I want to go ahead and thank all of my readers for taking the time to follow me and give feedback. You guys make writing worthwhile. Also I want to make something clear if it wasn't. Chapter one was the prologue and took place 3 years before Peeta ever came to the farm. Special thanks again to Lbug84 for everything from beta to critic. I hope you guys enjoy. Please don't forget to review after you read.
Peeta's pov
It's the middle of the night. I hear the floor creaking in the bunkhouse and slant my eyes open to see who it could be. I blink a few times and a smile spreads on my face. She's wearing the same tiny shorts from before and she has her finger up to her mouth, telling me to be quiet. She grabs my hand and leads me quietly down from my bunk. We stand chest to chest. She runs her hand down my bicep, and my muscle flexes involuntarily. Her eyes meet mine before she lifts up on her tiptoes to whispers in my ear. "Follow me."
We make it out of the bunkhouse and walk a narrow path towards the garden. She pushes me up against a wall of ivy. The scent of honeysuckle cloys on my senses. She runs her hand down from my cheek to my chest. She pulls away just as her fingers caress the front of my pants. I take a deep breath and I watch her bewitching grey eyes dance with excitement. She takes a few steps back from me and pulls off her tee shirt exposing her perfect round breasts to me. The moonlight highlights her appealing curves and makes me crazy with the need to touch her, taste her.
"I know I sent you away but I just couldn't wait until tomorrow." She says over her shoulder. She's turned around and has her thumbs hooked into the waste band of her shorts. She watches me closely as she pulls them off. When they fall to the floor I swallow hard at the sight of her perfect ass bared to me. I want to reach out and touch her smooth olive skin but I dig my hands deeper into the ivy instead. Patience, I tell myself. She turns around. Her luscious curves glide silently towards me as her fingers slowly unwrap her braid. Suddenly she's in front of me her ebony locks cascading down her shoulders and framing her flawless breasts.
"Touch me." She says. I bring my hands out slowly. They're conflicted on where to go first. I want to feel her everywhere. Mark her completely. My fingers caress her cheek and she nuzzles further into my touch. I love the texture of her silky hair as my other hand winds through it, knotting it slightly so I can pull her closer into a kiss. She still tastes like ice cream and I can't get enough of her sweet taste. I drag my lips from hers and begin to suckle her neck. She lets out a surprised cry and grips my head to her neck. I let my hands wander to her luscious mounds, and I squeeze them gently.
"Ah! Peeta. So good." She moans out as she moves her body closer to mine. I move my mouth lower on her neck and I gently pinch her nipples. She cries out again.
"Are you wet for me?" I ask. I can feel her nodding against me. "Tell me."
"I'm so wet for you. I need you," she cries. I want to taste her. I feel the blood pulsing heavily in my veins as I lower my mouth. I stop for a few heated minutes to worship her breasts. She's breathing hard and her chest is rising and falling hard in a mesmerizing rhythm. I take a perfect cherry bud into my mouth and suck.
"Oh my god. That, That's so good-" She breathes out into the night. "Don't stop." She pulls me closer to her and I use my teeth to lightly worry the sensitive flesh. I'm still fully clothed but I don't know how much longer I'll stay that way. The need to feel her hot and wet against me, on me is getting to be too much to resist.
She must feel the same because I feel her hands move from my head to the hem of my shirt I have to break away momentarily to allow her to lift it over my head. When its off I feel her run her hands up and down my smooth chest running a line from my heart down between my abs.
"You're like a God." She has both hands flat on my abs now and she's sliding them down towards my hip lines. I feel her slide her hand into my sleep pants and let out a gasp of pleasure. Her hand is wrapped perfectly around my length.
"You're so big." She says. I grab her and haul her against my body letting her feel me against her.
"You do that to me. Since the minute I first saw you. I knew I wanted this." I sink down to my knees and turn her slightly so that her back is now against the Ivy. When I get to the juncture of her thighs I breathe in the scent of ice cream, honeysuckle, and something that's pure her. I move my hand to her thigh and lift it up and rest her leg over my shoulder. I breathe heavily, letting the air from my lungs stimulate her. I can see how wet she is. The leaves rustle as she grasps the wall tighter with her hand. She moves her other hand up and locks her fingers into my curls. I look up at her and smile at the sight before me. She stares down at me with lust filled eyes and swollen lips. I know she's eager, just as much as I am. I waste no time plunging my tongue deep into her folds and trailing up to the magic point above her opening.
