Page 13 of One Hot Chase

She blows out an exasperated breath. "Do I need to hit you over the head with a baseball bat? For the last time, leave me alone."

"No need for violence, pet. But it's telling that you've done everything but ring for the police."

"I already did that. Your good buddy Constable Mansfield vetoed the idea. You probably brainwashed him."

Perhaps I feel a smidgen of guilt over that incident, which probably explains what I say next. "I apologize for my previous behavior. But I did not brainwash anyone. I might have, ah, fed Constable Mansfield a porky or two, that's all."

"You gave him a pig?"

I strenuously resist the urge to laugh. "No, pet, I told him a lie. He believes you are my girlfriend and that you ran away because we had an argument. I rushed after you to make amends."

She shakes her head. "And you think that confession will make me forgive you for hounding me. You're a jackass and a loon."

I stare at her for a moment, then drop to one knee, clasping my hands in a pleading gesture. "Please forgive me, Sabrina. It was a retched thing to do, and I apologize wholeheartedly. Don't blame the constable. This was all my fault."

She studies me as if I'm a strange specimen she found in a laboratory. Whether she believes my apology or not, it's true. I do regret my behavior.

I give up and rise to my feet, brushing off my coat. "Let's not lie to each other, pet. You want me, and we both know it." I slant closer to breathe in her alluring scent. How is it possible for her to smell this delectable all the time? It's almost criminal. "Tell me why you ran away last night and again this morning."

"Because you're an insufferable cretin."

I tilt her chin up with my finger, forcing her to meet my gaze. "Let's be honest. Have you ever experienced a more intense orgasm than the ones I gave you?"

She flattens her lips.

"If you refuse to answer, darling, then I'll have no choice but to ravish you with a passionate kiss right here in this public place."

"Why are you so evil?" she hisses through gritted teeth. "Fine, you're the hottest guy I've ever slept with. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Why did you skulk out of my suite?"

She stares at me as if she wants to uncover all my secrets. "I'll answer your question if you tell me why you've been following me like a hawk."

That sounds like a dangerous proposition. But danger turns me on. "I accept your offer."

"Why have you been stalking me so relentlessly?"

"Because we had mind-blowing sex last night, multiple times, and I fell under your spell." I gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Now it's your turn to explain."

"Okay. I sneaked out of your room in the morning because"---She shuts her eyes tightly---"I'd never experienced anything so intense and erotic before. It unsettled me."

"I accept your explanation. Now, will you cease and desist telling everyone that I'm stalking you?"

She squints at me briefly before releasing a gusty sigh. "All right, I'll stop doing that. But I don't want to see you again. I'm leaving London."

"Where are you going?"

"None of your damn business."

Why does her insolent behavior make me so fucking randy? It's baffling. But our verbal sparring always has that effect on me. Never in my life have I behaved so recklessly and, if I'm being honest, foolishly. Surely it has nothing to do with...No, impossible.

Sabrina walks away, and I can't resist watching her hips as they sway in the most stimulating manner. My trousers have grown tight. Even as she disappears behind the Nelson Column, I stay rooted in place. My feet seem to have become glued to the ground, refusing to move even a fraction of an inch. Why am I so fixated on Sabrina? She's just a random woman I shagged last night. Yet there's something about her that keeps me coming back for more.

"Are you really that infatuated with a column, mate? Or are you having a stroke?"

I swerve my head to stare at the bloke who uttered those words. "Excuse me? I don't appreciate strangers discussing the state of my health."

"Relax, Declan. I'm not interested in your health. I have a job to do."

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