Can Money Buy Love?

by DucksQuackLoud

Katniss is starving, with Prim and her mother by her side. To save her family, she signs up for a program where she will be sold as someone's wife. Peeta Mellark is the man who buys her, sending all the money to her family to keep them alive until Prim can work. Katniss is hoping for a nice husband, and it looks like she's certainly found one. AU. Rated T for possible language.

10. The Truth

When Delly and Cato walk out the door that night I'm almost one-hundred percent sure that Peeta and I could work. I don't understand the whole idea of love, though. I just don't know what if feels like. The closest I've come to it, though, is Peeta. When we go to sleep I tell him that, too. I sigh, "I think we should give this a try," I say.

"Really?" he asks.

"Yeah, and I was thinking that maybe my family and friends could come stay here to visit soon."

"I think that'd be great," he says, "Now am I allowed to kiss you?" I laugh at his question.

"Yes," he leans in, tilting his head and moving mind closer. Finally, our lips meet, and I can feel so much more in that one kiss than I've ever felt before. It's sweet, and slow, and wonderful. A part of me wants to just pull away, but something is telling me to never let go. I"m confused, but I think a kiss is what we both need right now, if that makes any sense. My eyes are still closed when he pulls away and I think that something inside me will always tell me to never let go of him, and to stay with him.

"Goodnight, Katniss," he whispers, giving me one more quick peck on the lips.

"Goodnight, Peeta," I whisper, resting my head next to him while his arm wraps around me. That's when I realize that that kiss left me wanting more.

"Katniss!" Prim shouts as the driver Peeta hired dropped them off at our house. Gale, Madge, and my mother emerge shortly after Prim. Her braids swing back and forth as she runs to me. Peeta helps unload their baggage, giving me a perfect view of his biceps as he lifts them our o the trunk.

"Hi, Little Duck!" I hug her bag, I can already tell that this week together is going to be spectacular. I just hope that Gale will loosen the reins on Peeta, he seemed really protective when we visited.

Let me say just how sad I am. I know you all hate me right now, but before you leave nasty reviews I have one announcement to make. The first chapter of 'Taking Their Innocence will be out on Friday! That's the reason I wasn't able to update, and I was grounded, so no internet. :( I promise there will be another update before next week, and there will be one on time on Monday. I know this sucks, so I'm not going to shoot for a number of reviews, just leave them if you want. I love you all! I hope you love me even when I post crappy chapters!