupts again, "Did Ben tell you about that?"

"No, Gwen had mentioned the poor guy was dealing with a little firecracker upstairs and I just pieced it all together."

"Okay fine, perhaps I was a little jealous of her being drop-dead gorgeous and not to mention her powerful Alpha presence, but I got over that hurdle and apologized to both of them. It's just—" Rey throws her arms out, clearly frustrated. 

"Sweetie, it's perfectly fine to be nervous. I bet he is just as worried as you are with these feelings."

She peeks over her shoulder again at Ben who fucking winks in her direction. "I don't think he is.” 

"Yeah, I totally lied just then to make you realize that on your own—OW-ah! And you're wearing mittens!" Rose yelps after being brutally pinched. 

“Back there when we were leaving, I had this strange moment and kinda—I don't know how to explain what I saw, but it was like….a sexual epiphany.”

“Ah, yes, the best kind. Continue….”

"You know how I've been allergic to PDA since you've known me?"

"Yes, of course.”

“Being with Ben is just….so different. I never understood why you people couldn't keep your hands off each other, but I think I get it now. That moment on the dance floor, I saw myself letting go and now I don't give a fuck who watches or sees me. The fact he exists, that he chooses to be by my side, feels incredible."

“Wow….well, look at you, Rey! You’re positively glowing,” Rose shakes her head in wonderment. “I’d bet my entire Lisa Frank sticker collection that you knotted earlier.” She grabs the Alpha’s arm in excitement. “You did, didn’t you!” 

“I’m not one to kiss and tell, but—”

“Oh, my God!” She all but screeches out loud for Rey to shush her, “Okay, okay, you don’t have to tell me now, but you’re gonna have to later! AH this is so excitinggg!! "

"Can you focus?"

"Alright! I think the universe is sending you a sign that everything is going to be okay. We all know your last boyfriend was a major asshole, but Ben doesn't seem like that at all. I know my matchmaking skills have backfired a few times—"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Can you repeat that for everyone sitting in the nose bleeds?"

Rose dramatically sighs, "I am not the best matchmaker."

"The truth shall set you freeeee !"

"Fuck off! I was just trying to help you out!"

"By repeatedly throwing Poe at me? You didn’t stop! I told you I wasn’t interested while taste testing cakes, during your damn bouquet toss and then weeks after the honeymoon!!"

"Sweetie, you had given up all hope and kept dating asshole Betas. It was never my intention to make your life more difficult. For some reason, you don’t believe you deserve to be happy….but you do! Someone as amazing as you deserves a soul bond so strong and powerful and-and, okay to be fair….Poe is no way like Dominic or Anton. He's just….Poe. And we all know that now."

Rey lets out a short chuckle before her self-doubting frown returns, dropping her head down.

The Omega reaches over and gently lifts her friend's face upwards. "Hey, you said it yourself; Ben found you ….in one of the busiest cities in the world! I had nothing to do with this little meet-cute," she shakes her head. "I see him, Rey. I see him with you and….girrrrl, when you decide to scale that human Alp, just grab that pole and mount his summit."

Rey laughs again, "Let's pretend you're not shagging my brother. As an Omega, what exactly are you expecting from your Alpha?"

"My stars!! Rey Kenobi, are you asking me for heat advice??"

"Yes and I’d appreciate this NOT being broadcasted throughout the city!" She grits through her teeth. "I haven’t fully…. knotted around a man before.”

“That has to be the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Well, my experience with a male Omega going in heat is non-existent. Iden was very creative with foreplay but she never used strap-ons to get me off. Thankfully, that one crashed and burned after a few months. She always smelled wonderful after working a shift at that Italian bakery, remember?"

"Aww Iden, the polygamist. I wonder how many sister wives she has now."

"She honestly wasn't crazy in the beginning! Although, now that I think about it, her scent barely tickled my fancy. After reading and hearing stories about soul bonding, I really have no idea what to expect."

"Okay, well what are we talkin' exactly? Like when I go in heat and need my version of vitamin D or it's a Netflix and chill kinda night?"

Rey scrunches her nose, "I guess, both?" She shrugs, “Before today, I've only attracted members of the opposite sex in Beta-form. When Ben crossed my path earlier, I thought that beastly man was an Alpha! I was so confused.”

"You weren’t alone!” Rose touches her sister-in-law's elbow, "Remember how your body reacted earlier? Like a raging inferno?"

"That's one way to describe it."

"It's gonna be much worse for him after taking injections for so long."

"Oi! Is this supposed to be helpful??" Rey’s voice squeaks out.

"I'm sorry, did you not want the gory details? He may not even go in a real heat for days or weeks. You just need to be there and take care of him. Think of how you’d want to be treated.”

"Right, of course."

"You need to prepare for when his penis swells and changes color."

“THAT HAPPENS?”

Thoughts of little Benny and poor Ben both in excruciating pain sends Rey reeling. She’s trying her best to not let these images scare her off, but packing up her shit and flying back to California seems more plausible. What exactly would she be going back to though? Besides her brother and Rose, she had nothing; no job, no other friends, no parents. The thought of taking the easy way out just seemed like the best escape plan. 

The air feels dense all of a sudden, prickling her skin with its shifting pressure. She rubs a mitten-covered hand over the base of her neck when a creepy, low-sounding moan slinks up from behind. The guys are walking several paces back, but there is no one else around matching the menaced whispers when she surveys the area. Slightly disoriented, Rey returns her attention to Rose who is still speaking.

“He could be in agony for hours….ten times worse than his very first heat....”

Then the gurgling voice becomes a little more clear, but still distorted as it starts spewing out everything she's been worrying over.

You’re not a ssssstrong Alpha….you can't take care of yourssssself orrrr anyone….

Rose's lips are moving but Rey can only catch bits and pieces as she walks with her head hung low, hiding the tears pricking both corners of her eyes. She pulls her scarf up and over her nose in order to somewhat hide her stuttering breaths. Tonight's cold, cold temperatures will either help keep the waterworks at bay or freeze icicles down her face. 

You're not worthyyyy of a Beta let alone an Omegaaaa….

Any time Rose happens to look in her direction, she forces herself to nod; pretending to understand, even though she's internally struggling with this hostile takeover.

“Don’t be put off by….you know," she pauses, "his girth! He's a big guy, so I can only imagine the monster he’s packing between his legs.” Rose covers her own mouth and giggles into a gloved hand.

At the same time, this phantom voice is menacingly cackling along with her friend.

Not even Ben Solooooo….

She pinches the bridge of her nose in what seems like some sort of stress reliever from Rose’s perspective.

“Hey, just talk to him and get through all the awkward shit. I can't tell you what to say; that’s gotta come from you. So don't hold back what you're feeling and just…. be with him ."

That last part catches Rey’s attention and she slowly repeats it more to herself, “Be with him?”

"Yeah, let him know he’s not alone.”

“Be with him.”

“And remember, you’re there to help him and ultimately figure out soul bonding.”

As Rey focuses on her new mantra, that horrid voice momentarily fades away. She inhales a long, steady breath, "Okay, well I think we've gotten past the awkward stage already."

"One….I need those details and two, before any boning occurs, please talk about protection. According to Poe, Benny Boy hasn’t been laid in quite some time, but you still should know when that monster-truck-sized stick shift was last serviced." 

A slow smirk appears across the Alpha’s face as she fights to confirm her friend’s canonical description of Little Benny; also known as Moley Dick. “Well, you got ‘monster’ right.”

“Dammit, Rey! Did you hear a word I said before the mention of his cock—it’s ginormous, isn’t it?” Rose grabs onto Rey’s forearm, “Don’t lie, I've seen his hands! Am I right? No, no! I don’t need to know….”

The Alpha shakes her head at Rose’s feigning disinterest.

"Alright, let’s be serious and stop dicking around for a moment.”

Both females burst into laughter; Rey’s pressing both hands into the cheeks of her face while Rose is wiping tears away. “Whew!!! Oh my God, okay, okay….” The Omega takes a deep breath, “I really like him, Rey, but you don't know how many partners that massive man has had in the past. Get to know each other some more and talk yourselves through all the…. hard parts ,” she wiggles her brows with a pervy chuckle.

"You just couldn’t help yourself,” Rey laughs.

“Nope!” Rose suddenly drops her voice to a whisper, "So, I do this thing where Finn calls me Rosie the Riveter—"

"NOOOOO, GOD NO!!!" Rey clamps her hands over both ears and runs back over to the guys. "Alright, brother, go back to your wife." Rey shudders, "I'm never calling her Rosie again."

"Oooooooohhhhhh!!" Finn practically chest bumps himself in the air. "I'm so fuckin' happy you're not staying in our hotel room cuz now WE CAN DO IT! All. Night. Longggg!" He runs over to Rose and throws her over his shoulder, leaving everyone confused as the tiny Omega squeals in delight.

"W-w-wait—Rosie, Rosie, Rosie…." The wheels are visibly spinning in Poe's head as he repeats her name again and again.

Ben chuckles, "As in Rosie the Riveter????" 

When it dawns on Poe, his jaw drops, "Ho-o-ly shit, Finn! Buddy!" He calls out to the couple as they enter the 34th Street gates. "Good for you, ya dirty dog!!"

“Uh, hello? That’s my brother. Can we please change the subject?”

Shaking his head, Poe's dark eyebrows shoot up, “No way, Sunshine! This is too good!” Then he's running to catch up with Finn and Rose asking if she prefers face-to-face or reverse cowgirl style. 

Scowling, Rey shuffles onward while crossing her arms, "Bloody gits!"

A pair of arms unexpectedly wrap around her from behind, propelling the Alpha’s entire body back as her heels scrape against the pavement.

"Wha—" She tries to wiggle free from this vice-like grip, but the arms just tighten even more, pinning down her limbs.

She's trapped.

A deep, velvety voice gently whispers, "Do freshly baked doughnuts make you weak in the knees, my little Alpha?"

An appropriate reaction to this ridiculous question should have been a sassy retort or even the middle finger. Instead, Rey is shaking, completely petrified and unable to move her body as wave after suffocating wave crashes down and stuns her. 

"Little Alpha…."

A seismic shudder ripples through her body. She throws her head back and inhales one last icy breath, freezing her insides as her churning stomach feels like it's about to regurgitate those savory doughnuts.

"….quiet girl and don’t make a sound…."

Her head begins to pound, slow at first then much faster; beating in time with her pulse. That fucking voice chills her to the bone.

This is not good…..not good at all.

She can hear other voices of those passing by along the sidewalk, but they might as well be speaking underwater. There's no way she could tell if anyone has noticed her distressed state. Not her friends up ahead. Not even Ben. 

"Do you feel how hard I am for you, little Alpha?"

Like a kick in the gut, some ungodly force is attacking her senses with a ferocity she cannot endure. 

Every sound around her rushes forward. 

Every light source intensifies. 

She squeezes her eyes shut as the blaring car horns and city-life chatter no longer exist; instantaneously disappearing into the vacuum of space. Rey is met with a frazzled Ben when she squints her eyes open, dreading this new mind-numbing world. His frantic hands are roaming over her face, cupping her jaw, then squeezing parts of her shoulders, arms, and fingers. She can see his mouth moving rapidly, but his words are inaudible. 

In a series of flashes, the intersecting avenues which surround them on all sides begin to flicker as if the power grid was being shut down street by street. The final image before everything goes dark is Ben mouthing her name.

It feels as though the Earth has tumbled off its axis and she’s now free-falling into oblivion. In the midst of this catastrophic event, Rey is attempting to grasp at her surroundings but she is met with dead air.

Down, down, down she falls until finally hitting something cold and solid. The only sound that can be heard is from a tiny bed that looks miles away, but it’s actually a perfectly sized mattress for a toddler, not the pre-teen crying with the dingy striped blanket pulled up to her nose.

"One-quarter portions for the rest of the week.”  

Rey shudders at that gritty, distinguishable voice. It belonged to a blobby, poor excuse of a man who fostered her around the age of twelve. As she watches this monster smear his spend on the bedroom wall, a choked sound falls from the Alpha’s quivering lips. Months of torment and abuse bombard her all at once as Pandora’s box of nightmares unleashes its fury upon her. For over a decade, she somehow managed to repress these perturbations to the furthest corners of her mind. Deep down, she always knew that the heavily guarded area was left alone for a reason and never dared to ever go near it; eventually convinced herself that none of these things really happened to her and the other foster children in that bastard’s care.

“Perform better next week and you’ll be rewarded with half portions."

The room reeked of his festering body odor and her floral essence soaking the bed sheets, completely unaware and too innocent to know what any of it meant. All her younger self knew was that she had to clean everything up otherwise she would lose those quarter portions by the morning. 

No no no no….NO!! It’s not possible!! Rey screams into the darkness. It wasn’t REAL!

