Chapter 32: New Sex God

Peeta's POV

My suitcases are at the foot of the stairs in our new home in Victor's Village. How could six months have flown by so fast?

Riley is already ten months old and crawling around as Katniss double checks that I have everything I need for my Victory Tour, including winter gear. I made her pack those items because seeing something as seemingly innocuous as a parka could trigger flashbacks to the arena.

"I think that's everything," my girlfriend tells me. I open my arms and she does not hesitate to walk into them.

"Take us with you," she pleads. "Riley and I don't need much, and we'll only be around if you need us."

She has no idea how much I need them, how much I want to say yes and let them come along. But I know that, where I'm going, it is no place for a young woman or a baby. The Capitol will want to meet Katniss and Riley eventually, but for now, I hope to keep both of them away from Snow as long as possible. Yes, the President promised neither of my girls would be disturbed if I only did what he asked. But I don't trust the President as far as I could throw him, and that ain't very far.

I step out of the embrace and pull Katniss's face in. I kiss her goodbye, long and sensual. She moans, but allows me to pull away. I then stride into the living room where Riley is playing with a toy ball. I kiss her forehead.

"Be good for Mommy, now."

She gurgles in response.

Throughout the Tour, I go through the motions. My natural talent with words enhances my acting ability, so I am at least able to pretend that I am grateful for the Capitol's chance to live. Thanking the other tributes for their sacrifice is the only sincere thing I can manage. Haymitch thinks I'm a natural; not many other new victors could say the same about their performance.

At last, we only have one more stop, but it will be the hardest one on the agenda for me to get through. Why couldn't the Capitol have been the very first thing? From what Effie has told me, the plan is to go to an entire party thrown in my honor, held at the President's mansion. There, I will be subjected to everything at once: chatting up elite Capitol donors, dancing, reporters and paparazzi.

As our train nears the Capitol, I turn to Haymitch. "Can I ask you something?"

He shrugs his assent.

"How did you and Duke Vedaldi handle this when you were crowned Victor?"

Haymitch's brow furrows in thought. "To be honest with you, kid, Victory Tours were different, even in those days. The Capitol was not quite yet on the cusp of extreme wealth; the last of the debts incurred from the Dark Days were still being paid. And… you know, any money they had, they spent most of it on the Games themselves. So, celebrations of Victors were still very…. frugal, even by the Capitol's standards. My Victory Party was not nearly as lavish as the one you'll be getting. And for me in particular, there were other reasons for incurring less expense….."

I want to ask him what he means by that last point, but the train begins to slow as we pull into the Capitol station.

The limo that picks us up allows us to avoid the media, at least temporarily, for the short ride to the Presidential Mansion. Once we get out at the party, we are swamped. Everyone who is anyone wants to shake my hand, or even just touch the great Peeta Mellark. Seeing that Effie has a natural affinity for such attention and merriment, I stick close to her side.

"Not to worry, dear. I am sure you've experienced nothing like this in District 12. Stick with me, and everything will be fine."

Despite her rather snobbish way of noting my discomfort, I have to smile, for I know Effie means well.

I begin to grow more comfortable as the night wears on. Effie will sometimes literally drag me from table to table, introducing me to this diplomat or that.

"And this, Peeta, is Plutarch Heavensbee. He was the Head Gamemaker last year and will be reprising his post this summer."

The man with balding blond hair before me nods and gives a genuine smile. "It's a pleasure," and he shakes my hand.

But I don't get to say much beyond 'How do you do?', before a Capitol dignitary insists that I dance with her. Beyond the fact that I don't dance much, except playfully with Katniss, the woman is rather clingy, and I am grateful to finally get away after the third song in a row.

Just then, Effie meets me on the edge of the dance floor. "Peeta, dear, a patron has requested to meet you. We must go to the Tribute Training Center right away." My escort lacks her usual verve and there is no bounce in her voice.

Uh oh. A 'patron'… this could be it….

The whole ride over to the Training Center, I feel as though I want to throw up. I do that when I get nervous. When we arrive at the building, Effie leads me into the elevator and we shoot up to the Penthouse Suite. Whoever this patron is, he or she must really have the cash.

Once there, we approach an ornate door. A woman with auburn hair is waiting outside. I recognize her instantly.

Johanna Mason from District 7. She won a few years before I did (71st Games, I think?) by pretending to be a weakling until the competition had dwindled. She shoots me a cocky grin.

"Well, if it isn't the Lover Boy. Good, at least I won't be going into this alone."

"This patron requested you, too?" I inquire.

Johanna scoffs and rolls her eyes. "With Sanders Bradshaw, one Victor is never enough. She always wants threesomes!"

