Disclaimer: Though I love and worship DBZ, I do not own it, nor any of its characters. So please don't sue me. I'm broke, anyway.

Cruel Games

Chapter 2

Sometime later the next day, the regen. chamber decided Bulma was repaired enough to wake up, the fluid drained from the bottom and the lid opened. The resulting cool air that played over Bulma was enough to rouse her, just as the chamber let off a chiming sound, not unlike the sound a microwave makes when it's done cooking.

For a few moments, Bulma lay still, trying to remember how she had gotten where she was. She remembered being in the gravity room, and feeling that intense sadness, which she still felt. I must have passed out...but how did I...?

A sudden thought, the only possibility really, crossed her mind.

Vegeta! It was him! He saved me...

She got out of the chamber and grabbed a towel from the rack on the wall. Taking slow steps, she walked to the kitchen even before going to shower. She had to thank him, even though she had no delusions of romanticism about the rescue. He probably saved me just because I can fix the gravity room when it breaks down. Vegeta was not to be found, though. In the kitchen or anywhere else. Bulma decided she would thank him later when she had the chance. Besides, she had a lot of thinking to do.

After a nice long, hot shower, Bulma was feeling much better. She wasn't sure what she was trying to accomplish last night in the gravity room, but now she understood that she could not let Yamcha's betrayal ruin her life. She would move on, and live to love again.

But I feel so lonely already ...

Yes, she'd hurt for a while, but she had to remind herself that she had known deep in her heart or hearts that Yamcha was cheating, and an open betrayal was inevitable.

Vegeta had flown away that night, to spend time meditating and clearing his head of nagging thoughts. He knew there was nowhere else he preferred to stay on earth than Capsule Corp., as the gravity room was there and the Briefs being the richest family around, he lived in comfort like he was used to. (Except when that woman tries to cook the meals- that's like being punished)

Speaking of food, he was hungry. Vegeta looked west, to the setting sun turning clouds purple in the sky. It had been a full day since he had eaten, and though he could go considerably longer without food, he didn't like to when he didn't have to.

Vegeta made his way back to Capsule Corp., his stomach rumbling in anticipation of being filled.

Bulma had thought a lot about the last few days' events, while working in the lab or in her office, which really had no difference. Over the years the lab had spilled over into the office. Her workplace had special significance for her, since no one dared to bother her when she was working, not even her father. Except for Vegeta. And as for the resident alien prince, she had installed titanium doors to keep him at bay when there was a problem with the gravity room. She doubted they would even slow him down in the least though, if he wanted to break them down. So far, he had had the manners not to destroy them, probably in respect of the unspoken agreement that he could.

Sighing over an unfinished project sprawled across her desk, (and onto the floor) Bulma jumped on her stool at a loud knock. Taking a moment to settle herself, she answered, "Yes?!"

She didn't need to ask who it was.

"Gravity room's broken."

Sighing louder, and this time with more frustration than sadness, Bulma opened the door.

What met her eyes was a sight she was not soon to forget; Vegeta stood in the doorway, the heat from his interrupted workout radiating off him; the sweat sheen on his body glowed, and his muscles rippled under tanned skin. Not to mention the skin-tight black shorts, and the absence of a shirt left little to the imagination.

"Gravity room's broken." He said again, startling Bulma out of her reverie.

" I heard you the first time," she said, suddenly feeling warm.

" Fix it."

"I have things do other than fix that thing all the time, but not that you'd stop to figure that out!" She was getting uncomfortable with the way her body was reacting to him, and she needed to put some distance between them.

"You could at least say please!"

She made to close the door, but Vegeta easily caught it with one hand, holding it open.

Bulma felt decidedly hot now, and was desperate to escape that absorbing gaze.

" Let go!"

Vegeta cocked his head to the side and arched an eyebrow, as if seeing something different about her. He was no idiot, and even without his heightened senses, he could tell she was aroused...by him! He let out a low chuckle, though truth be told, this new development had him feeling a bit off guard... Not that he would show it.

"...Why?" He asked, slowly looking her up and down, making it obvious he was fully aware of her condition.

Bulma was having trouble breathing normally, not to mention thinking normally, as she tried to come up with answer to satisfy him.

"I'm not feeling myself right now!" she almost shrieked, "I need some time alone!"

Vegeta nearly laughed out loud at her answer.

"Some time alone..." he said, "To feel yourself...?

Bulma did not justify him with an answer. Instead of trying to close the door between them, she made to walk past him, heading for her rooms. Vegeta stepped in front of her, bringing her closer than she wanted to be to him. Not wanting to back down, she held her ground. Determinedly she looked into those coal-black eyes.

Bulma could feel his warmth being so close, and hear his breathing.

His breathing...

She then noticed something she had missed in his gaze before...desire. So she wasn't the only one feeling a little turned on!

Oh, ho!

She felt a surge of confidence and regained some of her composure.

"Vegeta,.." she purred, instantly seeing the change in his face from smug to unsure,

"If you don't intend on letting me past, what do you have in mind?"

Bulma expected the sayain to back off, and storm away in a huff.

Instead, she found her back pressed up against the wall, and his hands gently but firmly holding her shoulders in place. His face was only a few inches from her own, and she was totally at a loss.

"Do you think I have not played this game before, woman?" He drew even closer, brushing his cheek against hers, breathing in the scent of her hair. She was now pressed full length against him, and it was almost too much for him to bear. He fought the urge to take her right there, to rip her clothes off and show her how a real man could satisfy a woman, not like that weakling, Yamcha.

Similarly affected by the contact, Bulma's eyes slipped closed and her mind reeled. Vegeta had loosened his hold, and her hands, seemingly with a mind of their own, ran up his marvelously sculpted back and into his coarse hair.

What's... going on here?!? Oh, Kami, help me! Bumla could not stop herself from exploring Vegeta's body, his scent driving her into a frenzy as he began nuzzling her neck.

Vegeta was lost in his own ministrations, teasing Bulma with his lips. He was determined to be the victor of this encounter, or so he kept telling himself.

Softly he brushed her neck, lightly nipping her delicately scented skin. He had to hold himself back from breaking the skin and tasting her sweet blood. Instead he contented to run his hands over her wondrous form, down to her waist and lower to her often admired posterior, which he squeezed lightly, winning a gasp from her.

Bulma was fast becoming butter in the sayian prince's masterful hands. And she knew it. And she wanted more, suddenly burning for it.

Just as she was whispering something about the two of them going to her rooms, she felt cold air between them, the contact suddenly broken. She opened her eyes to see Vegeta walking down the hallway, not in any hurry.

"The gravity room's broken. Fix it."

Bulma's jaw hit the floor.

He paused while turning the corner, and looked back at her still pressed against the wall and completely flustered.

"Please." He added, with the smuggest possible smirk he could manage. (That's saying a lot)

Bulma, speechless, took a moment to stare at the space Vegeta had just been, putting her thoughts back in order. Still very much hot and bothered, she began to grow angry.

How dare he! Toy with her like some plaything and toss her to the wayside like it was nothing to him! And to just walk away like that! He was turned on too!

She walked down the hall, once again heading for her rooms.

How could he just stop like that? He must have very good control, or be very good at faking desire. Bulma stopped, considering. Was he faking? His desire felt genuine, made her feel so warm... so wanted....

Damn! Now she really did need some time alone!