Page 31 of 14 Night Tryst

“Do you mean complicated?” I offer and she nods smiling at me with gratitude. Consider my interest piqued.

Tell me more.

“Yes, this path will not be easy, but when you get there, you will be very happy.” I listen to her go through the rest of my fortune. She goes on to tell me that she sees an evil eye and warns me that there is someone that is close to me, someone I may even consider a friend, that will cause my life distress and to be careful, but this person will lead me down that long and complicated path to find my one true love.

Am I buying any of this? Absolutely not. Am I impressed that she’s supposedly seen all of this inside that tiny cup? Yes, I’m very impressed and maybe a tiny part of me wants to believe that my soul mate is out there just waiting for me to go down this crazy path to find him.

Arzu gets summoned by the restaurant manager and gets up to go over but stops and turns to look at me when I pick up the cup and stare inside it. “You’re not a believer, but that’s okay, soon you will be.” She expresses with a smile full of meaning and walks off toward the kitchen leaving me watching after her with a mind full of questions.

“Miss West, the cars are here.” I smile gratefully up at the maître d and with a sigh I set the coffee cup down in the saucer and get up to inform Logan that the cars are outside waiting to drive the investors to the marina for the boat tour.

Logan has his back to me as I approach him and the gentleman he is speaking to smiles and straightens when he notices me waiting for Logan to finish speaking, so I don’t interrupt him mid-conversation. Logan notices his companion staring at something over his shoulder and pivots to see what he is looking at. “I’m so sorry to interrupt, Mr. Peirce.” I apologize and Logan’s eyes light up when he sees me. “The cars have arrived to drive you and your party to the marina for the boat tour.”

Logan smiles and places his hand on my elbow, and I ignore the pull in my stomach. “Thank you, Savannah. Adrian, this is Savannah West, she’s the event coordinator responsible for putting this whole incredible night together.”

My cheeks burn under Logan’s intent stare. Adrian holds out his hand for me to shake, and I courteously slide my hand into his. “Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Savannah. The boys and I were just saying how impressed we are with the turnout of this little soirée. Logan here tells us you pulled this all together within a couple of weeks?” My eyes veer to Logan who is grinning while he pulls his jacket on and thoroughly enjoying watching me redden.

I withdraw my hand from his clammy one and discreetly wipe my hand against the fabric of my black pants. “Yes, he didn’t really give me much time, but lucky for him I thrive under pressure. I’m thrilled I’ve managed to make this evening memorable for you, though it’s not over just yet, the boat tour of the Bosphorus comes highly recommended and truly is an experience not to be missed.”

Adrian chuckles and knocks back the last of his whiskey, “Very well then, miss it we shalt not,” he adds with a wink. “I have some events of my own coming up in New York, Savannah, and would be delighted if you and I can pencil in some time in the coming weeks to discuss. Let me know a date that is good for you and I’ll have my assistant arrange my jet to fly you over to New York.” I take his business card when he slides it out of his pocket and holds it out for me.

Adrian Saltzer – Venus Architectural Designs.

Holy forking balls. New York City!

Be cool, Savi, be fucking cool.

Although my jaw almost hit the floor at his offer, thankfully on the outside I manage to keep my composure and nod, fixing a polished smile on my face. Inside though, I’m screaming. If this doesn’t convince Suzan to offer me a full-time position, I don’t know what will.

“Of course, Mr. Saltzer, I’ll be sure to check my schedule and drop you an email when I’m back in California. However, for now, let’s leave business talk for another day and focus on enjoying the beauty of this magnificent city.”

I can see Logan watching me from the corner of my eye, so I turn my gaze to his and I hold it as he walks by me, and we share a secret smile. Every second my eyes remain locked with his, my heart rate spikes and the already unruly butterflies in my stomach become wilder.

Be still my beating heart for we cannot keep him.

“Logan,thank you for this remarkable evening. Istanbul truly is all you said and more.”

I chuckle and shake a tipsy Simon Ward’s hand as we bid goodbye after we disembark from the boat. “You’re very welcome. I’ll be seeing you at my annual gala in a few days?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it. And I want to speak more about this Washington project.” Smiling, I give him a pat on the shoulder and tell him I’ll drop him an email when I’m back in the office Friday and amusedly observe him stumble toward the town car that is waiting for him.

And that’s the last of them.

What a long night.

My temples are throbbing, and my stomach is churning unpleasantly after consuming one too many of those delicious cocktails that were circulating on the boat. I know better than to mix my drinks, but tonight I torched every page of the old rulebook and indulged in one too many glasses of champagne and foolishly mixed it up with whiskey and an assortment of cocktails.

Just adding to the long list of imprudent choices I’ve been making as of late.

“I think that’s everyone. Are you ready to go?” I look back and see Savi walking up to me. It’s passed midnight and she still looks so fucking good. I’m convinced this girl is not fully human, I mean look at her, she’s glowing like an angel. Savannah giggles, “Are you drunk, Mr. Peirce?” she teases, poking up an inquisitive brow.

I smile wolfishly, hook my arm around her waist and tug her to me till her gorgeous body is flush against mine. “Mm, I think I might be,” I mumble, pressing my forehead to hers. “You truly are the best, Savannah West.” Savi laughs and draws her head back to look at me, her honey eyes glowing with merriment.

“And you’re truly pissed, Logan Peirce.”

“Am not.” I utter grinning and take her pretty face into my large hands and stare at her mouth. “Christ, I’ve been dying to kiss these lips all fuckin’ night.” Savannah doesn’t oppose when my lips ascend on hers—in fact she draws me closer and deepens the kiss eliciting a low moan of approval from me. I feel her shiver and sink against me when a nippy breeze coming off the water whips around us and goosebumps rise all over her arms. Pulling back, I shrug my jacket off and wrap it around her shoulders. Savi smiles up at me, wrapping my jacket around her tighter, shielding off the chilly air. “Let’s go.” Wrapping my arm around her shoulder I keep her against me as we walk back to the car waiting for us.

“Thank you for tonight, not that I had any doubt, but you honestly knocked it out of the park, Savannah.” I say pressing a kiss to her hand after we settle into the back seat of the white Mercedes Benz.

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