Disclaimer: This fic is rated 'M' for language and sexual content. I do not own any of the characters of The Hunger Games (although I wish I did). All other ideas and creative liberties are my own.
BREAK
Click-clack, click-clack, click-clack.
The echo of Katniss's heels against the black and white checkered tiles was like a trail of breadcrumbs leading Peeta straight to the elevators. When he finally turned the corner, her back was to him, a hand propped against the wall as she watched the numbers light up in descending order. He picked up the pace when the elevator dinged and the doors slid open, allowing her to slip through. When she spun around she pinned him with a sexy stare, and, just as the doors began to close, he sprinted the rest of the way, shoving his hand through the closing gap just in time to send the doors back open.
"Going up?" he asked as he stepped into the elevator. Taking a moment to smooth out the creases from his shirt, he waited until the doors shut firmly behind him. "Nowhere to run now," he said with a wiggle of his eyebrows.
She chuckled, but then schooled her features. "Twelfth floor, please."
"Oh, look at that," he drawled, jamming the button for his floor. "Me too." He shot her a sideways glance as he settled in next to her against the mirrored wall. Shoving his hands in his pockets, his fingertips grazed the scrap of lace still wedged in his pocket. As he fisted them, a slow smile spread across his face.
The ride up was the longest two minutes of Peeta's life, thanks to the unexpected stop on the 7th floor where an older couple ducked their heads in, realized they were heading up instead of down, and then ducked back out. He didn't miss the wink the old man shot his way, though, just before the doors closed, leaving them alone once again. Yep, he was getting lucky tonight, and if things went his way, it would be the first of many more to come. Although they'd both miraculously stayed on their own sides the entire ride up, the sexual tension sizzling in the air around and between them was unmistakable.
From his vantage point, Peeta found himself checking out every inch of her, and just like every other time before, his cock loved the view too. Heat flared in her eyes as she stared back at him, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth as she drummed her fingers along the metal banister.
Neither one of them moved, both completely engaged in their mutual stare down. When the elevator finally dinged and the doors slid open, it revealed an empty hallway.
Katniss lifted an eyebrow as if waiting for him to make the next move. Taking her cue, he cleared his throat. "Your room or mine?"
"I'm crashing with Johanna, so definitely yours. Unless…what about your friend?"
"Oh, don't worry. Delly's got a room. She came into this weekend with plans of her own."
The elevator doors began to slide closed, and that's when Peeta finally pushed himself off the wall and snatched her hand, shoving his foot between the doors and sending them open again.
Linking their fingers, he pulled her down the hallway, making a beeline straight to his room. This game of cat and mouse was getting old, and his usual endless amount of patience was coming to an end. Those damn sexy shoes of hers that continued to click-clack against the floor weren't helping any either, their tempo matching his racing pulse beat for beat. He was dying to see her in nothing but those heels.
Fuck. He was barely holding himself together as it was. If she noticed the slight tremble of his hand as he pulled his key card out of his back pocket, she didn't comment on it. After the third try, the handle beeped, and the door swung open as he stepped aside. "Ladies first," he said, motioning her forward with a wave of his hand.
"What a gentleman." The prim tone of her voice contradicted the sway of her hips as she sauntered past him. His hand itched to give that luscious ass of hers a playful pat, but he held back, tucking the key card back into his pocket. Ha. If she only knew the filthy thoughts racing through his head. Tonight, a gentleman he most certainly was not.
The moment the door clicked shut, she was on him, hands on his shoulders as she shoved him up against the back of the door. He could barely see a thing in the dark, but he could feel her, oh man could he feel the heat radiating off her hot little body as her palms began to explore the planes of his chest. When her fingers touched upon his belt, though, he grabbed hold of her wrists, gently tugging her arms out to the side.
"Enough," he whispered on an exhale, his eyes dropping to her lips. "I'm going to kiss you now."
Tilting his head, he latched his mouth onto her neck, her sharp intake telling him that wasn't what she was expecting. But that didn't stop her pulse from hammering against his lips as he twisted their bodies and her back hit the door with a dull thud.
"Are my lips not good enough," she murmured, but the shiver in her voice said she was enjoying his mouth just fine where it was. His teeth scraped over the column of her neck, and when she moaned, he released a seductive laugh. Damn, she was responsive. But somehow her hands managed to escape his hold, and he braced his own against the cool surface of the door. Her fingers found his belt again and she toyed with the clasp, managing to wiggle the leather strap partway out.
"Quit distracting me," he said, his voice muffled against her skin. "I'm trying to woo you."
Katniss burst out laughing, and he grinned despite himself. "Oh my god, woo me? What are you, from the eighteenth centur—" Her words ended on a gasp when his teeth grazed just below her jaw and he nipped at her skin. Then with the flat of his tongue, he licked a path lower and lower until the neckline of her dress stopped him.
