Chapter 22
Ava
Racing in and out of my bedroom, trying to process all that’s happened today, I can barely make sense of what’s going on. What I do know is that I’m packing for a trip to Australia, and Logan will be picking me up first thing in the morning.
The more I get into my packing, the more I realize I could have really used Logan’s assistant, because there’s so much I need to do and even more things I can’t find.
While I’m regretting not taking Jennifer with me, I have no different feelings regarding turning down the money he offered. Why does he think that money can solve every problem and make everyone love and forgive him?
It must be some type of complex he’s developed from being wealthy all his life, but we’ll have to break that if there’s ever going to be a chance for us to work as a couple.
Spoiling me is great whenever we are together, but I don’t need him to take care of me like I am some sort of dependent. I have my own life, and livelihood, despite what he’s used to. Women he date must leech off him, but I’m not that type of person and he’ll have to learn to respect my boundaries.
As my thoughts begin to wander, I realize what I’m doing – plotting out how we can have a successful and healthy relationship, when I’ve just spent the better half of our time together explaining why that was impossible.
I’m a complete headcase when it comes to Logan, but for some strange reason, I enjoy every second of the confusion, just wondering what will happen next. Exciting is a complete understatement, because everything with him is an adventure, and he never ceases to amaze me.
Although he’s only a few years older than me, he seems to be so much more experienced. The way he controls my body when we’re together is a bit scary. I can barely think, but that’s beside the point, because when Logan’s near, thinking is the least of my desires.
Our sexual chemistry is off the charts and then some. It’s like I’ve never had sex until Istanbul, the way my body craves him with such a primal hunger I can barely function.
Even now, I want even more of him, a yearning I’ve never felt before.
Shaking my head to force the images from our rendezvous in his office to the back of my mind, I focus on the long list I’ve made to make sure I don’t forget anything.
Picking through my lingerie drawer, I grab every bathing suit I can get my hands on before searching for the matching cover-ups. After rummaging through my closet and dresser, I realize I can’t find my sheer, black Prada dress I like to wear over my favorite bikini. Then I remember letting Petra borrow it on her last vacation. Knowing she’s left for the day, I go into her room in search of my only piece of designer clothing.
Petra’s room is always full of clutter, so I carefully step over her stacks of papers along with her scattered clothing. Skimming through her closet, I don’t spot my dress, but I know it must be here somewhere.
Scourging through her drawer of underwear, I make my way to her swim suits, and just before I’m ready to give up, I feel the familiar softness of my dress. Tugging at the corner of fabric, careful to remove it without disturbing her suits, a sparkling flash flies from the dress as soon as it’s in my arms, followed by a clank on the wooden floors.
A glimmering piece of jewelry sticks out like a sore thumb amidst the chaos in her room, and I kneel to inspect it. My eyes widen taking in the many jewels of what looks to be an antique brooch.
There are plenty of things I don’t know about Petra, but her style isn’t one of them. After knowing each other for years, I can tell you if a dress is Petra’s style without hesitation, and this brooch is nothing she would ever wear.
I have limited time to pack, so I decide to place the jewelry back at the bottom of her drawer before returning to my task, but my mind never truly leaves that discovery as I wonder what she could be into.
This rift of ours has lasted longer than any other argument we’ve had, and while I’ve hoped to find some resolution, time hasn’t been on our side. Between our conflicting schedules, and my lack of urgency, we’ve allowed the awkwardness to fester, and with me leaving for Australia tomorrow, it will have to continue a bit longer.
At last I send her a text letting her know I would be away for a few days, although I decided against telling her where I was going or who I was traveling with. Her response was pleasant, just like all our interactions have been lately, but it was nothing like our normal camaraderie.
Every friendship goes through phases, and this was just one of ours. The way she talked about Logan really hurt my feelings, and although I wasn’t willing to share that with her, or my reasoning behind it, I wanted her to understand my position.
Checking off items on my list as I place them into my crowded suitcase, I decide to have a sit-down conversation with Petra once she returns from her night out. She’s my best friend, and I want it to remain that way. Besides, we’re more than friends – we’re business partners and housemates, so we have no choice but to figure this out.
By the time my suitcase is stuffed with so many clothes I can barely close it, it’s halfway through the night, and Petra still hasn’t come home. My eyelids grow heavy as sleep washes over me without a sign from her.
When my alarm wakes me up, I tiptoe to her bedroom, but there’s still no sign of her, so I get ready for Logan to pick me up.
My nerves are on overdrive like I’m preparing for a first date as I blow dry my hair before applying make-up. Typically, I travel in comfortable athletic apparel, but everything is much more relaxed on the private jet, so I opt instead for a cute yellow chiffon maxi dress.
When my doorbell rings, I’m ready and ecstatic to see Logan, but instead it’s his driver, and he must see the look of disappointment on my face, because he quickly offers an explanation.
“Mr. Draper had an important call, but he’s waiting for you.” He motions to the Bentley, and I smile, hoping I didn’t offend him.
“Is this your only bag?” he asks before carrying my heavy suitcase down the stairs, placing it in the trunk and holding the door open for me.
Logan stares at his Blackberry and has his finger against his ear as he speaks, “If I cared, I would’ve asked for an update, Dan. Obviously, I don’t,” he says curtly into the phone as I slide into the seat next to him.
Trying not to disturb him, I leave a bit of space between us, looking straight ahead to give him his privacy.
“Hold on!” he growls, pressing a button on his phone before turning to me. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I just didn’t want to bother you,” I assure him quickly, but he seems less than accepting.
“You’ll never be bothering me. I just have to handle this, and then I’m all yours,” he briskly kisses my lips before returning to the call.
The pads of his fingertips skate over the sensitive skin of my thigh before he grips me tightly, effortlessly pulling me until I’m pressed against his side.
My breathing is anything but steady as the driver inches through traffic before pulling onto a less-packed expressway. Logan’s hand continues to massage my leg as he resumes his call, and as always, my body comes alive to his touch.
“You’ve given me a lot of excuses, and you know how I handle that. Luckily for you, I’m in a good mood. I’ll be unreachable for a while, but once I get to Australia, I’d like the resolution in my email.” Logan ends the call before lifting me into his lap.
“I’m sorry, gorgeous. My app team is driving me crazy,” he groans before nuzzling my neck. “Did you pack enough in that gigantic suitcase?”
“A girl needs options, you know.”
“I told you they have stores in Sydney, and you said I get to spoil you,” he bites his bottom lip, and the butterflies in my belly go wild.
“I did not say that, Logan.”
“In so many words!” he loudly maintains before gripping my chin with his hand to bring my lips to his.
In his arms, I feel complete safety and security, and under his gaze I’m the most beautiful woman in the world. Every second with him seems to move slower as life becomes a dream-like state.
“I missed you last night,” he whispers on my lips.
“I missed you too,” I pinch my lips together stop the grin from spreading.
“Why didn’t we spend the night together?”
“Because I needed to pack, silly!” I tap the tip of his nose with my index finger as he dips me back, tickling my neck with his mouth while I howl in laughter.
“You’ve never been to Sydney, right?” he asks once he pulls me back upright.
“Nope!” I answer out of breath.
“Good.”
“Why is that good?”
“Another first. I like to witness you seeing new places,” he pauses, but I can tell there’s more to his thought.
“I want to take you everywhere,” he finally adds, and I kiss him with all the passion and desire I feel, since I won’t be able to really express my feelings to him physically until we get to Australia.