One Hot Chase (Hot Brits #12)

Chapter Sixteen

Declan

I would never have expected an insurance underwriter to be such a bloody genius at covering her tracks. Sabrina is the cleverest woman I've ever met. She has led me on a merry chase, and I can't wait for the next destination in our European journey.

But I can't track her mobile anymore. So...how in the world will I know where she's gone?

I spent the night at a hotel in Athens, half hoping Bree might skulk into my room in the dead of night and snuggle up to me, nude and aroused. No such luck. In the morning, I took a ride in every taxi I could find in the city, asking every driver if they'd seen a strawberry blonde beauty with emerald eyes and a sweetly artful smile.

Yes, I admit I'm ruddy awful at playing detective.

So, I return to Nikos' restaurant in the hopes he might have some insight. When I tell him that, he laughs heartily.

"Ah, Declan, you are a babe in the woods, aren't you?" He pats my arm and chuckles again. "You didn't need to waste thousands of euros on taxis. The fair Sabrina must have gone to the airport. You said the two of you are playing a game and you are chasing her across Europe."

Maybe I shouldn't have divulged that secret to Nikos. But I'm truly flummoxed. Besides, he won't tell anyone else. Nikos insists on giving me a free lunch, and I can't say no to the best food in Greece. Now that I've satisfied my stomach, I hail one last taxi to reach the airport. It bustles with activity as I scan the departure boards. My gaze flicks from one destination to another. Where would Bree go next? Paris? Rome? Barcelona? She could be anywhere by now.

I run a hand through my hair, my frustration mounting. This game of cat and mouse is exhilarating, but bloody exhausting. Just as I'm about to give up and book a random flight, hoping for a stroke of luck, I note a whiff of a familiar scent. Vanilla and jasmine. Bree's perfume.

My head snaps around, searching for a glimpse of strawberry blonde hair. Nothing. But then I spot it---a small, folded piece of paper tucked into the frame of a nearby departure screen. With my heart racing, I unfold the scrap of paper.

I'm impressed, Your Knightliness. You've made it this far. But can you keep up? I hope you packed a warm jacket. Meet me where the lángos and gulyás are always hot, and if you're lucky, there will be some somlói galuska too. Don't be late, or I might just have to find a strapping young férfi to keep me company. Catch me if you can.

Yes, I will catch her. And once I'm with her again, I'll be so fucking randy that I might just shag her in the middle of the street. Sabrina is the only woman who could ever convince me to do something so reckless. But since the moment I met her, I've wanted nothing else, only her.

I head out to the tarmac and trot up the stairs to my jet. No one else is here. I prefer to fly myself wherever I might want to go. Sabrina probably has palatial accommodations on a billionaire's jet. My jet isn't anywhere near as large as I imagine Diana Hahn's plane must be. But it does well enough for me.

Once I'm in the air, I turn on the autopilot so I can try to decipher Sabrina's cryptic message. The fact that no one in the airport noticed her note seems odd, to say the least. But then, most people aren't particularly aware of their surroundings. All I need do is search for the non-English words she mentioned--- lángos, gulyás, somlói galuska, férfi . A quick online translation proves I need to fly deeper into Europe.

To Hungary, and more precisely, to Budapest.

All right, perhaps she didn't mention that city in her note. But she seems to be enjoying a whirlwind tour of famous capital cities, beginning in London, then down to Athens, and finally Budapest. It makes sense. To me, at least.

Four of the five Hungarian words she mentioned are types of food. But the fifth...No férfi is going to make time with my girl. If a Hungarian bloke tries to steal her away from me, I'll bash his skull.

As I land in Budapest, the crisp autumn air nips at my cheeks. She suggested I should bring a warm jacket, and so I did. Now I find myself imagining Bree's face when I surprise her. The metropolis unfolds before me, a tapestry of Gothic and Art Nouveau architecture, the Danube River snaking through its heart.

I make my way to the bustling Great Market Hall, figuring it's as good a place as any to start my search. The aroma of paprika and freshly baked pastries fills the air, and I find myself salivating despite my mission.

As I weave through the crowd, my eyes dart from stall to stall, searching for a glimpse of strawberry blonde hair. Suddenly, I spot a familiar messy bun bobbing through the throng. My heart races as I push forward, determined not to lose her.

