Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 420

"She's awake. Finnian is inside with her."

Seeing that the couple was engrossed in their own world, Jude flashed them an easy smile. "I'll leave you two to it. I have some matters to attend to anyway, so I'll be heading out."

Nora nodded quickly. "Take care, Jude."

Jude offered a polite nod, turned, and walked down the opposite end of the hallway, his spine perfectly straight.

The moment he rounded the corner, he stopped, leaning heavily against the cold wall.

One of the fluorescent lights in the corridor was failing, flickering erratically and casting fractured shadows across his face.

He closed his eyes and let out a long, ragged exhale.

*Jude Winslow, what is wrong with you?*

He opened his eyes, staring up at the flickering bulb, a self-deprecating smirk touching his lips.

It had only been a brief conversation. He had only looked at her a few times. Why was his heart racing like this?

He took a deep breath, forcefully crushing those inappropriate thoughts before they could take root.

...

"Let's go. Time to go home." Hudson kept a firm grip on Nora's waist, steering her toward the elevators.

"Wait, I haven't even said goodbye to Sienna yet..."

"They're having a moment in there. Why do you want to play third wheel?"

"..."

Nora figured he had a point, so she didn't argue. She quickly texted Sienna and obediently followed him toward the elevator.

After sending the text, she absentmindedly glanced up at Hudson. His jaw was locked tight, his lips pressed into a thin line. He wasn't overtly showing emotion, but she could plainly tell he wasn't exactly thrilled.

"What's wrong? You look upset."

"Do I?"

Nora tugged at his sleeve. "You do."

Hudson lowered his gaze, meeting those bright almond eyes looking up at him. His tone was perfectly flat. "Are you close with Jude?"

"???"

Nora blinked, completely caught off guard by the question.

"Damn right. You're my wife."

Nora couldn't stay mad at him when he acted like this. Her ears flushed pink as she shot him a playful glare.

Hudson laughed softly. As he guided her forward, he cast one final, deliberate glance back toward the corner of the hallway.

A flash of dark fabric vanished from sight.

Hudson narrowed his eyes, a lethal, nearly imperceptible smirk playing on his lips before he looked away.

*Jude Winslow...*

*Getting bold, are we?*

*Daring to covet Hudson Lancaster's woman.*

Had he been acting too friendly lately?

That bastard had better keep up his little act.

If he dared entertain any more inappropriate thoughts, he shouldn't blame him for forgetting their years of brotherhood.