A/N: One more chapter after this one. Hughville and I are glad you're all enjoying it :) Thanks again for your reviews :)
Chapter Sixteen
"You still haven't slept with her?" Wilson asked in surprise.
They sat on the couch in House's apartment playing a video game.
"No," House said as he blew up Wilson's avatar. "And pay attention."
He started the game again but Wilson paused it.
"This is huge," he told House. "Stacy moved in a week after she met you."
"And look how well that worked out," House replied as he got up and headed toward the kitchen. "You want more beer?"
"Yeah," Wilson said. "So why are you taking it so slow with Cameron?"
House returned and handed Wilson his beer. Slouching down on the couch, he took a large swallow of his own beer. He wiped his mouth with his hand.
"I don't want to screw this up," he told Wilson. Lifting his right leg, he put his feet on the coffee table and sipped his beer. "Cameron is different."
"Have you told her you love her?"
House shook his head.
"Do you love her?" Wilson persisted.
House twisted the bottle in his hands.
"You do," Wilson concluded. He reached for his game controller. "You need to tell her."
House grabbed his controller. "You need to concentrate or I win and you owe me fifty bucks."
After Wilson left, House stretched out on the couch and unfolded the two twenties and a ten Wilson reluctantly handed over before leaving. The hospital's annual fundraiser was coming up and he was taking Cameron. This year it was a poker tournament and he knew Cameron was an excellent player. Instead of taking her home, he could bring her back here and she could spend the weekend with him. The thought of her naked in his bed made his pants tight and warmth spread through him.
"I guess you're going to the fundraiser," House said when Cameron brought him his coffee.
"I was planning on it. Cuddy wants us all there. Especially you. You are one of her biggest assets."
"So she tells me. I thought maybe you… and I…"
She smiled at him. "Go on…"
"Well, I know how good a poker player you are, and you know I'm good. We could clean everyone out. Whaddya say?"
"You want us to go together? Like a date?"
"Sure. Sounds good."
Cameron laughed and shook her head. "All you had to do was ask, you know. But yes, I would love to go with you and be your date."
House grinned and took a sip of his coffee. "Cool. Wear something sexy."
"Like you even had to ask," she said with a roll of her eyes before leaving his office. She kept her desk in the conference room so House could have his own space. She didn't mind that. After all, it his his department first. She figured sharing an office with him would be awkward. Why, she didn't know, but that's just how she felt. Since House didn't offer, she figured that's the way he wanted it too, which was fine with her.
So now she needed to go shopping for something to wear. It was a black tie event so on the weekend, she and Lucy drove to the mall in search of something drop dead gorgeous. It took all day but she found the perfect gown and scored a good deal on it.
As the event drew closer, she noticed that House was more fidgety than normal and she became concerned.
"Are you alright?" she questioned.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Are you?"
Cameron smirked. "Yes."
"Ready for the fundraiser?"
"Yep. I'm looking forward to it. Bring your money. I'm gonna clean you out."
It was House's turn to smirk. "That's what you think."
"No, it's what I know."
"Think what you like, House. You're going down."
He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "I certainly hope so."
Cameron blushed and looked away, but she was smiling.
"Speaking of which, I have an idea," he began.
She looked back at him and sat on the corner of his desk. "Oh? Do tell."
"Do you have plans this weekend?"
"Not that I'm aware of. Assuming we don't get a case, I was just going to hang out."
"I thought maybe we could do something."
"Sure. Like what?" she asked.
"Well, maybe after the fundraiser you could come to my place."
"I think that's a very good idea."
House released the breath he didn't even know he was holding. Relief and elation filled him and he sat back in his chair. "I've been thinking about it since Florida, actually. Then things shifted again, and then again. If you're open to it, I thought we might see where things go."
She nodded and smiled. "I've always been open to it, House. But you're right, there have been a lot of changes. And I did enjoy our date last week. I was hoping there might be more."
"There is if you want there to be."
"I do want it," she said and leaned down so their faces were millimeters apart. "More than I've ever wanted anything."
He smiled at her and leaned forward. Their lips met in a feather light kiss until they heard Cuddy's heels approaching.
"Leave it to the Wicked Witch of the West to ruin a good moment," House said with a sigh of resignation as he sat back and Cameron hopped off the corner of his desk.
