Page 32 of One Hot Chase

"Somehow I shall survive until your return, my sweet."

A lump hardens in my throat, but I force a smile as I rush to the ladies' room. Instead of stopping there to relieve my needs, I slip out the side door and race down the sidewalk until I spot a taxi I can flag down.

"Where would you like to go, miss?" the very young driver asks.

"The Tower Bridge."

"Great choice. It's one of the most popular places for tourists. You know, the Tower Bridge has appeared in lots of movies."

"Uh-huh." I drum my shoe on the floor, waiting for this guy to shut up already and start the car moving.

Someone yanks the door open. "Not so fast, mate. You have another passenger."

Declan jumps into the car---smirking, naturally.

The driver glances back and forth between me and Declan, clearly confused. "Are you both going to the Tower Bridge?"

"No," I blurt out.

"Yes," Declan declares. He pulls me against him with one arm, then thrusts a few pound notes at the driver. "Let's get moving. My girl has been so eager to see the bridge. She simply got a bit overexcited and couldn't wait for me to pay the pub bill."

The jackass is back. All that sweet talk was garbage.

Declan kisses my cheek. "Relax, love, I'm here now."

I'm fuming as the taxi pulls away from the curb, my fingers itching to slap that smug grin off Declan's face. How dare he? I open my mouth to give him a piece of my mind, but he beats me to it.

"Now, now, darling," her murmurs, "let's not make a scene in front of our driver. The chap is only doing his job."

I glare at him, my voice a harsh whisper. "You have exactly five seconds to explain yourself before I grab your balls and twist them as hard as I can."

He clutches his heart. "You wound me, Sabrina. I thought we were having such a wonderful time."

"You call ambushing me and forcing your way into my taxi 'lovely'?"

He has the audacity to look offended. "My sweet, I merely accepted your gracious invitation."

"I never gave you any invitation," I seethe, trying to keep my voice low.

"Of course you did. You challenged me to chase you, and I'm simply following through."

I gape at him, momentarily stunned into silence. The nerve of this rat fink. Can't believe I sort of...liked him for about five minutes. Never again.

"That wasn't an invitation," I hiss. "That was...that was..."

"A dare?" Declan supplies helpfully, seeming far too pleased with himself.

My body wakes up at his mere presence, and I'm torn between anger and...something else I refuse to acknowledge. So, I mutter, "You're impossible."

"Impossibly charming, you mean," he quips, giving me a wink that sends an unwelcome flutter through my stomach.

"Stop telling me what you think I mean." I struggle to ignore the way my heart races at his proximity. "You're impossibly arrogant, that's what I meant to say."

"Arrogant? Perhaps. But you can't deny there's something between us, pet."

"The only thing between us right now is this seat," I retort, attempting to edge away from him. But the backseat is small, and I find myself pressed against the door.

"Then why are you blushing, Bree?"