"You taste so good." Trailing soft kisses across her exposed skin, he felt her body tremble as her hands came to rest against his chest. Dropping his own hand from her neck, he slid it down her front until his fingers brushed against her mound. "But I bet you taste even better…here." Pressing down with the heel of his palm, he could feel her arousal seeping through the fabric. Her breathy pants filled the room as he ground his hand harder, reveling in the way her hips lifted and strained for contact, wanting more.
She was practically riding his hand, her core pulsing against his palm which was already coated and slick from her arousal. And as tempting as it was to make her come as she was—still dressed and braced against the back of the hotel room door—he needed to take a step back. Let the lust fogging his head clear for just a minute. So he pulled his hand away quickly, smirking when Katniss whined.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart, it looks like I've ruined your dress."
Glancing down at the obvious wet spot, she frowned. "You don't sound the least bit sorry."
"That's because I'm not." Chuckling, he swept the pad of his thumb over his lower lip and paused. "Get on the bed," he finally ordered, taking a step back as his hands went straight to his shirt where he began pulling each button from its slot.
She sprinted across the room, kicking off her heels before she scrambled on top of the covers. He fought back a laugh when she propped her chin up on her hand as though she was front row and center to her own private show. As tempting as it was to give her one, the ache in his pants was bordering on painful territory.
After flicking on the switch to one of the bedside lamps, he finally shrugged his shirt off his shoulders. It was almost comical, the way her eyes widened and she groaned. "Are you kidding me?"
"What?"
"What is that?" she emphasized, motioning to his naked torso with a wave of her hand. "You're supposed to be a baker."
Finally giving in, he barked out a laugh as he tossed his shirt over the back of the hotel chair. "I am a baker. What'd you think I was hiding under here?"
"Not that," she emphasized again, unable to drag her attention away from his body.
"Well, lucky for you," he started, dragging his hand down his erection that was straining against his zipper. "You ain't seen nothing yet."
Wrinkling her nose in the most adorable way, she finally looked up and guffawed. "Someone's a tad sure of himself."
"And you're only figuring that out now?" He went to remove his belt but then stopped. Instead, he dug into his pocket and slowly removed his souvenir from earlier, dangling the scrap of lace from his finger.
"I want those back, you know."
Peeta flashed her a wicked grin. "Nope, these are mine now." When she scowled, he chuckled. "If you're lucky, I might buy you another pair." Or fifty. One in every goddamn color of the rainbow and every shade in between.
Tossing the panties onto the nightstand, he went back to work on his belt and then hooked his thumbs into his waistband. It was hard to miss Katniss's gasp when he dropped both his pants and boxers and stepped out of them.
Grinning, he took his cock in hand and gave it a rough tug, stroking from root to tip and then back slowly just to see her reaction. Her eyes were riveted on his every movement. When she licked her lips at the sight of him and rearranged herself so she was seated at the edge of the bed, he had to give the tip a hard squeeze to keep from spilling all over the carpet.
With a deep breath, he released his cock. As good as his hand felt, Katniss was going to feel a hell of a lot better. He needed to pace himself, though. It wouldn't do either of them any good if he couldn't keep his cool. Peeta ran a hand through his hair, effectively ridding himself of the last remnants of gel as he tried to pull himself together.
There was a woman on his bed. Not just any woman, but a goddamn goddess staring up at him, all soft curves and willing and waiting to see what he'd do next.
He drew closer, his feet carrying him to the end of the bed. Her eyes were glued to his cock, and, thanks to the height of the bed, the tip was positioned just inches away from her mouth. What he'd give for her to lean forward and wrap those pouty pink lips of her around him. His cock gave a little bob in agreement.
The clearing of his throat finally got her attention. "See something you like?" She didn't say a word, just sat up on her heels and reached out, wrapping both hands around the base of him. But damned if his heart didn't start pounding even faster at the sight of her tongue slipping out to wet her lips, ready to devour him. "Christ," he hissed, but then all rational thought flew out the window when the tip of her tongue traced the rim of his head. Just that one lick told him he wasn't going to last if he let her go on.
"Whoa there," he gasped, cupping her chin and gently tugging her sinful mouth away. Her chest heaved with an exasperated breath, which only caused his attention to move to her breasts. The fabric had shifted just enough that a hint of orange was peeking out between her cleavage.
He needed to get back in control, so, grasping her by the shoulders, he lifted her to her feet and exchanged their positions so she was standing at the foot of the bed and he was on the mattress, leaning back on his elbows.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her voice breathless as she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.
With one hand behind his head, he used the other to cover his erection that was hard as fuck and slightly wet from her tongue. "I'm going to lay here and you're going to finally take off that dress."
She was silent for a second, watching as he tried to rub the ache from his cock. Then her eyes narrowed. "You want me to strip for you? And like what…dance around or something?"
"Nope, no dancing required, just as long as you end up naked."
Her cheeks flushed again. "Oh…uh, alright then."
