Author's note: Some hints about Katniss and Peeta's lives are in this chapter. And, of course, some delicious smut!
Many thanks to my beta oh_well AKA karin6824.
And thanks also to my bestie writingbutunpublished for all the many things you do for me when it comes to my writing!
Happy reading!
Part Four
Katniss spent the rest of the day and all night wondering who could have left the rose. It was King Coriolanus's symbol. He was a harsh man. There had been a sort of peace publically for a while. But everyone knew someone that had been taken away at night and either imprisoned or killed because they opposed the tyrannical king's rule.
She tossed the rose out the window and looked down at the dark road beneath her room. The house Peeta put her in was a quiet place. She was sure the neighbors knew the arrangement, but she didn't care. At least, she told herself she didn't. There were more important things like her sister's future and the person who decided to leave a white rose in her home.
She saw a figure making their way down the road. It was a man. The walk was familiar and she leaned further out the window, squinting into the night.
Peeta, seeming to sense her watching, stopped and looked up. He lifted the brim of his hat to see her better. "Hello, Juliette." He whispered.
"Just come in, you silly man." Katniss shook her head and retreated from the window. She closed it and lit a lamp beside the bed. She heard the door open downstairs and the soft footfalls on the stairs. She opened her bedroom door and stepped into the hallway.
"Hello again." He slipped his hand into hers and followed her into the bedroom.
"I don't want to be your Juliette. That story ends in death and I've had enough of that for a while." She closed the door and took his hat off his head.
Peeta took the hat from Katniss and placed it on top of her head. "You just reminded me of the balcony scene." He slipped her dressing gown off her shoulders and dropped it to the floor. "You're beautiful."
She took the hat off and placed it on the chair beside the door. She held her arms up as he lifted her nightgown over her head. Then she helped him finish undressing.
"I've had enough of it myself." He threw his shirt on top of the growing clothing pile.
Katniss dropped to her knees and pulled his trousers down to his ankles. His erection was now at eye level. She trailed her lips, feather-light, against the length. His breath came out in a shudder and he smoothed his hands over her hair.
"You're beautiful on your knees, Katniss." He murmured.
She smiled up at him. "Do you prefer me on my knees, Peeta? You should have told me sooner." She flicked her tongue out against the tip and he shuddered again.
Taking that as a good sign, she wrapped her lips around the end of his cock and swirled her tongue around it. He gripped her shoulders tight as she bobbed her head over him, taking in more of his length each time she leaned forward. She caressed every inch of him she could reach.
"I don't want to come in your mouth." Peeta said after a while.
Katniss sat back on her heels and wiped her hand across her mouth. "I thought you liked me on my knees, your grace."
He pulled her up and into his arms, sitting her down on the bed. Leaning over, he buried his fingers in her hair and kissed her deeply. Kisses weren't something they shared much, especially when no other parts of their body touched. But his mouth was warm and insistent. He pressed his tongue against her lips until she opened her mouth to allow him thorough exploration.
When he finally pulled away, he whispered, "Stand up and turn around."
Katniss did as he asked, but didn't have much time to settle herself before Peeta grabbed her hips and slipped inside her. She let out a soft gasp at the quick invasion. It wasn't that she wasn't ready, it was just that he usually gave her warning.
Without much pause, he started moving with great force. It was so hard for Katniss to keep upright, but she felt exhilarated with every thrust that loosened her grip and sent her forward. She pushed back, meeting his strokes.
Grunts and moans like those from a wild animal filled the room. Whose throat they came from was hard to discern for both of them were mad with the pleasure of it all. Katniss felt like her body was on fire with every movement within her.
It wasn't much longer until she felt the tightening of his grip on her hips and heard the strangled sound his voice made as he met his orgasm. The pulsating of his member inside her was always welcome and was just enough to send her into a small climax. Nothing compared to his, she knew.
Katniss looked over her shoulder. Peeta still held onto her, his head bowed as he regained his normal breathing. He caressed her bottom and spread his hands up the length of her back. He finally removed himself from her and walked around to the window.
"I've never seen you from behind." Katniss commented as she sat down in the bed.
Peeta smiled over his shoulder and allowed her a longer view. "You like it?"
She laughed. "It's not bad. Haven't had much chance to see naked men."
After a moment, he turned and strode slowly to the bed. He sat on the side and leaned over her. "Who was it?" He asked as he pushed a bit of hair out of her face. "The man that took your virginity."
"He didn't take it, I gave it to him." She pushed his hand away. "We were friends."
"Would you have married him?" Was that jealousy in his voice? That he wasn't the first? That maybe it made him second best?
She looked down at her hands. "It doesn't matter."
"I haven't yet met a woman that seemed good enough to marry." Peeta admitted, sitting back a little. "They just want the title. None seem even the slightest bit interested in me otherwise. I know that isn't something that matters in my station. I'm a duke, not a common man or a gentleman. I shouldn't be so choosy about a wife." He sighed. "I wish I could marry you."
"You could never marry me, Peeta." Katniss chewed on her lip a moment and then moved to the center of the bed. "Come here." She patted the space she'd just vacated.
He sat beside her, blanket draped over his lap and hands clasped against his stomach. "Who were your parents, Katniss? What was your father's profession?"
