The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride

No freaking way!

Nathan blinked. Pinching Anya’s chubby cheeks, he teased, “Come on, my little munchkin, flash me another smile.”

But Anya was having none of it at this point.

The little girl was at that age where she needed constant praise, and after Nathan had offhandedly called her ugly,

she was a mix of hurt, angry, and pouty. Smiling was the last thing on her mind.

With her lips pursed and brows furrowed, she twisted her little shoulders away, wanting nothing to do with Nathan.

“Hey, look at that temper,” Nathan chuckled, genuinely puzzled about who she might have gotten that from.d1

Yulia? He rarely, if ever, saw Yulia throw a tantrum. Thinking about it, Yulia seemed mostly well-behaved. But ever

since that Ronald started hogging the spotlight, he began to suspect that Yulia was not as innocent as she seemed.

Raising an eyebrow, Nathan scratched Anya’s chin playfully. “Are you going to smile or what?”

“Hmph, Nathan, you’re annoying.”

Nathan grinned, scooping Anya up in his arms. “If you won’t smile, then so be it. I don’t have much of a memory for

my brother’s grins anyway. I’ll ask him about it tomorrow.”

Carrying Anya out, they were met by Carly in the living room, who quickly said, “Dinner’s all warmed up. Should I

call Yulia to join us?”

Nathan hoisted a moody Anya onto his shoulder. “No need, I’ll bring something up to her in a bit.”

Anya, initially nervous high up on Nathan’s shoulder, clung to his head for dear life. Once she was sure he wouldn’t

drop her, her fears dissolved into giggles, the previous insult forgotten.

Carly watched Anya’s happiness spread and couldn’t help but smile with relief.

“I’ll go get ready then. Anya should be going to bed soon. You guys eat, and I’ll take care of her.”

Nathan nodded, and Anya, now addicted to the fun of riding on his neck, wriggled and laughed even more.

“You aiming for the stars or what?” He gripped her tightly, playfully swaying her back and forth, which made her

cling to him, laughing and screaming.

After a few minutes, Nathan’s feeling of unease grew. “All right, that’s enough. Time to get ready for bed.”

He set Anya down on the couch as Carly came out with a tray of food. Taking the tray from Carly, Nathan glanced

at Anya, who was now curled up in a ball on the couch. “Make sure you sleep tight, you hear?”

Anya pouted and huffed but said nothing.

Upstairs, Yulia was sprawled out in bed, too tired to move a muscle.

and build, was not a man to be trifled with. Too many times Yulia felt like he’d

The art of gentleness was something

bedroom door opened with a familiar kick from an impatient foot. Yulia’s eyelids fluttered but she didn’t

her eyes.

was movement in the room, but she didn’t

his kisses trapped her, his broad, warm palm

on her skin.

had to pay

pushed his hand away and propped herself against his shoulder, catching her

him. “I’m

on her lip and chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter yourself. Even if you wanted me now,

me.”

covers back, wrapped her in a towel, and carried

with her

remembered she hadn’t eaten at all. Now that food was in

joined the conversation. Her stomach

laughter. Yulia, face flushed, clutched the towel and

her waist and he picked up a bowl of

“Stay put.”

Yulia protested, “I’m hungry

bite and fed it

reluctantly accepted and eventually chewed

watched her comply and took a bite himself. After she finished, he fed

lots of food, knowing

Nathan alternated between feeding himself and

and refused more food, but Nathan stubbornly fed her a couple

before giving up.

in her, Yulia’s

shower in the bathroom, it was nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided, but her internal

back in bed, she

been distracted all day. At the company, his brother was hardly

flooded with unread documents.

and not wanting to leave the comfort of his bed, he skimmed through

on his phone. With a rough idea in mind, he

drifted

—

first, courtesy of her internal clock. She

relaxing, smiling softly as she lay on his chest, gazing at his peaceful

though he was crafted solely to tempt women. In his

seemed almost gentle.

sketched his features in the air, admiring the canvas that should rightfully

her. His beauty begged for exploration, but here he was, hers

of her lips curve into a wider grin.

to be an innocent

Pfft.

into Yulia’s head unexpectedly, and she couldn’t suppress

Nathan woke up as soon as she pressed against his chest. Now, hearing her

help but feel it had something to do with

her, he saw that indeed, her smile was particularly

got you all giggly this early, huh? Dreaming up