He sat up a bit more when she reached behind and undid the knot that the base of her spine, then held his breath as the fabric slithered down every curve of her body. She was incredible, standing in front of him in only her strapless orange bra which complemented the olive undertones of her skin. And that pretty pink flush of hers extended all the way down her cleavage. Which made him wonder…what color were her—
"Say something."
"Hmm?" He glanced up when her fingers grazed the front clasp of her bra. There was a hint of uncertainty in her features. She wasn't about to go all shy on him now, was she?
"You went quiet all of a sudden." Pressing her lips into a thin line, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. "What are you thinking about?"
"Oh, just what color your nipples are."
Katniss choked out a laugh and shook her head, but she was smiling again, and that was all that mattered. "Right, and do you have some sort of a preference?"
"Nope, they could be purple for all I care, I just want to see them." He made a point of running his palm down the length of his cock, nice and slow-like. "So lose the bra already, Katniss."
"Geez, so demanding," she huffed, but there was an excited glint in her eyes as her deft fingers went to work and the front of her bra popped open. Neither of them looked to see where the bra landed when she tossed it away, not that it mattered.
"Fucking hell," he swore under his breath. Her nipples were rosy-brown and hard as rocks by the looks of them.
"Is that a good 'fucking hell' or a disappointed 'fucking hell', because I know they're a little on the small side, and with all that padding from the bra it's a little deceiving—"
"They're perfect…just perfect." Fisting his cock, he bit back a groan as saliva pooled in his mouth. He had to swallow it back before he made a complete fool of himself and drooled all over his chin. Clearing his throat, he forced his attention back to her face. Nodding toward her chest, he said, "Now come here, I want one of those in my mouth."
"Damn, you're blunt."
He cocked an eyebrow. "Now is that a good 'damn' or an 'I wish he'd shut the fuck up already' kind of 'damn'?"
Katniss's throaty laugh caused a ribbon of warmth to encompass his heart. If she kept that up, he'd be in real danger of doing something stupid. Pushing his feelings aside to examine later, he smiled as Katniss's eyes lit with mirth. "Touché," she answered. "And right now it's definitely a good thing."
"Well good, so now that we've got that all sorted out…" Releasing himself, he settled himself back against the headboard. "So, are you gonna climb on top of me now or what?"
Katniss took a step forward and placed a knee on the bed, but then stopped and narrowed her eyes. She removed her knee, placing her foot back on the floor as she tapped a finger against her lips. "What if I said 'no'?"
Peeta cocked an eyebrow. Was she testing him? Seeing if he was some sort of control freak or something? "No?" he echoed back.
"What if I said I want you here?" She pointed to the spot in front of her. There was a hesitant lilt in her voice, as though asking for what she wanted in the bedroom wasn't something she normally did.
Curious, he sat up and scooted to where she was pointing. "Here?"
She took a step backward, then lowered her finger to the carpet. "There."
The corner of Peeta's mouth twitched. So she wanted him on his knees, huh? Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he got to his feet and stepped forward, crowding her in just a little until their toes were almost touching. Her breath hitched when he reached out, his fingers sliding through her folds to rest at her entrance. "Here?"
When she didn't answer, he dug his thumb a little higher until she gasped and her body pitched forward. She caught herself before he could help, bracing her hands against his arms and her forehead against his chest. Her warm breaths against his skin heated him to his core as he stroked back and forth in a slow rhythm, then increased the pace, circling over and over as he watched and listened to gauge what she liked best. He was a fast learner, so it didn't take long to have her panting and bucking against his hand. Then his middle finger found her entrance, and he gave it a teasing trace before pushing in.
"Yes," she cried out as he slowly finger fucked her. Her hips lifted and her back arched as if chasing his hand each time he pulled out. "More."
Slipping in another finger, he thrust faster, pressing his thumb against her clit before rubbing back and forth against the spot she seemed to favor.
"I need…"
"What do you need," he rasped, his voice thick. "Tell me."
Her mouth drew open, but she didn't make a sound. He could tell by the frustrated pinch of her face that she still needed more but didn't know how to ask for it. He pulled back a few inches, taking his hand with him and trying not to laugh at the miffed huff she tossed his way.
Peeta tsked, taking a moment to glance down at the space between their bodies. Focusing on her chest once again, he backed them up and sat on the bed, positioning her between his legs. Thanks to the extra-high bed frame, it placed his face smack dab in front of her tits. Leaning in, he brushed his lips over a nipple. She squirmed, her hands finding purchase on his shoulders. "Patience," he teased. "I want you good and ready for when I finally take you."
"But I'm already good and—oh!"
He silenced her with a sudden bite, quickly soothing the skin with a languid lick. With another flick of his tongue, he felt her nipple peak and harden, and so he sucked and licked and teased until her head tipped back, calling out a string of unintelligible curses to the ceiling. With his free hand, he reached up and cupped her other breast, rolling her nipple between his thumb and fingers until it was just as hard as the one between his lips.
"God…your mouth," she practically whimpered. His breathy laugh against her wet nipple caused her body to quiver and shake and he glanced up.
