As always, a million thanks goes out to the hardest working beta I know, Court.

And another million thanks to all the awesome reviewers and anon's who have kept me honest through my writing funk these past couple months. I'll be out of town the next few weeks with no internet (I know, crazy!), but plan on having regular updates on this starting in October. Come check me out on tumblr, I'm everlarkanxiety

"Katniss?" My mind is foggy and I struggle to open my eyes. "Katniss?" I hear Peeta's voice to my right, and a warm hand caresses my shoulder. This, his hand, finally does the trick to wake me up.

I open my eyes and see the hammock around me from the porch, where I must have passed out after breakfast this morning. Peeta is crouching down next to me, looking slightly sleepy himself. His curls are flying this way and that, and I realize he must have taken a nap in the smaller hammock next to mine. His eyes are slightly puffy and I blush slightly when I realize how damn cute he is at that moment.

We woke up early again this morning and went for a grueling six-mile canoe ride around the entire perimeter of the lake. We paddled as fast as we could and I wondered if we both needed to let out a bit of frustration after the last few days of tension. We took a quick dip off the pier when we got back, but kept our distance from each other. I was still embarrassed from the night before and could only guess what was going on in his mind.

I blink up sleepily at him and smile. "Good morning," I say, stretching my arms above my head. The action causes my shirt to ride up my stomach and feel a stab of want when I see his eyes travel down to catch the reveal.

After a second, he stands up and coughs to clear his throat. "Um, it looks like your parents went for a hike."

He hands me a note, which was lying on the small table next to me: "Katniss, you and Peeta looked pretty tired, so we decided to head out on the hike for some alone time together. We'll be home around lunch. Love, Mom and Dad."

I grab my phone. "Wow, it's almost noon."

"I've got ingredients for homemade pizza back at my place if you're interested."

"Um, is that even a question? I'm always in when pizza is involved."

He smiles. "I can see that your appetite hasn't changed much since you were a teenager." Peeta laughs as he gets up, and we both head over to his cabin. His continued references to me being a teenager bother me.

He lets me in to his place and shows me to the kitchen. He grabs a bowl of fresh strawberries from the fridge and I dig into them while he pulls some flour out from the pantry. "This is serious pizza," I comment, biting into another strawberry. "I've never made pizza from scratch before."

"Oh, it's the only way," he says, turning the faucet on to warm some water. "Here, I'll let you do it and you'll see how easy it is."

"You do not want me to cook anything complicated, trust me."

"Well, it's a good thing that it isn't complicated and that I'm a good teacher," he says, crossing his arms in front of him.

I huff, remembering how stubborn he can be. "Fine, but don't blame me if it is bad."

He shows me how to prepare the yeast (he calls it 'proofing') by adding warm water and salt. We measure out the flour together, and after a few minutes, add it to the water with some olive oil.

"Alright, since we don't have a mixer, we'll need to knead this by hand." I only stare at him. "Dough isn't going to knead itself, Katniss," he says, smirking and gesturing towards the bowl.

I narrow my eyes at him, but I am hungry so I wash my hands and walk over to the bowl. "How exactly does one knead dough?"

He dusts the counter with some flour and dumps the contents of the bowl over on top of it. "You'll want to pour a little flour on top, because it is pretty sticky right now. Then start folding the dough on top of itself and press down with the heels of your hands." He works the dough as he talks, and I find myself mesmerized by his long fingers. His hands are so strong and confident. I imagine those same hands on my body and bite my lip with frustration.

"You ready?"

"Huh?" I look up, face burning, when I realize he caught me in my daydream. He just smiles and motions that I should take his place.

I step over to the workspace and awkwardly pick the dough up and attempt to fold it in half. He is standing directly behind me, and I am finding his proximity distracting. He smells like the herbs he puts in his cheese buns, a little sweaty, and something else distinctly manly that I can't place.

"You aren't folding it over with enough force; you really want to push down hard with the heel of your hand," he says, leaning over my shoulder.

I look over and him and realize just how close we are. Forgetting about my embarrassment earlier, and acting purely on instinct, I say, "Why don't you show me?" My voice comes out in a low whisper.