The frightened girl bolts upright in bed, grasping her tear-stained pillow to her chest. Tears of fury are now trailing down the older Alpha’s face with these unwanted evocations, these despicable acts of a true villain. She cringes while remembering his cigar-stained teeth and stale beer-coated tongue that he would use on her adolescent body. How exactly did she manage to survive through all of that? She wasn’t strong enough back then to stop him, so how could she even fight against this sinister force now?

The air inside this memory is becoming thick and heavy, as if an ominous cloud just dropped from the obsidian sky to eradicate Rey from existence. At the same time, she and her younger self both start coughing on the invisible fumes entering their lungs and it’s quite painful. Sensing that this could be the end for both of them, two sets of hazel eyes meet one last time before whisperings of farewell. Rey watches her younger self clutch the heart-shaped locket from around her frail little neck and gut-wrenchingly rasps out the words: 

The belonging….y-you seek….is not behind you….it-it is ahead.

With a gasp, she touches her own locket and begins falling again. Her beautiful family flashes before her eyes; Obi-Wan and Satine, Finn and Rose, even Poe. Other faces of people she has met over the years that positively impacted her life, also breeze on by, making her heart soar.

As she takes in a fresh breath of air, Rey’s reminded of the dangerously potent cloud from earlier in the day; the one full of sweet and spicy nutmeg, raspberries, chocolate, and cedar.

Ben.

“Sweetheart, look at me! Come on, open your eyes!”

His voice quivers, pleading with her over and over until she finally comes back down to Earth. It feels like her body is levitating, but it's just Ben carrying her along the bustling sidewalk. When he notices her head slightly move, he reaches out with a hand and tilts her face in his direction. 

“Oh, thank God,” he sighs. Adjusting his grip on her drooping form, “Can you walk?” She whispers a small yes and grips onto his arm as Ben slowly plants both of her feet firmly on the slushy asphalt. “That’s it, Rey,” he soothes, “You’re okay, my little Alp—”

With every ounce of energy she could muster, Rey whips completely around and captures his chin between her fingers. 

"L-L-Listen to me right now, Ben Solo." 

Even though their height difference is almost half of a foot, she makes sure they are as close to eye level as possible. The confusion across his face doesn’t help as she struggles to keep her jaw from trembling; terrified of what she’s about to do. Under a panicked breath, her gaze stares at his perfect set of lips smushed in her hand. The urge to just kiss him senseless overwhelms her, but some seriously suppressed bullshit needs to be addressed before she implodes. 

"Without divulging anymore about my past tonight…." Narrowing her eyes to almost slits, she invades his personal space while grappling to keep both legs steady, "....you will never — and I mean ever — call me….” She chokes back a sob, “.... little Alpha ." Several giant tears drip down her face, "Do y-you understand?"

All the Omega can do is obediently nod his head at her command, his adam's apple bobs against the side of her wrist with a nervous swallow. Ben averts his gaze to the ground immediately after she removes her hand; almost as if he's too scared to breathe without permission.

"What have I done….I-I'm so sorry," she cries.

The fact it only took about two hours to go against her word and use that Alpha compulsion on him fills her with complete and utter shame. Rey pulls up her faux-fur trimmed hood and spins on her heel, squeezing through every narrow gap within the crowd. A sweet and spicy breeze faintly whispers her name. In her haste, Rey misses the first step that leads up to the Rockefeller entrance and stumbles in front of a couple of officers stationed along the crowd controlling barriers. 

“Miss, are you okay?” 

DOES IT LOOK LIKE I’M OKAY!?

One of the men in uniform reaches out for her elbow, “Here, let me help you."

“Oh, um….thank you….” Rey grips onto his extended arm for leverage and stands upright, reading the name printed on his uniform, “....Officer Kestis.” He smiles politely at her, but the look of concern etched across his freckled features cannot be hidden. She can tell that he has something else to say, perhaps addressing her fall or maybe something completely different.

His partner approaches them, "Are you lost or did you lose someone in the crowd?" 

“Mhmm….” She sniffles with a meek nod of her head at the dark-haired officer.

You have no idea.

Luckily enough for Rey, the cold temperature was an easy scapegoat for her teary eyes and runny nose if they decided to ask any more questions. 

“This event runs smoothly every year, but I know it can be extremely overwhelming. Since you don’t sound like you’re from around here,” the man with a full goatee continues, “I’m sure if you stand by the entrance, you’ll find your friend in no time.” 

Expertly masking her emotional state, “Oh, that won’t be necessary. My brother and his wife just entered a couple of minutes ago.” She points up the staircase raising her brows in a joking manner, “you may have seen an idiot carrying a petite woman like a caveman.” Rey then demonstrates by pretending to lug a sack of potatoes.

“Yeah, I think we saw them, right Kanan?” Officer Kestis props both hands on his hips, "that short couple?"

"Sure did. Had to give 'em the ol’ stare down and your sister-in-law went from smacking him upside the head to holding out her arm to be escorted up the staircase,” Officer Jarrus chuckles. "No need for medics to jam up the sidewalk on a night like this.”

Rey smiles beneath her scarf. The reigning cutest Alpha-Omega couple ever.

“I don’t mean to overstep, but I couldn’t help notice your scent is a bit heightened. Are you sure everything is okay?”

With a roll of his eyes, Kanan snickers, "You just can't help yourself, can ya, Cali?"

Rey speaks up, “My blockers have been waning and I made the poor decision to not bring any extras with me.”

“Oh, would you look at that? Another female Alpha in our midst."

"Dang, I usually have a stash for Merrin, but not when I'm on the job."

"Cal, even if you did, how would you know if hers worked on another Alpha?"

"That's true…."

Rey takes a quick gander over her shoulder and the view is more heart-breaking than she’ll ever admit. Ben hasn't moved a muscle. He's just swaying there amongst the crowd like the loneliest tree in the middle of a lively forest….and she just fucking fled the scene after carving her initials into his perfectly thick and flawless bark.

Officer Kestis follows her gaze and when Rey notices, she numbly averts her eyes, ultimately choosing to free Ben Solo from her tumultuous life. He doesn’t deserve to be subjected to whatever the fuck is happening to her and this apparent fifteen-year-old case of PTSD.

“Well—uh, thank you again for helping me.”

“Wait, Miss? I know the holidays can be pretty rough for many of us, so just—hang in there. It may seem like all hope’s been lost, but when—when you establish that support system of people who love and care for you….it makes life less depressing.”

“Jesus, Cal.”

“What! I’m just trying to say when you ask for help, that things do get better.”

Not one to lie, especially in front of law enforcement, Rey adjusts her scarf across her face and nods her head in somewhat agreement. She thanks them again with a small wave and sets out to locate her family.

There's simply not enough time in this life for the kind of help I need.

A million things are running through her mind as she angrily wipes away the tears. 

How can she ask for help when all it will do is bring back that pain and suffering? Every other memory and nightmare from that time will become real after a decade of keeping it hidden for self-preservation.

Deep down, I knew my baggage wouldn’t just fit into some overhead storage compartment. How selfish am I to even think that someone as amazing as Ben should be subjected to my trauma? To ask him to help carry this load? I’d need a barge or steam engine! He’s better off without me….everyone is. Have I learned nothing!?

He will have to find a way to understand they simply were not meant to be; perhaps, their fateful introduction was to only trigger her dreadful past. To show her she was truly meant to be alone. Ending this before they actually mated, before Ben was trapped in an unhappy union with a sad excuse of an Alpha, made the most sense.

This is the way.

She refuses to be the one that forces Ben into doing anything against his will. 

Through her watery gaze, the unlit Rockefeller tree comes into view and it's simply magnificent, taking away what was left of her breath in between her soft whimpers. Its sheer size is unbelievable as thousands have gathered in the area to catch a glimpse, take selfies, or in Rey's case: reminisce about her family's yearly tradition.

Her head slightly spins as every scent swirls around her, igniting a stabbing migraine from all the aromas. She leans over a cement divider and grabs a handful of napkins from a pretzel vendor, stuffing several in her pockets while blowing her nose. After discarding the used tissue, she plugs each nostril with the paper product and lifts her scarf to hide half her face. It's not like anyone will notice her anyway. 

Surely Ben has left; simply went home with some dignity intact whereas Rey will have to live out her days knowing she royally fucked up.

The jovial music playing up ahead is not exactly helping her get into the holiday spirit. On stage, there's a female singer crooning to the masses, a song she's heard dozens of times but right now sounds like it's being sung in a different language. 

Somehow, Rey locates her sister-in-law’s hot pink beanie with the multi-colored pom-pom and stands next to her. The excitement radiating from Rose practically diminishes upon seeing Rey's distraught state. She attempts to yell over the music, “The fuck happened?”

There are no words.

Facing forward, Rey shakes her head as in saying not now while blotting her mittens under both swollen eyes. The crowd erupts in applause as the artist up on stage beautifully sings her last note and thanks the audience. She has one more song to sing before the next performers set up for the final thirty-minute countdown to push that button and light up the tree.

What Rey doesn’t expect to happen is when her sister-in-law’s gaze lifts up and over Finn’s head. She doesn’t have to look behind her to know who is approaching. But, why? He has to be done with her bullshit; especially after breaking that promise.

As she takes in a deep breath to calm her emotions, Ben's scent becomes overpowering; a combination of peppermint, oranges, and nutmeg are fucking with her head. The annoying tickle at the back of her throat has her moving further away from him, but closer to their anti-sexual healer friend. 

Poe takes a glimpse in her direction with a broad smile then loudly whistles at the singer when she sits at her piano. The opening chords to her next song are very soothing, which allows Rey’s nerves to settle down a bit. Her eyes connect with Finn who is listening to Rose speak behind her hand. This should be a special moment between them as a family, but Rey feels like she may throw up as she fights back a sob.

“Sunshine?” Poe’s concerned voice is almost drowned out when the rest of the band joins in the holiday merriment. The Alpha squeaks out an indiscernible sound, prompting Poe to lean down to find her eyes closed tight. “Heyyy—Hey! Are you okay?"

No….I need help. I'm ruining everything.

After clearing her throat, the only response she can manage to get out is her brother’s name, so Poe flags him over and points down at Rey. He gently pats her back and reassures everything is going to be fine, trying not to glare at his tall friend. 

“Hey sis, talk to me.” Finn tucks her under his chin in a warm embrace. It seems to soothe her, so he asks, “What’s going on?”

I need help….

Rey attempts to dab at her runny nose still stuffed with hidden tissues. Once again, she cannot make her voice loud enough over the musicians up on stage. Poe is alternating between rubbing his hand up and down her back or in circles. The Alpha stands up straighter before saying a quiet thank you to both men. She presses a hand over her locket.

"There’s just a lot happening right now.”

Finn throws his arms up in surrender, “I don’t need another restraining order against me, but I swear —”

“OH HELL NO,” Poe raises his voice and looks over at Ben, “—leave him to me!!”

"Stop!!!" She cries out.

The young pianist begins to softly sing lyrics to a song Rey doesn’t recognize.

Call on your angels

Come down to the city

“Knock it off, man! You’re upsetting her,” Finn rolls his eyes at their dramatic friend. “Listen, I can’t stand to see you cry and the big guy over there looks sorry.”

“H-H-He doesn’t need to feel s-s-sorry, it’s me,” she sadly sniffles, “I’m the one who fucked up.”

Finn exclaims, “Aw Rey! It's simple. He’ll forgive you, no questions asked.”

Crowd around the big tree

All you strangers who know me

Looking at him in disbelief, Rey cannot fathom how her brother came to that conclusion, “What? How do you know?”

“He followed you back, didn't he?” Rose joins in.

“W-Where else was he gonna go?”

Poe grabs her by both shoulders, “He lives here, remember? Sees this tree nearly every year, and I annoy the shit out of him. He's not here for me, Sunshine.”

“Yeah, sis. He didn't have to come back.”

Bring your compassion

Your understanding

She can feel his stare and tries to fight the urge to look over, but the pull is too strong for her to ignore. When she does and realizes that he's not angry, another sob breaks through her chest. She tries to smother it with her mittens and scarf, wishing she had eight more like Rose.

Yeah I'm sending you a Merry New York Christmas

And a prayer for peace on earth within our time

A tear drips down Rey’s face as she glances at her sister-in-law. Both women smile ruefully at each other, trying to gauge the other’s expressions. Rose reaches out her hand to Rey who hesitantly grabs on, gripping tightly after she feels her best friend begin to tug.

And the sidewalk angels echo hallelujah

So call on your angels 

They are weaving through a small gathering of spectators; Rey with her eyes cast downward and Rose with a growing determination in each step. This entire day has felt so surreal. Hell, the whole goddamn past month just hasn’t made any sense….but it was beginning to.

You're beaten and broken

It's time that we mend them

So they don't fade with the season

She hears Rose's voice suddenly say, “Take care of her, Benjamin.” 

Maybe Officer Kestis wasn’t that far off with his advice. Maybe she isn't doomed to a life of solitude with her amazing support team by her side.  

