Chapter 29
Logan
“Where is she?” I yell at Rodrick, upset that I’ve returned and no one can give me an exact location for Ava after I’ve given strict instructions to keep a close eye on her.
“Sir, she just went out shopping like you wanted. I made sure every store knew she was to get whatever she wanted, and I’ve checked to make sure she arrived and departed from every stop on her itinerary,” he answers in the calm nature that he embodies whenever I’m overreacting.
All day I’ve counted down to this moment, dying to smell and hug her after a draining day of meetings. I don’t mind her going out, and I love the fact that she’s spending money along the way, but I want to know where she is.
“Mr. Draper, maybe it’s best that you prepare for the evening, because I think she may arrive ready to depart,” Rodrick says.
While I know he’s right, it only infuriates me further.
“Rodrick, find her,” I growl before stomping into my bathroom, undressing quickly.
The hot water washes over my body, stinging pleasurably as I struggle to block the thoughts. Ava agreed to be here, and I’ve even made it home early, but she’s nowhere in sight, and my body is racked with worry and frustration.
Ava in danger is my biggest fear, especially when I’ve brought her across the world just to be near my side. Who knows where she’s wandered off to. I just need her to make it back safely.
By the time I get dressed in a black suit, opting for the black button-down shirt for a shift from the workday, there’s still no word from Ava.
“Where is she, Rodrick?”
“Sir, the concierge has assured me she’s not far.”
“Let me talk to him,” I say out through clenched teeth and Rodrick looks pleased to pass the buck, quickly dialing a few numbers before handing me the phone.
“This is Joey. How can I help?” he answers too excited for my liking.
“Where’s Ava?”
“Mr. Draper? I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you. I’ve just been speaking with Rod–” he tries to deflect before I cut him off.
“I don’t care about that. I want to know where Ava is,” I interrupt him.
“I’m so sorry, sir. There was massive traffic, but I’ve just sent her upstairs, she should be…” his words over the phone fade as Ava walks through the door.
Her hair is bouncing and it seems lighter as she looks from side to side with a carefree manner as she greets Rodrick and his men, all of whom look nothing more than gloom after being chewed out.
She’s wearing a tight black dress, just long enough to be appropriate, and her neckline creates a pedestal for her breasts, leading to her defined collarbone and gorgeous face.
Turning in my direction, her hazel eyes light up when they land on my face as she walks across the room in almost a skip to me.
“Logan!” she says joyfully, throwing her arms in the air before draping them over my shoulders.
I release a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding in.
“I called you,” I whisper in her ear, the frustration and anger already melted away.
“I’m sorry, my phone died at the salon. We got stuck in traffic, and I didn’t have your number memorized,” she shakes her head, rolling her eyes as she recalls her trials to get to me.
“I don’t care. I’m just glad you’re here,” I pull her to me, kissing her softly as I inhale her mint and floral perfume.
“Where should we put these?” Two bellhops ask from behind her as they each carry a handful of bags.
Ava points to our bedroom with a smile and a cheerful thanks, and turning back to face me.
“I had a little fun today,” she smiles, blushing while looking up to me.
“You look incredible,” I rest my hand in the nape of her neck, pulling her closer to me to feel her soft lips pressed against mine.
“Thank you,” she smiles, rising on her toes to kiss me before adding, “you look pretty good yourself.”
“I have half a mind to cancel this whole night and take you to the bedroom,” I whisper in her ear as my cock throbs, desperate to feel her.
“Well, if that’s what you want,” she says, blinking slowly as her eyes fill with lust.
Hungrily biting my lip, I glance over her body, realizing how much time she must have spent preparing for this date, and I know I can’t keep her in, despite how much I want to. She’s done up to perfection, beaming with confidence as I look her over.
“No, I have to take you out,” I decide, and while she tries to hide her excitement, I can sense she’s happy to go out together.
“Should I get the car, sir?” Rodrick asks from across the room.
“Yes, please,” I nod, and he quickly pulls his phone from his suit jacket while walking to the door.
“I missed you,” she whispers, drawing my attention back to her.
“You have no idea, Ava,” I shake my head thinking of how crazy I was going when I couldn’t find her.
“What?”
“Someone almost got fired because I couldn’t find you,” I say quietly, wrapping my arms around her.
“We’re ready, sir,” Rodrick announces from the front door, and I lead Ava downstairs, never taking my hands or eyes off her.
A private chef prepares an immaculate four-course meal for us on a rooftop overlooking the Sydney Opera House. Ava is glowing telling me all about her day and how much she enjoyed being pampered.
