Caer del Cielo - Part Two

Rescue is on the horizon, but what does this mean for Rey and Poe's future?

Rated NC-17 for Explicit Sexual Content

Poe pulled away from Rey, his eyes immediately scanning the sky, but he kept hold of one of her hands. His body, which just seconds before had felt like it was about to combust as she had been trying to wrap herself around him, protested his sharp move. He winced slightly, but then his eye caught sight of the Cessna 206, and the blood began to return to his brain. Unfortunately, the little plane was flying away from them.

“What is that?” Rey gasped, using her free hand to point ahead of them, just under where the plane was disappearing behind another huge granite formation.

He squinted, his brain still a bit sluggish as he focused on the reddish color barely visible behind the trees. “It’s a building!” he exclaimed when he realized the color he saw was from the shingles of a roof. He looked at Rey and grinned. She grinned back, and the adrenaline that had been produced by their make-out session was used to push them forward on the trail. They passed another sign but barely glanced at it as they continued on. The trail branched, and without hesitating Poe took the right one, continuing on toward the building.

Soon, they could see what appeared to be a gravel road, and next to the building, which was a stout looking cabin, sat a United States Forest Service SUV. Poe tightened his grip on Rey’s hand and they both began to jog. If there was a vehicle here, that meant there was probably a ranger. Just as they started to follow the trail around the building toward its front, a man came out the door. Wearing the typical olive-green slacks and jacket, with the distinctive straw hat, the young man looked startled as he saw them, but then his eyes widened almost comically as recognition hit him.

“Oh, my God!” he gasped. “Everyone thinks you’re dead!”

Poe stopped, dropping Rey’s hand so he could lean over, bracing himself on his knees as he laughed, gasping for air. “I’m sure a few people wish I was,” he joked.

“How?” the Ranger started. “Where?” He looked around wildly. “Where did you come from?”

“We’ve been hiking for a couple of days now,” Rey started. “There are at least two dozen more survivors at the crash site. They need help!”

“Shit-take!” the ranger said, quickly changing the swear word to a mushroom. He turned back toward the door. “Get in here and sit down. I’ll radio the search commander.”

Poe grabbed Rey’s hand again and tugged her behind him as he followed the ranger inside. The cabin was small but cozy, and Poe made a bee-line for the sofa sitting along the front wall. As the ranger made his way over to a desk with a computer and other tech sitting on it, Poe pulled out his phone. Still no signal. But the ranger didn’t need a cell signal. He took off his hat and put a headset on over his blonde hair. Almost immediately he started talking excitedly on it.

“Guess who just strolled up to my door?” he inquired. “Poe fucking Dameron!”

Rey started laughing, looking at Poe. He smiled back at her. They had done it. They had made it to safety, and it hadn’t taken too long. The others would be found and rescued, now. While he looked at her beautiful face, he was reminded of the confession she had given him just before the plane’s arrival. He had expected to be surprised or disappointed by her admission, but he had been neither. He had been amused by it, however.

If it had changed how he felt about her, it had only made him care for her even more. These past few days had put the both of them in a situation where insincerity or artifice had been impossible, even for a well-trained actor such as himself. Her concealing that she was a fan was understandable. Directly after the crash, she probably hadn’t even thought about it, and afterwards, after they started getting close, he appreciated why she hadn’t wanted to tell him. After what she had said about her feelings for him, it was obvious she hadn’t wanted to risk having him hate her or distrust her.

“Hey!”

The ranger’s voice, directed toward them, pulled his thoughts back to their current situation.

“Can you guys show me on this map where you came from?” The young man was standing next to a large framed map on the wall next to his desk.

Poe stood and moved over to the map, feeling his aching body scream; he had just been getting comfortable sitting. Rey followed.

The ranger pointed to a spot just northeast of the label ‘Big Sandy Campground.’ “We’re right here,” he said.

Poe brought his finger up and followed the trail back as Rey moved in to watch. “We came from the Cirque,” Poe said. “We hit the trail about four or five hours north of there.”

Rey added her finger. “And we hiked about four hours from the west to get to the trail,” she said as she slid her finger left on the map. She looked at the ranger. “Around here somewhere.”

The ranger looked intensely at where she was pointing, then spoke into the microphone of his headset. “West of Texas Pass,” he said. Then he looked back at them, awe in his face. “How the hell did anyone survive a crash in that area?” Then he shook his head. “Never mind. Everyone thought the pilot turned west in the storm. They’ve been looking for you closer to Pinedale.”

“The pilot said he was going to try and get to Atlantic City,” Poe told him.

The kid shook his head. “Weren’t even close. But if the damage to the plane was as bad as he thought, then he had no clue where he was.”

Poe nodded. “I guessed he was just trying to keep everyone calm. Make everyone think it was under control.”

The ranger nodded. Then he kind of shook himself. “I’m Tem, by the way. Tem Blagg.” He reached out a hand. “Big fan.”

Poe gave a soft laugh and shook the man’s hand. Then he motioned to Rey. “This is my fellow Pathfinder, Rey Smith.”

Tem and Rey shook hands.

“Why didn’t we see any other hikers on the trail?” Poe asked. “I thought this was a fairly popular place?”

Tem huffed a frustrated laugh. “That storm that knocked you out of the sky? It also washed out the only road out here. The few campers that were stuck were airlifted out yesterday. It’s just me and the few backpackers that are still on the loop, unaware. I’m here waiting for them.” He grinned. “And I got you instead.”

“Does that mean we get airlifted out, too?” Rey asked.

“Actually, no. I just got word a few hours ago that the road has been repaired. Another ranger is on the way to drive you to Boulder. The choppers will go in for the folks on your plane once the search plane finds them.”

Poe nodded, suddenly feeling exhausted. Tem seemed to recognize this.

“Hey, are you guys hungry?” he asked. “I’ve got fixings for cold sandwiches, soda and juice. I can make some coffee, too.”

“Sandwiches sound great,” Poe said nodding. His stomach seemed to roll over on itself at his words.

“Do you have Coke?” Rey asked quietly.

Poe laughed as Tem nodded.

******

Rey had never been that fond of cold cut sandwiches, but the turkey one she ate while waiting at the Ranger’s cabin was one of the best meals she had ever had.

She and Poe were almost through with their quick lunch when Tem turned toward them with a smile. “The search plane found the crash site,” he told them. “And a large bunch of happy people jumping up and down and waving their arms. They’re sending in the rescue choppers now.”

Rey and Poe both laughed in combined relief and joy. Poe put his arm around her, hugging her close as she lay her head on his shoulder. “We did it,” she whispered.

“We did,” he responded.

It was just over an hour later when their ride arrived. Rey once more had her head on Poe’s shoulder, half asleep, but she was wide awake when she heard the vehicle on the gravel outside. An older Ranger, Cal Kestis, introduced himself and within minutes they had climbed into the SUV, Rey in the front passenger seat at Poe’s insistence. Poe sat in the back on the driver’s side. Cal kept them entertained on the almost hour and a half drive to Boulder, the closest town to the campground.

“It’s not very big,” Cal told them. “But it’s got a really nice hotel with a restaurant and store.”

“Will the others be taken there?” Rey asked.

Cal shook his head. “No, they’ll be flown to Pinedale. They have EMTs waiting to check them over and those that need to can get to the hospital, the rest to a motel. Someone will drive you to Pinedale in the morning.” He glanced back at Poe. “Unless you really need to be somewhere?”

Poe shook his head. “Anything else can wait,” he told the Ranger. “I just want a shower and a bed.” He glanced at Rey as he said this, the look in his eye intense. Rey looked away, her face heating. She glanced at Cal, but the man seemed oblivious. She hoped so, anyway.

Finally, they arrived in the tiny town of Boulder. Surrounded by vast, open plains, it was hard to imagine they were not that far removed from the mountainous Wind River Range. As the vehicle stopped in front of the convenience store where they would check into the motel, Poe leaned forward in his seat.

“Hey, how about you check us in and I’ll wait here?”

Rey grinned at him. “Not ready to face the masses, yet, huh?”

He shook his head. “Not until I get a good… rest.” He was staring at her again. She shivered.

“I’m surprised there’s so many cars here,” Cal said with a shrug. He nodded at Rey and they both left the SUV. A pretty young brunette was behind the counter when they walked in, and she smiled at Cal in recognition. “Hey, Jess,” the Ranger said.

“Hey, Cal. What can I do for you today?” she asked as she looked at Rey.

“This is Rey,” Cal said. “And she is one of the survivors from that plane that disappeared in the storm.” The woman’s eyes widened. “She and her friend hiked out for help, and the rest of the survivors are getting rescued as we speak. She and her friend need a couple of rooms for the night, then we’ll get them a ride to Pinedale in the morning. Government tab.”

A mixture of emotions crossed the woman’s face. Wonder, awe, joy, and finally regret. “Sorry, Cal. We are full up with all the campers that have been waiting to get into Popo Agie. We only have one room.” She looked at Rey. “But it’s a double.”

One room.

“We’ll take it,” Rey said. There were two beds, she reasoned. It’s not like they hadn’t slept together every night since the crash. Besides…

Jess nodded, then got two key cards, handing them to Rey. “Number 8.”

“Your cell phones should work now, too,” Cal told her as they left the store and headed back to the car. “Huh, never mind.”

