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 at my heart, swallowing the words

to say.

I’d seen Hogan

second, he was all over me like

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

breathing was all

A total mess.

there was a hole in my chest,

got.

11:39

Checta

it anymore and bit down on his lip

“Hisss.”

sharp breath,

my breathing still erratic,

in the moment, and after a few seconds, he licked

collapsed like a deflated balloon, slumping to the ground.

work as usual, only to

girl was sporting a cute bun, engrossed in messaging.

in a good

saw me, she cheerfully

her eyes was

of someone who had been cornered

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

then, a man’s voice came from Cecilia’s phone, “You had a tough

he

Hogan’s voice.

and after locking the screen,