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.

man to be trifled

was something she wished

an impatient foot. Yulia’s eyelids

her eyes.

room, but she didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t ignore it when

enveloped her, and his kisses trapped her, his broad, warm

on her skin.

to

away and propped herself against his shoulder, catching her breath

him.

“Don’t flatter yourself. Even if you wanted

me.”

covers back, wrapped her in a towel, and carried

her on his

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

joined the conversation. Her stomach

flushed, clutched the towel and

waist and he picked up

“Stay put.”

protested, “I’m hungry too.

a bite and fed it

reluctantly accepted and eventually

himself. After she finished,

lots of food, knowing

alternated between feeding himself and Yulia. Of course, he ate more, and Yulia

Eventually, Yulia was full and refused more food, but Nathan stubbornly

before giving up.

in her, Yulia’s fatigue eased a

a quick shower in the bathroom, it was nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided,

Once back in bed, she

day. At the company, his brother was hardly managing things,

flooded with unread documents.

wanting to

mind, he tossed the phone aside, content

drifted off

—

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

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

though he was crafted solely

seemed almost gentle.

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

beauty begged for exploration, but here he was,

thought alone made the corners of her lips curve into a wider

be an

Pfft.

into Yulia’s head

up as soon as she

help but feel it had something to do

he saw that indeed, her smile was

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