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.

not a man to be trifled with. Too many times Yulia felt like

in. The art of gentleness was something she wished she could

familiar kick from an impatient foot. Yulia’s

her eyes.

was movement in the room, but she didn’t

trapped her, his broad, warm palm sneaking under the

on her skin.

to pay

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

at him. “I’m

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

me.”

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

down with her on

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

the conversation. Her stomach grumbled

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

and he picked up

“Stay put.”

protested, “I’m hungry

forked up a bite and

accepted and eventually

watched her comply and took a bite himself. After she

had prepared lots of

and Yulia.

food, but Nathan stubbornly fed

before giving up.

her, Yulia’s

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

toll. Once back in bed, she

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

flooded with unread documents.

and not wanting to leave the comfort

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

and drifted

—

internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened for just

on his chest, gazing at his peaceful

as though he was crafted solely to tempt

seemed almost gentle.

the air, admiring the canvas that should rightfully

here he

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

be

Pfft.

innocent virgin popped into Yulia’s head

up as soon as she pressed against his

it had something to

to stare at her, he saw that

giggly this early, huh? Dreaming up