Page 8 of One Hot Chase

He shrugs one shoulder. "With determination and a dash of skullduggery, a chap can accomplish anything."

I have no idea what any of that means. Despite my best efforts not to, I can't help admiring his physique, though I saw him naked last night. Today he's wearing a light blue shirt with two buttons undone (of course), khaki pants, a sleek brown leather jacket, and suede sneakers. I'm pretty sure the whole outfit is designer, and therefore way above my clothing budget. The dress I wore last night had blown a good chunk of my vacation budget.

But damn, the jerk looks good enough to lick---and nibble.

I feel downright frumpy in comparison, with my jeans, peasant top, and discount-store sneakers. I love these shoes, but I'm sure this conceited ape will turn his nose up at them.

As I swivel to face him, I cross my arms over my chest. "So, you admit to stalking me."

"Once again, it was not stalking," he insists, cocking his hip as he hooks his thumb inside his waistband. "This is a public park, after all."

I clutch my purse tightly, as if I'm afraid he might try to snatch it from me. But I don't actually think he would. "How did you even find me?"

He smirks. "I have my ways."

I shake my head in disbelief. "We had separate hotel rooms, and I never gave you my room number. That means you stalked me." I narrow my gaze, but he simply chuckles. "Tell me how you found me, or I will scream."

"No need for that. I'll gladly explain," he says smoothly. "I persuaded the desk clerk, Daniel, to give me your personal information. Then I tracked down the taxi driver, Roger, who told me he'd dropped you at the statue of Cleopatra."

I set my hands on my hips and glower at him. "You are unbelievable."

"Thank you for the compliment, pet. Perhaps my methods were a bit dramatic, but I couldn't let you walk away after one night."

Holy shit. This jerk is a master manipulator. Even I'm starting to believe his lies.

As he stands there, oozing charm and seductive appeal, I try to reach into my purse without drawing his attention. I have a small bottle of perfume. Maybe if I sprayed that in his eyes, it would give me enough time to run away.

He tilts his head slightly, still smiling. "Don't you want to know who I am, Sabrina?"

I glance around, hoping someone might wander by so I can shout for help. Luckily, a police officer is ambling down the path toward us. I turn back to the attractive but evil man in front of me. "No thanks. I don't need to know your name."

Bolting down the paved path, I frantically wave my arms in the air. "Help! Officer, please help!"

The policeman immediately starts running toward me and we meet halfway.

"What's wrong, miss?" the young cop asks. "Did someone nick your wallet?"

I point back toward the way I came. "That man over there, he followed me all the way from the Savoy Hotel to this trail. Please arrest him."

"What's your name, miss?"

"Sabrina Remington."

"I'm Constable Mansfield, and I'll gladly handle that tosser for you." He gazes past me intently. "That man seems to be approaching quickly. No worries."

The constable jogs down the path toward the obnoxious man, stopping in front of him. They exchange a few words before both bursting into laughter. Constable Mansfield then rejoins me with the man in tow.

The reptile has the audacity to smirk at me. "Sabrina and I just had a little disagreement and she ran off without me."

Ohh, I want to deck him so badly. But I resist the urge and instead glare at the constable. "I am not with this jerk. He's been harassing me."

"You must be mistaken, miss." Constable Mansfield gestures toward the evil man. "You're one lucky lady. Not many women get the chance to date a celebrity."

"What are you talking about? Who is this guy?"

"Guy?" The constable chuckles. "This is Declan Wilde."

"And I should I know who that is...why?"

---