The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Cicely had donned a pleated skirt the color of morning mist and a simple white tee, her feet slipping into a pair of white peep-toe mules. The backs of her heels bore the unmistakable mark of two Band-Aids.

Next to the sofa, there was a small bookshelf with a few books. In the corner near the coffee table, there were also several books and notebooks. These were Cicely’s exercise books, textbooks, and extra reading materials.

She picked up a novel, opened it to the dog-eared page, and settled back on the sofa, her eyes scanning the words. But comfort eluded her, and soon she was sprawled across the couch, book propped on her chest.

Truth be told, Cicely had never been one for the written word. If not for the necessity of passing her classes, she would happily forget textbooks existed. The reason these were placed here was the only valid and lasting excuse for her to enter and exit this office unimpeded.

No matter how she twisted and turned, the book’s allure remained elusive. In the midst of her umpteenth attempt to find a comfortable position, Seth’s deep voice cut through the silence. “If changing positions made a book more interesting, I reckon every straight-A student would be diagnosed with ADHD.”

Caught mid-turn, Cicely’s eyes darted around before she found a position that felt just right. “It’s the couch. It’s uncomfortable,” she declared.d2

Seth said nothing more.

Cicely gazed at the ceiling for a few moments, waiting for the sound of typing to fill the room again. When it did, she frowned, set the book aside, and quietly sat up, peering over the back of the couch.

Seth was just diagonally in front of her, his keyboard still clattering away. To Cicely, there was something undeniably captivating about the man, even the way his hands moved was mesmerizing. She tilted her head, trying to get a better view, but when she caught Seth’s gaze, she realized he was already looking at her.

Her hair was a bit of a mess from lying on the couch, her hands gripping the back as her eyes peeked over, curious and full of an unmistakable fondness.

Seth’s eyes landed on her delicate, flushed face. “Your feet better?”

Cicely shook her head. “Not really.”

Seth just watched her, expression unreadable.

Resting her chin on her hands, Cicely gazed at Seth, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “But I wanted to see you. I’m not whining about it. It’ll be at least a week before I’m fully healed. You wouldn’t want me to go a whole week without seeing you, would you? That would be so cruel.”

Her voice wavered, betraying a feigned distress.

Seth’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before returning to his computer screen.

to

it down,” he added. She paused, her hand hovering over a textbook, then stealthily pulled a different book from the lower drawer of the coffee

nearly half an hour, the only sounds were the occasional page turn

was midway through an email when he suddenly rose and walked toward the window,

was completely engrossed in her reading, unaware of his presence. Her hair was still a touch unruly as she sat cross-legged, absorbed in

at the title, and his

hadn’t buttoned the top two buttons of his shirt, and from his angle, her full boobs were partially exposed. His gaze drifted

his expression instantly turning

chilling echo, causing her shoulders to

craning her neck to look up at the stern-faced Seth standing behind her. A rigid smile crept across her face, her cheeks burning a

finished with work?” she asked, her gaze flitting around nervously as she discreetly closed

seen you so engrossed in reading before,” he commented, moving to stand in front

she leaned back against the couch. “I’m just tired from studying, so I thought I’d take a break and read some other books to refresh my

“Other books?” he echoed.

read a variety of books. It helps with comprehension skills.” Her eyes darted

room was quiet, save for

Seth’s cool hand cupped her chin, his thumb caressing her soft skin. Cicely reluctantly met

lurked beneath his calm exterior was both intriguing

kind of reading has

close, and her mind swirled with the

“What?”

tingling in her scalp, “How… How

“How Steel Was

Cicely’s gaze darted away, avoiding his

tell me, how was

it tempered? Cicely was ready to bite her tongue off. Her head was filled

too complex for brief words.” She could feel a fine sweat breaking