Chapter 9
Katniss
Peeta waits impatiently for me on the sidewalk as I pull up in my car to greet him. After he had picked me up and spun me around in happiness we left Uncle Haymitch and rushed home to pack a bag for the trip.
Peeta is clearly anxious to get going and paces up and down as he runs a hand nervously though his blond curls. The car doesn't even come to a complete stop before he walks round the back of it and lifts the trunk to put his bag in. He practically throws himself in the seat beside me in eagerness.
"Come on. We better get going. Meadowview is on the other side of District 12. It's going to take us a whole day to get there," Peeta says.
I nod my head in agreement. It is going to be a long drive and with Peeta this agitated it's only going to feel longer.
"Peeta, take a deep breath. We'll get there in time. Darius said that Prim is not going anywhere any time soon," I reply.
Peeta takes a deep breath as he turns back to look out the front windscreen. He runs another nervous hand through his curls as I turn the key in the ignition and start our journey.
"I'm sorry I'm so restless. I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much. Everything else has been a disappointment. It seems too good to be true," he says.
I smile at him sympathetically as I reach across the console to grab hold of his hand and give it a reassuring squeeze. Peeta startles at my touch but he does seem to calm down a little.
"I understand why you're cautious. And I think you are right to be. You're just protecting yourself so I am going to be the one that stays positive. I think this is the time we find her," I say.
Peeta smiles back at me gratefully and gives my hand a squeeze in return.
"Thank you. It does feel a little different this time. Almost like I can feel how close she is to me," Peeta replies.
I give his hand one last reassuring squeeze before I reluctantly withdraw it and turn my attention back to the road. There is a moment of silence as Peeta's leg stops bouncing and he looks out on the world as it passes us by.
"What exactly did Darius' friend say about Prim? What does he know about her?" Peeta asks.
"He didn't have too many details. Just that his friend arrested her last night for theft but there was no evidence to charge her so they let her go. He did say that she and Cray have been causing lots of turmoil in the town and that's why they are keeping a close eye on Prim now. They want the evidence to put her and Cray away," I say.
I glance nervously towards Peeta. After everything I have heard so far, it doesn't surprise me that Prim has got herself into more trouble. She's being influenced by people a lot older and more corrupt than her and it must hurt Peeta to know that there are people out there determined to catch Prim and lock her away for a long time. I only hope we can get to her before that happens.
Peeta sighs as he slumps back into his seat. He shakes his head in disapproval as he lets this bit of news sink in.
"She looked so much worse in that photo they sent. I've never seen her so skinny. And her eyes. They looked dead. I couldn't even pick out the sparkle of blue in her irises," Peeta says.
He draws into himself as the most recent image of Prim haunts him. I know he is blaming himself for the deterioration of her appearance. It was a shock even for me to see the photo that was faxed through. Prim is only nineteen but she looked like someone in her thirties in the photo. It was clear looking at the picture that the old Prim is not quite there anymore.
I don't want Peeta to dwell on his guilt. We'll hopefully find her soon and we can work together to help Prim get better. After seeing the picture it's going to be harder work than I originally thought but it is only going to work if Peeta stops blaming himself for what happened.
"Tell me something good about Prim. I know she must be more than that girl in the photo. Tell me something happy about her," I say.
Peeta hesitates at first. He's focused so much on the bad things that he struggles to remember the good things. The reasons why he loves his little sister. He takes a deep breath as he searches for the right place to start.
"She loves animals. As a kid she was always forcing me to dress up as dogs, cats and horses and used to pretend that I was her pet. Her favourite thing to do was go to feed the ducks at our local park though she always got upset if one duck was greedier than the others. She hated for the smaller ducks to be left out," Peeta reminisces.
He relaxes back into his seat and I smile as I hear him talk affectionately about his sister.
"We once found this kitten with cuts on its paw and half its ear missing by our trashcans. Our mother wanted nothing to do with it and told us to drown it in the bathtub but Prim was having none of it. We hid it inside her wardrobe while she nursed that ugly cat back to full health. The day the kitten was well enough to chase a bit of string around the floor was the happiest I ever saw Prim. So, even though I knew Mom would beat us senseless if she ever found the cat, I let Prim keep it and did my best to pull the wool over our mom's eyes. I even once had to eat a whole tin of cat food to convince her the tin was some new tinned stew and not pet food," Peeta says.
