A/N: Conflict...gotta have some because I like it. Hahaha. Also, gives the excuse for some make-up sex :)

Chapter 23

House waited for her to change her clothes as he stood at the window looking out at the city below. The sky had turned grey and threatening and it suited his mood at the moment. Angela was obviously upset and he knew why. What he planned to do about it, he didn't know. Their relationship was almost foreign territory for him. They'd been inseparable ever since he jokingly suggested they be "friends with benefits." However, since then, he found he'd grown quite attached to her. He wouldn't know how to handle things if she left.

"Are we still going out?" he called to her.

She stood in the doorway of the bedroom and rolled her eyes.

"Is that a no?"

"That's a hell no," she snapped back.

"What exactly is the problem?"

"The problem is that you don't know what the problem is, and I shouldn't have to tell you."

House threw up his hands in despair. "Wha...I'm not a mind reader."

"Oh no? I thought the great and powerful Dr. House knew it all."

"I don't know what the protocol is for when a man flirts with and hits on my girlfriend. And what's worse, to stick the knife in a little deeper, you seemed like you enjoyed the attention."

Angela cocked her head to one side. "I'm only human, House. You know my history with men has been less than favorable. So forgive me for enjoying the moment of having a man find me attractive enough to pay me an open compliment in a room full of people." She stepped towards him and placed her hands on his chest. "I'm not going to apologize for my behavior because I did nothing wrong. I'm here with you. And after last night I would have thought you'd be secure in that."

House looked down at her and sighed. He felt like a first rate idiot. "So do you forgive me?" he finally asked, tossing his cane aside and wrapping his arms around her tiny waist.

Angela nodded and smiled up at him. "Let's get out of here. I want to go do something. Even though they say it's going to snow tonight. I hope you brought some warm clothes."

He nodded and took her face in his hands. They were warm and dry to the touch and she felt a jolt of electricity when he kissed her. It was a very tender, gentle kiss, but it didn't stay that way for long. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let her tongue sweep into his mouth while he reciprocated.

"If you want to go out, let's go now or we won't leave this room," he murmured between kisses.

It was a tough call. Part of her did want to go out and show him the town, and another part wanted to stay in and have him ravish her.

"Okay, let's go. But if it starts to snow, we're coming back."

House nodded. "Deal."

She drove them all over town and stopped for lunch. On their way to the museum, it began to snow lightly so they turned around and made it back to the hotel just in time. The snow had gotten heavier and the roads were slick when she pulled up.

When they entered the lobby, House wrapped his arm around Angela's shoulders for support. His leg was hurting more than usual because of the cold.

"Are you okay?"

"Oh yeah. Nothing a nice Jacuzzi tub won't fix. That and some Vicodin."

"When we get upstairs I'll run you a hot bath."

"Gonna join me?" he asked, leering at her suggestively.

"If you want."

"That tub is definitely big enough for two."

House pressed her against the wall and kissed her while they waited for the elevator to arrive. "We'll open some wine, and have a nice long bath."

"Mmm sounds like a plan. And then...a repeat of last night?" she grinned, looking hopeful. "I think some make-up sex is definitely in order."

"I think that can be arranged."

"Goody!" Angela giggled as he kissed her again, his hands buried in her hair and she kissed him back until they heard someone clearing his throat. House stepped back and glared at Chad as the elevator doors opened.

"Sorry, this car's full," he snarked, using his cane to prevent the man from entering. "I'm not opposed to an audience, but she might be, given that it's you."

The doors closed on him and House resumed their kiss until they arrived on the eighth floor.

"You're so bad!" she giggled as they walked down the hall together.

"That little prick got what was coming to him," House grumbled as he let them into the suite and put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door.

Angela placed her hands on his chest and began kissing his jaw line. "As horrified as I was by what he said, I couldn't help but be turned on when you went all caveman on his ass. And you got the little prick part right, by the way."

House chuckled as he pulled her into the bedroom and kissed her again. "Douche bags like that usually have to compensate for their...ahem...short comings."

Angela held up her little finger and wiggled it suggestively. "Oh you have no idea," she smiled as she looked up at him with that cute coy expression he'd come to love about her.

Love? Where did that word come from? He thought to himself as he popped a pill while Angela ran them a bath. It was true that he'd developed genuine feelings for her over the last couple of months. Hell, it was his idea that they start seeing each other. But love? That wasn't supposed to be in the equation. Not yet…It was a little startling.

"Bath time!" she called out to him, and he limped into the bathroom. Angela had already gotten undressed and only wore the fluffy white robe provided by the hotel. The room smelled of subtle lavender and Jasmine and the jets were going in the tub. Also, she had lit over a dozen tea lights, casting a warm glow.

"Where did all these candles come from?"

"I brought 'em."

House wrapped his arms around her and began nuzzling her neck. "You did, huh?"

"Yep. Wishful thinking I guess. Why don't you get in first? I'll be right back."

"Where're you going?"

"To get the wine."

"Good idea."

House slowly eased himself into the hot bubbly water and let out a very content groan as Angela returned with the wine bottle and two glasses. After filling them, House offered his hand to her and helped her step into the tub. Once she was comfortable sitting between his legs, and rested her back against his chest, she also let out a happy sigh. "Wow. This is awesome."

"Very. Cheers," he said as he clinked his glass against hers and took a long sip of wine. Then he put his glass aside and wrapped his arms around her. "Well, today was interesting."

Angela snickered. "That's not a word I would use. More like...sexy...then frustrating, fun, and then sexy again."

House placed soft kisses on her neck and shoulders. "Last night was very sexy too."

"Yes it was. It was an eye opener for me. I never knew that sex could be like...that."

