Chapter Nine
Out of the Frying Pan…
The sun had gone down by the time Peeta let himself into the house. He tossed his keys onto the small console table next to the door and hung his jacket in the hall closet. He stretched his arms and flexed his hands to ease the tired ache after spending so long hunched over the cake. He was please with the way it came out and could only hope that the bride was as well.
He moved through the house, the light from the lamp Katniss always kept burning in the living room guiding him. His ease of movement was a testament to how at home he felt.
Peeta had helped take the ramshackle old farmhouse and made it into the home it was now. Gale and Katniss' home. Gale's presence was everywhere he looked. Like the old leather chair that they'd salvaged from a thrift shop nobody sat in now. Not even Posy. His bow was mounted on the wall. Their wedding picture on the mantle of the fireplace. All the pictures spread out including the portrait Peeta had done of the three of them after Posy was born.
The feeling of his friend all around him had him feeling both comforted and horrible all at once. He walked over to a picture taken at the last Harvest Festival he'd been to with the Hawthorne family.
He and Gale were sitting in the bed of the old truck, watching the parade while Gale fed Posy. Peeta had glanced down at the beautiful little girl, jealousy curling like an ugly snake in his stomach. It was a brief flash, a remnant of the Peeta that he'd been before that day in the woods.
When he'd looked up at Gale, he'd grinned. The happiness he felt for his friend in that second all over his face. And that was when Katniss had snapped the picture. The pair of them, one dark, one light, grinning like fools over the tiny girl.
"Dammit, Gale. I miss you." Peeta picked up the photo and stared at the profile of the other man. "I'm so sorry. I ran away. And now I'm back and I don't know what I'm doing. I love her so much, but I don't know if I'm helping her or just making her uncomfortable. I can't stop thinking about her and I know I promised you. But she doesn't want me here." The last was said in defeat, his shoulders sagging with the weight of the truth of it.
"Peeta?"
"Shit," The picture hit the floor when it slipped from his fingers. Luckily, it landed on the rug he was standing on and not the hardwood floor so it didn't shatter. Cursing, he bent and picked it up, raising wet blue eyes to her wide, stormy grey ones. "I didn't hear you pull up."
He had been so deep in his wallowing that his sixth sense where she was concerned didn't kick in. Somehow he'd even missed the loud motor of her truck or heard her come through the kitchen. She was leaning on the doorframe between the kitchen and the living room. She was wearing jeans, a plain white t-shirt and a black sweater to ward off the early evening chill. She'd switched out her hunting boots for flats. Her dark hair was loose around her face.
She was watching him, her brows furrowed and her lips parted. Peeta felt mildly panicked that she might have heard what he'd just said.
"Katniss, I…" He faltered. He had been captain of the debate team, Prom king and had comethisclose to being class president. He'd had his share of girlfriends and had been well liked, popular, even after he started hanging out the couple from the Seam. He played football and made his living dealing with customers all day. But just being around Katniss could tongue-tie him like a schoolboy with a crush.
"That's my favorite picture." Katniss waved a hand toward him, dropping her eyes briefly. "My boys with my girl." It just needed Prim to be complete.
"Your boys?" Plural. Peeta felt his eyes widen at her admission.
"Besides my father, there have only been two men that I ever considered family." Katniss pushed away from the door and walked over to him. She took the picture, running her fingers gently around the frame before putting it back in its place.
"Really?" He sounded almost breathless and it made her smile again.
"I forgive you, Peeta. I'm sure Gale would too." She said it quick and she looked almost surprised that she'd said it. But once the word were out, she considered them and nodded. "I know he would. You were his best friend. Another brother he didn't know he needed until you were there. I think he would have forgiven you anything."
He forgave me for loving you, Peeta thought. Her words humbled him and he pulled her to him to engulf her in a hug. To his surprise, her arms slid around his neck and held him close.
Her body pressed tight, her breasts crushed against his chest; her hips lined with his and her breath hot on his neck caused his blood to run hot. He felt a shudder flow over her. He pulled back a fraction, his blue gaze meeting her grey. He felt her hand move to his cheek, her thumb tracing circles over his skin. Peeta leaned into her hand, his own hands spreading flat on her back to hold her against him.
"Katniss." Her name was a quiet breath expelled from his lips. Katniss shivered again, the heat from his hands spreading through her like fire.
To think she'd been afraid to come home. Now she wished she'd some home earlier.
She couldn't say who moved first, or if it was mutual but their lips pressed gently together. Her breath hitched in her throat as heat flowed like liquid through her veins. Too soon, Peeta pulled back, his eyes dark with emotion.
The world seemed to hang between them in the heavy seconds they studied each other. It was like they were two teenagers faced with their first kiss instead of two adults carrying the memories of their experience.
This time, Katniss pulled him down, her mouth closing hungrily over his. He tasted better than she imagined and felt like heaven under her hands. She felt his tongue brush against her lips, which she parted easily, her own tongue sliding against his. They both moaned at the contact. She felt his hands glide under her shirt, the rough pads of his fingers raising gooseflesh on her back.
She broke away from his lips, peppering his chin and neck with wet kisses, her fingers tugging lightly on the hair they were buried in.
"I want you so much Katniss," Peeta gasped, capturing her mouth again. Something inside of her snapped with his ragged words, her hips thrusting forward against the evidence of his want. Her hands slid from his hair to his neck and lower still, across his abdomen where the muscles jumped at her touch. She pulled back to watch his eyes darken further when her tiny hands worked under his t-shirt. Within seconds it was off, exposing his broad chest to her gaze. He was beautiful, strong and defined but not too bulky. His torso narrowed into his hips where a fine v of hair disappeared into his jeans.
