The Enticing CEO’s Chosen Bride novel Chapter 1969

Cicely was blissfully unaware of how her response might have come across, but Seth gave her a penetrating look, stood up, and despite his words, took the book with him. "No reading material like this in the office."

Cicely adjusted her skirt and patted down her hair, her cheeks still warm. She touched her face, feeling the heat, and suddenly realized something infuriating. She stood up, whirling to face Seth with fire in her eyes, "You kissed me just to distract me and snatch the book I was hiding, didn't you?"

Seth closed the drawer with a soft click and looked at her, lips twitching at her puffed cheeks, "I was placating you."

"Manipulating me!"

Seth raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying. He buttoned up his jacket and walked toward the door as Cicely stood frozen, watching him open it. Then he paused, looked back at her, "Hungry?"

Cicely's eyes flickered but she remained still, "Asking for forgiveness should come with some sincerity. I'm angry. Which girl would tell you she's starving in such a situation? Pride over hunger, every time."d2

Seth looked at her and said, "Go on."

Cicely frowned, "I'm not in a relationship with myself. If we keep this up, I might as well recite back to you every word I just read."

Seth's lips pressed together, and he turned back to her, his tall frame towering as he looked down at her for a second, then reached out to grasp her wrist. His grip was strong, as if worried she would pull away.

Cicely was tugged toward the door before she could react, "What are you doing?"

Seth opened the door, "You're right, my earlier question was inappropriate and superfluous."

Cicely knew she probably fell for Seth's assertive manner, but indeed, if she were to answer his question honestly, it would be insincere. She didn't really want to reject him. Since he had gone this far, she couldn't push her luck.

She was happy, though—internally.

"You're hurting me."

At her words, Seth's grip loosened, and Cicely immediately withdrew her arm. He didn't say anything, and as he turned to leave, he felt a soft warmth encasing his hand—Cicely's fingers pressing against his.

"Let's go," she said, stepping toward him.

Her hand held his firmly, and Seth looked at their intertwined hands for a long moment, his fingers curling slightly.

It was lunchtime, and they encountered many employees. As the two walked hand in hand, looks of envy and delight were evident in the onlookers' eyes. After all, both were striking, a handsome man and a pretty woman, a perfect match in terms of charisma and looks.

Envy was genuine, and so was the appreciation of beauty.

Cicely settled into the passenger seat of Seth's car, watching him buckle up, puzzled, "Aren't we going to eat?"

"Doesn't it look like it?"

"I was all set to join you for lunch in the company cafeteria. So that's not happening?"

Seth started the car, his hands adeptly steering, eyes focused ahead, his voice a calm ripple. "You're upset, you got hurt, and you're angry. I want to cheer you up. The company cafeteria is lacking in sincerity."

Cicely tugged at her lip, "In the future, you don't have to be so blunt when trying to cheer someone up. Bluntness doesn't usually make people happy."

"So you're not happy now?"

"You still need practice, so I'll give you a pass this time. But don't make a habit of it."

"Thanks for being so understanding."