Damn, she was sexy in the heat of the moment, dark wisps of hair haloing her head and the apples of her cheeks flushed pink. And her sounds…her goddamn sounds. He could listen to the soundtrack of her moans all night. His cock was throbbing, so releasing her breast, he reached down and grabbed hold of his dick and gave it a rough jerk. He released a muffled moan, but because of her tit in his mouth, he nipped her nipple harder than expected.
"Shit," she hissed, arching up into his mouth. "Do that again."
Releasing her with a loud 'pop', he lifted his head and glanced up to find her watching him. "You liked that?" Her eager nod had him grinning. And so he leaned in and did it again, watching her eyes flutter shut as her head fell back and her mouth parted. Moving on to the other breast, he reached down, skimming his fingers down to her thigh and then between her legs, his fingers eager to explore her core. With the pad of his thumb, he traced the slit of her pussy lips. Her body jerked when, on an upstroke, his thumb caught between her folds and grazed her clit. He circled it twice before readjusting his hand and dipping his middle finger inside.
"Oh fuck," they moaned in unison when she clenched her walls around him.
His head dropped to her navel, and, adding a second finger, he picked up his rhythm, his thumb stroking her clit with each thrust of his hand. "So...wet," he murmured as he trailed open-mouth kisses against her skin. "So...fucking...tight."
A door slammed somewhere out in the hallway, followed by a round of drunken laughter, but all Peeta could focus on was the sounds of her pants as his fingers slipped in and out, her juices now coating his palm. He wanted to taste her, know what it was like to have Katniss Everdeen filling every last one of his senses.
Wrenching his hand away, he got to his feet. Her eyes burst open and the scathing look she shot him was priceless. "Why'd you stop?"
Chuckling, he made a point of licking his fingers clean, and her eyes went wide. "Back on the bed," he rasped, stepping aside to give her room. When she was flat on her back, he re-positioned himself on the floor, widening his stance to take some of the pressure off his knees.
He pulled her further down the bed until her bare ass was perched just on the edge. Spreading her legs wider, he pinned them to the mattress and gave each of her knees a squeeze. "Keep those there." Glancing back down between her legs, he couldn't help but breathe her in deep. The tremble of her thighs that glistened with arousal called to him. "God, you're gorgeous," he whispered, licking his lips as he took in every last inch of her.
His eyes darted back up to hers, which were riveted on him. When her top teeth sunk into her bottom lip, he couldn't wait any longer. There was nothing slow or gentle about the way he thrust his tongue between her folds and sought out her clit, sucking it hard between his lips. Her muffled curse as she began to rock her hips was almost his breaking point. She was practically riding his face, back arching and hips writhing beneath him, but she didn't move her legs from where he'd ordered.
He couldn't take it anymore, he needed relief and so there was no stopping him from grinding his hips against the side of the bed like a horny teenager. But he didn't give a shit, his cock was grateful for the friction. Then one of her hands found the top of his head as she fisted his hair between her fingers, tugging on the strands as if to guide his mouth. For that, he shoved his fingers back into her and reveled in the feeling as her walls began to flutter and tighten.
"I'm gonna…gonna…come," she panted, and he glanced up just in time to catch her throwing an arm across her face. "Holy fu-"
She didn't get a chance to finish that thought because she was clenching around his fingers, sucking him deeper in. God, what it'd feel like if that was his cock. Soon. He was going to bury himself balls deep in her wet heat soon.
When the tension left her body and all he could make out was the rapid rise and fall of her chest, he wiped his mouth against the sheets and sat up taller. Her hair was a mess, the sheets up by her head mangled and creased from where her hands had pulled and tugged at them. Scratch that. She was a beautiful mess, and if he had his way, she would soon be his beautiful mess.
Unable to keep his hands off her, his fingertips traced intricate patterns up her thighs, following the curve of her hips and circling her belly button before outlining the swells of her breasts. She was so heart-achingly beautiful. His gaze was drawn to the column of her neck as he followed the delicate lines of her collarbone, fascinated by her pulse that hammered in the hollow of her throat.
He pressed his mouth to the tempting spot, teasing the sensitive skin with the tip of his tongue before he sucked it between his lips. Hard. A keening cry filled the room as her body arched off the bed, her naked breasts brushing against his chest for a brief moment before she flopped back down onto the mattress. Damn, she was still so sensitive.
He continued to lick and suck and kiss his way across her chest, moving closer and closer to the undersides of her breasts, then zeroing in on her taut nipples that were just begging for the tug of his teeth and the wet heat of his mouth. As he eventually found his way up to her face, he caught her staring at him, an unsure look straining her features.
"You still haven't kissed me," she whispered, finally finding her voice. Her eyes still clouded with passion, dropped to his mouth.
"Yes, I ha—"
"On the mouth," she cut in as one of her hands snaked around the back of his head.
