The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1847

Ever since he had confessed his feelings, he'd become a hermit of sorts, spending most of his days tinkering in the kitchen, crafting all manner of comfort food—from hearty meatloaf to creamy mashed potatoes—eager to please her every craving.

If he wasn't fussing over some recipe, he'd be pacing by her side, bombarding her with questions about everything and nothing at all. The only time he ever seemed to detach himself was to huddle in his home office, sifting through a pile of paperwork from the company.

Nights were another story. They were tangled in sheets, his hands wandering, as if he were trying to memorize every inch of her. And boy, did he run hot. In the chill of winter, she would often wake in a sweat, overheated from his furnace-like body.

It didn't take long for Rose to feel smothered. He was just too clingy.

In response, she threw herself into a slew of activities. Swimming lessons, which Morrison insisted on teaching himself, were a success, and within days she was cutting through water with the ease of a natural. He followed her, albeit reluctantly, to prenatal classes. They went through the motions every expectant parent did—changing clothes, swapping diapers, bathing—a whole new world for Morrison.

Initially, he felt embarrassed, but once he realized he was just one of many guys there, he relaxed. Sometimes, he'd even puff his chest out in pride when he mastered a task quicker than the others, much to Rose's bemusement. She never thought she'd see this side of Morrison, but despite sometimes feeling overwhelmed by his attentiveness, she couldn't help but be touched.d2

He was changing, all for her.

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As her belly grew, so did the discomfort and mood swings. Morrison often found himself on the receiving end of her unpredictable temper, subjected to the silent treatment or an icy glare that seemed to come out of nowhere.

This passive-aggressive mastery was her weapon of choice.

Megan would swing by every so often, laden with nutritious treats for Rose and a good-natured scolding for Morrison. According to her, he could do no right, and Morrison, well, he just sucked it up and carried on.

One particular day, he made the mistake of leaving the bedroom window wide open, and boy, did he hear about it.

"Ventilation's all good and well," Megan lectured, "but you're practically unhinging the window. What if Rose walks in and catches a cold from this draft? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is for a pregnant woman? Do you think they're as robust as you, tumbling around like a bear?"

Rose glanced silently at Morrison, pursing her lips. A bear, really?

Morrison didn't argue with Megan. Instead, he glanced at Rose and excused himself, "I've got a pot roast in the oven. Better check on it."

His expression was unreadable, perhaps a sign he'd grown accustomed to the scolding.

When Morrison left, Molly's gaze towards him still carried a hint of pity. He'd made his bed, now he had to lie in it.

Megan and Molly kept Rose company for a while, until Rose excused herself to the restroom. When she returned, she headed straight for the kitchen.

Morrison was busy tending to his culinary creation, having just sealed the lid on a steaming pot. His cooking skills had surged in recent weeks. If there was anything he set his mind to, he'd excel at it. As Rose wrapped her arms around his waist, he knew it was her. He held her hand for a moment before turning to face her, their eyes meeting in a tender gaze.

"Why are you here?" he asked, his voice soft.

She smiled and leaned in for a kiss, which he deepened, taking control. After a prolonged embrace, he released her, her cheeks flushed with warmth.

"Hmm?" He groped her waist and asked her the question he had just asked.

"I just... You've been catching so much flak because of me," Rose confessed, holding onto his shirt.

"Feeling sorry for me?" Morrison raised an eyebrow.

"No, just worried you might start taking it out on me one day," she replied, half-joking.

He nodded solemnly, "Well, I'm keeping a tally. Once you give birth, I'll make sure to collect on every bit of it."

Rose's face reddened again; the shyness in his eyes, which she didn't even know she possessed, caught her off guard.

Morrison's adam's apple bobbed, and the hand on her waist tightened a bit. He leaned down to kiss her again, his voice husky. "I have to endure another three months. This is unbearable..."

Although it's permissible during pregnancy, he had been warned by the doctor during their last check-up not to overdo it. After an elaborate speech about the consequences, the doctor basically canceled his intimate privileges.

He deeply regretted not having acted sooner, and not taking full advantage of those two months after their marriage. It would have been best if he had kept her beneath him night and day, indulging in the ecstasy of love.

His words sent Rose's heart pounding wildly. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red, her heart skipping a beat at his words. "You... you're always so restless."

"Who else but you stirs me up?" he countered, his touch sending shivers down her spine. "Maybe I should stay away from you more, then you wouldn't be thinking about these things all the time."

He bit her lip playfully, "I won't allow it. Wherever you go, I go. Can't be away from you, not even a step."

She laughed softly, her hands unconsciously smoothing over his shirt.

"You weren't this horny before."

"Before, you were out of reach. Out of sight, out of mind."

And then she had ensnared him completely, leaving him without a shred of self-control. How could he resist when she was there, in front of him, every day?

They were interrupted by the delightful aroma wafting from the pot. "What's cooking?" she asked, leaning closer.

"Rib stew. You'll love it," he assured her.

She inhaled the scent and nodded eagerly. "When will it be ready? I can hardly wait."

"Just give it five more minutes," he said, wrapping his arms around her as they stood together, watching the pot simmer.

Suddenly, Rose's eyes widened in realization. "Oh no. Megan and Molly, I forgot they were still here."

"Stay here, no need to come out. We won't disturb your lovey-dovey time." Molly teased from the doorway, her voice tinged with affection.

Both of them turned around to see Megan and Molly standing at the kitchen entrance, eyes fixed on them.

“Megan, Mom, what brings you down here?”

“Couldn't stand being cooped up upstairs any longer. You two carry on. Just be careful, you don't want an accident happening at a time like this.”

Rose’s cheeks turned a fiery red.

“Did you hear that? You rascal. Keep it in your pants.” Megan, of course, couldn’t bear to scold Rose, so she turned and gave Morrison a piece of her mind.

Morrison pressed his lips together, feeling a shade embarrassed. “Got it.”

He really didn’t feel like arguing with them now. Once they started, there was no end to it. He just hoped they would leave soon.

Megan seemed satisfied with his compliant attitude, “Well, it's only three more months at most. It'll fly by in the blink of an eye. You've made it through all these years, and you can handle three more months.”

Megan never missed a chance to rib Morrison. She shot him a chilly glance, her eyes filled with warning.

After seeing Megan and Molly out, Rose could finally indulge in a nutritious and delicious bowl of stew. Then she settled on the living room couch, full and content, scrolling through her phone.

Morrison finished tidying up and sat beside her, catching a glimpse of the phone screen.

The same four dudes of that game of hers again. He didn’t know how many times he’d expressed his displeasure about this, but Rose hadn’t given up.

“Don’t you love me anymore?”

“Loving you has nothing to do with them. Behave, will ya? Stop fussing.”

Look at that, how whipped did he have to be for her to say something like that?

After that comment, he couldn’t very well keep complaining. And he didn’t dare upset her. After all, she was his little queen. She said to stop fussing, so he would. At least she took the time to explain things to him.

He watched her play on her phone for a while, but he couldn’t stand it. Those guys, so nauseatingly cheesy, didn’t they have anything better to do than spew sleazy sweet nothings and flirt shamelessly?

It was downright immoral. Wasn’t this fraud, messing with a woman’s feelings without taking responsibility? He was going to report them.