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

of gentleness was something she wished she

opened with a familiar kick from an impatient foot. Yulia’s

her eyes.

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

his broad,

on her skin.

to pay attention

and propped herself against his shoulder, catching her breath as

at him. “I’m

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

me.”

towel, and carried her to

with her on his

remembered she hadn’t eaten at all.

stomach eagerly joined the conversation. Her stomach grumbled

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

and he picked up

“Stay put.”

Yulia protested, “I’m hungry too. I want

bite and fed it

accepted and eventually chewed

a bite himself. After she

had prepared lots of food,

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

more food, but Nathan stubbornly fed her a couple more

before giving up.

in her,

bathroom, it was nearly dawn. The tiredness had

their toll. Once back in bed, she fell asleep in

the company, his brother was

flooded with unread documents.

and not wanting to leave the comfort of his bed, he skimmed through

mind, he

drifted off to

—

first, courtesy of her internal clock.

as she lay on his chest, gazing

though he was crafted solely to tempt

seemed almost gentle.

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

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

into a wider grin. He

to be an innocent

Pfft.

head unexpectedly, and she couldn’t suppress

close distance, Nathan woke up as soon as she pressed against

but feel it had

he saw that indeed,

huh? Dreaming up some