Page 25 of Hard Rock Sin

"It is a bit much," he agreed.

"If it's too much, why did you buy the place?"

"You thought I bought this mansion?" He shook his head ruefully. "Rock stars make a lot of money but I wouldn't blow all of it on a place as crazy as this." He gave the room another look, not meeting my eyes. 'This is my parent's house."

I stifled a giggle. "You live with your parents?"

Cameron threw me a dirty look. "No. They've got another place of their own. This one's mine now."

"I can't believe the famous rock star Cameron Thorne still lives at home."

The disgruntled look hadn't left his face. "Laugh it up. You're just jealous you don't have a swanky pad like this."

"It is pretty swanky," I agreed. "What in the world do your parents do, that they can afford a place like this?"

His face fell for a brief instant before he flashed me a smile, covering up the downcast expression.

"Dad's in banking. Some sort of high powered CEO. I dunno. I never paid much attention to it. They've got more money than they know what to do with."

"So they just gave you a mansion?"

"It was my sixteenth birthday present."

I frowned, reading between the lines. "Is that when they stopped living here?"

He took note of my frown. "Yeah, well, they were always off traveling together for business or whatever. Turning sixteen didn't make much of a difference."

I couldn't believe Cameron's parents had moved out and left him alone at the age of sixteen. "I'm sorry."

"You kidding? Being given free rein was like a dream. I could do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted." Cameron threw me a forced grin. "Best birthday present ever."

I smiled back, but my heart wasn't in it. The whole story just sounded sad. He'd been left all alone while he was still just a teenager.

I understood what it was like to be abandoned. My mom had taken off when I was young. My brother had gotten me out of foster care the moment he could, but then…

My mind quickly skimmed over thebut then.

Afterwards,I'd been sent to boarding school overseas. I knew Noah had done it for my own benefit, but still. I would have much preferred to stay at home with him.

"So if you're worried about anyone walking in on you swimming in your bra and panties, you don't need to be. I'm the only one around."

Cameron was back to his usual self. Using innuendo to deflect.

"Jen promised to take me shopping soon," I told him. "I'll pick up some swimsuits then."

"Don't put yourself out on my account. I don't mind the bra and panties thing."

I flushed and crossed my arms over my chest.

"Just teasing," he said with a laugh. "I promise I'll be on my best behavior."

What if I don't want you to be on your best behavior?

The thought came to me, but I didn't say it out loud. I liked how Cameron had flirted with me at first, but I knew he'd never follow through now.

Cameron flopped down on the armchair closest to the screen. It was the perfect distance away. Not too close so as to hurt your neck while craning up.

"So which movie do you want to watch?" he asked.