One Hot Chase (Hot Brits #12)

Chapter Eight

Declan

Sabrina's body has become a sensual canvas, blank and ready for me to paint her pleasure on her skin. That might be the most ridiculous thought I've ever had. But I don't think I'll share that line with her. She would most likely think I'm barmy. And because of Sabrina, I have gone half mad---with lust for her. Yet it's more than sexual hunger I feel right now. I want to get to know Sabrina Remington.

I might have a better chance of doing that if I hadn't stalked her this morning.

No, it wasn't stalking.

Then what was it, you moron?

Rather than answering my own question, I return all my attention to Sabrina's lush body. She writhes as I go on suckling her tits, and the highly aroused look on her face ensures that I'll soon grow hard enough to shag her again. But when she spreads her thighs and bends her knees, I can't resist the invitation she's just given me. I fumble with the nightstand drawer, finally opening it enough that I can grab a condom packet and rip it open. As I kiss her deeply, holding myself up with one arm, I miraculously manage to roll the condom onto my erection.

Now it's time to claim her body---slowly. I mean to milk every last drop of her lust and consume it until I'm drunk with her pleasure. I grip the pillow at either side of her head, giving up her mouth, and thrust inside her channel. The scent of her cream inundates my senses, and my pulse accelerates while I begin a leisurely pace of pushing inside her and pulling out again and again.

Sabrina gasps, her fingernails digging into my shoulders as her eyes flutter closed, her lips parted in a silent moan of ecstasy. I can't look away from her face, captivated by every subtle shift of expression as I move within her.

"Declan," she breathes, and my name on her lips is the sweetest sound I've ever heard.

I increase my pace gradually, reveling in the way her body responds. Her hips rise to meet each thrust, creating a perfect rhythm between us. I dip my head to trail kisses along her jaw, down her neck, tasting the salt of her skin. "Look at me, Sabrina."

Her eyes open, those mesmerizing green orbs locking onto mine. The intensity I see there nearly unravels me. Sabrina's gaze is a mix of vulnerability and desire, and I feel something shift inside me. This isn't just about physical pleasure anymore. There's a connection forming between us, something I can't quite name but desperately want to explore despite having known her for less than two days.

"You're beautiful," I whisper, my voice husky with emotion.

A hint of a smile plays on her lips. "You're not so bad yourself, Sir Hot Stuff."

I chuckle, loving how she can inject humor into even our most intimate moments. It's part of what draws me to her--- that sharp wit, that playful spark. I slow my movements, savoring every sensation while I continue pushing in and pulling out. Her juices dribble onto my bollocks. She arches her back, lifting her tits, moaning hungrily as I press those succulent globes to my chest. As she glides her hands up my back, she traces invisible patterns on my skin, leaving trails of invisible fire in their wake.

"Declan," she gasps, "I need..."

"What do you need, love?"

"More," Sabrina breathes, her tone both a demand and a plea. "I need more of you."

I'm only too happy to oblige. I increase my pace, driving into her with renewed vigor. While I drive into her with more force, the room fills with the sounds of our heavy breathing and the rhythmic creaking of the bed. The aroma of her desire for me wafts around us. She wraps her legs around my waist, pulling me deeper, and I groan at the exquisite sensation.

"Like this?" I ask, my voice strained with the effort of maintaining control. I can't hold out for much longer.

"God, yes," she gasps as she throws her head back.

I can feel her trembling beneath me as her inner walls pulsate around my cock. She's close---fuck, I am too---and I'm determined to push her over the edge first. So, I slide one hand between our bodies to find her clit, and I massage that sensitive bundle of nerves with my thumb.

Sabrina's eyes fly open, a look of surprise and pleasure crossing her face. "Oh! Declan, yes, make me come."

I rise onto my straight arms and pound into her.

The bed thumps and creaks and scraped across the wood floor amid her desperate cries and my snarling shouts. The moment she comes, I give in and pummel her twice more as waves of electric shocks barrel down my spine and directly into my cock. I unleash everything I have until I'm completely done.

Reluctantly, I pull out of her body. I'm still struggling to breathe normally, but I manage to get rid of the condom before I lie down beside her.

