The photographer from Milan.
Not just any photographer—the one who'd been positioned perfectly to capture his confrontation with Paolo.The one whose camera had been trained on him as he'd defended his sister's honor.He'd noticed the photographer even in the chaos, drawn by her beauty and the way she'd lowered her camera instead of continuing to shoot while he dealt with that bastard.
Most photographers would have kept clicking, hungry for the money shot.She'd stopped.
The woman straightened and turned slightly, giving him a clear view of her profile.He wanted to nibble on her high cheekbones and kiss her full lips.
That's when she spotted him.Her lips parted in surprise.She recognized him. He wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
For a long moment, they simply stared at each other.Dom's mouth curved into the first genuine smile he'd managed since Milan.T
The woman stepped back from the balcony railing, her cheeks flushing pink.But she didn't flee.Instead, she lifted her camera and pointed it directly at him.
Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the moment shattered.
Fucking paparazzi.
He flipped her the bird.
She lowered the camera and disappeared back into her room.
He wondered if he’d see that picture on TMZ tonight.
Chapter Two
Maya
The elevator at Couture moved whisper-quiet as she rode it up to her suite.Maya stood in the corner, camera bag slung over her shoulder, trying to convince herself that the flutter in her stomach was jet lag and not anticipation.She had been happy to book a gig at Couture, but she’d never dreamed she’d see Dominic Valenti here.
Yesterday's balcony encounter had been playing on repeat in her mind since she'd fled into her suite.The memory of the heat in his eyes as he'd pressed his palm against the window like he wanted to touch her.Her body had responded to that look—pulse racing, every nerve ending suddenly alive.
She'd needed to capture him looking at her like she was something he wanted to devour slowly. But apparently, she had just pissed him off.
The elevator opened and Maya stepped into a hallway that screamed understated luxury.Marble floors, abstract art, and a floor-to-ceiling window that showcased the thick forest that surrounded the resort.
She was fishing her keycard from her bag when a door opened behind her.