It was late summer and the air around me was stale and hot, but that didn't stop me from getting chills. We were laid out on our bed. The windows were cracked, and I wished I could blame my goose-flesh on a chiily breeze, but the truth was, the way he touched me made me shiver with pleasure. Lust. He ran his hands along my stomach again, chuckling at my reaction to his touch.
I blushed wildly at his laugh. I couldn't conceal what he did to me. I groaned and closed my eyes as he went back to rubbing my stomach, surveying his canvas.
"You're beautiful." He whispered to me, finally touching his brush to my skin.
I shivered again. I loved hearing the real Peeta. He still had his hijack moments, but for the most part, my Peeta was back. Without thinking, I parted my lips and spoke, "I love you."
There was silence, then the sound of bed springs groaning from movement. I felt his breath on my face, then his soft lips gently press against mine. I opened my eyes and gazed at his face for a long time. I knew he loved me. He didn't have to say it. But I wanted him to. I said it again, "I love you."
"Katniss . . . I love you too." He said, hesitating, then kissed me again. "Now close your eyes."
I followed his instructions and closed them tightly. All my senses hightened, and I shivered again as he made more stokes with his brush on my skin.
"Katniss. You love me. Real or not real?" Peeta spoke through the silence.
"Real, of course." I answer, annoyed that he still had to ask.
"Okay . . . You like sleeping with me at night. Real or not real?"
I frowned, wondering where this was coming from.
"Peeta, why are yo-"
"Real or not real?"
I blushed and reluctantly answered, "Real."
"And you'd be willing to sleep with me everynight? For a long time?"
I opened my eyes against his request, and met his serious blue eyes. There was an odd look in them, a strange nervous look. I gave him a perplexed look, then glanced down at my stomach to see what he was painting. It caught me completely off guard.
"Oh my God, Peeta . . . " I said, covering my mouth. He had painted a beautiful swirl in a sunset color all over my torso. The swirl melted into a heart halfway down, and in the heart were words.
MARRY ME
"You weren't supposed to look yet . . . " Peeta said, blushing and looking down.
"This is how you feel? You want to marry me? That's why you asked those questions?" I looked at him, trying to reach his eyes.
"Katniss, I know that I'm still a bit messed up from the Capitol, but I'm back, this is me, and I love you. I'm in love with you, Katniss. And I want to sleep in your bed everynight as your husband. Marry me, Katniss." Peeta said passionately, looking deep into my eyes for a hint of an answer.
"Yes. Yes! Peeta, yes, I love you. I'll marry you!" I say, wrapping my arms around his neck. He sighed, relieved that his feelings have been returned. He hugged back tightly and lays me down gently on the blanket beneeth us.
"Peeta? . . . " I ask.
He simply kissed my lips and grabbed for his brush. He took my left hand and painted a thin ring of orange around my ring finger. I blushed and met his eyes again, confused, but happy.
"So it's official." He says, no longer able to contain a smile.
I smile back and pull his chest close to mine, breathing in his scent. Nothing could be more perfect than laying here, in our bed, with my Peeta. My husband, Peeta.
