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.

a man to be trifled

gentleness was something she wished she could

door opened with a familiar kick from an impatient foot. Yulia’s

her eyes.

didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t

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

on her skin.

to

and propped herself against his shoulder, catching

him.

and chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter

me.”

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

with her

remembered she hadn’t eaten at

eagerly joined the conversation. Her stomach grumbled

laughter. Yulia, face flushed, clutched the towel and tried to

and he picked up a

“Stay put.”

protested, “I’m hungry too. I want

bite

accepted and eventually

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

lots of food, knowing Nathan’s

between feeding himself and Yulia. Of course, he

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

before giving up.

food in her, Yulia’s fatigue eased

in the bathroom, it was nearly dawn.

Once back in

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

flooded with unread documents.

wanting to leave the comfort of his bed, he skimmed through

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

drifted off

—

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

as she lay on

it was as though he was crafted solely to tempt women. In his quiet

seemed almost gentle.

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

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

made the corners of her lips curve into a

be an

Pfft.

head unexpectedly, and she couldn’t suppress a soft

up as soon as she pressed

couldn’t help but feel it had something to do with

he saw that indeed, her smile

all giggly this early, huh? Dreaming up