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.

build, was not a man to be

The art of gentleness was something she wished she could

an impatient foot. Yulia’s eyelids fluttered but she didn’t

her eyes.

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

his kisses trapped her, his broad, warm palm sneaking

on her skin.

had to

herself against his shoulder, catching her breath as she opened

him. “I’m

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

me.”

a towel, and carried her to the sofa by the window, where

her on

she remembered she

joined the conversation. Her

towel and tried to slide off his lap,

and he picked up a

“Stay put.”

protested, “I’m hungry too.

forked up a bite

reluctantly accepted and eventually

bite himself. After she

had prepared lots of food,

himself and Yulia. Of course, he ate

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

before giving up.

her, Yulia’s

was nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided,

recent exertion, had taken their toll. Once back in bed, she

distracted all day. At the company, his brother was hardly managing things, and his inbox

flooded with unread documents.

and not wanting to leave the comfort of his bed,

phone. With a rough idea in mind, he tossed

and drifted off to

—

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

on his chest, gazing at his peaceful

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

seemed almost gentle.

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

beauty begged for exploration, but here

corners of her lips curve into a wider grin. He

be an innocent

Pfft.

Yulia’s head unexpectedly, and she couldn’t suppress a

such a close distance, Nathan woke up as soon as she

feel it had

eyes to stare at her, he saw that indeed, her smile was particularly

this early, huh? Dreaming up some R-rated