Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

Mrs. Kowalski pales, her usual small smile dropping the same instant. “I…I…don’t—”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Kowalski. You’ll get used to Daisy’s natural talent of taking everyone by surprise.”

“Don’t complain, husband. Someone needs to keep you in check.”

“And who’s better for the job than you?”

Mrs. Kowalski sets down two plates of breakfast before disappearing. The moment we’re alone, the air morphs into something thick and heavy. I pick up my coffee mug, and Daisy takes a bite of her croissant, but my mind is busy remembering how we were less than an hour ago. I can still smell the fruity scent of her perfume.

Have you thought things through?

Those words are on the tip of my tongue, because next time when she’s in my arms begging with her eyes, I don’t think I’ll have the willpower to stop and walk away.

Her lips quiver as if she’s about to answer my silent question, when my phone rings.

Daisy jerks in her seat while I splash the hot coffee over my hand.

“Fuck.” I use the paper towel to wipe my hand before turning toward her. “You okay?”

Only when she nods do I grab my phone from the table.

Ashcroft Miller—my grandfather, Kristy’s dad, and a man who gave new meaning to my middle name because he’s the strongest person I’ve known.

“Good morning, Opa.”

“How’s married life, Charlie?”

“Full of surprises,” I reply, glancing at my new wife.

“Happy ones, I hope.” I can feel his smile through the line.

“So far, yeah.”

“That’s good, kid. You tied the knot so fast we didn’t get to meet Daisy properly. Your Oma is inviting everyone home for dinner tonight. She wanted to know if you’re available, but if you aren’t, free up your calendar. No matter how busy a businessman gets, family should always come first.”

“We’ll be there.” I could never imagine declining an invitation from him. I end the call and turn to Daisy.

“It was my grandfather. Mom’s—I mean, Kristy’s dad. They have invited us for dinner in St. Peppers. We’ll have to leave early in the afternoon to be there on time.”

That also means I have half the time to fix the mess of yesterday. Usually, I wouldn’t hesitate to send a text to Daisy and ask her to reprioritize my schedule. But today, she’s seated before me, her knees and palms covered in bandages while she’s typing furiously on the phone, possibly checking up on her dad.

I’m still watching her from the corner of my eye when my phone vibrates in my hand. I look down to find my ten o’clock meeting has been shifted to tomorrow. Notifications continue to pop up until my entire calendar has been rearranged.

“I freed up your evening and also a part of the morning so you can talk to your grandmother and any other board members to explain why you left in a rush.”

When I don’t reply, she looks up at me and grins. But this isn’t one of those that makes me want to put her in my pocket and never let go—like the one she gave me this morning, when her entire face beams. No, this is her professional smile.

“I haven’t forgotten what you told me when we signed the contract, boss. I know you’re not trading a wife for a lousy assistant.”

Her mentioning the contract leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

But why? It’s there for our benefit—hers and mine.

Even if we slept together, the terms of the contract will protect the future of our arrangement. No surprises. Clean separation. The idea, which was reassuring a few weeks ago, now makes me want to throw up.

What did Mrs. Kowalski put in the breakfast today?

“I thought you’d be pleased, but you’re making that face where you want to murder someone.” Daisy pushes a curl behind her ear, and I realize I’m scowling right at her.