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,

about to say.

first time I’d seen

next second, he was all over me like

lips met, I unexpectedly saw a surge of desire in his

all over the place.

A total mess.

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

got.

11:39

Checta

down on his

“Hisss.”

sharp breath, and looked

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

few seconds, he licked the blood

like

went to work as usual, only to bump into

sporting a cute bun, engrossed in

seemed in a

she saw me, she cheerfully greeted, “Hey Xaviera, good

joy in her eyes was obvious.

had been cornered at the Zade family

thought of Hogan’s disheveled state last night,

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

he had

Hogan’s voice.

the speaker, and after