“So, you must be Abbie. I'm Gemma. Lex has been telling me all about you and your photography. It would be lovely to have some candid shots of the party.”

I had to look away from her startling beauty, and I fought not to stare at my shoes. I tried hard to swallow the bitter bile of jealousy, but it still stung to see Alexi with another woman, considering how he’d made me feel two nights ago.

“Of course. I appreciate the opportunity.” I hoped that didn’t sound as wooden to them as it did to me. It must have, because Lex frowned. I ignored his downturned features. “So, where do I start?”

Gemma led the way. “We'll have you go in through the side entrance. Mother will have a cow if you go in through the front and aren’t a guest who will get into OK magazine.”

I ground my teeth. So I was expected to shuffle in through the back like the help. Why the fuck had I agreed to this? I didn’t belong here.

Because at the time Lex asked, I'd been in a hazy stupor of lust that I hadn’t understood. Now I realized I wasn’t exactly here as Lex's date. Of course not. I only briefly met his impassive gaze.

Gemma led me through the side entrance, chattering the whole way about the accessible areas of the mansion, the kinds of photos she wanted, and who the most important guests were.

When Gemma excused herself, Lex drew me into the library. “What's the matter?”

I shook my head. “Nothing. Everything is fine.” I’d misunderstood, and that was my mistake.

He frowned and studied me. “No, it’s not fine. I can see by how your shoulders have crept up near your ears. You’re vibrating. Just look at me and tell me what’s wrong.”

What the hell was I supposed to say? That I was jealous? That I’d seen the way Gemma touched him like she was all too familiar with him and it was driving me nuts? Or that I knew we were miles apart in status? That he belonged here in the country estate and I, well, I did not. The bite of jealousy surprised me, and I didn’t like it. “Please don’t. I'm here to work. And like I said, I appreciate the oppor—”

“Don’t do that,” he muttered under his breath with a chaser of ice and heat. I inwardly recoiled and braced myself. But nothing happened. He was angry and still made no aggressive move toward me. “Don’t do that prim and coolly pissed-off thing. It’s not you. I thought we....” His voice trailed.

I ducked my head and fingered my camera lens. “Alexi, it's fine. You should go talk to Gemma. She looks like she needs you.”