Page 33 of Hard Rock Sin

Worried immediately flooded his face. He crouched down in front of me. He cupped my face with one hand. My cheeks were wet with tears. I hadn't even noticed.

"I was worried when you didn't answer your phone."

I couldn't do anything but shake and clutch my knees tighter to my chest.

Understanding dawned on his face.

"It's okay," he said in a soft voice. "It was a false alarm. No one broke in."

I exhaled loudly, relief blossoming in my chest.

"Come on." He wrapped an arm around my waist and helped me stand on shaky legs.

He held me close to his chest. He stroked my hair, from the top of my head to the ends down my back.

"I'm sorry." My voice was raspy. My throat hurt, sore and raw from my gasping, struggling breaths. I clung to his t-shirt.

"For what?"

"For freaking out. For making you worry."

"You don't need to apologize."

"I shouldn't still be so…" I trailed off.

"It's okay to be scared."

"I couldn't do anything except cower in a corner."

"If it had been a real break in, I would have wanted you to do just that. Find a safe place and hide."

Those words sent another spike of fear through my chest.

"Has anyone ever broken in before, for real?" I asked, hoping he would say no.

"A few have tried," he admitted. "Mostly crazy fans."

The fear didn't ease.

"You should get some sleep."

Cameron rubbed small circles across my back. The touch would normally have sent a pulse of arousal straight between my thighs, but there wasn't enough room in my overworked brain for thoughts like that.

"I'm sure you have more early classes tomorrow, right?" Cameron guided me to the bed, pulling back the covers and setting me down to sit on the edge.

One dark blue eye examined mine, concern on his face.

"Are you going to be okay?"

I nodded silently.

"I'm just a text away if you need me."

I couldn't stop staring at him. At the worried lines of his brow.

He turned to leave.

"Wait." I reached out and grabbed his hand, my own fingers still trembling.