Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 76

She couldn't resist taking two more sips before setting the bowl down. "Didn't we agree to avoid seeing each other privately at the office as much as possible?"

Hudson leaned back in his chair, his long legs crossed in a relaxed posture. "Eating alone is boring."

"Isn't Arthur here?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Arthur, who had been trying to blend into the doorway like a piece of furniture, instinctively looked over.

Hudson shot him a warning glare, his tone utterly flat. "He's vegan."

The suddenly vegan Arthur remained completely silent.

Nora threw Arthur a highly skeptical look.

So...

That mountain of solid muscle was built on a plant-based diet?

That seemed highly unlikely.

But before she could dwell on it, Hudson smoothly changed the subject, placing a piece of fish into her bowl. "Try this. Flown in fresh this morning."

Nora's attention was successfully hijacked, and she focused on the fish.

The meat was tender, practically melting in her mouth, and perfectly seasoned.

"It's delicious," she praised honestly.

The corner of Hudson's mouth curved up. He transferred a few more items onto her plate, just enough of each for her to sample the flavors.

Nora chewed happily, her cheeks puffed out slightly, entirely focused on her meal. Her long lashes cast soft shadows across her cheeks.

A drop of sauce caught on the corner of her mouth, and she darted her tongue out to lick it away.

Hudson's grip on his silverware tightened.

His Adam's apple bobbed.

He dragged his gaze away and picked up his water glass, taking a slow sip to cool the sudden rush of heat in his chest.

Blissfully unaware, Nora finished her meal in complete satisfaction.

The final course was a chilled mango sago dessert served in a frosted glass bowl—sweet mango, slightly tart grapefruit, and rich coconut milk.

By the time she was done, she leaned back in her chair, feeling incredibly full.

"Had enough?" Hudson asked.

He picked it up, spun it between his fingers, and then offered it to her, his voice a low drawl. "Light this for me. Consider it paying for your meal."

Nora looked at the lighter he was holding out and instinctively shrank back.

"I don't know how."

The silver lighter danced nimbly across his knuckles, the lid snapping open and shut with a sharp, metallic rhythm.

He watched the slight tension in her jaw and smiled.

"Come here. I'll teach you."

Before Nora could even process what 'come here' meant, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her effortlessly from her chair.

By the time she realized what was happening, she was already sitting on his lap.

Nora gasped silently.

Nora's entire body went rigid. She instinctively tried to scramble up, but his arm wrapped firmly around her waist, locking her in place.

"Don't move."

His lips brushed against the shell of her ear, his voice raspy, magnetic, and laced with lazy amusement. "I'm just teaching you how to use a lighter. What are you so nervous about?"