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

his bed, now he

Molly kept Rose company for a while, until Rose excused herself

she returned, she headed

culinary creation, having just sealed the

His cooking skills had surged in recent weeks. If

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

he knew it was her. He held her hand for a moment before

their eyes meeting in a tender

here?” he asked,

kiss,

her, her cheeks flushed with

and asked

just… You’ve been catching so much

holding onto his shirt.

sorry for me?” Morrison raised an

you might start taking it out on me one

“Well, I’m keeping a tally.

collect on every bit of

shyness in his eyes, which

she possessed, caught her off

the hand

his voice husky. “I have to endure another

months. This is unbearable…”

pregnancy, he had been

to overdo it. After an elaborate speech

doctor basically canceled his

acted sooner,

two months after their marriage. It would have been

him night and day, indulging in the

Rose’s heart pounding wildly. Her face turned an

red, her heart skipping a beat at his words. “You… you’re always

restless.”

up?” he countered, his touch sending shivers

away from

things all

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

not

her hands

weren’t this

reach. Out of sight,

without a shred of selfcontrol. How

front of him, every

were interrupted by the delightful aroma wafting from the

asked,

You’ll love

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

wait.”

it five more minutes,” he said, wrapping his arms around her

together, watching the pot

in realization. “Oh no. Megan and

they were still here.”

no need to come out. We won’t

her

around to see Megan and Molly standing

eyes fixed on

brings

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

an accident happening at a

turned a fiery

hear that? You rascal. Keep it

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

mind.

together, feeling a shade embarrassed. “Got

arguing with them now. Once they started,

He just hoped they would

his compliant attitude, “Well, it’s

by in the blink of an eye. You’ve made it through

and you can

rib Morrison. She

eyes filled with warning.

Megan and Molly out, Rose could finally indulge in a nutritious

bowl of stew. Then she settled on the living

scrolling through her

sat beside her, catching a glimpse of

screen.

same four dudes of that game of

about this, but Rose

love

you has nothing to do with

how whipped did he have to be for her to say

well

was his little queen.

the time to explain things to

phone for a while, but he couldn’t