“Out with it, Isobel.”
His tone brooked no further delay, and she gulped and took a deep breath. “It’s about the night we met.” He scowled again and raised his eyebrow in that sexy way she had become used to. “Well, you were kind of drunk, and you kept referring to something that’s had me wondering.”
“Continue.” Just a single word, but it held a wealth of emotion; curiosity, impatience and a hint of annoyance.
“You kept talking about a woman. And from the tone you used I don’t think you like her very much.” She hesitated again to gather her thoughts. “I was wondering if she was a woman you’re in a relationship with, or maybe it’s someone you possibly work with?”
Tyler leaned forwards in his chair and steepled his hands together, resting his chin on top of them as he regarded her thoughtfully. “I can’t remember that conversation.” His tone was thoughtful as though he was really trying to recall what he’d said. “Why are you even wondering about this, Isobel?”
Oh man, she wished he hadn’t asked her that. “I found a ring in your desk drawer and it looked like it might be a wedding band. Are you married, Tyler?” She took another gulping breath and sat back in her chair to await whatever fate and answer he gave her.
“In my desk…” Isobel watched his color deepen and his eyes darken. Tyler was pissed off, and she knew that it was justified. “What the fuck were you doing going through my desk?” She very rarely heard him swear, so the fact that he did it now showed her just how angry he really was.
“Like I said, I was curious. I know I shouldn’t have done it, Tyler, and I’m sorry, but…” She jumped as he brought his hand down on the table, making the plates and silverware rattle.
“You’re damn right you shouldn’t have done it.” His back was rigid and Isobel quivered in her seat. But it was too late to take her words back now. All she could do was sit there and wait for whatever came next.
Tyler sighed again and ran his fingers through his hair, tousling it sexily and making Isobel wish they were back at the office rather than sat in a restaurant. Coming to a decision, he squared his shoulders again and started talking. “I don’t agree with what you did, but I can understand why you did it. I need to be honest with you if we are to continue with our office relationship, but please understand that I have very good reasons for not volunteering the information previously.”
Isobel sat silently; suddenly nervous about what he was about to say and what the impact on her might be once he’d said it.
“The ring you found is indeed a wedding band, and it does belong to me.” Isobel felt her heart sink. She’d never had an affair with a married man before, and she distinctly abhorred the knowledge that she’d embarked on one now, albeit unknowingly. “However, it’s a marriage of convenience and not one of love, so I don’t consider myself to be a husband in the conventional sense of the word.”
“Married is married, Tyler, no matter what the reason behind the marriage or the emotion that is or isn’t in it.” Isobel felt stupidly close to tears. What the hell was wrong with her? She’d only known the guy for a few days, and nothing about their relationship was conventional or traditional, so why on earth did she feel so betrayed? “I’ll send my resignation when we get back to the office.”
“There’s no need for that, Isobel. Please don’t make any hasty decisions until you’ve heard the whole story.” He paused as the waitress came and placed their meals in front of them. Neither he nor Isobel picked up their silverware and started to eat; thinking more about what was being said rather than the food.
As the waitress left the table, he took a breath and continued talking. “The woman I’m married to is the daughter of the owner of Holbrook Holdings. Have you heard of the company?” Isobel nodded to let him know that she had. “We married so that we could merge the two companies and consolidate our assets. Holbrook had dealings with a number of my rival companies, and I had dealings with a few that they wanted to get their claws into. It was mutually beneficial to us both at the time and more secure than a mere contract. It meant that in the long term I knew that my company was going to grow.”
He hadn’t taken his eyes off Isobel while he talked, and she could clearly see the sincerity, as well as hear it in his tone. “It’s a paper marriage, Isobel. It means nothing to either of us other than the wellbeing of our respective companies.”