“How was your day?” she smiles so sweetly.
I just stare at her in silence for a few extra seconds. “It was fine. Better than yesterday, but that’s to be expected with the morning I had,” I wink, watching her blush.
“Logan!” She looks over her shoulders as if anyone could possibly know what I’m talking about.
“I can’t believe you’re still bashful around me,” I smirk.
After dinner, we walk around in what feels like an evening stroll, but in fact, I’ve scheduled a surprise.
With my arms draped over her small body, I lead her from one street to the next listening to her stories about growing up just outside Bakersfield, and how she started her own business.
Ava didn’t have life handed to her like me, and I respect that about her. Who knows where I’d be if I didn’t have such a head start on my own business.
What shocks me is how she doesn’t seem to realize the disadvantage she was served, instead she argues that we all have our pros and cons to life. Most people look at me and think that everything has been perfect, but that’s far from the truth. Ava sees me for who I really am and never judges me about it.
“Come in here.” I lead her to a dimly lit storefront.
“I think they’re closed.”
“They’ll open for us.”
Ava’s right, the store is closed, but what she doesn’t know is that I’ve arranged to have something made specifically for her, and the owner was happy to accommodate our schedule so I could surprise her after dinner.
The door opens as we approach and Ava smiles up at me knowingly before greeting the owner.
“I have something just for you,” the older man says.
“For me?” She looks from him to me. Holding my hands in the air, I feign ignorance, but she’s not buying it, squinting her eyes at me with suspicion.
Following him to a glass case of jewelry, he sets down a velvet tray, displaying a diamond necklace with matching earrings.
Ava gasps when she sees the jewels sparkle, and my chest fills with pride knowing I’ve impressed her.
“Baby, I can’t,” she starts, but I ignore her, nodding to the man to put it on her.
“This will fit your neckline perfectly,” he explains, moving behind her as he gently places the diamonds around her neck before connecting the clasp.
“Logan, it’s too much,” she whispers, her hand dropping to the jewels as she looks at her reflection in the mirror.
“It’s already done, so please just accept it.”
“Thank you, Logan. I love it, but…” she tries again, but I kiss her quickly, before she can speak another word.
“No buts, just love it,” I say to her, reaching for the earrings.
The delicate jewels feel tiny in my hands as I struggle to place them in her ears. She can’t stop staring at herself in the mirror, so I know I’ve done a great job.
“I love them,” she finally says.
“Good. Now let’s let Raul close for the night,” I chuckle before thanking him for his expertise and flexibility. Of course, he would have done much more than stay open late considering how much I spent.
Right before we walk out of the door, I notice a piece of jewelry that catches my eye. It’s colorful and unique, just like my grandma’s taste. I’m sure she would love it if she was still alive.
“What is it?” Ava asks.
“Nothing, come on.”
I shake my head, holding the door to let her out.
My thoughts drift to my grandmother as we walk back to the waiting car, Rodrick accompanying us now that Ava is wearing so much jewelry.
“What was it?” Ava asks again.
My instinct is to shut down and tell her not to worry about it, but I realize this is what she wants from me. It’s what she means when she says she wants all of me.
Ava shares her life like an open book, but I’ve chosen to keep my personal life more closed off. I look down at her big hazel eyes as she quietly awaits my answer.
“There was a brooch back there. It caught my attention because my grandma had one like it and someone stole it recently. Actually, it was the same night that you and I met.”
Rodrick looks back a little shocked.
People stealing from me, or getting any type of advantage against me, is something I never talk about unless I’m plotting some type of revenge, and even then, it’s only with a handful of people.
“I’m so sorry,” she says with a squeeze of her hand on my hand.
“I don’t even care about the money, or even the betrayal. It’s just that it belonged to my grandmother, so I can never replace it,” I explain, taking a deep breath as the anger builds in my chest.
“Did your grandma raise you?” she asks, she interlocks our fingers.
“Yes and no. My parents were both there, but they were pretty caught up in their own lives. My grandmother lived with us from the time I was five, and she was to me what nannies were to my friends.” I smile, thinking of how she would always joke about waiting on her paycheck from my parents.
“You didn’t have a nanny?”
“Is that shocking?” I ask sarcastically, but that always shocks people when they learn it about me.
“Just a little,” she teases as Rodrick opens the door.
We ride home with little conversation between the two of us, and while I’m not sure what it is, I’m certain that something is bothering her.