He starts to pick the dough up again. "Alright, I can—"

I interrupt him and place my hand over his to stop him from picking the dough up. "No, I don't want to watch you do it. I want you to show me how. That is the only way I can learn, right?" I pull his right arm around my body so that he is directly behind me. I grip him tightly so his front is flush against my back, with his arms around me as we both face the counter. He is only a few inches taller than I am, so I feel his breath hot against my neck.

"Okay," he chokes out. He brings his hands slowly down my arms. They leave a trail of flour and goose bumps behind them. I don't resist the urge to lean further into his touch.

He picks my hands up with his own and begins to guide me in folding and pressing the dough. "You'll want to get in a steady rhythm," he almost breathes into my neck. We do this for a few moments as I drink in his closeness.

After a minute, I start to realize that I feel something growing hard against my ass. It sends another thrill of excitement to my core, and I feel the space between my legs start to pulse. I gasp and fight the urge for only a moment before pressing back against him so I can feel him more fully.

He very quickly drops the dough and shies away from me. When I turn around, he is a few feet away, leaning back against the wall. "Why did you stop?" I question, aching for his touch again.

"You know why, Katniss," he growls, his face in his hands. I wonder if his face will be dusty from the flour.

I walk over to him and place my hands on his hips. He stills at my touch and I step in between his legs. I lay my chin on his shoulder and lean against his chest. "I don't want to stop," I whisper, glad that our attraction is finally out in the open. I feel his hard cock between my legs now and press my hips down deliberately against him. I whimper as I feel him grow harder and press, possibly involuntarily, against my aching core.

He moans and grasps onto my hips to stop me, but doesn't push me away. "It's wrong." He is breathing heavily and I feel more wetness spread into my bikini bottoms. My skin is on fire.

"Says who?" I ask.

"Your dad, for starters."

"Did he explicitly say that to you?"

"No, but I value my life enough not to try and find out," he says, still gripping my hips hard.

I press my aching breasts up against his chest and lean into his neck. "Tell me to stop then," I challenge.

"I… I can't do this to him," he gasps. I grind into him slowly again and he groans. The feeling of his cock against my aching clit is making my crazy.

"It feels like you are doing it to me, Peeta," I whisper into his ear, letting my breath tickle the sensitive skin there. I feel him shudder under me. I place a slow, chaste kiss on his neck and wait. He says nothing and I slowly trail my lips down an inch before kissing another spot, letting my lips linger a moment longer. Still nothing.

"Do you want me Peeta?" My voice comes out as a challenge, with a bit of defiance to it.

He doesn't respond, so I let my mouth part a bit and start to leave hot, open-mouthed kisses, one by one, down his neck. I'm panting and know that he can feel my breath against his pulse points on his throat.

"Jesus…" he groans. I feel his hands loosen their grasp on my hips and start to slowly travel up my back. His action pulls my tank top up, and I sigh in relief as his hands start caressing the bare skin of my lower back.

"Do you?" I ask again, even though now I am sure of the answer.

"You…" he gasps, "have no idea." His voice comes out as a pained whisper, as if he is still fighting a battle within. He must be losing that battle, because his hands become bolder as I continue to suck on his neck. I hope I leave a mark. He runs his hands further up and down until his thumbs sweep around my sides and near the underside of my bikini top. He does it again, and his rough fingers drag against the sensitive underside of my breasts.

I have made my way back up his neck and up to his ear. I take the opportunity to bite down on his earlobe and he growls, spinning me around and pressing my back hard against the wall. His lips slam into mine and I groan in appreciation. God…Finally.

He attacks my mouth, taking charge and wasting no time to caress my tongue with his. He tastes so damn good. His lips are firm but soft and I moan again when he traps my bottom lip between his teeth and nibbles softly. His kisses leave me dizzy, and I wrap my legs around his waist so that he can take all of my weight. This also allows me to feel his cock more fully against my throbbing clit and I can't help grinding into him. I moan in appreciation as I feel his entire length against my needy core.

