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.

at all. Now that food was in sight, her stomach eagerly joined the conversation.

with laughter. Yulia, face flushed, clutched the towel and tried to slide off his lap, but Nathan’s arm wrapped around her waist and he

“Stay put.”

“I’m hungry too. I

forked up a bite and

reluctantly accepted and eventually chewed

a bite himself. After she

lots of

meal, Nathan alternated 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 a couple more spoonfuls before giving

some food in her, Yulia’s fatigue

nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided, but her internal clock, plus the recent exertion, had taken their toll. Once back in bed,

had been distracted all day. At the company, his brother was hardly managing things, and his inbox was

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

—

for just a moment before relaxing, smiling softly as she lay

man with such a devilish charm, it was as though he was crafted solely

world, not just her. His beauty begged for exploration, but here he was, hers and hers alone. At

wider grin. He pretended to be

Pfft.

Yulia’s head unexpectedly, and she couldn’t

as soon as she pressed against his chest. Now, hearing her inexplicable laugh, he couldn’t

at her, he saw that indeed, her

early, huh? Dreaming up some

“R-rated?

the day you were born, and you expect

his comment, “Well, as for next year’s plans, it’s not like we can’t

“How about we kick off a

replied, “Sure, why don’t you start by outlining

restless, “I think right now, this area seems particularly in need of some charity and

tensed up instantly, grabbing his wandering hand

if Nathan would listen

…

both knew they had to

freshening up and dressing, they went downstairs where Carly was already having breakfast with Anya. Yulia felt a twinge of guilt seeing Anya again

out happily as she

beside her and gently

at her, “Yulipop, did Nathan

Yulia paused, “Massage?”

weren’t feeling well,

who was sporting an awkward smile. Realizing the implication behind Anya’s words, Yulia wished she could just disappear into thin air. Turning to Nathan, she found him grinning in a most infuriating

Are you

just feeling a bit warm all of

Anya nodded, “I see.”

to my brother’s place for dinner tonight?

not eat much, but now with a pregnant wife, the

agreed, “Sure,” as

Nathan called out to her, slipping on his

“What’s up?”

grabbed her hand, “I’m taking you to

hesitated, “I