Page 96 of Hard Rock Sin

Cameron stilled under my arms. My heart thumped rapidly. With my head buried in his shoulder, I couldn't see his expression.

All the anxiety I'd felt before returned full force. A different kind of anxiety this time. Why had I said that out loud? I hadn't meant to say it. I shouldn't have said it.

He squeezed me tight. One hand cupped the back of my head, pressing us cheek to cheek. His lips touched my ear.

"I love you, too," he replied softly.

The fireworks I'd felt when he first kissed me were nothing compared to the explosion that went off when he said those words.

I love you.

I hadn't meant to say them first. Hadn't meant to say them at all.

But Cameron returned my feelings.

Cameron said he loved me.

But even before the words had been spoken out loud, Cameron had showed me he loved me. With every thoughtful gesture, with every kind word, he had proven himself.

A few stray tears fell down my cheeks. He clutched me to his chest.

"I hope those are tears of happiness," he teased.

I laughed and sniffled at the same time.

"I love you," he repeated. "I don't want you to go. I want you to stay here." He pulled back, looking uncertain. "If you want to, I mean."

"I do want to." My heart felt light and airy. Cameron loved me. Cameron had officially asked me to move in with him. A small giddy laugh threatened to bubble up inside me.

"I have something I want to show you," Cameron said. His expression was a combination of nerves and excitement. "I hope you don't mind."

"Mind what?"

"Cam, honey?"

A voice called out from the front door.

"Shit, sorry." Cameron cringed. "My parents are here. They said they've got some important stuff to tell me. I got distracted when I heard your car come up, but you didn't come into the house." Cameron gave me a crooked smile. "They want to talk about my mom's whole mayor thing with me."

"That's a good sign, right? They probably want you involved somehow."

"Yeah, maybe. It would be cool if I could help out somehow." There was a hopeful note in his voice. "You should come, too. You're a part of my life now. Anything that affects me will affect you."

"What about that thing you wanted to show me?"

"It can wait."

Cameron took my hand and led me into the mansion, keeping a tight grip the entire time.

Sharon and Grant were waiting in one of the living rooms. They looked overjoyed to see me again. Sharon stood from the sofa and gave me a warm hug in greeting.

"So good to see you again, Lily." Sharon took note of mine and Cameron's clasped hands. She gave Cameron a knowing smile. "I'm glad to see you're still here."

"Lily and I are together," he told them, beaming proudly.

The ecstatic look on their faces made me flush.

"We're so happy for you, dear. And I hope you'll be happy for me," she added.