Chapter 11:

"What do you think of this shirt?" I asked Peeta, pulling out another shirt off the rack. "According to my Cinna, these colors are in style lately."

"I suppose, but do you really think a peach would go with me?"

"My beautiful Peeta, with your cute face, anything goes with you."

"I am pretty beautiful."

"Don't get too cocky. I was only kidding around and kissing ass to convince you to buy that shirt."

"I am a charming guy, but in this marriage, you're the one that holds all the beauty with your flawless looks."

I allowed a moment to blush and placed the shirt back on the rack. "I am done with shopping for you. I can't handle it today. I am feeling too exhausted. Like I am about to get sick, actually."

Immediately, Peeta was concerned. He touched my cheek as if he were checking for a fever. "How do you feel? How sick do you feel?"

"I am sure a nice, long nap will chase off these bad feelings." I took the hand that was touching me inside my own. "I am okay. Don't worry about me. But let's get out of this horrible men's store—I can't be inside the same store as my sister's husband. I can't stand to see that man." My sister's husband glanced my way, a destructive smile on his face as he continued to talk to one of the store employees. He was the reason why I had joined the patrolling forces. He disliked me immensely, a result of a past conflicting situation; he often had my life threatened.

I ignored him and dragged Peeta outside with me.

"You sure you're okay?"

I nodded, enjoying the way his hand tightened around mine. I surprised both of us when I didn't pull away from him. I continued to hold his hand as we walked across the street; in fact, I rarely let go of his hand the entire time we shopped for house and personal supplies.

"Sweet pea, I hate seeing you upset. Cheer up. Smile." Peeta let go of my hand but resumed with the touching by settling his whole arm around my waist. "I want to see you smile. What can I do? You know I'd do anything to see that smile I love so much." When I remained quiet, Peeta took me to the very personal section of the store. "Protection shopping. That makes anyone happy."

I tried to hide it but a smile crept up to my face.

"Hmm, what do you say about experimenting?"

"I don't mind it. We do love experimenting," I reminded him, remembering those good times experimenting on the couch.

Peeta pulled out that delicious grin of his, shrugging as he placed several boxes of protection inside the cart I was pushing. He walked a few steps away from the male section and to the female section. Years of him being my best friend—he knew what product I favored to cope with nature's monthly gift. But what made me want to cringe was when he dumped a couple ovulation and pregnancy tests inside the cart.

"Whoa, whoa. What do we need these for?" I asked, getting a bit freaked out.

"I need them for me, Katniss," he mumbled innocently. I could tell he was suppressing a smile.

"Peeta?"

"You never know when you might need them."

"Oh. . .are you having suspicions of being pregnant, Peeta? If so, who is the father?"

"That cop you've always had a crush on," Peeta sarcastically said. "My argument of before, we never know when or if we might need these."

I raised a brow at him and decided to say nothing as I pushed the cart inside to the paying line.

Back at home, I really wanted to try those ovulation tests but not when Peeta was around. So, I told him to check up on his father. He seemed a bit hesitant to agree but he agreed after a couple of seconds of mental debate.

"Don't wait up for me, sweetheart. My dad seems like a quiet guy but when you get him talking, it's a bit hard to quiet him."

"Okay, but hurry back. I hate sleeping without you." I made a face.

Peeta came to my side, touching my cheek. "Erase that face. I'll be back soon. Very soon." He kissed my cheek and daringly pecked my lips.

Once he was gone, I set to work on research of my own body with those ovulation tests.

Hours later, I never noticed Peeta had returned because I was in the shower. So it was a bit of a shocker to see him inside the shower with me. His naked body was enough distraction and I even forgot about what I had been worrying over before I jumped inside the shower.

"Well, what do you want to do now?" he said against the area of my skin located behind my neck.

"I want to take a shower, Peeta," I whispered, pulling out the sexiest voice I had, only kidding around.

"I was expecting a more daring answer, but that will do. And I can help you with your needs." He grabbed the shampoo bottle and squeezed some on top of my head. He wouldn't stop squeezing until the entire bottle was empty; he threw the empty bottle outside of the shower. "Shampoo is gone. Oh, well. We can go shopping. Right now, it is time to have some soapy and wet fun, if you know what I mean."

What I couldn't understand of Peeta's words—his hands quickly showed me what he intended to do with me.

We did have soapy and wet fun in the shower.