Page 119 of Claimed At First Sight

My jaw tightens.

Why is Rory delivering a package for Mia from this man? How does he know Mia?

Did they meet when Mia was roaming the city with my gardener’s daughter?

The questions come faster than the answers.

The irritation in the pit of my stomach grows. I don’t like this one bit.

Needing to know what I’m dealing with, I open the flap of the envelope and slide the book out.

It’s large, coffee-table-book-sized and linen-covered, with Mia’s full name embroidered in gold across the front.

This book isn’t something bought off a shelf. Somebody commissioned this and spent money on it. The thought tightens something unpleasant in my chest.

There are yellow notes protruding from the pages. One catches my eye.

This one is one of my favorites.

My gaze lingers on the note for a moment.

Favorites?

The SUV turns into the circular driveway, but I barely notice. My thumb brushes across the edge of the cover. Then I open it.

Everything inside me freezes.

I forget to breathe.

The next moment, something hot and violent tears through me. I can’t even name it.

Anger? Possessiveness? Jealousy?

The first photograph hits me like a punch. For a second, I just stare.

Mia looks directly at the camera. Directly at me.

No, not me. The man behind the camera.

My hands ball into fists with the sudden urge to put that guy through a wall.

I turn the page. Another photograph, the one Lee Roberts marked This is one of my favorites.

I can see why. My grip tightens on the book.

Mia is on her knees, on a bed that isn’t hers, clad in a translucent little nightgown, her black lace lingerie teasing through the fine fabric.

Jesus Christ.

My breaths come faster. My chest rises and falls as I fight to maintain control.

I turn the page, and the blood in my body rushes south. In this shot, she’s in a dark emerald bra and panties. My eyes drop to her breasts, barely contained by the lace.

Fuuucccckkkk.

The Mia I know is stubborn, defiant, and quick with a sarcastic remark. Beautiful despite all of that, or maybe because of it.

This Mia is something else entirely.