Tempting the Tycoon

Chapter 4

Well, there was the answer to her question, Sydney thought as she took in the new arrival's appearance. The woman screamed high maintenance, from those red-painted lips to that perfectly crimped blonde hair, all the way down to her Christian Louboutin pointed pumps. Looking like she'd been poured into the white crepe jumpsuit she wore, Alexios's companion was the type of woman who demanded a man's attention. And it was obvious that she was where he chose to spend his time, not at the Midas Touch lounge.

Right now, she took hold of Alexios's arm possessively, pulling him in so close that his elbow nestled between breasts that were well displayed in her outfit's plunging neckline. And still she stared at Sydney with a lifted eyebrow.

"Felicity, this is our new bartender, Ms. Sydney Hughes. Sydney, Felicity Carruthers." Alexios made the introductions.

Sydney nodded by way of greeting, but Ms. Carruthers simply sniffed, then turned Alexios toward her. She reached up and straightened his already straight tie knot. Poking her bottom lip out in a little-girl pout that made Sydney want to hurl, she said in a sex-kitten voice that she didn't bother to lower, "I thought we were going to spend some time together before Daddy's boring old party, Lexie. Can't you get rid of her and take me upstairs? This material is just so itchy."

Sydney watched in fascination as Felicity pulled on the neckline of her jumpsuit, managing to expose even more of her tanned skin than she already had on display. Alexios's gaze dropped to all that cleavage, and Sydney fought the urge to exclaim, "Seriously?" She had to satisfy herself with a dry, "Perhaps I should come back later, when your attention isn't...divided?"

His eyes snapped to hers, and he removed Ms. Carruthers's fingers from now wandering over his chest. He bent his head and gave that woman a quick peck on her pouty lips. "Let me finish up with Ms. Hughes, and I'll meet you upstairs. Have Cosmo let you in."

"Fine," she answered in a spoiled brat tone, shooting a venomous look at Sydney before squaring her shoulders. "You know I don't like waiting, Lexie. I could change my mind... Just. Like. That." She snapped her fingers before turning and sashaying back the way she'd come, her hips twitching back and forth with every step she took.

After watching her departure, Alexios turned his attention back to Sydney. "I apologize, Ms. Hughes--"

Sydney shrugged. "No problem. I can see you have your hands full." She held his gaze for several beats to get her meaning across. Saw irritation flicker in the back of his eyes. Good. She hoped he'd become annoyed enough to send her packing. Get rid of her or get serious about his job and forget that spoiled socialite who probably even now was crawling between his satin sheets.

Shoving away that distasteful image, Sydney squared her shoulders and headed off Verga's next round of comments. "If you don't mind introducing me to your head bartender, I'd like to ask him some questions and take notes. Maybe draw a quick sketch of where everything is kept."

His dark brown eyes searched hers for a long moment, before he nodded and led her around the bar. The man behind it had wisely put his phone away and was now taking Sydney's measure with assessing eyes under a mop of curls. He was younger than her, probably some UNLV student hoping to make a quick buck tending bar. Sydney smiled politely while Alexios made the introductions.

The kid, James, didn't act put out at all that Alexios was bringing in a more experienced bartender. He appeared relieved, showing Sydney where everything was located while keeping up a steady stream of talk. He seemed to forget that his boss stood nearby, though Sydney couldn't. She remained hyper-aware of Alexios's silent presence as he leaned one shoulder against the gold-papered wall, his steady gaze following all their movements.