Oh, my goodness!

Thank you everyone who has been reading, and commenting! Your support means so much! This has been a rough year for so many, myself included. Y'all have reminded me how much I do enjoy writing and I will treasure all of your comments.

I need to thank the usual suspects… sohypothecially, notanislander, sera, alliswell, fremous… these ladies are some of the greatest on the planet and I'm blessed that I get to call them my friends.

And thank you for letting my little story be a part of your holidays! We love this couple for so many reasons and it's always fun to write and to read a new story about them.

I hope that everyone of you have had a very wonderful holiday season this year! I'll see you in 2019!

kpkpkpkp

"Damn," she whispers. "Is that me?" she asks the reflection as she turns. When Portia first showed her the lace dress, she balked, thinking it would never look right.

The stylist's smile shows up in the mirror beside her. "What did I tell you?" She tugs on the off the shoulder sleeve then pulls up the dress in the back. "It fits you perfectly."

"I never would have picked red, at least this bright shade of Christmas red. But this—"

"I told you, just admit it," Portia coos. "I have good taste."

Katniss smiles at her new friend. "You do."

Portia fluffs the bottom of the mermaid dress. "Now, remember what I taught you and don't trip."

"Shhh—don't jinx me." She smooths down the stretchy lace. "I can't believe that's me."

"I'm just going to call you Cinderella."

An image of Peeta curled up on her in the airplane comes to mind. "Yeah, well then, where's my prince? I've waited long enough."

Portia tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. "How old are you anyway?"

"I'm thirty."

"Just a baby, you have time for him to find you." Portia opens a tube of red lipstick. "Do this," she commands as she puckers her lips. She finishes Katniss' make-up with a smile. "You're done."

Katniss looks back at her reflection. "Wow," she whispers. "Thank you, Portia."

A knock on the door keeps either one from saying anything else. Katniss walks over, and opens the door. She forgets everything she was going to say when she sees who's there.

Standing there, in his Marine dress blues, with Duke by his side, looking good enough to eat is Peeta. He has his glasses off, and those Carolina blue eyes of his, looking for her—makes all the longing and the want hit her all at once. She tries to say something, but all of the air in the entire hotel is gone and she can't get her breath.

"Katniss?"

"Peeta!" She gasps. "You look—"

Thump-thump-flip.

He steps back into the hallway. "Will you step out here?" She follows, but stops when he holds up his hand. First, he steps close, so close that the front of his jacket brushes the lace on her dress. His smell, not that after shave he must have put on just for tonight, but the cinnamon that he always smells like. He reaches out for her, and she slides her hand into his.

He steps back, then closer while he places a hand on her waist. "It's red, right?"

"It is," she answers.

"And lace?"

"Yes, it's what designers call a mermaid dress."

"From what I can see," his exhale is loud in the bright hallway, "and what I can feel, it's beautiful. But not as beautiful as you."

"Peeta," she replies as he starts to ease around her. Goose bumps erupt from where he traces the lace that is just off her shoulder. "You look pretty handsome yourself."

He straightens up with a smile. "This old thing?" His face sobers as he touches the metals pinned to his chest. "This is the first time I've worn it since I've been home."

"Are you ok wearing it?" She asks, concern making her voice pitch lower.

"Yeah, I'll be fine." He pauses for a moment, seemingly lost in his thoughts. He looks wistful as he replaces the dark glasses and pats his leg for Duke. When he has the harness back in his hand, he offers her his other one. "I hear you have a ball to go to. May I escort you downstairs?"

Katniss looks back at her still open doorway. Portia hands her a matching red clutch and cracks a grin. "No pumpkins to worry about, so you can stay out later, Cindy," she says with a wink.

"Cindy?" Peeta echoes.

She puts her hand on his arm and says, "Come on, I'll tell you in a minute."

Duke leads them down the hall. "Do you want to take the elevator or the stairs?"

She looks behind her at the small train. "We might need to take the elevator."

He stops in front of the sliding doors. She pushes the button and he leans to whisper in her ear, "Katniss?"

"What is it, Peeta?"

"In case I forget to tell you, I had much fun with you tonight." The doors open and the bellhop greets them with a smile.

Katniss waits until they are in the elevator and on the way down. She bumps his shoulder and mutters, "In case I forget to tell you, tonight was the best evening I've ever had."