The instant Ben slides his hand into hers, the dam breaks and tears begin to fall down her face. 

Her behavior was unimaginable and despicable and—

“Oi, it’s freezing!" She removes her scarf to sound less muffled. "Where is your jacket?”

When his eyes drop down to her nose, he immediately mashes his lips together in a struggle to fight back a snicker.

"Getting sick around the holidays is not that amusing, Ben." She crosses both arms with a frown.

He reaches for her face, but it's not to tuck back a strand of hair or to even caress her cheek. It dawns on her just a second too late when she feels the wads of tissue being removed from her nostrils.

"Bloody….fuckin'....hell….." she covers her nose as he tosses the pieces of napkin into a trash can nearby. The burning sensation of embarrassment floods her entire body, turning her complexion to an even darker shade of red.

"Rey…." Ben crookedly smiles, trying to meet her gaze which seems to be forever glued to his chest. “I want you to know how sorry I am….” he pauses while slipping both arms through the sleeves of his coat, “....and I swear to never call you that ever ag—.”

“ Darling , no-no-no,” she frantically removes her mittens to hold his face. “You have nothing to apologize for.” Her bare fingers weave through his hair until they interlock atop his neck, “I’m the one who's sorry! I’m the one who couldn’t control my compulsion like a decent human being—”

Ben wraps her in a hug, “Shhh….Don't be, please . It's really not a big deal.”

Is this man serious?

"Not a big deal? What—Have you gone mad?" She knows the incredulous tone of her voice must be irritating all dogs in a five-mile radius. “Ben….I-I saw the look on your face! I disappointed you…..I'm the one over here ruining everything by breaking promises—”

Cradling the side of her face, he brushes his thumb across her bottom lip, "I'm telling you it's okay." 

Her watery gaze studies his face, only to be met with the warmest, most sincere pair of eyes. 

Ben leans forward and lifts his hood over his head mimicking exactly how Rey has hers, closing out the rest of the world. “I felt how petrified you were right before you collapsed in my arms. Fear like that, Rey?” His eyebrows furrow against her forehead, “I wish there was a way to erase it all."

Her voice whispers inside their cocoon, “No, I'm just too damaged….you don't deserve a fraction of—”

"I don’t believe that about you," his cool, minty breath surrounds her, “I thought I was irreparable for years, but after today….” He interlocks their fingers, “We met for a reason, Rey.”

She closes her eyes, "I can’t even—You're so bloody charming, Ben Solo. You know that?"

With a chuckle, he inwardly groans, "Guess I took my mother's advice after all."

"What do you mean? Does she tell you to be more like a dreamy Disney prince?"

"Hrph….no, she actually calls me Grumpy. Always suggests that I should be less like my father and more like Poe; maybe the little shithead rubbed off on me."

Lifting a brow as she glances up at him, "So you’re telling me that after years of giving Rose crap for trying to set me up with that dummy… .that I'm actually dating some version of him?"

"It seems—wait….did you—did you just say we're dating?"

Rey wonders if she overstepped, "Oh, well….umm….I just thought—"

With swift fluidity, he swoops down and fervently presses his lips to hers, silencing whatever she was about to sputter. The way he adorably hums into their kiss makes her knees tremble. She wraps both arms around his neck and in doing so, pushes back his hood. Her bare fingers seek refuge from the cold by slinking into the dark depths of his mane under that beanie. The frosty air's invasion only drives their bodies closer and closer.

Ben parts from the kiss for a quick breath causing Rey's eyes to dart open. They immediately land on his lush mouth. Not known for her patience, she cups his face and latches on to his bottom lip. 

With a flick of his tongue, he growls out her name, "Rey....I wanna date the fuck out of you."

A bit short-winded, she leans her nose against his and greedily breathes him in, “That bad, huh?”

Ben nods in confirmation and dives in again to continue his sweet assault, tipping her chin higher. The oversized hand sliding down to her throat gently applies just enough pressure to make Rey’s head spin. How long has it been since her last breath? She finds herself surrendering completely to Ben. 

Six hours.

It only took this man six miraculous hours to cure her distaste of PDA. 

The sounds of their friends hooting and hollering at their make-out session doesn’t even phase her.

"Alright, alright," the Omega scolds his new fan club, reluctantly pulling away.

Rey brandishes this new outlook by grabbing a hearty helping of Ben's sweater and reels him back into her personal space. With his large frame, it takes some extra effort but it's fine; she’s never felt so temerarious.

The questioning look upon his face disappears precisely when their mouths collide in a perfectly messy kiss. Rey's mission beautifully fails as their daft smiles keep getting in the way of their lips. She's never kissed someone on their teeth before and finds it both absurd and quite lovely. The Rey of yesterday, and even this morning, would have wanted to jump off the nearest building if a crowd of people witnessed this.

But not today.

Not with Ben.

"Yaaaaaaaaaay!!!" Rose squeals aloud as Poe holds his hand up for Finn to high-five, but he's facing the stage and covering his eyes.

“Dude, I’m not gonna cheer on my sister for snogging .” He turns to both Rey and Ben, “Don’t get me wrong, guys, I am happy for you both, but don’t need to watch you swapping spit.”

Rey briefly turns to him, “Oh, so now you know how it feels after all these years!”

“Aww, but you always said we’re the cutest!” Rose pouts.

A round of applause erupts again as another song comes to an end. Rey feels mildly guilty for not paying attention to the ceremony, but the countdown screen up ahead says that there is approximately sixteen minutes until the tree will be lit. She will try her best to dedicate all of her attention to the hosts and next performer; right after she finishes nestling into Ben’s wonderful tits.

He nudges the side of her face, “There was a reason I had to take off my jacket earlier…. after your command .”

"Oh God, must you remind me?"

"Sweetheart, please listen….I had a bit of a situation....with-uhh….Little Benny."

Rey gulps, "What do you mean??"

"I was unable to walk through the crowd without some coverage ." He averts his gaze downward with both eyebrows practically in his hairline. "I've never been more turned on in my life, Alpha."

"Y-You liked it?!"

Ben quickly nods his head, "And I wouldn’t be against trying it out again somewhere more private."

She's completely gobsmacked and cannot believe the words he's saying, “Are you serious?” 

“You must think I’m a freak.” He shuffles from one foot to the other.

“Absolutely not! Ben, you can’t be more upset over what I think of you rather than the fact that I used my Alpha command. Can you?”

He shrugs. “Like I said; it’s not a big deal.”

With that, she unzips her coat and presses the front of her body into his. 

“What are you doing?”

“Getting closer to my human space heater.”

He places both hands on her hips, “Yours, huh?”

“Omega, if these people weren't around….” She slides his sweater to the side and looks at a much darker pink gland just glistening before her eyes. A rush of saliva tries to breach past her lips, but she triumphantly swallows it back. His scent is becoming stronger and stronger with every passing hour. 

….I’d respectfully take you right here.

His low chuckle signifies that her comment was said aloud once again.

Rey's hand slowly drags down his body, “With your permission, Benjamin….may I….”

“You can do whatever you want to me,” he says, watching her intently.

Biting down on her lip, she sneaks her fingers under his sweater. “If it becomes too much, just tell me to stop, okay?” Ben nods, glancing at the people around them as Rey pulls him closer by his belt loops. “Maybe try to imagine Poe hitting on your mother?”

“Well it happens so often, I'm just immune to their disturbing flirtations now.”

“My God,” she grimaces. “You need to establish boundaries with that man.”

“There's no use, Alph— ahhhhh, fuck!"

At his exclamation, she inadvertently tightens her grip around his semi-hard cock, “Shhh! Are you okay?”

“Your hand is fuckin' freezing,” he says while slightly pushing into her palm.

Standing on her tiptoes, Rey brings their faces closer and speaks into the corner of his mouth, “Shhh shhh, then help warm me up." 

His spicy citrus aroma is intoxicating. 

A drunken smile forms across her face as she glides her fingertips along his smooth shaft. The silky feel of Little Benny hardening in her palm becomes more and more gratifying as she grazes directly over that precious beauty mark below his mushroom tip.

“Christ, is your plan to jerk me off in public?”

“Only if you keep on thrusting, Omega," she whispers. "Should I stop?"

The soft moan that escapes doesn't sound like a protest from the offensively attractive man, so she looks up at him. Both of his eyes are squeezed tight as he takes in a deep, deep breath, instantly going soft. 

“You're really gonna be the death of me.”

With a disappointed sigh, Rey gingerly removes her hand, “What did you think about just now?”

“Oh, you know….going in heat with all these people around and embarrassing myself,” he scoffs and places his lips to her forehead.

“….I'll take care of you.”

With a crooked smile, he answers, "I know."

As she puts her mitten back on, the realization that his natural musk is being embedded into every fiber of its threading almost convinces her to never wash the article of clothing ever again. Instead of zipping up her coat, she flips it around to her front and leans back against Ben's warm chest.

The final musical act is up on stage greeting the crowd, each donning a shimmery holiday ensemble; one in red, the other in green and the last one in gold. Throughout their performance, Rey repeatedly glances over at her little family. The Alpha-Omega couple slow dancing to I'll be Home for Christmas and Poe chatting real close with some mystery man. She shakes her head with a small chuckle, it amazes her how he can just find anyone and have a good time.

"What's so funny?" Ben whispers.

She tilts her head up at him with a smile, “Nothing. Just people watching.”

He wraps his arms tightly around her waist. “You know….when this tree was delivered a couple of weeks ago, some workers found a small owl all alone in the branches.”

“Really?” 

Her heart clenches for both the poor creature and Ben’s little detail about the tree, reminding her of how her parents used to do the same thing; spout off random facts during the broadcast. Obi-Wan always knew where the tree was from and how long it took to decorate. Satine would expatiate her knowledge of spruce trees; the most commonly chosen perennial at Rockefeller Center.

“Yeah, they named her Rocky. She survived a three and a half hour trip from up north.”

"Poor thing must have been so frightened."

"Oh, I'm sure. It just goes to show you how all walks of life somehow find the will to go on and never stop fighting." Ben laces his fingers through hers.

If a tiny baby owl can find the will to survive, so can she.

Finn twirls Rose away from his body with an outstretched arm, then spins her right back to his chest and buries his face into her eight scarves. 

Yeah….they're still the cutest.

When the hosts finally introduce New York City’s mayor on stage, the countdown officially begins. 

Rey can hear her heart beating in time with the crowd’s chants. Memories come flooding in as anticipation soars higher and higher. Her father would always grab both kids and his wife for this special moment, eyes alight just like the grand tree each and every year. She clutches onto her locket and mouths, "....3….2….1."

A boisterous MERRY CHRISTMAS thunders from all around, echoing amongst the towering skyscrapers. One giant red button has lit thousands of lights adorning the massive conifer and it’s even more beautiful in-person than viewing it on television. Rey lets out a small gasp as the tears clouding her vision break free and roll down her cheeks. 

Ben kisses the top of her head and pushes her towards Finn who keeps glancing their way. Rose has also stepped to the side to let the siblings embrace. 

“You okay, sis?” He cradles the back of her head.

“Yeah….I will be.” Rey squeezes him tighter, “I just miss them so much.”

She can feel her brother nod his head, “I know, I know. So do I.”

Another sob hiccups through her chest, “It feels like they’re here.”

“Aww, Rey. They’ll always be with us,” Finn gently rubs her back and adds, “No matter where we end up on this planet.”

"That's a strange thing to say,” she pulls back to look at him.

“I need you to promise me something,” he takes in a sharp breath, “if you decide to stay out here for a while or-or even permanently, make sure it's what you want and not anyone else. 

“But Finn!”

“No. There’s nothing in California for you. And I don’t want to hear you say my name or Rosie’s because then it'll feel like we’re only holding you back. You can always come visit or hell, maybe we’ll move out here if you decide to stay.”

“W-What about mum and dah? I can’t leave them!”

He cups one of her shoulders, “Rey....they are always with you," then points to her heart and locket, "Right here." She can tell he's getting emotional by the way he purses his mouth, "They—" He abruptly stops to blow out a long breath, "We dreamed about you finding true happiness, your inner peace. So, don’t think for one second that they’d be disappointed in you for taking a chance….for embracing the start of a new chapter to your life!”

“I don’t—” She chokes out with a shake of her head.

Finn levels with her, meeting her tearful gaze, "You don't wanna know how this turns out with Ben?"

"Well yes, I do. But—"

"No buts! Be happy, sis. That's all we want. I know it may seem impossible from….from everything you've been through."

That catches her attention. She wipes away the tears that keep falling, "S-so….you do know about my past."

"I know enough, Rey. Please hear me out. You are not broken. You are a stronger Alpha than I'll ever be, so if you can’t convince yourself then I’ll keep reminding you that you are enough ."

Rose steps forward, "Hon, don't be afraid. Whatever happens; we'll be here for you."

She grabs both her brother and sister-in-law. "I love you guys so much."

"Yes, yes, we know! Now go!!" Rose shoos her away.

