Page 71 of One Hot Chase

Sabrina's enthusiastic laughter echoes down the street, drawing smiles from passersby. We settle at a small table outside the café, the morning sun warming our skin. As we wait for our order, I gaze at Bree's lovely face and the way she seems to glow in this light. The golden rays of the sun that ignite her strawberry blonde hair make me hunger to fist my hands in those locks as I drag her in for a scorching kiss.

"Why are you smiling?" she asks.

"Nothing," I reply with a smirk. "Just wondering how I got so lucky."

She pats my cheek. "Better save the smooth talk for when we're alone."

"Oh, I intend to do just that."

The arrival of our churros interrupts our flirtatious banter, and Sabrina's attention immediately shifts to the golden, sugar-dusted treats before us. She picks one up, dipping it generously in the thick chocolate sauce, and takes a bite. The moan that escapes her lips is downright sinful, and I have to shift in my seat to adjust myself because my trousers have suddenly grown tight. Sabrina notices, of course.

"Something wrong, Declan?" she asks innocently, licking a stray bit of chocolate from her thumb.

I lean in, my voice low. "You know exactly what you're doing, you cheeky minx."

She grins, unrepentant. "Me? I'm just enjoying my breakfast."

Two can play at this game. I pick up a churro, making a show of slowly dipping it in the chocolate. I bring it to my mouth, maintaining eye contact as I take a bite. A drop of chocolate escapes. I thrust my tongue, dragging it slowly across my bottom lip.

Sabrina catches her lip between her teeth as if she means to devour me instead of her chocolaty treat. "It's not fair to tease me that way."

I lean back, savoring both the dessert and her reaction. "All's fair in love and churros, darling."

She narrows her eyes playfully, accepting the challenge. "Well then, perhaps we should take this tasting...somewhere more private."

My body responds instantly to her suggestion, but I force myself to remain calm. "Afraid we can't do that, pet. Duty calls---and in this case 'duty' means we need to contend with our families."

Sabrina pouts again, but there's a glimmer in her eyes that tells me she's enjoying this game as much as I am. She sighs melodramatically. "If you insist. But you owe me for this torture."

"Gladly." I reach across the table to brush my thumb across her lower lip, wiping away a smudge of chocolate.

In that moment, as the bustling sounds of Seville fade into the background, I'm struck by how effortlessly we've fallen into this dance of desire and playful banter. It's as if we've known each other for years.

Sabrina fastens her hand around mine before I can pull it away, pressing a soft kiss to my palm. The gesture is so unexpectedly tender that it catches me off guard, sending a shudder of something deeper than lust through my chest.

I fold my palms around her hand. "We need to get to the airport. Our journey back to London wont' be long, less than two hours depending on the conditions."

"Okay, let's go. I'm so excited to meet all of your family."

I love her enthusiasm, but I feel a knot of anxiety tightening in my gut. "Are you now? Well, I hope you're ready for the Wilde clan in all their chaotic glory."

"I'm sure I can handle a little chaos. After all, I've managed to keep up with you so far, haven't I?"

"Touché," I concede, rising from our table and offering her my hand. "And I'm looking forward to meeting your family as well as all your mysterious friends."

"Mysterious?" she says with a slight laugh. "They're just good people, that's all."

We make our way through the winding streets, the scent of orange blossoms and freshly baked bread following us like a sweet memory. As we near the taxi stand, Sabrina suddenly stops, tugging me back.

"Wait," she says, her voice softer now. "Before we go...I just want to say thank you. For being you, for playing my crazy game, for taking me on so many wonderful adventures, for...everything."

The sincerity in her voice astounds me, and for a moment, I'm at a loss for words. It's a rare feat, rendering Declan Wilde speechless, but Sabrina seems to have a knack for it.

I pull her close, one hand cupping her face. "No need to thank me, love. If anything, I should be thanking you for turning my world upside down in the best possible way."

Her lips curve into a smile that's equal parts shy and seductive. "Well, I do excel at shaking things up."

"That you do," I murmur, unable to resist pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Now, let's hurry back to the jet before I change my mind and whisk you off to some remote island instead of taking you home with me."

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