Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“Every single one of them from the last four years,” he confirms.

“But I—”

“You remove the old ones every morning and throw them into the trash can.” Charles’ grin is still in place as he points toward the tiny plastic bin that magically appeared in his office four years ago exclusively for my paper waste.

“And you’re saving them like some sort of homage to me?” A shock-laced tingling sensation spreads from my core to my fingertips.

What does this even fucking mean?

“Among other things,” Charles replies casually—a bit too casually—once again dropping his gaze to the open drawer, and I catch sight of the coffee mugs I’ve given him on various holidays, each one with a crazy drawing and a crazier phrase.

I pick up the one that was the start of this tradition.

Not today, Satan! I mean, yes, boss…

There’s a bat-like figure complete with wings and a tail dressed in a suit, breathing fire.

“So what does this mean? Did you have a crush on me, Charles?” I ask carefully.

All these years?

While my hands fly to my chest, Charles’ cheeks turn red.

Oh my freaking God!

I know cute is the last word one would use for Charles, but dear Lord, he has never looked cuter than right now.

And before I can roast him further, because it’s been so long that I’ve talked to him like this, said whatever is on my mind, Charles takes a step in my direction.

“I don’t know why I started storing them. Maybe because I thought someday you’d need a reminder of how hard you’ve worked. Or maybe it was just impossible to throw away something created by you, even if it was just a Post-it.” He’s right before me now. “What I’m saying is, you’ve always been an exception. The one anomaly, the one burst of color I’ve always wanted, always craved, in my otherwise perfect, orderly, and bland life.”

He holds my face between his hands, and I look up at him like a girl with stars in her eyes.

“I have something more powerful than just a crush on you, my dear wife. If you’re not convinced even now, give me a chance and I’ll prove to you that you and Blip are all I need. Not just for a few months, but for my entire lifetime.”

As much as I want to jump up and down and grab everything I’ve dreamed of—real love, a real family—there’s something between Charles and me that’s still keeping it from being real.

“But what about the contract? There’s something legal on paper that says this marriage isn’t real.”

Charles grabs the back of his neck before I hear him mutter under his breath. “This can be the biggest romantic moment, or she might hurl the glass paperweight at you, Hawthorne.”

“What did you just say?”

“What if it isn’t?” he asks in return.

“What isn’t what?”

The way Charles avoids my gaze makes me nervous. This man makes others uncomfortable. He is always perfectly composed.

“What if the marriage contract was never notarized? What if the only legal document binding us together is our marriage license?” he finally says.

“But…”

What is he saying? That my marriage was a real one, after all?

“It wasn’t how I’d planned, Daisy. I swear. After the marriage ceremony, the contract papers were supposed to go to my lawyer. But then you came to my home, and I liked you in my space, in my bed, more than I thought I would. I’m not saying I did the right thing, but even though we were imperfect on paper, it felt like I’d found my perfect match. And it seemed you felt the same.”

“This is so…” My brain struggles to find the right words.