At the time Tanner had been her safest, yet most dangerous option. Her friends all knew him, knew how great a guy he was. Yet he was only looking for a good time.
Looking back, maybe she shouldn’t have been so brazen. Maybe she shouldn’t have chosen someone her friends knew so well, because now there was no way they could keep that night just between them.
Melanie hadn’t been able to tell her best gal pals what really happened that night they’d gone to Taps, because the last thing she needed or wanted was awkwardness to settle into their little group. She and Tanner had agreed nobody needed to know.
Clearly that was off the table now. In a few short months, her disappearing waistline would give away all her secrets.
“I plan on being with you through this entire pregnancy.”
Melanie jerked back. “Excuse me?”
Those dark eyes narrowed. She realized now he didn’t mean to be so ridiculously sexy with that stare, it was just naturally Tanner. Yet it was that intense gaze that had followed her down the dark, narrow hallway of the bar. It was that same heavy-lidded glare that had caused those butterflies in her belly each time he’d flashed it in the days, the weeks leading up to their intimate night.
“I wanted to see you again before I found out about the baby,” he stated simply. “But now that I know you’re pregnant with my child, I plan on being part of your life.”
Fear grabbed hold from the inside, threatening to strangle her and rob her of the very foundation she’d worked for two years to secure. She wasn’t about to have another man trying to control her. Yes, this baby was Tanner’s, too, but she refused to relinquish the strong hold she’d finally gotten on her life.
Melanie rushed to her feet and stepped aside to get out of that narrow space between the sofa and the coffee table.
“No. No.” She shook her head and walked to the window where Tanner had just been. “I’m not dating, I’m not . . . anything with you. We did one night, that’s all.”
The idea of getting involved with a man, of entering into a relationship or anything else that would threaten her much-needed independence terrified her even more than the idea of being a mother. Jumping into something serious with the first man since Neville would only be a rebound. No way could she trust her heart with a man she was simply physically attracted to. There had to be more to build on . . . and not just a pregnancy.
Being married with a family had always been a goal of hers. She’d not dated much before Neville. She’d always been too insecure about her weight, about getting close to a guy. She’d not lived in the best area of town or had the best education, so she was backward and shy. But Melanie’s father had worked for Neville’s father at their estate, doing yard work. Neville had caught sight of her one day when she stopped by with lunch for her dad. Neville had persisted until she’d finally given in to a date. He’d been charming, caring, almost too good to be true. She should’ve recognized that red flag.
Needless to say, Melanie’s family wasn’t too keen that she’d divorced a man who was so powerful and heading for bigger things. They’d wanted better for their little girl. They’d wanted her to make something of herself and move on from the depressing area they lived in.
Melanie never cared about the money or power. She cared about her sanity, her health, and getting out before something truly tragic happened.
“I’m not negotiating on this,” he demanded.
Melanie gritted her teeth as she tossed a glance over her shoulder. “And I won’t be controlled.”
If anything, those eyes of his got darker. “I never said anything about controlling you, Mel. And stop acting like I’m your ex. That’s not fair to either one of us.”
She shook her head. “I can’t get into this with you. I need some time to process it all.”
“And you think pushing me away will help?” he asked.
Melanie turned her attention back to the window when he stood. She didn’t want to keep staring at his broad shoulders, his lean hips, or those long legs as they ate up the distance between them. No matter how attractive he was, now was not the time to play the dating game. She couldn’t focus on this pregnancy and worry about a relationship.
Staring out the front window toward the picturesque street, Melanie swallowed. “I don’t know,” she murmured.
Everything over these past few months had been so out of character for her. Perhaps she was sleep deprived from helping Livie work on the legalities of the airport and discussing the redesign and all the possibilities. Her blog and social media had skyrocketed even more since coming to Haven because Melanie had changed so much and poured every bit of her emotions out, to inspire others.
Who was she kidding? None of that was really out of character. She shouldn’t have given in to her desire and slept with Tanner. Period. That’s what had been so far gone from her usual comfort zone. She’d stepped out of that zone and obliterated the line.
But that voice in the back of her mind, the one that still lived there even though she’d divorced Neville, that told her nobody would ever want her . . . maybe she’d just wanted to be selfish for a bit. Now that someone like Tanner showed interest, and she was interested back, she could be in control.
She’d wanted to prove to herself that she was desirable, that she could attract a man who wanted her as much as she wanted him. Melanie had just wanted to shut up that voice of doubt even if only for one night.
“I have no idea what to do from here.” Melanie smiled when a little girl ran down the sidewalk with a wand of bubbles trailing behind her. “Whatever you and I decide, this baby has to come first.”
“I agree.”
At least that was something. She couldn’t even fathom dating him right now. Or dating anyone, for that matter. Even if she weren’t pregnant, Melanie didn’t think jumping back into the dating pool was the smartest idea at this point in her life.
Then again, Tanner hadn’t mentioned dating. He’d said he’d be in her life . . . so what did that mean? Because all she’d heard was him saying he’d insert himself into her world and take over. Was that just the past betrayin