Page 43 of My Playboy Neighbor

"No," he agreed, pressing a kiss to her temple."But now I don't have to choose between being real and being employable."

Before Maya could respond to the overwhelming promise in his words, another knock came at the door.Dom's expression darkened with territorial irritation.

"Ignore it," he said, kissing her.

But the knocking persisted, followed by a familiar voice calling through the door.

"Dom?It's Colleen.We need to talk."

Dom groaned against Maya's lips."The woman has terrible timing."

"She's our boss," Maya reminded him, though she made no move to leave his arms.

"She's your boss.I'm unemployed, remember?"But Dom was already reaching for his robe, his movements efficient and controlled."Stay here.I'll get rid of her."

Maya watched him stride to the door, admiring the way command seemed to radiate from him even in casual clothes.This was her alpha—protective, decisive, completely in control of his domain.

She heard murmured conversation at the door, then Dom's voice carrying a note of surprise.

"Maya?Colleen wants to speak with both of us."

Maya quickly pulled on Dom's discarded shirt from the night before, the white cotton falling to mid-thigh.When she joined them in the living area, Colleen's sharp blue eyes took in Maya's disheveled appearance and obvious state of undress with knowing amusement.

"Well, well," Colleen said, settling into the leather chair like she owned the place."Look what the cat dragged in.Both of you."

"We're together," Dom said simply, his arm sliding around Maya's waist."In case that wasn't obvious."

"Oh, it's obvious.I heard you two making up from three doors down."Colleen's grin was wicked."About damn time."

Maya felt her cheeks burn."Colleen—"

"Relax, honey.These walls are thick, but not that thick."She waved a dismissive hand."Besides, I've been waiting for this train wreck to resolve itself for weeks."

"Train wreck?"Dom's voice carried a dangerous edge.

"Oh, please.You two have been circling each other like horny teenagers since day one.The sexual tension was so thick I could cut it with a knife."Colleen crossed her legs, clearly enjoying their discomfort."Did you really think I didn't know what was happening?"

Maya exchanged a glance with Dom."Actually..."

"Maya, sweetie, I've been in this business for twenty years.I can spot a woman falling for her subject from a mile away.And Dom?"She fixed him with a pointed stare."You've been looking at her like you want to eat her alive since she walked into that first meeting."

"So you knew," Dom said flatly.

"Of course I knew.Hell, I was counting on it."Colleen reached into her purse and pulled out a thick folder."Which brings me to why I'm here."

"Wait."Maya held up a hand."You were counting on it?"

"Honey, you think I picked you for this job randomly?I chose you because Dom needed someone who wouldn't put up with his bullshit.Someone who'd see past all that pretty-boy armor to the actual man underneath."

Dom went very still."You set us up."

"I created an opportunity.What you did with it was up to you."Colleen shrugged."Though I'll admit, the hallway camping was a bit melodramatic, even for you."

"Jesus Christ," Dom muttered.

"But it worked, didn't it?Because here you are, finally acting like adults instead of hiding behind professional boundaries and pretending you don't want to jump each other's bones."

Maya laughed at Colleen's bluntness."You're unbelievable."

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