The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1980

Seth gathered her damp hair, carefully drying it with a towel. Cicely remained passive, letting him take care of her. As she accidentally glanced down, her expression froze for a moment, and a blush spread quickly across her cheeks. Instinctively, her hand moved to cover her chest, but she could hear Seth's low chuckle from above. "Only realizing it now? Isn't it a bit late?"

Cicely bit her lip, still clutching the neckline of her shirt.

Fresh out of the shower, she had slipped on one of Seth's white shirts, and now, with nothing underneath, her wet hair had soaked through the fabric, making the shirt cling to her skin and leaving little to the imagination.

"You... you noticed earlier?" she stammered.

Seth tossed the towel onto the armrest of a nearby couch, his gaze brazenly sweeping over her chest. "You talk a big game about starting a family, as if you're so worldly, but here you are, so embarrassed at the slightest glance, not to mention..."

He paused, a sly grin breaking through his usually composed demeanor. "One touch, and you're trembling like a leaf."d2

Cicely tried to compose herself, but his words sent a fresh wave of color to her cheeks. That "one touch" he referred to happened that morning at the clinic.

"I'm just not used to it," she managed to say.

Without a word, Seth switched on the hairdryer.

Standing in front of him, Cicely fidgeted with the collar of his casual shirt. "You're being unusually considerate today. Feeling guilty for crossing the line this time?"

His fingers continued to work through her semi-dry hair. "Crossing the line? I only speak the truth. You don't want to see me, so I won't show up unless necessary. I doubt there's a man out there who could please you more than I do."

She hesitated before meeting his gaze. "I said I didn't want to see you, and you didn't even call or text?"

"If I had reached out, would you have responded?"

"No," Cicely said without hesitation, her tone tinged with defiance.

Seth's smile widened slightly.

"That's not necessarily true," she continued. "You didn't even try. How do you know I wouldn't have paid you any mind? Whether I do or don't is separate from whether you should make the effort."

She frowned, a new thought crossing her mind. "Or is there something else you've done wrong? And that's why you're suddenly being so nice today."

A flicker of annoyance crossed Seth's forehead. "What do you think I could have done to warrant this kind of groveling?"

Cicely's eyes darted around. "Another woman? Have you been seeing someone else behind my back?"

The whir of the hairdryer was the only sound on the balcony. Seth's silence weighed heavily on Cicely, her previously unconcerned mood growing darker. "You don't really have someone else, do you?"

Turning off the dryer, Seth looked at her indifferently. "So you're saying if I did have someone else, this level of groveling would suffice for your forgiveness?"

Her expression cooled instantly. "Do you think it would?"

"A woman for me has a very clear boundary: If it's not you, it will definitely be someone else. If I chose someone else, I wouldn't waste my time with you. Understand?"

Cicely nodded. "I'll take your word as a promise for now. Cheating is despicable, and since I'm your girlfriend at the moment, it's highly unlikely there's another woman you'd even consider. But Seth, if you ever do find someone else, we're done for good. Like you said, if that day comes, I'll consider it your choice to leave me for her. I may like you a lot, but I have my limits, and another woman is where I draw the line. I hope she never appears. Got it?"

The last sentence was a clear challenge.

"Go find something else to wear in the closet," he said, unplugging the hairdryer.

Cicely let go of his collar and playfully slapped his chest as she passed by.

Opening the wardrobe, she saw rows of high-end suits and dress shirts. She grabbed another white shirt and turned to face him, holding it to her chest. "This is your bedroom? Where are you sleeping tonight?"

Seth paused. "Where do you think I should sleep tonight?"

Her gaze inadvertently swept over the adjacent bed. "You could sleep here if you like. It's your house, after all." She stumbled over her words, nearly biting her tongue.

Seth smiled faintly. "It seems you don't really want me here."

Cicely opened her mouth but said nothing.

"Change your clothes and don't get sick with a cold tomorrow," he advised before stepping out of the room. Before closing the door, he paused and added a cool "Goodnight."

Those two words landed gently on Cicely's heart. As he started to close the door, Cicely called out to him. "Seth."

The door stopped and swung back open.

She approached, looking up at his refined features with a radiant smile. "You shouldn't leave things half-done. A goodnight and a kiss go hand in hand."

Seth looked at her silently for a few seconds, then stepped through the door and bent down to kiss her.

*

For three days straight, Seth was practically glued to her side. A goodnight kiss had become a nightly ritual.

Cicely had planned to stay a few more days, but in just three short days, his phone calls grew more frequent, and his hours in front of the computer stretched longer.

"You don't have to stay with me all day. I'm feeling much better. Go take care of your business." She had enjoyed her stay, and her color had returned.

Seth glanced at her. "I'll take you home tomorrow."

Cicely frowned. "Can't I stay here?"

"Leave you alone in the house?"

"No problem. Just make sure you come back on time at night."

"I can't promise that," he replied coolly. "With you here, I can't focus on my work. I can't take care of your meals, and I can't guarantee I'll be back at a set time in the evening."

Cicely leaned back on the couch, hugging the plush toy Seth had bought for her, her beautiful face full of reluctance.

Seth remained steadfast, "I've got a lot on my plate right now. You either head back to the Ellis estate, where you'll be well looked after, or I clear my schedule and stay home to focus on you. It's your call."

*

Ultimately, Cicely chose to return to the Ellis estate.

Maybe Seth had her number, knowing she wouldn't put him in a tight spot, which was why he laid out such a stark choice.