"Bree!" I call out, my voice lost in the cacophony of the market.

I quicken my pace, dodging shoppers and vendors, my eyes locked on that tantalizing glimpse of ginger hair. Finally, I break through the crowd and reach out, my hand grasping her shoulder.

"Gotcha," I say triumphantly, spinning her around.

But instead of Bree's mischievous green eyes, I'm met with the startled gaze of a middle-aged Hungarian woman.

" Bocsánat ," I mutter, backing away swiftly.

Blimey . I've made a right fool of myself. I can almost hear Bree's laughter echoing in my head. She'd be in stitches if she could see me now, chasing random women through a foreign market.

Dejected, I make my way to a nearby food stall. Might as well try some of this lángos Bree mentioned. I order one of those and learn it's deep-fried dough topped with sour cream and cheese. I sink my teeth into the pastry, savoring the comforting flavors. As I chew, I ponder my next move. Where would Bree go in this sprawling city?

Just then, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn, expecting another vendor trying to sell me something, but instead, I find myself staring into a pair of familiar emerald eyes.

"Took you long enough, Your Knightliness. I was beginning to think you'd given up."

I nearly choke on my lángos . "Bloody hell, Bree. How long have you been watching me make a fool of myself?"

She laughs, the sound like music to my ears. "Long enough to thoroughly enjoy the show. That poor woman you accosted...I thought she was going to wallop you with her shopping bag."

I grin and shake my head, enchanted by Bree's infectious laughter, and soon I'm chuckling along with her.

"Well, I'm glad I could provide such quality entertainment," I say, wiping a bit of sour cream from the corner of my mouth. "Care to join me for a lángos ? I hear they're quite good here."

"Oh, I've already had my fill. But I wouldn't say no to some somlói galuska for dessert. That is, if you aren't too full."

I wave my arm in an imperious gesture. "Lead the way, love. I am never too full to enjoy a luscious Hungarian delicacy. Though nothing is as sumptuous as the taste of your cream."

She grabs my hand and drags me through the crowded market. We weave between stalls, the scents of paprika and freshly baked bread filling the air. I'm acutely aware of her small, warm hand in mine, her fingers intertwined with my own.

"So, tell me," I say as we navigate the bustling aisles, "how did you manage to stay hidden all this time? I thought I had caught you back in Athens."

Bree glances over her shoulder and winks. "A magician never reveals her secrets. But let's just say I have a few tricks up my sleeve that even you can't predict."

I smile at her playful evasion. "I'm beginning to think you missed your calling as a secret agent, love. MI6 would be lucky to have you."

She laughs, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "And give up the thrilling world of insurance underwriting? Never."

We emerge from the market into the crisp Hungarian air, the sun casting a golden glow over Budapest's stunning architecture. Bree leads me down a winding cobblestone street, her hand still firmly clasped in mine.

"So, where are we off to now?" I ask, trying to ignore the way my heart races at her touch.

"Patience, Sir Declan," Bree teases, tugging me along. "You'll see soon enough."

We wind our way through the charming streets of Budapest, passing ornate buildings and quaint cafes. I'm content to let her lead, drinking in the sight of her bouncing strawberry blonde curls and the sway of her hips.

Finally, we arrive at a small, unassuming pastry shop tucked away on a quiet side street. The aroma of sugar and cinnamon wafts out as Bree pushes open the door, a tiny bell tinkling above us.

" Szia !" she calls out cheerfully to the elderly woman behind the counter.

I raise an eyebrow, impressed by her command of Hungarian pleasantries.

"Two somlói galuska, kérem ," Bree orders confidently.

While the woman behind the counter fills Bree's order, I whisper to her, "You're fluent in Hungarian?"

Her laugh becomes a splutter. "No, silly. I used an online translation thingy to learn how to say hello and how to pronounce the Hungarian phrases I needed to order the dumplings."

As we settle into a cozy corner table, my lips tick upward at Bree's effortless charm. She's managed to navigate three European capitals with the ease of a seasoned traveler, always one step ahead of me.

"So, tell me," I lean in, my voice low and teasing, "how long have you been planning this little escapade?"

