The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

No freaking way!

Nathan blinked. Pinching Anya’s chubby cheeks, he teased, “Come on, my little munchkin, flash me another smile.”

But Anya was having none of it at this point.

The little girl was at that age where she needed constant praise, and after Nathan had offhandedly called her ugly, she was a mix of hurt, angry, and pouty. Smiling was the last thing on her mind.

With her lips pursed and brows furrowed, she twisted her little shoulders away, wanting nothing to do with Nathan.

“Hey, look at that temper,” Nathan chuckled, genuinely puzzled about who she might have gotten that from.d1

Yulia? He rarely, if ever, saw Yulia throw a tantrum. Thinking about it, Yulia seemed mostly well-behaved. But ever since that Ronald started hogging the spotlight, he began to suspect that Yulia was not as innocent as she seemed.

Raising an eyebrow, Nathan scratched Anya’s chin playfully. “Are you going to smile or what?”

“Hmph, Nathan, you’re annoying.”

Nathan grinned, scooping Anya up in his arms. “If you won’t smile, then so be it. I don’t have much of a memory for my brother’s grins anyway. I’ll ask him about it tomorrow.”

Carrying Anya out, they were met by Carly in the living room, who quickly said, “Dinner’s all warmed up. Should I call Yulia to join us?”

Nathan hoisted a moody Anya onto his shoulder. “No need, I’ll bring something up to her in a bit.”

Anya, initially nervous high up on Nathan’s shoulder, clung to his head for dear life. Once she was sure he wouldn’t drop her, her fears dissolved into giggles, the previous insult forgotten.

Carly watched Anya’s happiness spread and couldn’t help but smile with relief.

“I’ll go get ready then. Anya should be going to bed soon. You guys eat, and I’ll take care of her.”

Nathan nodded, and Anya, now addicted to the fun of riding on his neck, wriggled and laughed even more.

“You aiming for the stars or what?” He gripped her tightly, playfully swaying her back and forth, which made her cling to him, laughing and screaming.

After a few minutes, Nathan’s feeling of unease grew. “All right, that’s enough. Time to get ready for bed.”

He set Anya down on the couch as Carly came out with a tray of food. Taking the tray from Carly, Nathan glanced at Anya, who was now curled up in a ball on the couch. “Make sure you sleep tight, you hear?”

Anya pouted and huffed but said nothing.

Upstairs, Yulia was sprawled out in bed, too tired to move a muscle.

Nathan, with his appetite and build, was not a man to be trifled with. Too many times Yulia felt like he’d nearly done her in. The art of gentleness was something she wished she could teach him.

The bedroom door opened with a familiar kick from an impatient foot. Yulia’s eyelids fluttered but she didn’t open her eyes.

There was movement in the room, but she didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t ignore it when Nathan’s familiar scent enveloped her, and his kisses trapped her, his broad, warm palm sneaking under the covers, causing mischief on her skin.

She had to pay attention now.

She pushed his hand away and propped herself against his shoulder, catching her breath as she opened her eyes to look at him. “I’m tired.”

Nathan nibbled on her lip and chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter yourself. Even if you wanted me now, you couldn’t have me.”

With that, he flipped the covers back, wrapped her in a towel, and carried her to the sofa by the window, where he sat down with her on his lap.

table, she remembered she hadn’t eaten at all. Now that food was in sight, her stomach

face flushed, clutched the towel and tried to slide off his lap, but Nathan’s arm wrapped around her waist and he picked up a

“Stay put.”

protested, “I’m hungry too. I

up a bite and

and eventually chewed

himself. After she finished, he fed her

lots of food, knowing

between feeding himself and Yulia. Of course, he ate more, and Yulia ate less. Eventually, Yulia was full and refused more food, but Nathan stubbornly fed her

her,

in the bathroom, it was nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided, but her internal clock, plus the recent exertion, had taken

distracted all day. At the company, his brother was hardly managing

through the emails on his phone. With a rough idea in mind, he tossed the phone aside, content with the soft

—

internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened for just a moment before relaxing, smiling softly as she lay

though he was crafted solely to tempt women. In his quiet moments, he seemed almost

features in the air, admiring the canvas that should rightfully be shared with the world,

into a wider grin. He pretended to be a playboy, but turned out to be

Pfft.

head unexpectedly, and

Now, hearing her

he saw that indeed, her smile was particularly

this early, huh? Dreaming up

on her face. “R-rated? Why can’t your mind wander to

laugh, “You’re lying here in my arms, as naked as the day you were born, and you expect me to strike

comment, “Well, as for next year’s plans, it’s not like we can’t consider them. Besides, which corporation wouldn’t want to show their face at a charity

kick off a rural charity project

“Sure, why don’t you start by

think right now, this area seems particularly in need

tensed up instantly, grabbing his wandering hand and blushing,

would listen to her

…

knew they

went downstairs where Carly was already having breakfast with Anya. Yulia felt a twinge of guilt seeing

happily as

her and gently patted

at her, “Yulipop, did Nathan give you a nice massage last

Yulia paused, “Massage?”

and Nathan said you weren’t feeling well, and

wished she could just disappear into thin air.

You’re all red. Are you running

a bit warm all of

Anya nodded, “I see.”

suggested, “How about we head over to my brother’s place for dinner tonight? They’ve been eating like royalty ever since he got

much, but now with a pregnant wife, the

much of it and simply agreed, “Sure,” as she put

out to her, slipping on

“What’s up?”

hand, “I’m taking you to

“I can drive