Katniss-
"Yeah, what's up?" He asks.
Seeing him again after all this time. Him still being the wonderful, handsome, boy I knew. Finding out he really did like me and didn't leave without thinking of me. I can't wait any longer for what should've happened 3 years ago.
"Peeta, will you... kiss me?" I ask, my heart practically beating out of my chest.
He gasps audibly and looks at me with an almost shocked face. He grabs my arm lightly, like he's making sure I'm real and staying put. I suddenly feel really shy and look down.
"Please look at me." He almost whispers.
I look up into his sparkly eyes. This calms me down a bit. I feel his warmth as he moves closer to me.
"Are you asking, Miss Everdeen, for me to be your first real kiss?" He asks teasingly.
He smirks at me. I can't help but smile back. Confidence growing in me, I put my hand on his bicep and rub up from there to his shoulder. Then I slide them up to his neck. Then further up through his hair. I still can't find any words so I nod yes.
"Close your eyes." He tells me in a husky voice.
I do as he says and stand on my toes bringing us even closer together.
Peeta grabs the back of my neck, not too hard, but a firm grip and tilts my chin up towards him. When our noses touch, I can feel his warm, sweet, breath on my mouth. I wet my lips and sigh.
"Are you sure? I need you to be sure." He breathes.
I take in a breath. Our lips must be so close.
I've waited long enough.
I've waited for you.
It's time.
"I'm sure Peeta, kiss me." I quietly beg.
I feel like I'm going to explode if he doesn't.
And then his lips are on mine. They are soft and gentle and feel... so good.
I am kissing Peeta Mellark.
He shifts his face sideways and opens his mouth slightly. I think I should do the same, but I'm a little scared. My hands are tangled in his hair, and his are in mine.
Then he passes his tongue over my lips and the sensation makes my lips part. His tongue is touching mine. Unbelievably, this feels even better. A little moan escapes without my meaning for it to. I feel Peeta's smile on my mouth.
"How was that?" Peeta asks softly.
"Who says I'm done yet?" I murmur pulling him back in for more.
Then I'm the one licking his lips and sending my tongue into his mouth as he slides his expertly around mine. I wonder how he does this so well. His hands are on my back. He slips his hands down to my hips and grips them in and very possessive way, and pulls my lower half closer to him. I am a little dizzy.
We don't stop till we need air but then his lips are on my cheek, my ear, my neck and my shoulder. I giggle since this tickles. He lets out a laugh and I finally open my eyes and look into his beautiful bright ones, making me want to start kissing him all over again.
"Katniss, I... I have to tell you something." He says.
Now he looks nervous.
"Am I going to like it?" I tease, knowing that no matter what he tells me, I'll want to continue kissing him.
"Katniss, I... How do I say this? Katniss Everdeen. I, I've..." He puts his forehead on mine, closes his eyes and chuckles.
I'm a little worried he's about to tell me something I won't like. But whatever it is, I can tell he's having a hard time formulating the words. So I put my hands on both sides of his face and kiss him very gently. He puts his hands on my hands and kisses me back.
"Whatever it is can wait. Can't it?" I ask.
He smiles, nods yes, and gives me a long hug.
"I'll take you home now. Unless, you want to go to my house for a little while. I promise I'll be a gentleman." He says with one eyebrow raised and that half smile I love.
"Ok, that sounds fun. Wait. Where are Haymitch and Effie going to be?" I ask.
"I guess they figured I was growing up, so they gave me the back house. I have my own key and everything." He says smirking at me.
He laces his fingers in mine and we start walking towards the parking lot.
"Oh wow, big man aren't we." I say sarcastically.
I realize how that came out after I say it.
"Well I don't like to brag... but..." He says cockily.
"Mellark!" I gasp as my face is getting redder and redder.
I playfully hit his shoulder. He laughs and kisses the hand he's holding.
We stop at a beautiful blue Audi. Peeta clicks the unlock button on his keys. He opens my door and helps me in. He walks around still laughing at my comment. He gets in, starts the engine and pulls off.
"You know I didn't mean BIG man like that." I say.
"Well, you let me know if you ever want find out for yourself." He says smiling putting the car into 4th gear and stepping on the gas.
Where is all this confidence coming from?
The Peeta I used to know didn't have nearly this much... Swagger, is the only word I can use to describe it. Between how fast we are going, the surprising course this night has taken, plus his suggestion to find out just how big he is, I'm thoroughly flushed.
When we get to his house, like a true gentleman, he opens the door to let me out, holding my hand. He escorts me through a gate on the side of what I guess, is Haymitch's main house. We reach his door and we go in. It's a cute, one bedroom apartment. It has a small living room, a kitchen, a nice sized master bedroom that is nicely decorated orange, grey, and white. The bedroom has a sliding glass door that leads to the backyard and a huge pool.
I let out a low whistle.
"Snazzy."
I'm sure it's perfect for a bachelor like Peeta. He seems proud to show me around. I wonder if he decorated it himself.
"Peeta this is a great place. Do you like living here alone?" I ask.
"Umm. Yeah, it's cool. I don't want to burden Haymitch and Effie. Truthfully, I think I remind Haymitch of my dad and the friends he's lost. And they remind me of what I could have had." Peeta admits.
