A/N: Sorry I've been so busy but I recently started a relationship and we've been hanging out a lot and having fun before he has to go back to college. I hope most of you got to read my other story "Lucky Seven" for DxC, unless you're not a smut person…. Anyway! Let's get back to the story, this episode was one of my favorites.

Chapter 9: If You Can't Take the Heat…Hang in There

Duncan POV

I can tell Courtney has been avoiding me ever since our kiss, I'm having a difficult time keeping it to myself. I really want to brag to everyone that I kissed princess and that she actually tastes sweet and not bitter, but I just decide to keep my mouth shut. I'm still not even sure what the kiss meant.

One moment I'm about to die, the next I'm on top of Courtney in the best possible position and kissing her. I don't even know what came over me at that moment, I just saw her with those mouthwatering lips and before I could contain myself I was practically mauling her. What surprised me the most was that she actually kissed back! No kicks to the balls or even a slap across the face. She had actually kissed me back as if she wanted to do it since the day we met. I wouldn't be surprised if that were true, but this happened a lot sooner than I thought it would, for her I think it happened when it was never suppose to.

"Duncan, do you think you can make yourself useful and actually help?"

Another thing I've noticed about Courtney is that she's in a really bad mood today, which I can only use to my advantage. "I think you're doing a great job all by yourself princess, try leaning over again and see if that pole up your ass will fall out."

I dodge just in time as she flings a crate of food at my head. I really should be helping her, the boxes and crates of food weigh a ton, but if there's one thing I've learned about Courtney it's that she can take care of herself. I decide to grab the last remaining box of food we will need for the challenge and start heading towards the kitchen.

As we walk back I notice Courtney is carefully keeping her eyes away from me and looking forward without saying a word. I decide now is a good time as any to push her buttons and get some answers on what happened yesterday with the kiss.

Before I get a chance to put my plan into action, Geoff starts acting like the declared head chef and starts pairing people up. Courtney is still a bit too flustered to realize that everyone but us have paired up. Perfect.

10 minutes later

Ok I officially hate cooking. Princess keeps hanging over my head and criticizing everything I do, it's not like I'm a professional cook, what does she expect?

"Oh my god Duncan, have you never stirred anything before?" she asks annoyingly.

"Well I-"

"I mean honestly! How much of a brain do you need to stir something, it's not rocket science."

"I just-"

"And did you even read the directions? You didn't put in nearly enough sugar, not to mention-"

"Courtney!" I yell out reaching my breaking point. I yelled her name so loud that everyone else has gone silent and is looking at the two of us. "Shut up, and start making the custard, over there."

Courtney huffs at me and surprisingly enough actually does what she's told. I'm really glad I can get a moment of peace to reorganize my thoughts and how to break her down about that kiss. It's not just the fact that she's a good kisser, she's a damn good one, but it's mostly why she kissed me?

For me it was more than just lust. As annoying, uptight, and bossy as she is, I really do like this chick. She's passionate, unpredictable, and unlike any other girl I've met. Most of the girls I've been with before have been down to earth and rebellious. Courtney however is chaotic and ambitious; she isn't agreeable to anyone else's standards and sets high expectations for herself. I've never met a girl like her, or I simply ignored them. Courtney isn't one to be ignored though, and it's all of this that truly makes her hot, for me it really was more than just a physical thing.

For her though? For all I know she could actually just think I'm good looking, which is no surprise, but I want to know if it does run deeper than that or if she really does hate my guts and the kiss was just one big accident.

Courtney keeps muttering to herself and I decide to take my shot.

I walk up behind her and look over her shoulder and down at the custard, her body immediately stiffens up and I can see a tint of red coming over her cheeks, but she keeps her head down determined to ignore me.

"How's it going princess?"

She rolls her eyes and keeps stirring the custard. "Fine, are you finished with your assignment yet?"

Assignment? Geez she needs to loosen up. "Nah not yet, I'm just taking a break."

This gets Courtney's attention and she finally faces me with that cute look of anger written across her face. "Duncan we don't have time for breaks! You're going to let the other team get ahead!"

The way Heather keeps snapping at everyone, it's very unlikely. "Oh c'mon princess, a break won't hurt you, why don't you and I take a break together," I say wiggling my eyebrows, hoping she'd take my hint on the kiss.

Her face goes even redder but she tries to disguise it by making one of disgust. "Duncan… stop."

"What?" I say stepping closer to her. Her mouth goes slightly parted and she now looks nervous and anxious.

"Stop trying to antagonize me," she says finally putting down her stirring spoon and trying to ease herself away from me.

"Well it's not like we haven't done it before," I say implying the kiss again.

Courtney pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs deeply. "Look Duncan I…."

At this point Courtney's mouth is hanging open still trying to find something to say, so I decide to do something that I find mildly funny. I pick up her stirring spoon and stick a mouthful of custard in her yappy mouth.

Of course Courtney looks like she's about to kill me, but her anger suddenly vanishes as the taste of the custard takes over and sends her in moment of bliss. As she swallows the custard she nods happily and says, "Damn! With custard like that we're sure to win."

There's the Courtney I know, random and motivated. I shake my head at her amused.

"Don't make fun of me you jerk, I'm an excellent cook!" she says scooping up some more custard on her finger, ready for another taste.

I manage to catch her finger before she can lick the custard off, I pull her closer to me, the same closeness as when we kissed, and I gently suck the custard off her finger before freeing her hand. Courtney is now beat red but I've noticed she hasn't moved from her spot, she hasn't tried to distance herself from me, in fact the way she's staring at me makes me feel as though she's reaching out to me, trying to get closer.

Whatever it is Courtney is feeling it's clear that it's more than just a physical thing. I don't think she has it figured out yet, but I've waited this long for Courtney, I can wait longer for her to decide. I just need to leave myself open and available to her.

"You are a pretty decent cook princess," I say licking my lips. "But don't forget there are sweeter things in this kitchen you could have your lips on."

Courtney suddenly bends the spoon back and flings a glob of custard in my eye. I look at her dumbfounded and ask, "Really? Are you serious?"

She merely shrugs her shoulders. "If you can't take the heat…."

Oh but I can princess, I plan to hang in there, the real question is can you?

I'd hate to ask or hope for anything from Courtney, but on this…. I hope she can figure out what she wants. Because I already know I want her.

A/N: Yeah a little shorter than my other stories but hey…. I still hope you guys enjoyed. Review!