Rey looks once more at them with the perfectly decorated tree in the background right before touching her locket. The couple grins in return with the tiny Omega wagging her eyebrows and pretending to mount a flagpole. Her ridiculousness causes Rey to almost choke behind her glove that smells like Ben. Upon turning, she finds his outstretched hand before her….with that fuckable palm.

Lord….Give me strength. 

“Hey, is everything alright?”

She huffs out, “I hope so….can we get out of here?”

“Of course, where do you wanna go?”

Her hand travels up his chest, down his bicep and interlocks with his fingers, “Anywhere that allows me to not get arrested for indecent exposure."

Ben’s mouth drops like a fish out of water, “Uhh my place is a bit far, but I have an idea." He waves goodbye to everyone and shouts to Poe that he may have to call out of work on Monday.

Poe squeezes past a few people and gives him a friendly shove. He winks at Rey, “Make sure you flog that yule log, Sunshine!”

“Ugh, you’re such a buffoon." Rey glares at the Omega as the itch to disrobe dissipates.

“And Benny Boy?" He spreads his arms out wide and spins around like the hills are alive, "Baste in that European cun—”

“I swear to God, Dameron….” 

It looks as though Ben was just about ready to knock out their friend, so Rey grabs his arm.

“Poe, there are children around us!!” Rose whacks the short Omega in the chest.

“Whaaaat, I was gonna say Countryside. Jeez! Get your minds out of the gutter.” He trots off with that annoying smirk on his face.

“Call me when you can, Rey!” Her sister-in-law shouts.

"I will!" She side-eyes Ben, "Thank you. I kinda think it's fascinating how he just turns me off like that. I don't know why it happens."

Walking through this crowd is proving to be tricky, so the giant tree tucks Rey under his trunk of an arm. "Oh, well it couldn't possibly be his fuckin’ over-the-top and arrogant nature." He begins to gesticulate wildly in the air, "I don’t know how he does it, but almost every person he meets; designation unknown, they always want to fuck him. It's the craziest shit I've ever seen."

Rey catches his hand in mid-air as they approach Rockefeller Center's exit, "Yeah, he's something else."

Ben briefly glances in her direction looking very uncomfortable. "Umm….I'm just gonna ask now and get it out of the way." Pinching the bridge of his nose, he groans like it's too painful to ask, "Have you ever wanted him—I mean, if you did, I totally get it. He's a good looking guy, smells like a decadent tray of slutty brownies and you've known him a little longer than me."

This idiot.

It takes every ounce of restraint for her to answer without laughing. "I won't lie to you, Ben. But yeah….I have wanted him," she pauses looking directly into his eyes, "to be my personal chef ."

He lets out a breath of relief, "It's just….when I see the two of you together—I don't know, it just makes more sense to me than this ," he points to himself.

The traffic light up ahead turns red and they begin to head south towards 48th Street.

"Why would you say that?" 

“Let’s see….” He scratches at his chin, "….because you're both gorgeous! If the two of you came from high-profile families, I’m sure you’d be the talk of the town; that power couple everyone would want to emulate…."

"Not all Alphas want that—."

He continues as if she didn’t interrupt, "....the media would combine your names into something moronic like Roe or Pey."

"The media? What the hell are you talking about??" She grabs his arm to slow down his aggravated stride. A handful of people glare at them, but Rey pays them no mind.

There’s a significant change in the air as different emotions tear through him. She can see how he’s struggling to answer her as a mixture of shame and anguish begin to harden his facial features. His scent gland must be starting to ooze through his sweater now; growing stronger and stronger.

“ Ben?” Rey all but chokes out. 

He observes her tightening the scarf around her face and then zips up his coat. "I'm sorry. I keep forgetting you have no idea about my family.” His expressive eyes are begging her to ignore this entire conversation. She isn’t backing down. With a sigh, he continues, "My parents run in very different but equally well-known social packs. Their disappointment of a son unfortunately couldn't figure out how to fit into either one of them. Not that I wanted to anyway."

His pace seems to be losing some steam, so Rey stops him, "If you didn't want to be part of a pack, then what did you want?"

"To live a life without all these fuckin’ designation expectations! To grow up with my parents around; not nannies or butlers. I resented them and their jobs as I got older. Vowed to never sell my soul to politics or corporate America."

They turn the corner and make their way down Sixth Avenue. Rey lets him vent as they pass a couple of more blocks. She can only imagine the neglect he went through even with both parents residing in the same zip code as him.

"When I told them I had aspirations of becoming a teacher, they laughed at me! I’ve always loved reading, writing and especially learning different languages. I’m almost fluent in four of them, but being well-read didn't matter. Their son needed to continue the facade of being an Alpha to avoid all the embarrassment and ridicule."

She runs a soothing hand up and down his arm, "Ben, I—"

"Sweetheart, please don't. You have nothing to apologize for. I know I sound like a whiny bitch right now, but I'm still learning how to get past all their bullshit. That includes Bazine’s ridiculously high standards."

The mention of that name has her cringing. "I know that….it’s just….I don’t want you worrying about me being dishonest or unsupportive. I may need to work on keeping my promises, but other than that….I will always be right by your side.”

His eyes intently roam over the contours of her face as if he’s scanning everything to memory or maybe trying to figure out if she’s telling the truth. Their breathing becomes heavier especially after she watches the way he practically bites down on his own tongue inside his slightly ajar mouth. She grips onto his jacket as he guides her by the waist, walking her backwards. 

"That's more and then some, Alpha." The husky sound of his voice takes her by surprise. She finds herself squeezing her thighs together as her jaw drops and her scarf slides under her nose. 

His scent strikes at the same time her back makes contact with the wall of some structure; a building perhaps. Ben pulls down the woven accessory and immediately finds her mouth with his. He cradles the base of her head and deliciously pushes against her body, moaning a little too much for Rey to handle. 

The fire inside is beginning to ignite, those embers smoldering once again. She slowly drags her tongue across his upper lip, tasting remnants of his waning peppermint oil. Ben tilts his head in the opposite direction and catches her tongue with his; humming into her mouth. She silently declares to devour every sound that pours out of him; to record every single one and categorize them into color-coded files.

When they part from their kiss, breathing each other in and out, Rey continues to keep her eyes closed. She relishes the way Ben has surrounded her entire being. From his extra large hand protecting the back of her head down to his thigh settling against her heated core. There couldn't possibly be a better way to perish if the world just ended right now.

“Which languages….mmm, do you speak?" She whispers, their extreme close proximity allows their lips to involuntarily brush a few times.

Ben follows her actions but drops a kiss in between each word, "French….mmm, Italian….Spanish….and mmm, some German."

She immediately opens her eyes, "Say something to me in Italian. Please?"

Without a moment's hesitation he whispers, "Dove sei stato tutta la mia vita?"

Over a decade has gone by since she last took a foreign language course back in California. The only thing she can decipher from quite possibly one of the most beautiful utterances is la mia vita: my life.

"Okay, that was fuckin' dumb on my part." Her fingertips graze along his enticing pillowy lips. "How much further?" The raspiness of her voice is almost comical as she fights another urge to lick his nose.

“I have an aunt who manages one of the Millenium Falcon Hotels nearby. Is that okay? It’s just a few more minutes away; otherwise, all this Midtown traffic will take us three times longer to get to where I live Downtown.”

And just like that, a car horn blares nearby and their little bubble has burst once again reminding Rey that hundreds of people are trying to walk along this very street.

“Yes! I-I mean, sure that's fine."

She grabs his hand and they walk in a companionable silence down 45th Street. Manhattan and Los Angeles are very similar in regards to food vendors on every corner, tourists clogging up the sidewalks, and cars congesting all the streets and highways. Peering up at these intimidating skyscrapers, some more recognizable than the rest, Rey can see herself getting lost trying to navigate her way around each avenue. 

"This is your first time here in the city, right?"

"Yeah, why, do I scream tourist ?" She glances over at Ben Solo Tower.

"Not at all. For starters, you're not glued to your phone snapping pictures every five steps you take."

"Haha that's Rosie—ughhh ROSE! I have to stop calling her that."

He cracks a small smile, "If I was just walking past you, I'd have guessed you were from around here. But knowing what I do; I see you absorbing everything and it-it keeps taking my fuckin' breath away…." He shakes his head in wonderment, "....you and these city lights."

She swallows back a rush of saliva, covering her mouth. "My self control has been tested all day, Omega….I'm not sure how much more I can take."

Ben reaches out and removes the hand from her face, "We're here."

The Millennium Falcon Hotel seems to have appeared out of nowhere. Its gray-colored structure is massively tall and has Rey craning her neck up high trying to find the top floors cloaked in darkness. Two giant flags are positioned right above the entrance, flapping away in the night's cold air. She blindly grabs Ben’s arm and charges through the revolving door; miraculously fitting both of their bodies within the tiny space.

"W-w-wait, I don't want anyone sounding the alarm that I arrived with an Alpha.” He stumbles over his own feet while trying to subdue this Rey-sized whirlwind, “My mother won’t let several blocks stop her from showing up unannounced to mortify me into the next life.” He kisses the back of her hand, "I'll be right back."

She stands off to the side of the hotel’s main entrance and watches him covertly survey the entire lobby before making his way over to customer service. 

It’s fully decorated for the holidays with enormous ornaments dangling from above, green and red sparkled-garland wrapping around all the banisters and a beautifully lit tree right in the center. She watches Ben give the young girl a hug over the counter and points back in Rey's direction. The receptionist peers around the Ent and when her eyes land on Rey, she waves enthusiastically.

The Alpha quickly reciprocates the gesture and tries to wait patiently for some kind of signal from Ben that the coast is clear. She glances over to what she presumes to be the hotel restaurant, Kanata Cantina, and notices a sign for the restroom. Surely, Ben wouldn’t mind if she just quickly peeked inside to snap a few photos for her newly dubbed album: NYC Toilette.

Crossing the threshold, sounds of Christmas Muzak immediately hits her ears and puts a smile on her face. The bathroom has its own miniature tree on display, filling the room with a fresh pine scent. She wonders if anyone would notice if she snuck in the men’s room just to see if the layout was identical.

A loud voice booms from the lobby.

"Ben Solo!"

Chapter Text

Rey ducks into the brightly-lit ladies room, snickering at the fact that Ben was most likely caught by his aunt, whom he was trying to avoid. That sasquatch-sized man could never hide in plain sight. If only they had met years ago, he could have taken some detailed notes on the best ways to camouflage oneself.

With her cell phone in hand, she adjusts the settings and takes several wide-frame photos to send to her brother. The opulent faucets perched atop each marbleized basin are the definition of grand with their motion-activated waterfall effects. There is fake snow delicately sprayed along the edges of the mirror with perfectly drawn little holly leaves and snowpeople.

Running water through her fingers, Rey ponders if there’s an appropriate amount of time allowed to admire restroom furnishings before a search party is assembled. She quickly peeks behind an empty stall door and much to her surprise, the first vestibule has the winning shot as she flips her camera to selfie mode to stand in front of a bidet.

Finn is gonna be SO jealous.

For now, Ben doesn’t need to know about the fancy loo obsession she shares with her brother. The fear of him discovering their photo albums dedicated to rooms where people sit on toilets to defecate has her locking her screen so fast. The humiliation of being caught by some hotel staff member who knew Ben would be catastrophic.

She tries to act casual as she strolls back into the lobby, looking around for Ben. Her hand automatically reaches for her heart-shaped locket and rubs it between her fingers. When her gaze lands on the backside of the most attractive wildebeest standing on two legs, she has to remind herself to breathe. He's leaning on both elbows against the receptionist's desk with his jacket tossed over the side; one foot crossed behind the other tapping to the beat of "Jingle Bell Rock" playing on a lobby TV. When he shifts his weight to the other leg, her eyes can't help but stare at his impeccable ass.

He suddenly raises his voice in an animated way as he recounts a story using that body of his to imitate someone he and the hotel employee both know. It's perfectly innocent for bystanders, but not for Rey's thirsty mind.

She winces at the prickling sensation under her skin and takes a deep breath. It's becoming too prominent to ignore. The anticipation of possibly knotting around this man while deep inside her has Rey practically foaming at the mouth. 

Soon.

Fanning herself off, she suddenly notices the figure standing next to Ben is a very petite woman and not some holiday decoration.

A pair of very familiar and large, almost magnified eyes stop the Alpha in her tracks. The short woman begins to approach the much taller brunette while holding a handkerchief over her nose.

"If not for my excellent sense of smell, I would not have believed you were really here."

Scrunching her brows together, Rey says, "Wait a minute. Do we know each other?"

Readjusting her thick-framed spectacles across the bridge of her small nose, the woman responds with an approving nod, "Why yes, we do."

"From where though?"

Rey is racking her brain for any point in time her path may have crossed with this peculiar woman.

