[Eddie's POV]

The music's blaring and sweat is forming on my head and neck. My heart rate is way above normal and I desperately need a drink. Yet I can't keep a smile off my face. Waiting for this afternoon is the only thing that has kept me sane through this day.

The song fades out and I wait for it to repeat again. I've been working on this for the last ten minutes and I just can't get it right. The soft sound of footsteps comes closer. I turn my head to the doorway, hoping she's finally here.

My grin grows wider at the sight of beautiful Miss Loren Tate. I feel the thudding of my heart pick up.

"Hey, Loren. You look great."

A pale pink blush creeps up on her cheeks. "Thanks for being your usual gentlemanly self, but I just came from a very long shift and I seriously doubt that."

"No, I mean it. But you always look really hot, so…" * I trail off as my brain realizes what just slipped out of my mouth. I duck my head and bring my hand up to my neck nervously.

[*Haha, I was watching the replays of HH and I loved that part when Eddie was like uhh..]

"Um, thanks." Her cheeks are burning red now and I don't blame her.

Trying to avoid the awkward tension that jut settled in the room, I speak up again. "So you wanna dance? I mean, that's what we're here for, right?" Stop talking like an idiot. Both my brain and heart are yelling at me.

Thankfully, Loren doesn't seem to notice. "Yeah, sure. What are you working on?"

I show her my part before walking her through my partner's steps. "Got that? We can try it with music now if you want."

"Sure, why not? I mean, I doubt I can make any more of a fool out of myself than I already have." Her self-deprecating comments sting my heart. Why can't she understand how amazing she is? She doesn't see the near-perfection that everyone else does. I wouldn't be surprised if there were guys chasing her from everywhere and she never noticed.

"I'm sure you'll do fine." I try to encourage her, but to no avail. I know that Melissa's probably had a hard enough time with this.

The music starts up and we begin our dancing. The hours whiz by in a blur. Before I know it, it's growing dark outside.

"I'd say we're done for the day, wouldn't you?" I'm breathing heavily.

"I think so. Not that we were supremely productive, of course." Her eyes are twinkling with amusement and I can't hold back a chuckle. I know that we definitely spent the better part of the afternoon joking and laughing than actually dancing. But that's what it was for, right?

I stare at Loren. How can it be that she barely broke a sweat the entire time? "Don't ask. I just don't really sweat."

I guess my next question about the whole mind-reading-ability is just as obvious because she starts talking again before I can get a word in. "It's a girl thing. And also you're not exactly in line for winning the best-at-hiding-thoughts award." She's grinning so I know it's a joke, but it's also extremely true. I never could keep my emotions from showing straight on my face.

So I try a different type of attack. "Do you want to maybe head back to my place now? We can just hang out for a while. And order takeout because you know the level of my cooking skills." My tone is teasing and lighthearted, but I make sure to add just a touch of mystery and deeper meaning.

She seems a little flustered. "Oh, um. Maybe, I just need to call my mom and let her know."

I smile. "Okay. I'll just start cleaning up a little and grab my stuff."

Loren's mom is supposedly fine with it, although I couldn't help but notice that the call was a little longer than it probably should have been.

I decide to just leave my car there and pick it up later. I can't stand losing even a minute of time with Loren. I don't know why, but she just makes it so easy to like her and so hard to leave her.

She drives because it's her car, not that I didn't try to convince her to let me. We arrive at my penthouse and go in through the back door just to avoid any possible paparazzi ready to tear into us about our media-created relationship. Although I guess it's not so untrue now.

We laugh and talk for a while before finally settling down at the smooth black piano. I start playing a song, but can't find the right ending to make it flow just right. Loren gently pushes my hands away, sending a trail of sparks shooting up my arm. A beautiful melody continues where I left off, her sweet voice humming along and occasionally singing a line or two. She finishes and blushes again.

"I know, it's not that good."

I just don't understand. "What do you mean? That was amazing."

I'm well aware of our arms and shoulders touching lightly, seeing as how we're slightly squished on the small bench. Her hair falls softly over face, lining those perfect features.

"Yeah... thanks for being so nice and helping me out. I never imagined that I would have the chance to be sitting next to rock star Eddie Duran in his awesome penthouse." She says this wistfully, like it seems too good to be true.

"But you deserve it. You're genuinely talented and you have what it takes."

"Says who?" Loren still isn't convinced.

I raise my eyebrows at her. She smiles guiltily and is about to speak again when a thought seems to pop into her mind.

"Oh! Can you do that thing where you only raise one eyebrow?" Her voice is excited and her eyes are bright with merriment. I laugh at the small things that bring out her innocent character in such a funny way. But I still try to make her laugh and make a silly face while managing to partly lift one eyebrow.

The next half hour or so goes by and once again, Loren has to leave.

"I'm sorry. But I have homework and I know my mom's probably starting to worry." Her voice is filled with true regret, reassuring me that I'm not the only one who enjoys our time together.

"It's all right. But maybe we can meet up again in a few days?" I hope she won't think I'm pushing.

Loren seems slightly taken aback, but replies with her usual touch of sass, "I guess I can fit a meeting with you into my amazingly busy schedule."

"I'd love that." My choice of wording doesn't go unnoticed. She blushes again, warming my heart.

I open the door for her and give a small wave before closing it softly behind her.

I know that I can't hold back forever. My guard dropped within the first few minutes I met her and it's been difficult not letting myself get attached. It's no use anyway. I'm falling fast and hard for her.

I'm so sorry for the wait. I just have a lot of schoolwork due soon (as in tomorrow, which means I should probably go work on that...).

Hope you liked the Leddie in this chapter; I don't want to rush into their relationship too fast but it won't be too long of a wait.

- shimmeruponwishes