Poe was already on his phone in the back seat, a smile on his face as he waved at them. Rey and Cal both got back in the vehicle and Cal drove them behind the store to what looked like a long, log building with cute chairs and flower pots sitting on either side of the end doors. Cal traded cell numbers with Rey as Poe grabbed his bag and slipped out of the car, phone still up to his ear; he wasn’t talking, so Rey assumed he was listening to his messages. “Call me if you have any problems. Either myself or another Ranger will be here in the morning to take you to Pinedale. Not too early. Sleep in a little.” He winked as Rey felt her face heat once more. Yeah, he wasn’t as oblivious as he acted.

Poe opened the door for Rey and she couldn’t help but smile at his almost instinctive gentlemanly behavior. They walked side by side down the long hallway. Room number 8 was at the very end on the left. “Only eight rooms,” Rey said with a shrug. “Tiniest hotel I’ve ever been to.” She opened the door with the key card, then handed the other one to Poe who was looking confused. “Uhm… they only had the one room left.” She pushed open the door and turned on the light. “But there are two beds.”

The room was beautiful. Pine paneling on the walls that matched the outside of the building, greyish brown carpeting that went well with the pine, simple but modern light fixtures, a small fridge and microwave, and of course a tv. Even the table, chairs, and bedsteads were pine. It was warm and cozy in appearance, and Rey was pleasantly surprised.

Poe moved past her into the room, his shoulder rubbing hers with intention. “Doesn’t mean we have to use both,” he told her, his voice low.

Rey stepped in after him, her pulse speeding up as she bit her bottom lip. She closed the door behind her.

He tossed his bag on one of the beds and looked at her, his gaze intense once more. “Why don’t you take a shower first,” he said. He lifted his phone. “I’m not going to deal with most of this until tomorrow, but there are a couple calls I really should make now. Namely my dad and my manager.”

She smiled and nodded. “I’m sure it will be a bit before Finn is able to call me, so that sounds good.” She made her way to the bathroom and the nice sized shower. She looked back at him as she began to close the door and saw he was still watching her. She smiled and closed the door, but didn’t lock it.

Rey had not brought most of the belongings in her weekend bag with her on the hike, but she had thrown her small travel case and her sleepwear (an oversized t-shirt and shorts) in the backpack. She hadn’t even considered underwear, however, so before she jumped in the shower, she rinsed out the pair of panties and bra she was wearing. Even though it wasn’t at all cold outside, Rey took the hottest shower she could stand, scrubbing her hair with the travel shampoo and conditioner. She dressed in the t-shirt, brushed her teeth and hair, then debated for a bit about putting on the still damp panties. She finally just pulled the shorts on, leaving the underwear to hang dry.

When she left the bathroom, Poe stood from where he was sitting on the bed watching the TV. He grimaced at her. “Well, it’s hit the news already,” he said, and Rey could see the image of a plane like the one they had been on with the headline ‘Actor Poe Dameron Found Alive After Plane Crash in Wyoming.’ “It’s gonna be a zoo when we get to Pinedale tomorrow. Sorry.”

Rey shrugged. “It is what it is.” She motioned back toward the bathroom. “Shower’s yours.”

He headed past her. “I called the restaurant and they’re bringing some food over. I didn’t know what you like, but for some reason a burger sounded really good so I had them make two with some fries. They’re also bringing a couple salads, but if you want something else?”

Rey shook her head. “No, burgers sound great!”

He smiled and stepped into the bathroom with his backpack, then winked as he closed the door. “They’re bringing Coke, too.”

Rey laughed. Just then, her cell phone rang. She smiled as she saw Finn’s name come up. “Finn!”

“Rey!”

She plopped down on the bed as they began to talk. Finn confirmed that everyone they had left alive was safe in Pinedale, and that the bodies would be recovered tomorrow. They would also be able to determine exactly what caused the crash; as of now, it was believed to be mechanical failure of some kind, with the storm they had run into being a secondary factor.

“Rose is good?”

“Yeah, she’s in the shower right now,” Finn answered. “How about Poe?”

“He’s also in the shower,” Rey answered without thinking.

“Oh! So, you’re in the same room?” Finn’s voice was teasing.

“Ah…”

“It’s okay, Rey.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Whatever happens, enjoy it, even if it’s just a one-time thing.”

Rey’s heart clenched at Finn’s comment. One-time thing. Is that what it was? Even though Poe had talked about wanting to see her after this was over, was that just the high emotions and adrenaline from their experience talking? Could she really expect more?

There was a knock on the door. “Hey, our dinner is here,” she said to Finn. “Give Rose a hug for me and I’ll see you both tomorrow, okay?”

“Absolutely!” Finn responded. “Love you!”

“I love you, too,” Rey said as she hung up and moved toward the door.

Jess was on the other side, a plastic bag with Styrofoam containers in one hand, a holder with soda cups in the other. “Special delivery,” she said with a smile. “We don’t usually deliver, but you and your boyfriend are an exception.”

Rey smiled and took the food and drinks. “Thank you,” she said. “He’s not really my boyfriend. We just met on the plane.” She reminded herself that the woman hadn’t seen Poe, so she didn’t know it was the famous actor who was here.

Jess’ eyes widened. “Oh! No wonder you wanted separate rooms. I’m sorry!”

“It’s okay!” Rey soothed. “We’ve been in close quarters for days. This is perfect.”

And it was going to be, Rey thought to herself as she said goodbye to Jess. Whatever tomorrow would bring, she was going to make the most of tonight.

Even if it was just a ‘one-time thing.’

******

Poe stared at his reflection in the mirror as he finished shaving, trying his best to not look over at the towel rack on the outside of the shower door, where Rey’s panties and bra were hanging. Did she have another pair, he wondered again, in spite of himself? Not that it mattered, but the idea of her being commando under those cute little shorts she had come out of the bathroom wearing was more than a little titillating. Of course, he was gonna give as good as he got; before his shower, he had rinsed out his own boxers and they were hanging on the same rack. He knew he didn’t have another pair, so the sweatpants he had pulled on were it.

He tore his eyes away from the damp underwear and rinsed his face, then shook his head at himself in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, he headed out of the bathroom.

Rey was sitting at the little pine table with their meal set out in front of her. She was taking a bite of her salad when her eyes focused on him. She paused, her glance both startled and admiring as she gave his bare chest and sweatpants a once-over. She completed her action, looking away a bit self-consciously as she chewed. He remembered again that she had written smut about him. Or one of his characters, anyway. He was super curious to see how she had described his body in those stories of hers.

He sat down across from her, noticing that she had already taken a few bites of her burger as well as the salad. He was about to make a joke about her not waiting for him, but decided any teasing before he ate his own meal probably wasn’t a good idea; he was starving. Besides, he needed the energy if tonight was going to go as he planned. It had been a long few days, with the hard physical labor of hiking in rough country combined with irregular sleep taking their toll. But he was not going to let this one night of safety and privacy go to waste. Who knew what the next few days would bring?

They ate silently, and for the most part it was a comfortable silence, but as they both neared the end of their meals, Poe noticed Rey casting him nervous glances. She was already thinking ahead, and she didn’t seem very confident about what might happen. Poe finished and leaned back in his chair, eyeing her calmly. She refused to look at him, restlessly putting together the containers and used napkins and other refuse from their meal into a neat little pile, then she picked it all up, stood, and dropped it into the garbage can behind her.

She turned back to the table, but didn’t sit, and she still wouldn’t look at him.

“What happened?” Poe asked softly.

She met his eyes this time, startled. “What do you mean?”

He shrugged. “Suddenly, you’re acting like we just met again,” he said. “Like we haven’t been through hell and back together these past few days.”

Rey hitched her shoulder up. “I’m sorry, I guess I’m…” She took a deep breath and looked at him.

Poe saw the fear in her eyes, but he also saw the hope. She still wanted this to happen, he thought. She was just thinking a little too much about it. Probably reminding herself who he was, and trying to convince herself it could never really happen.

“Hey!” he said suddenly, his voice bright. “How about dessert?”

He stood as Rey glanced about her, a confused look on her face. He hadn’t ordered dessert.

He moved toward her, stopping in front of her and grinning. “It’s not on the table,” he said softly. “It’ll be on the bed.”

She focused on him, her eyes widening. “Oh…” she breathed. “That’s… really cheesy.”

They both laughed, and Poe could see her nerves ease. “I know,” he told her, still grinning. “But I am very much looking forward to it,” he continued. “If you still are.”

Her smile faded, but she kept her eyes on his, nodding. “I am.”

He moved in and took her lips with his, not giving her another second to stop and think. She responded as he had hoped, her mouth opening under his without hesitation, and once more the passion that they had found out on the trail just before they heard the plane was back. She wrapped her arms around his neck, smoothing one of her hands along his bare shoulders, and he felt a shiver of anticipation. He wanted those hands all over his body, touching all of his skin.

But first he wanted his dessert.

He turned her and backed her toward one of the beds. When he felt her bump into it, he grasped her shoulders gently and pushed ever so slightly, backing away from her just enough to look at her. “Lay down,” he told her. His voice was more forceful than he had intended, but by the look in her eye, she didn’t mind. With a slight smirk on her lips, she sat down on the bed, scooching herself back a bit while keeping eye contact with him. Her immediate obedience sent a bit of a thrill through him; this was something he hoped they could experiment with more in the future. But for now…

He dropped down on his knees in front of her. Her eyes widened in surprise, and her breathing began to come faster as she realized what he was planning to do. He reached for the waistband of her shorts, then started tugging on them. “Lift,” he said, his voice gruff now. She did as he asked and he slid the shorts off of her and down her long legs, one glance telling him immediately that her only pair of panties were hanging in the bathroom. His cock surged to attention, but it would have to wait its turn.

