Chapter Two

The next morning, House woke first, muscles pleasantly stiff. He lay perfectly still for a few minutes, listening to the light breathing that was Cuddy sleeping. Pink light was just starting to finger through the curtains, which meant they'd have to get up soon and head off to work. The first few times, they'd had trouble, until Cuddy had started keeping a few clothes and toiletries at his place so she didn't have to run home first. Now, it meant she could sleep in for a little while longer. Smiling, House opened his eyes and turned his head to see her lying next to him, brown curls tangled on the pillow.

On a whim, he wrapped a strong arm around her and drew her closer, dropping a soft kiss onto her lips. She stirred under him, blinking her eyes sleepily open.

'Ngguh?'

'Coherent. Your makeup's smudged by the way.'

'Well you didn't give me a chance to take it off last night,' she murmured, her voice thick with sleep. Smiling, he kissed her again, before lowering his head and nibbling along her neck; smug in the knowledge that there was probably some lipstick smeared places that would make Foreman choke.

'Mmm, House, we have to get to work…'

'I've… got…a better… idea…' he mumbled, between kisses and small nips. She'd tilted her chin up slightly to give him access, even as she protested.

'House, stop it.'

'Now say it and mean it,' he replied glibly, briefly pulling away to give her a mischievous look with blue eyes twinkling, before bending his head again. Cuddy let out a shuddering sigh that sounded a lot like surrender.

House shifted until she was underneath him and he had better access to her body. He noted with satisfaction that her eyes had flickered closed as he tasted her smooth skin, soon turning her breathing ragged.

'You think maybe this… ngk… is why Cameron wants you?' Cuddy managed to gasp out. House briefly raised his head, sardonic expression on his face.

'Are you suggesting I've already been giving Cameron free samples?'

'You're an idiot if you haven't been.'

House looked briefly contemplative, pausing over her stomach. 'So you're saying you'd be willing to dress up in silk teddies and have pillow fights with her for my benefit?'

'Pig. I'm saying: you should have given her a go. She'd be good for you.'

'Incredibly hot sex is also good for me. And can a pig do this?'

Cuddy let out a low moan, her fingers moving to tangle in his short hair.

'Cameron's possibly the one person that might be… ggk… able to…hnh… balance you…' she panted, vision blurring.

'I'm balanced. And may I point out that as my woman, you're not meant to be suggesting I cheat.'

''m not… your… woman… ahh…'

'Doesn't sound like it,' commented House amusedly, watching her carefully as he worked. Cuddy wasn't able to respond, rendered completely incoherent as she writhed and mewled.

Despite their activities the night before, it didn't take long. Cuddy subsided, panting, and House stalked back up her body to kiss her again.

'Now wasn't that more fun that going to work?'

'Guh…'

'Glad you thought so.'

Smiling slightly at her blissed-out expression, House pushed himself up and climbed out of bed, stretching as he stood and limping to the bathroom.

oo00OO00oo

'House!'

'Wruh wroh,' whispered House dramatically, ducking to hide behind Foreman, who bemusedly apologised to Cuddy with his expression. Lips pursed, she motioned him to one side, revealing the ineffectually cowering House.

'Traitor,' House snapped at Foreman, straightening.

'House, why the hell aren't you in the clinic?' she almost yelled, hands on hips. House blinked, drawing back slightly. 'That's quite a lung capacity you've got there Dr. Cuddy,' he commented dryly, disappointed when he didn't even get a flicker of the eyes.

'I'll resort to emotional blackmail if I have to,' she warned him, expression dangerous, whilst mirth silently danced within her at turning House's game back on him. He retaliated in sort.

'My my. Cranky today, aren't we? Didn't get much sleep last night?' That got her, and she let out a long-suffering sigh to cover it.

'House, just go change into some scrubs and get down there. There's kids throwing up all over the place.'

'Why Dr. Cuddy… I do believe you're just trying to get me out of my clothes.' He made his tone coy, and Foreman rolled his eyes at House's attempts to sexually harass his boss.

'Sure. Out of your clothes, and into some scrubs.'

'How about a bribe?'

'Sure. I'll let you give me a foot rub if you get down there this second.'

'Hmm,' House looked thoughtful, pretending to consider it. 'Nyah. I was thinking more in terms of some of your lacy underthings in compensation.'

'They wouldn't fit you,' Cuddy retorted, echoing their conversation from last night. House winked, before standing and exiting. Cuddy sighed again, for Foreman's benefit, before casually following him out. Once out of Foreman's sight, she sped up, catching up with the cripple easily.

'My place, eight.' She said as she drew abreast of him. He raised his eyebrows in amusement, looking down at the shorter woman.

'Feeling a little insecure are we?'

'No. I want to tie you to the bed, and I'm not lugging the chains all the way over to your house.'

House stopped dead, brain momentarily shorted as Cuddy continued on down the hall like nothing had happened, although a small smile was playing across her lips.

The End.