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

gentleness was

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

her eyes.

she didn’t mind.

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

on her skin.

had to

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

at him. “I’m

softly, “Don’t flatter

me.”

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

her on

food on the coffee table, she remembered

stomach eagerly joined the conversation. Her

flushed, clutched the towel

her waist and he

“Stay put.”

protested, “I’m hungry too. I want

up a bite and fed it

reluctantly accepted and

her comply and took a bite himself.

lots of food,

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

Yulia was full and refused more food, but Nathan

before giving up.

her, Yulia’s fatigue eased

a quick shower in the bathroom, it was nearly dawn. The

back in bed, she

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

flooded with unread documents.

not wanting to leave the comfort of his bed, he

idea in mind, he tossed the phone aside, content

drifted

—

first, courtesy of her internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened

smiling softly as she lay on his chest, gazing

it was as though he was crafted solely

seemed almost gentle.

reached out and sketched his features in the air, admiring

beauty begged for exploration, but here he was, hers and

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

to be

Pfft.

Yulia’s head unexpectedly,

close distance, Nathan woke up as soon

feel it

stare at her, he saw that

huh? Dreaming up