Gently but firmly, he parted her knees, sliding his body in between her spread legs. He could smell her now, and he groaned at the deliciousness of it. If she tasted as good as she smelled… He looked up at her once more. She had dropped down to rest on her elbows and was watching him with what looked like total disbelief and wonder. Her eyes met his once more.

“This has to be a dream,” she breathed out.

He shook his head. “No dream. This is absolute reality.” He leaned forward, using his hands to push her knees apart even more, then began kissing up her inner thigh, reveling in the smooth, soft skin, licking it and sucking on it every few kisses. When he reached the apex of her thighs, he immediately nosed the top of her slit, pushing his way through the thin nest of dark hair guarding her sex, until he found her clit. Her body jerked in response and he smiled, then brought his mouth up so his tongue could play with the small, sensitive organ he was about to claim as his own.

Rey began to whimper and moan, and her noises only excited him further. While he had done this before, he wasn’t as experienced as he knew his fans wanted to think he was, but he was determined to make sure this particular fan was absolutely, unquestionably satisfied.

He toyed with her clit for a while, then let his tongue and lips stray along her vulva, paying close attention to the way she moved, the sounds she made. A gasp here indicated a sharp jolt of pleasure. A moan there told him something felt really, really good. A whimper and a wriggle of her hips told him what he was doing was almost too much, but not so much she wanted him to stop.

He was aware of when she let her upper body fall back onto the bed, and her hips began a rolling motion at about the same time. Somehow, without any words being said, he understood, and he brought his hand up, bringing a finger to her now soaking pussy and sliding it in as he continued to lick and suck on her. Her loud moan told him he had guessed right, so he added another finger, curling them both upward, searching for that spot he had only ever read about.

She began panting, and suddenly one of her hands was gripping his hair. He pumped his fingers a couple of times, then curled them up once more, stroking the wall of her vagina as he sucked a bit harder on her clit.

Rey exploded. There was no other way to describe it. Her hips rose off the bed and she cried out sharply, her fingers tightening on his hair. He groaned, feeling his own arousal skyrocket. He kept his fingers and mouth working her until he felt her start to come down, her whole body tremoring. She released his hair but kept her hand on his head, gently pushing against him. He responded by slowly backing away from her, removing his fingers carefully, watching her intently as she continued to tremble. Her whole body was a rosy color, her neck and face especially bright. She was staring at the ceiling, blinking rapidly.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, bringing her hands up to cover her face for a moment, then she opened her eyes and lifted her head to look at him. “Holy hell,” she whispered. “Do they teach that at Juilliard?”

Poe laughed. God, he loved this woman!

******

Rey was still trying to focus on her surroundings as she heard Poe laugh at her comment. The sound of his laughter sent an extra shiver up her spine as she sat up; she wanted to make him laugh, to laugh with him, over and over and over. Her eyes centered on him as he stood up straight in front of her, eyeing the definite bulge in his sweatpants.

She reached forward, grasping the waistband and pulling it out and down, revealing his impressive cock, which was erect and pointing more upward than out. She glanced up at him to see that his smile had faded, but that his eyes were still bright as he watched her. She studied his erection again. Rey wasn’t exactly super experienced, having had only two lovers in her life, but she knew enough to know what she liked. He wasn’t any longer than average, she decided, which was a bit of a relief; Ben had been too long, and she had never been completely comfortable with him despite the fact that he had been so careful with her. But while Poe wasn’t extraordinarily long, he was very thick, and that discovery sent a shot of arousal through her. Her still oversensitive pussy clenched at the thought of his entry, and she knew she wanted to feel him inside her as soon as possible. But first…

She grasped his erection in one hand, shuddering as she felt how hard he was, but also admiring how soft his skin was. She leaned forward to take him in her mouth, and she felt Poe’s hands touch her head softly.

“You don’t have to,” he said, his voice rough.

Of course, she didn’t, she thought. He was already completely aroused. “But I want to,” she said out loud, then leaned forward to taste him. His fingers continued to play with her still damp hair, not holding her to him or pulling on it. Just fingering it gently as she continued to nuzzle and lick and suck on him. She could hear how rough his breathing was getting, and her own arousal was heightened once more.

“Rey?” His voice cracked.

“Hmmmm?”

“Please stop.”

She did, looking up at him, worried she had done something wrong.

His expression startled her. He looked completely destroyed. “I can’t…” he began, swallowing harshly. “I can’t hold out much longer. Please.”

She smiled, then pushed herself back onto the bed she was sitting on, pulling off her t-shirt as she did so.

Poe was about to push his sweatpants completely off when a panicked expression crossed his face. “Condom?”

Rey had already thought that part through. “I’m clean,” she said. “I’m sure you are, too.” She saw him frown and tilt his head. “And I finished my period right before we came up to Jackson,” she continued before he could speak. “It’s too early for anything. I’m good.”

“Rey…” His expression showed his uncertainty.

“Poe, please,” she begged. “It will be fine. Don’t stop this now.”

Taking a deep breath, he pushed off the sweatpants and crawled onto the bed, joining her as she maneuvered to the center. He began kissing her as she lay back, one hand tracing her body as he braced off the other elbow. Rey let herself touch him in turn, thrilling at the heat of his skin and taking note of the contrast between his naturally darker skin tone and her paler shade; even where she had been tanned from the sun, she was much lighter than him. He was kissing her all over now, and she was also kissing and licking whatever she could reach with her mouth, gasping every now and then as he mouthed a particularly sensitive spot.

Her euphoria was growing and she felt as if she was in a dream. The pulsing between her legs was becoming hard to ignore. “Poe, please. I need you!”

Without hesitation, he rolled onto his back, pulling her with him. “You’re in charge,” he told her, his voice gruff.

She straddled him. “What if I want you in charge?” she challenged.

He sat up, looking up at her slightly as she sat perched on his thick thighs. “We can play with that later,” he told her, and the deepness of his voice sent a shiver up her spine. “Right now, you’re in control.” He kissed her, his hands stroking up and down her back.

Taking a deep breath, she looked down. His cock was pressed between them, the base already rubbing against her clit. She glanced back up at him, only to see him looking down as well. With more bravado than she really felt she had, she grasped his cock, raised herself up on her knees, and lowered herself down onto him, sheathing him deep inside her. As she had suspected, she was able to take him all, and though there was a bit of discomfort while her body adjusted, there was no real pain. Sighing, she looked back up at his face. His eyes were closed and his expression was downright intoxicated. She bit her lip, then leaned down to kiss him. He opened his mouth immediately, moaning into hers, and the sound caused an uncontrollable contraction in her cunt. She started rocking, her moans joining his as the motion set off internal fireworks through her whole body. They continued kissing as she rocked, his hands sweeping along her back, cupping her buttocks, then floating lightly along her sides, teasing the curve of her breasts as they moved upward. He left her mouth and began to nuzzle her jaw, encouraging her to lift it up so he could suck on her neck. He was going to leave a mark, she thought, and smiled.

Her hands were not still, either. As he made love to her throat, she played with his hair, which was still slightly damp from his shower. His natural curls were out of control as he hadn’t done anything but wash it, and she loved the soft feel of them as she ran her fingers through them. The thought that she had fantasized about doing this very thing to this very man more times than she could count crossed her mind, but it left quickly as the insistent pleasure coming from between her legs took control.

They rocked like this together for an indeterminable time, but then suddenly one of Poe’s hands dropped down between them, his fingers finding her clit with unerring accuracy. She gasped as if she had been hit with a jolt of electricity, and her rocking became faster. He began kissing her lips again, his tongue delving into her mouth as if he wanted to swallow her whole. She felt the tremors of her orgasm start and her thighs began to shake, but she didn’t stop moving. Until it hit. She cried out into Poe’s mouth as her body pulsed again, and her thighs tried to clench together but instead squeezed his hips tightly. Gasping, she threw her head back, reveling in the sensations rolling through her. The two most powerful orgasms she had ever had in her life, both caused by one man. This one man.

As she came down from her high, emotions swamped her. Joy, gratitude, wonder, and… why was she crying? She threw herself at Poe, wrapping her arms tight around him as she hid her face in his neck, the tears unstoppable. He crushed her close, mummering nonsense in her ear as she slowly got herself under control. Finally, taking a deep breath, she leaned back. She wiped her eyes and gave him what she hoped was a seductive smile.

“Your turn.”

“I should pull out,” he said, his voice tight.

She shook her head. “No. I don’t want you to.”

“Rey…”

“Please,” she whispered. “Please.” She pushed on his shoulders firmly until he let himself drop back onto the bed. “Please,” she said again, louder, as she began to move up and down on his still rock-hard cock. She was physically exhausted and she was ultra-sensitive where they were joined, but she was also determined. She lifted her arms up, catching up her damp hair and gathering it together to lift it off of her sweaty neck, knowing the movement caused her breasts to jut out. His eyes focused on her, sweeping her body up and down, his large hands gripping her hips tightly. Soon his own hips were snapping up to meet her downward thrusts.

He didn’t last much longer past that. He cried out as he ejaculated, and Rey felt her pussy spasm softly one last time, as if in reaction to the feel of his warm seed filling her.

