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?

his gaze, ticked off, but silent.

a tight squeeze around my waist, and Hogan pulled me

of fabric, I could feel his solid

squirmed, but my feet were like jelly, couldn’t find

eyes locked with mine, and grilled me like he was

heavy with the scent of booze, washed over my face.

flare up,

“Answer me.”

1221

Chapter 45

I said through gritted teeth, anger rising.

cutting

but he pinned my hands above my head.

an imposing blur, impossible to fend

dream, Hogan nibbled on my tattoo, calling out ‘Xaviera‘ over and

no

jarring ring of my phone yanked

eyes to unfamiliar surroundings and snapped right awake.

I did, I plunged

bite marks were

blurted, “Xaviera, great news, Hogan’s decided to

hundred thousand?

mind was boggled.

steamy scenes from my dream, I couldn’t crack a smile.

the bathroom, through the steamy mist, I clearly saw the bruise

barely revealed an English

*iillayloveyou, Hogan.”

like a sudden slash

Hogan, this your way of making amends?

and I both were

Frank wasn’t too keen, at least there was

marketing budget issue that Wallis

for a team–building event, ready