Clever Girl: Manhattan Bachelors, #13

By Matilda Martel

Jakob Liszt is forty-one.
The eldest of the Liszt brothers, he takes care of his family.
He's handsome, successful and wealthy beyond his wildest dreams.
He has everything except the one thing money can't buy.
He wants to fall in love. He wants a family of his own.
Then he meets Daria. Daria James.
His younger brother's girlfriend's sister. A genius with a quirky personality and a poor social filter, she's beautiful, half his age and uncomfortable with his attention.
They share a moment that Daria wants to forget. Jakob won't let her.
He's certain she's the girl of his dreams, his future wife and mother of his children.
Nothing has ever meant more.
Daria's intrigued but cautious.
In love for the first time, she fears what she can't control.
But nothing is keeping Jakob from winning the heart of his quirky, clever girl.
This is a steamy, sweet romantic comedy with no cheating and a guaranteed Happily Ever After!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Matilda Martel
• Release date: Sep 16, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215731369

Matilda Martel

Matilda loves many things---her husband, dachshunds, cats, the two terrible Chihuahuas who live with her, Paris, New York, a few select friends and family, Nutella, books, lots and lots of books, and writing sweet, steamy romance for nerdy girls-- because that's who I am.If you like your romances steamy but sweet. Sexy, but on the shorter side. With smart and sassy heroines who fall for soulful Alphas- then you might like my books.I write A LOT of OMYW, cause that's just my bag. But no matter what kind of story it is, my ladies are always adored and my endings are always HEA.Please head to my blog: www.matildamartel.com, to learn what's in the final stages and will be coming out soon!Want a free Ebook? Join my mailing list to get my monthly newsletter at : www.matildamartel.com/mailinglist/

Book preview

Prologue

Jakob

Ibutton my coat and dart through the crowded crosswalk, jump over a puddle, and sprint down the sidewalk in shoes not meant for running. I'm an hour late. This is unintentional. Unavoidable. But unacceptable. I gave my brother my word. After a quick wave to the doorman who knows me well, I dash into his building, hop into the elevator, and reread his text. 

Laszlo: Alice will be next door at Mira's place. Her younger sister is watching her until you arrive. Be nice. Please, be nice. 

I'm always nice. Jerk. 

Alice is my niece. She's a total doll, and although he can hire a babysitter, I like spending time with her and jumped at the chance to play the good uncle. She's thirteen months old and the spitting image of my younger brother when he was her age. I vividly remember that little shit waddling around the house when he was her age. I waited five years for a younger brother and took my big brother responsibilities seriously. Hanging out with Alice reminds me of being a kid again and makes me eager to start my own family.

My father warned me this would happen. I've spent the last twenty years working day and night, building a company that helps provide for my family. We didn't grow up with much, and I always knew I'd make things easier for them. 

As the eldest, I fought hard to ensure my brothers had what they needed and my parents didn't have to work themselves to death into old age. But after all these years, I neglected my personal needs. My secret dream.

Dating has its benefits. I don't yearn for female companionship. I get it whenever I want. But it doesn't replace falling in love. At the end of the day, I want to race home to my wife and kids. I want to call out her name when I open the door like my father called out my mother's. Then, I'll seek out my children individually to ask them about their day. I know I'll be a good father, but I won't compromise on finding the right girl to be the mother of my children. 

That's too important.  

I'll marry once, and that's it. I need to do this right. 

My brother is dating again---finally. He's crazy in love with the girl across the hall, and since I pushed him to make his move, I volunteered to watch Alice overnight. He should have a nice night with his new girlfriend. He deserves it.  

I think she's his girlfriend.

She may not know it yet, but he calls her that.  

Striding down the hallway, I double-check I'm at the right door before giving it a light tap. Alice might be sleeping. When it swings open, my mouth slacks and my eyes nearly fly out of their sockets. She's exquisite. Lovely. Young. Too young, but good God, those eyes. My heart pounds in my chest and then dives into my belly. Giant green orbs lined with long black lashes stare back at me. Sitting on her hip, a pair of blue eyes join her. Alice looks almost as peeved as her babysitter. Mira's sister. 

This is Mira's sister.  

Holy shit, I think I'm in love.

Chapter One

Jakob

Y ou're late. Her swollen lips form a distinctive pout, but before I answer, she turns away, leaving me at the door to watch her long legs carry her into Mira's living room. 

I close the door, stunned by her beauty and casual indifference. I'm Jakob. 

She huffs and sets Alice down. I know who you are. Why do you think I answered the door? Turning to face me with her hand on her waist, she scowls. 

"Jakob Liszt, explain yourself. You are thirty minutes later than your rescheduled time of arrival."  

I reach for Alice's bag. I apologize. The traffic was terrible. Maintenance on Columbus Circle made things worse. I jumped out of my car three blocks away to speed things up. 

I extend my hand. You're Mira's sister?  

She shrugs and avoids my handshake. As she gathers Alice's things, I stare at her long dark hair tumbling down her back in waves. At the bottom, there's a voluptuous ass that looks out of place on her petite frame. But it's so perfectly shaped I can't tear my eyes away. 

It's amazing. Mouth-watering. Hypnotizing. I'll never be able to carve the sight out of my brain.

Stop staring. She'll catch you.

I am. She jumps up and nods, breaking my gaze. 

And your name? I frown.

She doesn't give it. All I know is she's Mira's sister. She provides no introductions or genuine greetings. What an odd girl.

Handing me Alice, she lifts her gorgeous eyes with an icy stare. It's of no significance, but I'll tell you, anyway. I'm Daria. Daria James. I've given her a bottle. She'll be due for a change in approximately thirty minutes, but monitor her intermittently. You want to keep her on your brother's schedule, but sometimes babies need additional nourishment. She may want a snack. Laz provided some options in the bag. 

She kisses Alice's cheeks and hands her to me. When I prop her over my forearm and lean her against my chest, Daria cringes. 

You've got a terrible grip. Alice is wiggling everywhere. Hold her right, she sneers and readjusts her in my arms. 

I've got it. Don't worry. I shoot back, gathering Alice's things to head out. As beautiful as she is, her arrogance and attitude are annoying me. 

Apparently, you don't! She snatches the baby from my arms and curls her into her massive breasts. My heart turns green with envy. 

I'm not comfortable handing her over if you can't follow simple instructions for the benefit of her safety. Placing her back on her hip, she sashays that tight ass back into the living room and slumps into Mira's overstuffed couch. 

Clenching my fist, I follow her and curse under my breath. Alice is my niece and was placed in my care. Where the hell does this girl get her nerve? 

And for the love of God, where did she get those tits? They're resplendent. They're too big for her body. I'm not necessarily complaining, just fascinated. Intrigued enough to overlook her bossy bullshit a bit longer. Mira cuts the exact figure in a