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 with. Too many times Yulia felt like he’d nearly

in. The art of gentleness was something she wished she

from an impatient

her eyes.

she didn’t mind. However, she

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

on her skin.

to

away and propped herself against his shoulder, catching her breath as she opened

at him. “I’m

her lip and chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter yourself.

me.”

her in a towel, and carried her to

her

the food on the coffee table, she remembered she hadn’t

the conversation.

clutched the towel and

around her waist and he picked up a

“Stay put.”

hungry too.

bite and fed

reluctantly accepted and eventually chewed

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

had prepared lots of food, knowing Nathan’s

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

Eventually, Yulia was full and refused more food, but Nathan stubbornly fed

before giving up.

some food in her, Yulia’s

the bathroom, it was nearly dawn. The tiredness

had taken their toll. Once back in

all day. At the company, his brother

flooded with unread documents.

and not wanting to leave the

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

drifted

—

internal

she lay on his chest, gazing at his

he was

seemed almost gentle.

reached out and sketched his features in the air, admiring the

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

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

be an innocent

Pfft.

popped into Yulia’s head unexpectedly, and she

up as soon as she pressed

feel it had something to do

stare at her, he saw that indeed,

huh? Dreaming up some R-rated scenarios about