"Mmm...like what?"

"I dunno, it was hot, romantic, amazing, tender, magical..."

House chuckled. "I get it."

"Anyway, thank you."

"For what?"

"For being so patient with me. I must've come off like a total virgin. In a way I kind of am."

"You were amazing last night," he whispered as he interlaced his fingers with hers. "What happened to the first guy you were with?"

She was silent for a few minutes and House nudged her. "You okay?"

"Yeah. It's just...he's dead."

"Oh. How?"

"He surprised some thieves coming out of a jewellery shop one night. They shot him and his partner in cold blood. They never did find the guys. It was sad. He was a good guy. But he made a better friend than a lover."

House nodded as he took another sip of his wine. "Wilson's gonna kill me when I get back."

"Why?"

"I don't think he...likes the idea of us seeing each other."

"So what?"

"You don't see him every day. I do."

"It's your life."

"You're his niece."

"So? He's not the boss of me. Hell, nobody is. If he makes trouble for you lemme know."

House laughed. "Gonna take care of him for me?"

"If I have to."

"Sexy."

"Seriously, he can't tell you not to see me anymore. We've been friends for too long, and I'm not going anywhere."

"Neither am I," he whispered as he began kissing her neck and nibbling her ear until she moaned and pressed her back against his chest.

"Wanna get out?"

"Sure."

She got out first and then helped him. He grabbed his glass of wine, she grabbed hers and they went to the bedroom. While House was pouring them some more wine, she glanced out the window. "Wow."

"What?"

"It's really snowing hard now."

With the dim lights, the fire going, and the snow falling outside, they stood in front of the window, House's arms around her waist as they watched it cover the ground below.

After a few minutes, House began to place kisses down her neck and across her throat. "Bed. Now," he mumbled as he stepped forward and guided her into bed. He climbed in and lay next to her, touching and caressing her naked body, letting his fingers just barely touch her skin.

"Mmm...I love the way you touch me," she whispered as her hands slid up his chest and around his neck and pulled him on top of her.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. I love the way you kiss me, too."

Instead of ruining the moment by saying something stupid, he kissed her lovingly on the mouth as he gyrated his hips against hers.

"So beautiful," he whispered between kisses as his hands massaged her breasts. "Very nice."

"They're kinda small," she whispered.

"They're perfect." And then, as if to prove that fact, he lowered his head and slowly ran his tongue over each nipple.

"Ohh..." she groaned and shut her eyes. "That feels so good..."

"As good as...this?" He asked as his other hand slid below the covers and rubbed her inner thigh.

"Yeah..."

"Not nervous anymore?"

She smiled up at him. "I think you've cured me, Dr. House."

"Hmmm, I'm not too sure. I think a more thorough examination is required." His hand went a little higher until it reached her soft folds and she arched her back and gasped.

"Interesting response."

"You have a very...good bedside manner."

House laughed out loud. "Yeah but let's keep that between us. I have a rep to protect."

"I wish we didn't have to leave tomorrow," she sighed.

"Me neither. I like this bed."

"Don't you have a king sized bed?"

"Yeah, but it's mine. Hotel beds are always better for some reason."

"I've been to your place but I don't think I've ever seen your bedroom."

"You're right. We'll have to fix that when we get back."

"Definitely."

House's fingers were still stroking her gently and she began squirming underneath him. "Oh wow...so good..."

"Tell me what you want."

She blushed. "I want you," she said, her voice barely a whisper.

"You want me to what?" he asked, rubbing a little faster, getting her wetter.

"I..."

"I'll do anything you want," he whispered in her ear as he nuzzled her neck. "All you have to do is tell me."

She was completely speechless. This was new to her and he wanted her to tell him what she wanted? She just couldn't get the words to come.

"I can't..."

House realized she was shutting down and he didn't want that. He wanted her to enjoy sex, but apparently the dirty talk would have to wait awhile until she was more comfortable with him.

"Mmm, you're so sexy," he whispered as he kissed her. His tongue slid along her lower lip and she opened her mouth under his. She tasted like wine and her own unique flavor and he was quickly becoming addicted to it. He couldn't stop his hands from touching her everywhere as he moved on top of her. He reached out and grabbed a condom from the nightstand but Angela took it from him, removed it from the packet and rolled it on him. It was the sexiest thing he'd ever seen and he almost lost it right then.

"Make love to me, House...please..."

"Mm..by your command."

Angela shut her eyes and moaned as House slowly moved in and out of her. His lips kissed her neck and her throat, gently nipping at her skin while she wrapped her arms around him. Her nails dug into his back and he groaned with satisfaction as he began to move a little faster.

"Slower," she whispered. "I want to feel you..."

House was amused by her sudden change in behavior. One minute she was afraid to speak up, and then in the throes of passion, she suddenly found her voice. He was more than happy to oblige and slowed down, thrusting slowly and deeply while she moved with him.

"So...close already," she whispered as she kissed that spot at the base of his throat that drove him crazy. Not many people knew about that spot, but she discovered it and it set him off.

"Me too..." he groaned as he pushed harder. Her head hit the headboard and she started laughing when it happened again.

"Oh..yes...Oh God, House...I'm coming..."

With one quick move, he rolled them over so she was on top and she took over. For someone who was as inexperienced as she claimed, she certainly knew what she wanted and how to get there without him helping her.

She rode him hard and fast until they both reached their own climaxes, moaned each others names and went limp from exhaustion.

"House?"

"Hmm?" he murmured, still out of it.

"I hope this won't freak you out or anything but I have to say it."

"What?"

"I'm falling in love with you."

A/N: Oooo...how's House gonna react to that?