Page 6 of Breaking the Habit

“What?”

“I want her to come to the matches. She’ll be the official photographer.”

Travis blinked rapidly, like the words didn’t compute. “But you don’t need one. There’s plenty of shots that come from these fights.”

“Yeah, but that’s not what I’m talking about.” Nobody knew about his vision.Not the full extent of it. And never thewhy. “I want unique photos of the entire league. Every matchup, but the stuff in between, too. I’ll pay, of course. But it’s gotta be Riley.”

Travis tilted his head, as though he was considering it. “She’d do a killer job.”

Riley turned to face him and Travis, one perfect dark brow arched. “Did I hear my name?”

“Just cooking up a little business proposition.” Levi cocked a grin, hoping his exposed abs might help seal the deal if his offer wouldn’t.

“Levi is about to start in a brand-new MMA league based on the west coast. He thinks you should be his league photographer,” Travis said, adjusting his tight shorts as he bare-footed his way to the backdrop. His dirty blond hair hung past his chin as he nodded toward Levi. “For all the scheduled fights and then some.”

Riley blinked, her red lips turning into a confused pout. “You mean…forLevi?”

“Yes, forLevi,” Levi retorted. “Your work is incredible. You have to be the photographer.”

Her brows turned into a hard line. “I don’t do that kind of photography. I mean—”

“I wantyou,” he butted in. And sure, maybe he meant that in all possible ways. But her hotness was not the driving factor in this decision. It was merely tertiary.

Levi’s career was on the line here. Ever since he’d made the decision to use MMA as his slingshot to financial security, all bets were off. It was why he lived in LA now. Why Travis was his trainer. Why he wanted somebody to leak his nudes to the press.

Levi needed fame, and he needed it yesterday.

Everything in his life rode on making solid money with his fighting career. Everything about this upcoming league would be fodder for the Levi brand, and he wasn’t going to waste an ounce of it.

“Having you on the squad would be pretty awesome,” Travis said, scrubbing at his jaw. “I’ve never had a personal photographer before, but I can see why Levi wants you.”

“What would I do?” Riley asked.

“Work your magic.” Levi gestured toward the nearest portraits. “Come to the matches, and also the practices. I need to put together a tight professional portfolio.”

Riley didn’t look convinced. “I really don’t do sports photography.”

“I don’t want sports photography.” Levi’s gaze swept back to the panel of nine square photos. “I wantyourphotography.”

Riley cocked a hip, fiddling with a button on her camera. Her silky mocha locks spilled out from behind her ear, partially shrouding her face. She wasn’t just trendy AF, like her shirt proclaimed. She was talented and gorgeous too.

Levi needed someone like this in his circle.

“How long would it last?” she finally ventured.

“Four months. Maybe longer, if it works out. I mean, my career will last longer than this league.”

“Because obviously Levi is making it to the final tournament,” Travis clarified.

Riley nibbled on her lower lip, looking between Travis and Levi. Each time her chocolate eyes swept his way, his abs tightened. He liked being the object of her attention. And if she was his photographer, there’d be plenty more jolts like those.

“I’m serious enough about this that you can name your price,” Levi said. “And I’ll pay it.”

Something shuddered over her face with those words. The promise of money. It pushed people out of their comfort zone. Made them do crazy things, like try to conquer Hollywood or follow MMA fighters around for four months.

“Yeah. I’ll do it,” Riley said, straightening her back. “But we’re going to need to have a contract.”

Chapter 3

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