A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who continues to support my story. It really does make me smile. I'm glad so many people enjoyed Peeta and Katniss's drunk dancing last chapter. More dancing to come in this chapter. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 9
Thursday
As I wake, I find myself encased in a blanket of warmth that both comforts and relaxes me. Knowing that if I open my eyes the world will begin to spin, I screw my eyes shut and snuggle back into the warmth that surrounds me. It is only when I feel something long and hard against my thigh that I am alerted to the current situation I am in.
The warmth that surrounds me is strong and firm and seems to burn right through me. It is definitely more than just a blanket. I reluctantly open my eyes, wait for the world to stop spinning and twist my head round to spy the source of heat. My eyes meet a familiar flop of blonde curls.
It all comes flooding back to me at once; the fireman's outfit, all the alcohol, the pair of us dancing to *NSYNC, my fantasies involving a naked Peeta. All the mortification and embarrassment the alcohol shielded last night comes rushing to the fore.
I had wanted to have sex with Peeta Mellark.
My brain rakes for a solution out of this predicament. His arms are currently wrapped around me in a tight embrace and our legs are tangled together underneath the sheets. I am still in the corset and shorts from last night and my back hits his bare chest. I need to get away from him without waking him. I blush when I remember how desperate I was last night for him to take me against the door. I am never going to be able to look him in the eye again.
Peeta stirs beside me and I freeze terrified that I am going to be caught in this position. However he just inhales deeply and pulls me closer into his warmth. I can still feel his hardness against my ass. I should be mortified that I can feel his morning arousal but after my thoughts last night I can hardly be one to judge.
His grip on me has tightened and I don't see a way to extract myself unnoticed and as I sink back into him I realise I don't have the energy to care. His steady presence calms me and I soon find myself being lulled back to sleep.
I doze for another hour or so before I feel Peeta stirring beside me. His grip around me loosens and he shifts onto his back. I am left cold from the sudden loss of heat. He groans and rubs the sleep out of his eyes as he wakes.
"Fuck," he groans. "I haven't drunk that much since college."
I turn to face him and give him a sympathetic smile. My head too is pounding and every movement causes my stomach to churn. I don't know what has gotten into me recently.
"I thought you didn't get hangovers," I tease.
"Just a Mellark myth. I spent the day after my 21st with my head down the toilet. Who knew mixing tequila and Jack Daniels was a bad idea?" he replies.
I smile in response.
"Did we really dance to *NSYNC last night?" he asks turning to face me. I try to ignore how attractive he is in the morning with his mussed curls and lop sided smile.
"Our moves were deadly," I reply.
I wait for him to bring up what happened after. How we fell onto the bed and came close to kissing. How we fell asleep tangled together. I am still struggling to look at him without blushing. I am terrified that he somehow managed to read my thoughts last night and knows exactly what I wanted to do to him. I don't really want to have that conversation. I don't want to have to dissect what it all means.
Peeta makes a soft noise and shakes his head.
"I suppose it is practise for today. Though I don't know how I am going to dance without throwing up," he replies.
I nod my head in agreement. Glimmer has got a whole dance routine planned out for us to do at the wedding. The whole afternoon has been dedicated to rehearsals so that we are all in perfect synchronisation for Saturday. I don't know why Glimmer thought twirling and spinning was a good idea the day after the bachelor and bachelorette parties. My stomach is already protesting at the thought.
"I suppose I better get rid of the smell of bourbon and smoke," Peeta sighs as he moves to a sitting position. He hangs his head and takes a deep breath once he is finally upright. "May have to sit down in the shower. The world is spinning."
I give him a small smile, still tense about the topic of last night. But he doesn't say anything as he pushes himself off the bed and slowly makes his way to the bathroom, swaying slightly as he goes.
I watch him go, disbelieving that he has not brought up last night. I let out a sigh of relief though and sink back into the mattress. Maybe he has forgotten about it or is too embarrassed to bring it up. Either way is fine by me. I don't think I could have that conversation without blushing in remembrance of my fantasies last night. It's for the best that he never knows.
Peeta spends a long time in the shower, no doubt due to the fact any movement causes his world to spin. Once he is showered and dressed he tells me he is going to find solace in front of the TV and leaves. I stay in bed a few minutes longer before reluctantly heaving myself off the bed and then finally peel off my costume from last night. It stinks of tequila and there is a large dark stain down the front. I am happily going to burn it when I get home.
As I drag myself into the shower I savour the hot water that hits my back. I drop my head back letting the water cascade over my face and relish the ability to cleanse myself from last night. However as I begin to wash off the filth my mind drifts to Peeta, who only a few moments ago was standing naked underneath this same shower.