The doors open to the ground floor. Before they exit, the young man says with a grin, "Have fun tonight."

"Thank you, we will," Peeta answers. "Shall we?"

She squeezes his arm. "Yes, we shall." When they exit, they pause for a moment. "I think we go over there? That's where everyone seems to be gathering."

"Let's go. Do you see Effie?"

Instead of feeling the tinge of jealously she did yesterday, the past twenty-four hours have been spent in the spa with Effie coming in and out talking. "I don't see her." She pauses for a moment watching everyone. "It looks like they are lining up. What room are we supposed to be in?"

"The Palm Court, I think."

"I think that's it, then." They join the line going in. The line moves fast, and before long they are in the ballroom. "It's so beautiful."

He slows down, and she guides them so they are standing out of the way. "Tell me about it?"

Thump-thump-flip.

"It's amazing. The Christmas decorations are still up, then the lights have a pink glow to them. Everyone is just standing around and it looks like a band? Yes, there's a live band."

"All night. Should we go find a table?"

"Does it matter where we sit?" She asks.

"I'm not sure? Do you see any place cards?"

Katniss stops at a nearby table, already full of ladies in beautiful evening gowns and several well-dressed gentlemen. "Excuse me?" she asks. Several friendly smiles answer her. "Are the tables assigned?"

"They are," one of them volunteers as she looks around. "Over there, do you see the blonde in the black dress? She has the table assignments."

"Poor Cashmere. She does look tired. Thank you."

The ladies at the table look over at Peeta, who is standing by her side. "Is he going to be up for auction?"

Katniss heard about the auction in the spa. Not sure what to think, she just ignored the conservation as it floated around her while she enjoyed her massage. "No, he's not."

"I'm not what?" He asks behind her.

A curvy redhead stands up and approaches Peeta. "The auction that's happening in about thirty minutes. I know I'd pay whatever it took to get you to come home with me."

Katniss steps in between them. "We need to go find our table," she says, "Thank you for your help." She grabs his hand, and walks him away while muttering, "I can't believe her! Sliding up to you like a damn snake when it was clear that you and I—" her words trail off as she isn't' even sure how to finish her own sentence.

"What's clear?" He asks in her ear.

"That we need to find our table—"

"There you two are!" Effie greets.

Katniss smiles, happy to see her and Peeta says, "We're lost."

"Come on." Effie leads them through the crowd to one of the tables beside the dance floor. "Here we are."

"Effie—"

She whispers something in Peeta's ear before she gives her a smile and a wink before he disappears into the crowd. All she can do is sit down beside him at the table just big enough for the two of them, with Duke retreating to his place beside under the table.

They sit there while several more guests wonder in and find their tables. Not sure what else to do, Katniss begins to tell Peeta about the people coming in. The minutes click by and before either one realizes what is happening, Effie appears on the make-shift stage on the other side of the dance floor.

A musician behind her strikes up a little cord and the crowd finds their seats. "Welcome, welcome," Effie chirps into the microphone. When the room falls quiet, she continues, "Tonight we are gathered here to raise money for our favorite charity, K9s for Warriors."

Katniss gets a weird chill when Effie says the name of her work place.

"Before we begin our auction, I have a little story to share. My dear old mother has a best friend. These two have been through so much in the many years they've known one another. Well much to their dismay, my mom had me, while Minnie, had Peeta. Even though for much of our childhoods, we thought members of the opposite sex were gross, we still managed to be—well kind of close growing up." She pauses as the crowd chuckles. "I remember senior year when Peeta told me that he was going to be a Marine. I had to put on a brave face, but when I got home, Mama and I both cried.

"He joined, and life went on." While Effie continues, Peeta silently gets to his feet, with Duke's harness in his hand. Katniss wants to help, but she knows that Duke can lead him. "Then one day, we got the dreaded call from Bram, Minnie's husband, there had been a horrible accident." Her eyes find Peeta and Duke on the stage, and she can't stop the smile on her own face as she watches Duke leading. The gentle pup stops in front of the microphone as Effie says, "Here he comes now, Sergeant Peeta Mellark, and his guide dog, Duke."

Even Katniss joins in the thunderous applause. Peeta grins, and waits for the applause to die down, before he says, "There was a roadside bomb. I was left with a prosthetic, and diminished sight. Enough about me, I'm here to introduce you to an amazing person. If it hadn't been for her, I wouldn't be here now."

