Page 52 of One Hot Chase

My phone buzzes as I make my way through the airport. It's a text from Declan.

Enjoying the City of Lights, darling? Or have you given me the slip again?

I smile with no small measure of self-satisfaction, imagining his frustration at guessing wrong. But he isn't totally off base. I had intended to visit Paris next and only changed my mind once I reached the Budapest airport. While I'm exiting the jet, a sudden, wild thought rushes through my mind unbidden.

Declan, please catch me.

Chapter Eighteen

Declan

Sabrina absconded again, but I'm getting accustomed to that. We did agree that I would chase her. But she didn't provide any clues this time to help me figure out where she might be jetting off to next. Though I haven't known Sabrina for long, I feel as if I understand her well enough to make an educated guess about her destination.

How will I do that? It's simple. I have a secret weapon Sabrina doesn't know about yet.

So, I race to the Budapest airport and head out onto the tarmac. But I bypass my jet. I would recognize Diana Hahn's jet if I saw it, having taken a ride in it once so I could get to Milan on time to head a fundraiser there.

As I scan the area, I spot Diana's plane. Unfortunately, it's taxiing down the runway. I can't possibly catch up to it or stop the jet from taking off. Time to employ my secret weapon---namely, becoming a nosy arse.

I rush back inside the airport and track down the first employee I can find. He doesn't know where Diana's jet is going, but he points me to a flight attendant who is dating Diana's jet captain. She tells me the plane is heading for Marrakesh.

Yes, all right, I lied slightly to get that information. I told the flight attendant my girlfriend and I had a minor argument and she flew away without me to make a point. I'm to join her in Marrakesh. Well, that's at least partly true.

Now that I have my destination, I climb into my jet and head for a locale I have never visited before. Marrakesh sounds quite romantic.

As my jet soars over the Mediterranean, I grin at the thought of surprising Sabrina in Morocco. My heart beats faster, my pulse pounding in my ears, as I imagine how incredible the sex will be this time. Even better than the other times, I'd wager. The thrill of the chase is intoxicating, and I find myself more invested in this game than I'd care to admit.

As I approach Marrakesh Menara Airport, the air traffic controller informs me that we're next in line for touchdown. I peer out the window while I wait, taking in the ochre-hued buildings and palm trees swaying in the distance. When I finally hop down the steps to exit the jet, I'm hit by a wave of sultry warmth that oddly reminds me of Sabrina. I scan the area, wondering if she'll magically appear to greet me with a teasing smile. But of course, it won't be that easy.

I hail a taxi and head straight for the medina, figuring it's the perfect place for Sabrina to hide out and revel in the sensory overload of colors, scents, and sounds. The driver weaves through narrow, winding streets, and I find myself leaning forward, eyes darting from side to side, searching for a glimpse of strawberry blonde hair or the sound of that infectious laugh.

As we near the heart of the medina, I spot a flash of familiar freckles disappearing into a spice shop. My heart races as I practically throw some dirhams at the driver and leap out of the cab. I weave through the bustling crowd, dodging donkey carts and groups of tourists, my eyes locked on the shop's entrance.

I burst through the beaded curtain, my senses immediately assaulted by the pungent aroma of cumin, saffron, and a dozen other spices I can't name. The shopkeeper eyes me curiously as I scan the dim interior, searching for Sabrina. My eyes finally land on a shapely figure examining jars of spices in the back corner. As if sensing my presence, she turns, and those sparkling green eyes meet mine.

"Took you long enough, Your Knightliness," Sabrina quips, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "I was beginning to think you'd given up on our little game."

I cluck my tongue, erasing the distance between us with a few long strides. "Give up? Darling, you should know by now that I never back down from a challenge."

She raises an eyebrow, her fingers toying with a jar of bright red paprika. "Oh? And what makes you think I'm a challenge worth pursuing?"

I lean in close, my voice dropping to a low murmur. "Because, Bree, you're the most intoxicating spice in this entire shop."

Her cheeks flush, matching the paprika in her hands, but she recovers quickly. "Smooth talker. But it'll take more than pretty words to win this game."

I chuckle, reaching past her to pluck a jar of cinnamon from the shelf. "Then how about we raise the stakes? Dinner tonight, my treat. If you can guess which spice I use in the main course, you win. If not..."

I trail off, letting the implication hang in the air.

Sabrina's brows lift as her lips curve into a playful smile. "And what do I win, exactly?"

"Whatever your heart desires, darling," I reply, deepening my voice to a seductive register. I know that drives her mad.

Sabrina's eyes widen for a moment, betraying her interest, but she quickly composes herself. "Careful what you offer, Declan. My desires might be more than you can handle."

I move in closer, my lips tickling her earlobe. "Try me."

She shivers slightly, then steps back with a coy smile. "All right, you're on. But don't think I'll go easy on you just because you tracked me down in this labyrinth."

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