He wrinkles his nose at the memory of eating the cat food and I laugh. He may still blame himself for what's happened to Prim but it's obvious he cared for her.
"What happened to the cat?" I ask.
Peeta smiles as he shakes his head.
"I have no idea. It was gone by the time I eventually got back to see Prim. I shouldn't worry about him though. Buttercup was nothing but a survivor. He's probably convinced some other loving family to take him in and treat him like a king," Peeta replies.
I laugh again before a silence falls as Peeta enjoys some of his good memories.
"What about you? Tell me a good story about Gale. Or your parents. I swear it makes you feel better," he says.
I smile and shake my head at him. Trust Peeta to turn my own distraction technique back on me. I have talked very little about my parents or Gale since I met him. I grip the steering wheel a bit tighter as my natural coping mechanisms come up and I want to refuse Peeta a story. But he shared one with me. And he doesn't seem sad about it. In fact he looks the lightest and happiest since he got in the car. Maybe it is not that hard to talk about my family.
I take a deep breath as I loosen my grip on the steering wheel and continue to look out on the road.
"We all went camping once. I think it was a year before my parents died. Gale was making fun of my dad for getting old and boasting that he was now the fittest and most agile in Seam. We all knew Gale meant it in good natured way but my dad hated being called old. He couldn't let Gale get away with it," I begin.
Peeta turns to look at me as he listens carefully and gives me an encouraging smile.
"Dad managed to find this bush that had been marked with wild cat piss and he cut it up and stuffed it in Gale's backpack. As we set off for a hike that day Gale couldn't work out why this male wild cat kept following him about. No matter what he tried to do, the cat followed him. He ended up running and tripping into a marsh as the wild cat pounced and began pawing his rucksack. The backpack was lost to that cat forever and Dad couldn't stop laughing as Gale trudged back covered in mud and cat piss. I'm not sure Gale actually ever forgave Dad for that," I say.
Peeta lets out a loud laugh once I finish my story.
"Your dad sounds liked he loved getting up to mischief. I think I can understand why he is still remembered so fondly in Seam," Peeta says.
I turn briefly to look at Peeta
"Everyone loved Dad. He was a lot like you. Charming and friends with everyone. Everyone came to him for advice," I reply.
Peeta blushes and drops his eyes to his lap.
"I highly doubt that I am that well liked. Thom still wants to hit me every time he sees me," Peeta says.
"No. People love you in Seam. Even Thom admitted to me recently that you weren't all bad," I reply.
Peeta brings his head back to look at me. He holds my stare and a shiver goes up my spine. I snap my head back to look at the road. It makes me nervous when Peeta looks at me like that. I'm not ready to admit just how much I care about having Peeta in Seam.
We pull into a motel later that evening and after having spent the remainder of the car journey swapping stories about our families and playing silly car games. We are still six hours away from Meadowview but we agree it is best to get a good night sleep before we try and confront Prim tomorrow. After having a bite to eat in some small diner Peeta catches sight of bar with a sign advertising karaoke. He turns to me with excited eyes and a huge smile.
"Look. There's karaoke on tonight. We should totally go. I bet you can beat every singer in there," he says.
I shake my head at him.
"We can go but I'm not singing," I reply.
"But you are so good. Your voice deserves to be heard," he says.
I shake my head.
"It was fine singing in front of you and Uncle Haymitch but I can't perform in front of a live audience," I say.
The thought of performing in front of people makes my heart grip in anxiousness. The last time I performed in public my parents were rushing to their deaths. Already my mind is going back to that night and I know if I get up to perform I am just going to relive it all over again.
Peeta doesn't have to ask to know the reason behind my refusal. He lets out a slightly dispirited sigh as we begin making our way to the noisy bar.
"Fine. You can just listen but there is nothing stopping me getting up there," he replies.
"Peeta, you may have one of the worst singing voices I have ever heard. Drowned cats sound better than you," I say.
Peeta turns to me with a grin and a shrug of the shoulders.