She removes the handkerchief and takes a step closer to Rey. "We met a long, long time ago when you were very young." She takes a beat, "By my recollection, a few times actually!" The last part is rushed, almost sounding like a croak before covering her nose again.

Absolutely stupefied by this encounter, Rey tries to mask the embarrassment of her scent with more questions. "A few times? I'm going to assume it was here in the states?"

"You're getting warm, my dear," she chuckles through the embroidered cloth.

The woman sounds a bit jocular in this strange scenario meanwhile, the look on Rey’s face must be staggeringly priceless. How did they actually meet and when?

"I don't—I don't know…."

The woman pretends to shiver, "Brrr, you’re absolutely frigid."

This cannot be happening right now. Of all the days for her past to burst through a wall like the Kool-Aid man; it had to be today. She squeezes both eyes shut and tries to reflect on her childhood and when they could have met. 

For some reason, she thinks of the most irritating substance on the planet.

Sand.

"I-I remember a beach…."

"Yes! Now you're thawing out. Our first meeting was at a big shindig with hundreds of people. The second time didn't have as many in attendance, but it was also someone's very special day. And well, there was a third time too…."

Rey's eyes light up, "If there were hundreds of people then it must have been at that wedding with all the fancy bathrooms, right? And-and-and your name is….Roz. No wait…."

She watches the lady loudly clap her hands, "Someone call Luke and the boys!!! She's about to catch on fire!!"

"Hey hey hey!" Ben's voice rings out in the distance.

The Alpha is too busy trying to figure out this puzzle to notice the giant tree jogging over. She nods her head repeatedly and then takes a knee while holding out her locket. "I’m absolutely horrid at remembering names, but I do know your face as well as the woman who gave me this."

“You still have it!" She drops her handkerchief to the floor, "I saw the way you clutched this while exiting the lavatory—”

Ben finally reaches them, "Aunt Maz! I asked you not to give her the third degree.”

Maz’s eyes drift from Rey to Ben with both hands on her hips, “You asked me to not hound your new lady friend.” 

“Right! And it looks like you are. I keep telling Chewie he needs to bring you to the doctor to get your hearing checked.”

“Well Benjamin , clearly we all know each other already, so please let me catch up with Miss Kenobi.”

For a millisecond, it looks as if she told Ben to try and solve the world’s toughest math problem. He looks back and forth at Maz and Rey. “Did you just—She said—What did you call her?”

Brushing away the large finger he keeps wagging between the two women, Maz squints at Ben, “Don't be rude now, young man. I promise to keep my questions to a minimum if only you'd introduce this woman wherever she may be.” She glances around the lobby then redirects her attention back to Rey, “I have to apologize Miss Kenobi, he’s just—”

“ Kenobi? That's your last name, Rey?” 

Her eyes shoot up to Ben’s, “Yes, it is.”

For some reason, the Omega cannot fully grasp onto the information he’s being told and repeats it again slowly, “Your name is Rey Ken-obi .”

“Why are you so fixated on that right now? You’ve known all day long.”

He gives her a pointed look while shaking his head, “No, we never spoke about your full name and I never asked. Jesus Christ, why didn’t I ask?” Both hands roughly pull at his hair.

Maz taps her chin, “Oh, dear. Her scent is all over you."

Now it’s Rey’s turn to be mystified. “So how did Gwen know my last name if you didn't tell her and I sure as bloody hell didn’t?”

Chiming in once again, Maz creates a little more confusion, “Oh, Wendy!! How is she? It's been a while since I stopped by Phasma's, which reminds me, I must place another order for more lavender.”

Wendy?

She envisions the name written in perfect calligraphy on multiple signs greeting guests at the sandy beach from years ago. There's another name too, but she's drawing a dreadful blank.

“I'm honestly not sure, Rey.” Ben looks at her just as befuddled.

“Okay, well now you do. Why is it such a big deal?”

“Be cause ….” He briefly pauses to make sure she hears him, “....that means Obi-Wan Kenobi was your father and-and pardon me Aunt Maz, but….I just don't fuckin' understand how she and I never met before."

Rey attempts to stand up at the mention of her father's name, but her leg seems to have fallen asleep, “You—you knew my dah?”

“Sweetheart,” Ben steadies the Alpha and kneels down in front of her, “we share the same namesake.”

“Ohhh dear ,” Maz repeats.

Rey quietly gasps into her hands as she falls back on her hind legs, “W-What are you saying?"

Ben reaches for both her arms and gently runs his hands up and down. “My grandmother passed away right after she gave  birth to my mother and uncle, leaving them both orphans. Your father found them a family before he started fostering kids with his wife Sati—”

“Satine,” they say in unison.

Ben inhales a quick breath, “Back then, Rey….he was known as Ben Kenobi . I was named after him."

Rey stifles a small sob in disbelief and swipes away the tears pooling under her eyes, "You knew both my parents?"

"Yeah baby, I did," he whispers softly, cupping her cheek.

She places a hand over his, “The name ‘Wendy’….is that meant for Gwen?”

“Yes, child.” Maz steps forward.

"Her hair was much different back then," Rey sniffles.

Ben catches a few tears with his thumb, “So you looked at the wedding photos up in her office?”

She shakes her head no, "Her comment about her and I not being strangers makes sense now."

“What—?”

“May I?”

Rey glances over at Maz who is tapping at her own chest, gesturing for the necklace. Slipping her hand away from Ben’s, she lifts the locket up to the tiny woman.

Maz gently smiles while scooping it up for inspection, “I saw the way you gripped this while searching for him in the lobby. Does this precious trinket still provide you with the same comfort after all these years?"

“I’m sorry, did I miss something?”

"Well, it has my family inside it, so I-I always touch it in some way."

“You said you remembered the woman who gave you this at Crystal Cove.”

“Only her face.”

“ Crystal Cove ?” Ben sits back a little, looking at his aunt.

Maz quickly glances at him but continues, “And what do you remember about this woman?”

“She had the warmest, most kind eyes…..and was just so lovely. I remember admiring the beautiful braid she had wrapped around her head. It reminded me of a prin—”

“Princess.” A shocked Ben finishes her sentence while staring at the locket. 

"How did you know that?" Asks the Alpha.

“HOOOO-LY SHIT!!!!” He jumps up, “Are you telling me that my mother gave you this at Gwen's wedding—a wedding that took place over a decade ago across the fuckin' country?"

“Benjamin!”

Rey’s jaw is practically on the ground. "Did it have…exactly eight fancy bathrooms?"

"You were the little girl my mom couldn't stop talking about…." Ben looks like he's about to keel over. 

"I could have sworn that the two of you had already met after all these years." Maz suddenly stops speaking as her eyes bounce back and forth. She sighs very loudly as if exacerbated by this conversation. "Benjamin….that's when you went into your first heat….because….of the puppy .” She regards Rey with a look, waiting for realization to dawn on Ben. 

He side-eyes his aunt for approximately ten seconds then shouts, "NO!!! N-N-N-No….are you actually saying—" 

"Now it all makes sense."

"No! Aunt Maz, it does not! There's no fuckin' way she could be the puppy!"

"Do not cause a scene in front of my employees."

He throws out his arms, “Oh my God! For half my fuckin' life—you all had me convinced it was Uncle Lando's poodle!"

"You convinced yourself of that. Tsk….eavesdropping on a conversation between your parents and I that day. We barely caught a whiff of that poppy scent, but all you heard was the word puppy , and well; the rest is history."

“I thought I was attracted to dogs ! You all never said….there wasn't anyone—” He lowers his voice and looks at Rey who is gripping her locket tightly. "—I didn't notice anyone around…."

All Rey can do is wonder when the ground was going to open up and swallow her whole.

The small woman latches onto Ben’s elbow and yanks him down about two feet, “We tried to explain our theories to make you feel better, but you wouldn't listen. She had to be protected!"

He escapes from her death grip with anger burning in his eyes. "For years— years, you let everyone tease the shit out of me.” 

"It didn't matter what we said to you!" Maz glances at the Alpha, "Does his mother know you're in New York?"

Ben whirls around, "TELL ME THIS WASN'T HER IDEA!"

" What ? No! No, it's been years since I last saw her!"

She recalls a third possible occasion when her path had crossed with his mother's but blinks away the memory.

"Ben, if your mother wanted to interfere, don't you think she would have uprooted you to the west coast or convinced the Kenobis to fly out east years ago?"

Rey rubs her eyes, "I think I need to lie down.”

“Wait a second, hon….” 

“Now what?” Rey is almost too afraid to ask.

With a tiny tool from her key ring, she pries open the heart-shaped locket and carefully peels back both photos of her parents and Finn.

"Oi!" Her hand quickly wraps around Maz's wrist. 

“It's okay, just look.” The woman brings it to Rey’s eye level. “We both know there's no mistaking who this is, especially with those ears."

The photo is upside down and Rey feels like her entire world is now too as she tearfully looks up at Ben, “Is….is that you ?”

He stops pacing anxiously and peers down at the open locket. All of the color drains from his already perfectly pale face.

Maz, the only person capable of speaking, says, “I remember when you were given this at Wendy’s wedding. Then years later at your adoption hearing, Leia opened it up and placed your new family inside….right alongside Ben.”

Leia .

With a small hiccup, Rey turns the locket in her hand. “I recognize these photos—they were all around my house growing up….how did I not see the resemblance?” She brushes a finger across both photos.

“Jesus Christ,” Ben mutters.

The Alpha clears her throat and finds her bearings, “My parents always referred to this boy— you— as Kylo, but I just thought they were eccentric for naming a child model in all their frames.”

Ben scoffs, “Child model?”

“Ohhhh, the infamous Kylo Ren; that was his alter ego back in the day.”

“Aunt Maz, can you just NOT ?”

“Don't Aunt Maz me. You became a giant pain in the butt when you tried to change your name."

She can hear their voices bantering back and forth, but nothing is making sense. With all of this information, Rey isn’t even sure if she’s awake right now.

Ben’s aunt steps closer to the Alpha, “I heard you say at your adoption hearing that you wore your locket every single day….that you never took it off even after you were removed from the Kenobi home.”

“Was that the second time we met?” When Maz nods her head in affirmation, Rey swipes away a few tears. “You’re right, I never take this off.”

“Don’t you see?” Maz carefully touches her cheek. “The locket that once belonged to his mother calls to you! Ben was always there….you were never really alone."

Rey finds herself rubbing shaky hands over her face, “Bloody hell, I'm sorry. I don’t know if I can take any more.” 

“Oh! Let me do something for you. Wait right here. I’m going to upgrade the room to one of the top suites. I know Ben is finally off those merciless injections so his heat can be triggered at any time. Stay as long as you both need." She yells over a shoulder as she rushes over to customer service. 

“Is nothing left unsaid between you and my mother?”

“Oh child, I know everything. Even about the tiny little mole on the bottom—”

“OH MY GOD, ALRIGHT! I GET IT!”

The adrenaline pumping through Rey helps her find the strength to get off the floor. She glances at Ben who looks like he wants to say something, but decides she'd rather make a mad dash for the elevator.

Once the lift opens, she steps inside and Maz races over with a new key card. A few steps behind, Ben takes the piece of plastic from his aunt with a silent thank you. The small woman shakes her head in wonderment at the couple.

"Can you wait to tell my mother about all of this?!" He calls through the slabs of metal as they close shut.

"Sorry, you are too late, nephew!"

"How the fuck…."

The walls are made of mirrors, so no matter where Rey looks, there's Ben sulking in the corner. They are standing on opposite sides of the elevator; both staring at the numbered buttons on the wall. Neither one has moved nor pushed the specific floor of their room. Aside from Kenny G’s version of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”, the elevator car is so quiet you can hear a pin drop.

"This is just unbelievable," Rey says aloud.

He pushes back his hair again in frustration. “I know! When the hell did she have time to text my mother?”

"No, Ben….I’m talking about all of this.” She presses both palms into her eyes. "Is everything true? Am I responsible for your first heat—" Rey says very quietly.

Ben quickly turns around to face her, "Sweetheart, my designation was going to reveal itself sooner or later. That shit show was inevitable."

With her gaze glued to her fidgeting fingers, she whispers, "You're not upset with me?”

“Are you kidding?”

Her emotions are getting to her, she can hear it in her wavering voice. “But I was the reason you were forced to go on suppressants so young."

Taking one giant step in her direction, Ben tilts his head, “I'm actually relieved it was you and not the goddamn poodle.” He glances up to the ceiling while performing the sign of the holy cross, “Rest in peace, Gucci."

She grabs onto his hand. “Ben, you knew both my parents—" her voice breaks trying to get the sentence out.

"They were wonderful , truly amazing people, Rey,” he regards her slim fingers between his larger ones with a sigh. "I only wish I saw them more often, especially later in life. Why didn't Gwen at least mention her wedding when she saw us? Her wife Jannah was fostered by your parents before one of my uncles adopted her."

That beautifully scribed sign flashes from her memory.

