CH. 4
"Hi," Cuddy said shyly. What has gotten into her? Why was she so anxious, now more than ever, looking at him. God, he looked incredible. She wanted to jump into his arms and do him right then and there. Suddenly, her eyes widened and if it was even possible, her smile got even bigger. He was wearing the shirt. I love that shirt. I can't believe that he remembered. She looked up at him, his eyes met hers and they gazed into each other's eyes for what seemed like forever.
House was jumping out of his skin. She looked beautiful. No, even beautiful wasn't enough to describe the way she looked tonight. She wore a beautiful black Pamella Roland off the shoulder dress. House was going crazy. The dress fit her perfectly. It fell from one shoulder, leaving the other bare, with a slit up to her right knee. On Cuddy, the dress was a-symmetric perfection. He looked at her face, minimal make-up, and her hair was down, straight with the ends flipped up. He was practically drooling. She was something else. She was perfect.
"You look gorgeous," he heard the words slip out of his mouth before he could think. Realizing what he just verbalized, he looked away as his ears reddened.
Cuddy smiled adoringly up at him. Good thing he wasn't looking at her. He'd mock her for that smile, she knew it. "Just let me get my purse," she said, breaking the silence. He nodded and waited at the door. When she came out the door and was about to shut it, he held up the corsage. It was breathtaking. Cuddy didn't know what to do. She was completely mesmerized. She looked from the beautiful white rose corsage to House, "Are you going to help me put it on, or are you going to hold it all night?" she teased.
House took it from the box and slipped it around her wrist. The band was made of crystals, with a satin tie on the ends. It fit perfectly on her wrist, and looked impeccable beside the dress. Cuddy looked down at her wrist and admired the work of art as House finished tying the ribbon. His fingers gingerly danced around her wrist, brushing against her skin once in a while as he knotted the bow. Cuddy tried to ignore the shivers his touch sent up her spine. He was divine. And the corsage, how sweet. Cuddy couldn't help but beam as he walked alongside her to the car, and opened her door for her. As she climbed in, he gave her his hand for support, even though she didn't need it. Their hands locked for a brief moment, and their eyes met. They fit together, perfectly. Within a split second, House retracted his hand and shut her door.
"Where are we going?" she asked as he hopped in and put his seatbelt on.
"You'll see. Hope you're in the mood for Chinese, though," he answered, starting the car.
"I love Chinese food," Cuddy smiled as she rested her head against the seat, and let a smile claim her lips. So far, so good.
"Did you remember your casual clothes?"
"Yes, I did. Guess you didn't notice the extra bag I ran back to get before we left."
House nodded. He didn't notice. He was too hypnotized by Cuddy's sheer radiance, but that he would never admit.
After some time of driving, Cuddy turned to House with a puzzled expression and asked, "Where are we going? Didn't you pass the Chinese Resta-" he cut her off.
"We not going to that one. We're going to Zhuang's."
Cuddy's eyes widened, and she blinked hard. "But that's in New York City.."
House looked at her in mock seriousness, "How long have you been sitting on this information?" Cuddy rolled her eyes and looks out the passenger window.
"I thought that we should go somewhere nice tonight… but if you don't want to… then I can always turn around…"
"No, no. I was just surprised," she smiled at him. "I've always wanted to go there, but they have been booked. How did you…."
"I know a guy who knows a guy," House smirked.
It wasn't long after their conversation that House pulled up in front of the lavish building and gave the valet his keys. He took Cuddy's arm, and walked into the restaurant.
"Reservation for two. House," he said in a stately manner.
"Ah, yes. Right this way. I was also told to tell you that Mr. Zhuang will be serving you this evening," the hostess said, as she led them to the best seat in the house.
Once they were seated, Cuddy whispered to him over her menu, "How do you know Mr. Zhuang?"
House smirked at her. "There are a lot of things you don't know about me, m'dear."
"Seriously House, how did you get him to wait on us?"
"Do you have to know how and why everything works?" Shit. He shouldn't have said that. Damn. Ruined the moment.
Cuddy was slightly taken aback by his retort, and looked back down at the menu. Well, excuse me, she thought.
"Hello, Mista House. Howa are you dis evening?" Mr. Zhuang greeted with a smile and a handshake. "Whata can I fix you and the lovely lady?"
"May I?" House looked at Cuddy. She nodded.
"May we have the Chinese Garden Salad, then the Cantonese Lobster with white rice, water, Late Harvest Wine (the bottle), and finally Apricot Sorbet And Vanilla-Sauternes Sorbet ?"
"Ah, good choices! Will be my pleasure."
"Thank you," House replied as Mr. Zhuang took their menus.
"That sounds positively delicious!" Cuddy's mouth was watering just by listening to it all. House gave a small smile then looked around to find where the piano music came from all of a sudden…
Cuddy noticed and watched longingly as couples started to get up and waltz with each other. House noticed Cuddy watching. Does she want to dance? It's the least I can do for being smart with her earlier. Maybe just one dance? Cuddy didn't notice as House stood up and walked around to her side.
