The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1860

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.

Nathan, with his appetite and build, was not a man to be trifled with. Too many times Yulia felt like he'd nearly done her in. The art of gentleness was something she wished she could teach him.

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

There was movement in the room, but she didn’t mind. However, she couldn’t ignore it when Nathan's familiar scent enveloped her, and his kisses trapped her, his broad, warm palm sneaking under the covers, causing mischief on her skin.

She had to pay attention now.

She pushed his hand away and propped herself against his shoulder, catching her breath as she opened her eyes to look at him. “I’m tired.”

Nathan nibbled on her lip and chuckled softly, “Don’t flatter yourself. Even if you wanted me now, you couldn't have me.”

With that, he flipped the covers back, wrapped her in a towel, and carried her to the sofa by the window, where he sat down with her on his lap.

When Yulia saw the food on the coffee table, she remembered she hadn’t eaten at all. Now that food was in sight, her stomach eagerly joined the conversation. Her stomach grumbled on cue.

Nathan snorted with laughter. Yulia, face flushed, clutched the towel and tried to slide off his lap, but Nathan’s arm wrapped around her waist and he picked up a bowl of food.

“Stay put.”

Trapped, Yulia protested, “I’m hungry too. I want to eat.”

Nathan forked up a bite and fed it to her.

Yulia reluctantly accepted and eventually chewed instinctively.

Nathan watched her comply and took a bite himself. After she finished, he fed her another mouthful.

Carly had prepared lots of food, knowing Nathan's appetite.

Throughout the meal, Nathan alternated between feeding himself and Yulia. Of course, he ate more, and Yulia ate less. Eventually, Yulia was full and refused more food, but Nathan stubbornly fed her a couple more spoonfuls before giving up.

With some food in her, Yulia's fatigue eased a bit.

After a quick shower in the bathroom, it was nearly dawn. The tiredness had subsided, but her internal clock, plus the recent exertion, had taken their toll. Once back in bed, she fell asleep in Nathan's arms.

Nathan had been distracted all day. At the company, his brother was hardly managing things, and his inbox was flooded with unread documents.

Now, with both body and mind relaxed and not wanting to leave the comfort of his bed, he skimmed through the emails on his phone. With a rough idea in mind, he tossed the phone aside, content with the soft woman in his arms, and drifted off to sleep.

--

The next day, Yulia woke first, courtesy of her internal clock. She saw Nathan and stiffened for just a moment before relaxing, smiling softly as she lay on his chest, gazing at his peaceful face.

A man with such a devilish charm, it was as though he was crafted solely to tempt women. In his quiet moments, he seemed almost gentle.

She reached out and sketched his features in the air, admiring the canvas that should rightfully be shared with the world, not just her. His beauty begged for exploration, but here he was, hers and hers alone. At least for now.

The thought alone made the corners of her lips curve into a wider grin. He pretended to be a playboy, but turned out to be an innocent virgin?

Pfft.

The term innocent virgin popped into Yulia's head unexpectedly, and she couldn't suppress a soft chuckle.

At such a close distance, Nathan woke up as soon as she pressed against his chest. Now, hearing her inexplicable laugh, he couldn't help but feel it had something to do with him.

Opening his eyes to stare at her, he saw that indeed, her smile was particularly cheeky.

"What's got you all giggly this early, huh? Dreaming up some R-rated scenarios about me?"

Yulia glanced at him, the amusement still playing on her face. "R-rated? Why can't your mind wander to something more for a change?"

"Hmph," Nathan snorted with a laugh, "You're lying here in my arms, as naked as the day you were born, and you expect me to strike up a conversation about next year's charity gala?"