Cameron was breathless as well, his vigorous playing having taken its toll. His chest was heaving, his shoulders tense, his hair slightly damp with sweat. I wondered how long he'd been playing. It might have been for hours.
I waited until he was done, not wanting to interrupt. When the pounding beat subsided I knocked softly on the door jam.
Cameron turned to me with an inquisitive look.
His skin was pale, with dark bruises under his eyes. His eyes were glassy and almost unfocused. When he pushed away the strands of hair that stuck to his cheeks, his hands trembled. It looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"Sorry." His voice was dull and full of exhaustion. "Was the noise bothering you?"
That was going to be my excuse, but now that I got a good look at Cameron, I thought better of it.
"Are you okay?" I asked instead.
"Why wouldn't I be?" he replied. He sounded as if speaking was a monumental effort.
"How long have you been playing?" I asked.
"I dunno. What time is it?"
"Past dinner time."
"Oh." He looked down at the bass guitar in his hands. His fingers clenched around the fret board. "All day, I guess."
"You look tired. Why don't we go get something to eat?" I offered.
"Not hungry."
"Not even for pineapple pizza?"
He moved to put the bass guitar back on its stand.
"Did you need something?" he asked, ignoring my pizza comment.
I paused, contemplating. I didn't want to pry, but Cameron was upset. I decided to take the roundabout way.
"Your mom asked if I wanted to do a spa day with her."
Cameron visibly flinched. There it was. I knew his mood had something to do with his parents.
"I told her I would have to check my schedule. I didn't want to agree without asking you first."
"Why? It's not like you need my permission."
My fingers twisted in the hem of my shirt. "I just met your mom. Isn't it weird for her to want to hang out with a perfect stranger?"
"You're not a stranger. You're my—" Cameron lifted his fingers in air quotes, "—lady friend."
I stilled. "She knows we're...?"
I supposed that explained why she wanted to get to know me.
"She's overjoyed, no doubt." Cameron lifted his eyes to the ceiling and exhaled a deep breath. "After all, you're perfect."
I frowned, confused. "Perfect?"
"Respectable," he clarified.
I nearly laughed. "I'm an orphan who grew up in foster care. I don't have a job because I'm mooching off my brother. I'm taking a college degree that will leave me almost no real employable skills."
"You're a polite, educated, driven young woman. Not to mention beautiful and classy as hell."
Classy? I'd never thought of myself that way. I always considered myself the artsy dreamer type.
"I suppose growing up in a fancy boarding school with snobby mean girls will do that to a person."
"I'm surprised she hasn't dragged us to the altar already."
I flushed. My heart jumped in my chest at those words. "Is that really what she's thinking?"
"I dunno. Maybe. I just know that with this whole politics thing, it's going to get complicated."
His expression grew downcast again.
"You sounded happy for your mom at dinner," I said.
"I am." He paused. "Or, I know that I should be happy for her. But things are going to go back to the way they were before."
"Before?" I jumped on the last word, hoping to finally get some understanding. "What were things like before?"
"Shitty," Cameron said bluntly. He turned away from me and flopped down on the edge of the bed. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "Whatever. It's fine. You don't want to hear my sob story."
I sat down on the bed next to him, leaving some space between us, not wanting to crowd him.
"You told me your parents moved out when you were sixteen. That they were always traveling for business. When they first showed up, you mentioned that you didn't talk to them much."
Cameron looked at me in surprise. "You remember all that?"
"I've been piecing things together," I admitted. "I'd begun to think your parents were these horribly distant, cold, parental figures. But I met them and now... I don't know what to think."
"They're not terrible," Cameron said. "I love my parents."
"I sense a but in there somewhere."
He let out a deep breath, tilting his head back and closing his eyes.
"My parents wished they'd never had me."
Chapter Twenty-Three
I almost thought I'd heard wrong. How could Cameron think his parents didn't want him?
"They never approved of me," he continued, ignoring my shock. "I was an embarrassment."
"I'm sure they don't think of you that way," I protested.
"They do."
Cameron's eyes were flat and dull. He wasn't upset. He spoke as if he were reciting facts.
"You already know half the story. My father was in business. All high powered and shit. My mother was involved in all these well known charities. They were invited to fancy events full of powerful people. And they in turn invited those powerful people to our home."
"What's wrong with that?"
"I was never allowed to show my face," he said bluntly. "I had to stay in my room. They didn't want me having dinner with their important guests." He let out a rueful laugh. "Didn't want me to embarrass them."
My heart clenched in my chest. "I'm sure that's not true."
"I don't think people even know they have a son," he said quietly. "My mom would get honored with some society award and they'd tell me not to attend the event. When interviewers asked my dad about his family, he never once mention having kids."
I scooted closer until my thighs pressed against his. I took his hand in mine not saying anything, just listening.
"I can't blame them," he said with a rueful laugh. "I was a wild child, with my crazy hair colors, always dressing in black like some emo-goth kid, skipping class to play in shitty bands with my friends. I was never going to be the clean cut, Ivy League prep school son they always wanted. I was a disappointment."
