Valentine's Day Blog Hop!

Come on. Don't be a cynic. You know you love V-Day. Aaaaaadmit it!!!

Well I do! And in honor of this lovely, romantic holiday (the one my brother so fondly refers to as "Single Awareness Day"), I've joined the Valentine's Day blog hop, hosted by Hope and Cassie! The Rules are simple:

Share one of your favorite kissing scenes from a book you've read, from your own WiP, make one up, or write about one of your own memorable kisses. Then hop around to feel how sweet, romantic, or downright steamy other characters are getting smooched!

That being said, I had big plans to "WOW" you with a totally awesome schmoochy schmooch from my own WIP... HOWEVER... its not done. The version I have is crappy, unfinished and doesn't give me the warm fuzzies. And lets face it... I can't possibly post a first kiss excerpt without channeling warm fuzzies! I just can't. Plus I've been on vacay all week, which means I've been a slacker ALL week... excuses, excuses. I feel so lame for not posting something ORIGINAL. BUT, in honor of Hunger Games month (a.k.a. March, dubbed so by yours truly for the movie), I've decided to post K and P's first REAL steamy lip lock...

"Maybe I did it for myself, Peeta, did you ever think of that? Maybe you aren't the only one who . . . who worries about . . . what it would be like if . . ."

I fumble. I'm not as smooth with words as Peeta. And while I was talking, the idea of actually losing Peeta hit me again and I realized how much I don't want him to die. And its not about the sponsors. And it not about what will happen back home. And its not just that I don't want to be alone. Its him. I do not want to lose the boy with the bread. 

"If what, Katniss?" he says softly.

I wish I could pull the shutters closed, blocking out this moment from the prying eyes of Panem. Even if it means losing food. Whatever I'm feeling, its no ones' business but mine. 

"That's exactly the kind of topic Haymitch told me to steer clear of," I say evasively, although Haymitch never said anything of the kind. In fact, he's probably cursing me out right now for dropping the ball during such an emotionally charged moment. But Peeta somehow catches it. 

"Then I'll just have to fill in the blanks myself," he says, and moves in to me. 

This is the first kiss that we're both fully aware of. Neither of us hobbled by sickness or pain or simply unconscious. Our lips neither burning with fever or icy cold. This is the first kiss where I actually feel stirring inside my chest. Warm and curious. This is the first kiss that makes me want another. 

There are--admittedly--better kissing scenes out there (Katniss is such a pill about Peeta at first...), but oh how we love our Hunger Games heroes! (Even though, I admit, I'm totally a team Gale-er). So here's to cheesy Valentine cards, cheap heart shaped candy and loooooong steamy kisses! I love you, my lovely readers!!