Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 137

Meanwhile, back at Cloudwater Estate.

Nora was leaning against the shoe cabinet in the foyer, swapping her shoes. She had just started speaking when she realized Hudson was on the phone, and she quickly clamped her mouth shut.

A moment later, Hudson hung up the call with an impassive expression.

Nora gave a sheepish smile. "Did I interrupt you?"

"No, it was a spam call."

Nora didn't think much of it and bent down to pick up a hair tie she'd dropped on the floor.

Hudson walked over and naturally wrapped an arm around her waist, placing his palm flat against her stomach and rubbing gently.

"Are you still feeling uncomfortable?"

His palm was hot. Through the thin knit of her sweater, the heat gradually seeped in, soothing the slight cramps in her lower abdomen.

Nora tensed for a second.

It wasn't physical discomfort.

It was the feeling of being cherished, of someone placing her at the center of their world. It was a sensation so profoundly alien to her that she didn't know how to react.

"...No, I'm fine."

Hudson didn't reply, nor did he pull his hand away.

He kept his arm around her, pressing his hand against her stomach and rubbing slow, soothing circles with his thumb.

A slow flush crept up Nora's cheeks.

Hudson stared at her reddening ears, a faint smile touching his lips. "It's getting late. Let's go to bed."

"I'll... take a shower first."

Before Nora could take more than a few steps, Hudson hooked an arm around her slender waist and hauled her right back.

Her back collided against a wall of firm, warm muscle. His hot breath brushed against her neck, sending a cascade of shivers down her spine.

"You smell good enough already."

Nora's face instantly caught fire.

She hurriedly spun around, pressing her palms against his chest. Feeling the solid muscle beneath his dress shirt was like touching an open flame, making her want to recoil.

"Stop messing around..."

Nora took a deep breath, shaking all the chaotic thoughts from her head before finally speaking. "I want to discuss something with you."

"Mhm."

"I don't just want to manage schedules and negotiate endorsements anymore. I want to move into music production..."

Hudson raised an eyebrow, the curve of his lips slowly deepening.

"And so?"

"So..." Nora pressed her lips together. "If the Music Director position is open, I want to try for it."

She spoke tentatively, as if terrified he would think she was overstepping her boundaries.

Watching her cautious little expression, Hudson suddenly smiled.

He reached out and gently pinched her cheek. The skin beneath his fingertips was soft and flawless, like premium silk.

"Do you really need to beat around the bush for something like this?"

Nora blinked in surprise.

His thumb gently stroked her cheek. "From now on, whatever you want, just tell me. Even if you want the moon..."