Page 41 of Hard Rock Sin

The place became more crowded and rowdy the further I got. I had to squeeze my way through groups of drunken party-goers. I knew my way around well enough by this point that I didn't get lost. I was able to make my way straight to the back patio.

When I stepped out of the sliding glass patio doors, I found Cameron surrounded by a huge pack of hangers-on. Mostly girls but there were a few guys as well.

Cameron's smile was ear to ear as he talked, gesturing wildly with his arms, a beer in hand. The group laughed uproariously, no doubt at some joke he had made or some story he had embellished. One guy punched him in the shoulder. Two girls kissed either side of his grinning cheeks. He put his arms around their waists and tugged them to his chest.

A tinge of jealousy flared up inside me, but I forced myself to ignore it. I wasn't going to examine these new-found feelings tonight. Right now I just wanted to have fun.

I made my way to the edge of the group, trying to elbow through. I received a couple of interested looks and not a few lecherous grins for my efforts, before that now familiar knowing look crossed their faces and they immediately moved out of my way.

I hadn't faced anything like this during my classes. I supposed it made sense that everyone at this party had some knowledge of the band, and of my brother's fearsome wrath. The studious, driven college students who got early acceptance probably didn't pay that much attention to celebrity gossip.

"Cameron!" I called out, waving to get his attention.

He cocked his head in my direction, attention successfully diverted from the women in his arms. He met my eyes. A bright smile crossed his face, as if he was happy to see me, before it was replaced by a narrowed gaze. His gaze swept me up and down. The heat of it, the intensity of it, made my heart thump madly.

Cameron whispered something to the two girls. They pouted, but left the circle of his arms, albeit reluctantly.

With a nod of his chin the rest of the crowd dispersed and I made my way over, a faint flush on my cheeks.

"You promised you'd stay in your tower, princess."

"Your ear plugs suck," I shot back. "I figured if I wasn't going to get any sleep I might as well get dolled up and join the party."

I thought he would make a quip about my short skirt, something overly protective and admonishing.

"Nice outfit," he said instead, a small smirk on his face. "Of course, the yoga pants and tank tops were cute, too."

That heat was still in his eyes. I wanted to address it. I wanted to let him know that I knew he thought I was hot. That I liked how he thought I was hot.

"Everyone's always scared of me at these parties," was all that came out of my mouth. "The guys won't approach me."

"They're scared of Noah," Cameron countered. "He made it very clear his baby sister is off limits. To everyone," he added, sounding oddly chagrinned.

"Sometimes I wish I hadn't plastered my face all over the internet."

"Why did you?"

"I didn't want Noah to keep me hidden away."

"And now you're regretting it."

"I should have known my brother would act like this. I should have known he'd never treat me like an adult."

"Then you better hope he doesn't catch you."

"He's here?" My heart sank for a brief moment before I threw it off with a toss of my ponytail. "I'm not scared of him."

"Maybe you should be."

Cameron nodded over to the sliding doors. My brother stood just inside them, a frown on his face.

"And that's my cue to get the fuck out of town." Cameron winced. "I don't want him blaming me for this one. I did my part in warning you off. The rest is on you."

"You don't have to keep running away from me."

"It's not you I'm running from," he said with a nod to my brother. "If you were any other girl…" He met my gaze, giving me an almost sad smile.

"Why?" I asked nervously. "What would you do if I wasn't Noah's sister?"