She let herself sink down over him as his breathing began to slow, and he quickly wrapped his arms around her once more, turning his body so that they were both lying on their side, facing each other. He slid from her core, and she felt the wet mess of their combined cum slide out onto her thighs, but she didn’t care. She was focused on his eyes, watching him intently as he watched her in return. After a brief, weighted moment, he smiled.

Smiling back, her heart full, Rey knew without a shadow of a doubt that whatever happened tomorrow, she would love this man for the rest of her life.

******

Three things came to Poe almost immediately as he woke the next morning. The first was that he had slept more deeply than he had done in months, if not years. The second was the feeling of the woman sleeping plastered against his back, the reason for his restful and stress-free sleep. He had never been the little spoon before, he thought with a smile. The third was that the sun was already up.

It was the third realization that made him jerk completely awake, pushing himself up on his elbow and reaching for his phone on the nightstand. It wasn’t until he had grabbed it and turned it on that he saw it was Rey’s. His own face looked back at him from the lockscreen, an older photo, and he frowned in confusion. Realization hit, and he started grinning.

“Whatimesit?” Rey mumbled from behind him, obviously having been wrenched from sleep by his sharp movement.

He looked at the time on the phone, his body relaxing. “It’s only a quarter after seven,” he told her. He shifted so that he was lying on his back, and Rey moved to accommodate him without leaving his personal space. He showed her the phone as she lay her head on his shoulder. “Ooops,” she whispered and he chuckled.

“Want to check your messages?” he asked, noting there was a waiting text.

“It’s not locked,” she told him without lifting her head, her voice sleepy. “It’s either from Finn, Rose, or Cal.”

A warmth filled him at her trust in him, and he opened the text. “Cal will be here around ten to drive us to Pinedale. He says our luggage is there and we should have time to change clothes before the press conference scheduled for noon.”

Rey raised her head, completely awake now. “Press conference?”

He smiled at her. “For me, mostly, although I think as many as the survivors that want to participate should. All of you are going to be pretty famous for a while.”

He watched as panic flew across Rey’s expression, and it worried him a bit. He was already envisioning a permanent relationship with this woman, but if that happened, she was going to have to get used to being in the public’s eye.

She took a deep breath and glanced at him, giving him a soft smile. “Ten? That doesn’t give us much time.”

He frowned. “To get ready and have breakfast?” he asked. “How long does it take you to get ready in the ‘real world’?”

She giggled. “I was thinking about time for other things before getting ready and getting breakfast.” She started running her fingers along his chest, intentionally rubbing her thumb lightly over his nipple.

His body responded immediately. He cleared his throat. “Well, we could save time by showering together,” he suggested.

She offered him one of her big, beautiful smiles. “I like the sound of that!”

Grinning back, he tossed the phone back on the nightstand and started sitting up.

“First one there gets to choose the water temperature,” Rey sang as she threw off the covers and scooted off the bed.

Poe was momentarily distracted by her naked form, then had to untangle himself from the sheet as he pulled himself out of the opposite side of the bed. “No fair!” he called. “You’re closer to the bathroom!”

She just giggled again as she disappeared inside the little room. When Poe got there, she had the light on and the water running. Her hand under the flow, she looked back at him with a smile. “Don’t worry. I won’t make it too hot.”

He snorted and shook his head, then reached for her, wrapping his arms around her in a bear hug. “Make it cold,” he told her as she squealed. “We’ll be hot enough.”

She pushed at him, laughing. “Stop being so cheesy!” she said. “Are you always like this without someone to write your lines?”

He howled with laughter, then put a hand under the water stream himself. “Perfect,” he said, still chuckling, and stepped into the shower without letting go of Rey.

“Poe!” she squealed and laughed. The sound was like music to his ears. “Argh! It is cold!” Despite her protest, she turned her face into the water, ducking her head under the stream.

He grabbed up the small bottle of body wash and crowded her so he could get under the water as well. They continued to push each other playfully, trading the bottle of soap back and forth, scrubbing themselves and each other in turn. Poe spent a great deal of time on her breasts, lifting each in turn, squeezing them, rubbing his thumb over her nipples, and smiling at the sounds she was making. He started moaning as well when her small but strong hands reached his half-erect cock. She brought her lips to his neck and began to softly bite and suck on him as she ran her hands up and down his shaft.

Eventually, the washing and rinsing was forgotten as they began to kiss and fondle each other in earnest. Poe was thrilled to feel fresh slick between her legs, and she lifted her hips up when he touched her there, asking without words for more. He kissed her, taking his time letting his tongue explore her mouth, his hands sliding up and down her back and buttocks. He gently grabbed her thigh with his right hand and pulled on it. She allowed him to lift it so that she could wrap her leg around him, opening her core. She moved her hips, her slick center rubbing against his erection.

Being of similar height, Poe briefly thought about simply backing her against the wall and fucking her that way, but when he remembered her teasing him about her wanting him to be ‘in charge’ the night before, he decided he wanted to test just how far she would let him control things.

He backed away from her and she opened her eyes, surprise flashing across her face as her leg dropped back down. He stared at her intently for a moment, then said gruffly, “Turn around.”

Her eyes widened at his command, but something wild and exciting flashed in her gaze at the same time. Then she did as he asked, turning her back on him. The water was hitting them from the side, which suited Poe perfectly for what he had in mind. He grabbed her hips firmly, then slid his foot between hers, using it to nudge her feet apart slightly, spreading her legs. He could see her breath quicken, and without any more encouragement she leaned forward, pressing her hands against the wall of the shower, essentially giving him permission. Offering herself to him.

He leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “Good girl.” She emitted a soft moan in reaction. Smiling, he ran a hand along her back, his fingers smoothing along the ridges of her spine. “You are so fucking beautiful,” he told her, admiring how the spray of water splattered and glistened on her pale skin. She had freckles even on her back, he noted.

“Poe, please?” Her voice was trembling.

“Please what?” he asked as he let his fingertips glide lightly down along her sides. She shivered.

“Please… fuck me.”

“I thought you’d never ask,” he told her, gripping her hip with one hand, and grabbing his now fully erect cock with the other. As he lined himself up with her pussy, he continued talking to her. “So, so fucking good, Rey,” he said as he slowly pushed himself in. “You’re so wet, but so tight,” he continued. “You fit me so perfect, I feel like you were made for just me.” He pushed all the way in as she moaned, arching her back and rocking back into him. “Tell me what you’re feeling, Rey.”

“So full,” she gasped. “So full.”

“Am I hurting you?”

She shook her head vehemently. “No! I can’t… I can’t explain. It’s… oh, God! It’s perfect.”

He slid out almost all of the way, then back in, reveling in how tight she was. “That’s because you’re perfect, Rey,” he groaned. He pulled out again, then in, rocking his hips in a slow but firm motion.

She brought one of her hands back to grasp his wrist. “More,” she breathed. “Please more. Harder.”

He obliged, her begging turning him on more than he ever thought possible. “You like it like this?” he asked. “Being taken from behind?”

She cried out in response. “Yes! Oh, yes!”

“Have you ever written a scene like this in your stories?” he couldn’t help but ask.

She choked out a laugh. “Actually, no,” she shook her head, looking back at him for the first time since he turned her toward the wall. She grinned, then gasped as one of his thrusts hit a sensitive spot. “This is all new for me in every way.”

He grinned back and picked up his pace, gripping her hips even harder, the sound of their bodies slapping wetly together increasing his arousal even more. She turned back toward the wall, a soft wail on her lips. “Oh, fuck! I’m close!”

He wasn’t even touching her clit, he thought. Words. She was a writer. She wanted words. “You feel so damn good, Sunshine,” he groaned. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. You’re mine. Please say you’re mine!”

“Oh, God, yes!” she cried, and he felt her body tighten everywhere. “I’m yours. Always yours!” She dropped her head, her fingers scrabbling at the wall, her back arching and her legs tremoring as she came.

Poe had no more control. He should pull out, he thought. It would be simple, easy. But something hedonistic and greedy inside him prevented him from doing so. He cried out, releasing himself inside her once more, claiming her, owning her.

Just as she already owned him.

******

Despite the extra time they had to get ready, Rey and Poe almost ended up having to rush in the end. They continued to linger in the shower, even as the water got cold, and once out they took their time, touching and kissing and laughing as they helped each other get dry and dressed. Poe brushed and braided Rey’s hair, and when she asked where he learned to braid, he smiled at her. “Juilliard.”

Rey laughed, and then got to return the favor. While his hair wasn’t quite long enough to braid, she took a great deal of pleasure in carefully combing through his thick curls, making note of the grey roots she saw here and there. “Are you going to dye your hair again when you get back?” she asked.

“No reason to for a while,” he told her, his voice thick and his eyes closed as he enjoyed her attentions. “I was heading back to L.A. with Snap to finalize a deal I was offered last week.” He paused, opening his eyes. “Damn, I was so stressed about it before I left Jackson. Now I realize I haven’t thought about it in days.”

“What kind of deal?”

He pulled away and turned toward her. “I’m starting a production company. It will allow me more control over what projects I want to do in the future, and give me the power to pick and choose what actors, directors, and film crew I want. It will also give me more time to stay in Jackson; I can control a lot of the projects I’m not actively starring in from there.”

