Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

But he replies with a tsking sound. “Not yet. I love having you like this. At my mercy.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re too cocky for your own good?”

“I’m sure my assistant has. Numerous times.” His warm chuckle, right behind my left ear, sends a shiver down my spine.

“She sounds like a wonderful, smart woman. You should consider giving her a raise for putting up with you.”

“I’ll think about the raise, but for now, will a gift suffice?” His voice takes on a more sincere tone.

“Do I get to see it, or will I just hear about it from you?”

He laughs softly. As much as I love the sound of his laughter, I’m eager to see his smile. Thankfully, Charles unties the knot, and the blindfold falls away. I barely have a moment to take in the room decorated with lights and the beautiful Christmas tree before he presents a small gift box.

“Here.”

My gaze shifts from the blue bow over the silver wrapping paper to the man before me. A few months ago, I would have laughed like a madwoman if anyone had suggested that I’d ever touch my boss with a ten-foot pole. Yet here I am, with no desire to be anywhere else.

“Did someone force you to get me a Christmas gift?” I ask cautiously.

“No one forces me to do anything. You know this better than anyone.” He meets my gaze, his expression serious.

But wasn’t he forced to marry me? The words hover on the tip of my tongue.

Shut up, Daisy. This isn’t the time to win an argument.

“What is it?” I eye the box as if there’s a bomb inside it, while my husband’s grin only grows.

“It’s something you’ll absolutely love,” he replies in that overly confident and cocky Charles Hawthorne style, and there’s no way I can stop myself now.

“So it’s a threatening device to keep asshole bosses in check?”

“Your mouth is going to get you into big trouble someday, my dear wife.”

I drop my gaze away from his smiling face and carefully start to peel off the wrapping paper.

I’m only saving it because it’s my first real Christmas gift from Charles, especially if we ignore the gift cards he sends every year to his close staff.

But my giant smile drops at the sight of a jewelry box.

Of course he got me jewelry.

After the furry slippers as the wedding gift, I was hoping for something similar. But this is Charles Hawthorne. In his world, Christmas gifts probably mean something expensive and classy.

Mustering the same excitement as before, I flip open the tiny gold latch and my heart stops.

Oh my God!

It’s so not just jewelry.

It’s a hair clip with rhinestone daisies.

Yes, it’s expensive and classy, but it’s so much more. It’s like someone made it only for me.

I know I won’t be able to stop my tears, so I don’t even try as they race down my cheeks.

“Hey, you don’t like it?” Charles’ panicked voice doesn’t help my cause.

“I love it, Charles. It’s perfect. I…I can’t believe you got me something so special.” My hand tightens around the box.