"Wendy and Jannah! That's right….We weren't fostered at the same time, but my parents always mentioned her and their other children around the Kenobi home."

He shakes his head at the mention of her last name, "Kenobi—"  His gaze flickers down to their key card and presses the top floor's button, "What are the chances?"

Rey moves in closer, "When Gwen addressed me earlier, it never fazed me that I never properly introduced myself to you.” Her eyes land on his parted lips, “Meeting you today was quite…. unconventional .”

His laughter instantly eases her nerves as he brushes back her hair. “Well, I suppose it was much more appropriate than actually meeting fifteen years ago.” 

“How do you mean?”

“You mentioned my uncle’s bathrooms….” He squints his eyes, “….from the wedding.”

“Yes, where Finn and I went on an adventure searching every single floor for all of them.”

Ben inches forward, and the intonation of his voice drops real low, “What do you remember about my first heat?”

The Alpha is not claustrophobic, but wonders just how much longer she must endure this man's sexual energy in tight spaces. She feels a shiver run throughout her body, almost positive her nipples were protruding through her sweater. His sweet and spicy scent invades her airways as she bites down on her bottom lip, “Y-you said that it lasted a few hours.”

He watches her teeth press into her rosy flesh and then licks his own, “Mhmm….and do you remember where I ended up?”

“In the bath—” She stumbles back and hits the elevator wall, “Oh my God!”

The Omega moves swiftly in front of Rey, caging her between his arms. “I distinctly recall a couple of kids storming through the hallways right before the reception.”

The Alpha covers her mouth in order to smother any more outbursts from ricocheting within the elevator. Her other hand grips his shoulder to steady her wobbly legs, but that only leaves her gasping at the warmth of his gland.

He’s gotten close enough to where his nose rascally nudges hers. “I made sure to find the furthest, most secluded room; surely no one would enter the west wing since it was roped off, but….”

She grabs his face, “We were in awe of that palace! The fact these luxurious bathrooms existed….we had to see all eight of them.”

He inhales the surrounding air, tinged with Rey's scent, and then puffs out his cheeks. “Those fuckin’ poppies hit me like a goddamn freight train.”

“You must've touched the dog right after I finished playing with him.”

"That scent….your scent….was strong enough to overpower hundreds of flowers that day. I was immersed in the wedding's botanical garden for hours when suddenly, something made me feel itchy all over. At first, my mother thought it was an allergic reaction. She went searching through all the bouquets and centerpieces to see if any new flowers had been introduced. They were all the same. We even checked my skin for any bug bites and rashes, but there was nothing."

"Oh Ben. Were you frightened when it happened?"

"I remember my heart pounding really fast.” He touches her locket, recounting the pivotal moment with his eyes closed tight. “I was shaking and sweating profusely through my suit….I couldn’t breathe.” 

Rey skims her fingertips across his eyebrows, silently beckoning those darkened orbs to look at her. 

When the elevator finally stops, his eyes blink open. Ben is lifting Rey off the ground and propping her against the elevator’s handlebar. “All signs were leading to premature cardiac arrest until….until I realized the issue was the swelling in my pants.”

Rey’s head lolls against the mirror as she deeply swallows back a rush of saliva. “Finn tried to stop me,” she says breathlessly, “but I-I had to see the last one. He heard noises from inside and the door wasn’t locked, so I barged in and-and saw…."

Light suddenly pours in as the doors whoosh open behind Ben.

"....the Taj Mahal of all bathrooms. There was this beautiful chandelier right in the center, gold fixtures shining everywhere….and then the door suddenly slammed in our faces.”

One of his hands rounds over her backside for a better grip. "If you had arrived just two minutes later, you would have walked in on a pantless adolescent Omega jerking off in his uncle’s tub.”

Her entire body is humming as she crosses both ankles, inadvertently digging her boots into his ass. The shift of her pelvis has Ben hissing through his teeth. Rey brushes his raven black waves behind both ears with a hazy smile, making sure she gives them each a tug.

The air around them swirls with their combined scents as they enter the hallway. He lifts a hand to her face, positioning his thumb right under her jaw and gradually opens her mouth to him. His head tilts one way and guides Rey’s in the opposite direction, curling his tongue delicately against hers. 

She feels him chuckling when he attempts to pull back, and she refuses to let their lip lock end.

Who needs air?

Rey eventually does take a breath, she sighs heavily against Ben’s cheek, “Maybe we can recreate that moment….but, you know, as grown adults.”

He lifts a questionable brow at her as they both let out a laugh. “As if that day wasn’t mortifying enough. I probably would’ve died from embarrassment if you saw me. How old were you? Like ten?”

She plants another sweet kiss upon his lips, then smirks, “Eleven.”

Turning a corner while adjusting Rey in his arms, Ben jokes, “Ohhh, I would have been thrown in jail. Did you even know you were an Alpha yet?” 

“Erm….” She glances around the small foyer decorated with red and green tinsel, trying to redirect this conversation from getting uncomfortable. “No, pretty sure I found out the following day.”

“Shit, I hope it wasn’t too bad.”

“Not one of my fondest memories, but I survived.”

Since that fateful day, the emergence of her designation has affected every single moment of her life. It would break Ben's heart if she told him the truth right now. The entire evening would be ruined if she attempted to verbally rationalize which one of her past memories was more traumatizing. 

But if she had to find the silver lining in all of this, it would have to be meeting Ben.

"Hey."

Shaking the thoughts from her head, "Oh, we’ve arrived? You can put me down now.” In a feeble attempt to stand on her own, she unwinds a leg to touch the ground.

Ben latches on to the limb and places it right back to where she originally had it on his hip. “Hang on, the card reader is right here.”

Her forehead drops to his shoulder as he reaches forward to slide the piece of plastic into its slot. 

The dark cloud that never dissipates was growing overhead once again. She shakily takes in a deep, deep breath when Ben pushes the heavy door open. 

If the sinister voice returns right now, how will she react? Will she be able to explain the repressed abuse and trauma she endured? Or will she have another breakdown leaving Ben in the dark?

There's not a doubt in her mind that he'd be so understanding and gentle. The emotional dam has been leaking all day long; it's only a matter of time before the waterworks become uncontrollable. 

Almost instantly, a subtle aroma envelops them both; soothing and calming her nerves. It reminds her of Phasma's bar diffusing witch hazel and eucalyptus, but this time it's something a little more on the citrus side.

“You know, I've only heard my aunt and the staff talk about these suites, but I've never actually been up here. Maz says they’re usually reserved by clientele interested in scent experimentation. I can only imagine what that means,” he chuckles lightly.

Rey slowly lifts her head and looks around with a new deftness. There's a fully functional kitchen connected to a spacious living room and a large entertainment center. Ben walks a little further down the hallway into a dark room and lets Rey slide down to stand on her own. The only light source is from the neon signs glowing from outside the wall-to-wall windows.

“Is there that much of a difference when comparing this room to the other one you originally booked?”

“Well, for starters, this entire floor has a brand new air filtering system. Gwen pitched the idea to my aunt about her aromatherapy plans for the bar, so now each room has its own unit where you can adjust the scents and make specific ones stronger.”

“Oh wow."

“Yeah, I believe lavender is the signature aroma to make guests feel calm and relaxed.” 

Her jaw drops as she steps into the bedroom. “Well this looks interesting! Who thinks of putting a shower right next to a bed like this?” Her eyes try to adjust to the darkness while peering through the glass panes. Maybe this is one bathroom she doesn’t send to her brother.

“Probably a giant pervert,” he snorts.

“So, where's the loo?”

Ben shrugs while looking around, “It should be right around here. Let me find the light switch.”

“No wait, keep them off." Rey steps over to the windowsill and opens the curtains a little more, "Look at this view….it's beautiful.” 

A sea of skyscrapers stretch across the horizon as far as her eyes can see. They are absolutely massive; some with brightly colored antennae reaching for the heavens while others, much shorter, can be viewed from this building's top floor, have decorated rooftops with string lights and giant flame heaters for holiday parties. It's truly a sight to behold.

“It is….” he sighs unconvincingly.

She glances at him with a raised brow, “What, the city boy doesn't agree? ”

With another heavier sigh, he turns away from the cityscape and leans against the windowsill to look at Rey, “ … .it’s not as beautiful as you.” 

If any other person had made the same remark, her eyes would be rolling across the floor right now. 

But they're not. 

These bright lights are almost just as fascinating as the man standing beside her. She feels him touching her wrist, rubbing the pulse point in a circular motion before kissing the inside of her palm. For the umpteenth time tonight, Rey forgets how to speak in his presence. 

Carefully, he takes a moment to slide behind her and prop his chin upon her shoulder.

“Is this okay?” He whispers.

“Yeah, why wouldn't it?”

“I’m just making sure I don’t spook you again like….like earlier.” He reaches out and turns his hand over, innocently presenting a recognizable part of himself to her.

That fuckable palm.

“Ben….I don't know how to explain what happened—”

“There's no rush, okay? Just take your time and let me help you in any way I can.”

Her chin begins to tremble as she intertwines their fingers. He must hear the change in her breathing and pulls her in closer.

“No, no, no….” He exhales defeatedly, “Rey, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m not upset….just overwhelmed.”  She smiles through her tears, “You’ve been so lovely….e-even when I was dreadful just like bloody Gollum.”

“ Gollum… .” he snickers. "Soooooo…. "  Tangling the heart-shaped locket around his finger, "Would you dive into the fiery depths of Mount Doom to save your preeeeciouuusssss ?"

She snatches it back, "Of course!"

It's even more precious now that I know you're inside it.

Ben looks down, almost nervous to ask something.

“What is it?”

"No, it's just….Are you sure my mother didn't reach out to you? She's very sneaky as you learned earlier, hiding my photos inside your locket."

“I swear on my life! I haven’t seen or spoken to her since—” Rey suddenly remembers a tearful Leia comforting the Alpha just a few years ago at her parent’s memorial. “—well, it’s been years. I wouldn't lie to you about that.”

Was Ben there?

"Dammit….I’m sorry. I-I told you, I don't have the best track record with Alphas or mates. Hell, my longest relationship was a monumental fuckin' farce.” She watches him take a deep breath through his perfectly straight nose, “Please excuse my self-deprecating tendencies. I’m still having difficulty that you find this remotely alluring," he says while gesturing toward himself. 

"Ben…." She steps closer to him while shaking her head, "Aside from that horrid Smeagol impression," she gently smiles at his snort, "you're just—"

Taking a moment, Rey ponders what exactly it is about this man that causes her to lose all brain functions, "—ridiculously unfair."

The smooth pad of her thumb brushes along his soft bottom lip. "The fact we can joke around like this after just meeting only hours ago seems absurd. It took Finn weeks to figure out my instruction manual, but you—" she pauses to swallow back some emotion, "you get me—effortlessly. It's maddening how everything about you allures me. And not just your scent. You were telling a story at the front desk before and I was literally salivating from just watching you. It's—” Her sentence ends abruptly as she tosses both arms in the air. “It's everything, Ben….your intelligence, your demeanor, your cadences—"

Clearly, listing all the ways he tickles her fancy was the incorrect route. Her body feels flushed from the tips of her ears to her toes.

“My cadences?”

“Yes! The inflections in the way you speak—” She removes her shirt and shoes in a frenzy. "The fact that you’re fluent in other languages makes me feel mental—”

“Why?”

“Who the fuck knows!” She gestures wildly to her entire body covered in red splotches. “My skin feels absolutely feverish—"

Oh, maybe a cold shower will help.

Ben clicks his tongue, “If I say, ¿Quieres un poco de hielo? What does that do?”

“Seriously?" Rey is unamused. "I lived in Southern California for most of my life.” She almost trips while removing her stretchy leggings and panties in one fell swoop. “You don't think I know the word for ice?"

With his jaw almost hitting the carpet, Ben rubs an extra large hand down his face as she stands before him completely bare. “God, Rey. I’m really fuckin' nervous,” he says while removing his sweater. 

She takes his hand and walks them over to the glass door. “At the rate we've been going today; I’m on the verge of combustion, so hopefully, this pervy shower is my consolation prize.”

“Do you want me to adjust the scent controls for something more calming?”

As she enters the square-shaped shower, warm LED lights softly glow along the cove base as her foot touches the tile. Ben’s timidly biting the inside of his lip in the way she cannot handle.

“Please just….fuckin' strip down and join me.” 

She was looking down at the floor, making sure it didn't sound like a true command, even though he admitted to enjoying it. 

Turning on the showerhead, she lets the cool water hit her back with a breath of relief. This definitely was a good idea. When the door finally closes, Rey looks over at Ben in all his glory and most certainly does not rake her eyes up and down his body an inappropriate number of times.

“Is-uhh—Is something wrong?”

She shakes her head and steps in front of him. “Huh? No, it’s just….back in Cali, I was a kick-ass graphic designer,” she states matter-of-factly.

He nods his head and watches her circle around him, “So I’ve heard.”