A strange warmth grows in her chest. Thump-thump-flip.

"I met her at K9 Warriors in October. Then, I was a defeated man. Of course, I'd had dogs growing up, but I could make it on my own, I thought. Why give me an assistant pup?" His hand goes down to touch the top of Duke's head. "Then I met Duke and Katniss. She taught me that things will be good again. It might not be today, probably not tomorrow, but one day, things will be good again.

"Katniss, when Effie came to see Duke and I, we started talking about everything. And we both agreed that something—"Effie hands him something that she can't make out. "Just come up here, please?"

She gets to her feet, and on wobbly legs, she walks across the dance floor. A young man is there to help her up the slight stairs to the stage. Everything is in a blur as Effie comes to hug her, and leads her over to Peeta.

When he feels her by his side, he drops the harness and reaches that hand out to her. She slides her hand over his, and his warmth, that incredible warmth surrounds her. His voice feels far away as he presents her with a metal of some kind. The applause is thunderous and all she can do is stand there, hanging on to him as she returns his hug.

Somehow, they make it back to their table for two. She manages to scoot hers close to his. Effie continues on the stage, and she whispers in his ear, "You brought me all the way to London to give me a metal?"

He mutters back in hers, "I wanted you to have a good trip and all that. But then I feel guilty for asking you to help me and all."

"Peeta," she says, reaching out to touch him. "I don't mind helping you—"

"And I'm so glad that you don't." He stills and they are quiet as the first bachelor appears. He murmurs, "I'm hungry."

Her stomach answers for her. "The buffet is still open. Do you want me to go make you a plate?"

"Would you?"

"I will. Be right back." She gets up and ducks to the back of the ballroom. Reaching for two plates, she fills them up with just about everything that looks remotely good. She makes it back to their little table for two.

He turns to her as she sets down the plates and slides into her seat. "What did you get?"

Katniss scowls at their plates in the pink light of the ballroom. "You know, I'm not sure. It looks good."

He picks up his fork, feels for his plate and gently scoops something. "That is something with noodles," she volunteers before the bite makes it to his mouth.

"Hmm," he moans. "That's kind of good." They continue to eat while the men are auctioned off. In between bachelors, he whispers, "I heard what you said."

She decides to play dumb. "What?"

He doesn't say anything else, but grins at her. She gives in to her desire, and watches him. Duke has his head on his lap again, and she hopes that it's just because they are growing bored. She can't help but to smile as she remembers the look that he gave her when he woke up on top of her.

She wonders if she will ever see it again.

Thump-thump-flip.

Thunderous applause interrupts her—she looks around the ballroom. Everyone is standing and starting to mingle.

"Is it over?" Peeta asks.

"I think so," she answers as the band begins to play.

He turns towards her, and pulls her close. "Are you ready?"

Thump-thump-flip goes her heart.

"Almost. Do you want some dessert?"

His cough is hoarse. "No—" his words trail off as the band starts another song. This one more familiar. "Dance with me," he commands.

All the air leaves as she tries to remember to breathe. "Alright," she whispers.

He scoots back his chair, and says, "Stay, Duke." He holds out his hand, and like she's been doing so many times for the past couple of days, she slides her palm against his.

The heat between them is still there, as she stands beside him. He leads her out to the dance floor, and she smiles gratefully to the other couples who dance out of their way.

He stops somewhere near the middle, and pulls her around to face him. Their hands are still intertwined, while his other finds her waist. He pulls her impossibly close and they start swaying together.

The handsome guy in the band with the ten-gallon Stetson steps in front of the mic and he begins to sing, "I've got a funny feeling. The moment your lips touched mine."

Thump-thump-flip goes her heart when she realizes that Peeta is singing too. "—there's a different feel about you tonight—"

She almost sobs as his words shoot right through her.

"—you shouldn't kiss me like this—"

She snakes her hands around so she can cup his cheeks. Wanting to see more, she lifts his glasses and tucks them into the bodice of her dress.

Those sweet Carolina blues blink in the soft pink light. "—we'll get lost on this dance floor—"

She allows herself to surrender as she pulls his face, his lips to hers. Both of his arms are wrapped around her as he pulls her even tighter against him. He pulls away enough to rest his forehead against hers, and sing, "—when you kiss me—"

"Grant?" She whispers. "Can we go to my room?"

