Peeta can still see Katniss' face when she climaxed in his office a few weeks prior: her cheeks flushed from the heat radiating through her body, the muscles in her abdomen tightening when a wave of obscenities fell from her lips. The images replay in his mind over and over again.
Katniss easily manages to act as if the entire exchange never happened, which Peeta is perfectly fine with. It was a stupid idea, thinking he could remain professional when Katniss was spread out on his couch with her fingers buried deep in her vagina.
Peeta groans while resting his head on the cool surface of the desk. Knowing Katniss is only a few feet away from him sitting at her own desk makes him feel tense and uncomfortable.
Women have always been a mystery to him. It isn't that they don't enjoy his company, but most women he's been with never seem fully satisfied. Peeta would want to make sure that Katniss was captivated if he ever had the chance to be with her.
Her confidence leaves Peeta mystified. Who was this woman?
The throbbing pain in the center of Peeta's forehead intensifies as the ticking of the clock torments him. His study isn't moving in a direction that he's happy with.
Maybe he's in over his head?
"Um, Dr. Mellark?" Katniss' puzzled voice breaks Peeta from his thoughts. She smirks at his disheveled appearance because he's usually very neat and put together.
His blonde, curly hair sticks up in every which way on the top of his head, and Katniss wonders if he's been running his fingers through his hair over and over again.
"How can I help you, Ms. Everdeen?" he responds curtly.
Katniss leans up against the doorframe, crossing her arms over her chest. Lately, Peeta hasn't been very welcoming when she's knocked on his office door. She senses that he's uncomfortable from their research and from how willing she was to participate.
She regretted it the minute she left his office. Peeta's dazed expression burned into her brain. There's no denying that he's intrigued by her, but did Peeta want things to go further?
"I wanted to know if you had anything that needed to be addressed?" Katniss asks, stepping closer to his desk. Peeta becomes rigid when he smells her sweet, intoxicating perfume.
He clears his throat. "I, uh - well I'm just..."
Katniss sits down in the chair across from his desk. "Dr. Mellark, can I be honest with you?" He nods slowly, unsure of what she's going to say. "You seem really tense."
Katniss winces the moment the words leave her mouth. She doesn't necessarily mean it the way it sounds. But Peeta is extremely uptight. It's hard watching him stress over every tiny detail in his life.
Surprisingly, Peeta gives her a genuine smile. Katniss is sure this is the first time she's ever seen him look semi happy. "You may be right about that, Ms. Everdeen."
"When are you going to start calling me Katniss?" she asks playfully.
Peeta assumes she's flirting with him, so he plays along willingly. "When you start calling me Peeta."
A deep flush of red spreads through her cheeks, and Katniss laughs softly. "I guess I can do that." She pauses for a moment before finishing. "Peeta."
The way his name sounds leaving her mouth makes Peeta shift uncomfortably in his seat. He's imagined it countless times, but when Katniss says it with a devious smile, Peeta instantly forgets about his fantasy.
She's always so much better than his fantasies.
"Are you working on anything interesting?" Katniss questions, raising her eyebrow.
Peeta leans back in his chair with a frustrated sigh. He's trying to work, but the research is going nowhere but in circles.
"No new developments," Peeta says with a shrug.
Katniss nibbles at her bottom lip in thought. She sees Peeta's visible frustration by how his study is progressing. "Well…" Katniss wants to help, but she also wants to know more about Peeta and what makes him tick. "What is it that has you stumped?"
"Everything," Peeta tells her with a nervous chuckle. "I - I want this study to be taken seriously and not seen as some kind of joke."
"You need to get the right people involved," Katniss tells him reassuringly. "If they stand behind you and support the study, everything will fall into place."
He knows that Katniss is right, but how is he supposed to find respectable candidates? Peeta yanks at the strands of his curly hair, hoping a brilliant idea will pop into his brain.
Who in the hospital would willingly volunteer for the study and back him up in the process?
"Hey Mellark!" Dr. Finnick Odair's voice travels through the crowded hallway. Peeta suppresses the urge to roll his eyes. It's not that he doesn't like Finnick, but he can be a bit much.
He's tall, muscular, and always seems to have a year round tan. Finnick is a nice enough guy, but Peeta finds him arrogant and careless.
Finnick finally catches up to Peeta and throws his arm over his shoulder. Peeta shrugs it off immediately. "Can I help you with something, Dr. Odair?"
