Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 234

In the dim, flickering light of the hallway, his grin looked utterly predatory.

*Nora. Daddy's coming for you.*

Back at the Northampton Royal Preserve, the sprawling hillside estate boasted a world-renowned infinity pool. Enclosed by floor-to-ceiling glass on three sides, it offered a breathtaking, unobstructed view of the rolling mountain peaks and the lush, sprawling wilderness of the hunting grounds below.

Right now, inside the massive, winding pool, a powerful figure cut through the water with lightning speed. The surface churned violently as his broad, heavily-muscled shoulders propelled him forward in swift, aggressive strokes, carrying him to the center of the pool in seconds.

"What are you doing up there? Come in." Hudson spotted Nora lingering at the edge of the pool, a towel wrapped tightly around her. A teasing smirk touched his lips. "Don't tell me you don't know how to swim?"

A soft blush crept across Nora's face as she gave a hesitant nod. Growing up in the rougher parts of Northampton with the parents she had, she had never exactly had the luxury of learning such a recreational skill.

Amidst the rippling light of the water, Hudson hauled himself up the stairs of the pool. He snatched a towel from the railing and draped it casually over his neck. His dark hair was slicked back, and his towering, powerfully built physique was on full display. His muscles were lean, carved with the lethal perfection of a Greek god.

Water cascaded down his sculpted chest as he gave himself a rough wipe before closing the distance between them. "Want to learn? It's easy. I'll teach you."

Nora, still clutching her towel like a shield, dipped a toe into the water. Her eyes widened in surprise. "Why is it warm?"

Hudson's lips curled upward. "It's climate-controlled."

She crouched down, trailing her fingers through the water. The heat enveloped her skin, feeling as soft and luxurious as liquid silk.

Hudson leaned back against the edge of the pool, resting his arms on the marble rim. Droplets traced a path down his sharp collarbone, sliding straight down the deep valley of his chest before disappearing beneath the surface. "Why don't you get in and try it?"

Nora instinctively reached down to touch the side of her waist. "I don't even know. I've had it as long as I can remember. I must have scraped myself on something when I was little."

Hudson's thumb absentmindedly stroked the textured skin.

"That tickles..." A deep flush raced up Nora's neck, and she squirmed, trying to pull away.

She couldn't understand what was wrong with her. She wasn't usually this sensitive, but the second Hudson touched her, it felt like a jolt of raw electricity was racing straight through her veins, leaving a trail of pure, intoxicating heat in its wake.

Hudson's Adam's apple bobbed again. His arm tightened around her waist, yanking her flush against his hard chest as his voice dropped into a dark, seductive gravel. "Where does it tickle? Want your husband to help scratch the itch?"