Her hand grazes across his collarbone as she makes her way behind him, dropping kisses on his shoulder blade. “I’d spend hours upon hours editing photos from the most breathtaking destinations in the world to enviously, flawless models." With her eyes shut tight, she rubs her nose along his spine and breathes him in. "If I was told to alter a photograph of you…." Hot air slowly expels from her mouth as she juts out her tongue for a taste. "I would have been rightfully fired for telling my bosses they should sod off and join the circus.”

“Well, I’m sure a few of these excessive moles could be airbrushed—”

She angrily spins him around, throwing a single finger in the air. “Now, listen here….the next one you remove will be over my dead fuckin' body! Would you get rid of my freckles or make my teeth smaller?”

“Of course not!” 

“Exactly," her voice trails off a bit. "We all have demons, Ben…." She drops her gaze to his chest, "....those nagging voices constantly reminding us of our insecurities. I'm still fighting mine to this day, but together, I think we can defeat those malicious forces."

The need to burrow herself between his tits becomes overwhelming as she presses her lips against an assortment of beauty marks. Between each kiss, she says, "I'll….fight….with….you."

Her mouth finds his nipple and flicks it with her tongue.

He groans out, “For fuck’s sake, just command me again.”

With a dramatic roll of her eyes, Rey fires back, “Omega, I’m not mind-tricking you to do anything.”

Ben lifts his hands in surrender, “It doesn’t have to sound threatening. Just think of it as a promise that you’re ordering me to do.”

“Like what?”

“Uh….I don’t know….….tell me to give you multiple orgasms.” He smiles at her like this is the best idea he’s ever conjured. “See? Something we’ll both enjoy.”

“You’re a fool.”

Ben skims both hands down to her ass for a squeeze. “Just try it. I bet I can get you off at least five more times before the night is over.”

“Oh really?” Her arms wrap around his shoulders.

“Yes , really. I’m not sure if you recall, but I’ve already had you clenching my fingers, umm, how many times now?” 

The beautiful bastard counts one finger at a time for each orgasm starting with his index and middle finger and ending with his thumb simulating the circular motion one makes to stimulate the clitoris. “Oh right, three times. But who’s keeping track….” 

"That'd make it eight in total. Why not go for ten?"

He smiles victoriously, "Just say the words."

The Alpha lightly pushes him into the steady stream of water and regrets it immediately. Her cunt begins to throb even more at this wet spectacle before her very eyes. As the showerhead sprays against his broad shoulders, those long, dark tresses become plastered along the sides of his face. He nonchalantly smoothes back that untameable mop of hair causing some shorter pieces to stick up in the most adorable way.

Rey has decided that she’s had enough.

Un-fuckin’-fair….period.  

“Alright, Ben Solo….I do not expect you to understand my way of thinking so here’s the deal.” She looks him square in the eye and doesn’t blink once. “I want nothing more than what you are willing to give me; whether it’s talking for hours fully clothed or fucking me to your heart’s desire against that window overlooking the city.” His eyes drop down to her lips for a split second, but then reconnects with her stare. “There will never be a moment where you’ll question your freedom or wonder if I’ve coerced subliminal messages without your permission.” She pauses to take a breath, “Just know that I want all of you; your heart, your body, and soul….I only hope for reciprocation.”

He’s breathing heavily with their hands gripping against his chest. Tiny droplets of water are dripping from his parted lips and chin.

Rey looks down at the shiny little square wrapper sitting in his palm. 

“I already told you, Alpha….I’m yours.”

She plucks the packet with a vibrant smile. 

Some kind of movement below his hand catches her attention and has her gasping. Rey searches his humored gaze while her brain attempts to register Little Benny really does listen to her commands.

“He’s waving at me,” she says just above a whisper. Their heated stare doesn’t break until her knees meet the tiled floor in front of one very erect penis. 

Of all the superpowers that could have been bestowed upon a person, Rey has never heard of a one-eyed snake charmer.

That foiled packet in her hand will have to wait a minute as she reacquaints herself with a languid lick across his plump mushroom tip. A myriad of expletives rain down from up above. With her heart thundering loudly in both ears, she leans in further and wraps her lips around his cock, sliding her tongue along its pulsing vein. 

His natural musk, that sweet and spicy combination of Mandarin Orange, Violet Leaf, and the forbidden Tonka Bean all infiltrate the air, invading Rey’s senses.

Her eyes immediately slam shut….the inner Alpha-switch, her rut, has been freed.

The need to fuck him until she passes out becomes overwhelming. 

A violent shudder pushes at the base of her spine causing her to surge forward, devouring another inch of his smooth shaft. Her cheeks hollow out as she swallows back her own saliva and sucks him in deeper, towards the back of her throat.

“FUUUuuuck…..”

That’s the last thing she hears him yell within the glass walls.

The rivulets racing down his magnificently sculpted chest glimmer before her eyes just like when bioluminescence rolls through the waves crashing at a beach. She can only hear herself humming while her salivary glands continue to gush, coating his entire dick. For support, Rey grabs ahold of his upper thigh with one hand and then slides the other down her own body, sensually kneading her breast until her moist center begins to cry for attention. Two fingers quickly dart to the juncture of her legs, tracing around her clit until finally embedding themselves within her walls. She pumps herself once, twice….

Mooooore ….

Somehow, Rey relaxes her throat and takes another inch of him. She can feel the push and pull as Ben guides the rhythm of her head bobbing back and forth with one extra-large hand. Her blunt fingernails dig into his thigh then trail up to grasp a handful of that taut ass. Feeling bold, she slides a pinkie between his buttocks. 

There's a loud thud from above.

Cracking open an eye, she determines the sound was Ben’s fist colliding with the glass.

Rey pulls back and tries to get his attention, “Oi! Would you stop punching things when I go down on you!”

"Fuck, Rey…."

The hand gripping his backside slides around to gently curl around his dick. She watches herself pump him slowly as his ample tip glistens with a droplet of pre-cum. Rey pushes another finger inside herself and sighs breathily, moving her hips faster onto her own hand. With another mouthful of saliva, her tongue relishes his citric essence before swallowing.

This fucking Ent has the sweetest tasting spigot she’s ever tapped and he’s ruined everything.

Life ruiner…..

“What?”

Her fingers are spread apart deep inside her warmth, pumping in and out unbeknownst to Ben.

“You’re a life ruiner,” she giggles, twisting her hand around his cock.

"Aaghhh!" He exhales sharply, "Are you okay?”

“Moi? I’mmm perfectly fiiiine,” she speaks in a sing-song voice. “My body feels all tingly and ohmygoddd , I can’t get over how you taaaayyy-sssste.”

He blows out a longer breath, “Yeah?”

“ Ben-JAA-minnn ….you're fuckin' delicioussss….like an orange creamsicle,” her eyes roll back again. “You should sell your Omega juice in stores….”

Lifting a brow at her, he asks, “Why do you sound drunk right now?”

“YOU sound drizzunk!” She accuses loudly as her voice echoes inside the steamy glass box.

“W-W-Wait!! Have you been touching yourself this entire time? Alpha….” he kneels down and replaces her slim digits with his much longer and incredibly thicker ones. "Jesus Christ, you're sopping wet for me." He looks around the floor, “Where’s the condom??

She has both arms planted on the tiled floor, rotating her hips as Ben attempts to keep up with her speed, "Mmmm….You think I'm this wet because of you???” She whispers, “So sure of yourself, aren’t you Omega ? Look around….we’re in a shower .”

"Ohhh the sass is strong with this one." He twists one of his fingers inside her while placing extra pressure against her clit, “Where’d it go?”

“Who FUCKIN’ caaaares?” The Alpha grips onto his neck with one arm and sloppily licks over his chin, mouth and nose. 

Ben must be clairvoyant because he removes his fingers right before she could clamp down with those powerful vaginal muscles. 

The most feral growl escapes from Rey when her Alpha mind believes she's just been deprived of an orgasm. “WHY?! Why did you stop finger fuckin—”

“Sweetheart, let’s get off the floor.”

“Do you think I care about where I get off? DO YOU? Your fingers were playing me like a goddamn fiddle! What fucking changed!?”

“I just—I just want to take care of you, Alpha.” 

He sounds so dejected and almost heartbroken at her outburst that Rey wishes she could forcefully turn off this rut somehow. 

Ben is not like the others.

“Of course…." Her eyes slam shut, "of course you do.” She whispers shamefully, “I shouldn’t have to be reminded of that after today. I-I don’t know what to say.” 

Rey lays back on the wet tile and covers her face with both hands.

“Sweetheart, you’ve been warning me all night about what your body’s going through, so I apologize too, for letting you suffer so much and for being a shitty Om—”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence, Ben,” she silences him. “That's not even close to the truth! I promise that I’ll try harder to tame the beast.”

He pulls back quickly after kissing her forehead, “Jesus, you are burning up.”

“Darling, please… .I need to feel you inside me.” Rey grabs his hand and places it on her locket sitting above one of her breasts. Her legs are rubbing together trying to soothe the fiery burn in between. “ Never stop touching me, okay?” She grips her fleshy mound along with his giant mit. “And….I swear, I-I don’t mind climaxing on a shower floor just as long as you’re there with me….”

….and your knuckles are buried deep inside my cunt.

Ben’s dark gaze connects with hers….he totally heard that.

His lips latch onto her other heaving breast and sinfully ravishes that rubescent nipple. Every single part of her is vibrating. She feels his thick digits rounding over the apex of her thighs, circling her bundle of nerves and sliding inside her warmth. 

“Please don’t fuckin’ stop!” She cries, cradling his face into her chest and holding him there.

All it takes is just a few more swipes of his thumb around her clit and teeth grazing over her puckered nipple for Rey to feel that magical rush. The oxygen trying to escape from her lungs is stuck in her throat as she cries into the night. Climax number four leaves her breathless; its warming sensation slowly spreads throughout her body with his heavenly ministrations.

Rey curls up in a ball on the floor with Ben's fingers still buried inside her.

“Sweetheart, are you okay?”

“Yes, just go on without me.”

“Heh, found it.” She feels him peel something off of her, “The condom was stuck to your scrumptious, little arse.”

“My what!?” Rey breaks out in a laugh and rolls to her knees, preparing to stand. Tears are forming in her eyes as she reaches out for Ben who is cracking up too. The second she’s on both feet, his fingers slip out of her from probably laughing so much. 

The Alpha sighs as she leans up to touch her forehead against his chin.

Realization dawns upon her.

This is really happening. 

With a few deep breaths, Rey takes his free hand with the condom and raises it to her mouth. She proceeds to tear through the packet with her teeth as Ben gazes down at her. She removes the sheath of latex and tosses the wrapper on the wet floor. In a quick fashion, she rolls the condom along his shaft and props her leg up on his hip.

Nodding in affirmation, they both guide the tip of his cock across her molten hot center. 

She cups his cheek and kisses him at the exact moment Ben swiftly thrusts inside her. The pressure deep within is indescribable. 

They both moan harmoniously as Ben hikes her up and onto her tippy toes. She comes up for air only to be assaulted by the sweet and spicy lure of his scent. Her tongue seeks flesh, licking the column of his throat up to his ear. Demanding more friction, Rey grinds her hips into his pelvis and watches Ben as he slowly drags out the entire length of his cock only to drive himself right back in. 

Being filled by this man washes over her as she hears him chanting her name.

“Holy shit, you're so fuckin' warm.”

“Mmmmm….Omegahh….I need mmooooorreee,” she moans as he slowly pulls out again.

Hoisting her in the air as if she weighs nothing, Ben whispers, “C’mere,” then walks them to the opposite side of the shower, making sure to wrap her other leg around him. “Grab on to the bar.”

Rey glances up at the metal rod above her head. Panting, she realizes she’ll be able to use this to her advantage and interlocks her fingers around it. With her upper body now on display before him, Ben buries his face in between her breasts. His tongue juts out and tastes her floral essence dripping down from her gland. He lets out a groan as Rey positions her tit against his nose, nudging him for some attention. One minute, her rosy nipple is sliding across his bottom lip and in the next, it disappears into his mouth as he eagerly sucks on it. She cries out as a pleasurable force tingles its way throughout her body. Before he even has a chance to thrust back in, Rey uses the laws of gravity and mounts herself onto his awaiting cock.

Ben lets out a groan and bites down on her tit.

“Oi!” She smacks his cheek.

"OW-ahh! Did you just slap me?”

“You gnawed off my nipple!” Rey screeches, but never stops gyrating her hips.

“Oh, I'm sorry that you almost broke my dick off….is it even there anymore?" He thrusts deeply at the end of his question. "Huh?....Can….you….feeeel me?" Each word is accentuated with a snap of his hips.

Rey's skull meets the tiled wall with a soft thud as her jaw hangs open from the powerful sensations ricocheting through her body.

The Omega notices her nimble fingers gripping her sore breast marked with his incisors. “Mmmm….baby, that’s so hot,” he wags his eyebrows suggestively. "Ska-wheeeeze’em for me."