We stay fixed in this movement, exploring each other's mouths, while continuing to thrust our deprived hips together. He grasps harder against my ass as he drives into me and the sound of his husky moan makes me feel as if I will spontaneously combust in his arms.

Still holding me up with one arm, Peeta drags his other arm slowly up body and under my tank top. Just as his finger is diving under the material to cup my breast, I hear a door slam outside. I hear my Dad's voice and feel like I've been doused with a bucket of ice water.

"Shit, my parents!" I exclaim, and Peeta quickly drops me. I hastily pull my tank top down to cover myself up and Peeta tries to smooth his clothing and hair down. "I'll go out and say hello. Um, do I look alright?" I question nervously.

He looks at me with something indiscernible in his gaze. I hope to God that it isn't regret. "Yeah, I just need a second. I'll be right after you."

I look down and realize that he is still obviously rock-hard. Despite the situation, a deep pang of want shoots through me at the sight. What we did and the visual evidence of the fact that he wants me so much is burning me from the inside.

I want to kiss him again, but instead, I head outside and wave hello to my parents as they make their way up the walkway. "Hey guys, how was the hike?"

"Oh, it was wonderful!" Dad says with a smile. "What have you and Peeta been up to?"

My cheeks flood with warmth and I desperately try to hide my embarrassment. "Oh, just took a nap!" I exclaim, hoping they don't notice the tremor in my voice. "We were just making some pizza if you are interested!" Why do I continue to speak with exclamation points?

"Sounds good," Dad says. "I'll go clean up some first." He heads inside.

After he leaves, Mom looks at me, a little puzzled. "Are you alright Katniss? You look a little…flustered."

My heart jumps a little in my chest. "No! I mean…Yes, I'm alright!"

She gives me a small smile and somehow I feel like she knows. "Alright then. I'll see you in a bit." She squeezes my arm a bit before walking away.

I walk quickly back into Peeta's kitchen and see him bent over, his arms grasping the kitchen counter. He looks up as I enter and straightens up quickly before taking a very large step back.

I look at him apprehensively, hoping that he doesn't regret what just happened, but it is clear he does. "Peeta, we didn't do anything wrong," I whisper. "I like you. I don't care what our ages are."

His face screws up and I can tell he isn't sure what to do. "If I had a daughter and one of my friends—"

I cut him off, "This is different and you know it." He huffs. I take another step forward and he quickly steps back again. I scowl. "Can't you just see me as an old friend who you haven't seen in a long time…and are now insanely attracted to?"

He smiles slightly at this comment and bites his lip. I feel a prickle of want sweep through me at the movement, remembering when he bit my lip a few minutes before. He shakes his head again, "I just…give me some time to think about it. I have a hard time thinking rationally when I'm around you."

I smile at this. "Me too."

I keep my distance for the rest of the afternoon and evening, letting Peeta spend most of the time with my parents as they continue to catch up and reminisce about old times. I have to force myself not to stare at him too much, however it proves to be incredibly difficult—particularly with how worked up I had been earlier. I almost fake a headache a few times, thinking I will go back to my room and finish what we started earlier.

In the end I wait it out. I wait through lunch, as he seems determined to keep his gaze away from me. I smirk when he asks my dad if he wants to go for a canoe ride and try not to notice when they arrive back a couple hours later with no shirts on. Mom makes tacos for dinner and we all relax in front of the television to an old movie. I watch as Peeta says goodbye for the night, only giving me a quick, cursory glace.

A few minutes after he leaves I stand up as my parents are about to head to bed. "I'm going to go for a walk," I say.

"Be careful," Dad says with a yawn.

Mom eyes me warily. I feel a bit panicked at her glance and clam up a bit. "Have fun," is all she says. I gulp and again feel like she must know. She wouldn't say anything, would she?

"I'll be back soon," I say, but hope I won't be.

I step outside and take a few deep, calming breaths before making my way slowly to Peeta's cabin. I make it safely to his porch, and before I can second-guess myself, I let myself slowly into the front door without knocking. Here goes nothing.