His hands clench in her dress and his breath is ragged. "Are you sure?"

"I need you," she says as unbidden tears spring to her eyes.

He presses a quick kiss and murmurs, "Please, take me upstairs."

Duke watches them as they come back to him and greets them with a wag. She puts his harness into Peeta's hand. She grabs her purse, tucks the medal inside. Then slides her hand into his elbow. "I need you."

"Shall we run, then?"

Her giggle wraps around them. "Blood is a hard limit of mine. Right now, I need to feel you inside of me."

"Show me the way, beautiful."

By now most everyone is out on the dance floor, making the rest of their escape easy. The same bellhop is waiting in the elevator, and when they both say the same floor, Katniss squeezes Peeta's hand. "What room are you in?"

"305."

They both say, "Right next to—"

"That's good, very good," She murmurs. The doors ding when they open on the right floor, and they exit with Duke leading the way. They stop in front of her door, and while she fumbles with her clutch, he's behind her, kissing his way around her neck. The key card beeps as she slides it back out, and asks, "Do you need anything from your room?"

He pushes the door open, and they enter her dim room and he drops Duke's handle. It's not until they are in, with the door clicking shut, that he answers, "I was hopeful tonight."

"Why do you say that?"

He reaches into the pocket of his dress jacket and pulls out a couple of silver packets. Her laughter makes Duke wag his tail from the corner he found to curl up in. She takes the condoms from his hand, and puts them on the antique bedside table.

When she turns back around, she finishes unbuttoning the jacket for him. pushing it off his shoulders, she sets it over the chair she sat in earlier so Portia could do her make-up. "Can I take your shirt off?" All he can do is swallow hard and nod. She steps close again and eases the first button out of its hole. "Peeta?"

"What, Katniss," his voice cracks on her name.

"I need to tell you something. And if you don't feel the same—then we will just forget what is happening here in the morning and go about our lives."

He reaches for her, crushing her against his chest. "Katniss, I need to tell you something too—"

Thump-thump-flip.

"Well you go first," she whispers.

"How about we go together?"

She nods even though he can't see her. "Together."

And together they both say, "I think I'm falling in love with you—"

Unable to wait any longer, their lips meet. His hands get tangled in her hair and her arms wrap around his neck. His lips move across hers, and she gladly opens up to let him in. Their tongues tangle and his fingers dance along the lace until he finds the zipper. He starts to ease it down, but stops kissing her.

His voice is breathless when he asks, "Can I have you?"

She answers him with a kiss. The dress comes undone in his hands, and slides to the floor. He pulls away and drags his hand over his face. "Katniss? Will you do me a favor?"

"Anything," she answers even as her heart leaps in her throat.

"Go turn on the overhead light," he says. She can hear something in his voice that sounds a lot like a broken heart. "I'd like to see a little bit of you—"

She says, "of course," when what she really wants to say is how she will make everything all better.

As soon as she figures it all out.

The light switch is easy to find, flooding the room with its light. Peeta blinks, and smiles as she comes back to his side. Suddenly she feels self-conscious about just being in her bra and panties but when he reaches out for her, she starts to relax.

His hands drift over her strapless bra, and he murmurs, "Even I can see how good you look in red." One hand stays on her back while the other drifts down to the thong Portia insisted that she wear. "And this, I just know this is amazing. And garters. How did you know that I love garters?"

Her giggle is light. "Most men love garters."

"Hmmm, we do," he murmurs against her neck. Then suddenly he pulls back. His eyes blink in the light as he slowly comes closer to her. "You have silver eyes."

Tears as his words sink in. "Yes, I have silver eyes. What else can you see?"

"Your chocolate hair that is too soft for words. Your sweet face that I've been dreaming of—"

"Dreaming, Peeta?"

"Yes, Katniss, I've been dreaming of you." He kisses her nose. "I got some glimpses of you while we were working together."

"I've been dreaming of you too."

"Will you lay down for me? I want to see all of you."

"You want to see me?"

"Of course, I do. But first, take off all your clothes."

"Only if you do too," she coos. He hesitates and she cups his cheeks. She pulls him until their foreheads touch and she murmurs, "It's ok. I know about it. I already love you so much, that it doesn't matter like you think it does."

"You love me?" His whisper, so needy in that moment, makes her ache.

"I do." His arms tighten around her, and their lips meet again. His kiss, his touch is everything to her that she can't stop the tears that spring to her eyes. "I think I've loved you all my life."

