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 trifled

The art of gentleness was

kick from an impatient foot.

her eyes.

movement in the room, but she didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t

his broad, warm palm sneaking under

on her skin.

had to pay attention

propped herself against his shoulder, catching her breath as she

him.

“Don’t flatter yourself. Even if you

me.”

the covers back, wrapped her in a towel, and

down with her

coffee table, she remembered she hadn’t

joined the conversation. Her

clutched the towel

he picked up a bowl

“Stay put.”

protested, “I’m hungry

a bite and fed

accepted and eventually chewed

bite himself. After she finished,

prepared lots of

between feeding himself and Yulia. Of course, he

refused more food, but Nathan stubbornly fed her

before giving up.

some food in her, Yulia’s fatigue

was nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided, but her internal clock,

toll. Once back in bed, she fell asleep

distracted all day. At the company, his brother was

flooded with unread documents.

wanting to leave the comfort of his bed, he skimmed

in mind, he tossed the phone

drifted off

—

courtesy of her internal clock. She saw Nathan

she lay on his chest, gazing at

such a devilish charm, it was as though he was crafted solely to tempt women. In his quiet moments,

seemed almost gentle.

the air, admiring the canvas that should

not just her. His beauty begged for exploration, but here he was, hers

alone made the corners of her lips curve into a wider grin. He pretended to be a

to be an

Pfft.

popped into Yulia’s head unexpectedly, and she

soon as she pressed against

it had something to

to stare at her, he saw

all giggly this early, huh? Dreaming up some R-rated