Why did I think this was a good idea, going about making dinner after what we had just done? She's working alongside me, her arm brushes up against mine and I am completely hard again. I try to adjust my pants without her seeing but it's becoming uncomfortable. That moment is replaying in my mind…seeing her writhe underneath me as my fingers tease her, seeing her body jerk helplessly and hearing her call my name…watching her come undone at the touch of my fingers. Shit. I'm close to coming just thinking about it. I glance sideways at Katniss, who is looking sad for some reason. She's biting her lip, hard, and I long to soothe that spot with my kisses. Her eyes are downcast while she strips the meat. I couldn't believe it when she told me she had never had an orgasm before. I was positive that she and Gale had done things. It made me smile to know that I was wrong. To know that I'm her first with all this. Her olive skin has this lovely pink glow to it and it makes me grow hungry with want to know that I'm the reason for that lovely glow. Damn it, Mellark. Focus. Dinner. Food. Dinner. With Johanna. And Katniss.

God. Katniss. The way she looked a few moments ago…

"Shit!" I snap to at the sound of her pained cry and I see her sucking on her finger. I move to her immediately, taking her hand in mine and see that she has sliced it with the knife.

"I'm ok," she mutters, yanking her hand back. I stare at her for a moment in puzzlement. What is going on? Why is she looking so miserable?

"Katniss? Is everything ok?"

"I told you I'm fine," she snaps. I swallow at her tone.

"I didn't mean your finger, um…you're just…what's wrong?"

"Nothing. We need to get dinner finished before Jo gets here." Something is definitely bothering her. I take the knife from her hand and turn her to face me. She won't even look at me. Gently I cup her chin and force her eyes up. I'm startled to see tears there.

"Talk to me," I tell her gently.

"Peeta, what we did…" Oh shit. She regrets it. I knew it was all too much too soon.

"Was I not…not very good?" Wait. Did I hear her correctly? Did she really just ask that?

"Um…come again?" She huffs and I can tell she is getting impatient with me.

"Do you not…want more…with me?" Her question was so soft I could barely hear it but it still made me nearly fall to my knees in shock.

"What the hell are you…Katniss, what's going on?"

"Why did you pull away? I mean…if you liked it…why did we stop? Why didn't we…go on?" God, this girl! She WILL be the death of me one day. She's standing here asking me why I didn't go further with her! Wow. I reach out to hold her but she shrugs off my touch. No, that isn't going to work. I move closer, reaching out to grip the counter and trapping her between the counter and my own heated body. She looks surprised when she looks into my eyes. I feel my breathing grow heavy, as I try not to think about the evidence of my intense desire for her, which is straining against my jeans at the moment.

"I have never wanted someone so much in my whole life," I whisper, making sure she still hears me. "But we don't have to…we can slow down, I mean. Take our time. Don't you ever doubt how much I want you. I love you, and I want us to take time to enjoy each other. We have eternity, Katniss." She bites her lip again and I lean forward to press my lips to hers. It isn't rushed or intense, but sweet and soft. The kind of kiss that lets me show her that I have always loved her. And I can wait for as long as I need. I'm not the one to step back this time. When we break apart for breath, we hold each other's gazes for a long time before she sighs.

"I'm sorry. I'm just…paranoid, I guess."

"You have no reason to be," I say as I move her hair behind her ear. "Let's just take this slow. After everything we've been through, we can stand to take some time to actually enjoy ourselves." She nods and she still looks sad. I move closer and lower my lips to her neck, delighting when I hear her gasp.

"You certainly seemed to enjoy yourself a few moments ago. I know I definitely did." She grins and stands up one her tiptoes to kiss me again.

"I did. And I can't wait til we can enjoy ourselves again."

"Oh I can't either." With a smile, I release her hand and watch her move back to the meat, a smile covering her face. She keeps glancing up and shooting me adorable smiles that all I can think of is that smiling face looking up at me as I move over her, thrusting in and out…

I lose grip of the bowl I'm holding and it crashes to the floor. Katniss bends to retrieve it and hands it to me, our hands briefly touching as I take it from her. She smiles and goes back to making dinner.

I move a little ways, filling the bowls with the greens and setting them aside. My pants are so uncomfortably tight, there is no way I can make it through dinner like this. And Johanna senses everything, she'll probably know before we even sit down. I think Katniss is still a little too innocent to notice anything wrong so would she notice if I slip away to the bathroom? God I hope not.

"I'll be right back," I mutter as I set the knife down. She turns, startled.

"Everything ok?"

"Oh yeah, just need to use the bathroom. The one upstairs ok?" I hurry from the kitchen before she can answer. I close the door tightly behind me and lean against it for a moment. My hand reaches down the front of my pants and I groan at the contact through my boxers. I know I have to make this quick, before she suspects anything, so I work the buttons and slide them down my hips. I reach into my boxers and grip myself, my eyes closing as I do so. I just imagine her hands where mine are right now, how she gazed up at me with such love and desire. Her stormy grey eyes searching mine, how innocent she looked when she took me into her hand. I remove my hand for a moment, give it a good lick, then grasp myself again, feeling warmth start to spread all over me. I picture Katniss in front of me, naked and writhing. Her fingers are exploring herself and she tosses her head back and moans my name. She spreads her legs wider and makes tiny circles over her clit. She's moaning louder and I start to moan her name as my hand moves more quickly. I see her move towards me and she pushes my hands aside so that she can place her hands on me instead. Then I see her lower her head and feel her wet tongue on my hot flesh.

SHIT! The thought of Katniss's perfect mouth on my cock makes me come undone only a second later. I grab some tissues and quickly clean up, pulling my pants back up and checking myself in the mirror. Damn it. I look all hot and bothered and my hair is a mess. I hope Katniss won't notice. I know Johanna will. I quickly splash some water on my face and try to run my fingers through my hair. Eh, somewhat better. When I open the door, I hear voices downstairs and guess Johanna must already be here. Taking a deep breath, I start to go downstairs.