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.

to be

gentleness was something she wished she

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

her eyes.

movement in the room, but she didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t ignore it when Nathan’s

her, his broad, warm palm sneaking under

on her skin.

had to

his hand away and propped herself against his shoulder, catching

at him.

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

me.”

in a towel,

down with her on his

remembered she hadn’t eaten at

conversation. Her stomach grumbled

Yulia, face flushed, clutched the towel and tried to slide off

and he picked up a

“Stay put.”

hungry too. I

up a bite and fed

accepted and eventually chewed

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

lots of

meal, Nathan alternated between feeding himself and Yulia. Of course,

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

before giving up.

food in her, Yulia’s

it was nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided,

their toll. Once back in

the company, his brother was hardly managing things, and his inbox

flooded with unread documents.

wanting to leave

rough idea in mind, he tossed the phone aside, content with the soft woman

and drifted off to

—

day, Yulia woke first, courtesy of her internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened for just a

as she lay on his chest, gazing

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

seemed almost gentle.

in the air, admiring the canvas that should rightfully be

beauty begged for exploration, but here he was, hers and hers alone. At

curve into a wider grin. He pretended to be

be

Pfft.

Yulia’s head

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

but feel it had something to do with

his eyes to stare at her, he saw that indeed, her smile

you all giggly this early, huh? Dreaming up some