CHAPTER 5
"We're getting complaints about you and Dr. House." Cuddy said as she walked around the front of the desk and sat on the edge, looking down at Eileen who'd just sat down.
"Complaints? What are people saying?"
Cuddy's smirk was small. "Some people are tired of the fighting; others find the whole thing rather amusing. Still others are making bets on how long it'll take for the two of you to sleep together. "
Eileen looked at Cuddy in horror. "What?!?"
"The pool's up to $1,000. My guess came and went."
"WHAT?!?!"
"But while this is highly amusing it's counterproductive and disruptive. Something has to be done."
"Like what? Will this endanger my job?"
Cuddy shook her head. "Oh no, Eileen! Of course not! You are a tremendous anesthesiologist. We lobbied hard for you when we heard you were moving to Princeton after Charlie's death." Eileen squirmed in her seat. "We are honored and privileged to have you here but we can't have this nonsense."
"I'm not trying to bait him but…"
"The hell you aren't." Both women turned to see House leaning against the door jam, his ankles and arms crossed, his eyes narrowed at Eileen.
Eileen took a breath to compose herself. She disliked so much about Dr. House… so much except what she saw and she hated herself for that. I'm no different than Charlie, the cheating rat! Her eyes followed the long planes of his physique, over his stubbly chin and into his blue eyes which sparked with understanding. He had seen her perusal and his eyes were taunting her. She turned back to Cuddy and crossed her arms after flipping her hair over her shoulder defiantly.
"You're baiting me because you like me. Well…" He limped further into the office and stood in front of her. He chuckled when she averted his gaze from his torso. "…I can take pity on fat girls and give you a spin if you need one."
Cuddy was clearly exasperated. "What is going on with you two? You've been at each other's throats since almost the first day you met."
Eileen uncrossed her arms, legs and stood up. Her gaze didn't flinch from his, each mentally challenging the other to make the first move. "Excuse me, Dr. Cuddy…" She turned away and looked at the woman in question. "…I have to prepare for surgery." Eileen looked back at House, turned her head away so fast she flicked her hair in his face, and started for the door.
"You do have a great ss though. From behind it looks like two throw pillows fighting over the remote control."
Eileen stopped as Cuddy gasped, a choking sound one makes when stifling their laughter. Eileen slowly turned around and caught the twinkle in House's eye. He was clearly baiting him and her first instinct was to slap him again. Hard. But she could see he was expecting that, again. Next came the impulse to ignore him, turn on her heel, and march out of the room. Again, she could see he was expecting that as well.
Then suddenly it hit her, something she knew he wouldn't be expecting. She stood up straighter, straightened the twin sweater set, smoothed her hands over her hips and smiled as his eyes watched the path of her hands. Eileen stepped closer to House, framed his face with her hands and gave him a kiss.
But it wasn't just a kiss. It was more than a kiss; it was the kind of kiss one gave their lover: slow, smooth, with her tongue slowly entering his mouth, caressing his teeth and baiting his own. He let out a low moan as his hands followed the path along her hips that hers just took. Before House could take the control from her, Eileen stepped back. "You know," Strangely, Eileen was having trouble breathing. "We probably should put away our little feud. What do you think?" She didn't give him time to respond as she turned and walked slowly but confidently out of the office.
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