"I think you can," Finnick says with a smirk.
Peeta's sure Finnick wants him to cover his shift. It's Friday, and Finnick almost always asks Peeta to cover for him. He gives these long-winded speeches that irritate Peeta to the point that he says yes just so Finnick will go away.
Finnick and Peeta are two of the most attractive doctors in the hospital, but unlike Peeta, Finnick uses his good looks to his advantage. It's no surprise to anyone that he's slept with most of the nurses on their floor.
"When were you going to tell me about this human sexuality study you have started?"
Peeta stops immediately. What? How did he find out? Katniss promised not to mention anything to anyone. "Wha - what?"
"I was in your office waiting to talk to you about covering my shift," Finnick explains excitedly. "You left some of your notes out on the desk, and my eyes just happened to wander over to them."
Peeta's heart beats rapidly in his chest. How could he possibly explain this and not sound like some kind of pervert? "Listen, Finnick–"
"I want to help," Finnick interrupts, the look in his eyes showing Peeta that he isn't making some kind of joke. "You are taking a risk, and I think it's going to pay off."
This is the break that Peeta's been looking for. He needs volunteers for the study, and having a doctor be one of the first could really help move things forward. "Do you understand what I'm going to ask of you?"
Finnick laughs loudly, which confuses Peeta, but most things Finnick does puzzles him. "I'm sure it will be like my typical Friday night."
Peeta feels a headache forming, but he needs Finnick's help. "Be at my office tomorrow." He slams his office door in Finnick's face before he opens his mouth again.
There's a lot of work that needs to be done.
It's not unusual for Peeta to ask Katniss to stay after hours, but when Dr. Odair walks through the door with his typical smug grin, Katniss wonders if they are still proceeding with the research.
"Can I help you?" Katniss asks with a polite smile. Peeta's been locked in his office all afternoon, and she was given strict instructions not to let anyone in.
Finnick shrugs off his lab coat and sets it on the top of her desk. "I'm here for the study."
Katniss cocks her brow at the attractive doctor. "Is Dr. Mellark aware of this?" Why didn't he mention this to her?
"He invited me," Finnick says, reaching for the door knob to Peeta's office. Katniss quickly stands and makes her way to the door, blocking his entry. "Woah there, is there something freaky going on in there?"
Katniss lets out a huff of air. This doctor is going to be a pain in the ass. She knocks on the office door softly, waiting for Peeta to say it's okay to come in. "Sorry to bother you," Katniss apologizes with a regretful smile. "Dr. Odair is here..."
Finnick moves past Katniss and sits down in the chair across from Peeta. "What are you going to have me do?"
Peeta coughs as Katniss closes the door behind her. Finnick surveys the equipment in the room while she begins setting up the heart monitor that Peeta finally got for them. He wants to take note of the change in heart rate during arousal.
"You're going to get hooked up to that machine," Peeta points to where Katniss is standing. "Then you're going to pleasure yourself while I record the data."
The smile instantly fades from Finnick's face. Peeta's sure he's going to change his mind and make a beeline for the door. He leans back in the chair and stretches his arms above his head.
"If you aren't comfortable–"
"I just thought there would be someone else here with me," Finnick says with nervous laugh. "I mean, this is a study of human sexuality..."
"We are in the masturbation phase of the study…" Peeta begins to explain, but Katniss pipes up.
"Actually, Dr. Mellark, I forgot to tell you. We have a few more volunteers that are very interested in the study." Katniss looks over at Finnick who is fidgeting in his seat. "I was talking to that really nice nurse Annie at lunch, and she was excited about it."
This catches Finnick's attention immediately. Katniss enjoys observing people, and she's seen the way Dr. Odair looks at Annie Cresta. Unfortunately, Annie never gives him the time of day, which is not typical for Finnick.
Peeta can see that Katniss is trying to convince Finnick to stick with the study, and she's doing a great job of it.
"Now, are you going to let me hook you up to this fancy machine or what?" Katniss asks with a flirty smile. She leans down close to his ear so that Peeta can't hear them. "I'll do my best to make sure you are paired with Annie in the future."
Katniss knows that Peeta will be upset for making that kind of promise, but they are in no position to lose volunteers.
Peeta watches closely as Katniss shares a quiet joke with Finnick, jealously creeping up in his bones.