My mind drifts to the image of water droplets dripping down from his curls and into his clear blue eyes. I savour the thought of his strong biceps tensing and relaxing as he lathers himself with soap. In my mind he covers his entire body with soap including the hardness that I had felt so pleasantly just earlier. A wetness, that has nothing to do with the shower, begins to pool between my legs and I drop my forehead against the shower wall willing myself to think of anything else other than a naked, wet Peeta Mellark.
But it's no use. I think of hunting in the woods and that leads to Peeta taking me up against a tree. I think of Prim all smart and responsible in the hospital, but that just leads to thoughts of Peeta and I doing it in a supply closet. The throbbing between my legs intensifies and I shift about on my feet desperate to relieve the pressure but terrified of what it would mean if I do.
Eventually I can take it no longer and dip my fingers into my slick folds. I am embarrassed how wet I am. Being almost permanently single means I am well rehearsed in the art of pleasuring myself. Normally though I imagine some faceless guy as I get myself off as quickly as possible but today I can't stop the thought of Peeta thrusting into me as the water cascades around us and our moans bounce off the walls.
I begin rubbing hard, quick circles over my clit and groan as the pleasure takes over. I continue my ministrations as I imagine Peeta sucking on my hardened nipple and I roll my breast in my hand as I do so. The ache in my belly grows as my orgasm builds. I am panting heavily, my spare hand now against the wall as I continue to work myself into a frenzy. I feel the coil begin to tighten and my fingers move faster as I head towards my release. I have to bite down on my bottom lip to stop myself from moaning Peeta's name. I come hard, breathless and wobbly as I come down from my euphoric high.
It takes about 2 seconds before the shame washes over me. My fantasies last night were bad enough but now I have just got myself off to the thought of him. And instead of satisfying me I feel guilty. Madge is right I need to get laid.
I turn off the water and grab a towel as I step out the shower. Clearly my attraction to Peeta was not only influenced by my alcohol consumption last night. In the cold light of day I still want him. He has got me all flustered.
I decide it has to be because I haven't got any in a while and it is only natural that someone would develop these thoughts while sharing a bed with an attractive man. But I am a grown woman. It's just lust. Nothing more. I can and will control my feelings around Peeta. I won't think about him like that again.
I pull on jeans and one of my nicer red, lace tops before heading down to get some breakfast. I will not let my thoughts about Peeta Mellark distract me.
I find Prim nursing her hangover in the conservatory, a large glass of water and a sick bucket to hand. I get her to shift up her feet so I can sit down on the end of the couch.
"Ready for today?" I ask sarcastically. Prim groans.
"I want to kill Glimmer. She came through a minute ago all chirpy and demanding that we be ready by 1 o'clock. Only the devil would make us dance after last night!" she replies.
"I agree Little Duck," I say massaging her feet.
Prim smiles.
"You haven't called me that in a while," she replies.
"I guess I feel all protective of you when I see you in this state."
"You didn't feel that way the first time I got drunk. As I remember, you made a powerpoint presentation on the dangers of drinking."
"It was the only way to get through to you!"
"Well it obviously worked," Prim replies sarcastically. I smile back. We sit in a comfortable silence before Prim speaks again. "It was nice hearing you talk about Peeta last night. I'm glad he treats you right."
I drop my gaze ashamed as she says this. I don't need reminders of what I have been thinking about him.
"And that you are finally getting some. It must have been growing cobwebs down there!" she adds.
Now I hit her. She feigns being hurt.
"Okay, I'm sorry. What happened to being the protective older sister?" Prim asks.
"She made a crude remark about my lady parts!" I retort. Prim laughs.
"Lady parts? What are we 12?" Prim chuckles. I shake my head at her and we chat for a few moments before my craving for carbs gets the better of me. I set off to find the food I was originally searching for.
Peeta comes to collect me for the dance rehearsals that start at 1pm. I decide to be mature and ignore the fact how good his ass looks in the dark jeans he is wearing. I repeat my mantra that I have got my feelings under control.
Whatever he took to cure his hangover seems to be working and he is his usual jokey self as we walk hand and hand down to the large ballroom at the back of the house. Why a house these days need a ballroom I don't know but Glimmer is making good use of it today.
This is where the main reception will be held after the ceremony on Saturday and as we enter there are dozens of people standing on step ladders and carrying enormous sculptures all preparing the room to meet Glimmer's almost unrealistic standards.
It is a beautiful room. It has high ceilings with intricate patterns moulded into the gold coated plaster. Large windows along the sides flood the room with natural light. Simple gold candelabras line the walls alongside beautiful landscapes that my grandfather had commissioned. The wooden floors are polished to the point that you can see your reflection in them. With the room filled with flowers and center pieces it will truly be spectacular.