"Another coffee?" she asked.
"Yeah."
Cuddy entered his office with a file. "New patient. Should be an easy one."
"Then why are you giving it to us?" House groaned as he snatched the file from her and looked at it.
"Because if you solve it quickly you'll be free in time for the fundraiser. I don't want your team on a case while that's happening. I want all of you to be present and accounted for."
"Of course you do. You want to parade us around to your donors like show ponies. I get it."
"I've said it before and I'll say it again, your reputation still means something to this hospital."
While Cuddy was saying that, Cameron was silently mimicking her as she approached with House's coffee, making him chuckle.
Cuddy turned around to see Cameron as she entered the room with House's coffee.
"You will make sure he gets there on time, right?"
Cameron nodded, the very picture of innocence. "Absolutely. House will be there for you to parade around to your heart's content. So long as you let us have a little fun at the poker table."
"You know how to play poker? Oh God, of course House would've taught you. What was I thinking?"
"Yeah really," House said with a roll of his eyes.
Cuddy glared at him and then left.
"So, as I was saying, how are you getting to the fundraiser?" House asked.
"Lucy and I are going together. I thought we could just meet up there. Then we can go back to your place after and Lucy will have her car to go home."
House nodded.
Cameron leaned over again and whispered, "I can't wait to see you in a tux." Then she kissed the shell of his ear and left to make copies of their patient's file.
House admired the view as she walked out and smiled.
House sat at the bar nursing a scotch as he kept an eye out for Cameron. She was running a little late and he was getting antsy. He'd already done his part by mingling with Cuddy and the donors before excusing himself to get a much needed drink. The two poker tables were full so he took out a cigar, lit it and waited for either Cameron to show up or a spot to open up so he could play.
"Are you going to sit here all night?" Wilson asked him.
"Maybe."
"She'll be here any minute, House. It takes time for women to make themselves look amazing. Although Cameron doesn't need to do much."
Wilson rambled on, not noticing House's attention focused elsewhere. "You didn't hear a thing I said, did you?" Wilson said with a smirk. He shook his head and followed House's gaze to the entrance and the vision of loveliness in a floor length red gown. "Wow…"
For the first time in years his mind went blank as he gawked at Cameron. She was talking to Cuddy but he noticed her look his way and smile knowingly as she spoke.
Little minx, he thought to himself with a chuckle, you know exactly what you're doing.
"You are the luckiest son of a bitch in this place," Wilson muttered. "You know that, right?"
"I know."
"Don't screw it up."
"Who are you to tell me not to screw it up?" House snapped as he stubbed out his cigar, ordered a glass of wine for Cameron and approached her.
"About time you got here," he said as he handed her the glass of wine.
"I know, I'm late," she said as she took the glass from him. Their fingers touched and they both felt the electric charge. "You look incredible in that tux, by the way. In case I forget to tell you later."
He grinned and nodded. "Thank you. That gown is incredible." Then he leaned over and whispered, "It will look even more incredible on my bedroom floor."
Cameron blushed as his lips gently kissed her ear. "Maybe not the floor, but hanging over a chair will do," she whispered back.
"Okay, kids, break it up," Cuddy said with a smirk. "Cameron, I've got some people I want to introduce you to and then you're free to play the tables."
Cameron looked regretfully at House but he nodded and told her to go on and that he'd save her a seat.
"You're not going to stay long, are you?" Wilson asked him.
"What do you think?"
"I think you two should make yourselves scarce as soon as possible. I'll cover for you."
"Much appreciated. I would like to play at least a few games before I go. You know, make a little extra for PPTH so it looks like I give a crap."
"I see a couple of spots opening up over there. Let's nab 'em."
A little while later, another seat opened up and Cameron quickly slid into it. Once she had her chips, a new game started.
A couple of hours later, when things cooled off, they decided to call it a night.
"Still want to come over tonight?" he whispered as he helped her with her coat.
"Yes," was her simple reply and they went outside to the car. It was raining so they dashed across the lot and House opened the door for her to get in.
Once he was behind the wheel, he gave his head a quick shake and she laughed as water splattered everywhere. He grinned at her as he started the car and drove them back to his apartment.
