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.

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

art of gentleness was something she wished she

familiar kick from an

her eyes.

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

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

on her skin.

had to pay

herself against his

him.

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

me.”

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

her

on the coffee table, she remembered she hadn’t eaten at all. Now that food

the conversation. Her stomach grumbled

face flushed, clutched the towel and tried to slide off his lap, but

waist and he

“Stay put.”

Yulia protested, “I’m hungry too.

up a bite and fed it to

and eventually chewed

watched her comply and took a bite himself.

lots of food, knowing Nathan’s

and Yulia. Of course,

food, but Nathan stubbornly fed her a

before giving up.

her, Yulia’s

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

recent exertion, had taken their toll. Once back

the company, his brother was

flooded with unread documents.

wanting to leave the comfort of his bed,

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

drifted off

—

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

she lay on his

charm, it was as though he

seemed almost gentle.

air,

just her. His beauty begged for exploration, but here he was, hers and

her lips curve into a wider grin. He pretended to be

be an innocent

Pfft.

head unexpectedly, and she couldn’t suppress a soft

woke up as soon as she pressed against his

but feel it had something to

stare at her, he saw that

huh? Dreaming up some R-rated