Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 45

It was not exactly smart to tick Frank off before the new investment dough landed.

I chirped up. “Too late for this, can we talk tomorrow morning?”

Hogan snorted coldly, already halfway through the door.

I blocked the entrance, not letting him in.

Just then, Wallis‘ voice hit my ears outta nowhere, “Which room’s Xaviera’s?”

Panic hit me like a truck, my hand strength went MIA, giving Hogan the perfect opening.

He managed to worm his way in anyways.

Feeling kinda deflated, I looked up at the guy in front of me and asked, “Mr. Zade, you think this is cool?”

Hogan didn’t utter a word, just furrowed his brow and yanked at his tie in irritation.

That was rare.

Outside, Wallis‘ voice was closing in, “Xaviera, you hit the sack yet?”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, forced some pep into my step, and threw Hogan a look to hide behind the door.

Just as my fingers touched the doorknob, his hand swooped in, right on top of mine.

His sleeves rolled up, revealing some solid forearms, his palm burning up like nobody’s

business.

“Xaviera,” his deep voice pressed against my ear, “aren’t we close?”

Bonkers.

Hogan was really not scared of stirring the pot, huh?

gaze, ticked off,

quiet, I felt a tight squeeze around my waist,

could feel his solid

like jelly, couldn’t find

eyes locked with mine, and grilled

heavy with the scent of booze,

turned away, feeling my face flare up, as Hogan

“Answer me.”

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Chapter 45

gritted teeth, anger rising.

crashed onto mine, cutting

him, but he pinned my hands

kiss was fierce, his face an imposing

my tattoo, calling out ‘Xaviera‘ over and over, just like the old

no good,

of my phone yanked me out of

to unfamiliar

did, I plunged into a whirlpool of cluelessness.

marks were pretty obvious.

excitedly blurted, “Xaviera, great news, Hogan’s

hundred thousand?

was boggled.

scenes from my dream, I couldn’t crack

I clearly saw the bruise

faded words barely revealed an English

*iillayloveyou, Hogan.”

like a sudden slash of time’s claws, mocking

this your way

and I both were late.

though Frank wasn’t too keen, at least there was fresh

budget issue that Wallis had been fretting

with plans for a team–building event, ready to share the good news