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.

was not a man to be

art of gentleness was something she wished

door opened with a familiar kick from an impatient foot. Yulia’s eyelids fluttered but she

her eyes.

she didn’t mind.

trapped her, his broad, warm palm sneaking under the covers,

on her skin.

to pay attention

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

him.

chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter

me.”

the covers back, wrapped her in a towel, and carried her to the sofa by the window, where

with her on

the food on the coffee table, she remembered she hadn’t

the conversation. Her

the towel and tried to slide off his lap,

waist and he picked

“Stay put.”

“I’m hungry too. I want

a bite and

accepted and eventually chewed

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

prepared lots of food, knowing Nathan’s

feeding himself and Yulia.

food, but

before giving up.

her, Yulia’s

was nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided, but

toll. Once back in bed, she fell asleep in Nathan’s

At the company, his brother was

flooded with unread documents.

not wanting to leave the comfort of his bed,

rough idea in mind, he tossed the phone aside, content

and drifted

—

her internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened for just

softly as she lay on

it was as though he was crafted solely to tempt

seemed almost gentle.

in the air, admiring the canvas

exploration, but here

corners of her lips curve into a wider grin. He pretended

to be

Pfft.

virgin popped into Yulia’s head unexpectedly, and

distance, Nathan woke up as soon as she pressed against

feel it had something to do with

stare at her, he

you all giggly this early, huh?