Chapter 18

They returned to their booth but House chose to sit across from her which set off warning bells in Angela's mind that something was definitely going on. House pretended to be fascinated by the label on his beer bottle but Angela knew better. He hadn't said much of anything in the last ten minutes. Not that they were able to talk much from the noise of the people or the band playing, but she was still worried.

"House?"

"What?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Right," she said as she sat back against the booth and stared at him. "Now tell me the truth. Why are you brooding?"

"I'm not."

"Is it something I said, or did?"

"No."

Angela sighed in frustration. "Please talk to me. I'm here for you."

"Maybe you shouldn't be," he said quietly, looking anywhere but at her.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You deserve better than me."

"Says who? House, if I thought that, I wouldn't be here."

He looked so sad, maybe even regretful. Angela reached for his hand and he stared down at the way her fingers interlaced with his. When she spoke, her voice was soft. "I like being with you. I want to get to know you better. I don't care about going out all the time. I'd be just as happy to stay home and talk. Because even though we've known each other for a long time, we've both changed a lot in ten years. If you want a relationship we need to talk to each other."

House nodded and gave her a small smile. "Wanna get out of here?"

"Not just yet. I like this band."

"Well don't expect me to dance anymore."

After another couple of beers, House began to lighten up a little and they had some good conversations. He told her about his difficult cases and she told him about some of her scariest criminals. They stayed until the band played their last set and then walked back to her loft. On the way in, she stopped at the security desk and put House on the list so he could visit without having to be announced every time.

When they got into the elevator, House was giving her a look which could only be described as lustful. He then pushed her up against the wall and kissed her. His lips felt amazingly soft and his tongue was warm as it swept against hers. She let out a soft moan as his hands slid down her arms and gripped the railing behind her, trapping her between him and the wall.

The ding of the elevator alerted them that they had arrived on her floor and the doors opened. She heard a gasp and glanced over to see an older couple standing there, waiting to step in.

"Sorry," she smiled apologetically as she dragged House behind her.

"Yeah, sorry," House whispered. "It's the cane. She can't resist the hard wood."

The old lady gasped again and Angela rolled her eyes.

"Can't you behave?" she hissed as she unlocked her door.

"No."

They entered the dark loft so she turned on the lights, only to have House turn them back off again.

"Now what are you up to?" she asked him as he locked the door and leaned against it.

"Just setting the mood." His stare was a cross between lecherous and analytical. Like he was plotting his seduction of her.

Angela swallowed hard and licked her dry lips. "Do you want some coffee or..."

Her words were cut short as House's lips crashed against hers and his arms wrapped around her waist. She heard his cane clatter to the floor as he guided her to the nearest piece of furniture which was the couch, and they unceremoniously fell onto it.

"So that's a no on the coffee then?" she said briskly as he adjusted himself to risk injury to his bad leg and moved on top of her.

"Maybe later," he whispered as his mouth began its assault on her neck. He knew exactly what she liked and how she liked it. How he knew that, she didn't know. It was as if he was completely tuned in to her wants and desires. His hand traveled up and over her sweater, stopping at her breast.

She arched her back and he gave her breast a small squeeze, making her moan softly. "Mmm..." she sighed as she luxuriously stretched her arms out above her head.

House smiled, still placing hot kisses on her throat as his tongue flicked over her skin.

"You smell so good," he whispered as he nibbled her ear and continued to massage her breast with his hand.

"So you've said," she smirked as she reached up and placed gentle kisses along his jaw line. The scruff was scratchy against her lips but she found she didn't mind at all. "You smell good too."

"I'll be sure to shower more often," he smirked.

Angela giggled and placed her hand over his, stroking his fingers. "I appreciate that."

"You could always shower with me. Ya know, just to make sure."

"I don't think we're at that stage yet."

"Yet. The night is still young. And this couch isn't big enough for the two of us."

Angela smirked. "I suppose you want to go to my bedroom then?"

"That would certainly be more comfortable. As long as you are."

"I could...be persuaded," she smiled up at him.

"Hmmm," he murmured as he slid his hands up the back of her shirt and felt her silky smooth skin. "I've always wondered what it would take to get someone like you into bed."

She kissed the base of his throat and heard a pleasurable sigh come from his lips. "Someone like me?"

"Yeah...beautiful...strong...yet undeniably repressed," he whispered as he unbuttoned her sweater to reveal more skin. "All you need is the right guy to show you how amazing sex can be."

