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.

with his appetite and build, was not a man to be trifled with.

of gentleness was something she wished she could

bedroom door opened with a familiar kick from an impatient foot. Yulia’s eyelids fluttered but she didn’t

her eyes.

she didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t

trapped her, his broad, warm palm

on her skin.

had to

and propped herself against his

him. “I’m

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

me.”

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

down with her on

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

the conversation. Her stomach grumbled

face flushed, clutched the towel and

and he picked up

“Stay put.”

protested, “I’m hungry

bite

and

comply and took a bite himself.

prepared lots of food,

and Yulia. Of course, he ate more, and

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

before giving up.

her, Yulia’s fatigue eased a

shower in the bathroom, it was nearly

Once back in bed, she fell asleep in Nathan’s

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

flooded with unread documents.

wanting to leave the comfort

With a rough idea in mind, he tossed the phone aside,

drifted off to

—

first, courtesy of her internal clock. She saw

as she lay on his chest, gazing at

such a devilish charm, it was as though he was crafted solely to tempt women.

seemed almost gentle.

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 least for

curve into a wider grin. He pretended to

to be

Pfft.

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

such a close distance, Nathan woke up as soon as she pressed against his

it

his eyes to stare at her, he

early, huh? Dreaming up some R-rated scenarios