Echoes of Unrequited Love

Chapter 136

Separated by a door, | could hear the whooshing of the wind outside. Thinking back, when | entered this cubicle. | caught a glimpse of what seemed like a vent not too far away.

It | was not mistaken, that must be where the wind was barging in from. The mountain was already a few degrees chillier than ground level; it didn’t take long for me to start shivering like crazy.

And on me? Just a swimsuit that was barely there, and my shirt I'd taken off and tossed aside. Those skimpy clothes didn’t stand a chance against the sudden drop in temperature.

Knowing that waiting it out wasn’t going to work, | banged on the door, calling for help. But even as my voice was about to give out, there wasn’t a soul in sight — just the howling wind for

company. It figured, right? The whole hotel belonged to Shirley. If she had it in for me, why would she let me off the hook that easy?

Gotta admit, | let my guard down. Still, | figured Shirley just wanted to teach me a lesson, not actually off me. Maybe help was on its way. If not, surely Hogan and Zachary would notice my absence at some point, right?

Shirley was playing the magnanimous host: she wouldn’t want to make a scene at her own hotel. With that in mind, | wasn’t so panic as before, but ever since that incident, my health had been on the fritz. especially when it came to enduring the harsh winter.

Yep, in no time, my hands and feet were stiff, and | was so cold | could barely feel a thing. | was thinking, if there were a mirror in front of me, | was sure I'd see myself pale as a ghost, lips turning blue, body stiff as a rock.

| was about to give out, leaning against the wall, looking for something to hold on to. And then. in my fading consciousness, Hogan popped into my head.

Thanks to him, this trip to Pinecrest Hollow — supposed to be about fighting for my rights — turned into me nearly losing my life.

But for all | knew, he could be cozying up in a hot spring, flirting with Shirley. The thought made resentment bubble up inside me. | really wanted to cuss someone out.

Just then, a warmth pressed against my chest. | barely managed to pry my eyelids open, and next thing | knew. | was wrapped up in a broad embrace.

Like a dying fish finding water, | clung greedily to the warmth and familiarity of the embrace. For some reason, it made me think of Hogan. Unlike his usually cold demeanor, his arms provided an unexpected sense of security.

It made me believe, each time when we hugged each other, that we could be together forever. But that was not reality, was it? docomo Chapter 136

| suddenly felt wronged, thinking back to tender moments only in this confused state. But oddly. this embrace was firmer and more passionate than I'd imagined.

So when | reached out and accidentally touched something off, | heard a choked sound next to my ear, felt the man’s muscles tense up, followed by the sound of him swallowing.

No, this wasn’t a dream. | weakly opened my eyes, looked up, and my heart skipped a beat.

Hogan. What on earth was he doing here? And we were so close, his breath palpable, his eyes burning with a desire | could see clear as day..Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.

After a brief gaze, | shifted slightly but then he pulled me in even tighter.

“What kind of brainless move is it to get yourself locked up while changing?”

| pressed my lips, the hurt in my chest growing, and said with irritation. “I’ve got Mr. Zade to thank for that.”

My tone was sour, and because I’d just been freezing, my voice trembled, unintentionally adding a touch of vulnerability. He sighed softly by my ear and said, “The bolt was slid shut from the outside. It’s not your fault.”

Of course, | knew it wasn’t on me. After all, the culprit was right there in front of me.

“I'll take you to the hospital” Hogan added, sounding pretty anxious.

| thought I’d misheard him, but when | looked up, he was staring right back, calm and steady. Our eyes locked; suddenly, my heart lurched, and | was pinned against the door by the man.

| noticed Hogan’s gaze fixated on the neckline of my swimsuit. His kisses were relentless, on my ears, my neck, his hot breath unlike anything before — so warm, like a huge furnace, blazing and then extinguished.