The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

Ever since he had confessed his feelings, he’d become a hermit of sorts,

spending most of his days tinkering in the kitchen, crafting all manner of comfort

food—from hearty meatloaf to creamy mashed potatoes—eager to please her

every craving.

If he wasn’t fussing over some recipe, he’d be pacing by her side, bombarding

her with questions about everything and nothing at all. The only time he ever

seemed to detach himself was to huddle in his home office, sifting through a pile

of paperwork from the company.

Nights were another story. They were tangled in sheets, his hands wandering,

as if he were trying to memorize every inch of her. And boy, did he run hot. In

Enter title…

the chill of winter, she would often wake in a sweat, overheated from his

furnace-like body.

It didn’t take long for Rose to feel smothered. He was just too clingy.

In response, she threw herself into a slew of activities. Swimming lessons,

which Morrison insisted on teaching himself, were a success, and within days

she was cutting through water with the ease of a natural. He followed her, albeit

reluctantly, to prenatal classes. They went through the motions every expectant

parent did—changing clothes, swapping diapers, bathing—a whole new world

for Morrison.

Initially, he felt embarrassed, but once he realized he was just one of many guys

there, he relaxed. Sometimes, he’d even puff his chest out in pride when he

mastered a task quicker than the others, much to Rose’s bemusement. She

never thought she’d see this side of Morrison, but despite sometimes feeling

overwhelmed by his attentiveness, she couldn’t help but be touched.d2

He was changing, all for her.

—

As her belly grew, so did the discomfort and mood swings. Morrison often found

himself on the receiving end of her unpredictable temper, subjected to the silent

treatment or an icy glare that seemed to come out of nowhere.

This passive-aggressive mastery was her weapon of choice.

Megan would swing by every so often, laden with nutritious treats for Rose and

a good-natured scolding for Morrison. According to her, he could do no right,

and Morrison, well, he just sucked it up and carried on.

One particular day, he made the mistake of leaving the bedroom window wide

open, and boy, did he hear about it.

“Ventilation’s all good and well,” Megan lectured, “but you’re practically

unhinging the window. What if Rose walks in and catches a cold from this draft?

Do you have any idea how dangerous that is for a pregnant woman? Do you

think they’re as robust as you, tumbling around like a bear?”

Rose glanced silently at Morrison, pursing her lips. A bear, really?

Morrison didn’t argue with Megan. Instead, he glanced at Rose and excused

himself, “I’ve got a pot roast in the oven. Better check on it.”

His expression was unreadable, perhaps a sign he’d grown accustomed to the

scolding.

gaze towards him still carried a hint

now he had to lie

Molly kept Rose company for a while,

restroom. When she returned, she

tending to his culinary creation,

steaming pot. His cooking skills had surged in recent

he’d excel at it. As Rose wrapped her

was her. He held her

their eyes meeting in a tender

here?” he asked, his voice

leaned in for a kiss, which he deepened, taking

embrace, he released her, her cheeks flushed

He groped her waist and asked her the question

just… You’ve been catching so much flak because of

holding onto his shirt.

me?” Morrison raised an

it

a tally. Once you give birth, I’ll

to collect on

again; the shyness in his

possessed, caught

hand on

down to kiss her again, his voice husky. “I have to endure

months. This is unbearable…”

during pregnancy, he had been warned by the

not to overdo it. After an elaborate

the doctor basically

deeply regretted not having acted sooner, and not taking full advantage

their marriage. It would have been best if

and day, indulging

sent Rose’s heart pounding wildly. Her face turned an

red, her heart skipping a beat at

restless.”

me up?”

spine. “Maybe I should stay away from you more,

about these things

lip playfully, “I won’t allow it. Wherever

you, not even

laughed softly, her hands unconsciously smoothing over

weren’t this

were out of reach. Out of sight,

ensnared him completely, leaving him without a shred

front of him,

by the delightful aroma wafting from

she asked, leaning

love

and nodded eagerly. “When will it be ready? I can

wait.”

minutes,” he said, wrapping his arms around

together, watching the pot

“Oh no. Megan and Molly, I

they were still here.”

here, no need to come out. We won’t disturb your

from the doorway, her voice

around to see Megan and Molly standing at the

eyes fixed

brings you

cooped up upstairs any longer. You two carry on. Just

don’t want an accident

cheeks turned

rascal. Keep it in

bear to scold Rose, so she turned and gave Morrison a piece of

mind.

lips together, feeling a shade embarrassed.

with them now. Once they started,

just hoped they would

his compliant attitude, “Well,

the blink of an eye. You’ve made

you can handle three more

chance to rib Morrison. She shot him a

eyes filled with warning.

seeing Megan and Molly out, Rose could finally

Then she settled

through her

tidying up and sat beside her, catching a glimpse of the

screen.

of hers again. He didn’t know

expressed his displeasure about

you love me

do with them. Behave, will ya? Stop

whipped did he have to

he couldn’t very well keep

little queen. She said to

At least she took the time to explain

her play on her phone for a while, but