"Holy-" She starts.
"Just my name. I want to hear you say it every time you scream out. I want to hear who's taking you with his mouth."
I move back to her ruby lips and plunge in letting my tongue dance up and over. I can't get enough of her sweet sticky taste. I move a finger into her and feel her back against me as I curl it towards me.
"Peeta!" She starts moving as I move. I insert another finger and savor how tight she is around me.
"Peeta. I need you inside me. I need you now." I quickly remove my fingers and grab both her inner thighs with my hands. I push her wide open and don't stop until she's pressed up completely against the ivy at her back and me at her front.
"Pull my pants down." I order. She does as she's told and then I'm free to the open air. I have her guide me to her entrance where I don't wait before plunging completely into her making us both cry out in ecstasy.
"Peeta. You're so deep. No one's ever been this deep." My heart swells with pride at her words. I pull out and ram back into her pressing hard against her clit. I want to be the best she's ever had.
"I'm going to ruin you for anyone else." I groan into her neck as I continue the punishing rhythm that has us both shaking in intensity.
"Peeta, Please. It's too much. I can't last much longer." She cries out. Her head is leaning back against the ivy her breasts jutting out from her arching back.
"Not yet. You're not ready yet. You can take more." I say. I shift her slightly so that I hit her just right as I push back into her. I bend my head down lower to take her nipple into my mouth and feel her nails dig into my mouth.
"Peeta! I'm so close. So close. Peeta please." I move even harder into her feeling her tighten around me. I push forward and feel more. The she screams as her climax rips through her. She's gripping me so tightly that I lose the battle with my control and come on a yell against her neck. I'm panting hard when I hear the sounds of an alarm in the distance. I grip her tighter as the alarm gets louder. It's painfully loud now. I open my eyes.
"Ay Gringo! Turn off the fucking alarm."
"Levantate Nino Rico!"
"Dude, shut off your alarm!"
I lean over and slam my hand down on my alarm. Holy hell. A dream. The hottest fucking dream of my life and what do I have to show for it? Three pissed off bunkmates, stained sheets, and sleep shorts pasted to my thigh. Great. Just great. And I have another fifteen hours to go before I get to even see her again. My head falls face forward back into the pillow. This is going to be the longest day of my life.
Katniss pov
I trudge into the small mammals habitat and unlock the metal barn doors. The smell of cedar chips and running water overtakes my senses and I know I made a good choice coming here. Last night was hell. Not only did I spend half of it berating myself for how forward I was but I tossed and turned with the need for release only to get up an hour early and take a cold shower to wash off the guilt. I know I shouldn't feel this way anymore. It's not cheating when your husband's deceased but hell, it stills feels that way every morning after. The real kicker is I didn't even have sex last night. It was just a few kisses. Hot and Fiery kisses but still. I'll be twenty-six next week and my body still craves sex like I'm a teenager. Even after my usual ten-mile run I can't get last night out of my head.
"Good Afternoon, Mathilda." I duck through the open doorway and grab a piece of mango from my pocket. Mathilda spreads her wings and lets out a chatty jitter as I move in closer to her. I feed her the fruit before moving on to pet her furry body. I then take the time to inspect her wings. The silky leather beneath my finger tips calms me down. I inspect the heeling hole in her wing before looking over at her bandaged thumb. It's not every day that someone shows up with a wounded flying fox and no place to put her. Hell, I almost didn't take her but when I looked into those big black eyes full of pain I knew that I couldn't just let them put her to sleep.
"How you feeling, mama?" She spits her now juiced mango out onto the floor.
"Ya, I can relate." I said.
Mathilda's from Australia. She was just minding her own business when a hunter shot her. She fell to the ground and an American tourist found her. I'm not really sure what possessed the woman to pick up a wild and probably sick giant fruit bat but hey, I'd seen crazier things. Through sheer dumb luck, I ended up with her and a belly full of her babies. They've moved onto the San Diego Zoo now but Mathilda's all mine. I give her a parting pat on her back before setting up some enrichment for her and leaving her enclosure. Since today's Friday I'll be sending home the teen volunteers early so they can get back to their parents for the weekend. I walk along the back halls and poke my head into the Golden Tamarind Exhibit. Flavius and Octavia have stolen Gina's scarf again and are taking turns wrapping themselves in it.