"I can't believe that." I squeezed his hand. "I saw the way you were around your parents. You're a wonderful son."
"I thought things had been getting better. Dad's retired. Mom cut back on her charity work. Fewer fancy events and parties and ceremonies. They actually didn't mind being seen with me in public every once in a while."
"I'm sure it's all a misunderstanding. They took us both out to dinner."
"When my mom said we needed to talk about what this all meant for our family, that's what she was talking about. She's going to be in the public eye. People are going to want to know all about her." He let out a derisive snort and lowered his head to his chest, looking down at his lap. "We need to go back to pretending I don't exist."
I took his chin in my hands and guided his head up until we were face to face. The pain I saw in those deep blue eyes made my heart ache.
"I saw the way your parents look at you. I can't believe they're ashamed of you. They love you. "
"They love their careers more." Cameron placed on hand over mine. "That's why they like you so much. They probably think you're going to be a good influence on me. Maybe they think you can make me respectable."
"There's nothing wrong with the way you are now."
"They think there is. That's why I'm going back to being their dirty little secret." He gave me a sad smile. "They've never been to one of my shows. Not when I played in shitty garage bands, and not when we hit it big. I don't think they've ever actually seen me play bass guitar."
I swallowed past the lump in my throat. I knew what it felt like to be rejected by a parent. After my mom took off, I always wondered what I'd done wrong to make her leave.
"Whatever. It's fine. I'm used to it."
Camero
n heaved himself off the bed and paced over to his bass guitar, running his fingers over the strings.
"I think it's about time I threw another house party," he said out of nowhere. "It's been a while." His turned to me with a slightly wicked grin and rubbed his hands together. "I've got just the game to play, too. It'll be fucking awesome."
"Cameron..." I began hesitantly.
"I've got to go start planning. Getting the guest list in order. There's a couple guys who trashed the place last time. I need to keep them out."
I knew it was just a deflection. But if Cameron didn't want to talk about his parents any more, I wouldn't make him.
I just couldn't believe the people I'd met a few days ago could be the same people who had kept their son a secret. Was Cameron really an embarrassment to them? Had they really not told their friends and colleagues they had a son? And was that why they've moved out when they did? So they could continue living their lives as if their son didn't exist?
I couldn't imagine how lonely of a life that must have been for him growing up. I'd always had my big brother by my side.
It seemed that Cameron had no one.
"Normally I don't mind a little mess but these guys totally destroyed the bathroom on this floor," he continued. "Pipes busted and everything. No more parties for them. They're banned for life."
I came up behind Cameron and wrapped my arms around his waist, squeezing. He stopped talking.
I laid my cheek on his strong back. "I'm sorry."
He placed his hands over mine, lacing our fingers. "Or maybe we can throw a party of our own." His voice turned sly as he swung me around to face him. "A private party. Just the two of us."
I raised an eyebrow. Another deflection. I didn't call him on it. "And would we also play games at this private party?"
He smirked. "I can think of a hundred different games I'd like to play with you."
My heartbeat sped up at the wicked glint in his eyes. "Tell me one."
"Go Fish."
"That's a kid's game."
He gave me that familiar carnal grin. "Not the way I play it."
"Why am I not surprised you managed to take a game for five year olds and turn it dirty."
Cameron cupped my ass, caressing and kneading. "Angel, there's no shortage of innocent things I've made dirty."
"And I suppose I'm one of them?"
"Not yet." He lowered his head and murmured against my lips. "I'm not even close to being done corrupting you."
My cheeks flushed, arousal already coursing through me. "I think you've been doing a pretty good job of it so far."
He chuckled darkly. "I haven't even broken out the toys yet."
Toys? My heart hammered against my ribcage. "I thought you were joking about that."
"Not in the slightest."
"Dare I even ask what kind of toys?"
Cameron made a deep, almost purring sound in his chest. "It's so much better if I show you."
My inner muscles clenched at the heat in his voice.
He caressed my ass one last time before giving it a light spank. Heat pooled between my thighs at the slight sting.
"Why don't you wait here?" he suggested. "I just need to collect a few things."
There was an evil glint in his eyes.
I couldn't help remembering the talk about kinks I'd had with him. I hadn't been able to think of anything dirtier than handcuffs and spanking.
If this was what it took to get his mind off his parents, I was more than willing to go along with it.
I shivered, wondering just what exactly he had planned for me.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cameron went into a large walk in closet adjacent to his bedroom.
I sat on the edge of his bed, waiting. Nervous anticipation flowed through my veins. My ears were straining to listen for the sound of Cameron rummaging around.
It felt like I'd been waiting forever. My fingers clenched and unclenched in the bedsheets. Was making me wait part of his plan?
Finally, I heard him stop rummaging. My heart pounded wildly in my chest. When he walked out of the closest, I was greeted with his wicked grin.
I looked to see what he was carrying, wanting to know what toys he'd collected. He held a heavy canvas bag, completely opaque, preventing me from guessing.
He noticed my stare and chuckled darkly. "You'll find out what I have in store for you soon enough." His eyes turned heated. "Lie back on the bed."