The center of the room has been left free of furniture. This will be where the dance will take place and Glimmer wants to make sure that we are all familiar with the dance floor's terrain. She has made it mandatory for every member of her bridal party along with Cato's groomsmen to participate in this dance with their partners. This means poor Peeta has been forced to take part. If our dancing last night is anything to go by Glimmer may regret recruiting us.
As Prim's date doesn't get here until Friday she has been partnered with Cato's friend Marvel. He is a lot taller than Prim and I can see she is a little panicked as he demonstrates his signature move, something that involves a jump and twirl and ends with him crashing into a plant pot. She gives me a pleading look but I just smirk back at her. I'm not going to save her this time. It's payback for all her questions about Peeta.
Peeta and I chat with Cato's friend Gloss while we wait for Glimmer to get ready. As has become the norm, we stand side by side with Peeta's arm around my waist. While we are talking I spy Gale sulk into the room closely followed by his wife. Marvel greets him enthusiastically and begins waving his hands about as he tells Gale a fascinating story. Gale isn't paying attention though as he eyes focus in on me. His stare bores right into me as he tries to communicate that he hasn't forgotten about what we did last night. I decide to ignore him and turn my attention away from him as I listen to Gloss talk about his vacation to Italy.
I am pleased that the day after I am still unaffected by Gale. The kiss meant nothing. I have finally realised how pathetic he really is and if he thinks he has a chance with me again he is an even bigger idiot than I thought. He can stare at me all he wants but it is not going to get him anywhere.
Not long after Glimmer marches through and orders us all to gather round. While most people have dressed in their everyday casual clothes, Glimmer is kitted out in full on dance gear including pink leg warmers and leotard.
"So after my first dance with Cato we are all going to perform a spectacular and romantic routine for the rest of the guests. Think Jane Austen and 19th century balls," she explains.
"And the cliché's just keep on coming," Peeta whispers into my ear.
I smirk but Glimmer catches me and gives me an angry look.
"We will be dancing to Taylor Swift's Love Story so gentleman channel you inner Romeo and girls bring out your best Juliette!" she adds.
I groan. This couldn't be much worse.
"Okay, Cato and I have been practising for months so you will just have to follow us. Everyone get into a waltz hold and stand in a ring around us," Glimmer demands.
Peeta and I are pushed to the edge of the circle by Glimmer as she forces us into hold. My left hand rests on his shoulder while he holds my right hand in his left. His left hand rests on my waist. Glimmer forces us close together and I try and not let his close proximity bother me.
"I always knew I should have done dance lessons instead of soccer as a kid. What use are soccer skills at a wedding?" Peeta jokes.
His joke relaxes me and reminds me that things don't have to awkward between us. He has helped me survive everything Glimmer has thrown at us so far and I know if I forget about my not so innocent thoughts about him I will have a good time.
We were both young when I first saw you…
The music starts to play through the sound system and Glimmer starts barking orders for us to follow. As I expected both Peeta and I have two left feet and spend a large amount of time stepping on each other's toes and crashing into other couples as we forget to change direction.
"Damn Glimmer. I wanted to do this exact same routine at my wedding. I guess I will have to go back to doing the Macarena!" Peeta jokes in a break in the dancing.
Glimmer is currently putting Marvel through his paces as she forces him to repeat the turn and drop section again and again. I see Prim roll her eyes.
"And here I thought Gangnam Style was your speciality," I reply with a grin.
Peeta chuckles but stops when he catches sight of someone over my shoulder. I turn round to see who he is looking at and catch Gale still staring at me. I shake my head and turn back round to Peeta deciding that ignoring Gale is the best solution. Though when I turn round I see Peeta's jaw tense and his eyes filled with anger as he continues to stare back at Gale.
"He's been staring at you all afternoon," Peeta says through gritted teeth. "He has some nerve."
"Just ignore him. I am," I reply.
Peeta flicks his eyes back to me and relaxes when he sees my calm state. He nods his head and gets back up as Glimmer calls us all to attention again. He offers me his hand to help me back up as we make out way back to our space. We pass Gale and Leevy on the way and Gale bumps into Peeta purposefully.
"Oh sorry Mellark. After last night I know you have difficulty walking in a straight line," Gale says coldly.
Peeta to his credit doesn't take the bait and smiles back warmly at him.
"Yeah it's a good thing I don't have to walk some tightropes anytime soon," he replies cheerily.
Gale frowns at the unexpected response and turns quickly to march back to his spot. I grab Peeta's hand and drag him to our own place on the dance floor. Gale is acting like a petulant child. I'm proud of Peeta for acting mature and not being dragged in. I don't want any more drama with Gale.
"Hurry up people. This is proving more challenging than I originally thought. I didn't realise I was working with a bunch of apes!" Glimmer declares.
