Chapter 13
Ava
Sunlight from the large window teases my eyes until I finally awake, glancing around in confusion as I struggle to remember where I am.
Sitting up in bed, I take a deep breath, looking out the window at the exceptional view of the city, remembering my love affair with Istanbul until my stomach drops.
The memories of the previous night begin to rush back and I cover my face in horror, trying to convince myself it must have been a dream. There’s no way I could have come so close to sleeping with Logan, but my mind keeps replaying our night, and I’m certain it all must have happened.
With my face buried in my hands, I brainstorm possible ways that Logan would forget all that happened, but eventually decide I’ll have to face the music.
Tiptoeing into the dining room, I find Logan sitting at the head of the table, reading the New York Times, with a spread of food filling the table like a Thanksgiving feast.
“Good morning,” I whisper.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Logan says after peeking over his newspaper to see me.
He’s wearing casual clothes, unlike most mornings when he’s already dressed in suits for his business meetings.
“I didn’t know what you like, so I ordered pancakes and waffles, and there’s eggs, bacon, oatmeal, fruit, pastries and yogurt,” he announces pointing to all the covered white dishes.
“Wow,” I remark, looking over all the options while my stomach churns and my head begins to throb.
“And there’s tea and coffee, but first you should drink this,” he suggests, standing as he holds a large glass filled with what looks to be a thick, green liquid.
“That looks gross.”
“It’s not half bad,” he says, leaning down to kiss my forehead before returning to his seat.
Butterflies flutter in my stomach from his affectionate gesture, but I know I should tell him how we can’t do what we did last night ever again. My mind is scowling at my emotions, trying to instill some discipline, but my mouth remains mum, not saying a word.
Maybe it’s because I enjoyed his kiss, or maybe it’s because he is the one who stopped us from going all the way last night, when I all but begged him. Maybe I’m the one who needs to be talked to about ethics, as opposed to Logan.
Pinching my nose, I drink the green concoction in six gulps. A lime aftertaste prompts me to pour a large glass of orange juice to wash away the flavor.
“You’ll be better in no time,” Logan smiles without glancing up from his paper.
“Did I dream that we were going to Greece?” I ask, settling into a seat as I place one waffle and one pancake on my plate.
“Going for both?” Logan raises one eyebrow, impressed, and I smile while taking a bite of bacon.
“Yes, we are going to Greece, but I had to delay it one day so that I could have my own day in Istanbul,” he says cryptically.
“You like to explore on your own?” I wonder aloud.
“No, not exactly,” he grins, folding the newspaper before setting it on the table in front of him. “Last night you got to show me Istanbul through your eyes. Today, we’re traveling my way, and you must do everything I want to.”
“I didn’t bring a gown,” I tease, knowing of his luxury living.
“Don’t worry. I brought my wallet.”
After breakfast, I shower and dress for the day, excited to see what Logan has in store. Deciding on a royal blue strapless pants romper, I curl my hair in big beach waves, that fall to my barely noticeable cleavage.
Adding a little mascara to my long lashes, and bronzer to my cheeks, I step back to take in my full package and nod my approval before slipping on my gold sandals and grabbing my matching clutch purse.
Logan is speaking to Rodrick when I enter the living room, but the words die on his lips once he lays eyes on me. I feel like the most beautiful woman in the world under his gaze, and can feel my face redden as Rodrick looks over before complimenting me.
“You look very nice, Ms. Batcher,” he greets me before whispering to Logan and excusing himself from the room.
“Hi,” I say to Logan after closing the distance between us.
“You look amazing,” he takes a step back to look at me once more.
“Thank you. I knew I had to step it up for a day with you,” I joke, looking over his black chino pants and white polo shirt.
“I feel underdressed now,” he bites his bottom lip, and I look away to control my pelvic muscles from tensing too much.
“Ready to get started?” He pulls me to him with a hand on my hip, and my heart rate increases from the feel of his touch.
“Yes,” I breathe the word, my hormones raging in complete hysteria.
The day begins with a long car ride, as Logan snuggles me into his side, pointing out landmarks as the city passes us by. His knowledge of Istanbul is remarkable, he knows so much, explaining how there is an old city and a new city.
Our hotel is in the new city, but today we’re traveling to the old city, where most of the ancient landmarks and historic sites are located.
“So, Logan, you learned all of this from your visits here?”
“Well, that part I learned this morning on Wikipedia, but everything from last night, yes, from my visits,” he bashfully admits. I laugh so loud the driver is startled, but I can’t help myself. Logan’s ability to make fun of himself is hilarious and attractive all at once.
