Chapter 56.

6 DAYS UNTIL THE WEDDING.

The following morning, a very stubborn Rey rolled to her stomach on the all-too soft bed.

"Mmmm." she grunted into her pillow, covered by her messy hair.

Inhaling deeply, she thought she caught a scent of the most divine soap, the smell of teakwood and daisies mixing into something delicious along her skin.

'That's funny...' she sleepily thought. 'I didn't take a-'

Her eyes popping open, she blinked a few times as the morning sun peaked through the curtains, warming her nude body as she lay on top of the bed surrounded by pillows and blankets.

Glancing down, she realized then that she was truly naked, and her hair was soft and brushed, her body clean and smelling so good.

Narrowed eyes found Kylo sitting in the other room, pulling his boots on, already dressed in his cleaned, black tunic. Sensing her awake, his head turned to the side, his eyes never meeting hers.

"You shouldn't sleep so long. We only have a few days left to train before the event." He said, his tone deep and already irritating Rey as she growled.

She didn't have to see his face to know he was already smirking, he practically screamed it at her through the bond.

"You could have woken me. And what's this? You bathed me and carried me to bed?" she glowered at him.

Kylo stood and slowly walked over to her, his eyes already on her naked form. Rey quickly grabbed at the nearest blanket, covering herself in such haste that nearly left her breathless.

Had she really been that tired that he was able to get away with bathing her and putting her to sleep?

Rey cursed herself as the corner of his lip turned up into a sly smile.

If Rey weren't so annoyed, she'd think it arousing.

"I couldn't resist." He said, standing at the edge of the bed, towering over her and still sporting his smirk. His large hand gripped the blanket, and Rey's eyes drifted down to watch the movement, her own hand gripping it harder.

Kylo gave a quick, stern tug as Rey's eyes narrowed even more, hissing at him.

Both the look and sound of her made his amusement grow, along with his arousal as his mind showed her the way he bathed her last night, the way his hands skimmed across her warm skin, paying extra attention to her curves, planting soft kisses along her flesh, already planning on showing her this memory as he did all of this.

He took care in draining the water, letting them dry in the tub before maneuvering her into a bridal position and carrying her to bed, where he brushed her hair and held her until he too fell asleep, and woke up just an hour ago, brushing his knuckles against her hardened nipples, trailing down her abdomen and skimming over her warm center.

Even with his actions and his memory, Rey spotted how his cheeks turned a slight pink as his eyes drifted down, his own lips still sporting his small smile.

Rey wanted so badly to be angry with him, hating that she had fallen asleep, and that during that time she was-

"Yeah, I know. You hate not being in control." Kylo scoffed, straightening himself and lightly dusting off his tunic.

He walked over to the dining table that sat a few feet away, and Rey realized now that there were covered trays and glasses of water and juice waiting there.

Mindlessly, her hands let the blanket go, allowing it to fall to her waist as she sat up and leaned forward to see what dish he was uncovering.

Kylo glanced behind him, meeting her eyes briefly before his hungry gaze fell to her exposed breasts.

Rey, however, paid no mind to him as she threw the blanket off of her with her eyes on the food before them.

Her cheeks dimpled with a smile, trying to see which plate she'd like to attack first as she walked to a rack of clothing, grabbing something that looked like a robe, though the royal blue silk was too flimsy to her liking, she still shrugged it on before eagerly walking to the table.

Kylo stood, his jaw tightening as he gulped down his arousal while he watched Rey, who was not bothering to close or tie her robe as she sat.

His mind cursed her, knowing she'd be the very death of him.

Rey's eyebrows shot up as she glanced to him before grabbing at what appeared to be some type of scrambled egg, refusing to use the silverware that lay next to her plate.

Kylo sat across from her, watching with a glare as he tried his best to keep his gaze on her face.

"You'll need to learn how to use those things for the reception." he grumbled, grabbing his own fork.

She scoffed at him, grabbing a sweet roll from a basket and taking a large bite out of it.

"Why... would I... have... to do ...that?" she asked between bites.

Again, Kylo gulped as he watched her little, pink tongue peak out to lick at her lips.

His mind clouded at the ideas he wanted to explore that involved her mouth... and the memory of how her skin pinkened beneath his touch, even as she slept. When did his mind become so easily manipulated with thoughts of her? When was it that all he could do was think of Rey? Of kissing her, and tasting her, his need to devour overcoming everything else...

He grunted as his brows drew together.

"The less attention we draw to ourselves, the better. No doubt that Caleo has invited the most important senators and rulers throughout the galaxy. It'll be dangerous, but Caleo will be sure to keep the peace."

At this, Rey slowed her chewing as she glanced to him, her hands closing the robe and moved to sit back against the chair.

"Caleo? Keep the peace?" She scoffed at him, watching as he took a bite of his food. "Ben, I-" Rey stopped herself, unsure if she should tell him about her discoveries, and DJ and their plan.

She knew she could trust Ben, in fact, that's a big part of why she was still here. However, there was still the matter of everyone else involved, including the Resistance and Lando, too.

Kylo looked at her questioningly, already reading into her mind, though she instantly guarded herself with her block before he could go any further. "I told you we can trust Lando. What is it that's bothering you?"

Rey narrowed her gaze at him, her finger tapping against the silverware at the table. "I know you said we can trust him. But it'd be very helpful if you could include me in on this plan of yours."

His own eyes squinted at her in return, his jaw tightening. "It's complicated."

"Why? Is it a secret?" she pressed, leaning closer across her plate as her frustration opened up, along with her robe. His eyes quickly darted down, and back to hers as he focused on breathing steadily.

"I wouldn't call it a secret... Though, I know you have your fair share of them."

It was Kylo's turn to shower her with a heated glare, and Rey's mouth parted to add a smart reply, but shut just as fast.

Rey knew she was found out, and she didn't need the bond to see that. But she couldn't help asking herself how it was fair that she reveal her cards, when he held his away from her view.