Episode 10: The Balance

Chapter Fifteen

She dreamt of Kylo Ren's ship that night. 

"Scavenger. How nice of you to join me. I was wondering when the bond might activate again." 

Rey knew that deep voice, and judging by the dark training room that surrounded them this was Kylo Ren rather than Ben. She was torn between fear and longing knowing that the man she loved was in there somewhere, behind all the dark armour. Turning she saw Kylo approaching her out of the shadows but the sight of him made her breath catch in her throat. He was not masked and cloaked as she had expected but wearing black trousers and a vest, his face uncovered. Why was her mind going here she wondered?
She had to admit he looked great. His dark hair was swept back from his forehead and a light sheen of perspiration covered his muscular arms. She could see scars and marks on his body, including the one she had personally given him. It was a surprise to see it again and it meant that she had conjured up a version of him from before Kef Bir. And that meant she had to be careful, unless she wanted it to become a nightmare. 

He was getting closer with every step. She held her ground, looking up at him defiantly. He tilted his head and looked right back, smiling slightly. "I do love it when you're angry," he teased her and reached out to touch her. The feel of his ungloved hand running down her arm was like fire and ignited something within Rey's chest.

"I guess I'm just surprised you haven't tried to kill me already," she snapped at him.

"Oh I don't want to kill you," he said to her gently, a slight smile on his lips. He walked behind her and she fought to keep from whipping around to face him. Her back and neck prickled, feeling him behind her. She was surprised by how strongly she wanted him to caress her, forgetting that he could read her easily.

He raised a hand and ran it gently down the side of her neck. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. "I won't hurt you. Tell me what you want and I'll give it to you."

Her embarrassment flared as she realised that he could sense her thoughts. She acknowledged that she wanted him . . . Well it just a dream, why not? But she couldn't articulate it, she wasn't used to having these sorts of conversations, real or not, and she was aware of her inexperience.

Kylo spoke again, close to her ear. "Would it surprise you to know that I don't have that much experience myself?" His voice was smooth and she was sure he was just trying to reassure her to get what he wanted.

"I went from Jedi Academy to the First Order, romantic attachments forbidden in the first and twisted and exploited in the second. I may be a monster, as you once told me, but I'm not that kind of monster. Tell me to stop and I will immediately." 

The hand that caressed her neck moved a little lower to her collar bone and he pulled her gently backwards so that she was leaning against his broad chest. "But I'd prefer it if you didn't," he said quietly and seductively. He bought his other hand round to the side of her waist, gently kneading her flesh. They stayed as they were for a minute and Rey realised that she was urging him on in her head, willing the hand at her waist to start to travel that little bit further.

Picking up on her thoughts Kylo started to very slowly move his hand, moving further across her stomach and downwards in tiny increments. Even moving over the fabric of her clothes his touch was electrifying. She leant her head backwards and her lips parted, eyes closed. The slow stroking and caressing was hypnotising . His hand was moving closer and closer to where she really wanted him to be touching her. . . 

A loud banging at her door woke her with a start. She leapt out of bed, startled and confused in equal measure. She could hear Poe from the other side of the door, the concern clear in his voice.