Title: Katniss Everdeen's Rules to Live By

Rating: Definite M

Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games, no copyright infringement intended.

Chapter 2: A New Target

A/N: Thanks for all of the support on this fic so far!

After leaving the bakery, and the sexy as fuck owner behind, I walk to my mother and Prim's house with a smile on my face. I have a new target and I can't wait to get my hands on him. Those eyes and that shaggy blond hair just make my insides melt, and that build? I can just imagine how those muscles will feel against my skin.

I try to banish those thoughts from my mind at the time being. I'm finally going to see Prim and my mother and I think it's just a bit inappropriate to be thinking such things around my family.

When I knock, Prim opens the door and throws herself into my arms. "Katniss! I missed you!"

I laugh and hold her to me for a moment before letting her go. "It hasn't been that long since you last saw me Little Duck."

Prim frowns at me. "I'm twenty-one now, I'm a bit too old for you to still be calling me 'Little Duck.'"

I shake my head and ruffle her golden blond hair. "You will always be my Little Duck. How's mom, has she been taking her meds?"

My sister bobs her head up and down and smiles. "Yes, and she has been going to work as well. In fact, she just got home a few minutes ago."

As if on cue, my mother steps into the room and gives me a small smile. She looks tired, but just the fact that she has been going to work is a big step for her so I go over and give her a hug as well. "Hi mom."

She embraces me for a moment. "Katniss, how nice to see you."

I stay over at their house for an hour or two. Just long enough to visit and give them some money to put towards Prim's medical school fund. When I leave, Prim hugs me and makes me promise to come back soon.

I walk back by the bakery again and glance through the window. I am hoping to catch a glimpse of Peeta again, but I don't see him around.

I scowl to myself for being so hung up on a guy. He's just so damn sexy, I want to rip his clothes off, now.

Apparently that's not meant to be. I am so pissed off and horny just thinking about him that when I get home and find a text from Cato, wanting to get together…again, I respond right away.

My phone rings and when I see that he is now calling me, I pick up. "I said you can come over, what else do you want?"

That cocky bastard laughs at me on the other end of the phone. "Chill, I just wanted to know if you wanted me to bring anything with me."

I immediately get scared that he has forgotten my 'no dating' rule and wants to bring me flowers or candy or something. "I swear, if you so much as show up here with flowers, candy, or a bottle of champagne, I will kill you."

Cato chuckles again, this time loudly. "Fuck Katniss, you're a trip. That's not what I meant. I meant like vodka, tequila, or some kinky shit if you're into it."

I breathe a sigh of relief and think to myself if I want him to bring something with him. "Actually, I'm almost out of condoms, so bring some of those with you."

When Cato arrives, I practically pull him into the apartment, eager to work off some of my…frustration. My lips find his and my hands immediately begin to pull of his jacket.

He breaks away for a moment, smiling at me as I whine at him in impatience. "Damn Katniss, what's with you?"

"Shut up and fuck me," is my response to him.

He does as I ask, lifting me up onto the kitchen counter and taking me right there. I close my eyes and imagine that it's Peeta who is currently palming my breasts and Peeta who is pushing into me with rough precision. I tumble over the edge into ecstasy at these thoughts and I somehow just manage not to say his name as I reach my peak.

But then, Cato ruins everything by moaning my name and saying dirty things into my ear as he works to find his release. I can no longer pretend he is someone else, not when I hear his voice, and not the soft, gentle timbre of Peeta's.

When we are through, I kick him out. He seems disappointed that we didn't go another few rounds, but after my little fantasy about him being Peeta, I can no longer stand to have him in my sight.

I am so caught up in wanting this man who doesn't even know my name, it really isn't healthy, but I can practically feel his lips against my skin and hear his soft voice cry out my name. I can't shake this obsession with him.

All the next week, I go by the bakery and look for him. He is the owner, so I figured that I would see him sooner or later. But no, he is never there.

When Friday night rolls back around, my friend Johanna and I go to a club to drink and dance and have fun.

"So, any new targets?"

I swear Jo can read my mind at times. "Yeah, there is this one guy…he is the owner of the new bakery in town."