"I'll leave you both to it, then," Effie says quietly and scampers onto the elevator before I can even say goodbye.

Amazingly, I am starting to feel a little bit better. At least I will have a friend in there with me. And Johanna must be more experienced. Perhaps she can do most of the work on this Sanders woman and I can learn the ropes. I look to my fellow Victor. "You'll help me in there?"

"Of course, brainless. We Victors always make sure the newest member of the family has help!"

Just then, the door opens, and a woman with Barbie doll blonde hair appears. She smiles. "I thought I heard voices! Come on in!"

Sanders leads us into the Penthouse. It is beautiful, complete with a four-poster bed and a couch. The woman immediately takes off her robe and lets it fall to the floor. She is now stark naked.

I glance to Johanna, the nerves returning. Seriously? No talking first? But instead of going for the bed, Sanders sits on the couch next to us. Johanna raises an eyebrow at her.

"Not sure we can all fit on there."

"Oh no, no threesome tonight. I'll just be watching. The two of you."

My mouth falls open. My world is spinning out of control. This woman is expecting me to have exclusive sex with a Victor I just met? There is nowhere to hide now. Oh God!

Sanders frowns. "Well, don't just stand there. Kiss! Delight me."

I face Johanna and make damn sure she sees the panic in my eyes. At least, Sanders can't, with my back to her. Johanna gives me a look of sympathy before taking me in her arms. She begins to plant kisses along my shoulder and into my neck, working her way up to my ear.

"Listen carefully," she hisses between each peck, barely audible. "I'm going to walk you through it, but you'll have to meet me halfway. Show off your acting chops."

"How?" I breathe as Johanna gives me a love bite on my jawline.

"Kiss me like you would kiss her." Johanna pauses in her attentions and gives me a hard look.

I get it. I just have to imagine that I'm kissing Katniss. But what happens after…..?

I don't have time to ponder this before Johanna leans in and presses her lips to mine.

I can't believe I have to do this! This is wrong, so wrong!

"Peeta?" I hear Sanders call behind me. "What's taking so long, dear? Kiss her back!"

Johanna's lips flow more insistently against my petrified ones. I take a sharp breath.

Katniss, forgive me.

My hands enclose themselves around Johanna's head. Twitching my lips into hers, I kiss her back. I move quickly and force her mouth open with my own and plunge my tongue inside.

"Mmmmm…." Johanna sighs. She must like it. Indeed, she loops her arms around my neck and closes her eyes. I do, too, and try to follow my fellow Victor's advice. Just pretend it's Katniss….

My hands roam lower, splaying across Johanna's back until I reach her waist. I pull her flush against me and then decide on a move that I used on Katniss once and that she really liked. I heavily caress Johanna's bum before cupping each cheek in a hand and giving it a squeeze. Johanna gasps sharply against my lips.

"Hmmm….. you naughty, naughty boy," she purrs.

I assertively scoop her leg up so that it is level to my waist. Johanna's lips fly from mine and she begins to work up my jaw.

"Unzip me, will you?" she pants. I barely nod and with my free hand, I find the zipper, pulling it down. When it's loose enough, Johanna shimmies it down to her ankles.

"Lift me," she prompts and I pick her up off her feet, leaving the dress on the floor.

Just then, Johanna becomes more assertive. Pushing against my chest, she forces me back until I stumble onto the four-poster bed, taking her with me. Now she moves fast. Twisting me around so that I am all the way on the mattress, she pins me flat on my back and daintily moves to straddle my hips.

I suddenly begin to panic again. Pretending to kiss Katniss was fine, but there is no way I can trick my mind into thinking I am having sex with my girlfriend. Johanna's hands press against my chest and she moves in to kiss me.

"Relax," she croons against my lips. "Breathe. I'm here."

She takes over, unbuttoning my shirt and shrugging it off during fast, breathy kisses. I feel her fingers proceed to my belt and she works it free before unzipping my pants. Pausing in the kissing, she yanks the garment down to my ankles before throwing herself on top of me again.

Her vagina is close, dangerously close. I can feel it bumping against the inside of my thigh. Johanna buries her mouth into the crook of my neck, unseen by Sanders.

"All right," she gasps. "I'm going to guide you into me now. Do you trust me?"

Do I have a choice? Johanna bites into my neck insistently and I croak out a "Yes…..", which could be interpreted as anything to that wretched Sanders woman.

Johanna looks into my face. "Kiss me. It'll help through the pain." Then she slams her lips down onto mine. Next second, I feel her hand on my dick, sliding me into her center.

"Ooommmmm…" she groans into my mouth, and I see tears come to her eyes. I pretend to caress her face with my palm so I can wipe away her tears. She smiles against my lips appreciatively, before briefly drawing away.

