Be with Me (Return to Haven 2)

Healthy to carry a child to term? That was an odd question for a guy to ask, even if he was the father. But the fact that he even asked about her specifically was a true testament to the decent man he was. He might be shaken and worried, but he cared. A part of her heart melted right there, but just because a man showed concern didn’t mean something was going to grow from this situation. She simply wasn’t used to such acts from a guy, especially one she’d only met months ago.

Still, having a good man for a friend or an acquaintance was a far cry from having one as the father of your child.

“I haven’t seen the doctor yet,” she supplied. “I called my doctor back in Atlanta to try to get a referral here in town. I mean, I plan on staying here, so it just makes sense, but I didn’t know who to go to.”

There was just so much to consider, and she was still trying to get her feet under her in this new town. She was still living in Livie’s childhood home for now. At some point she’d have to decide what to do as far as getting a place for herself and really focusing on her future, especially now that she was bringing a child into her life.

Neville had always said something was wrong with her that she hadn’t gotten pregnant in their two years of marriage. What he didn’t know is that she’d never stopped taking her birth control pills. There was no way she’d want to bring a baby into that loveless, abusive marriage. His political aspirations weren’t her concern, and she sure as hell wasn’t about to let an innocent child be used as a pawn in his game.

If he had found out what she’d done, Melanie would have surely paid the price. Taking the risk and lying was her only hope of saving an unknowing baby from growing up with that monster as a father. It had taken Melanie a long time to conjure up the courage to leave her husband. But the idea of staying and enduring more abuse, mental and physical, was worth all the risk.

She’d started running a few days a week as a way to clear her head and think. He hadn’t liked that. Hadn’t wanted her to better herself or lose weight and attract the attention of others. He’d gushed in public over the fact his wife had a law degree, and what a power couple they could be together. But, behind closed doors, he hadn’t liked that one bit. She was too smart, too threatening to him, because what if she came across as more powerful? Neville’s insecurities where she’d been concerned were absolutely preposterous.

One day something clicked for Melanie after reading an article online about loving yourself before you could love anyone else. Right then and there, she had decided if she didn’t put herself first, nobody else would. Sure as hell not her husband.

And when she realized she did want to love herself first for a change, that’s when she started gathering information and formulating a plan to get the hell out of that marriage. A risky move, but one she had to take if she ever wanted a new, happy life.

“I don’t know what your expectations are of me.” Tanner crossed the room and came to stand in front of her. His eyes never wavered, but that muscle in his jaw ticked as if he was trying to keep his emotions in check. “But I will be part of the baby’s life.”

A bit of stress slipped from her. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Even though they didn’t know each other really well, Melanie knew Tanner was a go

od guy. There was no disputing his reputation as an officer. She couldn’t help but worry, though, because there was still so much about him that was kept in the dark.

She’d thought she’d known Neville pretty well when they’d married, but once they were bound together, he instantly transformed. It was almost like some switch had been flipped and he’d gotten exactly what he wanted.

Being married to such a powerful man left her questioning everything. She’d thought Neville was her way out of the poor, depressing life she’d led. She’d been young and impressionable and honestly thought he cared for her. She couldn’t have been more wrong.

Melanie was a different woman than she had been. Life lessons had forced her to grow up, to face the harsh realities. The ugliness of her marriage, the behind-the-scenes in politics—she’d learned too much in such a short marriage.

Tanner was powerful in his own way. Now her one night of throwing caution to the wind and taking what she wanted had bound her to him for life. Thankfully, she wasn’t leading with her heart like she had before. She was going into this with her eyes wide open. There would be no hearts and flowers and Tanner on bended knee extending a ring. The reality was, they’d created a life and now they had to come together to best decide how to proceed.

Melanie might want him to be part of their baby’s life, but she wasn’t about to relinquish control and jump into another relationship. Attraction was one thing, pregnancy was one thing . . . a relationship? That was an area she wanted to avoid until the right man came into her life. She knew he was out there.

Neville hadn’t murdered that dream. One day, she vowed. One day she’d have a husband who loved her, and a family.

“I don’t expect you to think this is some sort of relationship or that I need to be looked after.” She had to make that clear. She didn’t want to be cared for or handled like she was going to fall apart. “I won’t exclude you from anything regarding the baby.”

Tanner dropped down to sit on the edge of the coffee table. Those dark eyes pierced her, and she instantly recalled exactly the moment he’d pressed her against the door, gripping both her wrists in one hand. That entire night had been thrilling, no fear whatsoever.

And that’s how she knew she had turned over a new chapter in her life. The fear of her past would remain exactly where it belonged.

Ironically, she had a new fear now. The fear of the unknown.

Melanie turned her face away and pulled in a deep breath. Just a year ago she never would’ve let a man handle her in such a rough yet arousing manner. But, thanks to her friends, her successful blog, and her popular social media accounts, Melanie had become more resilient than she’d ever thought possible. She was damn proud of how far she’d come.

“So you’re giving me the option to see other women?”

His harsh, bold question brought her gaze back up. “I don’t want you to think you’re tied to me or—”

“Or what?” he spat. “Despite what you may have heard, I don’t have a revolving bedroom door and I sure as hell would never turn away from my responsibilities. This baby and you are top priority from this moment on. Period. So don’t put me in a category with some bastard from your past.”

Okay, so she’d stepped on a nerve. Or maybe he had his own past that still haunted him. They were going to have to find some common ground and get a little personal if they planned on raising their baby without tension.

Melanie couldn’t help the chatter she’d overheard about Tanner, nor could she help but compare him to Neville. She’d not been with anyone else in her life. It was impossible not to line up the two experiences in her head.

A guy like Tanner was precisely the type she’d chosen on purpose to help her get back out into the world and feel like she was in control again. New town, new life . . . and all of that.