One of her dark brows rises up. "Oh yeah? Describe him."

I can't help the smile that spreads over my face at the mere thought of Peeta. "He's about medium height, strong build, wavy blond hair, and gorgeous blue eyes."

Jo smirks at me. "Where did you meet him at? He sounds hot as hell."

"Oh he is, trust me. I went into the bakery to buy something for Prim and he helped me. Unfortunately, I haven't seen him since then."

Jo takes a sip of her drink before speaking. "Have you been stalking the bakery?"

I feel my face flush at her accusation. "Yes, I don't know how else to find him."

She waves her hand dismissively in the air. "Find someone else then."

If only it were that simple… "You don't understand; I must have him."

"I've never seen you so hung up on a guy like this before."

I sigh and tip back the rest of my drink. "I know; it's becoming an issue."

Johanna's mouth open as if to say something, but then she just blinks, like she is caught off guard.

I turn around to see what she is staring at, and my heart immediately begins to thud loudly in my chest. It's Peeta, and he's walking my way.

"That's him," I hiss into Jo's ear. "That's Peeta, the guy I was just talking about!"

Her dark eyes widen. "Wow, he is one fine male specimen."

Before I can answer, Peeta comes up to the bar and orders a drink from the bartender. I am still gaping at him when he finally looks my way.

He smiles gently and then leans closer. A look of recognition crosses his face as he studies me. "Hey, you were in my bakery a few days ago, weren't you?"

I want to answer him, but my mouth has suddenly gone dry. I swallow and try again. "Y…yeah, you're the owner, right?"

He grins widely at me, his blue eyes sparkling. "Yeah, I'm Peeta Mellark. What's your name?"

Somehow, I manage to mumble my name to him. "Katniss Everdeen."

Johanna nudges me, so I introduce her as well. "Oh, and this is my friend Johanna Mason."

They shake hands and the three of us chat a little bit before I see Jo's eyes wander over to a tall, dark-haired guy in the corner of the club. "Umm…I'm gonna go dance, see you two later!"

She runs off without even giving us a chance to respond.

Peeta finishes off his second drink, and turns to me. "You wanna dance?"

I want to do more than dance with him. I want to drag him to the bathroom or out into the alley and have my way with him. I want to feel his hands roaming over my body and his lips pressed against my own. My body begins to react to my thoughts and I feel the throbbing desire pool low in my belly. "Yes, I'd like that."

He grabs my hand and leads me out into the middle of the dance floor. The beat from the fast and loud music pulses through my body, and when we begin to dance, it goes into sensory overload.

Just the feel of his warm body behind mine is taking my breath away and it makes me grind a little bit harder against him.

Peeta's hands slide down to my hips and tease the bit of skin not covered by my clothing. Flames lick at my skin wherever he touches and I almost can't take it anymore.

We dance until our bodies are slick with sweat and desire, well at least mine is anyway. Peeta tugs me back to the bar and orders us another round of drinks.

I watch him for signs that he wants to 'up the ante' a bit. He seemed like he was into me on the dance floor, but he didn't once try to grope me or make a suggestive remark while we were dancing.

He sits on one of the barstools and motions for me to sit next to him. "So Katniss, tell me about yourself."

Oh jeez, he wants to talk. I don't want to talk, I want to fuck, preferably tonight. But still, I humor him. "Umm…not much to say. I work as an archery instructor at the Community Activities Center. I like to go out and have a good time and visit with my sister…" Oh yeah, and I don't do relationships, but would love to do you. I keep that last thought to myself.

Peeta smiles at me, and even though I didn't ask, he begins to talk about himself next. "Well, as you know, I own the bakery in town. I grew up helping my parents with their bakery so I guess it's in my blood. When I have free time, I like to paint, and I only occasionally come out to clubs and bars like this."

Somehow we end up in an easy conversation together. Peeta actually seems like a decent enough guy and I almost feel bad that I plan on just fucking him and maybe keeping him around for those purposes only.

No, I can't forget my rules, especially the last one, that one is the most important. I will sleep with Peeta, get him out of my system and be done with it. I can't afford anything else.

A/N: Last update before my vacation…sorry! I hope you all are enjoying this fic so far.