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.

not a man to be trifled

in. The art of gentleness was something she wished she could

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

her eyes.

movement in the room, but she didn’t mind.

her, his broad,

on her skin.

had to pay

herself against his shoulder, catching her breath as she opened her

him. “I’m

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

me.”

back, wrapped her in a towel,

down with her

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

stomach eagerly joined the conversation. Her stomach grumbled on

clutched the towel

and he

“Stay put.”

Yulia protested, “I’m hungry too. I

forked up a bite and fed it

and eventually chewed

took a bite himself. After she finished, he fed her

had prepared lots of food,

meal, Nathan alternated between feeding himself and Yulia. Of

was full and refused more food, but Nathan

before giving up.

in her, Yulia’s fatigue eased a

bathroom, it was nearly dawn. The tiredness

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

distracted all day. At the company, his brother was hardly

flooded with unread documents.

not wanting to leave

in mind, he tossed

drifted off

—

woke first, courtesy of her internal clock. She saw

relaxing, smiling softly as she lay on

he was

seemed almost gentle.

sketched his features in the air,

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

the corners of her lips curve into a wider grin. He pretended to be a playboy, but

to be an innocent

Pfft.

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

as soon as she pressed against his chest. Now,

help but feel it had something to do with

to stare at her, he saw

huh?