Honestly, she couldn’t remember how any of this was supposed to go. She remembered throwing rocks at a window. She remembered pushing into Vic’s personal space, yes, but she hadn’t intended to push into her life, into her psyche, into her sense of self any further than research required. Of course, there had been moments along the way when she had some concerns about the wisdom of sleeping with someone close to the film, but until this moment she’d thought those initial doubts unfounded.

Ever since the morning after their first sex fest weeks ago, Vic rose to every challenge inherent in their positions. She’d been respectful, confident, and compelling. She hadn’t been a distraction, or a detraction. If anything, their connection and the passion it inspired raised Sophia’s romantic acting level.

No, she couldn’t blame Vic for commandeering head space. Honestly, Vic had done a better job of keeping her head than Sophia, and that was saying a lot.

The realization might have upset her more if it didn’t impress the hell out of her. But it also piqued her interest again. She glanced around the room to see Vic hadn’t returned. Something didn’t seem right. This woman handled everything from sex to security to social situations with aplomb. What could possibly shake her?

“We got what we needed there,” Brian called as he set aside his camera. “Let’s take ten and get the queen back in here.”

Sophia dodged the makeup artist and a page, then ducked around a wheeled dolly, not quite sure where she intended to go, other than in the same general direction Vic had taken.

She pushed open the door, then held her hand back behind her to keep it from slamming in her wake as hushed voices whispered, then fell silent. She felt the stares on her before she even saw them, and when she turned around, she immediately recognised the faces of the two people she’d never met.

The Duke and Duchess of Northland stood close to Vic, whose cheeks flushed all the way over her tight jaw. The rigid body language and electric silence told Sophia everything she needed to know about the tenor of the conversation she’d interrupted, and if she’d had any opportunity to back away unnoticed, she would’ve gladly shrunk into the shadows, but it was too late.

Vic turned to her, not quite hiding the panic in her eyes, and Sophia couldn’t help but go to her any more than she could’ve chosen to stop breathing.

“Ms. LeBlanc.” Vic recovered, with only a slight tremor in her voice. “May I have the honour of making introductions?”

She nodded slowly and tried to force a politely neutral expression to mirror Vic’s.