Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 107

"Mrs. Lancaster..."

The man's voice was low and gravelly, laced with a lazy, teasing drawl. "Making an offer like that in broad daylight. Is that really appropriate?"

Nora blinked in confusion.

Huh?

What was wrong with what she said?

"For you, I'm available anytime, anywhere."

"..."

The tips of Nora's ears burned red.

Why was he like this?

He clearly had stamina issues, yet he loved acting like a predator...

"I... I made an appointment with a doctor..."

She rushed to explain, desperate to cut off his flirting. "Tonight at six, at that private restaurant you took me to last time. Can you make it?"

"Whatever you say, Mrs. Lancaster."

"...Then it's a date."

...

The restaurant was hidden in a secluded alley in the Marina District. It looked unassuming from the outside, but stepping past the carved wooden screen revealed a stunning courtyard.

A stone path led past a cluster of bamboo and a serene koi pond, while the faint, calming scent of sandalwood drifted through the air.

A server guided them down a corridor to a private dining room at the very back.

The room was intimate, furnished with a mahogany table, antique chairs, and an ink wash painting on the wall. A single orchid rested in the corner, giving the space an elegant, scholarly vibe.

"Are you free this Saturday?" Hudson asked the moment they sat down.

Nora looked up from the menu. "Saturday? I think so. Why?"

"Grant mentioned Gavin is flying back on Saturday. He wants us to get together and celebrate."

Nora froze, realization dawning on her. "Gavin? The guy whose number you gave me?"

Hudson's lips curved into a slight smirk, amusement dancing in his dark eyes. "Yes. Him."

"Liam, do you guys know each other?" Nora looked at him in surprise.

Before Liam could formulate a sentence, Hudson cast a glacial, warning glance his way. "You know me?"

"..."

Liam internally screamed.

He had been working for Hudson since he was a teenager. Aside from Arthur, no one had been around longer.

Know him?

He knew him better than he wanted to.

But Liam wasn't stupid. If Mr. Lancaster was playing dumb, he had to play along.

Gulping hard, he let out an awkward, high-pitched laugh and shook his head frantically. "No, no, not personally! Just from the papers! I mean, who in San Francisco doesn't know Mr. Lancaster?"

He even threw in some exaggerated hand gestures. "The Forbes cover! The really handsome one! Burned into my memory."

Nora gave him a highly suspicious look before turning back to Hudson.