“That sounds amazing.” Rey was excited for him, but it also drilled into her how out of place she would be in such a life. This distraction from his real life was temporary, just as she knew she was temporary.

He shrugged. “It’s a big step,” he told her. “I’ve been pulled and prodded and handled by agents and directors and producers for all of my career, and while I have a lot of them to thank for getting me where I am, I’m ready to take control of my own path, now.” He took a deep breath. “It’s kind of scary.”

She smiled. “Most things worthwhile are scary,” she said. “But if it’s meant to be, it’ll be worth it.”

Poe gave her a look so intense that she felt a chill go up her spine. It wasn’t arousal, nor was it fear. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it was powerful, that look.

Realizing time was flying, Rey skipped over to the restaurant for breakfast, bringing it back to the room where they ate in front of the TV, watching an episode of the First 48 rather than any news. Poe had said more than once that he hated watching himself, especially in candid interviews.

Before they knew it, Rey’s phone dinged, and they grabbed up their meager belongings and headed out to meet Cal, who was waiting for them directly in front of the little hotel.

The drive to Pinedale was so short, Rey couldn’t help but wonder why Cal hadn’t just driven them all the way there the day before. But then they wouldn’t have had to share a hotel room, and quite possibly the best night of her life wouldn’t have happened. They drove through the small town (though much larger than Boulder) situated at the base of the Wind River Mountains, eventually turning into the Hampton Inn and Suites. A large group of people were already converging at the front of the building, where a small stage had been set up with microphones. Cameras were everywhere. Rey felt panic sweep through her at the scene.

Cal drove them behind the building, and immediately Rey’s eyes located Finn and Rose, who were standing next to what looked like a rental car, talking to two men, a dark-skinned man in a suit and a burly red-headed man in a law enforcement uniform. Standing around them were several others that Rey had gotten to know from the plane. When Cal pulled up to them, recognition flooded their faces and smiles lit them up.

As Rey and Poe stepped out of the vehicle, the group of survivors started to applaud. Rey felt her face flush, but she smiled, rushing over to Finn first to give him a big hug. She was moving to hug Rose when Poe reached them, shaking hands with several of the other survivors.

“Everyone doing okay?” he asked. There were nods and affirmations and laughter.

The man in the suit came up to them. “Mr. Dameron, Ms. Smith, I’m Agent Michael Demaria of the NTSB.” Though he was dressed sharply as his job as a Fed indicated, his demeanor was pleasant. “We’re going to start the press conference at noon, so you have some time to clean up and change if you like. I think Ms. Smith’s friends have your luggage?” He looked over at Finn and Rose. “I’ll give an update on the investigation into the crash, and then you can speak, Mr. Dameron. I’ve told the others that they can also come onto the stage and take questions if they like, but they don’t need to stay if they don’t want to. Everyone has a clean bill of health and is free to head to whatever destination they choose; the government is paying for any car rental fees and the airline will pay for any flights.”

“That’s very generous,” Poe told him, nodding. “Thank you. If you guys hadn’t, I would have.” He glanced at the others as they nodded in approval. “Do you have a cause, yet?” he asked, turning back to Demaria.

“Tentative,” the Agent said. “The pilot reported engine failure, most likely due to a damaged carburetor. The weather conditions hindered his ability to get to a safe place to land. The fact that the majority of you survived is a testament to his expertise.”

Poe nodded, and Rey remembered him saying how impressed he himself had been that so many had survived such a crash, and that the pilot had done a good job with what he had.

Rose stepped up to them, handing Poe his carry-on bag, and then gave Rey hers. She motioned toward the side door they were parked next to. “There are public bathrooms right in there to change. When you’re through, we’re gonna just drive home. It’s only about a six-hour drive from here.”

Rey gripped the bag, then glanced at Poe as they headed for the door.

“Oh, Poe!” Rose said.

They turned to look back at her.

“Just to give you a heads up,” she motioned toward her neck. “You got a little something on your neck.” She looked as if she was about to burst out laughing.

Rey looked at him as he touched his neck lightly, just noticing the obvious hickey. She felt her face heat and turned back to the building quickly, trying to ignore the stares of those around them. She entered and quickly headed for the women’s rest room. Once alone inside the bathroom, she eyed her own neck. There, on her collarbone, was her own reminder of last night. The sight was both amusing and embarrassing. It also made her sad, because she knew it wouldn’t last long. The memory of her time with Poe would also fade, and she dreaded that more than anything.

Taking a deep breath, she used the facilities, then dug around in her bag for anything moderately clean to change into. She ended up with her slightly dirty khaki shorts and a tank she hadn’t worn during the weekend in Jackson, pulling a flannel shirt over it to hide the mark on her collarbone. She exited to see Poe waiting for her.

He had changed into a pair of jeans and a navy turtle neck. He hadn’t shaved that morning, so his five-o’clock-shadow was already strong. His hair wasn’t styled and the messy curls made him look boyish. He was absolutely scrumptious.

“Wasn’t planning on the turtle neck,” he told her with a grin. “But thanks to you…”

“Shut up,” she said, then moved aside the collar of her shirt to show him her own brand. He just grinned harder.

“Are you gonna come up there with me?” he asked, his eyes bright.

Panic surged once more, and the reminder of who he was and who she was hit her hard. She shook her head. “I can’t,” she said shakily. She tried to smile. “I don’t even like my friends to take pictures of me. I really don’t think I can handle that kind of attention.”

His smile faded as she talked, and his expression became troubled, but he nodded slowly. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll see you after?”

She gave him a quick nod, but could tell he wasn’t convinced. She stepped up to him, bringing her lips to his. She was holding her bag with one hand, but she brought the other up to cup the back of his head, threading her fingers through his hair… one last time. He opened his mouth, sweeping his tongue out to meet hers, his hand gripping her arm, holding on to her tightly.

Finally, they pulled away, both gasping for air. Rey bit her lip. “You better go.”

He nodded, but was still frowning at her. He let her go and turned to head out the door. Once outside, a tall man with a beard that Rey recognized as Poe’s agent and friend Snap Wexley rushed up to them. He hugged Poe tight and the two men laughed with joy. Snap, without even looking at her, started tugging Poe toward the other end of the building where she knew the crowd waited.

Agent Demaria motioned toward the other survivors. “Any of you who would like to be a part of the conference, follow me!” Rey stood still as about half of the group started following Poe and the others. Rose and Finn stood at the car, watching Rey.

“Aren’t you gonna go?” Finn asked. “You should be up there, you know. It was you and Poe who really saved us.”

Rey shook her head. “No, I’m not meant for that kind of attention. I’m happy being a nobody.” She turned to look at her friends.

“Let’s go home.”

******

Five Weeks Later

Poe stood on the balcony of his little house, drink in hand, staring off toward the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. He could hear the people in the house behind him through the open sliding glass doors as they laughed and talked and celebrated, and while he had been a part of that celebration just a moment ago, he now found himself staring out at the horizon, overcome with a desperate loneliness despite the friends that partied behind him.

They had made it official today. He was now the owner and CEO of Wind River Media. While he had not been set on a name for the production company when he had decided to start it, the name he eventually chose had been kismet, a permanent reminder of his life-changing experience in the wilds of Wyoming not so long ago. Whether he would find more joy or more sadness in those memories was yet to be determined.

He had attended the funerals of every person who had died on Flight 611, Linda and Harry having had a double funeral, and while he had remained focused on the families and friends of the deceased, he had been very aware of the other mourners, hoping upon hope that one familiar face would appear in the crowd. It never did, of course. None of the funerals were in Colorado, and a last year Vet Med student, who had already wracked up plenty of debt with student loans, wasn’t going to travel far for the funerals of people she hadn’t known, no matter that she would forever be connected to them.

He shook himself, trying to pull himself out of his moroseness. It didn’t matter that she hadn’t shown up. He knew where she was. He knew her address, her cell phone number. Hell, he could have found out her class schedule if he wanted to, but that really felt way too stalkerish for his liking. The fact was, while he had Snap find out where Rey was and how to reach her, he had been too busy to do anything about it. Or… maybe he was just hoping she would try and contact him, first. He had made sure the two secretaries he had hired specifically to go through his fan mail and social media accounts knew her name, and he checked his phone often. Unbeknownst to Rey, he had put his number into her phone while she had been getting dressed after their excursion in the shower.

He would go to her eventually, he knew. But he wanted to give her time. Obviously, she wasn’t as sure about this thing they had started as he was. After the press conference in Pinedale, when he had found out she and her friends had already left, driving back to Colorado in a rental car, he had been crushed, but professional actor that he was, he hadn’t shown his pain. In hindsight, he shouldn’t have been surprised; she had been acting strange after they had changed in the hotel restrooms. He remembered the fear and panic in her eyes whenever he talked about appearing in public. But he couldn’t imagine that was the only reason she had left without a word.

Maybe she didn’t care about him. Not really. Not outside of her ‘fan’ obsession, anyway. Maybe it had just been a fling to her, a memory of how she had literally ‘touched’ fame. Maybe he had imagined the look of adoration in her eyes when he had been buried deep inside her, had let himself believe her touch was more than sexual, that she really cared.

Maybe she could never love him like he now knew he loved her.

He heard a noise and turned his head to see one of his favorite people in the world coming up behind him, a soft smile on her face but a look of worry in her eye. Leia Organa had cast and directed him in his first lead performance on the stage over fifteen years ago in New York, and whenever he had time, he happily returned to the theater to do special performances for anything she was directing or producing. He considered her and her husband Han Solo, a gruff former NYPD detective, to be family.

