Chapter Six

The Truth Comes Out

When Katniss got home from taking Posy to school, she heard the steady thwack thwack of the ax from the other side of the barn. She eased the door of the old truck closed and walked over to investigate. The sight that greeted her drove all the air out of her lungs and made her mouth go dry.

Peeta was chopping wood. Shirtless.

She had only been gone a good half hour or so but he'd apparently worked up enough of a sweat in that time to shed his shirt. He still wore his wife beater, the sleeveless design allowing her to see the play of his muscles across his broad shoulders and the flex of his biceps. His jeans hugged his butt almost lovingly and Katniss felt her fingers twitch with the urge to touch.

He hadn't noticed her yet and Katniss edged around the corner of the barn so he'd have to fully around turn to see her. She felt like a voyeur, her eyes roaming hungrily over him as he worked. Heat pooled through her body, flushing her skin and drenching her panties. She felt the insistant throb in the apex of her thighs and she rubbed them together to ease the ache.

When she was younger, she didn't allow herself to dwell on the strange feelings Peeta seemed to draw out of her. Now that she was older and the buffer of Gale was gone, there was no denying what she was feeling.

She wanted Peeta Mellark.

Bad.

Kantiss knew she should move away. Haymitch's room was in the barn and who knew where the old man was lurking. She would be mortified if he caught her ogling Peeta. But she just couldn't.

She was entranced by his arms. She knew his hands were calloused and scarred from the ovens he worked with. His fingers were strong, long and well kept. She could see the thickness of his thighs as he moved around, the strength that seemed to flow through his body like water making his movements easy. Long hours hauling large bags of flour and sugar and god knew what else around the bakery made him a force to be dealt with on the football field.

He was a man that liked to do things for himself. It didn't surprise her that he'd offered to do the maintenance on her truck or that he'd fixed so many things around the farm. He'd driven almost as many nails in her house as either she or Gale.

The body she was looking at now, much like her own, was sculpted by hard work and she had an almost desperate need to explore it. Katniss breathed out a low moan and wrapped her arms around herself. They were a poor substitution for another pair.

The sound of a car on the driveway jerked her attention away from the Baker Man Buffet in front of her to the car making its way up the dusty road. Dread washed the away most of the lust she'd been feeling like a cold bucket of water when she recognized the sleek, black vehicle.

It belonged to Snow. But, he hadn't been back to the farm since Gale's funeral. And he wasn't here now, it seemed.

Romulus Thread, Snow's muscle, got out of the front seat. He had the look of ex military; from the top of his crew cut to the heavy boots he wore on his feet. He was stocky and well muscled, like Peeta. But while Peeta's physique had her trembling with want, Thread's just made her shudder with revulsion.

Thread sent her a wave and a smile spread across his thin lips. Well, she supposed it was a smile. It looked more like a sneer to her.

Peeta forgotten, or at least put on the back burner for now, Katniss moved across the yard.

"What are you doing here, Thread?"

"Now, Katniss, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Romulus?"

"At least one more," she snapped. She crossed her arms over her breasts and scowled deeply at him. "And you didn't answer my question? I'm not selling."

"Ah, I'm not here for that." A flash of his white teeth made her cringe. "I heard you had some trouble. Just wanted to make sure you were doing ok."

"That was two weeks ago. Thanks for rushing over." Katniss arched a brow. He gave her a sheepish smile.

"You know working for Snow keeps me busy. You know you being out here by yourself makes me concerned."

"Well, you don't have to worry. We're doing just fine."

"You shouldn't be so hostile, Katniss. I could be useful to you." The way his icy blue eyes roamed over her made her skin crawl. She opened her mouth to tell him off when she saw his eyes leave her and narrow just as she heard Peeta come up behind them.

"Everything ok, sweetheart?" He stopped next to her and slid his arm casually around her waist, as if he'd done it a hundred times before. He'd put his shirt back on, but left it unbuttoned. His dark blond hair was damp with sweat and curly around his ears and collar. He smelled of wood and bread and sweat. It made her dizzy.

"Who's this?" Thread demanded, his icy eyes flashing dangerously.

"Oh, excuse me," Ever polite, Peeta flashed a smile and held out a hand towards the other man. "I'm Peeta Mellark." Thread stared at the outstretched hand for a long moment before finally taking it.

"Mellark? Like the bakery in town?"

"The very one." He shifted his grip on Katniss, draping his arm around her shoulders protectively and pulling her close. He looked pleasant and mild mannered, but Katniss could feel the tension in his body. She was sure it mirrored her own. She knew what he'd meant by moving his arm, the message he sent clear. Mine.

She was annoyed that he was showing possessiveness in front of Thread and it took all her willpower not to shrug him off. Then she noticed the murderous look in Thread's face and she felt the first tendrils of fear.

"I was just making sure that Katniss was all right. After that nasty business that just happened." He raised his chin like a challenge and damn if Peeta didn't rise to it.

"Yeah? How about that? I've been here since right after it happened, though. Hopefully whatever sicko did that won't come back."

