Page 8 of Hard Rock Sin

Disappointment welled up in my chest. I'd finally found someone who treated me like an adult. Finally found someone who saw me as a grown woman. Someone who might even return my long suppressed feelings.

Even without being present my brother still managed to scare him away.

I was still mourning Cameron's vanishing act when Noah returned with a young women in tow. Her wavy brown hair and light brown eyes both contrasted and complimented my brother's dark features. She was slightly on the short side. I was a bit taller than average for a girl but she wasn't so short I towered over her.

"Lily!" Jen threw her arms around me in an enthusiastic hug. "It's so good to meet you in person." She pulled back and gave me a beaming smile. "This is such a surprise, though. I wanted to throw you a welcome home party."

"I just couldn't wait to finally be home."

"Noah told me all about your summer program." She looked as excited for me as I'd felt when I'd got the acceptance letter. "I want to hear all about it."

"I'm just taking a few courses this summer before college officially starts. I'll get some first year requirements out of the way so I can concentrate on my art classes during the school year."

"No wonder they accepted you. You're incredibly talented. I've seen some of your art." She nodded to the tattoos on my brother's arms. "Using photos of your brother's body for your application was certainly unique."

"It was his idea."

I couldn't stop the yawn that escaped my mouth. My brother immediately looked concerned.

"I'm just tired." I told him. "It was a long flight."

Not to mention the ups and downs my emotions had been wrung through dealing with Cameron.

"Let's get you back to my place," Noah said.

"Your place?" Jen and I said at the same time.

"Lily's staying with us."

The surprise on Jen's face no doubt matched my own.

"I planned on staying at the hotel until school starts," I said carefully. "It'll only be for a few months. Then I'll be in the dorms."

I waited for his reaction. All I got was an eyebrow twitch.

"Why?" he said flatly.

"I just want some privacy."

"You think I won't give you privacy? I'm not going to snoop and read your diary."

"There's no need to be a Mr. Cranky-Pants," Jen laughed.

I shared the laugh. What a perfect nickname.

"I want to giveyouprivacy, then," I continued. "Do you really want me to walk in on you and your girlfriend having sex all the time?"

Jen stopped laughing and flushed. "Maybe Lily's right. I mean, she is an adult. She can't live under her brother's thumb forever."

"I want to make sure someone's keeping an eye on you. The last time you were alone—"

"You don't have to keep reminding me." I tried to push down my rising unease. I didn't want to think about what had happened, but my brother seemed determined to bring it up again and again.

"You're tired," he said. "Let's go home for now. We'll talk about it later."

"Okay," I agreed. "Later."

I did want to spend time with my brother. I missed him as much as he missed me. But that didn't mean I wanted to live under his thumb. Staying with him for a while might be nice. But I was resolved. After boarding school dorms and spending the last six months living in a communal artists' retreat, eventually I was going to need my space.