It only takes her a few minutes to finish prepping Finnick. Katniss realizes that she's more nervous at the prospect of watching someone else with Peeta than performing the act in front of him.
"Whenever you're ready, Dr. Odair," Peeta tells him while Katniss sits in the empty chair next to him.
Finnick looks around the room nervously. "This isn't easy you know."
It's Katniss who speaks first. "Just close your eyes and imagine the most beautiful woman you've ever seen standing before you." Her voice is soft but commanding. It's obvious Finnick is going to need some help to get this done. "She's been waiting for you," Katniss continues as Finnick begins to fumble with his with belt. "Her thighs are glistening from the evidence of her arousal."
The front of Finnick's pants begin to tent as his own arousal becomes visible.
Katniss' sultry voice continues. "You've waited for this moment, and when your tongue finally flicks at her swollen clit, you know that the wait was worth it."
Finnick shoves his hand in his underwear and begins to move it over the length of his shaft. Katniss sits back in her seat and winks at Peeta, who focuses on anything but the dangerous woman sitting next to him.
"Her hand is wrapped around your stiff cock," Katniss says while looking over at Peeta. "You can feel her hot breath on the tip as she leans forward to take you in her mouth."
Finnick breathes heavily as his cheeks redden the same way Katniss' had. It's not hard to see the similarities between the two, but Peeta wishes it was Katniss touching herself again on his couch.
There's something about the tone of her voice that makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
Finnick softly grunts and moans as his hips buck up in response to the movements of his hand. It only takes a few minutes until Finnick is crying out from his climax.
He opens his eyes slowly and looks over at Peeta and Katniss. "Did you guys enjoy the show?"
"It was an eye opener," Peeta says dryly. Finnick would be much more tolerable if he didn't open his mouth. But he was a willing participant in the study, so Peeta had to tolerate him.
His mind continues to wander back to Katniss and the way she spoke to Finnick. There's a part of him that wishes she was saying those things to him.
Peeta knows he's in trouble when it comes to Katniss. He wants her more and more everyday, and he's sure that desire is only going to get stronger.
Peeta's wanted to discuss what happened with Finnick for days now, but his schedule has kept him extremely busy. He's happy to be busy, though. It keeps his thoughts from wandering to Katniss.
It's quiet in his office when Katniss opens the door. She's stopped knocking weeks ago.
"You aren't busy right now?" Katniss asks hopefully. Peeta shakes his head, and Katniss smiles brightly. "I wanted to talk about the other night with Dr. Odair."
"Excellent!" Peeta leans back in his chair. "I was actually just reviewing the case file."
Katniss sits down in her usual seat across from Peeta. "He's an interesting guy," she says with a chuckle.
"He responded very well when you began speaking," Peeta states, remembering how he wished that Katniss spoke those words to him and not Finnick. "Is that something you do often?"
"Sometimes," Katniss admits with a shrug. "I guess it depends on the person and if they get off on that sort of thing."
Peeta nods slowly. He's definitely the type of person to enjoy those naughty words. "I was worried Finnick wouldn't be able to perform for us. He seemed nervous at first."
"Well, it's not like he could fake it." Katniss flips a piece of hair over her shoulder. "He just needed to focus and drown out his surroundings. That's what I have to do anyway..."
Peeta sits up straighter in his chair. "Have you ever faked it?" He's wanted to ask a woman this question for years. "I mean, if you aren't being satisfied sexually by your partner."
"Of course I have." Katniss can't lie to him. Truthfully, she's faked having an orgasm more times than she can count.
Peeta wonders to himself how many women he's been with in his life that have done that. "Why do you fake it?" he questions.
"Well, a guy doesn't like it when you just lie there..." Katniss says as if she's stating the obvious. "I mean, I can only take so much before I just need him to finish."
Peeta nods in understanding. "How long does it take you to climax with a partner usually?"
Katniss leans back in the chair, crossing her legs. "I guess it depends on how aroused I am."
"Signs of arousal?" Peeta asks, his eyes wandering to her chest. He's grown to love the way her nipples harden underneath the thin material of her shirt.
That familiar throbbing between her legs slowly begins to creep up on her. Lately, it feels that she's always in a constant state of arousal. Showing Peeta how she brings herself to orgasm was much easier than explaining what it feels like to be turned on.
