Sidonie looked at the display again and Alexio couldn’t stop the prickle of something across the back of his neck. The sensation of exposure was strong, along with something like disappointment. A feeling of inevitability. This was what he was used to. Women cajoling, seeking something. And even though Sidonie wasn’t going about it in a way he was used to wasn’t it the same thing? She was hinting that she loved jewellery and that she expected him to spoil her with some.
She looked up at him then and must have seen something in his expression. She frowned. ‘What is it?’
Quickly he schooled his features. ‘Nothing.’ His voice was tight. ‘The club is just down here.’
CHAPTER SIX
SIDONIE FELT AS if she’d done something wrong. The look on Alexio’s face just now had been almost...disgusted. She felt stupid for blurting out that she’d always loved glittery things. It was a trait that she’d inherited from her mother and Sidonie didn’t like to be reminded of that. Especially when she knew deep down that it wasn’t like her mother’s love for real jewels. When she’d found her childhood jewellery box during the clearing of the house after her father had died she could almost have laughed, because it was full of ten-cent pieces, buttons and tin foil. Hardly a treasure trove.
Sidonie tried to push down the sense of disquiet and followed Alexio into a very mysterious-looking doorway with no name on it. A man in a black suit with an earpiece let them in with a deferential nod to Alexio.
Determined to put his reaction out of her mind, Sidonie tightened her hand reflexively in Alexio’s and he looked down at her. She was relieved to see that the tightness in his expression was gone and that the lazy, sexy insouciance was back.
Another entrance was just ahead, with billowing white curtains wafting in the breeze. A stunning glamazon of a woman stepped out, dressed in a tiny black dress which showcased her astounding body.
Sidonie nearly tripped over her heels and Alexio steadied her, looking down. ‘Okay?’
Sidonie nodded, still struck dumb by the dark-haired Greek beauty who was now greeting Alexio very warmly with kisses on each cheek—far too close to his mouth for Sidonie’s liking. She felt something rise within her—something hot and acrid. Jealousy.
The woman turned her gaze on Sidonie and dismissed her with a cool glance before turning back to Alexio. She pouted ruby-red lips and proceeded to talk to Alexio in Greek, which Sidonie of course couldn’t follow.
Alexio replied in English, though, saying, ‘I’ve been too busy to come back. This is Sidonie—Sidonie, this is Elettra.’
Sidonie smiled, but the other women barely smiled back at all. It was like the air hostess all over again. Far from making Sidonie feel triumphant that she had the man everyone wanted, it only made her feel insecure. Was Alexio even now looking at this woman and wishing he was availing himself of her charms instead of gauche, inexperienced Sidonie’s?
But then the sight of the interior of the club took every thought out of Sidonie’s head. It was a massive, cavernous, breathtaking space. Dark and dimly lit with what seemed to be a thousand lanterns. A huge bar took up one entire wall. There was a dance floor with glowing boxes of neon lights in the old Studio 54 style. There were booths and private tables dotted around the place, and then there was a whole other level down below which was already heaving with people.
Beautiful people were everywhere. Funky music throbbed from the sound system. It was achingly hip and exclusive.