She stopped next to him at the balcony rail and looked out over the ocean as he had been doing. The sky was a mauve color now, with the light from the sun almost gone. She shook her head and gave a soft laugh. “Have I ever told you how happy I am you bought this house? It has to be one of the best locations in Malibu.”

Poe had bought the vintage 1926 house just after his success in Galaxy Aflame, when he had officially become a millionaire. Though it wasn’t at all large, and had needed a lot of work, it had still cost over $2 million because of its location on the hillside overlooking the ocean. Din had joked that when the ‘Big One’ hit California, this house would be one of the first to slide into the sea, but Poe had reminded him that his larger (and slightly cheaper) house in Jackson was in the bullseye if ever Yellowstone decided to erupt; he would go fast either way.

He smiled at Leia. “You and Han sure spend more and more time here,” he told her. “You oughta just give up and buy your own place out here and retire.”

She laughed again. “Don’t think we haven’t considered it.” Her smile faded as she eyed him. “What’s wrong?” When he didn’t answer right away, she continued. “Is it that woman from the crash? The one you were telling Din about?”

He winced. She could always read him like a book.

He shrugged. “I was hoping she would reach out to me by now.”

“You gave her the ability to do so?”

He nodded. “She has my number, and I made sure Suri and Tallie know her name if she reaches out via fan sites or social media. Nothing.”

“But you can find her?”

He sighed. “Yeah.”

“But you don’t want to.” It wasn’t a question.

He looked at her. “Oh, believe me I want to! It’s just… she left. I feel like…” He sighed again. “I found the fanfiction she wrote. About Treye Sulvan. I found her on Tumblr. She’s surrounded by people who are…” he felt his face heat. “More than a little obsessed with me. I feel like…” he started again.

Leia finished for him. “That maybe she loves Treye Sulvan over the real you?”

He shook his head. “That she thinks she loves Treye Sulvan over me.” He looked at her again. “But I don’t believe it. It wasn’t Treye Sulvan she met and got close to in Wyoming.”

“So, go get her.”

He laughed and rubbed a hand over his face. “I wish it was that easy.”

“It is that easy, Poe,” Leia pushed. “If you think she really loves you, or can eventually love you, like you deserve… then go get her. She’s probably terrified of reaching out to you. Your name is known worldwide. Your fame is daunting. You have to remind her that you are still you, despite it all. And that you love her.”

Poe couldn’t stop the emotion that surged through him, and tears formed in his eyes. “I do love her. How is it possible to fall in love with someone in such a short time?”

“You’ve been looking for the right one for a long time, Poe,” Leia said, her voice soothing. “You knew her when you saw her. Now, you just gotta convince her.”

He took a deep breath. “And what if I can’t? What if she… refuses me?” Zorii’s betrayal and abandonment still stung all these years later, even if he had long ago stopped loving his ex-wife. Rey was the first woman who had ever breached the barriers Zorii had inadvertently helped build.

“You’ll never know until you see her again,” Leia told him.

He nodded, then stood silent for a long moment. Of course, he knew Leia was right. He had waited long enough. He needed to start thinking about his future and he needed to know if Rey would be a part of it.

“Tomorrow,” he whispered. He would go to her tomorrow.

******

Rey stared at the number in her phone, the number she had not entered, her heart racing, her breath coming in short little gasps. She was going to hyperventilate if she wasn’t careful, she thought.

She looked over at the coffee table in front of her, where the paperwork for her large animal internship was sitting. The internship she was supposed to start in January. There was a list of veterinary hospitals within 500 miles of Ft. Collins looking for help, and she would be able to give her first, second, and third choices on the application. She had narrowed in on one particular hospital, but this morning… this morning, everything had changed. Not only was she not sure she would even be able to do the internship in January, but now she had to do what she had been holding off doing for so long.

She had to call that number.

She looked at her phone again. She wasn’t sure when he had put the number in. He hadn’t entered it attached to his full name. It was simply under “Poe.” She had discovered it almost as soon as she got home just over a month ago, but she had been far too scared to ever use it. She had decided to wait, give them breathing space, let him get back to his life while she prepared for her final semester of school.

She had watched the one interview he had given about the crash. It had been with a reporter he had interviewed with before on NPR, someone she knew he was comfortable with and who he trusted. He had talked about the crash with a lot of detail, and he had mentioned several of the people from the plane, both those that had died and the majority who had lived. He had talked about her and her abilities, helping those injured and handling the wilderness with expertise. There was a fondness in his expression and his voice, but it wasn’t much different than the way he talked about the other survivors. While she felt his gratitude and his appreciation through his words, it seemed… impersonal.

He was an actor, she had to remind herself. Of course, he wouldn’t allow his deeper emotions to come through in an interview that would be seen world-wide. So, she waited.

But he never called.

She thought about just writing him a letter, hoping his staff would know her name and send it on directly to him immediately, but she wasn’t sure what she wanted to write. “Thank you for your support”? “Thank you for being my friend”? “I will never forget you”? “I miss you”?

“I love you”?

But after this morning, there was no other option. She needed to talk to him directly. Immediately. Taking a deep breath, she moved her thumb to press the “call” button.

A loud knock on the front door made her jump and drop the phone. Good God, she was tense! Laughing at herself, she picked up the phone and set it on the table next to the paperwork, then got up to head toward the door. She was home alone today, a Saturday, as Finn and Rose had decided to take a drive out to Blue Tail Lake, just the two of them; they were both so busy it wasn’t often they got to spend time alone together doing something fun.

She tugged the hem of her sleeveless blouse down, smoothing her hand over the soft material, pausing ever so slightly over her abdomen, then stepped up to look out the door’s small window.

Her heart stopped for a brief moment and she felt her breath catch in her throat. He was here, as if she had conjured him by staring at his name in her phone. He didn’t look much different than he had when she had first seen him on the tarmac in Jackson: ball cap, sunglasses, five-o-clock shadow, a flannel shirt over a t-shirt. He was looking away, down the street, and she pulled back quickly before he could see her, taking deep breaths. The last thing she needed was to have a panic attack. She closed her eyes. This was not some superstar celebrity standing at her door, she told herself. It was just Poe.

The man she loved.

Before he could knock again, she took another deep breath and opened the door. They stared at each other for a long time, saying nothing, and Rey took that moment to peruse his familiar face. He obviously hadn’t shaved that morning, and though he looked super casual in jeans and hiking boots, she had a feeling he had dressed this way to ‘fit in’ and therefore had less of a chance of being recognized.

He reached up to remove his sunglasses. “Hi,” he said softly.

“Hi,” Rey responded, her voice breathy. She cleared her throat. “I was literally just about to call you.”

His expression brightened. “You were?” he said. There was no mistaking the excitement her words created.

She nodded, then stepped back. “Come in.”

He strode in, removing his hat as he did so, and she closed her eyes once more as she caught a whiff of his cologne. Good Lord, he smelled good when he wasn’t wearing some expensive scent, but now he smelled divine.

As he walked into her living room, he glanced around. “This is a nice little house,” he said. He looked back at her. “Are Finn and Rose here?”

Rey shook her head. “No, they went up to the lake.”

“Why aren’t you with them?”

“They needed some alone time,” she explained. “Besides, I was busy,” she added, motioning toward the coffee table.

Poe set down the hat and glasses in his hands on that coffee table, his eyes scanning the papers laying there. He focused on one of the sheets, and Rey immediately regretted bringing attention to them. He picked it up. “What’s this?”

No sense in hiding anything. “A list of vet hospitals that I can intern at in January. If they’re a good fit, they’ll hire me on as an associate after six months.”

He looked up at her, his eyes bright. “This one is Bee’s vet, in Jackson.”

She nodded. That’s the one she had wanted to choose, if only because she was already in love with the area. She shrugged. “I most likely won’t be doing the internship right away now, anyway.”

He looked surprised. “What? Why?”

She hesitated. It’s now or never. “It’s actually why I was going to call you…”

Her phone started ringing and once more she jumped, startled. “Geez,” she muttered as she made her way over to the phone. Poe didn’t move out of her way, and she brushed against him as she reached for the phone. He was watching her intently, and she stepped back, looking at the screen. It was Finn.

“Hey,” she said as she connected. “You have reception.”

“Hey, yeah,” Finn responded. “Barely. Just wanted to let you know we’re going to stop and have dinner at that little diner up here,” he said. “So, don’t wait on us to eat tonight. Is that okay?”

“Of course, it’s okay,” she told him. Despite the fact that he and Rose were a couple, they always tried their best to include Rey in whatever they were doing. While Rey appreciated their efforts, it oftentimes made her feel guilty, too. She was more than happy when they allowed themselves to just enjoy each other. She glanced at Poe, who was still watching her with an almost severe expression. “You two take your time and stop worrying about me.”

“All right,” Finn said. “See you later, Peanut. Love you.”

“I love you, too,” she answered before the connection dropped. She tossed the phone lightly down on the table, glancing up at Poe once more. “Finn,” she said unnecessarily, knowing he had probably seen her friend’s name before she picked up the phone.

He nodded, then took a deep breath of his own. “Why did you leave?” he asked suddenly.

