Wrong Number of Kisses

Every watch lies. Some just lie in a consistent direction. Tara Banerjee lives her life eleven minutes fast. Operating her late grandfather's Kolkata shop, she reads people's habits, secrets, and heartbreaks through the watches on their wrists. It's a quiet, eccentric life filled with local neighborhood charm, a matchmaking aunt, and a thirty-one-year-old parrot who speaks exclusively in prime numbers.Until Vikram Malhotra walks through her door—eleven minutes early.Vikram is a razor-sharp forensic document examiner from Mumbai with a scratchless Seiko, a color-coded briefcase, and the emotional range of a spreadsheet. Retained to investigate a massive ₹38 crore insurance claim following a devastating Alipore mansion fire, Vikram is convinced the ten destroyed antique watches were never in the fire—and that Tara's authentication certificates are a fraud.With eleven days before the claims committee meets, Vikram moves into the terrace room above Tara's shop to conduct his investigation. But keeping things strictly professional becomes impossible in the festive chaos of Kolkata during Durga Puja. Between forced proximity, handloom saris, intense chili-eating incidents, and a fake engagement at a high-society dinner, the distance between investigator and suspect dissolves into undeniable heat.As they unravel a trail of museum-grade replicas, shady relatives, and locked strongrooms, Tara and Vikram discover that the missing watches are part of a much bigger conspiracy. To find the truth, a man who relies strictly on facts and a woman who trusts her instincts must learn to rely on each other—before someone makes sure their time runs out permanently.Why you'll love The Wrong Number of Kisses:Grumpy x Sunshine & Opposites Attract: A hyper-disciplined, rule-following forensic analyst meets a warm, instinctive watch reader.Steamy Romantic Comedy with Mystery: High-stakes insurance investigation blended with witty banter, intense chemistry, and cozy intrigue.Vibrant Kolkata Setting: Immersive cultural flavor featuring Durga Puja festivities, street food (phuchkas & mustard hilsa), and bustling Bowbazar alleys.Unforgettable Supporting Cast: Features a matchmaker aunt armed with handloom saris and Tagore quotes, and a prime-number-shouting African Grey parrot.Perfect for fans of contemporary Indian romance, steamy romantic comedies, fake dating tropes, and romantic suspense! Mature Content Notice: Contains steamy romantic scenes and adult themes intended for readers 18+.