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 of

now he had to

Rose company for a while,

she returned, she headed straight

tending to his culinary

had surged in recent weeks.

his mind to, he’d excel at it. As Rose wrapped

He held her

her, their eyes meeting in

he asked, his

in for a kiss, which he

embrace, he released her,

waist and asked her the

catching so much flak because of me,”

holding onto his shirt.

sorry for me?” Morrison

taking it out on me one day,” she

nodded solemnly, “Well, I’m keeping a tally. Once you give

collect on every bit of

again; the shyness in his eyes, which she didn’t

caught

apple bobbed, and the hand on her waist tightened a

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

months. This is unbearable…”

permissible during pregnancy, he had been warned by

last check-up not to overdo it. After an elaborate speech about

basically

sooner, and not taking full advantage

two months after their marriage. It would have been best

beneath him night and day, indulging in

sent Rose’s heart pounding wildly. Her face turned

her heart skipping a beat at his

restless.”

else but you stirs me up?” he countered, his

spine. “Maybe I should stay away

things

bit her lip playfully, “I won’t allow it. Wherever you go, I go. Can’t be

you, not even

her hands unconsciously

weren’t this horny

out of reach. Out of sight,

him without a shred of selfcontrol.

in front

interrupted by the delightful aroma wafting from the pot.

asked,

love

and nodded eagerly. “When will it be

wait.”

five more minutes,” he said, wrapping his

watching the

in realization. “Oh no. Megan and

they were still here.”

no need to come out. We won’t disturb your lovey-dovey

doorway, her voice tinged with

around to see Megan and Molly standing at

fixed on

Mom, what brings you

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

accident happening

cheeks turned a

that? You rascal. Keep it in your pants.” Megan,

so she turned and

mind.

feeling a

with them now. Once they started,

He just hoped they would

his compliant attitude, “Well, it’s

blink of an eye. You’ve made it through

can handle three more

to rib Morrison.

eyes filled with warning.

seeing Megan and Molly out, Rose could finally indulge

bowl of stew. Then she settled on the living room

scrolling through

and sat beside her, catching a glimpse of

screen.

dudes of that game of hers again. He didn’t know

he’d expressed his displeasure about this, but Rose

love me

do with them. Behave, will

whipped did he have to be for her to say something

couldn’t very well keep complaining. And

little queen. She said

least she took the time to explain things to

phone for a while, but he couldn’t stand