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.

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

of gentleness was something she wished she could teach

an impatient foot. Yulia’s eyelids fluttered but she

her eyes.

didn’t mind.

trapped her, his broad,

on her skin.

to pay attention

pushed his hand away and propped herself against his shoulder, catching her

at him. “I’m

chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter yourself. Even if you wanted me now, you

me.”

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

her

table, she remembered

eagerly joined the conversation. Her

flushed, clutched the towel and tried to slide off his lap, but Nathan’s

he picked up a

“Stay put.”

“I’m hungry too.

bite and fed it

reluctantly accepted and eventually chewed

himself. After she finished, he fed her another

prepared lots of food, knowing

meal, Nathan alternated between feeding himself and Yulia. Of course, he ate more, and

was full and refused more food, but Nathan stubbornly fed

before giving up.

food in her, Yulia’s fatigue eased a

the bathroom, it was nearly

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

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

flooded with unread documents.

with both body and mind relaxed and not wanting to leave the comfort of

his phone. With a rough idea in mind, he tossed

and drifted off

—

first, courtesy of her internal

as she lay on his chest, gazing at his

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

seemed almost gentle.

features in the air, admiring the

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

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

to be an

Pfft.

Yulia’s head unexpectedly,

soon as she pressed

help but feel it had

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

this early, huh? Dreaming