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.

lightly scratched

to

I’d seen Hogan lose his cool

he was all over me like a man possessed, pinning me against the

unexpectedly saw a surge of desire in his eyes.

all

A total mess.

in my chest,

got.

11:39

Checta

anymore and bit down on his lip without any courtesy.

“Hisss.”

sharp breath, and looked

watched him calmly, my breathing still erratic, “Clear–headed

be tangled in the moment, and after a few seconds, he licked the blood

the door, I collapsed like a deflated balloon, slumping

went to work as usual, only to bump into Cecilia at

was sporting a cute bun,

in a good

cheerfully greeted,

her eyes

look of someone who had been cornered

I thought of Hogan’s disheveled state last night,

from Cecilia’s phone, “You had a tough night

husky, as if he had just woken

Hogan’s voice.

turned on the speaker, and after locking the screen, she sneaked a peek at me.