"But isn't that the point of karaoke? Everyone sounds shit apart from the one person at the end that amazes everyone so that all the crap is forgotten," he says.
"Go ahead then. But if people start throwing things at you I'm going to pretend I came with someone else," I say.
Peeta grins as we push our way into the bar.
"You'll probably be the person to start the throwing," he replies.
I laugh as we find a seat in the corner. Peeta pulls the stool out for me and I smile at him as I sit down. He then darts off to get some drinks at the bar. I really hope that he doesn't go up there to sing. It would be so embarrassing. But then again Peeta doesn't seem to get embarrassed. Another thing he and my dad have in common.
I look around the bar while I wait for Peeta to come back with the drinks. It's a mainly middle aged crowd tonight and, just like our bar back home, everyone seems to know everyone as they laugh and joke with each other.
There is a rather tragic rendition of Christina Aguilera's Beautiful being sung by a man in his thirties wearing a nose ring and purple spikes in his hair. A few of the locals laugh and point and the catcalling starts within about twenty seconds of the song. I shake my head at the singer's performance and am glad that it is not me up there.
Peeta comes back just after the man finishes his song and places two bottles of coke down in front of us. I raise my eyebrow at his choice of soft drink.
"No bourbon tonight?" I say as I pour my coke into a glass.
"You're the one that keeps telling me alcohol is evil," he replies pouring his own glass.
I shake my head at him.
"I never said it is evil. Just destructive," I reply.
Peeta grins at me as he takes a sip of his drink.
"I don't want to be hungover when we find Prim tomorrow. I don't need anything clouding my judgement," he says.
I don't say anything in return but a smile spreads across my face. Peeta tips his head to the side and raises a questioning eyebrow at me.
"What?" he asks.
I smile again as I shake my head.
"Nothing. I'm just proud of you," I reply.
A grin spreads across Peeta's face before he sits back in his chair and takes a sip of his coke. He doesn't need to tell me that my comment means a lot to him.
We sit drinking our cokes contentedly while we watch the various singers get up on stage and sing. Most aren't actually that bad though Peeta makes me laugh throughout the performances with his quick observations and witty remarks. But then suddenly the MC is on stage and announcing Peeta for the next performance.
My eyes go wide and I reach forward to stop Peeta going up on the stage.
"You're not seriously going up there? Peeta, everyone else tonight has been half decent. The crowd are going to be on you in a second," I say.
Peeta looks down to where my hand is resting on his arm before he looks back up at me with a grin. He leans in closer to me and stares at me challengingly.
"If you are that concerned about me making a fool of myself then you should come up there with me," he says.
I let out a loud sigh as I shake my head. The MC is calling Peeta's name again and there are already drunk patrons clamouring for Peeta to stop being a pussy and to just get up there. I fear these men are not going to be kind to him.
I look around the room and at the demanding faces. Someone has started a slow clap to try and encourage Peeta up there and more catcalling arises. I can't let Peeta face this alone. I turn back to face him with a shake of my head.
"You're getting pretty good at this emotional blackmail. It's the only way you get to hear me sing," I reply.
A grin breaks across Peeta's face and my heart flutters a little at the sight.
"That means you're going to do it?" he asks.
Reluctantly I nod my head and stand up with him to go to the stage. Peeta's grin grows impossibly wider as he links his fingers with mine and leads me towards the stage. Ironic cheers of delight rise up in the bar as the crowd feel that they have pushed us into performing. Peeta takes it all in his stride and smiles and waves at the crowd as we get up onto the stage.
I stick close to Peeta's side and try to stay almost hidden behind his back. Standing on stage again, looking out at the sea of faces, makes my stomach go into knots and a nauseous feeling rises in my chest. I move in even closer to Peeta. Being close to him makes me feel safe. Nothing bad is going to happen as long as I am holding his hand.
"What are we even singing anyway?" I ask.
Peeta turns to look down at me with a grin.
"Sweet Home Alabama. It was on one of the old CD's my dad left and Prim used to love singing it," Peeta replies.
I shake my head at the very obvious bar song. It gets played repeatedly in our bar in Seam.
"You are so unoriginal at times," I say as a microphone is thrust into my hand.
