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.

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

art of gentleness was something she wished she could

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

her eyes.

the room, but she didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t ignore it

her, his broad, warm palm sneaking under

on her skin.

had to pay attention

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

him.

chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter yourself.

me.”

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

her

she remembered she hadn’t eaten at all. Now

conversation. Her stomach grumbled

flushed, clutched the towel and tried to slide off his lap,

he picked up a bowl

“Stay put.”

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

bite

and

took a bite himself. After she

had prepared lots of food, knowing Nathan’s

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

was full and refused more food, but Nathan stubbornly

before giving up.

in her, Yulia’s fatigue eased

was nearly

their toll. Once back in bed, she fell asleep

the company, his

flooded with unread documents.

relaxed and not wanting to leave

idea in mind, he

and drifted off

—

day, Yulia woke first, courtesy of her internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened for

relaxing, smiling softly as she lay on his chest, gazing at his

man with such a devilish charm, it was as though he was crafted solely to tempt women. In his

seemed almost gentle.

reached out and sketched his features in the air, admiring the canvas that should rightfully be shared with

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

lips curve into a

to be an

Pfft.

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

as soon as

but feel it had something

he

got you all giggly this early, huh? Dreaming up some R-rated