Page 48 of One Hot Chase

Finally, we arrive at a small, unassuming pastry shop tucked away on a quiet side street. The aroma of sugar and cinnamon wafts out as Bree pushes open the door, a tiny bell tinkling above us.

"Szia!" she calls out cheerfully to the elderly woman behind the counter.

I raise an eyebrow, impressed by her command of Hungarian pleasantries.

"Two somlói galuska, kérem," Bree orders confidently.

While the woman behind the counter fills Bree's order, I whisper to her, "You're fluent in Hungarian?"

Her laugh becomes a splutter. "No, silly. I used an online translation thingy to learn how to say hello and how to pronounce the Hungarian phrases I needed to order the dumplings."

As we settle into a cozy corner table, my lips tick upward at Bree's effortless charm. She's managed to navigate three European capitals with the ease of a seasoned traveler, always one step ahead of me.

"So, tell me," I lean in, my voice low and teasing, "how long have you been planning this little escapade?"

Bree's eyes dance with mischief as she takes a delicate bite of her dessert. "A girl's got to have some secrets. Let's just say I've had a lot of time to daydream during those long, boring days of underwriting."

"You're full of surprises, aren't you?"

"You have no idea," she winks, licking a spot of chocolate from her lip in a way that makes my pulse quicken. "But I think you're figuring it out pretty quickly."

I lean in closer, my voice dropping to a low murmur. "Oh, I intend to do much more than that, love."

"Is that so? And here I thought you were just after my somlói galuska."

"Well, I must admit, it is delicious," I say, taking another bite of the rich chocolate sponge cake. "But I'm far more interested in tasting something else entirely."

Bree's eyebrows arch. "My, my, Sir Declan. Are you propositioning me in the middle of a quaint Hungarian pastry shop? How scandalous."

I lean in closer, my voice a low rumble. "Darling, I'd proposition you on the steps of Parliament if I thought it would get me anywhere."

She laughs, the sound musical and sweet like the tinkling of bells. "Well, aren't you the charmer? But I'm afraid you'll have to try a bit harder than that."

"Is that a challenge?" I ask, my eyes locked on hers.

"Maybe," she teases, taking another bite of her dessert. "But then again, maybe I just enjoy watching you squirm."

I tap her chin. "You're a cheeky chit, do you know that?"

"I've been called worse. Now, are you going to finish that?" She eyes my half-eaten somlói galuska hungrily.

"Greedy little thing, aren't you?" I tease, but I push the plate toward her anyway. As she digs in with gusto, I find myself captivated by the way her lips close around the spoon and the soft hum of pleasure she makes as she savors each bite.

I clear my throat. "So, what's next on this whirlwind tour of yours? Paris? Rome? Or perhaps somewhere a bit more... exotic?"

Bree licks the last bit of chocolate from her spoon, her eyes never leaving mine. "That depends on you. Wouldn't you like to explore Budapest a little more before I shake you off again?"

"That's an excellent idea. I predict we'll be shagging very soon and in a thoroughly inappropriate location."

Her cheeks dimple. "My, my, aren't we presumptuous? What makes you so sure I'll let you lasso me this time? Maybe I want to explore Budapest on my own."

"No, pet, that's not the point of this exercise." I reach under the table to caress her thigh, making her suck in a sharp breath. "Because, my sweet, the thrill is in the chase, but the real excitement comes when you finally allow yourself to be caught."

"Is that so? And what if I decide to keep running this time?"

"Then I'll keep chasing," I reply without hesitation. "Across every continent if I have to. You're worth the pursuit, Sabrina."

For a moment, I see a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes, a crack in her carefully constructed facade. But it's gone in an instant, replaced by her usual mischievous sparkle.