She swallowed. "He was a knight." She smiled. "That's what he used to tell me. A bedtime story. And he told me my mother was a princess that he fell in love with. My mother said it was nonsense." She looked toward the window a moment and then moved down to rest her head on her hand. "We had a very small farm. But the king demanded more taxes. Too many for us to pay. We lost the farm. Not long after, my parents were arrested for crimes against the Crown."
"What crimes?" Peeta mirrored her pose.
"I never knew." Katniss said. Though she did know it was partly because they hid her and Prim away and refused to allow King Coriolanus access to his granddaughters.
"And they were executed?" He asked.
"Stop trying." She rolled to her back and stared up at the ceiling. "Where are your parents? I know I'm meant to know, but I've only heard rumors."
It was quiet for a while. She looked over to see he was trying to control something on his face.
Peeta swallowed and said, barely above a whisper, "We all got sick. I think someone poisoned us. Everyone in my household…" He sighed. "I barely recovered. By the time I did, I got word that my grandfather was dying and I would be inheriting the title."
Katniss looked him over. "Are there any lasting effects?"
"I get tired sometimes, but not as much as I used to." He moved closer and draped his arm over her waist. "I'm much better."
"I'm glad." She turned her head to look at him.
He settled in a little, pressing his body against hers. "Who do you want your sister to marry? What kind of man?"
She was surprisingly comfortable being this close to him. "Do you want to know if I would want you to marry my sister?"
He moved his hand up her chest and cupped her cheek. "I never even considered it. But if you want me to, I will."
Katniss shook her head. "I'm your mistress. I could never be your wife. But if I have to see you married to anyone, I don't want to see you married to my sister." She pushed up on her elbow. "I want you to try to find her a love match. I know it's going to be difficult, but the more men she has an opportunity to meet, the better her chance of finding love."
"And if she doesn't find love?"
"Then someone who can support her. Someone who would never want to kill the sweetness in her character. Someone who will laugh with her." She ran her hand over his exposed chest. "Are those expectations too grand?"
"I will see what I can manage." He kissed her forehead. "What about you?"
She wrapped her arm around him. "What about me?"
"Do you want to be married? I could help find you a husband. Someone who wouldn't care what you are to me."
"Would I still get to see you if I'm married?" She wrapped her leg around his hip.
He angled himself so that his cock was lined up close to her opening. "Would be best if you didn't, I'm sure."
"Then why would I want to marry? I get all the fun with you and a home and I don't have to take care of you." She took his hand and guided it to her clit. "And I'm sure I'd never find a husband to fuck me like you do."
With a grin, Peeta rolled to his back and pulled Katniss along with him. "A husband would make love to you, Katniss."
"I don't want that with you. I like the way we are." She pressed her hips down and stroked against his hand.
"Would you feel betrayed if I married?" He palmed her breast. "Or would you feel like the betrayer?"
"I would be the betrayer, no doubt about it." She bit her lip as pleasure shot through her body. "But you're the one that chooses that, not me."
"And who would you want me to marry, Katniss?" Peeta asked. His hands continued to work over her body, bringing her closer to her climax with each movement. "Someone who will look the other way? Pretty but clueless?"
"Yes." Katniss moaned. "If you married a girl who wasn't pretty, I'd be so sad for you."
"I'd just take her from behind every time and think about you." He smiled and tugged at her hips. "Come here and let me taste you."
"Are you certain?" She panted.
"I love how you taste, Katniss." He pulled her closer and she settled over his mouth.
She grabbed hold of his hair and rode along on his tongue. It swirled around her clit and tasted every bit of her folds. And his eyes were trained on hers. It was exciting. He let out a satisfied sound as his eyes closed slowly and then opened again. Something in them sent Katniss over the edge. She pressed down against his mouth, her eyes still locked on his. It was difficult to keep eye contact as she came, but she did, leaning a hand on the wall so she didn't fall over.
Peeta gently pushed Katniss away and moved up to his knees. He tangled his fingers in her hair and whispered, "Taste yourself on my lips."
She smiled and licked across the width of his mouth before plunging in and kissing him hard. She pulled him down on top of her, not breaking the kiss. His hands were hot and soft as they roamed over her body.
He pressed his cock against her. She smiled and wrapped her hand around it, slowly stroking him to life. Their mouths were still connected and Katniss could feel something warming in her belly that had nothing to do with the passion burning between them.
Her eyes shot open as she started forming a thought about the reason for the warmth. And then anger for letting herself be filled with an emotion like that.
She threw Peeta onto his back and guided him inside her, grinding down hard. She refused to look in his face no matter how much he tried to hold her face. And no more kisses. She wouldn't allow it.
Peeta grabbed Katniss face and pulled her down. "I want to look in your eyes when I come."
"No." She wrenched her head away and tried to sit back.
He pulled her down again. "Yes."
She sat still. "I said no. I do get some say in this, don't I?"
He blinked a few times. "Sorry." He lifted her off his cock and moved away. "I'll be going then."
"You don't have to." Katniss said softly, though she was relieved.
Peeta said nothing as he dressed. Katniss could feel the tension radiating off of him the whole time. He picked up his hat and turned.
"I'll call on you tomorrow, Miss Everdeen." He said as he popped his hat on his head.
"I'll have tea waiting, your grace." She said softly.
He gave her a long look and then turned on his heel, closing the door hard behind him. She had to stop herself from running after him.
