Ok well I was hoping I would get a review but I guess no one was interested so here is the next chapter.

Chapter 4

I got to know Peeta a little better the next few days that followed. When he got bored of training he would come visit me and even help me put together Katniss's dress for the interview. For a time it helped me forget reality, but there was always the truth that we had to come back to in the end.

Of course I knew why Peeta was here, what he would have to face soon. I knew what he knew, and feared. That he didn't have the best chance at winning the Games. He was strong, but not like the Careers. But despite all those fears and worries that crossed both our minds I tried my best to help him forget for a time. I tried to comfort him and kiss away any tears that spilled from his eyes.

I sat in between Peeta and Katniss on the night they received their scores from the Gamemakers. Peeta seemed to be pleased with his score of eight, but everyone became very excited when Katniss got an eleven.

"Katniss, the girl who was on fire" I say as I give her a hug, "oh, wait until you see your interview dress."

"More flames?" she asked.

"Of a sort" I say, grinning mischievously and she smiled back.

Haymitch and Effie stayed for a moment or two to talk with the tributes, but soon they left as well as Portia. Katniss said goodnight and headed up to her room, leaving Peeta and I alone.

I took in his expression and I could tell he was disappointed. I came over to him and place my hand on the side of his face, getting him to look at me. When he did I saw the anxiety in his eyes, the worry, the stress, and the sadness; it seemed all too much for someone so young as him to have all at once.

"Tell me what you're thinking" I said softly.

"I think you know. Katniss will have a better chance in the Games, especially with that score" Peeta replied.

"It's just a number, if anything it makes her more of a threat to the Careers and she's who they will be targeting first." I said, attempting to try and make him feel better.

"But she knows how to survive in the wild, I don't. I probably won't even last two days."

"Shh, don't think like that. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for. Don't doubt your skills." I said, wishing he could see what I saw so clearly in him.

Before he could protest I silenced him the quickest way I could think of. I pulled him closer and met his lips with mine. I was determined to take away all his fear, but didn't know how I could make him forget. All the fear I was feeling melted away when our lips met, the world around us seemed to disappear entirely at that moment. The feeling Peeta gave me was so incredible, so amazing it made me want to…purr. The sound that escaped my lips was in between a purr and a growl and I could hear Peeta laugh softly, his breath tickling my lips.

"What?" I asked, cracking a smile.

"That sound you just made it reminds me of…" Peeta said, gazing behind me at something, "leopard."

"What?" I asked, not quite sure I understood what he meant.

"The painting behind you, that's leopard print isn't it?" he asked.

I turned my head to look at it and sure enough there was a small painting with leopard fur on it, "yes."

"I remember learning about them in school" Peeta said with a smile, "the growl you made kinda reminded me of a leopard."

I laughed softly. "Leopard, I like it. And since I'm a leopard I think I have just found my prey" I said, doing a kind of pounce at Peeta, making him fall back on the couch we were sitting on with me on top of him.

"That was really cheesy" he said smiling.

"Yeah, but you still liked it" I said smiling as well as our lips met again.

We sat in silence of a few moments, just kissing. I could feel Peeta shaking slightly and I knew he was trying to himself calm down.

"Cinna" he finally said in between kisses.

"Yes?" I asked, pausing for a moment so he could speak.

"You know as well as I that my days are numbered before I go into the arena. And knowing that I want to ask something of you."

I knew exactly what he wanted, but I wasn't sure that we should. I still wasn't sure if this was right what we were doing now, even though my heart told me it was my mind still reminded me what might happen to both of us.

"Peeta" I said, sitting up, "I know what you want, I just don't know if we should."

"You don't feel the same way" Peeta said as he sat up as well, it wasn't a question it was a statement.

"I do, I swear that I do, it's just I don't want to get either of us in trouble. If we're caught…"

"Cinna, please, I love you and I don't want to leave this world without having something in my life that made me truly happy."

Damn the kid had me there. I knew from what he had told me that his home life wasn't the best and that he had never been truly happy as a child, but there was still that fear nagging in the back of my mind, "but…"

"Cinna why are you so hesitant about this?" He gazed at me with those blue eyes and I saw hurt in them. I silently cursed myself, I had never wanted to hurt Peeta like that but he didn't seem to understand the seriousness of this situation.

"Because…I-I'm so confused about what I'm feeling now. I know my feelings for you, but I also know what the rules say and I just don't know what to do now…" I had to admit I was lost, my mind and my heart were tugging me two different ways and it was starting to hurt. I couldn't separate any other my thoughts anymore, they were all starting to bleed together, hell bent on driving me insane.

"I know that you have to decide on breaking the rules and it's hard but I'm pleading to you as a lover, not as a tribute. Please Cinna, I want you to touch me, I want us to be connected in the deepest way possible."

I could feel tears starting to come to my eyes, how could I deny someone like him this beautiful happy moment that he had never had before, how could I turn my back on someone that I had come to love, despite the few days that I had been with him.

"But what if we are caught? Your family could be killed and so could we…" I started but I was silenced with a kiss, one that was intentionally drawn out.

"You feel the connection between us just as strongly as I do" Peeta said, pressing his forehead against mine, "do you really think that that happens to just anyone?"

"No."

"So then why not take the time that you can with the person you know you are meant to be with? If you had just one chance to be with the one you loved, wouldn't you take it?"

"Yes" I replied as I gazed into his eyes, "yes, I would."

Peeta leaned in closer so that he could whisper in my ear, "so then why not take the chance?"

When he pulled away I gazed at him for what seemed like a long time. I knew the answer now. My heart had won and I wouldn't let my mind get in the way as I answered in a whisper, "as you wish, my baker."

Yes very cheesy love moment between the two lovers, but that's what makes the best scenes right? Anyways I think it's easy to see what is coming next. I hope to hear from someone before I post the next chapter. I like to know people are still reading my story. Oh and btw that picture I made the cover for my story is a picture I drew and colored myself.