Madly Yours (Nora Reed) novel Chapter 29

Chapter 29 

“Good morning.” 

“…Morning,” Nora replied, pulling out a chair and sitting down, keeping her eyes firmly fixed on her plate. 

The breakfast spread was lavish. A steaming plate of eggs benedict, a bowl of fresh oatmeal, and a basket of warm, freshly baked pastries covered the table. 

Nora took a sip of her coffee, though she couldn’t stop her peripheral vision from darting toward the man across from her. 

Hudson’s lounge shirt was unbuttoned at the top, exposing a sharp, pale collarbone. But the dark shadows beneath his eyes were impossible to ignore, standing out starkly against his impossibly handsome face. 

Guilt gnawed at her, and she wondered if she should suggest sleeping in separate rooms tonight so he wouldn’t push his fragile health so hard. 

While Nora was lost in her spiraling thoughts, Hudson’s gaze swept over her. 

She looked pristine in her white shirt dress, her dark hair tied back in a sleek low ponytail, highlighting the elegant, pale curve of her neck. 

It was a simple, understated outfit, yet her natural beauty was so radiant it completely overpowered the modesty of her clothes. She was entirely captivating. 

“Plans for today?” he asked, lifting his coffee cup, though his eyes never left her. 

Nora pressed her lips together. “I have an interview…” 

“An interview?” Hudson arched an eyebrow, pausing with his cup halfway to his mouth. “Which company?” 

“Star Entertainment.” 

As soon as she said it, anxiety spiked in her chest. 

Jade had studied arts management in London, a major that had absolutely nothing to do with the entertainment industry. 

If she went to apply at a record label, wouldn’t her cover be completely blown? 

“I see.” 

But Hudson simply nodded. He casually checked his watch. “What time is your interview?” 

“Nine thirty.” 

Hudson set his coffee down. “I’ll have Arthur drive you.” 

“No, please, you don’t need to-” Nora quickly waved her hands. “I can just grab a cab.” 

“You just got back to San Francisco; you don’t know the roads,” Hudson’s tone was calm, but entirely absolute. “Arthur will take you. It’ll save you from getting lost.” 

Nora wanted to argue, but Hudson was already standing up. 

Luckily for him, his mind was razor-sharp, and his empire was flourishing. 

Hudson didn’t bother responding. He walked straight toward the leather couches, his long legs stretching the fabric of his trousers into sharp, powerful lines. 

“Where’s Grant?” Hudson asked, his voice a low, commanding rumble. 

“Right here!” 

A man with a buzz cut stepped out from behind the pool table, closing the distance in a few strides and dropping onto the sofa next to Hudson. He shot him a wicked grin. 

“I say, Hudson, what’s with the dark circles under your eyes?” Grant asked, biting down on an unlit cigarette. 

His smile turned thoroughly inappropriate. “Don’t tell me you overworked yourself in the bedroom last night?” 

Grant Hamilton. Military royalty. His grandfather was a four-star general who could make the entire  

defense department shake with a single cough. 

Grant had a face that belonged on a billboard, with devastatingly charming eyes. The top three buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a string of tiny Latin tattoos across his collarbone. He oozed a reckless, playboy arrogance. 

His joke drew a chorus of low laughter from the room. 

“Oh, please,” Sebastian scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “Our man has clearly been kept up all night by a beautiful woman. A king never attends morning court when he’s busy.”