Chapter 9

Jason Mraz ft. Colby Caillat~Lucky

Katniss POV

This morning I woke up in Peeta's arms and I feel so unbelievably rested. I feel lucky. I wish I could wake up this way every morning. I'm ashamed I felt so desperate last night but I've missed Peeta terribly. I know he needs space after that stunt I pulled. I'm sure it didn't help seeing Gale. I don't want to push him but my days are better with Peeta in them. I can tell that he is waking up now. His arms are moving over my waist and I can feel something that I don't think is his hand on my lower back. I'm not sure he was ready to talk to me but I asked him why he was avoiding me last night.

"Good morning did you sleep as well as I did?" He asks. His hair is getting longer. It takes everything in me not to run fingers through it. Maybe I'll ask him if he wants me to cut it.

"Good morning and yes. I slept very well thank you." I say stretching. I wonder if I should say what's on my mind or suggest breakfast.

"I didn't forget that we are supposed to talk this morning but I think I just heard your stomach growl. Can I make you some breakfast, please?" He asks sweetly. I am hungry and he is the best cook besides Greasy Sae in District 12.

"Of course as long as I can help." I bargain.

He says he'll meet me in the kitchen in 5 minutes and I go to the bathroom to freshen up while he runs home to grab some ingredients. Once I've brushed my teeth and gone downstairs, I start thinking about how much easier it would be if we lived in the same house. But I don't think Peeta would be ok with anything like that unless... Well unless we got married which is not something either of us is ready to do. Are we?

He's back and says,"I was thinking pancakes and eggs with berries. What do you think?"

"That sounds really good! What can I do?" I ask.

"Ok, take the berries and rinse them and put them in a bowl." He tells me. I nod. And he goes on, "Then crack about 4 eggs in a bowl and add salt and pepper."

"Alright, should I get the pan out." I ask.

"Yeah, and do you have syrup?" He asks. "Because if not we can put the berries on the pancakes."

"I have syrup but the berries on the pancakes sounds yummy!" I say hungrily. I do what he asks and admire him while he mixes the pancake batter. Then he cooks the eggs and pancakes. Everything's done sooner than I expect. And we dig in.

"So you asked me a question last night... and I want to answer it." He starts. "I'm not avoiding you because I don't want to be around you or because I don't realize what you were trying to do the other day and I don't want that... I mean I want you to look pretty if you want but... when I saw you like that I didn't know what you were thinking and I still might not!" He takes a deep breath and blows out.

"Peeta I was trying to look desirable to you and I didn't know that you would or could be offended and maybe it was presumptuous of me to think you... would just..." I try to explain, but get cut off.

"Katniss, I want you. In every way a man can want a woman. But I wasn't expecting you to be in a place to... accept a man, uh, in your bed." He laughs a little. I smile and blush. "Besides, I thought you'd be waiting for... love." He almost whispers the last part.

Maybe I should tell him. That I want to be more than friends. That I'm not sure if I'm ready for sex. Yet. But I think I do love him. But I'm scared and embarrassed. I swallow hard. And instead I say, "I am. I haven't done anything yet." I guess he doesn't love me or he wouldn't have said I should wait for love, would he?

He's blushing now and says, "I was wondering if I could ask you out on a date?" My mouth is open and I feel his hand slide over mine. I'm a little confused. Maybe he meant love him. At least a date is a step forward.

"I... would like that." I say, still shocked but smile.

"Okay!" He says. "How about tonight at 6:00?" He's getting up from the table and pulls me up with him.

"Um, 6:00 is good but where are we..."

"Shhh, it's a surprise" He says putting a finger over my lips.

"Okay, but what should I wear?" I ask.

"Just wear what your comfortable in." He says then kisses my cheek and leaves smiling. Wow! I am going on a date with Peeta. I need to call Jo and tell her.