Page 8 of My Playboy Neighbor

"No," Dom said, his voice dropping to that rough register that made her wet."I don't think I do."

Maya busied herself with adjusting a light, trying to ignore the way he watched her every movement."Colleen wants natural shots.Authentic moments that show who you really are."

"And who do you think I really am, Maya?"

The question made her pause, her hands stilling on the equipment.When she looked at him, Dom had moved closer, close enough that she saw the flecks of gold in his green eyes.

"I think," she said carefully, "you're a man who's spent so long being what other people want that you've forgotten how to just be yourself."

Vulnerability flickered across his features before he masked it with that practiced charm."Careful, sweetheart.You're starting to sound like you give a damn."

"Maybe I do."The words slipped out before Maya could stop them.

Dom went very still.For a moment, the only sound in the studio was the hum of the air conditioning.Then he smiled—not the polished smile she'd seen in magazines, but something real and dangerous.

"Show me," he said.

Maya blinked."What?"

"Show me what you see.Take the pictures that matter."Dom moved to the center of the studio, his movements deliberate and controlled."But I have conditions."

“What kind of conditions?"

"You do this my way.No directing, no posing suggestions, no telling me how to stand or where to look."His eyes locked with hers."You want authentic?Then you get me exactly as I am."

This wasn't just about photography anymore—this was Dom asserting his dominance, testing whether she'd submit to his control even in her own professional space.

Maya lifted her camera, checking the settings without breaking eye contact."Fine.But I shoot what I see, not what you want me to see."

"Deal."

The first few shots were safe—Dom standing by the windows, natural light cutting across his features.Maya found her rhythm, the familiar weight of the camera in her hands steadying her nerves.

Then Dom started moving.

It was subtle at first.A shift in posture that emphasized the breadth of his shoulders.A turn of his head that caught the light on his jawline.But Maya saw the intention behind every movement, the way he was using his body like a weapon designed to make her lose focus.

"Problem?"Dom asked, his voice carrying that hint of amusement that set her teeth on edge.

"No problem."Maya adjusted her lens, zooming in on his face.Through the viewfinder, she detailed everything about him—the intelligence in his eyes, the slight curve of his lips that suggested he was enjoying this far too much.

"Good.Because I'd hate for you to be distracted."

The way he said the word made Maya's cheeks flush.She lowered the camera, meeting his gaze directly."It takes more than a pretty face to distract me."

Dom's smile turned dangerous."Who said anything about my face?"

Before Maya could respond, he pulled his shirt over his head, revealing a torso that belonged in museums.Every muscle was perfectly defined, his chest broad and strong, with a light dusting of dark hair that trailed down to disappear beneath his jeans.

Maya's mouth went dry.She'd seen shirtless models before—it was part of the job.But this was different.Personal.Like Dom was stripping away more than just his shirt.

"Problem now?"he asked, his voice thick with desire.

Maya raised her camera with hands that weren't quite steady."Not at all."

But her first few shots were terrible.The camera seemed to have a mind of its own, focusing on the wrong elements, missing the moments that mattered.Maya cursed under her breath, adjusting settings that should have been automatic.

"Maya."

---