Sabrina's chest is still heaving. Her cheeks are rosy red too.

I stroke her arm delicately with my fingertips. "Have I done you in, pet?"

Sabrina turns her head to face me, a playful glint in her eyes despite her breathlessness. "Done me in? Hardly. I'm no wilting flower."

"Yes, I'm keenly aware of that fact."

She props herself up on one elbow, her strawberry blonde hair falling in messy waves around her shoulders. "Mm, thank you so much for that. You are phenomenal in bed---and on the sofa."

Not sure I appreciate her gratitude. It sounds dismayingly like she's dismissing me. Does she think I'm a gigolo? I force a chuckle, trying to mask the unexpected sting of her words. "Well, I aim to please. But this wasn't just a casual fling for me."

Sabrina's eyebrows arch slightly, a flicker of something---surprise? uncertainty?---crossing her face. "Oh? And what exactly is this then, Sir Declan? You're the one who seduced me in a bar and refused to tell me your name."

"Yes, but I, ah, changed my mind before we left the Beaufort Bar." I pause, realizing I've stepped onto precarious ground. We've known each other for barely two days, yet I feel a connection I can't easily dismiss. "I'm not entirely sure what this is, but I'd like to find out. If you're amenable, that is."

She tilts her head, studying me with those captivating green eyes. "Declan, I..." She bites her lower lip, abruptly seeming anxious and almost vulnerable. "I'm not great at this whole relationship thing. I've been burned before and can't go down that road again."

"But you're searching for your perfect catch, aren't you?"

"Well, um, yeah. That was the idea."

I reach out and tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear, letting my fingers linger on her cheek. "I'm not asking for a relationship, Sabrina. Not yet, anyway. I'm just saying I'd like to get to know you better. Maybe take you out on a proper date?"

Sabrina hesitates for longer than I'd like. But then she leans into my touch, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "A proper date, huh? What did you have in mind?"

"Well, we could start with dinner. There's this little Italian place I know in Covent Garden. Fantastic pasta, even better wine." I grin, tracing my thumb along her jawline. "And if you're feeling adventurous, we could take a moonlit stroll along the Thames at night to see the Illuminated River. It's an art installation that lights up some of the most iconic structures."

"That does sound nice."

But she seems uncertain. What on earth did her ex do to make her so skittish? I suppose my behavior didn't help matters. I need to figure out how to ease her worries. But first, I must take care of another need.

"Ah, give me a moment, love. Nature calls."

Her brows knit together.

I rush into the bathroom. Once I've relieved my immediate needs, I take the time to spruce myself up a bit with cologne and a breath mint. And for reasons I cannot explain, I hesitate as I reach for the doorknob. If Sabrina is about to tell me to bugger off...No, I shouldn't think that. I straighten my shoulders and lift my chin, then saunter out into the bedroom.

Sabrina is gone. So are her clothes.

"Bollocks!" I hiss as I race into the living room. "Sabrina, wait!"

I've caught her at the door. She's wearing the blouse and bra she'd torn apart earlier, though she seems to have tucked them in somehow as a stopgap measure.

Sabrina freezes, her hand on the doorknob. She turns slowly, her eyes wide. "Declan, I..."

Mustering all my willpower, I take a step closer, careful not to crowd her. "Please, don't go. Not like this."

She bites her lip, glancing between me and the door. "I'm sorry, I just...I panicked. This is all happening so fast."

"I know," I say softly. "And I understand if you need space. But running away isn't the answer. Talk to me, Bree."

She takes a deep breath, her shoulders sagging slightly. "It's just...I'm not used to this. To feeling so...exposed. Not just physically, but emotionally. It scares me."

Her fear is visible and palpable, like an unsettling aroma in the air. She wants to flee. She had intended to do that, believing I was still in the bathroom. What can I do? I have only one option.

So, I reach out, gently taking her hand in mine. "If you feel you need a bit of space, I understand. But you don't need to run away. I have an alternate suggestion."

"Like what?"

"You can run, go wherever you like. But I am going to chase you."

Her brows fly upward, then her jaw drops. She seems incapable of speaking.

