Forbidden Love

Chapter Four

Now that Steve was home he took a long hot shower and then started getting ready. He spent an hour fussing over what to wear and ultimately decided on a pair of Levi's and a navy blue and white striped polo shirt. Then he spent another hour fussing over his hair to make sure it got it's fluffy swoop and applied some deodorant and cologne.

When he was ready it was time to head to the Hideout. It was a dingy little bar in the part of town that wasn't so nice. Somehow the floor was sticky, though there weren't many people. A few regulars but that was about it. There was an older woman tending the bar and then there was the stage.

It wasn't a big stage but it was occupied. Eddie's band was setting up their equipment. Under the crappy stage lights Eddie looked stunning. He was wearing his black ripped jeans but a pair of black combat boots, a studded belt, a chain and bandana on his jeans. He wore his usual jewelry and an Iron Maiden shirt. His arm tattoos were on display and a red flannel was tied to his waist. His fingernails were painted black and blacl eyeliner was smudged around his eyes, making them pop.

He looked like a rock god and Steve couldn't help but stare. He was mesmerized. When he was caught staring, Eddie's dimpled smile appeared, a cocky grin and Steve's face flushed red. Finally tearing his gaze away after Eddie winked, Steve walked over to the bar and ordered a beer. Even the countertop was sticky and he made a face, pulling his arms away from leaning against it.

Once he had his beer he settled at a table close to the stage to watch Eddie set up. This time he was allowed to look and not feel embarrassed or flustered about it. When the band started playing Steve was surprised to see that Eddie didn't just play guitar. He was the lead vocalist. And his voice was sheer perfection.

It wasn't too deep, but it was rich and smooth, like a warm velvet blanket wrapping around him. The combination of Eddie's stunning voice and the way his fingers flew across the fretboard with ease had Steve squirming in his seat. Eddie was gorgeous when he played, and although Steve wasn't much into metal, he could very much appreciate what Eddie did. He could watch Eddie play for hours, listen to his voice for hours.

Eddie knew Steve was watching. Occassionaly his eyes would lock on Steve's and he would smirk, a sexy one and his tongue would dart out to lick his lips. Steve's body felt heated, his stomach swarming and dancing with butterflies. Eddie knew what he was doing. He knew Steve was attracted and he was taking advantage of it.

By the middle of the set Steve's beer was empty but he was far too riveted to get up and get another. And he wanted to be sober tonight. He certainly wasn't ready for anything more than making out but he wanted to remember tonight. He wanted to commit every inch of Eddie to his memory, every movement, every sound. The shape of Eddie's lips as he formed the words, the way his fingers danced and plucked at the strings of his guitar.

The last song of their set was a rendition of Metallica's Fade To Black. The other guitarist kept his electric guitar but Eddie switched to an acoustic one that had the words this machine slays dragons written on it in black ink. Instead of standing he pulled up a bar stool and sat down. Steve had never heard the song before but it was beautiful. And Corroded Coffin's version of the song was absolutely stunning.

It brought out emotion in Steve, he had to blink back tears because of how powerful the lyrics were, power that was amplified by Eddie's voice. This he knew was a song he would commit to memory. Eddie's version. After the show and all the equipment had been taken down and put away, Steve waited anxiously for Eddie.

And there he was, walking over and sliding into the seat across from Steve. His breath caught in his throat at how close Eddie was now.

"Hi."