Page 28 of Hard Rock Sin

Chapter Nine

Ihadn't meantto take that long of a break. I still needed to finish the readings for my seminar the next day. But when Cameron put in the sequel, and then the threequel — which was a real word, according to him — I hadn't been able to say no.

It was past midnight by the time we finished our impromptu movie marathon. I hadn't realized it was so late.

The hallway was dark when we finally stepped out of the movie theater room. The tall windows which had let in so much light during the daytime now showed only the dark night sky. The curtains were all wide open. I saw my own reflection in the blackness. I shivered.

"Shit, it's pretty late, isn't it?" Cameron pulled out his phone to check the time. The glow lit up his face in the darkness, making it ghostly, eerie. "You've got class tomorrow, right?"

"At nine in the morning. I should get to bed."

"Sorry for keeping you up."

"That's okay. I had fun. Can't study all the time, right?"

I glanced out the window again. The shiver returned.

"Thanks for humoring me." Cameron opened his mouth to say something, then stopped, staring at me. He cracked a small rueful smile. "Anyway. See you later." He turned to walk off.

"Wait!" I called out anxiously.

"Yeah?" he asked, turning back.

I cringed inwardly. This was so embarrassing, but…

"Can you…" I mumbled the last few words.

"What was that?"

"Can you walk me to my room?" I said in a rush.

He looked shocked for a second before a devious smile crossed his face.

"Are you afraid of the dark?"

"No!"

"I think you are."

"I just don't know my way around this place well enough yet. I don't want to get lost."

"Want me to hold your hand?" he teased.

I made a face. "Just point the way. I'll find my way around myself."

That devious smile softened into something more understanding. "It's cool. I'll take you there."

"Thanks," I murmured.

"Don't be embarrassed. I was afraid of the dark too when I was a kid."

"I'm not a kid. And I'm not afraid of the dark."

"Maybe I should make you a map," he continued teasing as I followed him. "Don't want you to get lost and end up in Narnia."

"I highly doubt I'd get so lost as to find myself in a wardrobe."

He led me through the mansion, making fun of me the whole way. I scowled behind his back.