It was true, he hadn't yet, but that was because he wanted her to be the one to initiate it. Maybe it was stupid on his part, considering what they'd just done and what they were about to do was about as intimate as two people could get. But to Peeta, kissing was far more intimate than sex. A way to express raw emotions that words could not even begin to describe, and with nothing to hide behind, it was when he felt most vulnerable.
There was no doubt that he had feelings for Katniss, but the question was: did she share the same ones for him? He wasn't quite sure. And if he was being honest, he was a little scared to know the truth.
As if sensing he'd retreated into his thoughts, Katniss stroked the back of his head, grazing her fingernails against his scalp on the up-stroke. When he refocused on her face, his eyes were drawn to her parted lips that called to him on a carnal level. Just as he was about to give in to temptation and make the first move, Katniss lifted her head and brushed her lips against his.
Peeta froze, but when her other hand caressed the side of his face, he melted into her touch. What started as a soft, sweet kiss, grew in intensity with each passing second. The tip of her tongue skimmed along the seam of his lips, and by his next breath, she was coaxing his mouth open so she could flick her tongue against his. It was like nothing he'd ever felt before, the warmth of her seeping into him as he poured everything he had into the kiss. The sensation sent his erection rocking forward through her slick folds, the tip catching her clit as he moved.
"Tease," she said in a breathy tone as she pulled away, and he chuckled.
"No, it's called foreplay," he clarified, cupping one of her breasts and rolling his thumb over the tip.
"I thought we were done with foreplay." To punctuate her point, she bucked her hips and his cock slid through her folds again. "Please?"
There was no telling her "no", not with the way her entire body seemed to come alive at his touch. And not surprisingly, a part of him felt this wouldn't be the first time he'd be giving in to her.
"Scoot up," he said as he got to his feet and made his way over to the adjoining bathroom.
Although he'd had no intentions of hooking up this weekend, something had made him shove a strip of condoms into his toiletry bag. And thank god he did. Maybe he was being a little too eager, but whatever. He fished out the entire strip and quickly returned to the bedroom, where he found Katniss propped up against the headboard. She'd pulled down the rest of her hair and was trying to finger comb out the wavy strands that came to a stop just below her breasts.
He shot her an appraising look as she watched him approach. Her hand froze when he knelt a knee on the bed, the mattress dipping beneath his weight. He could see her pulse hammering in her neck as he slowly made his way up towards her. Pausing, he tore off a condom with his teeth and tossed the rest onto the nightstand. It was tempting to ask her to do him the honor, but if she touched him again he wasn't sure he'd be able to hold back. After quickly sheathing himself, he pushed away the sheet that she'd pulled up around her waist and was thrilled when she automatically spread her legs open.
"Fucking unreal," he whispered, his hungry gaze blazing a scorching trail down the length of her body. Tanned skin and just the hint of a fading tan line at her hips. He ran his hands down her legs, spreading his thumbs wide to trail along the muscles of her inner thighs.
"What is?" she asked, voice breathy as she reached up to play with her tits.
Squeezing his fingers, he released a ragged breath. "You."
The moment his hands reached her waist, he twisted them until he was palming her ass cheeks, loving the feel of her curves in his hands. "Just look at you, how are you even real?" Then he jerked her up off the bed and she gasped. Dragging her body closer, he wrapped her smooth legs around his hips, the tip of his cock pulsing at her entrance.
"What are you waiting for?"
He chuckled. So impatient. "Give a man a minute to enjoy the view."
Her huffy protest had him grinning. Her hands fell away from her breasts. "Well, I guess I'll lie here then and just wait for you to—"
With a hard tug, he was buried to the hilt, both of them groaning as he leaned forward to get better leverage with his knees. He pulled out slowly, enjoying every fucking inch of her soaking wet pussy. He felt her tense when he was almost out as if bracing herself for another unforgiving thrust, but he didn't move.
"You done talking now?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Eyes wide, she nodded. "Good, now hold on to something because I'm far too keyed up to be gentle. But if at any time it hurts, promise me you'll say something, okay?"
The way her half-lidded eyes stared up at him as her fingers wrapped around his shoulders told him that was exactly what she wanted, and he was going to give it to her. He watched her throat bob as she swallowed. "I promise."
"Good," he murmured, almost to himself. And holy hell, was it ever good. Too good actually, as he pushed into her again with all his weight behind his thrust.
Damn. He'd waited too long, allowed himself to get too wound up to last more than ten strokes.
With every drive of his hips against the cradle of her thighs, it brought him closer and closer to the edge. He could tell she was just as close, her head tilted back and eyes screwed shut. Despite the ache in his thighs and the tingling at the base of his spine, he needed her to come again. Just one more time. Wanted to watch her fall apart and feel her walls clench and squeeze around his cock.
He paused, shifting his hold before lifting her hips off the bed and altering his angle of entry just enough that he knew she'd feel him everywhere. His next upward thrust had her moaning his name.
"That's it," he rasped, pumping his hips furiously as her heels dug into his ass cheeks. "I need to feel you come around my cock."