"Do you wanna dance?"
Cuddy looked at him.
House rolled his eyes, "That is, would you care to dance?" Cuddy accepted this invitation with a big smile and a shy nod of her head. She took his hand, and a bolt of electricity shot up their arms. Their eyes met, and locked. The background disappeared, and it was only them and the music, as they began a slow waltz. Cuddy's right hand in House's left, his other around her waist, and her's on his shoulder. They were mesmerized by each other. They first began looking into each other's eyes, but their gazes wandered and Cuddy found herself resting her head on him. House smiled to himself. This was heaven.
As the song ended, House and Cuddy made their way back to the table where their salad was waiting for them.
"Thank you for that, House," Cuddy said, still in a daze. She was on cloud nine.
"You're welcome," House replied.
For the rest of the dinner, there was some talk, but most of the time passed in a comfortable, mutual silence. Their presence was enough for each other. After polishing off dessert, Mr. Zhuang said it was all on him, and wished them both a wonderful evening. House shook his hand, and thanked him for an exceptional dinner. Zhuang led them to the exit, but showed them to another room where they could change into their other clothes before heading out. Cuddy felt a little awkward changing at the restaurant, but quickly shoved the thought out of her mind and focused on wondering how the rest of the night was going to be spent.
House and Cuddy met up outside, and waited for the valet. Cuddy was shocked to see the man bring around House's motorcycle.
"What are we doing?"
"We're going to go for a ride," House said with a waggle of his eyebrows. Before she could protest, House handed Cuddy a helmet and a leather jacket, both of which were brand new and bought solely for her; she knew it.
House got on his bike, and motioned for Cuddy to hop on. She did. But then, she fidgeted awkwardly and put her arms lightly around his waist. House took her hands and wrapped her arms tighter around him, causing her to close the distance between them and place her chin on his shoulder. Without warning, they were off. They rode through Times Square and ended up in Central Park. There they walked around, ending it in Strawberry Fields. There a lone guitarist was playing John Lennon's Imagine. House and Cuddy swayed to the song before finally making their way back to his motorcycle. They both got on, and made their way back to Cuddy's house.
Cuddy felt at home with her arms wrapped around his waist, relaxing against his body. She subconsciously nuzzled into the crook of his neck, as he drove her home.
House reveled in the fact that Cuddy had her arms around him. He loved the way she felt, so delicate, yet strong. He thought that tonight went better than expected, and hoped that there would be many more nights spent with her.
Before they knew it, they reached Cuddy's house. Cuddy reluctantly let go of House and removed her helmet. She was about to hand it to him when he said, "Keep it. I got it for you, for future use." He refused to meet her eyes after that sentiment, but he could feel her smile. Cuddy beamed. He wants her to ride with him again… so there would be a second date? She hoped.
House walked her to her door. They paused before she opened the door. What do they do? Do they kiss? On the lips? On the cheek? This was awkward… but House had one more thing up his sleeve…
House handed her a single crimson rose. Cuddy bit her lip and gracefully took it from him, purposely grazing her fingers against his. "Thank you, it's beautiful." With that, House opened the door for her, kissed her on the forehead, and with his lips still lingering he whispered good night, and took his leave.
Cuddy positively melted. She watched him pull away and drive off down the street. What a night, she thought. House was amazing… she shut the door and leaned against it. She couldn't help feeling like a teenager. Just then the babysitter walked in and caught her grinning like an idiot, completely dazed. Cuddy shook herself out of it, and dismissed the kind woman. She walked into Rachel's room and carefully gave her a kiss. "Mommy's home. She had a wonderful evening. I love you, baby. See you in the morning," and left for her room after double checking the baby monitor. Cuddy got ready for bed. Wait, he didn't ask for a second date! Shit. Does he want another one? He did give me a rose, and the helmet…and the jacket for 'future use,' but does that mean….? Ugh. Now what? She couldn't call… she was just going to have to go to sleep and await Monday, which will hopefully bring about another invitation for a date with House. She hoped.
House made his way home, and quietly snuck in. He gave a smirk upon hearing Wilson snore on the couch. He waited up to hear how everything went… but he fell asleep twenty minutes before House returned. House snorted at the sight of his friend passed out on the couch. Normally, had he stumbled upon this situation he would put Wilson's hand in a glass of warm water… but not tonight… Wait a minute… this doesn't happen often… House thought as he quietly shuffled to the kitchen and brought back a glass of warm water, and carefully placed Wilson's hand in it… then snuck off to bed.
As House lie in bed, a smiled tugged at the corners of his mouth as he thought of Cuddy, and their night together. With those thoughts, he drifted peacefully to sleep anticipating Monday.
Hoped you liked it! :)
