Page 22 of My Playboy Neighbor

"That's what I'm talking about," she said."This is the man people need to see."

He stared at the image, something shifting in his expression."I look..."

"Like yourself," she finished."Like someone worth knowing."

Dom placed his hand on the small of her back, his touch possessive."You have a talent for seeing things others miss."

"I need props," she said, stepping away from him before she lost her professional focus entirely."Something that shows your personal side—books, music, things that reveal who you are when you're not working."

"Storage room’s over there," Dom said, pointing to a door behind the backdrop.."Everything's organized by type.Take what you need."

Maya nodded and headed toward the storage area, pushing through the door into a smaller room lined with shelves of photography equipment.She was looking for personal props when she spotted an ornate wooden chest tucked behind some unused backdrops.

Curious, Maya opened the lid and immediately gasped.

The chest was filled with silk restraints in jewel tones, leather cuffs lined with soft suede, and implements that spoke to sophisticated tastes and extensive experience.At the bottom, wrapped in black velvet, was a flogger with falls that looked like they'd been crafted by an artist.

Maya lifted the flogger, examining its exquisite craftsmanship.This wasn't a prop or novelty—this was a tool designed for serious pleasure.

"Find something interesting?"

Maya spun around.

"I found these,” she squeaked.

Dom stepped into the storage room, closing the door behind him with deliberate intent."Couture keeps certain amenities for guests with sophisticated tastes."

"And you have sophisticated tastes?"

"I have very specific tastes.The question is whether you're ready to discover what they are."

Maya's pulse quickened as she looked down at the flogger in her hands, then back at Dom."What we did this morning..."

"Was just the beginning," Dom said, stalking closer."I can teach you things that will blow your mind, Maya.But only if you're brave enough to let me."

The challenge in his voice sent heat flooding through Maya's core.She should be intimidated, but instead she lifted her chin defiantly.

"What makes you think I'm not brave enough?"

Dom's eyes shone with approval and hunger."Prove it."

He moved to the chest, selecting items like a general choosing weapons.Silk scarves in deep blue, a leather blindfold, and a feather that looked designed for exquisite torture.

"Rule one," Dom said, his voice taking on an edge of steel."When I'm in control, your body responds to me.Not your mind, not your fears—me.Are you prepared for that?"

Maya nodded, not trusting her voice.

"Use your words."

"Yes," Maya said."I'm prepared."

"Rule two: I decide everything.When you come, how you come, if you come.Your pleasure belongs to me until I say otherwise.Understood?"

The possessive words should have alarmed her.Instead, they sent made her wet."Understood."

"Good."Dom gestured to a padded bench near the wall, his tone brooking no argument."Strip.Now."

“Here?”

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