Imperfect Match (Elixir Bachelor Billionaires #1)

“It’s not that.” I clear my throat, trying to come up with a sensible response. “I don’t like the bandages. I was serious about you staying home.”

Surprise colors her face. “I swear I’m fine, Charles. I texted the doctor before changing the bandage this morning. He agreed there’s no harm in going to work.”

“And what about the blood work?” I ask carefully. Not that I’m worried about her being pregnant; I’m worried about her. “Is there any chance of you collapsing on the street someday due to a vitamin deficiency? Everything okay there?”

“Nothing out of the ordinary.” She drops her gaze.

“And what’s ordinary for my wife? Show me.” I place my hand forward for her phone, where I’m sure she’s received a digital copy of her blood work.

“Charles, that’s personal! I’m not sharing my health report with you.”

“After what I glimpsed this morning, I think your reports are safe with me.”

Daisy flushes at the reminder. “I’ll just tell you, okay. I’m vitamin D deficient, but every person has that. I’m going to pick up some supplements. Satisfied?”

Not at all.

“Only for now.”

“If you’re done being difficult, I want to remind you that we have half a day to handle everything at work.” Daisy throws her hair over her shoulder and rises up.

Ten minutes later, we’re seated in the limo like all the numerous times before. No words are exchanged, as she’s busy switching between a tablet and a phone, typing furiously, while I go through a report on my laptop. We finally pause when the car stops in front of my private elevator at Hawthorne Tower.

Steve opens the door by my side, but before we can march toward the waiting elevator cab, Daisy stops.

“Steve, I’m sorry about yesterday. I shouldn’t have accompanied Mr. Buffay instead of asking you to drive me.”

“Please don’t say that, Mrs. Hawthorne.” The man shakes his head as his gaze lands on the bandages around Daisy’s hands. “I’m grateful that you’re okay and nothing major happened.”

Daisy takes a step forward, closer to him and away from me, making my pulse jump.

“I’m still me, Steve. I’m not going to tolerate this Mrs. Hawthorne nonsense. You’re calling me Daisy like you always did. You too, Dave.” She looks at the other man. “How else will we continue to have our personal talks?”

Personal talks? What the hell is she talking to them about?

My bodyguards are right to look nervous, but my wife hasn’t received the same memo.

“I cannot share with you all the evil but true things about Charles if you call me Mrs. Hawthorne, can I now?”

I’m about to ask Dave and Steve a question of my own, something along the lines of if they’ve forgotten who’s paying them their salary, when Daisy tugs on the sleeve of my suit jacket.

“Aren’t you going to say anything to Steve?”

I know she wants me to apologize, and it’s cute that she thinks she can order me around.

“I definitely am.” I turn to my bodyguards. “I don’t want a repeat of yesterday.”

They both nod, and I don’t wait anymore, marching toward the elevator. Daisy huffs before trailing behind.

“You know that was not what I meant.”

“Daisy, Steve made a mistake, and I’m not going to hesitate in reminding him of that.”

It must be my serious, humorless tone, because she doesn’t interrupt or add any playful comment.

We step out, and before she can say anything more, my phone rings.

Once I’ve seen the caller’s name, I know it’s not safe to take this call here. I wouldn’t want the first emotion Daisy feels this morning to be guilt. So, I leave her at her desk and walk inside my office.