Peeta gives my hand a reassuring squeeze and bends down to look me in the eye. The sight of his clear blue eyes calms me and I let my shoulders relax a little as a result.
"This song is a crowd pleaser. Got to give the people what they want," he states confidently.
I still think his choice of song is corny but it is not like I have any better suggestions. I've grown to trust Peeta enough these last few months to trust him with this song choice.
All too soon the MC steps away and the first bars of the song begin blaring out. I drop my eyes to look at the screen with the lyrics on it and try to ignore the hammering in my chest. My palms begin to get sweaty at the thought of performing in front of an audience again but Peeta must sense my apprehension as he gives my hand a squeeze and when I turn to look at him again he is staring at me with a reassuring smile. That smile is enough to quench the nerves in my chest and I keep my eyes on him as I open my mouth to sing the first line of the song.
Peeta's voice is worse than I remember and I immediately hear people laughing and pointing at him as he sings. A protective urge in me hates that they are making fun of him and I raise my own singing voice to hopefully drown out his tone deaf tones.
Peeta grins when he hears me singing and my plan seems to be working. The sniggers and pointing stop as my own voice becomes the overriding sound.
Something happens as we carry on singing. My nerves disappear. My thoughts about my parents vanish. My whole body relaxes and my heart seems to swell with happiness. Peeta notices this and smiles at me proudly as I let the last of my inhibitions go. He twirls me around and I shake my hips in time with the music. The crowd goes silent as I finally let myself enjoy singing and dancing with Peeta again.
The endorphins are racing around my body and I can't stop the smile on my face. I completely lose myself to the music and the man I am dancing with.
We finish the song with Peeta dropping to his knee and me sitting down on it, throwing my arms in the air with a flourish. Peeta and I both look out on the crowd with big smiles and laughter rising in our chests. The crowd seems to pause for just a moment before the whole place erupts and people rise off their chairs to give us a huge round of applause. My heart begins to swell with happiness and pride again and I look over to Peeta with a giddy smile on my face. I fling my arms around his neck and squeeze him tight.
"Thank you so much. You just reminded me why I love to sing," I say.
Peeta squeezes me back and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear as we pull back. My heart begins to hammer in my chest again as he looks down at me but this time it has nothing to do with nerves.
The crowd is still on their feet, cheering and demanding an encore. But Peeta is all I can see in the moment. I don't hear them over the loud beating of my heart. Peeta's hand is still resting on my neck and my skin tingles there. An urge to step closer to him courses through me and my eyes drop to his lips. My heart rate seems to pick up even further.
Peeta is the first to break away and I am disappointed that he does. But he turns back out to the crowd to give them a thankful wave. I turn too and smile as we give them a little bow. The crowd cheer louder.
"Encore! Encore! Encore!" the crowd chant.
Peeta turns to look at me with a grin.
"So what do you think? Can you handle an encore by yourself?" he asks.
I roll my shoulders back and stare at him confidently.
"I've never been more ready," I reply.
We leave the bar just past midnight and after I performed three other songs. The crowd went crazy for my cover versions and Peeta sat proudly smiling throughout. I have got so much adrenaline running through my body that I am not ready to go to bed just yet.
However it is pouring with rain when we leave and Peeta immediately takes off his jacket to give it to me. I cover it over my head as we stand in the doorway looking out on to the raindrops hammering onto the ground.
"We're going to get soaked!" I exclaim.
Peeta turns to me with a grin.
"Then we might as well make the most of it," he replies.
I look at him with a frown, confused about what he means, before he gives me one last smile and dashes out into the rain. However, instead of running in the direction of our motel, he runs right into the middle of the rain and begins splashing and jumping into puddles. I look on at him confused.
"What are you doing?" I call over the noise of the down pour.
Peeta stops to turn and look at me with a bright smile. His white t-shirt has become completely soaked through and I clings to his well-defined chest. My eyes linger there before he sticks his hands in the air and lets the rain continue to soak him.
"What does it look like? I'm playing in the rain!" he exclaims.
"You're crazy!" I say.
Peeta just smiles at me again.
"No. I'm just celebrating the fact that you absolutely killed it in karaoke in there and I spent an entire night in a bar without touching a drop of alcohol. We might even find Prim tomorrow. I think that is progress for us both," he states.
