Page 44 of My Playboy Neighbor

"I'm effective.Which is why the Meridian Gallery wants you for their spring show."

"What?"

"Solo exhibition.Your first, right?"Colleen's grin was pure satisfaction."There's more," she continued."Dom, based on the response to Maya's campaign photos, I've had three major brands reach out about partnerships."

"Jake mentioned something about that," Dom said carefully.

"This could redefine your entire career.Move you from a pretty face playboy to a legitimate spokesman for modern masculinity.”

Dom was quiet for a moment, and Maya saw him processing the implications.This wasn't just about saving his career—it was about fundamentally changing what that career meant.

"What do you think?"he asked Maya, his voice soft but serious.

"I think," Maya said carefully, "that you've spent fifteen years being what other people wanted you to be.Maybe it's time to be what you actually are."

"And what am I?"

Maya looked into his eyes, seeing the man who'd protected his sister, who'd fought for their relationship, who'd chosen love over safety."You're a protector.A man who stands up for what's right, even when it costs you everything.You're strong enough to be vulnerable, brave enough to show emotion."Her voice grew stronger with conviction."You're exactly what the world needs to see."

Dom's smile was brilliant, transformative."Then let's give them something real to look at."He turned to Colleen with renewed authority."Set up the meetings.All of them.But I have conditions."

"Which are?"

"Maya and I are a package deal.Any brand that wants to work with me accepts that she's part of my life, part of my story.She’s the only photographer I want to work with."

"I think Jake and I can arrange that for you."

"And," Dom continued, his arm tightening around Maya, "Maya gets creative control over any photography.Her vision, her artistic direction."

"Dom, you don't have to—" Maya began.

"Yes, I do."His voice was firm, commanding."You're the only photographer who's ever seen the real me.Why would I trust anyone else to capture it?"

***

MAYA STOOD IN THE RESORT'Sphotography studio, camera in hand, watching Dom position himself by the windows.But this time, everything was different.No walls, no careful distance, no pretending that what happened between them was just professional.

"Ready?"she asked, raising her camera.

"For you?Always."Dom's smile was genuine, unguarded."Show me what you see."

Maya began shooting, capturing him in natural light—the strong line of his jaw, the intensity in his green eyes, the way his mouth curved when he looked at her.But now she could also capture something new: contentment.Peace.The look of a man who'd stopped running from himself.

"Tell me about the gallery show," Dom said as Maya moved around him, her camera clicking steadily.

"It's everything I've ever dreamed of.A solo exhibition in one of the most prestigious galleries in the art world."She paused, lowering her camera."Are you really okay with people seeing those intimate images?"

Dom moved toward her with that sexy stalk she'd come to love, stopping just close enough to remind her of his dominance without crowding her work.

"Maya, those photos show a man learning to love and be loved.If that helps even one person understand that strength comes from vulnerability, then I want the whole world to see them."

"Even the ones where you look completely wrecked?"

"Especially those.Because being wrecked by you, by what we have—that's not weakness.That's the most powerful thing I've ever experienced."

A few moments later, his phone sent off a few alerts.Dom scrolled to his news alerts."This morning, three more women came forward about Elena.Her whole scheme is unraveling.Paolo Ricci was arrested for stalking and harassment."

Maya lowered her camera completely."It's over?"

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