Page 45 of My Playboy Neighbor

"It's over."Dom's smile was grim rather than victorious."Though my reputation's still fucked.Doesn't matter if you're innocent when the internet's already decided you're guilty."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be.I'd rather have a shitty reputation and you than a perfect image and be alone."He moved toward her, taking the camera from her hands."Besides, turns out I don't need everyone to love me.Just you."

"What are you doing?"Maya asked as he fiddled with her camera settings.

"Something I should have done weeks ago."He positioned the camera on a nearby table, angling it toward them."Timer function.We're taking a picture together."

"Dom—"

"No hiding anymore.No professional boundaries."He pulled her against his chest, his arms wrapping around her possessively."I want proof that this is real."

"Proof for who?"

"For me.For when I inevitably fuck something up and need to remember why you're worth fighting for.Ready?"

The camera clicked, capturing them mid-laugh as Dom said something ridiculous about her terrible posture.It wasn't a perfect shot—Maya's hair was messy, Dom was making a face, and the lighting was harsh.But it was them.Really them.

"There," Dom said, checking the image on the camera's display."Now we have evidence."

"Evidence of what?"

"That I'm capable of being happy.That you're crazy enough to put up with my damage."He set the camera aside and pulled her back into his arms."That whatever this is, it's worth documenting."

Maya studied his face, seeing the mix of hope and fear there."What happens now?"

"Now we figure it out as we go.I've got some job prospects, you've got your gallery show.We'll probably fight about stupid shit and make up spectacularly."His smile was wry."I'm not promising it'll be easy."

"I don't want easy," Maya said."I want real."

"Good.Because real is all I know how to do anymore."Dom's hands framed her face, his thumbs brushing across her cheekbones."I love you, Maya.Probably more than is healthy, definitely more than is smart."

"I love you too.Your ego, your walls, your terrible habit of overthinking everything."

"Just my ego?"Dom's grin was pure mischief.

"And your hands.And the way you look at me like I'm the only person in the room."Maya's voice softened."And how you make me feel brave enough to take risks."

"Like this one?"

"Like this one."

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