“So, you studied for your travel day?”
“I’ve been up since five this morning researching things to show you,” he chuckles, but it makes my stomach drop like I’ve leaped from an airplane.
The idea that he would spend so much time preparing for me is so sweet, and nothing like the man I worried he would become with time.
In fact, Logan is nothing like the person Petra so vehemently described when I first told her about our meeting. I’ll have to ask where she heard such awful things about him, because the more I get to know him, the more I’m sure that whoever said it must not know him well.
Within a few minutes, we arrive at what looks to be an ancient building, with Rodrick and one other man leading to the top before leaving us to enjoy the most incredible view I’ve ever seen.
The entire city is beneath us, filled with bright colors, and Logan stands behind me, smiling at my awe of a reaction. It’s so beautiful, I can barely contain myself.
“Okay, see that building right there?” He points to a huge structure, consisting of several dome ceilings, painted in a soft peach color.
“That’s beautiful! What is it?”
“That’s Hagia Sophia. That’s where we’re going after lunch. It was the Roman Empire’s first Catholic cathedral, then it was a mosque and now it’s a museum,” he explains confidently.
“We can go inside?”
“Of course, babe,” he chuckles, and I feel myself melt.
There’s something about his terms of endearment that just turn me to complete mush.
“Are you ready for your lunch?” A man arrives, smiling as he greets us.
“Yes,” Logan answers for the both of us, prying me away from the view as we sit at the only table on the balcony, leading me to believe he’s set up this private lunch for us to enjoy the view alone.
“We have specially prepared a spread of traditional Turkish dishes for you to try, and we do hope that you enjoy,” the man says before disappearing.
For the rest of our lunch, we are only interrupted when two women bring dish after dish of delicious food, giving a quick explanation before scurrying off into the restaurant.
It’s the most private and intimate lunch, with just the two of us, as I pray I’m not looking as googly eyed as I feel. With every glance, I feel myself losing control, no longer wanting to fight him or the way I feel.
“Did you get enough?” Logan asks after the women take away the last of our plates.
“I’m stuffed.” I answer, accepting his hand as he helps me to my feet.
“Okay, we’ll walk it off,” he leans down gently kissing my forehead before helping me down the steps.
“Ready, sir?” Rodrick asks when we reach the bottom of the steps.
“Yes, we’ll head to Hagia Sophia from here,” he informs him and with a head nod, Rodrick whispers into his wrist before nodding to Logan, who in turn interlocks our fingers before walking down the sidewalk.
“Wait. We’re literally walking?” I ask, surprised.
“I thought you would want to. Do you want to drive?” He looks back to Rodrick.
“No! Of course, I want to walk, I just didn’t think you would want to,” I explain quickly.
The look of relief on his face is endearing. To know that he was stressed about pleasing me makes me both happy and flattered. This is shaping up to be a great day.
“Ava, you only have to tell or show me that you like something once. Then, I’ll never stop trying to give it to you over and over.”
“Is that chivalry or gluttony?” I tease.
“I guess a bit of both. I’m definitely a glutton for that smile,” he says, squeezing my hand as we walk through the old city with one security guard a few paces in front of us, and Rodrick just behind.
Hagia Sophia is the most incredible architectural feat I’ve ever seen. The ceiling is so remarkable that I fear getting a crick in my neck from staring so long. The people are nice and welcoming, and of course Logan hired a private guide to give us a tour throughout the museum, and then onto the old city of Istanbul, which is so rich in history.
After three hours of walking and learning, I’m exhausted when we finally say goodbye to our tour guide, thanking him for his kindness and generosity.
“The car’s here, sir,” Rodrick announces and I can feel my feet’s gratitude.
“You’re an angel,” I look up to Logan and he smiles in response.
“I figured you’d had enough walking,” he says while helping me into the backseat.
With his arm draped over my side, Logan pulls me flush against him as we take off into the city, heading back to the more modern Istanbul that I first fell in love with.
My eyelids grow heavy and my head begins to nod, the buildings growing fuzzy as my head rests against Logan’s hard chest. The last thing I remember is his hand resting on my head, preventing me from rocking forward in the stop and go of traffic.
“Ava… Ava, baby, we’re here.”
Slowly, my eyes begin to focus and I see Logan’s handsome face looking down at me.
“Should I carry you inside?” He asks with a frown.
“No, no, don’t be silly. I can walk. That was the fastest ride of my life,” I yawn, stretching my arms as embarrassment washes over me for falling asleep on his chest. Looking over at my seat, I grab my purse before following him into the hotel.