"What do you mean could have had?" I ask.
"Well they are so in love, and grateful to have each other. My mom and dad seemed more like they tolerated each other most of the time. I know my dad loved me, which is why he drew up a trust leaving Haymitch in charge of me and my brother Rye. But my mother didn't really... Well let's just say, she wasn't quite as motherly as Effie. It kinda makes me miss the love I never had from my own mom. I think being on my own helps me to give them some space. And helps me not feel like I'm cheating on my parents, so to speak. I like hanging out with them, but in doses." Peeta says ashamedly.
"Wow. I'm really sorry you feel that way. I think she had issues, but I am sure she loved you, in her own way. Who couldn't love a son like you? I mean you were always so nice and thoughtful and got good grades and, and..." I start but Peeta cuts me off with his lips.
The kiss is sweet yet sensual.
"What were you saying?" Peeta asks me a few minutes after we restart kissing.
We moved to the couch where I kicked of my shoes. I've gotten a little too comfy.
"Umm. Something about how great you are? I think. I wish you hadn't moved away. We could've had first kisses a long time ago." I say.
"Unfortunately, I had to move to help my mom get better. Plus, I was very intimidated by you most of the time we interacted back then. And you should've been but... sadly are not… my first kiss." He admits.
I suddenly feel like I want to punch something and throw up.
Am I... jealous?
"Oh, I'm not? Who else have you kissed? Is it someone I know? Was it better than mine? Have you done more than kiss?" I bombard him with questions.
He looks stunned and puts his hands up in a surrendering gesture.
"Whoa there, I'm sorry. Katniss? I wasn't sure if I'd ever see you again. How long do you think I should have waited to have my first kiss?" He asks me and I shrug and look away because of course he would have kissed a girl.
He's 17 almost 18. He's sweet and gorgeous. I don't know why I thought differently.
"Forever, of course." I joke.
He smiles good-naturedly, even though I probably made him feel awkward.
"Ok first question's first. I kissed a girl in like, 4th grade, just to get it over with. I was really nervous. Her name was... Ivy, I think. Her dad was a frequent customer and my mom got me invited to her house to work on homework or something. But I don't think that counts. Like Gale kissing you." He relates sounding edgy when mentioning Gale.
Ivy? Does he have a thing for girls with plant names?
"Okay... so just her?" I urge him on.
He looks uncomfortably up at the ceiling. He's beet red, crosses his hands on top of his head, and blow air out of his lips before answering.
"I've kissed about 3, no, 4 girls total, not including you. I'm not sure if you know any of them. The rest of them were after I moved." He says.
Am I seriously number 5?
"Well, okay. I just wouldn't want to kiss a boy, any of my close friends may have kissed." I say defensively.
I am jealous. Of every one of the girls who kissed Peeta before me. I take a deep breath and let it go.
"Girls." He huffs and shakes his head.
Yes, I'm a girl. So What!
"What about girls?" I accuse.
"Just... girls seemed to worry about other girls or the effect one has over the other, a lot. Guys know we can kiss you better than the last guy. My goal is to make you forget he was even born." He says seductively.
I swallow hard knowing he's right. Lordy, I certainly wasn't thinking about Gale when Peeta was kissing me.
"Peeta, If you don't like girls...no one is twisting your arm..." I say teasingly.
"Oh, Katniss. I like girls. Especially ones who are... grey eyed, have brown hair in a braid. Ones named Katniss, who are funny and feisty." He says smirking.
Feisty huh?
"What about my other questions?" I ask not letting him see how much I liked his last statement.
"Well, I'm not answering the one about what more I've done..." He says scooting closer to me and I cross my arms in indignation.
I think I'm pouting. What is wrong with me?
He puts his hands on both my thighs and slowly inches toward my waist, causing goose bumps to break out.
"But I'm so glad... I got to be your first kiss and I've always wanted to kiss you. I just wasn't sure if you liked me back. But, Katniss, no other kisses... have ever... felt as good... as kissing you feels." He says kissing my forehead, my nose, and then my lips in between the words of his last sentence.
Good googily moogily!
I look into his sexy eyes and realize, I don't care who he's kissed or whatever before. I am glad he was my first kiss too.
"I guess you answered all my questions. Do you have any for me?" I ask, hoping he'll ask to kiss me again.
"Well, since you asked. Was it everything you hoped for? Does this mean I can kiss you whenever you want? Is that strawberry lip gloss you have on? Whatever it was, it's delicious. And how long can you stay before I have to take you home?" He asks the same way I rapid fired at him earlier.
Hmm. Good questions too.
"As long as you are as gentlemanly as you've been tonight. I don't see why we can continue kissing. I'm wearing, 'I Never Fake Strawberry Milkshake' lip gloss. Very good by the way." I say raising an eyebrow at him.
"I try." He chuckles.
"I don't know when I have to be home. My mom works till tomorrow afternoon. And Prim is staying at Rue's tonight." I answer.
He looks pleased until he realizes I didn't answer the first question. I know he's anxious by the way he furrows his brow.
"Peeta, it was the most incredible kiss, kisses really, I could ever imagine." I say blushing.
What is this boy doing to me?