Releasing her hips, he fell forward, positioning his hands on either side of her head. Sweat trickled down his temples, his back. She was so close, he just knew she was, the two of them hurtling together towards something that was borderline out-of-control.
"Christ, Katniss," he wheezed the moment his balls pulled up tight, ready to explode. He couldn't take it anymore, not with the way her breasts bounced with each thrust and her nails dug into his back.
"I—I can't," he ground out. And then he was there.
His eyes fell shut and he dropped onto his elbows, covering her entire body with his. "I'm sorry," he hissed as his hips slowed to sharp, short jerks, knowing full well he was done for. He came with a grunt, pitching forward one last time as his fingers dug into the sheets. His body shuddered and shook, his breaths coming out in gasping pants as he kept his cock buried deep inside her, filling the condom with everything he had.
Holy hell. He'd never come so hard in his life. Never felt so connected to someone before. Never had such a deep satisfaction filled every ounce of his body. He was pretty certain he'd just surrendered a part of his soul to Katniss Everdeen, but he'd gladly give it all to her if she wanted it. Dropping his head to her shoulder, he nuzzled his face against her satiny smooth skin that was slicked with sweat. Then he groaned.
She hadn't come with him. It was a miracle he'd lasted as long as did, but there was no way he was leaving her needy. Sucking in a deep breath, he pushed himself up and finally pulled out of her body, not bothering with the spent condom yet because he had other priorities.
"What are you—" Katniss started as he slid down the bed and spread her legs wider apart, bracing his hands behind her knees. Her words turned to a long, drawn-out moan when he wasted no time latching onto her clit, sucking the hardened nub between his lips. Two quick passes of his tongue were all it took, her clit pulsing beneath him as she rode out the final waves of pleasure.
"No more," she whined, grabbing hold of his head as she tried to shut her thighs. "You just ruined me."
She was ruined? There was no holding back his strained laugh as he dug his forehead into the bedcovers between her legs, ridding himself of some of the sweat and finally the spent condom, which he somehow managed to toss into the garbage by the nearby desk. It'd be a miracle if he could walk after tonight. His arms and legs felt like Jell-o and his muscles trembled with exhaustion as he crawled his way back up the bed.
Thoroughly sated and spent, he collapsed on top of her, panting heavily to catch his breath. It took him a moment to realize he was crushing her, and although she didn't complain about his weight, he carefully rolled off to the side. He took in her flushed cheeks, smiling smugly at her completely blissed-out expression. She must have sensed his gaze when she finally pried her eyes open and stared back up at him.
"That was…" she started, reaching up to brush the sweaty locks from his forehead. The dreamy look in her eye caused his breath to hitch. "That was…" she tried again.
When she still didn't finish her sentence, Peeta leaned in to capture her mouth in a quick but hard kiss. "That good, huh?" She swatted at his chest but he caught her hand and brought it to his mouth, where he brushed his lips across her knuckles.
Rolling onto her side, she nuzzled in deeper, sending a rush of warmth through him. "That was fucking amazing," she whispered against his heated skin.
Amazing didn't quite cut it. Sex with Katniss was…incredible. Probably the best damn sex he'd ever had, but having her in his arms, her silky hair and lithe body wrapped around his…it was…nice. Better than nice. It was fucking amazing. If he had it his way, she'd never leave his bed. Warning signs should have shot off in his head with a thought like that because it was way too soon to be entertaining those sorts of feelings. Especially with someone, he'd just met. Wasn't it?
But he'd dated around enough to know this connection he felt with Katniss didn't happen every day. It'd be foolish to dismiss what he was feeling just because his head hadn't quite caught up yet. Deep down he knew where he stood, but he didn't want to assume anything on Katniss's end. There was only one way to find out.
He pulled her tighter to him, tucking her head beneath his chin as he began to stroke her back. "Katniss?" he whispered. She didn't answer. He cleared his throat and tried again, a little louder this time. "Katniss?" Her only response was a heavy sigh. It was then he noticed her breaths had turned shallow and far apart.
Releasing a sigh of his own, he managed to work the covers up over their bodies without jostling her around too much. He knew he should get a washcloth from the bathroom to help clean her up a bit, however, he didn't want to disturb her. But truth be told, he really just didn't want to let her go.
They'd talk in the morning. And if she wasn't interested in what he had to offer, then, well…he'd have to try harder.
A few hours later, Katniss stirred. Peeta hadn't slept a wink, not that he minded really. He was happy to watch her sleep. And her content little sighs when she burrowed her face into his chest every so often? Goddamn adorable.
He remained still as he let her come to, easing up his hold so she could have some space as she rolled and stretched. "Morning," he eventually said, smiling at her sleepy face.
"Good morning," she answered, half of her greeting stifled by a yawn. It took her a few moments to blink the sleep from her eyes but when she finally did, she seemed a little startled. Then before he could react, she bolted up out of bed and was halfway to the bathroom before she muttered, "I have to pee."
