Okay, I AM SO SORRY AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW SORRY I AM. Seriously. I haven't been on for like a year for many, many, reasons that I won't bore you with and I absolutely PROMISE I will finish this story, even if it kills me. I made this chapter extra long for the long wait.

Sigh. I haven't forgotten about this story so expect more chapters up soon, but not TOO soon, hehe.

Disclaimer: Don't own it, or else this story wouldn't be free.

PEETA POV

I'm going crazy. Well, I'm pretty sure I already am crazy, but now it's just frustrating. Gale and Lori have been staying in our guest room for a week now, and I don't know when I can get some alone time with Katniss. I know that sounds selfish, but I finally get Katniss after all these years or yearning, and my one enemy still manages to get in the way.

Apparently when Gale said he was getting married, he meant in District 12. He says he wants Katniss and me to come, and he is bringing his family down here in a few days. Lori and he are rushing to have the wedding before the baby comes, plus they can't wait.

Katniss is surprisingly taking all this news well, and I'm proud of her. I think she pushed aside her feelings for Gale from the past to be happy for him, which makes me love her even more, seemingly impossible as it is. Lately, Gale and Lori's quickly approaching wedding date has made me thing about Katniss and I's future wedding. IF she accepts my offer. I am practically sweating just thinking about it.

One night as Katniss and I are getting ready for bed, I get an idea. Or maybe it's more of a desire. Whatever it is, I'm going for it.

Katniss climbs into bed exhausted from hunting and helping keep a pregnant woman company. I lie next to her. I take her hand and smile when Katniss squeezes it. I start to have second thoughts about my idea, since Katniss seems too tired to do anything tonight. I was going to kiss her, since this is our only alone time for the day, but maybe I shouldn't. No, I should…Sheesh, I don't know what to do anymore.

Before I can do anything, though, I hear Katniss' soft breathing, indicating that I took too long anyway. I sigh, and snuggle Katniss in my arms. That's our alone time lately. Real romantic.

KATNISS POV

Okay, so I'm not completely used to the idea of Gale marrying, but I can tell he's happy. And I'm genuinely glad for him. We both found someone, and plan on spending our lives with that person, of course if the other wants to spend their lives with us.

Anyway, Peeta has gotten a little quieter these past few days. I have no idea why, except it might have something to do with us. Now that I think about it, the only alone time Peeta and I have gotten these past few days have been to go to bed. Maybe I should take him to the lake again. It seems he enjoyed when we went last time.

Gale and Lori are actually gone for the day, doing some "wedding plans", so I invite Peeta out for the day. He seems happy to go, and even stops his painting to leave with me. So, we head off to the lake.

As expected, Peeta is quiet, holding the picnic basket he packed for our lunch in his hands. Unfortunately the basket is on the side that I'm walking, so I can't hold his hand. Then I decide to do it anyway and go to his other side, taking his hand in mine. I startle Peeta, but he smiles at me, intertwining his fingers with mine.

Something about his smile seems off, but I brush it away, figuring he'll tell me if it's important. As we walk, no one talks, and it drives me crazy. After what seems like forever we arrive at the lake and Peeta lets go of my hand and sets the picnic basket on the grass. He then lays out the blanket that we brought on the ground. Finally he just sits on the blanket with his arms resting on his raised knees. He just stares hard at the lake, silent.

I stand frozen, not knowing what to do. Suddenly, Peeta groans and lies down, putting his forearm over his eyes. "What is wrong with me?" he mutters.

Confused and worried, I walk quickly and bend down near Peeta's head. "What are you talking about, Peeta?" I ask. "Are you okay?" I remove his arm from his face to see his frustrated expression. "Peeta?" I say, hesistanly.

He just looks at me, his face softening. Then all of a sudden, in a single move Peeta has me pinned down, him lying on top of me while I stare at him underneath. "Peeta, what-" I start, but before I could continue Peeta crashes his lips onto mine. His tongue immediately enters my mouth and as soon as I kiss him back, he moans. His kiss quickly distracts me from any earlier thoughts but as quickly as it began, he pulls back, breathing heavily.

Peeta rolls off me and sits up, putting his head in his hands. "I'm sorry, Katniss. I'm so sorry," he sighs and shakes his head. I sit up next to him and again remove his hands from his face. He speaks without looking at me. "I don't know what's wrong with me," he repeats.

I roll my eyes. "Peeta, please tell me what's going on. And what was that kiss all about?" I try to get him to look me in the eyes but he won't budge.

He sighs. "Katniss," he begins. "I think I have a problem," he says after a short pause. I wait for him to elaborate but he doesn't.

"Peeta, what is it?" I ask, exasperated. "Just spit it out."

Peeta finally turns to look me in the eyes. His eyes show his frustration, but there is something else there, besides the usual love they have for me. It looks like desperateness and…lust. "Katniss, the thing is, for some reason lately, I've been feeling like I can't keep my hands off you. I don't want to keep my hands off you, but obviously that would be rude. And it just frustrates me because we haven't had much us time in over a week with Gale and Lori here, but don't worry I'm not blaming them. I've been having this feeling ever since we became a couple for real and now every time I see you I just need to kiss you." Peeta pauses to hold my hand. "Touching you feels so good but at the same time I feel like a perv because the feeling is so strong. Not to mention it wasn't this bad during the Games or the rebellion. But that's probably because I was too worried of the fact that we might die then trying to get laid," he laughs awkwardly, causing me to blush. "So anyway, now that we are definitely in love and together virtually with no boundaries, there's nothing to hold me back. And I want you to know that my stupid teenage boy hormones are only excited for you and ugh," he sighs. "This is so awkward; I imagined this talk to go more smoothly and with me sounding less like a creep." He's looking away now, shaking his head.

