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.

feeling like something lightly scratched at my heart, swallowing the

to

was the first time I’d seen Hogan lose his cool like

like a man possessed, pinning me against the

unexpectedly saw a surge of

breathing was all over the

A total mess.

my chest, the more intense

got.

11:39

Checta

anymore and bit down on his lip without any

“Hisss.”

took a sharp breath,

my breathing still erratic, “Clear–headed

moment, and after a few seconds, he

collapsed like a deflated balloon, slumping

I went to work as usual, only to bump into

a cute

seemed in a

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

her eyes was

been cornered at

thought of Hogan’s disheveled state last night, a flicker of

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

he had just woken

Hogan’s voice.

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