Page 81 of Better Left Unsaid

When he let up, I moved my neck one way and then the other, and it cracked both times. “I didn’t realize how tense I was. That was probably good fortune because I have a photoshoot soon and when they tell me to turn this way and that way, now my neck won’t ache.” I smiled, even though he couldn’t see my face.

He switched gears and started rubbing my back. “A photoshoot,” he repeated. “For who is this photoshoot?”

I chuckled. “Not another designer, if that’s what you’re asking.” I rolled my lips. “It’s for a fragrance. I’m doing it with Dom, as a matter of fact. It’s his thing. They just asked me to model opposite of him. He’s a model.” All right, why was I having motor mouth when it came to Dom? It was like I couldn’t stop myself.

“You model with your friend.”

I turned around and stared into his eyes. “Exactly.”

“You know, I can give you some pointers. I did quite a number of photoshoots in my day.” He crossed his arms and stood back, angling himself just so. “You want to look at the camera in just the right way, no blinking, and never smiling. Posing is all in the face muscles.”

I nodded. “All right. Thank you for the tips.”

“No problem. You know, daughter can model like mother.”

I laughed to myself because if he only knew how I was modeling, he’d realize just how highly inappropriate that would be.

Paolo continued, “I’ve been thinking of doing a line of clothing for children. You know, like Isabella’s age. I think she might be interested in doing a photoshoot like her mom. It could be good for her, too. She must start early in her career, otherwise it’s a big pond and she’ll be a little fish.”

I shut my eyes and shook my head. “I don’t want her to model at her age. She’s interested in dance right now, and when the time comes,ifit comes, and she’s interested in modeling, she has Dom.”

“This Dom has a great influence over you and your daughter. Am I correct?”

“No, it’s not like that. He’s just a good friend.”

“If that’s what you say.”

“It is.” I darted my eyes every which way, suddenly feeling awkward about this date. “It’s getting kind of late. Maybe we should call it a night. I can call a car.”

He shook his head. “Nonsense. I have a car and driver. I’ll take you home.”

Four words never sounded so good. Something about this date was sounding off alarms in my head, and I couldn’t wait to get home and wash the whole thing off me.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Maria

I was compartmentalizingand putting Paolo and that whole crapshoot of a second date in a bullpen, entrapping it in an area of my brain that I wasn’t going to bother with for now. As Allie was known to say, I didn’t need that kind of energy. Least of all when I was getting ready to do this nude photoshoot with Dom.

I still couldn’t believe I, Maria Morelli, was modeling naked. It seemed unnatural, almost out of character. Naturally, I’d denied that fact, but my sisters had hit the nail right on the head, especially Perla—this so wasn’t me.

Then again, there was a part of me that got all hot and bothered anytime I’d so much as thought about this shoot. It was pretty sensual, if you thought about it, maybe even a little sexual, considering how intimate I’d been with Dom in the not-so-distant past. Oh, geez, what was I doing? I felt like a child with their finger two inches away from an outlet, but I couldn’t help myself because I wanted to touch it so damn bad and see if I lit up. Oh, and a word of caution: fingers and electrical outlets did not go together, so do not try it at home.

I closed my eyes so the makeup artist could add even more powder to my face. Seriously, how much powder did a person need? Huge props to Dom for doing this for a living. Good thing he was patient because sitting in a chair for the past hour while they did my hair and makeup without moving an inch definitely tried my patience. “Thank you,” I told her, smiling before she finally closed up shop and walked out.

Now I was left in my trailer—yes, I had a trailer, I was super cool like that—wearing nothing more than a silk robe and at least three pounds of makeup.

“Are you okay?” Dom’s voice broke me out of my reverie, and I immediately looked away from my own reflection and connected with his intense gaze just inside my door.

I nodded, swallowing past a lump in my throat. “Yeah,” I answered meekly.

“I’d tell you to relax, but I don’t think that’s going to happen, is it?” He walked over to me and placed a finger under my chin.

What I wanted to say waskiss me, Dom, do it. I’m hungry for a passionate kiss.

I blamed the way I was romanticizing the shoot.

And then there was Paolo and the way Dom had seemingly been avoiding me, so what I actually said was, “Probably not.” Best to be honest. He knew me well enough to know when I was lying anyway, so why even try, I figured. “How do you do it?”

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