THREE

Cuddy made her way back to her table, trying to regain her composure as she walked. She shook her head, trying to get the image of Houses' deep, blue eyes out of her mind. They still stared at her with an intensity she couldn't describe; an intensity that made her heart race and her breathing shallow. She always told herself that it was because of the anger he caused her whenever they argued, but sometimes when he stands much too close to her, she thinks it might be something else. But then again, that something else could always just be those crazy hormones, she was never really sure.

She finally reached her table and gave the man she was with a sincere smile. "I'm sorry I took so long, a fellow of mine needed a quick consult on a patient," she lied.

"Not a problem," he answered politely, flashing his white smile in a way that every other woman would find extremely charming. "Are you sure you're alright? You seem a little distressed."

"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, reassuring herself as much as him. He eyed her suspiciously and reached out his hand to touch her forearm.

"We could always meet up another time, if you're too busy here. How about over some drinks sometime this week?" he asked in a voice that suggested a lot more than just discussing money business. She tensed as she felt his knee brush against her thigh, and noticing her discomfort, he moved his hand from her arm and placed it back on his coffee. "I'm very sorry, Dr. Cuddy. I didn't mean to-"

"That sounds like a good idea," Cuddy interrupted, not quite sure what she was getting herself into. Sure, he was handsome, rich, and probably every girl's dream, but the idea of having drinks with him was not an idea she was looking forward to. The priceless look on Houses' face when he finds out about her new plans, however, she was really looking forward to. "And please, call me Lisa," she added.

"Ethan," he offered pleasantly. He stood up and stuck his hand out, which she accepted appreciatively. She had to admit; he was a very nice and pleasant man. "I'll give you a call soon and we can plan a time to go over the rest of the details. It was a pleasure to meet you, Lisa."

"You too, Ethan, I look forward to hearing from you," she replied with a smile; it was impossible to not be friendly towards such a charming, polite man, even if he was a little unnerving. She picked up her coffee cup and her briefcase and headed back towards her office, already dreading the paper work she had planned to catch up on today.

She finally reached her office and pushed open the door with the back of her shoulder, not having any hands free to push it open. When she spun around after the door closed, she almost spilled her coffee as she jumped back in shock.

"You better have a good reason for being in here," she muttered in an angry voice, setting her briefcase down rather violently on a chair in front of her desk.

"Wilson's looking for me," he replied, lifting his bad leg up and placing it on top of her desk, making himself comfortable.

"Right," she said, rolling her eyes. "Well, how about you go down to the clinic like you were supposed to? If you're trying to avoid Wilson, it's probably one of the last places he would look."

"Nah, clinic patients are annoying and boring." He pulled his psp out of his pocket and leaned back in her chair. "Plus, I have to make sure Mr. Perfect-Hair-and-Fake-White-Teeth doesn't come up here and jump you while you're trying to do important, hospital work," he added quickly, his eyes still focused on the game in his hands.

"Ethan has already left," she snapped back, grabbing the game out of his hands. "So I guess you better get down to the clinic so Wilson doesn't find you."

"I can't."

"Why can't you now?"

"I have to go check on my patient," he said, grabbing his cane and standing up. Her sudden closeness surprised him, but he didn't feel any need to move away from her either. He didn't look at her though, remembering the moment they shared in the bathroom not too long ago when he simply couldn't force himself to look away. If that lady hadn't walked in, he wasn't sure what he would have done.

"Your patient came out of surgery hours and ago and has been stable since," she said, finding it hard not to laugh at his feeble attempts to get out of clinic duty. "Nice try."

"So why did you send Ethan away so soon?" he asked, sounding his name out with disgust and finally looking up at her so she couldn't get away with lying. "Were his teeth starting to hurt your eyes?"

"Very funny, House. But I'll have you know it's because we're meeting at another time. I just have too much work to do today. What's your problem with him anyway?"

"I don't have a problem with him," House shrugged casually. "Actually I admire him. His obvious attempts to get you in his bed are really quite impressive. He's going to be quite disappointed when he finds out you're not as easy as your low cut tops and do-me pumps make you look."

"Maybe he won't have any reason to be disappointed," she replied, meeting his stare and refusing to let him see through her this time.