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.

with his appetite and build, was not a man to be trifled with. Too many times Yulia felt

gentleness was something she wished

kick from an impatient foot. Yulia’s eyelids fluttered

her eyes.

room, but she didn’t mind. However, she

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

on her skin.

to

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

at him.

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

me.”

back, wrapped her in a towel, and carried her to the sofa

with her

table, she remembered she hadn’t eaten at all. Now

eagerly joined the conversation. Her stomach grumbled

the towel and tried to slide off

he picked up a bowl of

“Stay put.”

“I’m hungry too. I

up a bite and fed it

accepted and eventually

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

prepared lots of

feeding himself and Yulia. Of course, he

food, but Nathan stubbornly fed her

before giving up.

in her, Yulia’s fatigue eased a

nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided, but her internal

taken their toll. Once back in bed, she fell asleep

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

flooded with unread documents.

to leave

idea in mind, he tossed

drifted

—

woke first, courtesy of her internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened

smiling softly as she lay on his chest, gazing at

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

seemed almost gentle.

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

exploration, but here

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

to be an

Pfft.

into Yulia’s head unexpectedly, and

as soon as she

it had

eyes to stare at her, he saw that

early, huh?