Xander's Chance

Calm. Calm. Calm. Losing her temper wasn't going to get her anywhere, especially now that she knew he was trying to provoke her.

"More than a year?"

She ignored him.

"I'm going to guess closer to multiple years. Three?"

"It's none of your damn business!" she muttered.

"Four. At least."

She all but threw the last of the pillows into place.

"You can stay tomorrow night," he offered. His gaze swept over her body.

"Absolutely not," she said firmly. "Definitely not interested in …" you. He was the sexiest man she'd ever seen. The way he looked at her made her whole body feel warm. "… whatever. Just here for the job. Do you even know the names of these girls?"

"Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurs-."

"I get the point!"

He was assessing her again, amused by her anger. Jessi tried not to look away, unwilling to back down. Too much was riding on that necklace for her to give any sign she was there for any other reason.

The doorbell rang, saving her. She squeezed by him, desperate to leave the tension of the bedroom.

"You're a shitty liar," he said as she hurried down the hallway.

"You're an asshole!"

He laughed.

Temper, Jessi! she berated herself, aware of what happened if she pissed him off.

She breathed a sigh of relief as she reached the door, ready for a distraction after the intense interaction with Xander. She peered through the peephole to make sure it wasn't the woman she'd barely gotten rid of earlier. Four people stood outside the door: a leggy brunette, a photographer armed with a huge camera and two others. She opened the door.

"Ingrid? I'm Toni," the sexy brunette posing outside the door said.

"I'm Jessi."

"Great. This is my photographer Laurencio and assistant Gerry. That's … Laurencio's assistant," Toni said. "Where is he? Is he ready?" She was already pushing her way in.

"As ready as he'll ever be," Jessi answered.

Toni walked into the apartment like it was a catwalk, pausing every few feet to primp and pose. Jessi watched her, blown away by the perfect beauty and her small entourage. Her assistant, Gerry, looked like a college athlete with a huge, bright grin, blond hair and friendly hazel eyes. Laurencio was dark and brooding, his camera bag over one shoulder while the camera was out and ready. His assistant was slender and handsome, the only other besides Gerry to smile.

Jessi closed the door behind them. The four who looked ready for a modeling shoot. Toni flicked her hair over her shoulder.

"Let me … find him. Go ahead and make yourselves at home down here," Jessi said, indicating the formal living room.