-Chapter XVI-

Peeta arrived at their bakeshop with still two minutes to spare. He was greeted by his father who's already prepared to leave him in-charge of the shop, "Oh, good. You're finally here. Listen, I might not make it in time for closing time so…"

"I got it," Peeta cutting his father, "Just go, if you have to."

"Thanks son," his father heads for the door, but before he leaves, he turn to look at Peeta, "How is Katniss?"

Peeta whose busy tying his apron looked at his father, "She fine."

Mr. Mellark just nod, "That's good to hear. I'm sorry if I may have interrupted your time with her."

"It's good. Things are actually going pretty well."

Mr. Mellark continued to stare at him, his look full of worry, "Just be careful okay, Pete."

"With what?"

"With Katniss. You may not realize it by now, but I'm sure somewhere along the way, confusion may occur."

Peeta knows exactly what his father is talking about. He's been preparing himself, so when that time comes, he would be ready to give it his best, "I will."

His father sighs, "Well, I'll be going now. Clean up before closing will you?" "Oh, and if customers stopped coming by 8:30, you can already close the shop. I'll see you at home."

As soon as his father left the store, he placed himself behind the counter, waiting for any customer to come in. Peeta can't help but constantly check his watch for the time. It's now exactly 8, and he is repeatedly wishing to himself that there won't be any customer going to come in the front door any time soon. He hopes for the time would move faster.

After a while, Peeta decided to close up since there's no customer any more. He can't stop thinking about Katniss. He feels hot, intensely hot. He keeps thinking about her lips, and the way it feels against his. Her soft skin, her flushed cheeks, and her beautiful gray ones staring at him passionately.

His breathing becomes heavy, his heart beating crazy that it might come out of his chest. Peeta tried hard to calm himself down, taking deep breaths but it doesn't seem to do him any good.

"Dammit!" he cursed under his breath. After he's done locking up, he hastily grabbed his motorcycle key and took the direction to Katniss' apartment.

Katniss had been awake for a little while now, although she remains lying at the couch with her arm covering her eyes. The heat she's feeling inside her body has been bothering her. All she can think about is Peeta. Katniss gently bit her lip as she recall the feel of Peeta's tongue brushing her lip. Her thoughts was interrupted when she heard a knock on her door.

Katniss quickly fix herself and head for the door. She's completely surprised to see Peeta standing in front of her, "Peeta, what are you doing here?"

Peeta reached to touch her face as he tries to catch his breath, "Katniss…"

Before Katniss could ask what's wrong with him, Peeta lunge at her and their lips clashed with each other. The kiss is hungry and desperate, but passionate and sweet at the same time. Peeta seize Katniss by her waist as he deepens the kiss. Katniss felt her knees weaken, she's completely overtaken by bliss.

Katniss can feel her body get hotter than before. As soon as she wrapped her arms around Peeta's neck, he led her to step back as he closes to door before lifting her up. He gently lay her down to the couch and settle on top of her.

Peeta brushed Katniss' lips with his tongue making her open her mouth. As soon as he enters his tongue inside, Katniss let out a soft moan and suck his tongue. Peeta move his hand from her waist to her legs, as he softly bit her lip and shift his lips from hers, kissing her cheeks, jaw and settling at a spot under her ear.

"Peeta…" Katniss gasps, as he nibble her earlobe. She gently pushed Peeta making them both sit up.

"I'm sorry," Peeta says. Katniss just stare at him intensely making him look at her questioningly, "Katniss?"

"Are we doing this?"

Peeta started to feel panic, "Oh shit! I'm sorry Katniss! I didn't know what's gotten into me, I just-"

"Peeta…" Katniss reached for Peeta's hand and grip it tight, "Answer me."

Peeta let out a deep breath and smile at Katniss, "Only if you want too. I don't want to force you. I don't want you to regret something that I've done."

Katniss shake her head, "I want to. As far as regretting, I don't know. But I really want to."

"Katniss…" Peeta tip her chin up, "I love you."

Katniss stared at him at first. She then nod and started to smile, "I'm glad."

She closed their distance and meet Peeta's lips with her, kissing him sweetly and passionately. Peeta, of course, is kissing her back. He put arm around her waist with his other hand cups Katniss' face.

Katniss put her arms around his neck tugging him gently more close to her. She felt him deepen his kiss making her moan against his mouth. They both kiss each other with pure hunger and greediness. She lower her hand to the end of his shirt and took it off.

Peeta gently lift Katniss and settle her on top of him making her straddling him. Katniss can feel Peeta's erection beneath her, and felt him get even harder as she moves on top of him. The friction caused by their joined bodies is making them both crazy.

Katniss grabbed onto Peeta tightly as she continues to move on top of him. Peeta tucked his hand under her shirt gently caressing her back, and make his way to the hook of her bra. He unhooked her bra as she lets it fall on the floor.

Katniss gasps and bit her lip as she felt his hand on top of her breast. She continues to grind over him as she clutch a handful of his hair. Katniss can feel herself getting wet as Peeta took her shirt off. He removed his lips from kissing her lips and trailed kisses on her neck, to her collarbone, making his way down to her breast.

Katniss threw her head back as she felt Peeta nibbled her nipple. She grabbed his head and pull him closer to her chest as he starts to suck her nipples. Katniss is now moving faster on top of Peeta and the feeling is now becoming unbearable, "Peeta…"

Peeta stopped Katniss from moving making her look confused. Peeta just smirked at her and smoothly lay her down on her back. He started to kiss her on her lips, her neck, her chest, down to her navel and briefly halt to take off her shorts and underwear.

"Oh my God!"

Katniss moan loudly and threw her head back as she grabbed Peeta's head. She can't stand the sensation of Peeta's tongue on her. It's driving her wild. Her hips move on their matching every stroke Peeta makes with his tongue. Katniss can feel something building inside her.

She then grabbed Peeta's by the shoulder pulling him upward. Katniss reached for the button of Peeta's jeans and hastily unbutton his pants. She dip her hands inside and grabbed his cock.

"Katniss…"

Katniss is quite amazed how big and smooth Peeta's cock felt on her palm as she stroke his length. She removed his pants as he settle himself on top of her.

"I want you Peeta," she whispers, sending shiver all over his body.

With Peeta settled on top of Katniss, he looked at her lovingly that earned him the sweetest smile from the woman she truly loves. He returned his lips on hers and with one thrust, Peeta and Katniss becomes one.