I shake my head at him.
"This is how you want to celebrate? By getting hypothermia?" I question.
Peeta shrugs his shoulders before he splashes in a big puddle.
"Didn't you ever do this as a kid? Kids are fascinated with puddles. It is one of the few memories I have of my dad. Splashing in puddles with him and Prim," Peeta replies.
I shake my head at him again. It is totally ridiculous and childish but it is totally Peeta and I have never regretted something he has encouraged me to do before. I remind myself that it is okay to have fun and be silly every now and again. So I take a deep breath, take the jacket off my head and pause for just a moment before I dash into the rain to join Peeta.
I shriek as the cold water hammers down on my back and I am already soaked through when I reach Peeta. He waits for me with a big grin and I smile up at him. The earlier endorphins from singing are still in my body and make me feel excited.
"Nice for you to join me," Peeta says.
I laugh and shake my head.
Before I have time to do anything else Peeta kicks a massive puddle in my direction, soaking me further. I look up at him in indignation but he just laughs before darting away to escape me. I narrow my eyebrows at him before I chase after him and begin splashing him with puddles too.
"You are totally going to get it!" I declare as I chase after him.
Peeta just laughs as he darts further away from me. I manage to find an empty bottle that has been filled with rainwater and chase after Peeta with it. Peeta dodges and hides behind benches and lampposts as I race to try and catch him. We both get a few splashes in before I eventually manage to corner him against a wall. I raise the bottle of rainwater above his head and begin tipping it forward.
"How does it feel to be caught by a girl?" I say as I teasingly tip the water above his head.
It's still raining and his blond hair is plastered to his forehead as the water droplets slide down his cheek. My body is pressed against his as I pin him to the wall and I feel the heat of his body through our soaked clothes, warming my heart in an unexpected way.
"Maybe I let you catch me," he replies.
"Nope. Not accepting that. Just admit that I am better than you," I say.
Peeta grins as he leans forward to look me straight in the eye. My breath catches as he moves in close to me and I get distracted by just how blue his eyes are.
"Fine. I admit it. You are the best and Queen of the World. I am hopeless and useless in comparison," Peeta replies.
I am about to nod my head in approval, happy Peeta is playing along, when he reaches up and grabs the bottle of rainwater out of my hand. I am so distracted by his eyes, I relinquish it easily. The next thing I know, Peeta is pouring the contents over my head. I shriek as the cold water covers me and Peeta laughs before he escapes again. I stand shivering for a moment before I turn back round to try and get my revenge.
We take it in turns to be chased and it always ends with one of us catching the other and pouring rainwater on the other's head. Our shrieks of delight fill the quiet streets of this town as we run about like children. I can't remember a time I have laughed so much.
Eventually we are forced back to our motel as the shivers begin to take hold of our bodies. I rub my hands furiously up and down my body as we step into our motel room to try and warm up. I wrap my arms around me as Peeta and I leave a small river on the carpet.
"I haven't had fun like that in a long time," I say.
Peeta turns to me with a grin.
"Me neither. Finding Prim has taken up so much of my life recently," he replies.
I smile at him as I nod my head.
"We'll find her tomorrow," I state.
Peeta smiles at me gratefully.
"I hope so," he says.
I smile at him again before I look around the room for a towel. I want to get out of these wet clothes as soon as possible. As I am looking for a towel, Peeta reaches down for the bottom of his t-shirt and pulls the soaked garment off his body. Immediately my eyes are drawn to his bare torso and I can't help but stare at his naked chest.
I caught a glimpse of his well-toned muscles once his t-shirt had soaked through but I am not prepared for the flash of heat that courses though my body at the sight of it in front of me now. I gulp as I take him all in, wet, toned and littered with scars. My eyes flick to the long jagged scar on his side and can't imagine how anyone could want to hurt him in that way.
The longer I stare at him, the warmer I feel. Something stirs in my abdomen and I shift uncomfortably on my feet.
"Why don't you take a picture? It lasts longer," Peeta says.
His voice brings me to my senses again and I jerk my head to look at him. He looks at me smugly, greatly amused that he caught me staring. A flash of annoyance courses through me and suddenly I want to make him feel just as uncomfortable. Without even thinking I strip off my own shirt and stand staring at him in just my bra.