Chuckling, he tried to fix the covers as best he could as he waited. A corner of the sheets at the end had come loose completely, and the ridiculous little pillows that held no function but to take up space were strewn all over the floor. The toilet flushed and he sat back against the headboard, unsure what to do with his hands before settling on resting them in his lap. Besides, it would help hide the semi he was sporting.
A minute later, Katniss emerged from the bathroom and slowly shuffled her way towards the bed. She was oddly quiet, a pensive expression furrowing her brow.
"Everything alright?" he eventually asked, a little unsure if he'd like the answer.
"I just…" His heart stilled at the all-too-serious look pinching her features. "About last night, I'm just worried that…now in the light of day that you'll think it was all just a big—"
"Mistake?" he ventured, trying his hardest not to let his disappointment seep too much into his voice. With a firm shake of his head, he reached out and motioned for her to join him on the bed. "For me, it wasn't. Why? Are you having regrets?"
Katniss startled and then frowned as if she found the notion offensive. Thankfully, she crawled onto the mattress and settled in next to him. At least that was promising. She pulled the covers up before finally meeting his gaze. "Of course not, it was good."
"Just good?" Arching an eyebrow, he leaned in closer, his mouth on a direct path to hers. "If memory serves me right, I seem to recall the words 'fucking' and 'amazing' being thrown out there."
Obviously flustered, Katniss ducked out of the way before he could capture her lips. "You always this cocky in the morning?"
"I prefer confident or self-assured," he mused, finally landing a peck along her jaw. "Or better yet, charmingly optimistic."
"Yeah well, I'm just not good at this kind of thing, okay?"
He pursed his lips. Ok, now he was confused. "What kind of thing?"
"You know…this." She waved a hand at them and then released a heavy sigh. No, he didn't understand, and so he waited for her to continue. "One night stands," she clarified when he remained silent. "I know this is your kind of thing, and I'm probably doing this part all wrong, aren't I?"
Peeta frowned. Rye really had laid it on thick, hadn't he? Is that why she'd come on to him so strong at the bar? Thinking since this was his kind of "thing", he'd be a sure bet? That he wouldn't turn her down? Oh god, is that all she wanted from him? One night of hot, dirty fucking and now she was ready to be done with him? Well, fuck that. She wasn't just another notch on his bedpost, and he'd be damned if that's all he was to her.
"Listen, I had a lot of fun," she continued, but he wasn't buying her forced smile. "Thank you for…everything." She trailed off, her eyes suddenly sad. "I should probably go," she mumbled, dropping her gaze to her finger that was toying with the covers. Tugging her bottom lip between her teeth, she made a move to get up and escape their nest of bed sheets.
His hand shot out to still her. "Please don't," he said, but the uncertainty was still etched on her face. "Stay." To prove his point, he gently tugged her onto his chest, tucking her head under his chin where she belonged. Her body went stiff, but when he began to card his fingers through her dark waves, little by little she melted into him. "Katniss, what if I told you I've never done this before either?"
Her head lifted, and this time she was the one frowning as she turned to look at him. "What are you talking about?"
"Look, I'm not sure what Rye told you about me…well, no, that's not true, I have a pretty good idea what he said to you. But it's not true. This," he emphasized, motioning around them to the rumpled bedsheets and discarded piles of clothes scattered across the floor. "This is not my usual thing."
"It's not?" The hopeful look in her eyes had him shaking his head in reassurance as he stroked the back of her head, but it didn't last. "It doesn't make a difference, though, now does it? It was a one-time thing and I knew that going into it, but…fuck." She pulled away, putting a few more inches between their faces. "Despite the consequences, I just knew it would be like this."
Peeta stilled, but his grip on her didn't ease up. "Like what?" She didn't answer right away, but he had to know. "Like what, Katniss?"
"Just…right. Like this is how things are supposed to be. That's stupid, though, isn't it? We were only together for one night, and that's too soon to actually mean anything…right?"
"Wow, tequila really does bring out your honest side," he teased, his relief expressing itself in the form of humor. But from the hurt and confused look on her face, he could tell she didn't quite appreciate the joke. "Katniss, I'm kidding. Of course I don't think it's stupid, how could I when that's exactly how I feel?" This time she didn't shy away when he leaned in to kiss her, just a soft brush of his lips against her cheek.
"Yeah but...it doesn't matter how either of us feels, now does it?" She continued before he could gather his thoughts. "You're leaving tonight, and I knew this would fucking happen. I thought I could do this and not let it affect me, but how the hell am I supposed to move on from last night? How am I supposed to forget you or any of this?"
Her obvious frustration over the situation they were in shouldn't have pleased him, but it did. He was ecstatic! It showed she cared, that what they shared actually meant something to her.
"Simple," he answered, "you don't forget a damn thing and you go on a date with me."
"Wait…what?"
"You heard me." Dragging the backs of his fingers up her arm, he thrilled at the way she responded with a shiver.
"Uh…isn't that a little backward? And besides, how would that even work?"