Bree's eyes dance with mischief as she takes a delicate bite of her dessert. "A girl's got to have some secrets. Let's just say I've had a lot of time to daydream during those long, boring days of underwriting."

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?"

"You have no idea," she winks, licking a spot of chocolate from her lip in a way that makes my pulse quicken. "But I think you're figuring it out pretty quickly."

I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a low murmur. "Oh, I intend to do much more than that, love."

"Is that so? And here I thought you were just after my somlói galuska ."

"Well, I must admit, it is delicious," I say, taking another bite of the rich chocolate sponge cake. "But I'm far more interested in tasting something else entirely."

Bree's eyebrows arch. "My, my, Sir Declan. Are you propositioning me in the middle of a quaint Hungarian pastry shop? How scandalous."

I lean in closer, my voice a low rumble. "Darling, I'd proposition you on the steps of Parliament if I thought it would get me anywhere."

She laughs, the sound musical and sweet like the tinkling of bells. "Well, aren't you the charmer? But I'm afraid you'll have to try a bit harder than that."

"Is that a challenge?" I ask, my eyes locked on hers.

"Maybe," she teases, taking another bite of her dessert. "But then again, maybe I just enjoy watching you squirm."

I tap her chin. "You're a cheeky chit, do you know that?"

"I've been called worse. Now, are you going to finish that?" She eyes my half-eaten somlói galusk a hungrily.

"Greedy little thing, aren't you?" I tease, but I push the plate toward her anyway. As she digs in with gusto, I find myself captivated by the way her lips close around the spoon and the soft hum of pleasure she makes as she savors each bite.

I clear my throat. "So, what's next on this whirlwind tour of yours? Paris? Rome? Or perhaps somewhere a bit more... exotic?"

Bree licks the last bit of chocolate from her spoon, her eyes never leaving mine. "That depends on you. Wouldn't you like to explore Budapest a little more before I shake you off again?"

"That's an excellent idea. I predict we'll be shagging very soon and in a thoroughly inappropriate location."

Her cheeks dimple. "My, my, aren't we presumptuous? What makes you so sure I'll let you lasso me this time? Maybe I want to explore Budapest on my own."

"No, pet, that's not the point of this exercise." I reach under the table to caress her thigh, making her suck in a sharp breath. "Because, my sweet, the thrill is in the chase, but the real excitement comes when you finally allow yourself to be caught."

"Is that so? And what if I decide to keep running this time?"

"Then I'll keep chasing," I reply without hesitation. "Across every continent if I have to. You're worth the pursuit, Sabrina."

For a moment, I see a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes, a crack in her carefully constructed facade. But it's gone in an instant, replaced by her usual mischievous sparkle.

"Well then, Sir Declan," she purrs, leaning in so close I can feel her breath on my lips, "catch me if you can."

With that, she's up and out of her seat, darting toward the door of the pastry shop. I'm momentarily stunned by her sudden movement, but I quickly recover, tossing some forints on the table before chasing after her. Yes, I even thought to get some Hungarian money when I landed in this country.

The cool Budapest air hits my face as I burst out onto the cobblestone street. I spot a glimpse of her strawberry blonde hair whipping around a corner and take off in pursuit. My heart races, partly from the exertion and partly from the thrill of the chase.

We weave through the narrow streets, dodging tourists and locals alike. Bree is quick and agile, darting between people with ease. But I'm no slouch either, my long legs shrinking the distance between us.

"Come on, Your Knightliness!" she calls over her shoulder, laughter in her voice. "I thought you said you'd chase me across continents!"

"Just you wait, love," I shout back, grinning despite my labored breathing. "I'm just getting warmed up!"

We race past ornate buildings and bustling cafes while Bree leads me on a merry chase through winding alleyways and across busy squares. I'm so focused on keeping her in sight that I barely register the stunning architecture around us.

Finally, we burst out onto a wide promenade along the Danube River. Sabrina slows her pace, her chest heaving, her smile lopsided. I close the distance between us, my own lungs burning from the exertion.

She turns to face me with a triumphant grin. "Looks like you managed to keep up after all."

I stumble to a halt mere inches from her, close enough to see the flecks of gold in her emerald eyes. "Did you ever doubt I would?"