I almost laugh when I see how quickly the grin is wiped off his face and his eyes drop to my wet chest with my pert nipples straining against the fabric of my bra.
"What's the matter? Never seen a bra before?" I ask.
It is my turn to smile smugly as I see how my half naked body affects him. Peeta pulls his eyes back up to look at me and my heart skips a beat when I see the look in his eye. His pupils become thick and his expression serious.
"I've never seen you in a bra," he replies, his voice a tone deeper than it was a moment ago.
My heart begins hammering again and a jolt of pleasure settles in my core. A long forgotten feeling of longing and lust rises in my body and my underwear becomes wet with want.
"Well, if the sight of it makes you uncomfortable I better fix that," I say.
Without breaking his stare I reach round and unclasp the clip of my bra and I let it fall to the ground. Peeta takes a deep breath as his eyes drop to look at my breasts exposed to the air. He licks his lips as he drinks in my dark nipples and toned stomach.
I haven't been looked at like this in a long time. Like I am about to be his next meal. It surprises me that I like that Peeta is looking at me in this way.
I'm not ready for a relationship with him but I want him. Need to feel him. I didn't think I would ever feel this way about anyone ever again. I thought I could only feel that for Gale but in this moment Peeta is all I want.
Peeta drags his eyes away from my chest to look back at me and in that instant I know that he feels the exact same. The desire continues to curl in my stomach and makes me wetter still.
I don't know who makes the first move but we suddenly snap together. We clash as Peeta grips my head in his hands and I dig my nails into the tops of his shoulders. My mouth is open and ready for him as he brings his lips to mine and seals them with a searing kiss.
A hunger consumes my body as I cling to him and kiss him fiercely. My hands roam everywhere, mapping his scars and defined muscles, desperate for my fill of him. His hands move from my face to skim down my sides and rest on my waist. He grips me just hard enough to make me moan and push against the front of his pants. Peeta groans as I press my core into his long, hard erection and the sound sends yet more pleasure to my abdomen. I break away, breathless, as I grind against him and Peeta drops his head to suckle on my neck.
I turn him around and push him down onto the bed. His lips are plump and his wet hair sticks out at odd angles. My eyes drop to the very obvious erection in his pants and I keep staring at it as he watches me strip the remainder of my clothing.
I thought I would feel more nervous about exposing myself to another man in this way. Gale is the only man to see me naked but I feel totally comfortable in front of Peeta. He looks at me with such a mixture of awe and lust that it only makes my thighs clench. I trust him completely.
Peeta runs his hands up my sides again as I move to straddle him. His thumbs brush against my nipples and I shiver with pleasure. Peeta continues to gently toy with my nipples as he looks up at me.
"You are so beautiful," he says.
The words are soft but the heat behind his eyes is not. I lean down to capture his lips in a deep kiss as I rock against him while he takes a firmer grip on my breasts. He begins moulding and kneading the mounds in his hands and it is not long before I am panting again. Peeta removes his lips from mine and begins kissing a trail down my neck and chest until he reaches the twin peaks of my breasts. My nipples stand erect and to attention and Peeta ducks down to capture one fully in his mouth. I let out a loud moan as I lean back to allow him ease of access.
The pain in my clit is throbbing now and my hips begin to unconsciously rock harder against Peeta. Peeta groans as he pops my breast out of his mouth and rests his head against my shoulder. He grips my hips tightly as he watches me rock against him.
"Fuck, Katniss. You're killing me," he says.
I laugh lightly as I stop my rocking and gently remove myself from his lap. I bend down and undo the buckle of his belt. Slowly I pop the button at the front open and pull the pants down his legs. I toss his pants into a corner of the room and then move my way back up to remove his boxers as well. His erection springs free and points up all ready and red and just waiting for me to touch it.
He's shorter than Gale but wider and the heat curls in my belly again. Involuntarily I lick my lips at the sight. Peeta smirks when he see this and reaches out to bring my head back up to look at him.
"You looking at my dick like it is a corn dog just might be the sexiest thing in the world," he states.
I blush but he grips my head tighter and shakes his head.
