The Enticing CEO's Chosen Bride novel Chapter 2023

It was Seth. She could smell his scent and see his silhouette. Trapped between the wall and his chest, she questioned, "What are you doing?"

Seth bent over, his handsome face just inches away. The slender dark pupils seemed to be filled with the lingering scent of aged wine, and even the warm breath sprayed on her face appeared to carry a hint of alcohol. His lowered, seductive voice was too easy to bewitch the heart. "I'm here for my reward, of course."

Cicely blinked, "You're not expecting me to sign the transfer deed right now, are you?"

A firm squeeze on her waist answered her as Seth pressed his lips to hers in the midst of her protest.

Cicely gasped, her hands instinctively rising, poised to push him away, but instead, they found their way to his shoulders.

As the kiss deepened and showed no sign of stopping, Cicely began to struggle. When there was a brief pause, she managed to say, "Don't tell me your reward involves even more."d2

Seth's lips brushed her cheek as he maneuvered her towards the bed, pinning her beneath him with a bent knee. His free hand reached up, deftly undoing the buttons of her blouse.

"Considering the company shares could be given away as a reward, doing a bit more is well within my rights." he mused.

Even after their many moments of bare honesty, Cicely still found herself easily allured by any move this man made. As her blouse fell open, revealing her porcelain skin, she bit her lip, falling silent.

Seth smirked, his fingers weaving through her hair, cradling her neck, drawing her close, and then effortlessly captured her lips once more. She was swept into the whirlpool he stirred, losing all coherent thought.

Forget Patty, forget Danielle, forget company shares, forget love or not. She didn't need to think about anything. Right now, she could simply indulge in what she had.

It wasn't too late. She retracted her earlier yearning for something called "love." Let it be as it started; he coveted what she had, and that was enough. She just needed this man to belong to her entirely.

The curtains were drawn at some point, and as the evening sun blazed, the room was enveloped in dimness.

Curled in the blankets, Cicely's hair was strewn messily over the pillow and bedding. Her eyes were half-closed, her long lashes fluttering occasionally.

Her arm lay casually across the mattress, her breathing slow and even. The flush on her delicate face deepened as she saw her slightly curled fingers move in the dim light, the ring on her finger catching a glint.

The finger moved again, and a warm presence pressed against her back, interlocking fingers, and a warm kiss was planted behind her ear.

She stared at the hand that was holding her, while a patch of chill lightly hit her skin from behind. She wasn't sure whether to feel ironic or grateful. The ring was on him, but he refused to put it on his finger.

Turning to face Seth, her gaze met his desire-laden handsome features. With easier access, Seth buried his face into her neck.

"Seth, do you believe I love you?"

The one who falls first is destined to lose, and she never hid it. Perhaps it was youthful ignorance or simply an innate honesty.

Could love ever be hidden?

Even now, she'd likely make the same choice. In the Ellis family, she was never taught, nor did she learn, to be deceitful. Illusions always crumble, like over-edited selfies that can't withstand the light of day.

Why pretend not to love? Why fear the truth being uncovered?

She never considered these questions, so she never thought about hiding.

The kiss at her neck seemed to cool slightly. "Mmm." He knew, how could he not? Everyone knew Cicely loved Seth. He was too clever.

With a lazy smile, she asked, "Do you love me?"

He didn't answer directly. Men have a million ways to dodge or gloss over a question when they wish to. "Have I ever done anything to make you feel unloved?"

What a shrewd response. Was this a mere evasion, or did it imply that his love for her was genuine?

"No, you're wonderful. I guess every woman wants to hear those words."

Seth chuckled softly, "Actions speak louder than words. Especially for men, that phrase is quite cheap."

So cheap that even saying it felt beneath them. Insincere to the point of disbelief.

As expected, she didn't get the answer she probably wanted. Cicely closed her eyes and snuggled deeper into the pillow. "Let's not. I'm tired."

"Mmm, rest here. No need for the gym."

Her brows twitched, eliciting a low laugh from Seth. Even the most seemingly reserved men become wicked in these matters, it seemed.

Remembering their intimate moments and the raw words spoken in his deep, husky voice, her cheeks flushed with heat.

Underneath his reserved exterior was a fierce passion, overwhelming in its contrast.

After the day's exertions, the gym was indeed unnecessary.

Seth adjusted the room temperature and tucked the blankets around her. Then there was movement from the bathroom, sounds of ease as if at home.