The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

The silence in the room was palpable, punctuated only by the soft dance of dust motes in the slanting sunlight that filtered through the curtains.

After what felt like an eternity, Seth’s chuckle broke the stillness, low and unexpected.

Cicely’s frown creased her smooth forehead.

Sitting up, Seth wrapped an arm around her, his lean, dark eyes heavy upon her. His lips curved in a gentle smile and his fingers caressed her cheek with such tenderness, his voice was disarmingly soft. “You said you still love me.”

Cicely’s lips, pink and full, pressed tightly together, and she remained silent.

Seth smiled, his long fingers hooking her jaw. Cicely’s delicate face and those scarlet lips always had an allure that one couldn’t help but kiss.d2

He didn’t resist; he leaned in and kissed her lightly.

Cicely’s gaze dropped, her eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably.

“You’re right. There’s a debt between us, lives taken that makes being together without remorse impossible. But I want to be with you.”

Cicely closed her eyes. They circled back to where they started.

Seth’s hand, previously caressing her cheek, retracted, and he looked at her with a faint smile. “What if I said I was willing to pay it back?”

Cicely blinked, confused. “Pay back what?”

“Life.”

The single word sent Cicely’s mind reeling.

What life? How could it be repaid? “What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice trembling despite herself.

“Our barrier is two lives. If I could repay them, would you agree to be with me?”

Cicely stood frozen, her complexion paling.

Seth watched her, a smile playing on his lips as he couldn’t help but touch her cheek again. “Speak up, Cicely. Is that it? If I could repay those lives, would you agree to be with me?”

She shook her head, taking a long moment before swatting his hand away. “Are you threatening me? Are you so sure I would never agree to such absurdity that you dare to propose it? Fine, yes. If you could pay it back, I would agree to be with you. So, what now? How will you pay? What will you pay with?”

Cicely was furious. He exploited her feelings for him time and again, certain of any outcome. Did he think as long as she loved him, he could always make her compromise?

Seth’s lips twitched, with a light smile in his dark eyes. “No backing out.” With that, he kissed her again, this time with a relaxed ease that pressed her back into the mattress in a barrage of kisses.

Cicely furrowed her brow. So, what now? His words were just talk.

After showering her in kisses until she was flushed, Seth finally released her, satisfied, and swung his legs off the bed to head into the bathroom.

When he returned, Cicely had already changed into her home clothes. He reached for her hand. “Let’s go have breakfast.”

Cicely glanced at him. “This is my house.”

smiled and

had just stepped out of the bedroom when

kid would starve if

down, they saw Lana cradling Hugo, who clutched a bottle

dark eyes lit up. “Mommy,

Cicely was speechless.

downstairs. He walked over to Lana and reached out to touch Hugo’s head.

shook his head. “Nope, I already ate a hot dog and some eggs. I’ll

let grand-aunt take you out to

trying to get

want him to witness our private

Lana’s face darkened.

away from Seth.

and drew her back into his

earlier suggested

atmosphere lightened considerably, even as Cicely ate

and a sandwich, fresh and neatly

at the man opposite her, who had finished eating and was now

“Full?”

you have something

gaze softened, and without a word, he stood up, collected the dishes, and headed

squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, then followed him into the kitchen. Watching Seth’s bent form as he washed the dishes, she pressed her

us to be together than I am.” He placed the last

“I don’t want to keep lingering in

“Hmm.”

back against the counter, and looked down at her. “I might owe you an

patience left. “If you have nothing else to

Seth paused. “I do.”

paring knife from the knife block on the counter. Cicely’s face

the bedroom echoed in her mind, the initial confusion turning into

you dare

you’re afraid,

as a ghost, shook her head, her voice

not very brave.” Seth smiled faintly. “But I don’t want to drag this out any longer. Sorry to scare you, but this is something I must do. It seems to be the

the knife handle with a smirk, and, as casually as pinning a boutonniere to his chest, he plunged the knife into

as the blade, inch by inch, disappeared into his chest. She stood there, stunned, as if her breath

their hue, as he leaned heavily against the kitchen counter. With his remaining strength,

are not

Ray. I couldn’t shake off Danielle, and I decided to turn you in to the authorities. I was the one who put you behind bars. I dragged you to court, and I fell for you despite my mother’s warnings. I failed to handle everything properly.

blinked, her breathing returning,

wanted to be with you. If I die,

buckling as he knelt on the floor, his hand braced against his knee, his breathing

but with a quiver. “You promised me.

running to the living room to make a

the sound of sirens filled the air outside. The

“Kitchen… he’s in the