"Everything okay in here?" I ask her.
"As well as can be expected. It's Friday so they know this is their last chance to torment me before the weekend." Gina says. Despite being "tormented" she has a big smile on her face.
"You know, once school starts your more then welcome to work a few mornings. You can spend the night in the bunkhouse and I can have the boys drop you off at school on their way in for pickups. Her eyes light up at the news.
"Really?"
"Well ya, your free manual labor kid I'm not going to turn that down."
Her head was bouncing like a bobble head. "I'll ask my mom on my break."
"Great. Just let me know."
"Thanks Katniss!"
I leave the exhibit with a smile on my face. I knew too well what it was like to dread high school. At least now Gina could have something to look forward too.
"Come here you!"
The shout draws me out of my head. It's soon followed by Chicken screams, a crash, and some flying white feathers. I run down the hall. What the hell is going on? We're nowhere near the chicken pens. I stop short around the corner as I see him. He's bending over between open crates of feed. There a smattering of chicken crap on his ass but it doesn't do much to lessen the view.
I lean my shoulder against the wall enjoying watching him shake his ass as he struggles for some stupid bird that must have escaped. It's a good thing he didn't chase it towards the lions. Even without their claws that chicken would've been to easy for them to catch.
"Can I help you with something?" I ask.
He turns around. His eyes go wide and his eyebrows rise when he sees me. He smiles before he scratches the back of his neck. His eyes shoot to the corner and then back to me.
"How long have you been standing there?" He asks.
"Oh a few minutes at least." I say back. "Do you want some help over there?"
"No, I've got it." His smile is a little strained. He's clearly been at this for a while.
"You sure about that?"
"Ya, I'm sure." He bends over again making another quick pass at the chicken. It lets out an insulted scream before flying up and into a different corner.
"Really, let me help." I say.
" I've chased him this far. I'm going to grab that chicken." He's as serious as a general going into battle.
"Alrighty then." I stand there quietly and wait.
"Do you have to watch me?" He asks.
"Well… ya." I say with a smile. All he needs is a broom. He huffs out an exasperated breath and dives for the chicken again.
"Son of a Bitch." He kicks the dirt.
"Actually, that's a chicken."
"What?"
"A little animal humor. Don't worry about it." I watch him take a deep breath and crack a smile. I like that smile. It's sexy.
"Sorry, I've had the shittiest morning. Literally. I haven't fallen in the coop this many times since the first day. Then this sucker got out and I chased him all the way here."
"You chased the chicken straight from the coop?"
He nodded.
"That's two miles. I'm impressed." He arched brow and his lips went tight. I wonder if he realizes that I'm serious. "Forget the chicken. He'll make his way back home eventually. Come on I want to show you something."
"You sure we won't get in trouble for leaving him in here?"
"I think we'll be okay. I've got a good relationship with the owner."
"Rue? Ya, I remember from last night. She seemed pretty chill with you being in the freezer and all."
"Right… I should probably tell you-" The door behind me cuts me off from setting Peeta straight.
"Keeper! Keeper! There's something wrong with Bilbo!" Abby has come crashing around the back. I feel my heart beat pickup. Not Bilbo.
"You coming?" I ask him as I start running down the hall.
"What about the chicken?"
"Fuck the chicken!" I wince as I looke over at Abby. She's staring at me like I just grew a second head. I usually try not to curse around my staff.
I round the corner and slow a bit when his exhibit comes into view. Bilbo is our oldest penguin here. He was also the first exotic animal we ever took in. We got him when he was diagnosed with a skin irritation that required more attention then the small zoo in Wyoming was able to handle. No other zoo's wanted him because he was already considered an old man. We took him in thinking he was on his last leg that was almost two years ago. I felt like something was lodged in my throat. This couldn't be the end for him.
I grab my key off my belt and unlock the door without bothering to throw on my jacket. The adrenaline is keeping me warm. When the penguins see me they let out a chorus of shrill screeches.
"Abby, the bucket of fish."
"On it." When they hear Abby coming in swinging the bucket all their heads shift in unison towards her.