She stepped back, folding her arms in front of her defensively. “I thought it was best for both of us,” she said. “I knew I didn’t want to be a part of the media stuff, and you had a lot to do, so…”

He licked his lips, then pulled the bottom one into his mouth, biting it softly. Rey had to look away, the memory of that mouth on her body hitting hard. “Look,” he continued. “I know that cameras and reporters and attention make you nervous, but we can work around that. Especially if you move to Jackson. I’m hardly ever recognized there and when I am it’s a pretty mild reaction. No paparazzi.”

Rey stared at him. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying… What we had… what we have… it’s real. You know that, right?” He looked frustrated for a moment, running his fingers through his hair. “I love you.” The words came out fast, but they were firm, and the look in his eye as he watched for her reaction was powerful.

Rey sucked in a breath, feeling dizzy. “I… I…” She was literally speechless.

He brought his hands up in a placating gesture. “Look, I know it may seem sudden. That to you it was just a bit of fantasy lived out in some real-life adventure story, but I know it’s real. I think I knew it the moment I first saw you on the plane. It’s not the result of a life-and-death experience speaking. I’ve been waiting for you my whole life, and if you’re not sure or you can’t reconcile my career with the man you got to know in the wilderness, then give me a chance to… court you. To help you fall in love with me. Please?”

His little speech had come out rushed, his eyes never leaving hers as he spoke. There was no pretense in his words or body language. This wasn’t the superstar she had been crushing on for years. This was Poe, the man who had become a friend and a partner and…

“I love you, too,” she whispered.

He straightened, his eyes bright and a smile slowly spreading on his face.

“And it’s not your fame or the public attention that kept me from reaching out to you these past weeks,” she continued. “It’s that I was positive I was just a pleasant distraction to you, that I would just become a fond memory.” She shook her head. “There’s no way someone like you could fall in love with someone like me.”

“Someone like you?” he scoffed. “What? Beautiful? Sexy? Smart? Tough? Caring?”

“Stop,” she huffed a laugh.

His eyebrows rose. “I can go on.”

“No,” she smiled. “You really think this could work?”

“Why not?” he asked. “Even if you don’t get the internship in Jackson, I have the means to travel wherever you are until you graduate, then we’ll decide where to go from there.”

The internship. Rey’s smile faded. “About that,” she said. “Like I said, I may not be able to do that internship right away.”

His own smile dissolved. “Okay, why?”

Rey took a deep breath.

“I’m pregnant.”

******

Poe was stunned speechless for a moment, his brain processing Rey’s words slower than it normally would have. They weren’t words he had ever expected to hear this early in a relationship. He tried to focus on her face. Her eyes were huge, and there was a crease between her eyebrows as she looked at him worriedly. He gathered his thoughts as best he could. “How long have you known?”

“I’ve suspected for about a week, but the test I took this morning confirmed it.” Her expression turned from worried to wary.

“I…” His heart was starting to thud hard in his chest. A baby. They were going to have a baby. Apparently, those uncontrollable feelings of possessiveness he had felt while making love to this woman had been his body’s instinctive reaction to her body’s receptiveness. He felt excitement thrum through him. Becoming a father had always been a part of his future plans, but his inability to find a woman he could trust with his heart had made that dream less and less likely. Now…

Rey’s expression became fearful. “Please, I promise I didn’t plan this,” she said. She shook her head. “I know I was the one that forced the issue, that told you that it was okay, but I truly believed it was too early, that there was no way I could get pregnant. I’m not trying to entrap you. You can get a lawyer to draw up a contract if you want. I don’t expect anything from you. If you don’t want anything to do with me or the baby, I won’t fight that. I promise I didn’t do this on purpose.”

Poe started focusing on her words, realizing she was going into panic mode, tears in her eyes. “Rey, Rey!” He reached forward and grasped her shoulders. “I don’t think that! I could never think that!”

“I just thought you should know,” she whispered.

He nodded. “I know. I know. It’s okay.” He looked at her carefully. “But you’re going to keep it, right?”

She nodded. “Yes, I’m going to keep it. My parents didn’t want me. I’m going to make sure this baby knows he or she is wanted and loved.”

He nodded back, the joy her panic had tempered starting to revive. He was going to be a father! But then he recalled her statement about letting him know and it gave him pause. He pulled back, looking at her warily.

“If you hadn’t gotten pregnant, and I hadn’t shown up here, would you have called me at all?”

Guilt filled her eyes and she pulled back from him, looking away. She shrugged softly. “I wanted to write you, leave a message for you to contact me.”

“I gave you my number.”

“I know. But I was just so scared.”

“Scared that I didn’t want you?” It wasn’t really a question. She had all but admitted it already.

She nodded, glancing up at him warily. “So many people I’ve cared about in my life… they’ve never cared about me as much as I cared about them. They can leave so easy. Finn, and now Rose by default, are the only constants in my life.” She turned away from him, walking over to stand next to the couch, then she faced him again. “Why would you stay?”

He started walking toward her, his steps slow but deliberate. “Because I know what it’s like,” he told her. “I know what it’s like to care about someone, only to have them leave with barely a glance over their shoulder. Because I’ve been surrounded by people for over a decade and yet every year I feel more and more alone. Because when I met you, I saw a kindred spirit, and I knew that you were the one that would stay.” He stopped in front of her. “And then you left.”

Her eyes widened and regret filled them. “Oh, God! Poe! I’m sorry!”

He reached forward and cupped her face in his hands. “It’s okay,” he told her softly. “I get it. I should have told you then, been more clear about how I wanted to stay in your life, admitted my love. But I was scared, too. I’m still scared.” He took a deep breath. “A baby. Our baby. That’s a big deal.”

“Yeah, it is,” she whispered.

“Let me love you, Rey. Let me help you take care of this child. Request that internship in Jackson and let’s build something amazing together there.”

“They might not want me,” she said. “Large animal practice is hard work and can be dangerous.”

“So, ask if they’ll take you just for the small animal side to start. You can move into the large animal side after the baby is born. Legally they shouldn’t be able to say ‘no’ just because you’re pregnant.” He paused. “Please, Rey. I want you and this baby in my life, but I don’t want you to put away your own dreams for either of us.”

“What about you?” she asked suddenly. “What about your career? If I’m in Jackson and you’re in Los Angeles-“

He cut her off. “I started my production company. Wind River Media. I can do almost all my work for it from Jackson. As for my acting, I can take a break for a while. I have a movie coming out later this year, but now I can pick and choose what I want to do. Make sure it’s a project that will allow me to come home or for you to come with me, which ever works best at the time.”

“Poe…”

“It’s what my dream has been for a long time, even before I met you, Rey. You will only make it that much more perfect.”

She stared at him, gently grasping his wrists in her hands. “Tell me I’m not dreaming.”

“You’re not dreaming, Querida. I love you. And I’ll love this little bit of sunshine you’re incubating, too.”

Rey laughed, then moved in to wrap her arms around him, resting her chin on his shoulder. He held her tight in turn.

“Te amo,” she said softly, her breath warm on his neck. “Is that right?”

He smiled and nodded. “Sì,” he responded. “Este corazòn es tuyo,” he added.

She pulled back, looking at him questioningly. “I’m gonna have to learn Spanish, aren’t I?”

He laughed. “This heart is yours,” he translated.

“Right back at ya,” Rey said, a mischievous smile on her lips. “Yes,” she said, her smile turning soft. “I’ll request Jackson. Maybe Finn and Rose will want to come, too.”

Poe grinned, his heart beating fast with a combination of joy and excitement for the future. He pulled Rey back toward him, and she met his lips with her own.

As Poe let himself fall into the kiss, he couldn’t help but be thankful for the day he fell from the sky… right into this woman’s arms.

******

Five Months Later

Los Angeles, California

Rey took a deep breath and counted to five, then let it out slowly as she ran her hands along the delicate material of her dress. It was almost time for her first public appearance with superstar Poe Dameron, her first red carpet, at the premiere of his new movie ‘Vilimonti.’

She sat in the back seat of the car Poe had hired, dressed in a gown that cost more than she made in a month as an EMT. Her face was perfectly made up in cosmetics that she would normally never have even looked at much less bought, and she was wearing a pair of strappy heels the same color as her purple dress and hoping she didn’t fall flat on her face trying to keep her balance thanks to her changing center of gravity. One of her hands moved up to caress her baby bump, the material of the dress soft under her fingers. The stylist Poe had hired for her had found her the dress and she had fallen in love with it immediately. Off-the-shoulder, with a long skirt with floaty layers in the front that didn’t hide her pregnant belly but didn’t emphasize it either, it made her feel like a princess. Her hair was down with one side pulled back with a hair band made with real diamonds, and matching earrings adorned her earlobes.

The car pulled up to the Regency Village Theater, where the premiere was being held, and stopped behind a car that was already there. Rey couldn’t see who was exiting the car, but she knew they would be next as soon as that one moved on. Her fingers tightened on the gauzy material in her lap, her breathing stopped, and her heartrate increased.

Poe’s warm hand covered both of hers, and she looked over at him, forcing herself to breathe. He worked his hand in between her fingers and gently pulled them loose, then gripped one of her hands in his, a soft smile on his face. He didn’t say anything; they both knew there was nothing he could say that would take away her anxiety, but just the touch of his hand and his firm grip soothed her. The car moved forward and stopped again.

