“Move in here for now until you decide what to do.”
Okay, really. Why did he keep opening his mouth and letting thoughts come out before he fully thought them through? Although, he wouldn’t mind one bit if Melanie moved in here. He could keep an eye on her better that way and they could get to know each other even more.
Fine, he also wanted the hell out of her and craved her in his bed. Having her close would only make sense. Why shouldn’t they explore their attraction? Why was a sudden halt put on things simply because she was expecting a baby?
Melanie held up her hands. “I mention a dog and you suddenly want me to move in? Tanner, we’re not some big happy family.”
The knot in his gut tightened. Once upon a time he’d wanted that big happy family. Now fate was dangling the possibility in front of his face once again.
“You want a place for a dog,” he justified, like this solution made all the sense in the world. “Plus you don’t want to stay in Livie’s old house forever.”
“I said that I meant to get a place of my own.” Vibrant eyes held his gaze a moment before she blinked and glanced away. “Moving in together is hardly the answer.”
The more he thought about it, the more he realized it was the perfect answer, and damn if he wasn’t going to fight for what he wanted.
“Think about it.”
Melanie tipped her head and in a surprising move, she reached out and patted his chest as she offered him a smile. “Are you always this relentless?”
Tanner grabbed her hand and kissed her palm. Heat flared in her eyes. “When I want something bad enough,” he replied.
“Maybe we should move on to the surprise and table this discussion for another time,” she suggested.
Tanner released her hand and turned toward the center island. “You said something the other day that had me thinking, so I stopped at Bella Vous and picked up something for you.”
“Really?” Her smile widened. “Is it a massage? Because Cora Monroe gives the best massages. I had one when Livie’s dad passed and we stayed at the resort before the funeral. Man, I could seriously use another.”
He’d text Macy later and have her schedule a massage for Mel at the very next opening.
“Sorry, no massage, but something I think you’ll enjoy just as much.” Melanie could definitely use the relaxation time. He should’ve thought of that already. “I actually went to the bakery and Liam hooked me up with a few pastries.”
Melanie’s smile faltered as she spotted the white box on the counter.
Tanner wasn’t sure why she suddenly seemed so . . . hell, he couldn’t even put a word to the look on her face. He lifted the lid and presented the treats, never taking his eyes off that pained look on her face.
“Liam said these were some of his favorites,” Tanner stated. “The other day you told me you hadn’t had desserts for some time, so I thought what better chance than from the greatest baker in Haven. Actually, probably all of Georgia considering he worked for Magnolias, the most popular restaurant in Atlanta, before coming here.”
Her eyes were fixed on the box, and for a half second Tanner feared she was going to start crying. She remained silent as she continued to stare. Tanner waited for her to say something, anything, or even make a motion. Hell, she wasn’t even blinking.
“Melanie?”
She jerked and turned her attention to him. “Is this a joke?”
r /> Confused, Tanner rested his hand on the island and propped his other on his hip. “What’s wrong? I thought you’d love this.”
“What’s wrong?” Melanie threw her arms in the air and spun around, then began pacing like some caged animal who had nowhere to go. “What’s wrong is I’ve been down this path before. You can’t make me into someone you can control and keep on a tight leash. I won’t fall into that trap ever again.”
Tanner pushed away from the counter and crossed to where Melanie stood facing the patio doors, staring out into the backyard. His hands gripped her shoulders, and he didn’t give a damn that she tensed when he eased her back against his chest. The war she waged with herself apparently was going to spill over into whatever they had going on, and there was no way in hell he would let her battle this alone.
“Talk to me,” he murmured into her ear. “What got you so upset over seeing that box?”
Something had triggered in her memory bank. Whatever it was, he was hell-bent on eradicating the old flashes of fear and replacing them with only happy thoughts and hope for the future.
She’d yet to relax against him, so he slid his hands down her arms and wrapped his arms around her waist. Tanner wasn’t always the best at consoling, but right now Melanie needed to be held, whether she wanted to admit it or not.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t have exploded on you like that.”
“Don’t apologize for someone else’s actions, because that stems from your past, I’m sure. I can take your words, Mel, but I can’t take you being hurt or shutting me out when I want to help.”