She slowly blinks out of the euphoric sweet and citrus cloud then rolls her eyes at him, “You’re really an arse.”

“That is absolutely true, but I'm…." he pauses to slowly pull out and slam back in, ".... your arse ."

The back of her head blissfully thrashes against the shower wall. “Mmmmm, well lucky me.” Her tone is sarcastic, but the smile gracing her face conveys something completely different. 

Everything is different.

Ben is different.

Today alone, she has never felt so safe and wanted and cherished in all of her past relationships combined. Scenting, untimely triggers, soul bonding, and ruts created all sorts of convolution amongst designations; especially for this female Alpha. Rey notably always found the pursuit of sexual gratification quite arduous. Connecting with her partner never mattered, not while on suppressants and definitely not when previous male counterparts were racing to finish themselves off first.

They truly were sexually inept, sometimes skipping foreplay entirely….but not this man.

His extra large palm kneads around the bite mark he left on her puckered bosom. When he licks over her nipple, swishing his tongue round and round, Rey grabs at his face for a long kiss.

The Alpha vigorously devours his swollen lips with a fervor she has yet to experience. This feeling was almost painful; like going to bed hungry. Back when she scavenged for food, Rey knew no matter how much her stomach ached, she would never starve to death because she always found some way to survive. 

This time, she's not so sure.

Now that she's had a taste of Ben, Rey feels like a part of herself will not be able to recover if….

Her heart clenches at just the thought of possibly losing him.

"Hey." His whisper catches her off-guard, almost as if he could sense her pessimistic thoughts.

She didn't realize she had stopped moving when her legs tightened around his waist.

"Am I hurting you?"

Looking down at his inflamed gland as a distraction, she tries to camouflage the overwhelming emotion bubbling to the surface all the while her vagina boastfully gushes around him. She’s definitely feeling a whole slew of things, but not the type of pain he’s suggesting. The ups and downs of this emotional rollercoaster are barely keeping her crazy train on its tracks. Never in her life could she ever have conjured up this moment happening to her; being part of a soul bond and the fear of it possibly breaking. 

There’s someone for everyone.

With his inquisitive stare still upon her, Rey suddenly feels herself smiling. 

“No,” she lets out a big sigh, “I don’t think you can.” Readjusting her hands above, she continues to push down on him, plunging deeper and deeper as Ben's hips lift her body higher and higher. 

“Holy fuck, Rey.”

He drops a few kisses along the inside of her outstretched arm, then reaches for the metal bar above them to entwine their fingers. The Omega glances down at her with a crooked grin. 

The excess saliva filling her mouth is ridiculous. There’s no inconspicuous way to hawk out the fluid without him noticing….but if she doesn’t, she’ll start choking on it.

Rey quickly pecks his chin then turns her head to spit over her shoulder.

Too late.

His eyes follow the mixture of her saliva and their shower water swirling down the drain.

“Sorry, that was gross.”

Ben’s momentum stutters to a halt, leaving himself buried to the hilt as her walls continue fluttering all around him. Throwing back his head, he barks out, “Alpha!”

Her breath catches in her throat as his voice reverberates all around. 

Of course the acoustics in here are perfect, why wouldn’t they be?

He angles her head against the wall and skims his tongue around her gland with a long groan, “….I want everything that you, your body and soul are willing to offer.”

A guttural sound forces its way from her throat as he echoes almost the same words she shared several minutes ago. Rey attempts to pull herself up but fails. All of her energy is being redirected south. Her vaginal muscles are beginning to latch onto him for the fifth time; first for little Benny. 

When he reaches her lips, Rey mewls at the delicious fusion of their scents dancing across her taste buds. She watches Ben’s bicep flex as he pulls on the bar to drive in even deeper.

Their pace exponentially increases with Ben bending his knees to barrage her from a different angle. Her breasts bounce with such ferocity, all Rey can do is ride out this beautiful man’s onslaught. 

"Yes, OmeGAHH YES!!! ANY-FUCKIN'-THING!! YESsss!!!" She bites down on her lip when a stronger sensation wallops her. 

Trapped within her inner walls, Ben chokes out a groan when he can no longer pull out completely. His hips continue moving, deliciously dragging Rey with him as her knot squeezes with everything she's got. 

Reaching down for the sore nipple he bit not too long ago, she pinches herself. The world around her shatters to a million pieces again but with Ben deep inside. 

This is the only way. 

Her grip on the metal bar slips. 

Ben catches her as she slides down the wall, “You alright?”

"Yeah," she croaks into the textured skin of his gland. Her tired arms can barely wrap around his neck so she tucks them under his thick tree trunks. Even though both thighs are twitching from the aftershocks, she keeps them hooked around him. Like a gentle wave, her hips slowly ride out his gyrations.

He whispers a soft fuck .

The oxygen around them feels extremely thin as she huffs and puffs, trying to get her breathing back to normal for a few minutes.

“Ben?”

A long flow of air whooshes past her ear, “Mhmm?”

“Did you raise your voice at me….like a complete loon ….for spitting down the drain?” Her hand reaches up and tangles into his dark waves. 

“What if I did?”

She lifts her head and kisses along the soft edge of his jaw, "Why would you do such a thing? You know what your voice does to me.”

"I think you just answered your own question."

Stopping at his ear for a harmless little bite. “Oh, you're gonna pay for that.”

"I'm counting on it," He unabashedly licks a shiny trail of saliva cascading from her mouth. "Let's go dry off."

She holds on tighter as they exit. "Mhmmm….yeah, let's—oh God, wait! Did you finish?!"

Ben chuckles, "Sweetheart, it’s fine.” He finds a stash of towels in the closet nearby and wraps one around Rey.

"No, but—"

"No buts. I can't even move until you let go."

"What if I don't want you to?" She whines. "I'm okay with us just walking around like this." She drapes a towel over her hand and uses it to wring out his wet hair.

"Oh sure, my parents would be thrilled….actually, they probably would be those sick fucks."

"See? No need to disappoint the parental units."

"I wonder….will you release me if I start tickling you," he teases.

Her eyes bulge out, "Don’t you dare! These fists will start flying, Solo!"

Kneeling on the bed, he places a second towel down and gently lays her head upon it. With Rey now flat on her back and both legs dangling over the edge, Ben stands between her thighs; still completely embedded in her. His extra-large hands span the width of her pelvis, caressing her down to her knees and back up.

The Alpha bites the inside of her cheek as she hooks both legs around his hips again. Ben's skin is practically glowing in the dark. From several stories below, Times Square faintly illuminates the room full of windows, casting a blu-ish tint throughout their suite. Rey's towel falls away from her body as she glides her arms back and forth across the cool, soft bed sheets. 

"Sei bellissima," he whispers. 

Her fingers grasp the fabric roughly as her hips begin to move on their own accord, "Ugh Ben! In the nicest way possible, just fuck off."

The Omega leans in closer and drops his voice, "Voglio scopare solo tu."

"Goddammit!!" Rey shouts, feeling her inner walls pulsating again. 

When Ben pulls back, he creates the sweetest tugging sensation between their bodies. Both of them moan loudly into the quietness of the room.

"We can both agree this feels absolutely phenomenal, right?" He practically purrs into her ear. 

She wishes she could answer, but due to a certain squatch thrusting into her, she forgets how to speak coherently.

"What—UGH….What's the—hHhnnghhh….translation?"

"I said, you look beautiful and…" he pauses for a minute to look upon her visage, "....and I want to fuck only you."

When his wet hair drips onto her nose, she grabs two handfuls of those wondrous locks and yanks his face down to hers. Their mouths roughly meet in a searing kiss leaving them both breathless. Ben grazes along her bottom lip, sucking it gently into his mouth. As he pulls away, Rey's eyes shoot open to find his are adorably still squeezed shut. She cups the side of his face and holds him still; just long enough to let her tongue quickly lick over his mouth.

Those darkened orbs of liquid gold find hers immediately. His stare is literally setting her body aflame and he knows it. With a snap of his hips, he rams into her with enough force for her to choke out a gasp.

Rey swallows loudly as her salivary gland decides to go into overdrive, flooding her cavernous mouth practically every ten seconds.

His large index finger reaches for her chin and pulls down, opening her mouth wider for him. He dives in tongue first and attempts to lap up as much of her sweetness as possible.

She pushes her tongue up, offering anything and everything to him. After it brushes against Ben's more than she can count, an idea pops into her head.

With her legs still wrapped tightly around his waist, she drags him forward and pushes with all her might until Ben is beneath her on the bed.

Their connection never breaks.

She tucks her hair behind both ears, looking down at him with a quick swallow. "How are you still so hard?" 

He lifts his hips as she grinds down on him. "Your guess is as good as mine." His thumb brushes over the underside of her breast.

She exhales slowly through her nose and watches his eyes zero in on her mouth. The Alpha keeps her lips sealed as she leans forward, hovering above Ben. Beneath her skin, her blood vessels feel like they are about to explode. She can feel the slickness trickling out of her even while clenching around him.

He sucks in a long breath and stretches up for her pinched lips, leaving small kisses around her mouth.

"Go on…."

The second Rey slightly opens her mouth, she starts dripping onto Ben's awaiting tongue.

"Mmmm…." he hums, gripping the side of her face with one hand and her hip with the other. In a flutter-like motion, he laps up what he can get, alternating between short flicks and long strokes.

"Oh my God…." Her hips find the perfect rhythm, keeping in time with his ministrations; her knot still clamped around him. Their open mouths are far enough apart for their tongues to lazily roll and curl around the other.

Rey's body has a mind of its own. It seems as though this beastly rut will never be quelled. Her upper torso practically contorts as she leans all the way back, bending her spine over his semi-propped knees. She feels his fuckable palm splay across her pubic region and lets out a deep moan when his thumb applies pressure to her clitoral hood.

"Jesus fUUUUck," he cries out. 

One of his thick digits is pressing into his dick, right at the juncture where they're connected between her legs. Her warm slick pours out like a stream and coats his entire thumb. He immediately begins circling her bundle of nerves with a vigorous passion.

She springs forward and reaches down for his hand with both of hers. That tingling sensation at the base of her spine has returned as she rides him like an experienced equestrian. 

How is climax number six already here?

"C'mon, baby. You know you wanna come for me….again."

"Mmm I found myself a mind reader. I wonder how you came to that genius conclusion…." She smirks, looking down at Ben.

"You and that fuckin' mouth."

He places one hand high up on her ribcage, then pulls her body forward, latching onto her right breast. The swirling and licking sensations of his tongue brings her body closer and closer to its release.

"Shitshitfuck!” 

Both of her hands hold the sides of his face, feeling his jaw move every time he sucks in her nipple. She runs her fingers across his scalp, “Ugh God! Your hair….I wish mine was so lush.” 

Ben huffs out a short breath, "Here I am lavishing your beautiful tits but you're focused on my hair?" His mouth opens even wider, practically engulfing her entire left breast.

“FuckFuckFUuuuck!” She’s looking down and can only see his nefarious lips attached to her skin.

He rakes his teeth down her flesh, revealing her breast inch by inch. 

Rey groans, "Hnnngh baby….bite down just a little but like….use your teeth behind your lips."

“Fuck, Rey…. You keep talking like that and I may actually come.”

Ben does just that and Rey yelps out loud with her head thrown back. "My stars…."

Chuckling, he releases her with a little pop and looks up at her with a questioning look. "Stars?"

"Yes Benjamin, I'm seeing stars right now." She drops her head down and leans against Ben’s temple. “I’m usually not this vocal during sex.” Her breathing becomes more labored as his cock continues thrusting up into her in short spurts. "Harder….please."

"I can’t really do much until that sweet pussy of yours relaxes."

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't be." Ben reaches over and taps the bedside lamp. "Give me a second."

Rey expects it would kill the mood, on the contrary, she’s even more concupiscent. A thin sheen of sweat kisses his skin and only makes her want to lick every square inch of his body. The pink splotches across her breasts has her core dripping in arousal. 

"There might be lube in here. I think that could help me slide out."

"No way," she stops him from rummaging through the drawer. "Just be with me, Ben….be with me."

A moment of quietude settles across her features with every exhale.

"I'll fuckin' follow you anywhere, Rey."

Never breaking their stare, he blindly touches her locket. When he twists it around his large finger, she feels her eyes begin to sting.

This man's presence has unknowingly been with her for more than a decade. It's still extremely difficult to fathom what all of this means, especially how intertwined their lives have been since the day they should have met.

He sits up using an elbow, "Are you ready to see all the stars in the galaxy for the seventh time?"

"There’s only an hour left ‘til midnight, sir." Rey is amused at his determination. 

What he doesn't know is that she's just as adamant in getting him off at least once, maybe more, during their stay.

Something clicks in his hand and begins to vibrate on the bed.

Rey's eyes dart down to the noise.

“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that, Sweetheart.”