"You wanted to hunt for your perfect catch," I remind her as I shuffle a few inches closer. "You can still do that. Hordes of men would clamor to win your heart. All I'm asking is that you let me chase after you as well, and that you permit me to use whatever means necessary in accomplishing my quest."

"Why in the world would you do that?"

"Because you are worth it, darling."

Sabrina's eyes widen, a mix of surprise and something softer flickering across her face. For a moment, she seems at a loss for words, her usual quick wit failing her.

"I... I don't know what to say," she finally manages, her voice barely above a whisper.

I take another small step closer, careful not to overwhelm her. "You don't have to say anything right now. Just...don't run. Not like this. Keep me posted on your general whereabouts. I'll do the same for you. Or we could use an app that will let us find each other's location. It can be turned off at any time."

"Well, I guess we could try that." She glances down at her makeshift blouse as a rueful smile tugs at her lips. "I suppose I'm not exactly dressed for a dramatic exit, am I?"

I chuckle as relief washes over me. "No, not quite. Though I must say, you make even torn clothing look fetching."

Sabrina gives a derisive snort, but I detect the hint of a blush on her cheeks. "Why would a wealthy, handsome Knight of the British Order care so much about winning me over? I'm not worth it."

"I intend to prove you wrong on that count."

She pulls the door open further, about to leave.

"Wait, love." I snatch her shoes up off the floor and hold them out to her. "You'll want these, I assume."

"Oh. Yeah. Thank you."

She accepts the shoes, her fingers brushing against mine. The brief contact sends a jolt through my body, reminding me of our earlier intimacy. She slips the shoes on quickly, her eyes darting between me and the door. Finally, she gives me a tight smile. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I need some time to process all of this. It's...a lot."

I nod, trying to mask my disappointment. "I understand. Take all the time you need. But remember, I meant what I said. I'll be chasing you, Sabrina Remington."

A small smile plays at the corners of her mouth. "Well, Sir Hot Stuff, you better be prepared for a wild goose chase. I'm not easy to snare."

"I wouldn't have it any other way," I reply, returning her smile.

With one last lingering look, Sabrina slips out the door, leaving me alone with nothing but sofas and tables to console me. I lean against the doorframe, watching her hurry down the hallway toward the elevator. Just before she turns the corner, she glances back, our eyes meeting for a brief moment. Then she's gone.

I close the door and lean my forehead against the cool wood, letting out a long sigh. What the bloody hell just happened? In the span of two days, I've gone from a carefree bachelor to a man utterly bewitched by a woman who seems determined to keep me at arm's length.

Running a hand through my hair, I move back into the bedroom. The rumpled sheets and lingering scent of our lovemaking are a stark reminder of what transpired here. I begin tidying up, my mind racing with thoughts of Sabrina. Her fear of commitment is evident, but I will prove to her that I would never hurt her. From the moment I first saw Sabrina Remington, I knew I must have her. But now, I realize that need is for more than a fantastic shag. We have more in common than she knows, and soon, I will prove that to her.

As I finish straightening up the bedroom, my mind keeps forcing me to recall things I wish I could bury deep inside my psyche. The way her eyes sparkled when she laughed, how her body fit perfectly against mine, her vulnerability. I shake my head, trying to sweep away those thoughts. This isn't like me at all. I've never been one to pine after a woman, especially one I've known for such a short time.

But Sabrina is different. There's something about her that's gotten under my skin, and I can't shake it off.

I grab my phone, my finger hovering over her contact information. Should I text her? No, that would seem too desperate. She only just left my flat less than an hour ago. I need to give her the space she asked for, even if every fiber of my being wants to chase after her right now.

Instead, I pull up my travel itinerary. I'm supposed to fly to New York tomorrow, but suddenly, the idea of leaving London---leaving Sabrina---becomes utterly untenable. I ring my executive assistant to give the bad news that New York is off, and I'll be taking an indefinite leave of absence. No one on my staff needs to know the reason why. They won't question me about it. I am the CEO, after all. But I can't focus on work, hence the extended holiday.

I have just one project on my mind---finding Bree.

The chase begins now.