"I guess..." Katniss closes her eyes, picturing Peeta's tongue lapping at the wetness currently soaking her panties. A shiver runs down her spine as she imagines his hands placed firmly on her hips, holding her down as his mouth brings her to completion. "Imagine needing a drink of water, but you keep being denied. This pulsating feeling between my legs begs for some kind of friction, and I'm a mess until I feel that touch that will send me over the edge."
Peeta lets out a shaky breath, his cock straining against his underwear. He can give her that friction she desperately craves. Katniss opens her eyes and stares intensely at Peeta.
He grips the sides of his chair, hoping that Katniss can't see the massive bulge in the front of his pants. The temperature in his office seems to have risen a couple degrees in the span of a few seconds.
"Katniss?" Peeta says softly, his mouth dry. "Are you aroused right now?"
A rush of heat floods to her center as Peeta studies her appearance carefully. Her clit pulsates, begging to be caressed by Peeta's fingers. Those long, thick fingers that could fill her up perfectly.
"Ye - yes," she stutters.
Peeta's cock twitches in his pants at her response. There's no way he can wait until later to take care of this. "I - I was wondering if you would be open to trying something?"
It takes all of Katniss' strength to moan out her answer. "What is it?"
"We–" Peeta rubs his hand on his thigh, trying to distract himself from the painful aching in his balls. "I want to see if your orgasm is different when stimulated by another person."
Katniss feels a thrill of excitement at Peeta's suggestion. Hopefully, he is the person stimulating her. "How do you want to do this?" she asks nervously.
"Well, I don't think we should have skin to skin contact," Peeta explains. "Maybe we could do this over our clothes."
"You mean dry humping?" Katniss asks with a laugh. She hasn't done that since high school. But right now it's exactly the friction she needs.
Peeta nods wordlessly. This is a dumb idea, he thinks. There's no way Katniss will agree to this.
"I think we should do it," she tells him, standing up from her seat and moving over to the couch.
"Wha - really?" Peeta abruptly stands, not even caring that Katniss can see his erection straining against his slacks.
Katniss slips out of her skirt so that she's in panties and a shirt. The very thought of Peeta's cock pressed up against her heat makes the feeling between her legs magnify.
She lays back on the couch with her legs spread open. Peeta takes note of her soaked panties, and he groans softly. Was he the reason for her arousal?
Peeta's never felt more turned on in his entire life. Katniss begins rubbing herself through the thin fabric. Soft moans escape her mouth as her hips buck up in response to the stimulation.
She opens her legs wider so that Peeta can position himself between them. They don't speak. Katniss wraps her arm around his neck and places a chaste kiss on his cheek.
Peeta thrusts his hips into her center, and Katniss squeaks in response. It's been awhile since she's done this. Her swollen nub continues to throb, but when the zipper of Peeta's pants hits it just right, a surge of pleasure runs through her body.
It's just enough, but they both want more. Peeta can almost feel the heat of her walls encasing his cock when he thrusts into her.
He presses against her slowly and with purpose. The build up is enough to drive her crazy, but watching Peeta thrust into her fully clothed is mesmerizing. Katniss' eyes close when her own hips begin to match his rhythm. She's close.
"Peeta please," Katniss whispers into his ear. She isn't sure what she's asking for. All Katniss knows is that she's not going to last much longer.
She's so wet for him. He's so hard for her. They both crave the other's touch, but they can't cross that line.
Peeta can feel the tingling at the base of his spine beginning to spread. He's going to come. Katniss begins to make the same noises that she did that one night. "I'm going to... Peeta…"
Her body tenses beneath him as her orgasm washes over her. Peeta can't hold back any longer. He rolls and bucks his hips until his shaft pulses his hot semen into the fabric of his underwear.
"Oh God!" Peeta says breathlessly, and his body finally stills. He looks down at the stain in the front of his pants and is thankful he always has a spare in his closet.
Katniss looks at Peeta with a satisfied smile. "You seemed to enjoy that," Peeta says hopefully.
"It was like being sixteen again," Katniss tells him jokingly.
"Was your orgasm more intense this time?"
Katniss' cheeks flush red again. He's always making her blush with his questions.
"I…" There's no way Katniss can deny how Peeta made her feel. The way his hips rocked against her pelvis was more exhilarating than any sex she's had in years. "It was incredible."
It takes all Peeta's strength to hide the smile forming on his lips.