I don't say anything and Peeta looks at me, worried. "Katniss? Please say something so I know you aren't scared of me now."

That snaps me out of it. I take Peeta's other hand in mine so both of our hands our touching. Our eyes meet and when he sees how calm I am, his brows furrow. "Listen, Peeta," I begin. "I think I know what your little 'problem' is. And honestly, I don't think it's much of a problem. I think you're just…frustrated." Peeta still looks confused so I continue. "Sexually frustrated," I say more quietly.

Peeta's cheeks redden. "Sexually frustrated?"

I nod. "Yes. I'm actually a little surprised this didn't happen a little earlier but in a way I understand you are trying to wait for me to be ready and I respect that but if you are feeling this frustrated you should let me know and I'll just let you do…whatever you need to do," I say, embarrassed. When I look up at Peeta, he's shaking his head.

"I'll never force you to do anything you don't want to do, Katniss. Especially not because I'm…aroused or something. When the time comes, we'll know. And call me old-fashioned but it would feel more special if we were married first," he adds that last part quickly, as if he's nervous about my response.

I just smile at him and say, "You're right." He visibly relaxes, and smiles back.

"We love each other. Real or not real?"

"Real."

PEETA POV

I am so relieved. Katniss didn't yell at me or become creeped out by my stupid desires. She was amazing and listened to me ramble awkwardly about how I felt-very embarrassing by the way- and even offered herself to me. Of course I couldn't accept that, but it flattered me anyway.

"You know.." begins Katniss. I look over at her.

"What?"

"There's, um, other stuff we could do without going all the way," she blushes, looking at the ground. I stare at her, disbelieving.

"Katniss, what exactly are you saying?" My voice is hoarse.

She finally looks up and smiles. "I'm saying, if you need to satisfy some of your…needs…there's things we could do that may help." I'm too shocked to do anything but stare at Katniss as her cheeks redden once more as she looks at me nervously. "Or we could not do anything, if you're uncomfortable."

I shake my head quickly and Katniss looks up and scowls. "Wait, no, Katniss! I, I do. I mean, I would…I would like that…if it's okay with you, of course." I scratch the back of my head.

She smiles. "I offered it to you didn't I?" I return her smile. Katniss suddenly gets this determined look on her face and scoots closer to me. Then she quickly straddles my lap and wraps her arms loosely around my neck. My hands instinctively wrap around her slender waist but I stare at her confused. "So, are you ready?" she asks.

I gulp. Her face looks so adorable and my body immediately heats up. "Ready for what?" I ask quietly.

Katniss bites her bottom lip, making me subconsciously tighten my grip on her waist. Doesn't she know that she's driving me crazy me right now? "To fix your little problem," she looks more nervous as each moment passes.

"You mean right now?"

Katniss rolls her eyes. "Yes, Peeta. I thought you wanted this." I can tell she is starting to get annoyed.

I place my hand beside her cheek. "Katniss, trust me, I want you so bad right now." I rub my thumb across her cheek. "I just don't want to pressure you into anything."

"Peeta, you aren't. In fact, I've wanted to do try some things with you too." Katniss is avoiding my eyes.

That's it for me. I tilt Katniss' face up to me and press my lips against hers. That familiar warm feeling spreads to my stomach and becomes a full on flame when Katniss opens her mouth, allowing my tongue to touch hers. My hands stay on her waist but soon I am tempted to move them lower. Conscious of her reaction, I place my hands on her hips and pull her closer, our chests touching. This gets a moan from Katniss and it just makes me kiss her even deeper. Katniss' hands begin to wander themselves and she runs her fingers across my chest. Suddenly, I'm pushed back on the grass as Katniss continues to lean forward. Our lips stay connected as she runs her fingers through my hair, slightly tugging the ends.

I am starting to feel myself get hard as Katniss nibbles on my bottom lip. "Katniss," I groan.

She pulls back. "What?" Her eyebrows furrow. "Did I do something wrong?"

I shake my head quickly. "No, no way." I pull her so our lips barely touch. "It's the opposite, actually. You are doing everything right," I mumble. I capture her lips with mine once again. Katniss adjusts her position causing her to rub against my hardness. My hips involuntarily jerk towards hers and we freeze. When I look at her Katniss her cheeks are flushed and I'm sure mine are the same. "I'm sorry,Katniss…I, um, I didn't mean to-"

Katniss interrupts me. "Don't worry about it, Peeta. I've felt it before, you know."

I raise my eyebrows. "You have?"

She nods. "Remember when you used to hold me on the train?"

I cringe. "You noticed it then?"

She laughs. "Yes, it was uncomfortable before, but now I'm really flattered that I can make you feel like that." She lays her head on my chest.

I stroke her hair. "Do I make you feel that way? You know, turned on? At all?"

The silence before she answers makes me begin to lose confidence. "You always have, Peeta." Katniss looks up at me. "It just took my forever to realize it."

I smile at her and sit up, taking her with me, still in my lap. "At least you know now."

Katniss moves herself even closer to me, closing the little gap between our bodies. "Yes, you're right. And I will never forget it." In a split second we are back to making out and I couldn't be any happier.

Sigh, here is the long awaited chapter. Sorry I couldn't update before and I mean it. However don't expect me to update fast because life is hectic for me right now and I only have about an hour or two a day to do this. BUT I will try I promise you that. I really love you guys and let me know how I did on this chapter!

Review please! 3