"Are you offering?"

"I wouldn't be here otherwise. Your problem is you've been with boys. Horny boys who don't care about what you need."

She sighed. "Aint' that the truth."

"Angela," House whispered her name and she felt a chill down her spine. He didn't call her by name very often, and when he did, it sounded unbelievably sexy. "Do you trust me?" He was holding her hand and kissing the tips of each of her fingers as his dark blue eyes stared into hers.

All she could do was nod her head. She did trust him. With her life.

House got up and offered her his hand which she took willingly and they walked together down the hall to her bedroom.

It was incredibly dark in her room, save for the moonlight that came in through the blinds. It was a full moon and it cast a silvery glow on the bed. For the first time in a long time, Angela was actually nervous.

Relax, it's just House. Think about all those nights you've thought about him, she reminded herself. It still didn't make her any more calm.

House limped across the room towards her, took both her hands in his and gave them a reassuring squeeze. His hands were warm and dry to the touch and when she felt his lips against hers, she instantly relaxed. It was a nice, gentle kiss that left her breathless and wanting more. When he felt her tongue against his, he welcomed it and let go of her hands so he could pull her against his warm body. Very slowly, he stepped backwards until he reached the bed and he sat down on the edge, looking up at her for assurance that she was still with him.

She smiled back and sat next to him on the bed, running her hand over his good leg and waiting for him to make the next move.

House leaned over and kissed her again as his fingers deftly unbuttoned the rest of her sweater and she shrugged her shoulders to let it slide down her arms to the floor. He softly touched the lace of her royal blue bra and her breath hitched. No man had ever touched her like that before. His fingers just barely grazed her skin as he explored her body slowly with his hands. All the while he was kissing her and nibbling her lower lip gently.

Suddenly feeling empowered, she reached over and began unbuttoning his shirt until it fell open and he removed it. Her hands slid under his T-shirt and he helped her remove that as well. She was impressed at how well built he was. He had a light amount of hair on his chest and his stomach was flat with a hint of his abdominal muscles beneath. There was a slight trail of hair down the middle that disappeared below the waist band of his jeans and she found that adorable. She leaned over and kissed his chest, running her fingers through his hair and placing a gentle kiss on each of his nipples.

House moaned with appreciation and buried his hand in her short hair, admiring how soft and silky it was. Like her skin. When he felt her hand slide over the very obvious bulge in his jeans he placed his hand over hers and stilled it.

She looked up at him in question but he gave her a smile. "Later. Tonight is all about you." Then he kissed her again and guided her back against the pillows. "Just relax. Can you do that?"

Angela nodded quickly and smiled up at him. "I trust you."

His hands slipped around to her back and unhooked her bra, removed it and gently touched her breasts. His fingers teased her nipples until they were hard and erect and when she felt his tongue lap over one of them, she let out a low growl from deep inside her throat which surprised even her.

"Mmm, I like that," she whispered as she stroked his back and ran her fingers through his hair as his lips traveled downwards. He kissed her stomach and traced the outline of her belly button with his tongue. "Oh wow," she sighed. She felt his lips curve into a smile as House continued his journey of kisses over her hip bone until he came to the button of her jeans.

He quickly got them undone and pulled them off. "Nice panties," he smirked at the matching blue lace thong she wore. "Did you wear these for me?"

Angela giggled. "Actually no, since I didn't think I'd be seeing you today. I wore them because I like to feel sexy under my clothes."

"Good. Too bad I'll be taking them off as well," he whispered as his fingers tucked into the waistband and pulled them very slowly down her legs. In his quest, he couldn't help but notice how smooth they were and he let his hand slide over her calf up to her thigh.

Angela took in a deep intake of breath when his fingers slipped to the inside of her thigh and closed her legs, denying him access.

House glanced up at her in question and she bit her lip nervously. "Sorry. I just..."

"What? Tell me."

She felt her face grow hot in embarrassment and she really didn't want to tell him anything about her sexual failures in the past. But something about the way he was looking at her, like he was actually listening, made her feel like she could tell him anything and he would be okay with it. So she made up her mind to tell him everything. She felt it was important if their relationship was going to go further.

A/N: *Wicked laugh as she ducks flying objects* Now now, no need for that :) From what I get from your feedback, you're liking the tension and the way their relationship is developing. Baby steps! Tell ya what. If you promise not to hurt me, I'll post TWO chapters tomorrow. So put down the sharp cutlery and review already! ;) haha.