Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 16

I was fuming inside, and then it hit me that this might be a big misunderstanding.

Calling for his babe was the real deal.

As was leaving the door open.

But Hogan was definitely not looking for me.

Connecting the dots with Hilary’s mention of a family dinner, I figured Hogan must have had some beef with Cecilla tonight.

After all, other than Cecilia, no one else could get Mr. High–and–Mighty Hogan to come knocking for peace at this hour.

Certainly not me.

With that in mind, I collected myself and reminded him, “Mr. Zade, your babe’s upstairs.”

After saying that, I tried to shove him away.

But instead of letting go, Hogan pulled me in even tighter, “Babe, you’re still mad at me, aren’t you?”

His sweet–talking and clingy hug stoked the fire in my chest even more.

I gritted my back teeth and said earnestly, “Hogan, you’ve got the wrong person.”

But Hogan wouldn’t have it, “Too much, huh? Last night you were calling me ‘babe,‘ and now straight to first names?”

Clearly, the guy was plastered.

I took a deep breath and said, “Hogan, look up and see who I really am, will you?”

The man slowly lifted his head, our eyes met, and I caught a glimpse of red at the corner of his

eyes.

taken aback, feeling like something lightly scratched at my heart, swallowing

to say.

I’d seen Hogan

over me like a man possessed, pinning me

met, I unexpectedly saw a surge of desire in his eyes.

breathing was all over the place.

A total mess.

my chest, the more intense Hogan’s kisses, the colder

got.

11:39

Checta

bit down

“Hisss.”

took a sharp breath, and

calmly, my breathing still erratic,

still be tangled in the moment, and after a few seconds, he licked the blood off his lip and stormed out the

slamming of the door, I collapsed like a deflated balloon, slumping to the ground.

work as usual, only to bump into Cecilia at the elevator.

was sporting a cute bun, engrossed in

in a good mood.

cheerfully greeted, “Hey Xaviera, good

in her

been cornered at the Zade family

disheveled state last night, a flicker of doubt crossed my mind.

came from Cecilia’s phone, “You had a tough night too, don’t

husky, as if he had just woken

Hogan’s voice.

realize she had accidentally turned on the speaker, and after locking the screen, she