Did he just say sicko? Is he trying to provoke Thread? Katniss thought. The men seemed to completely forget she was there as they lapsed into a silent staring contest. They were emitting so much testosterone, she wouldn't have been surprised if they started to arm wrestle.

Tiring of it, Katniss cleared her throat and waited until their attention was back on her. "Thanks for stopping by. I'll make sure Cray knows you've performed your civic duty."

Katniss offered him a saccharine smile which rivaled Peeta's with the depth of its sincerity. Thread bared his teeth again and nodded.

"You take care, Katniss. Don't hesitate to call if you need anything."

"Oh, I think we've got it covered. Thanks again for your concern." Peeta's voice didn't even hint at being threatening. But there was no denying the implication was there. Thread narrowed his eyes again and Katniss nearly gasped at the hatred she saw in his gaze. It was all directed at Peeta.

She waited until Thread was in his car and heading back the way he came before turning on the blond next to her.

"God, what is wrong with you?" She shoved his arm off her shoulders and glared up at him. "You did everything but whip it out o measure who's is bigger."

"Don't need to. When a man fucks with a woman the way he did, mine's already bigger by default." Peeta snapped back. Why that comment made her want to laugh when she was so pissed was a mystery to her.

"You can't just do that, Peeta. You can't just walk in here after being gone for years without even a goodbye and play all knight in shining armor!" She almost stamped her foot in frustration, but she managed not too. Barely.

"I'm sorry Katniss. I've told you that I was a coward. I was too self involved to remember my promise to my best friend." His shoulders sagged with his ever present guilt and he dropped his eyes from her.

"Too hell with that promise to Gale! What about us being friends Peeta? Didn't I deserve better treatment because you and I were friends?" She cursed the tears she could feel burning behind her eyes and she glared hard at him. He seemed taken aback at that and fresh guilt flooded his face. Her own reared up as well; she hadn't really meant to get into this.

"I don't know what to do, Kat. I've fucked up so bad."

"Yeah. You did." Katniss agreed with a shrug. But she didn't want to fight. Not about the past. The present was much more pressing. "You shouldn't have provoked Thread that way. He's Snow's muscle for a reason."

"That son of a bitch was looking at you like he wanted to eat you in one bite." Peeta took a step closer to her, his anger newly sparked at the reminder of the other man. His eyes were flashing dangerously and his skin was flushed with his irritation. Why did he look sexy as hell to her right then?

"I've been dealing with him just fine on my own. I can…"

"Take car of yourself." Peeta interrupted. "I know. We all do. But there is nothing wrong with accepting a little help."

"You're here aren't you? I let Hazelle drag your ass out here and put you in my house. For what? Stupid pranks? Everyone is taking this crap too seriously."

"Really?" Peeta looked at her like she was missing the whole point. "How often does Thread come out here?"

That gave her pause. Katniss stopped and thought, her dark brows drawing together as she did a mental tally.

"A couple of times a month." She finally said.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"What are his reasons for coming out?" Peeta said slowly like he was talking to Posy. There was an intensity coming off of him that was unnerving her.

"He says he's just checking on us. I figure he's just spying for Snow." She was starting to get the feeling that she had been missing the whole point. That feeling was compounded by the snort Peeta gave.

"Really, Katniss? When was the last time Snow set foot on the property?" Now she was feeling a little foolish.

"Not since the day of Gale's funeral." Katniss admitted softly.

"Yeah. I don't think Snow's the type of man to wait five years for a young widow to decide to sell. For anything for that matter"

"So what are you saying, Peeta?" Katniss growled in frustration.

"That man," Peeta pointed down the driveway as if Thread were still there. "Wants. You."

If Katniss rolled her eyes any harder they would have done a complete revolution in her head. "No, I don't think so."

"You have no idea the effect you can have, do you?" Peeta shook his head in disbelief.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

Peeta closed his eyes, seeming to fight an internal war with himself. As she watched him, Katniss realized she didn't want him to say anything. Whatever came out of his mouth now wouldn't be able to be taken back.

She wanted to run now, to leave him behind without a word like he'd done her. But she found her feet rooted to the spot as she waited for him to come back from wherever he'd gone.

Suddenly, his eyes popped open burning like blue fire with determination and something else that terrified Katniss. He stepped closer to her, invading her space. The blue of his eyes was so dark, so intense, she had to drop her gaze or else get burned up by it. She found herself staring at the firm definition of his torso, which really wasn't much better as it reminded her of the way she felt watching him earlier.

He leaned down until his lips were a whisper away from her ear. His breath blew hot over her skin as he started to speak.

"I have wanted you for as long as I can remember, Katniss Everdeen. So I know what it looks like on another man." She let out an involuntary gasp at his matter of fact statement. She barely took in a breath as he continued. "The problem is, what is that man willing to do to have you?"

And with that rather chilling statement, Peeta walked away, leaving her to stare unseeing at the space he just left, her mind trying to reject what he'd said.

A/n- Not sure I'm loving this chapter. But, there it is. I hope you enjoy. Please, please review. Hope I did shirtless!Peeta justice. Oh yeah, I'll shout out whoever catches the POTC quote I snuck in there. I apologize for any mistakes. I'm my own beta. Lisa/Jypz