"Katniss," he groans before he kisses her again. His hands run along her spine, her bra finds its way to the floor. He steps away and she reaches for his belt.

Peeta's hands end up on top of hers and he stops her. She looks up at him. His curls are mussed and his lips are swollen from her.

Thump-thump-flip.

"It's ok, sweet one-" she murmurs. His shirt is the next to find its way to the floor, followed by the undershirt he's wearing.

Thump-thump-flip.

There is a light sprinkling of dark blond hair scattered across his chest. She steps into him again, kissing his chest, right there above his heart. His arms circle her again and they both groan at the feel of skin-on-skin. He kisses the top of her head, and moans, "I can't wait much longer."

"Back up," she softly commands. "Keep going, there. Do you feel the bed?" He nods, and she adds, "Now, sit." When he lands, she sinks down to her knees in front of him. Gently, she picks up his foot.

"Katniss, what are you doing?"

She looks up at his face as she picks up his shoe. "Helping you." After she unties the laces, she eases it off his foot. His sock follows. Out of the corner of her eye, she sees him grimace as she reaches for his other foot. Not sure where his prosthetic starts, she touches the inside of his thigh. He jumps, and she offers, "I'm sorry. Do you want me to tell you what I'm doing?"

"No—do what you want. It's just been so long—"

"For me too." She picks his foot up and puts it on her knee. "Do I just untie your shoe and take off your sock, like I did for your other foot?"

"You don't have to—we can turn out the lights—"

"Sergeant Peeta Mellark. Stop that right now. We both just told each other how we feel," her voice softens as she puts her hands on his knees. "If that's what you want to do, then we will. But I want to know you, and see you."

"Yeah," his voice cracks, "just untie it, like you did the other one." She slides it off easily and the sock follows.

"Can you stand?" She asks, still on her knees before him. It takes him a moment, but when he is on his feet, her hands are at his button again. The zipper is the loudest thing in the room when she eases it down.

The dress pants fall to his knees, revealing the prosthetic right below his left knee. While she expected that, she didn't think about the other scars. Red welts litter both legs, with the most being on his left knee and thigh.

Her fingers flit over the biggest, and the skin surrounding it, jumps at her touch. Before she knows what is happening, he's picking her up off the floor. His touch, his kiss that lands on her lips sends a wave of want that she's never felt before.

The next item to go is her panties. She reaches for the garters, but his whiskey whisper stops her, "Leave them, I want to take them off." His pause is short before he commands, "Lay down."

The bed creaks under her sudden weight. She crawls to the middle and lays down. With everything she's feeling from the excitement to the desire that's humming through her veins, it's hard for her to be still.

He steps out of his pants, and joins her on the bed. He touches her ankle, making her gasp at his warm touch. Using her legs to guide him, he crawls in between them. "Katniss, I can't wait much longer."

She opens her arms. "Well, come here then." Before he moves over her, he slides his briefs down over his hips. Cellophane crinkles, and she lifts her head to watch. She can't see anything but his hands before he is moving to cover her.

His hand cups her mound, and she groans as his fingers run in between her folds. "Peeta," she gasps.

"You feel so good," he answers.

She reaches for his shoulders, loving the feel of his strength. "I need you inside of me, please."

He shifts his hips until she can feel his hardness. She moves to meet him, and they both growl as he slides into her depths. "Fuck, Katniss."

She sinks her nails into his back, as she starts to wrap her legs around him. He steals a kiss then leans back, guiding her ankle to his shoulder instead. Putting her foot on his shoulder, he begins to move.

Everything she's been feeling over the past couple of days, months even, for this man comes crashing down about her. As she comes, it doesn't take long for him to follow. With a grunt, he pulls out, and falls down beside her.

As they catch their breath, lights begin to flash outside the window, but they hear nothing except each other. "Peeta?"

"What?"

"Are you alright with fireworks?"

"As long as I don't hear them. What time is it?"

Katniss fumbles for her phone that's beside the bed. "Oh," she breathes, "It's 12:01. Happy New Years, Peeta."

"Happy New Years, Katniss." He rolls towards her and she mirrors him. "Call me silly, but I have a feeling that this will be the best year yet."

She meets his lips for a sweet kiss. "You know, I think you might be right, Sergeant Mellark," she says against his lips before claiming them again.