She bites the air with her mouth, like a cat, conveying to our audience that I am some sexy little thing before kissing me again.

Johanna begins to roll her hips into mine. I feel my cock expanding inside of her, the juices within ballooning it. I grip Johanna's hips and begin to thrust up into her, suddenly wanting this over as soon as possible.

"Hmm! Hmmmmm!" Johanna squeals into my lips, surprised at my forcefulness.

I am almost to my edge. I can't take it anymore! Weaving my fingers into Johanna's hair, I hold her skull in place and pull her closer still. I squeeze my eyes shut. God, just let it be over….

I let out an inhuman grunt in perfect harmony with Johanna's muffled cry, as we both cum at the same time, milking each other with our juices. Johanna drops on top of me and we finally break the kiss, holding each other, gasping for air.

"Good boy," she coos softly. "I'm so proud of you….."

I have no breath left with which to praise her. Before I can compose myself, I suddenly hear moans.

Johanna and I turn our heads and both stare, appalled. Sanders' one hand is sunken into her cunt, stroking her clit madly as she sprawls on the couch, her head thrown back. "Ohhhh, ohhhh, goodness…." At last she cries out, and cums, finishing her shameful masturbation to us.

There is a pause of maybe a minute as our patron just lays there in a heap, recovering. At last she stands, as if nothing had happened. Still buck naked, she addresses us.

"Wonderful performance. You both may go now." And she promptly leaves the room.

Johanna immediately rises off of me and rolls onto the floor. I shakily push myself up onto my feet. We both go for our clothes.

I cannot bear to look at her. I broke my silent promise to Katniss that she would be the only woman I showed love to in this way. As I finish buttoning my shirt, I jump when Johanna takes my hand.

"Come with me. Drinks back at my place. My treat."

I don't do or say anything to accept or refuse her proposal; I'm too numb. Johanna steers me out of the Penthouse and onto the elevator, punching the button for Floor Seven. The thing has barely opened its doors before she is guiding me down the hall to a room and pulls me in.

"Sit on the bed," she instructs and then leaves me to go to the sink. She begins to prepare a few margaritas.

I shakily have a seat. Johanna returns a moment later with two drinks. I accept her offered one with a quiet, "Thanks," and she takes a place beside me. While I wordlessly sip through my straw, she rests a hand on my shoulder.

"I know it seems like you are not being faithful, but trust me: you don't want her or that little baby to be any part of this."

I pause in my drinking. "Oh, I don't intend to. Soon as I get back to Twelve, I can be normal Peeta again."

Johanna stares at me, shaking her head while giving the most gentle expression I have ever seen from her. "Oh, honey….. don't you understand? Who you are, what you do here, in the Capitol: it's not some snake skin you can shed every time you go home. It sticks with you. All of it. The arena…. the forced sex….. victors who are married and have families always have the hardest time."

"So…. how do you get through it? Who did Snow threaten for you to fall in line?"

Johanna laughs bitterly. "Everyone I cared about. I still refused, hoping I called his bluff. Except it wasn't a bluff. There's no one left I love." She stirs her margarita. "Looking back now, I suppose I should be grateful. Folks like Haymitch and me, we're some of the lucky ones. Snow can't hurt me, but that doesn't mean I get out of all the shit, that I still don't have to fuck anyone he orders me to….."

All at once, she bursts into tears.

I stare in disbelief, even though it's rude. Is this really the same sarcastic, flippant Johanna I've seen on TV or on re-runs of her Games? Or just a suppressed one that she feels she can reveal to someone she trusts? Someone like me, who has now been in her shoes?

I sigh and put an arm around her, letting her rest her head on my shoulder. I search for something to say, try to find the words that have never failed me in the past.

"Don't give up hope, Johanna. It might seem like we're damned, but we're not. One of these days, you're going to find someone who treats you the way you want to be treated."

She sniffles and raises her eyes slightly to me. "You think so?"

I look down to her, expression lovingly firm. "I know so."

Just as I turn away, Johanna's hand is at my cheek. Turning me back, she raises her head until her lips touch mine. I indulge the kiss for a moment before pulling away, surprised.

"I'm sorry," she sighs. "I know I shouldn't have done that….. You're a really nice guy, Peeta. You tell that Katniss Everdeen she's damn lucky to have someone like you."

I smile in understanding. "Of course." We both stand and I hold out my hand. "Friends?"

And for the first time, Johanna gives me a rare, genuine smile. "Friends." And she shakes.

I hug her goodbye. "See you at the Games this summer?"

"Yeah," she sighs. "Take care of yourself."

"You too."