The public didn’t know about her, yet. There had been rumors circulating since the crash that Poe Dameron was involved with someone, but there was no evidence of it. Poe had learned through the years how to avoid media attention, and he had a great team that helped him do it. He had spent time in Ft. Collins and Rey had in turn visited his little house in Malibu more than once, but most of their time together was spent in Jackson, where they were taking their time getting Poe’s house ready for a new baby. Rey had fallen in love with the large (but far from ostentatious) ranch house, with a view of the Grand Tetons out the large front picture window, and was already making plans to set up areas on the property to house various animals. Bee even had a new canine sibling already, as Rey had adopted a little rat terrier cross named Deo a month ago. The vet clinic she would be interning at (and most likely staying with after graduation) was excited to have her, baby and all, and they didn’t even know who the baby’s father was.

Today, the world would know.

Poe squeezed her hand. “Let’s get this show on the road,” he said softly, his calm demeanor helping to settle her nerves even more. When they had been preparing for this night, he had told her stories of his first red carpet events and how nervous he had been. But now they were routine and there were no more nerves. It was all part of his job. He had told Rey that he would not be upset if she bowed out of any or all of his public appearances if she so chose, but that he wanted her there if she could handle it, and would help her in any way he could. Tonight was her first ‘test,’ to see if she could indeed handle it.

“Be right back,” Poe whispered as he opened the door and started sliding out the driver’s side of the car; he had made sure she was on the passenger side, so she wouldn’t have difficulty getting out with her belly and dress and heels and all. “Thanks, Jake,” he told the driver as he stepped out.

“Anytime, Mr. Dameron,” the man responded, then he offered an encouraging smile to Rey in the rearview mirror as Poe hustled around the back of the car to Rey’s door. It was pretty obvious he was excited to show her off.

The door opened and he leaned in, reaching for her hand. Licking her lips, Rey took it and let him pull her gently out. She focused on getting her feet under her. Poe not only didn’t let go of her hand, but he brought his other hand up to brace against her back, making sure she was steady as she stood. Immediately, Rey became aware of the click of a hundred cameras, bright flashes, and the screaming of the people packed in behind the photographers.

Once secure on her feet, Poe laced his fingers with hers and pulled her gently along with him. He was smiling broadly and waving at the crowd with his free hand, but he looked at her frequently, checking in. She smiled, gripping his hand tightly, looking around her at the myriad of people surrounding them, but not really seeing their faces. “Don’t let go,” she whispered once when he looked at her, their eyes meeting.

“Never,” he answered.

As they continued along, stopping every now and then, Rey became aware of how demanding and pushy the photogs were. “Poe!” “Poe!” “Right there!” “Stop there!” They shouted and cajoled and insisted. “Who’s your date?” “Is it serious?” “Is she pregnant?”

Poe smiled through it all, never really obeying their orders, but still stopping enough to keep them mollified. He didn’t answer their questions; a press release would be coming out soon (if it wasn’t out already) informing the public who she was, and that yes, she was pregnant and due in April. And yes, he was the father.

Finally, they reached the entrance of the theater. The crowd noises diminished, but there were still dozens of people packed inside the lobby, including the few entertainment reporters that had been invited. Poe stopped and spoke with them, giving brief interviews and introducing Rey each time. Only one reporter made the connection. “You were on Flight 611, weren’t you?” It was the first time someone directed a question to her.

She nodded sharply. “Yes.” She looked at Poe, who was watching her with an encouraging expression. “That’s where our partnership started,” Rey continued, and was rewarded with a broad smile from Poe, his eyes crinkling in a way that shot both comfort and arousal through her.

They made their way into the actual theater and were escorted to their seats. The familiar faces of Poe’s costars surrounded her, and she could tell there were many speculative looks directed her way. Poe introduced her to a couple of them before they took their seats, but there would be more time to get to know these other actors after the movie, when the post-movie party would be held at a different venue. Rey was happy to sit down. Though her shoes weren’t uncomfortable, she wasn’t used to wearing heels, and though her belly wasn’t huge, yet, she was still more often tired than not these days. At least her classes were done, with her last final having been completed the day before yesterday. She was officially moving to Jackson after this trip; she and Poe planned to spend the rest of the weekend just being lazy at the Malibu house, watching the entertainment outlets go berserk as they digested the news that Poe Dameron was officially off-the-market and about to become a father.

Rey was able to focus on the movie for most of it, though her bladder started making itself known toward the end. It was hard to balance how much water to drink before an event like this: she wanted to prevent dehydration but not drink so much that she had to pee too soon. Fortunately, there was a long break after the movie (which was amazing, Rey thought; Oscar worthy) that allowed everyone, women especially, to take bathroom breaks before they headed out, past the cameras and fans once more, and back into their car to head for the afterparty.

Things were much more casual at the party. No media was allowed, and the only pictures being taken were from the cell phones of the other party goers, who were all either celebrities themselves or associated with them. Poe got a table early on, making sure Rey was comfortable, bringing her food and soda and waiting on her as if he was one of the staff. Din Djarin, who Rey had finally met about a month ago, sat with them, and his wife Bo immediately starting a conversation with Rey. Bo wasn’t part of the Hollywood scene, either, but she loved Din enough to put up with it.

As the evening wore on, Rey found herself getting included in several group photos that would be made public, Poe plastered to her side in every one of them. Finally, it was time to go. Jake took them home, and Rey immediately pulled off her shoes first thing after they walked through the door.

An hour later, Rey was happily dressed down in a tank top and athletic shorts, her make up washed off and her expensive attire and accessories put away safely. She lay reclined on the lounge on the balcony overlooking the ocean, her head on Poe’s shoulder as he kept his arm around her, listening to the sounds of the waves crashing onto the shore beneath them.

Poe was in a t-shirt and sweats, his hair once more mussed after his shower, his eyes closed as he brought his face down to kiss her head. “What do you think?” he mumbled against her damp hair. “You think you can live this life with me?”

She felt a smile pull at her lips. “Yeah, I think I can,” she said. While it had been exhausting, she had loved seeing him shine, and she knew that while being in the public’s eyes like that was not where she wanted to be, she could handle it as long as she was by his side.

“Good,” he continued. “We can pick out an engagement ring whenever you want, then.”

Rey lifted her head and looked at him, one eyebrow raised. He was gazing back at her with a soft smirk on his lips, his eyes hooded and lazy. His famous ‘bedroom eyes,’ she thought. “Was that a proposal?” she whispered.

“Do you need me to get on one knee?” he asked.

She considered him for a moment, then gave him a wicked smirk of her own. “I’d prefer you to be on both knees.”

“Mmmmm…” he hummed, then slid away from her and did exactly as she suggested, kneeling on the floor at her feet. “I’m okay with that,” he told her as he reached for the waistband of her shorts.

“Poe!” she giggled, pushing at him half-heartedly.

He tugged her shorts and panties down toward him. “Will you marry me, Rey Smith?” He threw her clothing to the side and slid his hands up the inside of her legs.

Good grief, this man, she thought. Proposing to her as he was preparing to go down on her.

“If I say ‘no’?” she breathed.

He shrugged, then leaned forward to press a wet kiss on her inner thigh. “I guess it’s not absolutely imperative that we get married,” he continued. “But damn if I’d love to call you my wife.” He kissed the opposite thigh.

Rey lay her head back on the lounge. She admitted she would love to call him her husband. “Yeah,” she gasped as he nuzzled her clit, his breath warm on her core. “I like the sound of that.”

“Is that a ‘yes’?” he pushed. His lips were touching her now, and the vibration of his voice caused her hips to rise up and her hand to reach down to grasp his hair. Her pussy flooded with arousal and she heard him groan in response.

“Yes,” she gasped. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”

She felt him smile against her. He lifted his head to look at her and she tilted hers to look back. His grin was disarming and almost childlike. He bounced up suddenly, kissed her swollen belly, then moved back down between her legs. His mouth was on her the next second, and she couldn’t stop the squeal as his tongue started working its magic.

She dropped her head down again and let her body go limp as her entire being focused on her center and what he was doing to her there.

“I love you, Querida,” she heard him mumble as he brought a finger up to assist his tongue. “And I love our baby. And I loved seeing you sparkle on that red carpet tonight.” Rey’s breathing quickened and her hips began to move, his words arousing her just as much as his actions. “And I love making you come. You’re so damn beautiful when you come.”

Her fingers tightened in his curls. “God, I love you, Poe,” she struggled to say, her body already on the edge. How could he do this to her so fast?

“Then come for me.”

And she did.

Moments later, he pulled her to the edge of the chaise and slid into her, still on his knees. His hands were tight on her hips, his eyes closed, his expression euphoric, as he pumped steadily into her. She brought her feet up to the edge of the lounge, her legs spread wide, gripping the sides of the chaise tightly as his thrusts got harder. He opened his eyes, then let one of his hands move to where they were joined, his thumb toying with her super sensitive clit. She came immediately, her eyes squeezed shut, her back arching, her belly reaching for the sky.

When she came down and opened her eyes, she saw him smiling at her. “That’s my good girl,” he told her, his hips pumping madly now. His eyes closed again and she felt him stutter and come inside her. “Oh, my love,” he continued, talking through his orgasm. “Oh, my sweet girl. Take all of me. Please. Take it all.”

She smiled, knowing he wasn’t just talking about his seed. He was talking about his heart, his soul, his love.

Afterward, after he had dragged them both fully back onto the chaise, she hugged him close. “Te amo, mi Corazòn,” she whispered.

“Te amo, mi Cielo. Para Siempre.”

THE END