“I think I need another beer,” Jax said, wrapping an arm around Livie’s waist. “Is Piper asleep?”
“She is.” Livie leaned her head against Jax’s shoulder. “Maybe we should go back to the fire and leave Melanie and Tanner alone.”
She didn’t want to be alone with Tanner. Well, her body did. Her mind was telling her to get in her car and get home. The more she was around him, the stronger her attraction became, and she was starting to wonder if that was just baby hormones talking.
“I could use another beer, too.” Cash stepped toward Melanie and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “We’re all here for you. I think I speak for everyone when I say we’re shocked, but we’re a damn loyal bunch. Except ol’ Red over there.”
Jade narrowed her eyes at the back of Cash’s head. “Be more original than calling me Red, asshole.”
Returning Cash’s half hug, Melanie slid her arm around his waist and patted his back. “I appreciate the support. I’m a bit nervous, but I just need to get used to my new normal.”
“And you need to rest,” Tanner interjected. “Cash, get your hands off her.”
Cash didn’t release her as he leaned down and kissed her cheek. “He’s territorial when it comes to what’s his,” Cash whispered in her ear.
Territorial? His?
Melanie didn’t want to be anyone’s property. She’d been down that road and it had nearly ruined her. She still carried the scars.
Part of her mind knew Cash was just using a figure of speech, but the other part fully feared she could slip back into that role of a secondary character in her own life story. She had to remain in the lead, damn it.
Being pregnant put her completely out of her realm of knowledge. How did she keep Tanner in the baby’s life, but at a safe distance from her own?
“Don’t be stubborn,” Jade chimed in. “Just let Tanner take you home. I’ll hang here for a bit longer so you two can talk.”
“But—”
“We’ll make arrangements to get your car home,” Cash supplied. “I think Red and I can get along enough for that.”
Melanie wasn’t so sure, but she was so ready to get home, and if Jade thought she needed rest and to trust Tanner, then she’d go. Why was her mind such a jumbled mess lately? Why had everything she’d worked so hard to become suddenly morphed into the woman she used to be? Second-guessing every decision was the old Melanie—and apparently the pregnant Melanie.
“Let’s go,” she conceded. “I smell like smoke and I’m in desperate need of a shower and clean clothes.”
She said her goodbyes to her friends and headed toward Tanner’s truck. She wanted to protest when he got the door for her and assisted her up, but she knew picking on every single thing would just be petty. He was trying to help, he was trying to do the right thing and be there, but Melanie couldn’t help but wonder how long that would last. When she got fat, would he still be there? When she was in labor, would he hold her hand? Would he take care of their baby so she could rest when she’d been up all night?
At what point would Tanner be done with her?
Chapter Six
I’m working on myself for myself by myself.
—Mel’s Motivational Blog
She was going to make him fight this relationship—or whatever the hell they had going on—every step of the way.
Tanner waited while Melanie took a shower to rinse off the smoke. He told her he wanted to talk, but hell if he knew what he wanted to talk about. All he knew was that he didn’t want to just leave her. He’d had a hell of a night trying to get a twenty-five-year-old mother of two and her children to safety. She’d been hesitant, especially when the kids started crying and were confused as to why there was a stranger trying to get them to leave.
Such a dramatic change in their lives, but necessary if they wanted security and safety. Tanner had held the weeping toddler in his arms while his partner had talked with the mother.
He’d taken longer than he’d originally thought, but as much as he’d wanted to get to the cookout and see his friends, see Melanie, that family had to come first. Then he’d felt guilty because he’d created his own family and they would have to come before the job.
So now he was waiting for Melanie to finish up because he hadn’t seen her for a couple of days, and damn it, he just wanted to. He didn’t want her to believe he’d just ditched her or their friends tonight. At some point he’d have to let her know a portion of what he was doing. Melanie deserved to know she wasn’t coming in second.
For years, he’d been married to his job, but all of that would have to change and his priorities had to shift. Somehow, he’d figure everything out. Too many people needed him—whether they admitted it or not—and he wouldn’t let them down.
Tanner had no idea what was going on between Melanie and him. The passion they’d shared hadn’t stopped, at least not on his part. He still desired her just as much—no, more—than before the pregnancy announcement.
Speaking of announcement, he’d have some explaining to do to Jax and Cash when he saw them again. Knowing his nosy cousins, they’d show up at his house tonight or first thing in the morning.
No doubt they’d want to discuss his feelings and rehash the past. There was no need to state the obvious parallel circumstances. He knew this was going to be hell on his nerves for a while, but perhaps the doctor visit on Monday would help alleviate his fears somewhat.
Tanner took a seat on the new leather sofa. This house was Livie’s childhood home, and she’d done some sprucing up when she’d originally intended to sell the place.
Livie, along with Jade and Melanie, had come into town when Livie’s father had passed. He’d willed his old airport to her and Jax. Of course, those two hadn’t seen eye to eye on anything, and Livie had been hell-bent on getting in and out of Haven, keeping her emotions out of the equation.
