Read Online Marriage in Name Only? by Anne Oliver - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Anne Oliver
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with a degree in architecture on the side and married to Jenny, his receptionist, who’s studying natural medicine.’
Wow. Academic over-achievers, all of them. No wonder Chloe felt she didn’t fit in. He frowned as something occurred to him. ‘Donna’s the one expecting your financial rescue package?’
Chloe sipped her coffee, then nodded. ‘She’s the one who kept in contact, as infrequent as that is.’
‘So tell me something,’ he said, slowly. ‘With two older siblings, why is the onus on you to bail the parents out?’
‘Caleb’s mother-in-law’s a widow, she’s terminally ill and he’s footing the medical bills. Brother-in-law, Jason, the accountant who should know better, lost his money in a failed business venture last year. Donna’s “looking for suitable work”.’ She shrugged. ‘Donna’s been “looking for suitable work” for the past ten of those fifteen years.’ She raised her mug towards him. ‘Your turn.’
‘You know about Dad. My mother’s not in my life and I’m an only child.’
She studied him over the rim of her mug. ‘You’re going to need to do better than that.’
The old bad lodged in his gut, the familiar lead ball he’d carried around since childhood. He didn’t want to talk about the woman who’d given birth to him. Ina was nothing to him.She didn’t exist. But he couldn’t ignore the fact that she was married to the man who wanted this deal as much as Jordan.
His emotions must have showed because her eyes turned soft and compassionate. ‘I’m sorry, Jordan, if it’s a painful topic for you, but I need to know more if we’re going to do this thing. Is she …?’
She trailed off awkwardly and Jordan helped her out. ‘Ina’s alive and doing very nicely for herself.’ Jaw tight, he filled Chloe in on his mother’s second marriage with the owner of his business rival. He did
not
delve further into their relationship and was relieved when Chloe didn’t push it.
‘I’m understanding more about why this is all so important to you,’ she said, still watching him with those liquid sympathy eyes. ‘I’m sorry you and your mum can’t get on.’
He’d never seen that look directed at him before. Or maybe he’d never looked for it. He wasn’t looking for it now; it was just … there. Was he seeing more in Chloe’s eyes than he saw in other women’s? Which begged the question, why? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
He did know that he didn’t want sympathy, didn’t want what it stirred up inside him, or the associated feelings that came with it. ‘I like to win.’
It wasn’t revenge or even satisfaction he was seeking. This deal with Dubai was about honouring his father and closure.
Chloe nodded. ‘And I like to finish what I start.’
As long as it doesn’t take too long,
he finished for her. Frankly, the fact that she liked to finish things surprised him.
So, this little adventure wouldn’t take long and the reward was huge, for both of them. He pushed up from the couch and raised his mug in salute. ‘We
will
win this, Chloe.’
She raised her mug too, and smiled, her eyes alive with enthusiasm. ‘Dubai, here we come.’
CHAPTER SIX
‘H OW NEWLYWED ARE we talking?’ Chloe asked when they got down to business ten minutes later. She’d unearthed a notepad from the kitchen and was committing their ideas to paper for future reference. She’d drawn up two columns: one for plans—flights, accommodation, sightseeing she intended to get in while she was there; the other for ‘getting acquainted’. Such as background and personal details, real and invented. It kept her hands busy, her eyes down and also helped her to keep everything on a professional level.
‘We’re combining business with our honeymoon.’
A small smile hooked the corner of her mouth. ‘That doesn’t make you a very good husband.’
‘But you’re a very supportive wife and you understand my commitment to business. Besides, once you’d manipulated
Wow. Academic over-achievers, all of them. No wonder Chloe felt she didn’t fit in. He frowned as something occurred to him. ‘Donna’s the one expecting your financial rescue package?’
Chloe sipped her coffee, then nodded. ‘She’s the one who kept in contact, as infrequent as that is.’
‘So tell me something,’ he said, slowly. ‘With two older siblings, why is the onus on you to bail the parents out?’
‘Caleb’s mother-in-law’s a widow, she’s terminally ill and he’s footing the medical bills. Brother-in-law, Jason, the accountant who should know better, lost his money in a failed business venture last year. Donna’s “looking for suitable work”.’ She shrugged. ‘Donna’s been “looking for suitable work” for the past ten of those fifteen years.’ She raised her mug towards him. ‘Your turn.’
‘You know about Dad. My mother’s not in my life and I’m an only child.’
She studied him over the rim of her mug. ‘You’re going to need to do better than that.’
The old bad lodged in his gut, the familiar lead ball he’d carried around since childhood. He didn’t want to talk about the woman who’d given birth to him. Ina was nothing to him.She didn’t exist. But he couldn’t ignore the fact that she was married to the man who wanted this deal as much as Jordan.
His emotions must have showed because her eyes turned soft and compassionate. ‘I’m sorry, Jordan, if it’s a painful topic for you, but I need to know more if we’re going to do this thing. Is she …?’
She trailed off awkwardly and Jordan helped her out. ‘Ina’s alive and doing very nicely for herself.’ Jaw tight, he filled Chloe in on his mother’s second marriage with the owner of his business rival. He did
not
delve further into their relationship and was relieved when Chloe didn’t push it.
‘I’m understanding more about why this is all so important to you,’ she said, still watching him with those liquid sympathy eyes. ‘I’m sorry you and your mum can’t get on.’
He’d never seen that look directed at him before. Or maybe he’d never looked for it. He wasn’t looking for it now; it was just … there. Was he seeing more in Chloe’s eyes than he saw in other women’s? Which begged the question, why? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know.
He did know that he didn’t want sympathy, didn’t want what it stirred up inside him, or the associated feelings that came with it. ‘I like to win.’
It wasn’t revenge or even satisfaction he was seeking. This deal with Dubai was about honouring his father and closure.
Chloe nodded. ‘And I like to finish what I start.’
As long as it doesn’t take too long,
he finished for her. Frankly, the fact that she liked to finish things surprised him.
So, this little adventure wouldn’t take long and the reward was huge, for both of them. He pushed up from the couch and raised his mug in salute. ‘We
will
win this, Chloe.’
She raised her mug too, and smiled, her eyes alive with enthusiasm. ‘Dubai, here we come.’
CHAPTER SIX
‘H OW NEWLYWED ARE we talking?’ Chloe asked when they got down to business ten minutes later. She’d unearthed a notepad from the kitchen and was committing their ideas to paper for future reference. She’d drawn up two columns: one for plans—flights, accommodation, sightseeing she intended to get in while she was there; the other for ‘getting acquainted’. Such as background and personal details, real and invented. It kept her hands busy, her eyes down and also helped her to keep everything on a professional level.
‘We’re combining business with our honeymoon.’
A small smile hooked the corner of her mouth. ‘That doesn’t make you a very good husband.’
‘But you’re a very supportive wife and you understand my commitment to business. Besides, once you’d manipulated
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