"Excuse me, Frodo." I step around my wobbling friend to where Bilbo is standing in the corner of the enclosure.
"Holy hell, it smells like rancid seaweed in here." I ignore Peeta as I bend down on my knees towards Bilbo.
"Hey Friend. How you feeling?"
In answer Bilbo eyes me wearily and ruffles his feathers. Ah. I let out a relieved laugh.
"Is everything okay?" Abby already has tears in her eyes.
"Everything is fine. He's just molting, Abby."
"But he won't eat."
"That's normal." I go over to her bucket and grab out a piece of fish bringing it over to Bilbo.
"I'm sorry. I feel so silly now." She says.
"Don't be. It's always better to ask then assume things are fine. You did the right thing." She gives me a relieved smile. I make my way back over to the door and see Peeta's head sticking through it.
"I just have one question." His face is serious. "Why would you be so cruel as to name midget penguins after Hobbits?"
I laugh a good belly-shaking chuckle. I look at him and can't help another round of laughter. After I finally stop my smile fades. I hadn't laughed like that in a long time. Too long. I don't dwell on it.
"They are not 'midget penguins.' Most of them are Gentoo while Bilbo is a Macaroni."
"Just like Yankee Doodle." He says. I arch my brow but can't help cracking a grin.
"Let's close the door Yankee Doodle before you're chasing another bird down the hallway." I grab the door and catch Abby checking Peeta out as I close it. Her eyes go wide when she's notices me noticing her. I give her a little wink. She can have him when I'm done. And I'll be done sooner rather then later. I always am.
I make a left out of the building and step into the fresh air. It's sweet with the scent of ripening corn and I look forward to the harvest in a few months.
"So…that was pretty awesome. I didn't even know they have penguins here." He said.
"Oh ya, penguins, lions, fruit bats, otters, giraffes, a cheetah, and a polar bear."
"That's nuts. It must get pretty crazy around here."
"Oh, it's a real zoo."
"Very Punny." He says sticking out his tongue.
"So are you over the whole chicken debacle?" I ask. He's wearing a pair of jean cut offs and a white V-neck tee shirt. They look good on him. Who the hell am I kidding? He looks like sex on a stick.
"No way. We're having a rematch tomorrow." I smile.
"So how did you land such an awesome job working with penguins? Or better yet, who do you have to fuck around here to get out of cleaning up the chicken shit?"
I raised my eyebrows. Why, as a matter of fact, me. The harder you fuck me the better the job, I think. If we were still in the kitchen I would probably have just said it but now I'm a little less brave. Besides it's better if he thinks I'm a volunteer. He won't think too much into this.
"I have a degree in animal science. The animal specialists tend to get better jobs than the Easter bunnies."
"Hey, hey, I resent that. The Easter bunny hides the eggs. I am the lucky soul who gets to hunt for them." He says.
"My mistake then."
"So I was thinking. Last night was probably the best Ice cream party I've ever been too."
"Oh. That. Right." Little does he know that that ice cream party is a weekly occurrence I call my therapy session.
"I was thinking that maybe we could mix it up."
"What did you have in mind?" I look him up and down. He's being a little forward considering it's before four but hey? Who am I to complain?
"I'd like to start slow maybe take you out for some ice cream in a cone or a milkshake. If we start feeling really frisky maybe I'll spring for a root beer float."
Okay this guy was charming. Charming can be fun, and dangerous. That little voice inside me says. I tell it to shut up so I can just get laid. Besides the guy's harmless. According to Rue, He's a Hollywood playboy or something like that. Guys like him don't attempt to date farm girls. Fucking them is another story, luckily for me.
"So funny you should mention it. I've been craving a thick, creamy root beer float." His mouth falls open a little. I smile as I meet his eyes and purposefully draw my bottom lip in between my teeth. He swallows. I like watching his adam's apple dip in his throat.
"I'm pretty sure I just fell in love with you." His face is completely straight and even though I know he's not serious I feel the need to run. I push him back and take off down the hill.
"Race you to the chicken coops!" I let the wind push my hair back and I spread my arms out wide like a bird the way Rue always does. I hear him coming up behind me. I can beat him easily but if I slow down there's a pretty good chance he'll put those hands on me. I smile when I decide to let him catch me.
For the moment, at least.
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