That had gone straight to hell when she and Jax fell in love and Livie started playing mommy to Piper. Now they were all gearing up to renovate the run-down airport, making it into something grand and luxurious for higher-end clientele.
At first Tanner wasn’t sold on the idea. High-end clients in Haven? But the film industry was booming in Georgia and more and more people were coming in to the small towns in the state. Why not offer them a quaint place that would cater to their needs and be more personable?
Actors, directors, producers, they were flocking in, and Livie had come up with a plan to accommodate this type of business.
So here they all were with a hand in the operation. Tanner didn’t have quite a heavy hand other than voicing his opinion occasionally and renting a space for the Cessna Skycatcher he and Cash shared.
The water stopped running. Tanner glanced overhead, imagining Melanie stepping from the shower and toweling off. In their rush of frantic sex over a month ago, they hadn’t taken all of their clothes off . . . something he regretted now. Tanner hadn’t gotten to take his time and truly appreciate her.
That still irritated the hell out of him. She’d obviously had a hellish marriage and past before coming to town, and he’d treated her like a one-night stand.
Technically she had been just that, but it wasn’t until after their night together that Tanner started kicking himself for not being a bit more of a gentleman. Apparently his bedroom manners had vanished about as quickly as a portion of their clothes.
Raking a hand down his face, Tanner pulled out his cell. He needed sleep in the worst way. Burning both ends of the candle was exhausting, but he wasn’t leaving.
He focused on looking up random pregnancy facts instead of thinking of the naked woman so close, yet so far. There were so many things he’d blocked out from before. Every pregnancy was different, every woman’s body was different. He had to be mentally prepared this time. Maybe if he thrust himself into research and educating himself, he’d have a better grasp on how to handle all of this.
One site Tanner hit on had images he really hadn’t readied himself for
. Backing out of that one, he chose one that sounded less terrifying. Statistics of things that could go wrong was sure as hell not an area he wanted to read about. He knew full well what could go wrong.
He had no idea what he was looking for, though. Something to reassure him that everything would be fine. Some type of crystal ball into the future would be nice about now. He wanted to know what was going to go on with Melanie, with doctor’s appointments—hell, with everything.
His first time going through this he’d been shut out. His fiancée had told him he was worrying too much and his worry made her nervous. He hadn’t attended the appointments, except for the one where they learned they were having a boy.
A swell of emotions balled up in his throat and he gritted his teeth and shut his eyes, willing the past to stay where it belonged.
Tanner prided himself on always being prepared, but nothing could get you ready for losing everything. When he’d been in the air force, he’d educated himself on anything that would further his love of the skies. Then when he’d gotten out, he’d joined Haven’s PD and always had a backup plan for any situation. He’d always had a sense of security, even during dangerous situations.
Right now, though, he was freefalling with no end in sight and no cushion.
He continued to scroll, reading about the different ultrasounds, the size of the baby at different weeks, how their little bodies developed at different stages. Fascinating and terrifying all at the same time.
When he scrolled by the term preeclampsia he’d had to keep going. There was no room for fear. Not with Melanie.
“Find something interesting?”
Tanner’s gaze drifted to the doorway where Melanie stood smiling. “What? Oh, just reading.”
“It must’ve been some article. I stood there for a good three minutes and you didn’t even budge.”
Had he been reading that long? How had he not noticed her there? So much for those cop instincts.
Melanie crossed the room and came to stand beside him. She tilted her head and glanced down to his phone. He watched as her brows shot up, her gaze darting to his.
“Reading up on all the things to come?”
Tanner set his phone on the antique coffee table in front of him and leaned back against the cushion. He wasn’t ready to tell her he’d been down this path before. She’d want to know what happened, and informing her of how things ended wouldn’t be the best. No need to incite fear in her when it wasn’t necessary.
Melanie was different. This pregnancy was different. It had to be, and no matter how many times he had to repeat this mantra to himself, he would until he believed every single word.
Tanner raked his eyes over her, which was impossible not to do when she looked so damn good. Melanie had changed into a little pair of cotton shorts and a tank that molded to her curves. Was she trying to torment him? Her wet hair was twisted up on top of her head, and whatever soap or lotion she’d used was driving him out of his ever-loving mind.
Knowing Melanie, she had no clue about the power she held. She was going for comfort and relaxing, but her innocent look had his imagination working overtime.
“Just trying to wrap my head around everything.”
Melanie blew out a sigh and turned away. She crossed to the oversized leather chair with an ottoman in the corner. Tanner kept his focus on her as she curled up in the chair and stared back.
How could this awkwardness settle so easily between them when they’d been so hot for each other? Hell, he was still hot for her. She felt the same. He hadn’t missed the way her breath caught when he’d held her earlier, he hadn’t missed when her eyes widened a split second before darting down to his lips. Melanie was just as attracted . . . she just didn’t want to be.
When she tried to stifle a yawn, Tanner felt guilty for hovering. That was something he’d have to work on so as not to freak her out, but it was damn hard not to want to be near her, to make sure she truly was okay.
“We can talk tomorrow,” he told her. “I don’t have to hang around.”
