Page 7 of 14 Night Tryst

Am I nervous?Heck yes. Am I also dreading this trip?Absolutely.

Four daysalonewith Logan in a beautiful city where I have to fight my urges to suck on that full bottom lip of his just to hear him groan throatily in that sexy manner I love so much.

Only three days ago I was eager to go on this trip with him. I spent hours picturing us walking hand in hand through the bustling streets of Istanbul while sight-seeing during the day, and by night, we’ll go for romantic dinners, flirt over some drinks in a classy bar and then end the night in our hotel room fucking like there’s no promise of tomorrow.

The selfish part of me wishes I never worked that party, so we could go back to how things were, ignorant to the fact that he’s the father of the boy that ripped apart my heart time and time again.

My heart and mind continue to fight one another, and I’m stuck in the middle unsure of what I should do and who I should listen to.

Ugh, why must life hate me so.

I spent the entire forty-minute drive to the airport in the back of the black Mercedes Benz questioning my morals.

When we pull up at the airstrip I stare up at the private jet before me. Holy guacamole, he owns a private jet?

Exhaling, I wipe my clammy palms over my thighs and nod. “Come on Savi, time to pull it together. It’s a business trip, nothing more. Logan made it clear he won’t go there with you again, so you need to respect that. Forget about what the girls told you and do the right thing.” I mutter to myself as the driver walks around the car and opens my door for me. “Thank you.”

My suitcase is already out of the trunk and being taken to be scanned for security before it’s taken onboard. “Welcome, Miss West.” The flight crew welcome me politely as I walk to the stairs. “Mr. Peirce is onboard awaiting you.”

“Thank you.” My knees wobble with each step I climb until I step into the jet, and I’m directed through to where Logan is sitting in the plush ivory leather seats, his laptop open on the table in front of him while he speaks to someone on the phone.

“One week, Michael. I would rather they don’t sit on this decision for longer than seven days. The more time we give them, the longer they have to explore other options. If I don’t have that email in my inbox by noon next Monday, I’m pulling the project and giving it to Telco.” Logan lifts his stormy gaze from the laptop sitting on the table in front of him as I approach. The look of annoyance donning his handsome face quickly drains away and he smiles warmly. “Make it happen,” he says and ends the call. “Hi Savannah.”

“Hi,” I slide into the seat opposite him by the window when he gestures for me to sit.

“How are you?” Logan asks, closing his laptop and leaning forward to place his arm on the table, giving me his full attention.

“I’m good,” my lips lift into a smile when he bites his lower lip. “And you?”

Logan chuckles, rubbing his jaw. The cheeky glint he’s holding in his gaze doesn’t go unnoticed. Yeah, I’m not a fan of the forced small talk, either. “Could certainly be better.”

The eloquent undertone to his words has me smiling a little wider and reddening like a prudish schoolgirl. I mean, it’s not like I’ve spent countless hours under this magnificent man or anything. God, my body is aching for a taste of him, and it’s only been three minutes. “Well, the day is only just beginning, if you’re really lucky it might still improve.”

And now I’m flirting with him.Jesus.

Logan’s brows go up and he leans back in his seat but keeps his eyes on mine. There’s a beguiled look on his face—which I most definitely prefer to the somber one he had the day before. I can’t bear the tension and uneasiness that’s lingering between us. I know we’ve talked, but it still feels like there’s more left to say yet neither of us are willing to address it.

Logan lifts his right arm and glances down at the watch on his wrist. “We do have fourteen or so hours to kill.”And I know exactly how I would have liked to utilize every single one.“Any suggestions?”he probes leaning forward again, eyes challenging.

Oh my, is heflirtingwith me?

I lean forward also, keeping my eyes locked on his captivating grey ones and wet my lips. “We could go over the last-minute details for the dinner to ensure you’re happy with everything before I send it over to the venue?”

“All right,” he chuckles. I blink and squirm in my seat when he smirks. “Go ahead, I’m listening,” Logan voices gruffly, his eyes darting between my eyes to stare at my lips for a second before they lift back up again. Holy crap on a cream cracker. How am I supposed to focus when he’s looking at me so fixedly?

Okay, concentrate Savi. You’re a professional, so act like it!

“Okay,” I open my folder and pull out the event agenda I prepared and slide it over to him. Logan mirrors me when I lean in closer to go through the details with him. “Your guests are expected to arrive approximately around six o’clock. Upon arrival, they’ll be directed to the terrace overlooking the Bosphorus Bridge for the pre-dinner reception where they’ll be served champagne and appetizers. And then…” I explain and look up when I feel him watching me instead of the agenda between us.

“And then…” he urges hoarsely, staring into my eyes with such attentiveness. I part my lips to speak, but nothing comes out. My mind goes completely blank, and I can’t focus on anything but the impious look radiating in those eyes, especially with the way my body is rapidly heating.

“Um...” Swallowing against the parched dryness of my throat, I clamber to regain some form control of my thoughts and body. Of course, I fail immeasurably when Logan’s fingers inadvertently graze mine on top of the table. It’s the subtlest of contact, but it fires sparks of electricity through my body. Drawing in a quick breath I clear my throat and continue. “Dinner… is set to commence at eight. As it’s a six-course menu, it should take approximately two hours. After the meal, I’ve arranged a tour on the Bosphorus on this gorgeous boat where you’ll all enjoy some aperitifs while listening to a Turkish pianist. I’ve been told he’s quite illustrious in Istanbul. People book months in advance just to listen to him play.”

Logan cocks his head to the left, eyes narrowing whilst I wait with bated breath for him to say something. My heart thunders against my ribcage with apprehension every second that passes in silence. Oh God, does he hate the boat idea. I can’t read the expression on his face. I bet he’s inwardly cursing his decision of hiring me. “Do you hate it?” I ask, and I hate how mousy my voice sounds even to my own ears. A look of surprise flashes across his face and he shakes his head.

“Hate it?” he iterates, his brows rising. “God no, Savannah, you exceeded my expectations twice over.” My eyes lower to my hand now enveloped in his larger one and almost squeal. “I’m simply blown away at how you’ve managed to put all this together in less than a week and in a foreign country no less.” My shoulders that were bunched up with tension seconds ago relax and I allow myself to breathe a sigh of relief.

“Oh,” I chuckle bashfully and shrug, waving off his commendation. “I assure you I didn’t have to work too hard. Fortunately for me, Istanbul is so enchanting and has so much to offer that it wasn’t too difficult to get inspired.”

---