Her eyes are trained on Peeta and I the entire time she says this. Peeta and I just shake our heads. It is a wedding not Dancing with the Stars. We are allowed to be crap.
Our dancing doesn't improve after the break. We lose each other after a change of partners and I end up whacking Peeta in the face after a turn. We give up trying about 20 minutes in and just spend the rest of the time laughing and giggling as we get yet another move wrong. Glimmer stares at us clearly annoyed every time we force the routine to stop after messing up. But one look at her face, screwed up in anger, and we just burst into laughter again.
"This may be a joke to you but this dance will set the whole tone of my wedding! Do you want to be responsible for the failure of the biggest day of my life?" Glimmer yells at us.
Her over exaggeration doesn't help our current fit of giggles and we both clutch our sides as she continues to stare us down.
"I am not standing for this. You will get this dance done perfectly," she commands.
We both take a deep breath to compose ourselves and nod our heads in agreement. I suppose if we do as she says maybe this will be over quickly. She puts us back in hold and talks us through the steps as the music starts up again. Glimmer is taking it very seriously and Peeta and I keep sharing amused smiles as she orders us through the steps. Eventually she deems our dancing passable and she goes back to Cato so we can have one final run through.
This time Peeta and I remember all the steps in the right order and Glimmer jumps up in excitement that the dance has finally come together. She goes round congratulating everyone on their amazing dance abilities. She ignores Peeta and me.
"Well it looks like my bonding with Glimmer last night was a waste," I say as we walk out the ballroom. "I don't think she has ever despised me more."
"You two actually bonded last night? Over what? Hair extensions and shoes?" Peeta teases.
I thump him in the arm.
"I was heavily intoxicated last night, as you know," I say. "She thought you were hot and thanked me for introducing her to Cato."
"So she thinks I'm hot? Shame I didn't know sooner. Maybe it could have been me playing Prince Charming in the routine on Saturday!" he exclaims.
"Glimmer would walk all over you. You are too nice for girls like that," I reply.
Peeta grins.
"Haven't I told you that I like strong women," he says leaning into me, his nose inches from my own.
I almost forget how to breathe as he moves in closer to me, his cerulean blues eyes piercing into my own. I can feel his breath tickling my skin. My mind betrays me again as I think about Peeta pushing me up against the wall.
However I am snapped out of my daze by the sound of someone walking down the corridor towards us. I snap my head back as I catch sight of Madge making her way over to us. She gives me a confused look as she approaches.
Peeta turns round to greet his sister.
"Hey sis! I almost didn't think I would make it out of there alive! If looks could kill!" he exclaims flinging an arm around her shoulder.
Madge grins but looks strangely between Peeta and I.
"I'm glad you made it out. Arranging your funeral would have been awfully inconvenient," Madge replies. Peeta grins. "I thought I'd come to cheer Katniss up. I know how much she hates dancing,"
Peeta looks down at her.
"Be my guest. I'm going to see if I can sleep the rest of this hangover off," he says cheerily before turning to go and get some rest.
Once he is out of earshot Madge turns to me and looks at me expectedly.
"What the hell is going on between you and my brother?" she demands.
"Where has this come from? You know there is nothing going on," I reply a little defensively.
"Are you sure? The two of you have been pretty convincing. Flirting at the tennis, that kiss last night and I don't even want to know what I just walked up on. The pair of you where nose to nose. You could cut the sexual tension with a knife!" she declares.
I blush at the fact she has noticed some of the tension that has arisen after my thoughts last night. I don't want to lie to her. I am already lying to so many people and I can't lie to one more person.
"Last night I just had some tiny, little sexual thoughts about your brother," I reply trying to sound cool about it.
Madge's eyes widen.
"What type of thoughts?" she asks.
"You know just the usual sexual fantasies," I reply not really wanting to go into details. "But it's fine. I'm not going to act on them. It's just a sexual thing. You know I am going through a bit of a dry spell."
Madge hides her head in her hands.
"This is disgusting! He is my brother Katniss! How can you think about him like that?" she asks.
"He's an attractive guy. You have always known that. And in case you haven't noticed, it's not like I have a parade of men to fantasise about," I reply.
Madge shakes her head at me.
"Are you sure that is all it is? I'm not used to seeing you like this. All happy and affectionate. You weren't even like this with Gale. Are you absolutely sure there is nothing more going on?" she asks seriously.
I nod my head.
"Yes Madge. I don't have those types of feelings for him. It's purely physical" I reply.
Madge looks at me unconvinced but doesn't push me any further. She drops the subject and suggests we go out to the woods for some fresh air. I gladly agree and follow her outside.
I don't know where she is coming from about Peeta. I couldn't possibly have those feelings for him.
