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.

taken aback, feeling like something lightly scratched at my heart,

about to

was the first time I’d seen Hogan lose his

like a man possessed, pinning me against

our lips met, I unexpectedly saw a surge of

breathing was all over the place.

A total mess.

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

got.

11:39

Checta

bit down on

“Hisss.”

sharp breath, and

watched him calmly, my breathing still erratic,

to still be tangled in the moment, and after a few seconds, he licked the blood off his lip and stormed out the door.

the slamming of the door, I collapsed like a deflated balloon, slumping

Monday morning, I went to work as usual, only

girl was sporting a cute bun, engrossed

a good mood.

cheerfully greeted, “Hey

joy in her

who had been

state last night, a flicker of doubt

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

he had just

Hogan’s voice.

didn’t realize she had accidentally turned on the speaker, and after locking the screen, she sneaked