Page 36 of Hard Rock Sin

My voice faltered.

Cameron shifted down until we were eye to eye. While one hand pet my hair, the other rested softly on my shoulder. The heat of his fingers was like a fiery brand on my skin.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

"I screamed. I think they were afraid the neighbors would hear. One of them took out a switchblade." Unconsciously, I brought my hand to my neck, tracing the faint scar under my chin with my fingertips. "He said he would slit my throat if I didn't shut up."

Cameron wrapped both arms around my shoulders and tugged me closer. "Fuck. Lily. I'm so sorry."

I snuggled down into his warmth, ducking my head into his chest.

"They tied me up." My voice was hoarse. "Put my hands behind my back. Duct taped my mouth shut. Tied my feet together so I couldn't run. I squirmed and struggled but they were too big. Too strong."

Cameron's arms squeezed me tight. He returned to petting my hair.

"They kept on looking at me. Whispering to each other. They must have thought no one was home. They hadn't even bothered to hide their faces."

My eyes burned as tears gathered in the corners.

"I honestly thought they were going to kill me to keep me from telling anyone."

Cameron cupped my cheeks with both hands. He lifted my head from where I had burrowed down into him, bringing us face to face.

"And… that's how Noah found you?"

"He didn't come home until late the next morning. All night I sat there, tied up and terrified they would change their minds and come back."

A pained expression crossed his face. "Fuck. I can't even imagine how scared you must have been."

All the terror I'd felt back then came back in full force. Hot tears fell down my face, wetting Cameron's fingers as he stroked my cheeks.

"I thought I was going to die that night. I thought I'd never see my brother again. See my friends again." My breath hitched. "And then tonight. I heard the alarm. I thought—" My voice broke. I couldn't stop a sob from leaving my throat.

Cameron hugged me tight, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his face in my hair.

"It's okay," he said in hushed tones. "You're safe. I promise."

His lips brushed the top of my ear as he spoke. Shivers went through me at that slight touch.

"I'll never let anyone hurt you. You can always come to me. Okay?"

Our legs were tangled together, our chests pressed close. I was sure he could feel the rapid beating of my heart through my thin tank top.

I took in a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I only succeed in breathing in his scent, warm and masculine. That smell sent a streak of heat straight to the apex of my thighs. I shuddered in his arms.

"You're safe," he promised again, taking my shaking for fear.

But in his arms, the fear had subsided. A wave of arousal was taking its place.

I was acutely aware of every inch of his bare skin pressed to mine. The soft strands of his hair tickled my cheeks. The tips of my bare toes brushed his legs. And our hips—

I inhaled sharply.

Our hips were flush together, my own fitting neatly against his. So close I could feel him.

So close I could feel his rapidly hardening length against the hollow of my hip.

I shifted unconsciously, tilting my hips, wanting to feel more of him.