Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 153

Hudson stared at her face. His thumb gently brushed the corner of her eye, wiping away the last trace of a tear.

Her eyelashes fluttered. She seemed to be having a dream, her brow furrowing slightly before smoothing back out.

The corners of Hudson's lips curled into a faint smile as he swept her up into his arms.

Nora let out a soft murmur, nuzzling her face into his chest to find a comfortable spot before falling back into a deep sleep.

Hudson laid her on the bed, pulled the covers over her, and walked toward the bathroom.

Standing under the showerhead, he planted both hands flat against the tiles, resting his forehead against the cold wall. The water cascaded over his skin, but there was no steam.

Droplets of cold water traced the line of his spine, flowing over his tight abdomen and disappearing into the deep V of his hips.

His breathing was still uneven.

His mind was entirely consumed by the image of her tilting her head up to kiss him. That look of complete reliance and trust was far more intoxicating than any raw physical desire.

And far more effective at destroying a man's self-control.

Hudson squeezed his eyes shut, his Adam's apple bobbing.

The freezing water pounded against his face, dripping off his sharp jawline. It was impossible to tell what was water and what was sweat.

He stayed in the shower for a long time.

Only when that scorching urge was completely suppressed did he turn off the water. He grabbed a towel, dried off roughly, pulled on a pair of sweatpants, and stepped out.

Nora was sleeping soundly. Hudson looked away and stepped out onto the balcony.

The night breeze carried a sharp chill, blowing away the last traces of moisture on his skin.

He pulled a cigarette from its pack, placed it between his lips, and spun a metal lighter through his fingers before snapping it alight.

He took a deep drag. The harsh bite of nicotine hit his lungs, laced with a minty coolness that finally managed to dial down the lingering heat in his blood.

Smoke drifted upward, dispersing into the night breeze, softening the sharp lines of his profile.

He leaned against the balcony railing, one long leg slightly bent, ankles crossed in a careless, relaxed stance.

"Boss, I found out."

Arthur's voice came through the receiver, carrying a heavy tone. "She went back to the Reed house this afternoon and met with Silas."

Hudson's gaze turned icy. He reached up and crushed the cigarette, his voice dropping into a sinister growl. "Tomorrow, deliver the gift I prepared to him."

"Understood, Boss."

"Know your limits. Leave him with a breath of life for me. If you just kill him outright, he gets off too easy." The corners of Hudson's mouth curled up, but the smile never reached his eyes. A terrifying, predatory darkness surged in those ink-black pupils.

"Yes, sir."

After hanging up, Hudson took a deep breath. Just as he was about to light a third cigarette, his peripheral vision caught sight of Nora inside the room.

In the bedroom, Nora was still fast asleep.

She had kicked off most of the blankets, leaving one leg exposed. Her nightgown was bunched up near her thighs, and the moonlight illuminated her luminous skin, giving it a soft, radiant glow.

Hudson tossed the cigarette pack aside. He walked over to the bed, bent down to pull the covers back over her, and then walked around to his side, pulling back the sheets to climb in.