Melanie shook her head. “You’re fine. I mean, I’m tired, but the shower helped and I couldn’t fall asleep if I went to bed now. Too much on my mind.”
As busy as he was with work and the undercover evenings, Tanner had to remember she was the pregnant one and just as busy. In addition to her blog site, the social media accounts, most likely her emails exploding because of her popularity, she was also working the legal side of the airport renovations.
“How are the airport plans coming?” he asked.
Getting back on common ground and away from the attraction, the pregnancy, perhaps they could eradicate this damn uncomfortable tension.
She tipped her head and narrowed her eyes. “Not what I thought you were sticking around to talk about.”
Tanner smiled. “I pride myself on keeping people on their toes.”
Melanie gave a slight shrug and rested her cheek on the cushion. “They’re actually coming along pretty well. All of the permits are a go. Zach is talking with the architect to finalize the design.”
Speaking of busy, Zach Monroe was one hell of a construction worker, and in high demand. He and his brothers had opened a women’s only resort and spa only two years ago. So many around the town had laughed at the concept of three manly men opening something so feminine. But then everyone learned they were fulfilling their late sister’s dream.
Once word had gotten out, the place had exploded onto the map. Day-trippers from Savannah flocked in, ladies flew in for long weekends. Bella Vous was quite a sight. They’d branched out and had a small café run by Liam, the chef of the brothers.
Now Zach was putting some of his jobs aside to assist with the airport renovations and there wasn’t a better man for that job.
“I need to get in another flight soon,” Tanner commented. “I haven’t been in too long.”
“You’re too busy with work.”
He’d never thought being busy with work was a problem, but now that he had just added more to his life, he might need to reevaluate his schedule.
No, he hadn’t just added to his life. He’d made a family. A family that needed him to provide security and stability. Melanie still worried about her ex. She’d hinted before, but Tanner wasn’t going to let anything or anyone threaten his family.
“What is it you really wanted to talk about?” Melanie asked, unfolding her legs and stretching them out on the ottoman.
Damn. Those shapely legs and bare feet held his attention longer than they should’ve. Seeing her so relaxed, with a touch of heavy lids that reminded him of her face when he’d had her pinned against the door . . .
Tanner shifted his focus and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I don’t know, Mel. All I know is that I wanted to see you.”
When she didn’t say anything, he risked glancing her way again. She worried her bottom lip with her teeth for just a moment.
“You want honesty, that’s it,” he added.
“We agreed to one night,” she murmured.
Tanner held back his laughter. “We didn’t agree to any such thing. We were too busy breaking speed records getting back to my place and tearing each other’s clothes off.”
Her eyes widened. “I don’t think we should talk about that night.”
Irritated and more than turned on, Tanner came to his feet and made his way across the room. He sat on the edge of the ottoman right next to her feet.
“And why shouldn’t we discuss it?”
He had to give her credit, she kept her eyes on his, even though he silently challenged her by staring right back. He wanted to know what she was thinking, what she was feeling. Damn it. He wanted her, and he knew full well she was just as attracted.
“Because of the way you’re looking at me,” she whispered.
Tanner couldn’t suppress the smile. “And how is that?”
“Like you want me.”
“Because I do.”
Melanie stared at
him a moment longer before she reached up and pulled the holder from her hair. Wet sections hung like thick ropes over her shoulder. She slid her fingers through the strands as she continued to hold his eyes.
“You can’t say things like that. We have other issues than sexual attraction.”
“My attraction isn’t an issue,” he countered, settling a hand on her ankle. She jerked beneath his touch, but didn’t move. “Let me take you to dinner.”
“It’s late.”
He slid his hand up to her calf. “I didn’t mean now. Tomorrow.”
“You think dating is going to solve things?”
“We both have to eat dinner.” His hand slid an inch higher. “We should probably get to know each other even better, since we’re bound for life now.”
The second she tensed beneath his touch, Tanner knew he’d said the wrong words. When she tried to slide her leg from beneath his hand, he kept a firm hold.
“Don’t,” he warned. “Don’t put me in some category when you have no idea where I truly belong. Get to know me, the real me.”
Melanie tipped her head just enough to showcase her defiance. “I recognize power and control.”
Tanner leaned forward just a bit. He didn’t want her to be afraid of him, not ever. He’d seen the hell his mother had lived through at the harsh words of his father. He’d seen the eyes of the women he’d helped over the last year. Those who had been broken, beaten down, nearly destroyed, and were just trying to reclaim their lives.
Melanie had that. Every now and again he’d catch a flash in her eyes. If he hadn’t worked so closely around evil, he might not have noticed. Then again, he noticed everything about Melanie.
“Power and control come in many different layers, Mel.” He softened his tone, his touch on her leg. “You’ve only been exposed to the ugly side.”
Those bright eyes narrowed. “You have no clue what I’ve been exposed to.”
Dirty politician, jerk of a husband, a man who didn’t appreciate the woman he had. Tanner had a pretty good idea.
“Then tell me.” He removed his hand and shifted so he wasn’t touching her at all. “Explain to me so I understand. Let me take you out.”
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