"Easy, I ask you out, like I just did, and then you say…" he trailed off, lifting his eyebrows as he waited for her to answer.
"But…you're not making any sense! Haven't you heard anything I've said?"
"Of course, I've heard every single word. But I'm still not seeing a problem."
With a loud huff, Katniss crossed her arms over her chest. The gesture did wickedly amazing things to her breasts, but he forced his attention to her face. "I don't do long-distance relationships," she finally said.
"Well then, you're in luck. I don't either." If it wasn't for the hint of pain in her eyes, he'd have laughed at her bewildered expression. "So here's the deal."
"Now there's a deal?"
"Yep, you say 'yes' to going out with me, and then I prove to you that all this chemistry we seem to have in the bedroom, extends outside of it too. But if you still need some convincing, we'll go out again…and again and again and again, until you finally come to your senses."
Shaking her head, Katniss huffed. "And how are we going to do that exactly when you're on the other damn side of the country?"
"Well, it's a good thing for you then that I'm not going anywhere, isn't it?"
She bolted up, the sheet dropping to her waist to expose her naked chest. "You're not? What are you talking about?"
"You know that new bakery that opened up a few weeks ago on Thirteenth? Where I got the groom's cake before the rehearsal dinner?" She nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing. "It's mine."
"What do you mean…yours?"
"Mine, as in I bought it. Before my dad passed away, we'd talked about how he one day wanted to expand the family business. With Rye being the only one here and everyone else back out West, we decided here made the most sense."
Katniss was quiet as she processed his words. Then something dawned on her, and her eyes grew wide, almost panicked. Oh shit. Was that regret?
"Do Rye and Madge know?" she asked.
"Not yet. Actually, only Delly knows, and well, now you." Silence filled the room once again as she stared at the bedcover. Dammit, this was probably the last thing she wanted. All she wanted was a hot night with a guy she'd never have to worry about seeing ever again, and he'd just put a damper on her plans.
"Look," he started, glancing away and cringing just a bit when he caught sight of her orange bra dangling off the lampshade. Rubbing a hand along the back of his neck, he blew out a heavy breath. "There's a pretty good chance of running into each other now that I'm living here permanently, so I get it if that bothers you. And if you're worried that I'm going to go brag to Rye about this, don't. My lips are sealed."
"Peeta, I didn't think you'd—"
"And if it'll make you feel any better," he rushed on, wanting to make sure he pleaded his case before she completely dismissed him, "I can pretend like this never happened." Although that was a bald-faced lie. There was no way in hell he was forgetting about last night. The sting of rejection would suck big time, but that was something he'd have to live with.
"Peeta," she repeated, a little louder.
"Or we could—"
His lips sealed shut when she grabbed hold of his chin, forcing him to look her way. When he finally did, the breathtaking smile she directed solely at him had hope flaring deep in his chest. "My answer is yes."
Hope filled his chest as he searched her face, his attention finally settling on her lips. "To which question?"
"Yes, I'll go out with you," she said as her stomach rumbled.
"Hungry, are we?" he teased, but he could already sense the eye roll before she followed through with it. If it weren't for her apparent hunger, he'd have had her flat out on her back again. He settled on his haunches, bringing the sheet with him that created an obvious tent from the erection he'd been trying to hide since she awoke. "Aren't you curious about what I've got hidden under here?"
"Tempting," she said with a laugh as she sprung out of bed and swiped his dress shirt off the desk chair. It was impossible to look away as she slid her arms through the sleeves and fastened only two of the buttons. "But as you'll soon learn with me, hunger wins out over curiosity every time."
"Well then, I happen to know the best place in town for cinnamon buns." It was fascinating, the way she finger-combed her hair and wound the strands into a messy braid knot. And the way his shirt hung over her curves wasn't helping with his erection. Swallowing back the urge to show her just how much of an expert he was at satisfying an entirely different kind of hunger, he swung his legs over the edge of the bed and continued. "And lucky for you, our date this morning includes a backstage pass to the baker's personal kitchen and a hands-on private lesson from the man himself."
"Oh really," she laughed, not resisting when he captured her by the waist and slung her onto his lap.
Never in a million years would he have thought that moving across the country and leaving behind the only life he knew would, ironically enough, feel like coming home. He had Katniss Everdeen to thank for that, and he had a sneaking suspicion that he'd be thanking her for a long time to come.
Kissing the tip of her nose, he smiled. "Yep, and as I'm sure you've already learned with me, clothing is optional."
BREAK
Author's Note: There you have it! I hope you enjoyed this little mini-series and that this last installment didn't disappoint. I have a few ladies that I'm sending a huge hug and thank you for their pre-reading/beta skills because they tackled this monster in record time and are wonderful and supportive authors themselves! To JennaGill, katnissdoesnotfollowback, and papofglencoe, you ladies are AMAZING, and to Loving-Mellark who never ceases to amaze me with her gif/banner creations. As always, I'd love to hear your feedback :) Thanks for reading and hope to be updating a few of my WIPs soon!
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