Chapter 3

"So … here we are …" House said smiling awkwardly at Cameron.

"Yep … here we are …" Cameron stared at her feet.

House didn't know what to do. His confidence in his brilliant idea was eroding by the second. Should I call this off … nah … I can't so soon, I'll look like a wuss …

House took Cameron by the hand and sat down with her on the cedar bench that bordered the outer wall of the room.

"Well, this is my first time in the ladies shower …" he joked, trying to break the ice. Cameron smiled back at him weakly.

"Does it look any different than the men's shower room?"

"Nope …" said House, trying to think of something else to say. "It smells better, though …"

Drip … drip … drip … drip … The only thing House could hear was the sound of a tap dripping somewhere in the room. He looked at his watch; it was ten after two. If they didn't get started soon, they would run out of time.

"Well, I guess I'll start getting undressed …" House said, winking at Cameron. He bent down and removed his shoes and socks. Cameron watched and then slipped off her sandals.

Okay … that's a start … House stripped off his clammy tee shirt and set it aside.

That's it … I'm going through with this …

I'm hot and sweaty and no matter what, I'm going have a shower …

good, I've made up my mind.

House looked over at Cameron who was smiling sweetly at him. She rose and stared pointedly at his bare chest before raising her eyes to meet his.

"House …" she started.

"Cameron, look you don't have to …" he began.

"House …" she said, stopping him, "would you please unzip my dress for me?"

"Um … sure Cameron, here sit on my knee … the good one …" Cameron gave a little laugh as she sat with her back to him.

House noticed his hand was trembling. C'mon get a grip man … He held his breath as he pulled the long zipper down to her waist and toyed with the satiny yellow fabric of her sundress. His fingers were poised over the clasp of her bra; he longed to undo it and slide his hands beneath the lacey fabric to feel her breasts in his hands, to caress her nipples. Don't get ahead of yourself House … let's try something safer …

Cameron gasped when she felt House's strong hands glide up her back.

"I'm sorry House … I guess I'm a little nervous …" she said, embarrassed at her skittishness.

"That's okay … I think we both have to relax …" House said, feeling her tension when he began to massage Cameron's shoulders. It didn't take long before his ministrations took effect; Cameron purred as she rolled her head in lazy circles letting his fingers worked their magic. House leaned forward and kissed the nape of her neck softly as he slid his hands down to cup her ribcage; he rested them tantalizingly close to her breasts … almost touching, but not quite.

Cameron turned to face House and slowly lifted the hem of her skirt. When House reached down to help her, their hands met.

They stopped and looked into each others eyes, not saying a word as she lifted her arms above her head, giving House tacit approval to remove her dress.

She stood, clad only in a white lacey bra and bikini panties, and waited. House swallowed hard as he rose to meet her.

They were at the point of no return and House realized that he had sorely underestimated the importance of this moment. His relationship with Cameron would never be the same.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her close to him.

"Cameron … I know I acted like this was just a big game when I asked you here, but I was an idiot … as usual. This … no, you … are very important to me. We don't have to do this if you're not ready …" House said earnestly. "We could go on a proper date after work, would you like that?"

Cameron thought for a moment.

"Do you want this to stop House … please be honest …"

"I'll do whatever you want … but no … I'd love to continue … "

"Then you should know, I have one very strict rule that I live by …" Cameron said seriously. "Whenever I date, I always shower first … so yes House, I'd love to go out on a date with you after work. "

House tilted her chin up with one finger as he bent to kiss Cameron's smiling lips.

"I love a girl that plays by the rules …"