Without a word, Katniss slid her sweater off her arms and let it pool to the floor. Peeta watched her, seeming to be struck dumb by her movements. She was a little nervous herself, but her desire for the man in front of her was raging inside her, making soaking her panties and making the ache she'd been denying almost painful. She felt if she didn't have him, now, she would combust.
"Katniss?" He questioned, as if he didn't believe what was going on.
"Want to help me out here?" She asked, her words spurring him forward. Katniss gasped as his hands pushed under her shirt, taking the material with him as he ran his fingers up her sides. Soon it was over her head and tossed aside. He kissed her again, his lips moving lustily over hers. Her desire hazed mind barely registered the feel of his fingers on the clasp of her bra and it was only the feel of the cool air puckering her nipples that made her realize the material was gone. When the chill was replaced with the warmth of his mouth Katniss knees buckled.
One strong arm banded around her waist keeping her upright. Her hands buried back in his hair to keep him in place even as her other breast throbbed with need. She felt another rush of warmth in her core and she wondered if you could orgasm from nipple stimulation. He kissed his way across the valley between her breasts to latch onto the other nipple, laving it with his tongue before nipping it gently with his teeth; the sharp pain soothed by his tongue had her crying out his name.
"Peeta, please," she moaned, looking down to where he half knelt in front of her. His eyes locked with her just as his free hand found the button of her jeans. A tug pulled the button open and the zipped down. He kissed his way down her abdomen, the heat of his breath making her quiver with anticipation. She licked her lips when he pulled the denim down her hips. He released her long enough for her to step out of her flats then the pants. He gripped her hips, massaging the soft skin he found there.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked, his eyes begging her not to say no, but his conscience making him ask.
"More than, Peeta. I want you too." She ran a hand over his soft hair, a smile playing on her lips
That seemed to be all the encouragement he needed. Katniss reached blindly out as his pressed a kiss against her pelvic bone, her core throbbing in response to him being so close. Her hand just found the wall as he lifted one leg gently and slid it over his shoulder, opening her up to his gaze.
"Oh God," she moaned when his tongue licked over her slit, gathering the moisture on the tip. Her knees nearly buckled when he sucked her clit into his mouth, the pressure from this lips building with each second. Her chest heaved rapidly with each swipe of his tongue, each suck of his lips against her, building her orgasm slowly until she thought she would die from the ache. When he slid a finger inside of her tight, wet heat and then a second, she swore she saw stars.
His blue eyes burned bright in the dim light, watching her reaction to everything he did. She wanted to close her eyes, to relish the pleasure he was giving her, but something in his gaze captivated hers and she found that she couldn't. When he slid the third finger into her she came, the world exploding as her knees gave out his name falling from her lips like a mantra.
As she came back to herself, she realized that Peeta had lowered her to the floor. She watched as he slid his jeans and shorts off, showing her the beauty of his naked form. He moved quickly though, not giving her time to take him in fully. She watched him rip open a small foil packet, taking out the condom and rolling it over his erection. She opened her arms for him as he positioned himself between her thighs, the tip of his cock bumping against her slick core.
He wasn't gentle as he entered her, his need too long denied to offer finesse. Katniss cried out in both pain and pleasure. It had been five long years since the last time she'd done this. Five years since she'd felt the weight of a man on her, the pleasure of a man filling her, stretching her, completing her. But this felt so much…more.
"I'm sorry, Katniss." Peeta gasped, pausing above her, his body trembling with the exertion of not pounding into her.
"It's ok. I'm ok. It's just been a long time." She reminded him, giving him a soft smile. She shifted her hips, pushing him deeper into her body. He groaned, the sound vibrating through her. "Peeta," she whined, thrusting up again to urge him to move.
"Fuck," Peeta said, finally thrusting his hips against her. "God yes. You feel so damn good, Kat." He breathed. He reached for her hip, changing the angle to make him go impossibly deeper. She squeaked, actually squeaked when he hit something inside that sent warmth spiraling through her.
"Ooooh," she moaned, dragging her nails down his back, her legs wrapping around his waist. Sweat slicked their skin, their movements became frantic, both chasing their release. Soon, she felt Peeta swell inside of her and she knew he was close. She captured his earlobe between her teeth and bit it gently, the slight pain pushing him over the edge with a shout of her name. His last few crazed thrusts sent her after him, her back arching with the power of her second orgasm.
They lay, gasping for air for several minutes before Peeta shifted from on top of her and dropped next to her on the floor. She curled against his side, seeking his warmth as the coolness of the air pimpled her sweaty skin. She knew he'd have to clean up soon, but she relished the closeness of his flesh for now.
"I'm sorry. I should have at least gotten us to a bed first." Peeta said after a minute. Katniss shrugged.
"I don't care." She said truthfully. They had the whole night to get into a bed. She felt herself blush at that thought. This was it. They were now lovers. Because she had no doubt that this wouldn't be the only time they did this. Not when she was already craving the next time.
"Katniss," Peeta started. The seriousness in his tone had her thinking he was about to ask her something she probably didn't want to answer. Whatever it was, however, was cut off when a muffled bang and a flash of orange through the front windows had them pushing apart and scrambling for clothes.
A/n DUN DUN DUUUUUUN. Told you our friend wasn't done. Yeah, I suck. I know. But, I gave you sex! Doesn't that make up for the cliffy? So, I haven't written smut in a loooonnnnggg time. I apologize if it was boring or annoying or anything not hot. And funny enough, the first draft of this had them just kissing and then the bang. When I started typing it up, I wanted them to get carnal. So there you have it. I hope you enjoyed. As always I apologize for any mistakes. Review, review, review. Jypz/Lisa