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.

aback, feeling like something lightly scratched at my

to

seen Hogan lose his

he was all over me like a

a surge of

breathing was all over the

A total mess.

in my chest, the more intense

got.

11:39

Checta

and bit down on his

“Hisss.”

sharp breath, and looked at me in astonishment.

watched him calmly, my breathing

after a few seconds,

like

Monday morning, I went to work as usual, only to bump

girl was sporting a cute bun, engrossed in messaging.

seemed in a

she cheerfully greeted, “Hey Xaviera, good morning.”

her eyes was obvious.

someone who had been cornered at the Zade family dinner.

disheveled state last night,

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

and husky, as if he had just woken up.

Hogan’s voice.

turned on the speaker, and after locking the