Page 40 of One Hot Chase

The flight to Athens is smooth, giving me plenty of time to plan my next moves. I research the area, mapping out potential hiding spots and escape routes. By the time we touch down at Athens International Airport, I have a rough itinerary sketched out in my mind.

The co-pilot informs me we'll be landing in twenty minutes.

Finally, I step off the plane and take a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I gaze out the window at the sprawling city below. The ancient and modern structures of Athens blend together in a stunning panorama.

The second we land, I jump off the plane and into a waiting taxi. "Acropolis, please."

Jeez, I hope the driver understood what I wanted. I didn't have time for a crash course on the Greek language. Since he nods and pulls away from the curb, I assume he knows what I said.

While the street whizzes by in a blur of white buildings and vibrant life, I wonder where in the world Declan is now. Has he figured out I've left the country? Is he right behind me, or still searching London?

The driver drops me off at the base of the Acropolis, which consists of several temples. I pay the driver, giving him a generous tip, and make my way up the winding path. My eyes widen as I approach the Parthenon, a towering temple that once honored Athena, the goddess of war. I'd visited the Nashville Parthenon in Tennessee, an exact replica of the original but without all the missing bits. As I climb up the Acropolis hill, my pulse beats faster---not only because of the exercise I'm getting, but also because I'm so excited to finally see the original temple.

So what if most of it's been destroyed? The giant pillars are still intact.

For a while, I wander around the perimeter, taking pictures on my phone and marveling at the scenery. As I stand in awe before the ancient columns, a familiar voice cuts through the chatter of tourists around me.

"What a coincidence, meeting you here."

I freeze, abruptly breathless. Then I slowly turn to face Declan, who's leaning casually against a nearby column, looking infuriatingly handsome in a crisp white shirt and aviator sunglasses.

"How did you---" I sputter, unable to hide my shock.

Declan grins, pushing away the column to saunter toward me. "You aren't the only one with connections, darling. Though I must say, a private jet was a nice touch."

I try to regain my composure, but that's impossible to do with him standing there looking so scrumptious. "I'm impressed. But don't think this means you've won."

"Oh, I would never assume such a thing," he says, closing the distance between us. "The chase is half the fun, after all."

"If you think I'm going to make this easy for you---"

"Heavens, no. I expect nothing of the sort." He flashes me a grin and winks. "What's your next move? Will you dash off to another country? Or perhaps you'd like to explore Athens a bit more...together?"

I worry my lip, torn between the desire to run and the temptation to stay. Declan seems to sense my indecision and reaches out, only to retract his hand before he touches me. "You wanted me to follow you, pet, and so I did."

"Mm-hm." I must look baffled---because I am. "How in the world did you get here so fast?"

He crooks a finger at me. "Come with me, and perhaps I'll share my secret. And I'll give you the special Declan Wilde tour." He smiles in that easy, irresistible way I've come to both love and hate. "When I say 'come,' I mean the dirty version of that word."

When he offers me his hand, I accept it without hesitation. Yes, I crave all the dirty things this man gives me.

Chapter Fourteen

Declan

The Mediterranean sun is just beginning to set, lighting the sky on fire with shades of gold and red. The air seems infused with ancient mysteries, as if I might catch them in midair. What rot. When did I become a poetic moron? I watch while Sabrina's eyes grow larger and she takes in the grandeur of the Parthenon and the Acropolis as a whole. We both admire the massive marble columns. Her expression reminds me of a child in a candy store, and I do my best to stifle the laugh that wants to emerge from my lips. Who knew ruins could be so invigorating? I've seen quite a few before, but this is Bree's first time.

I seize her hand, tugging her toward one of the massive columns. Her slender fingers feel warm and delicate in mine, and for a moment, I wonder if she'll pull away. But she doesn't. As we approach one of the corner columns, I lean against it and cross my arms over my chest. Sabrina stands in front of me, her hair a tousled mess, her cheeks flushed from the climb up the Acropolis hill. She is breathing hard, but there's a spark in her green eyes that makes my cock begin to rouse.

"So, are you a history buff now?" I ask. "I thought you would be more interested in romance films and bad reality TV."

One corner of her mouth ticks upward. She crosses her arms in a defiant mimic of my pose. "I have depths you haven't even begun to plumb. Besides, this is research."

"Research, eh?" I let my gaze linger on her for a moment longer than necessary. "For what? A new insurance policy on ancient artifacts?"

Her lips press into a thin line, and for a second, I think she might be genuinely annoyed. Then she shrugs, and the tension breaks like a popped balloon. "I'm an insurance underwriter. That means I don't sell people insurance, I assess the risk of giving someone coverage. I take my responsibilities seriously and triple check all my calculations to make sure they're accurate. But a playboy like you probably doesn't know the meaning of the word responsibility."

I guide her away from the Parthenon, heading lower down the slope of the Acropolis toward another monument I think she'll enjoy. "I'm not immune to responsibility, you know. But I do believe it's often overrated. As for adventure...I'm ready and willing to take on that risk anytime, anywhere."