Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

It’s her.

Everything about her since we returned home last evening is different.

The way she demanded my kiss.

The way she felt in my arms.

Her bee-stung, heart-shaped lips, which taste fucking delicious.

Her soft skin, which makes me want to never pull my hand away.

The scent of her perfume.

My fist tightens against my thigh.

This is not the time to be fucking horny, Charles.

I adjust my suit before I rise and accept the flowers. I’ve just taken my seat when the door of the meeting room pulls open. Something sharp digs in my chest when Dave’s eyes find mine, and he walks in.

There has to be an emergency for him to interrupt.

“What is it?” I ask as soon as he’s near me.

“It’s Mrs. Hawthorne, sir,” he whispers only for my ears.

“Mom?” I ask, my heart thumping hard.

Dave shakes his head. “It’s Daisy.”

Fear digs its claws into my chest, and I find my ability to breathe becoming progressively more difficult with each second that passes.

“She went to the new construction site with a business partner, and he just now called to check if she’s returned. Steve is on his way, but we’re much closer to the site. I don’t want to leave you, but—”

“Let’s go.” I’m already marching toward the door when Grandma calls my name.

“Charles? Where are you going?”

“I need to go. It’s urgent.”

Without a second thought, I leave the room. We step into the elevator, and Dave clears his throat.

“I know what this meeting means for you, Mr. Hawthorne. I can check up on Mrs. Hawthorne—”

“I don’t like people questioning me, Dave, especially the ones I expect to be by my side. And I want to know what happened today and why the fuck Steve wasn’t with Daisy.”

The man nods and doesn’t say anything further. I’ll feel bad about barking at him sometime later. Right now, I want to bring my wife home, where I know she’s safe.

My heart is in my throat at the sight before me. The building is partially collapsed, and I hope with everything in me that if Daisy is inside, she’s safe in the only tower still standing.

I’m about to enter when Steve parks my McLaren next to the limo in a hurry.

“Mr. Hawthorne, I’m so sorry, sir.” His face is pale, as it should be. “Dave and I will safely get Mrs. Hawthorne. Please wait here, sir.”

“Do you really think I’m going to trust anyone after this? You better have a damn good reason for not being with Daisy, Steve.”

Without waiting for his apology, I enter the building, my bodyguards following closely behind. The farther I walk inside, the more the lasso of fear tightens around my chest.

“Daisy.” My panicked call for her is met with no response.