I sit there for a moment, too shocked to do anything. But when my brain realizes what's happening, I respond in a burst of passion.
I've never kissed Peeta like this before. My lips are moving with his in a sort of desperate ferocity. He could be taken away from me at any minute. I have to make this moment last.
Peeta pulls away long before I am ready to let him go. I come up panting, and I hear him doing the same. It takes a couple of seconds for him to catch his breath long enough to talk to me, but the look on his face says it all.
"Katniss, that was, wow. I don't think there are exact words for how amazing that felt," he says, confirming what I read on his face.
"Yeah, I think wow is a good word to use here," I say, and I start to move towards him again. I'm shocked and hurt when he holds me back.
"Katniss, I don't want to go too quickly. I want to do this right and slow. But I most definitely want to do this," he assures me.
"What?" he asks, seeing the expression on my face. I turn towards him, pouting slightly.
"I can always find a way to argue with you into getting what I want. Always. I can't argue with that!" I say exasperated. "Just when I thought I was going to get you, you turn noble on me."
Peeta laughs, surprising me. "Nice try, Katniss. You're not going to guilt me into doing this too quickly. But please don't try anymore. I don't know how long my endurance can last."
I roll my eyes at him. "Of course we're doing this your way. Don't mind me, I'm just complaining as usual. Let's go, before I lose my endurance."
Peeta grabs my hand again and we step out of the bakery. We walk around aimlessly, just for the feeling of being with each other. I love the feel of his hand around mine, and I loved the feeling of his lips. Oh, I hadn't felt that good since the reaping. I desperately want that feeling again. He was so steady and strong again. But the difference between this kiss and the thousands we had shared before was that it had felt real. We weren't doing this for anyone but ourselves. This is how things are supposed to be. I know that we won't have a perfect relationship, but I feel confident that we are off to a good start.
I don't realize where we are until Peeta stops. We've wandered to Haymitch's house. Peeta looks at me, and I know we have to tell Haymitch. He's the only family we have left.
We walk into Haymitch's house, and the rotten smell makes me wrinkle up my nose as always. One can never get used to this smell.
Haymitch is at the kitchen table, and I know he's not drunk by the ways he glares at me.
"All right sweetheart, you're going to tell me where the bottles are or so help me I will stick this knife in your gut," he snarls.
Almost unconsciously, Peeta positions himself in front of me, shielding my body with his own. Haymitch takes note of this, and of our hands intertwined together.
"You know there aren't any cameras anymore. You don't have to do that," he says.
"I actually want this Haymitch," I growl. "I was probably the last one to see it, but I love Peeta. And I'm going to be with him because I want to, not because I think I owe him or because I think there are cameras," I hiss.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Peeta's face fill with wonder. I hope he doesn't get over it. It makes me feel something warm inside, and I like that feeling.
"Well it's about time you two hooked up. I was beginning to think that you'd never figure it out," Haymitch says casually. "But that doesn't mean I won't kill you if you don't tell me where my bottles are."
"In the attic, hidden door on the right," I tell him. He leaves the room in a matter of seconds.
Peeta and I sneak away now that Haymitch is preoccupied. We walk back to my house, and I notice for the first time how late it is. And how tired I am.
I try to stifle my yawn, wanting to spend every possible moment with Peeta. My efforts are futile, however, and Peeta leads me into my bedroom. I change into pajamas in the bathroom, too tired to do anything else. I shuffle out and Peeta leads me onto the bed, where I collapse.
"Will you stay here with me Peeta?" I ask him. "I can't handle the nightmares again."
I feel Peeta getting in bed with me, and before I can fall asleep, he kisses me lightly. I use his arm for a pillow, his other hand gently brushing strands of hair off me face. I slowly drift to sleep with a small smile on my face as I lie in his arms.