My toes curled at that demanding tone. I scooted to the headboard and lay down. I propped myself up on my elbows so I could see what he was doing.
Cameron tossed the bag on the bed and followed it. He knelt above me, body looming over mine.
"Are you going to do everything I say, Angel?"
I nodded silently.
"Good girl."
I moaned as he placed sucking kisses on my neck. His hands skimmed over my sides and stomach, caressing my skin. He lifted up my shirt and tossed it over my head. He deftly unsnapped my bra. It fell to the bed, leaving me topless.
"If I ask what you're going to do, would you tell me?" I asked, my voice wavering.
"I'm going to make you come more times than you've ever come in your life."
"You sure that's possible?" My heartbeat raced. "You've already set the bar pretty high."
He flashed me a carnal smirk, not saying anything. He dug into the bag and pulled out something long and black. I recognized the item. Thick straps with buckles on one end. Bondage restraints.
I inhaled sharply.
Cameron looked concerned. "We don't have to use them if you don't want to."
A small part of me was reminded of the break in. Of when they tied me up.
But as I examined that memory, I realized it didn't affect me as much as I thought it might. This was completely different. I trusted Cameron.
"I want to," I told him.
He examined me closely. He nodded.
"Put your arms over your head."
I did so. The demanding tone sent a fresh flood of heat between my legs. I was already getting wet. I pressed my thighs together.
"I didn't know you were into BDSM," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I'm not, really." He took each wrist in his hands and gently looped them through the straps. "This is just to keep you from squirming away."
I swallowed hard as he fastened each strap to the headboard. My arms were now tied above my head. I tugged experimentally. The restraints were solid. I wouldn't be able to get out of it if I tried.
That was as exhilarating as it was terrifying. Cameron could do whatever he wanted to me now. The thought nearly had me whimpering.
"And why would I want to get away?" I asked.
"You'll see." His eyes flashed with wicked amusement. "If you really want to me to stop, say red."
I frowned, confused. "Red?"
"Like stoplights. Red for stop. Yellow for slow down. Green for go." Cameron placed a soft kiss on my lips. "Let me know where you're at, okay? Don't feel bad if you need to say red."
"Why can't I just say stop?"
"Because pretty soon you're going to be shouting out a lot of things, Angel. I need to be sure you really mean them."
Despite my arousal, I couldn't help but feel slightly nervous. This was all so new to me. Was I ready for this, whatever this was?
Cameron must have sensed my nerves.
"I told you, I'm not into BDSM. None of that sado-masochism stuff. This is all for you."
"Why won't you tell me what you're going to do to me?"
"It's much more fun if you experience it yourself first." Cameron pulled something else out of the bag. A black blindfold. "I'm going to put this over your eyes, okay?"
I hesitated before nodding.
The blindfold was soft and silky against my eyes. It blocked out all light.
"Is this the part where you torture me with ice cubes or feathers or something?"
"Nothing so cliché." Cameron almost sounded of
fended.
He shuffled down to the edge of the bed, between my legs. He ran his hands up my calves, then up between my thighs. He followed his fingers with a trail of kisses.
The touch of his lips against my sensitive skin had me reeling. My inner muscles throbbed. He'd barely done anything and my panties were almost soaked. My body always responded so readily to him.
Cameron spread my legs open and pushed my skirt up to my waist. I held my breath as he moved closer. I felt the hot air of his breath wash over me as he exhaled.
He pulled down my panties, tossing them away. He licked a line between the valley of my legs, sucking at my clit. I moaned along with him.
"Fuck Angel, you always taste so fucking good."
Maybe this was what Cameron had planned. Tying me up and eating me out until I was satiated and exhausted.
Then I heard him rummage around in the bag again. He pulled something out. I felt something hard and cool press against my core.
"You ready, Angel?" he teased.
Before I could respond, my world exploded in a symphony of sensation. I gasped sharply, my every nerve ending on fire, pleasure surging through me. It centered between my legs and rushed outwards, down my legs and up my arms, to the very tips of my fingers and toes.
"Oh fuck fuck fuck!" I shrieked, the words sounding strangled. I thrashed back and forth on the bed, hips bucking and rolling.
The sensations were so intense, half pleasure, half pain. I didn't know if I was trying to get away or move closer. A distant part of my mind thought Cameron had been right to tie me down. I might have flailed myself off the bed otherwise.
For long moments I had no idea what was causing the sensation, only knowing that it was mind blowing as hell. I'd never felt anything this intensely before.
I can't say I got used to the sensation, but after several minutes I was finally able to think through the haze of pleasure. A light buzzing sound floated to my ears, and I registered the slight vibrations against my clit and lower lips.
"Is— that—" I gasped.
When Cameron spoke, I could hear the smirk in his voice. "Magic Hitachi Wand."
The buzzing shot up in volume. I let out a choked breath. Cameron must have turned up the intensity. The vibrations got stronger. I was sent higher and higher as new waves of pleasure crashed through me. I hit my peak, orgasming with a high-pitched moan.
Hard Rock Sin: A Rock Star Romance Page 14
