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.

she remembered she hadn’t eaten at all. Now that food was in

Yulia, 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 bowl

“Stay put.”

hungry too.

bite and fed

accepted and

comply and took a bite himself. After she finished,

of

less. Eventually, Yulia was full and refused more food, but Nathan stubbornly fed her a couple more spoonfuls

her, Yulia’s fatigue eased

but her internal clock, plus the recent exertion, had taken their toll. Once back in bed, she

At the company, his brother was hardly managing things, and his

his phone. With a rough idea

—

next day, Yulia woke first, courtesy of her internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened for just a moment before relaxing, smiling softly

was crafted solely to tempt women. In his

canvas that should rightfully be shared with the world, not just her. His beauty begged for exploration, but here

wider grin. He pretended

Pfft.

popped into Yulia’s head unexpectedly, and she couldn’t suppress a

pressed against his chest. Now, hearing

at her, he saw that indeed,

early, huh? Dreaming up some R-rated scenarios

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

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

again, successfully entertained by his comment, “Well, as for next year’s plans, it’s not like we can’t consider them. Besides, which corporation

“How about we kick off

why don’t you start by outlining

now, this area seems particularly in

instantly, grabbing his wandering

Nathan would listen to

…

they both knew they had to work

went downstairs where Carly was already having breakfast with Anya. Yulia felt

happily as she saw

sat down beside her and gently patted

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

Yulia paused, “Massage?”

said you weren’t feeling well, and Nathan massaged you to make you feel

Yulia wished she

red. Are you running a

feeling a bit warm all of a

Anya nodded, “I see.”

“How about we head over to my brother’s place for dinner tonight? They’ve been

brother did not eat much, but now with a pregnant

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

called out to her, slipping

“What’s up?”

hand, “I’m taking you to

“I can drive