"No. Don't be embarrassed. You honestly don't know the effect you have on me," he states confidently.
I'm stuck staring at him and I know he is being deadly serious. I don't know how to respond so I do the only thing I can think of and kiss him. Peeta accepts my kiss readily and slowly pulls me down with him onto the bed. His big hands skim down my spine and rest on the round globes of my ass. He gives my ass a firm squeeze and I groan into his mouth. I move to straddle him again and sit back up to look at him.
Peeta's thumbs trace patterns on my hips and he looks up at me with a lazy, content smile. I can feel him throbbing, hard beneath me, and know that this is my last chance to turn back. I always thought the first time I was with another man it would feel like a betrayal to Gale but everything with Peeta just feels so right. I've barely thought about Gale this entire time. He's not what I want anymore. Peeta is.
Peeta waits patiently for me to make the next move. He knows I need to make this decision by myself and lets me take my time. I may not be ready for a relationship with him just yet but his hands feel so good against my skin and my juices are dripping onto his thigh. I need this man.
Slowly I delve back and reach for his erection. I gently run my thumb up and down his length before I grip him a bit tighter. Peeta groans again as he pushes his head back against the pillow.
"There's a condom in my wallet. We can use that," he says.
I nod my head before I get off the bed and search for the wallet in his pants' pocket. I find the little silver packet and bring it back to the bed. Peeta watches with fascination as I rip the packet open and roll it down his length. I look at him one last time and the look of adoration in his eyes melts the last of my nerves away. I hold him at my entrance for just a moment before I slam my hips down on him.
I let out a loud gasp as I feel him fill me. I take a moment to get used to him before I raise slightly on my haunches and move myself up and down him. Peeta keeps his eyes on my face as he lets me set the pace and I alternate between moving up and down and swirling my hips in a circular motion. The combination of moves means the coarse hairs at the base of Peeta hit my clit just right and his name begins falling from my lips.
It feels so good having him fill me again and again and Peeta watches with awe as I ride him. He snakes a hand round my thigh and reaches for my clit and begins to rub it in time with my thrusts. The pleasure is intense and I hang my head back as my thrusts get faster. Peeta smiles at me as he feels me clench around him and the coil in my belly winds tighter. I feel fit to burst and all too soon my walls explode around him. I cum crying his name and hang my head in breathlessness as Peeta continues to rub me through my orgasm.
I am just about to collapse on top of him when Peeta suddenly wraps his arms around my back and flips us over so he is on top. He pushes one of my legs up onto my chest as he grips my waist tighter and begins pounding into me with abandon.
I am too boneless from my last orgasm to do anything other than let him take control. I am almost too sensitive to take his penetration but Peeta doesn't give up and soon my orgasm is building stronger than before. He's in so deep and I dig my nails into his shoulders as he hits my g-spot perfectly again and again. The pleasure is almost too intense that tears gather in my eyes.
He continues to pound into me and I let out a string of expletives as my second orgasm comes crashing over me. I really am boneless now as I sag against the mattress. I've never managed to cum twice before.
Peeta's grip tightens once more as he pumps into me a couple of more times before letting out a long groan and filling the condom. He collapses on top of me, equally breathless, and with a grin to match mine.
"Fuck. That was amazing," he declares.
I manage a weak laugh as I struggle to catch my breath. Peeta smiles back at me as he reaches for my left hand. He links our fingers together and runs his thumb over my knuckles.
"You don't regret anything? Do you?" he asks.
There is just the hint of nervousness in his eyes which I find adorable. How can I regret anything after the sex we just had? I may not be able to offer anything else right now but I am one hundred per cent sure that was the right thing to do.
"Never," I reply.
Peeta relaxes and smiles. He leans over to place a soft kiss on my lips. I'm smiling as he pulls away.
We fall asleep soon after, side by side and with our hands joined together. It is only as Peeta gives my hand one last squeeze before he falls under that I realise that I never put on my engagement ring this morning.
A/N: I know a lot of people are eager to find Prim and they are close. You'll just have to be patient a little while longer.
Thanks to my Beta, LavenderVanilla, for spotting and fixing so many of my mistakes. And thanks to everyone that keeps reading. I'm glad so many of you are eager to find Prim.
