g her now? Was that her mind lying to her?
She had no clue, but she did know all of this had to go day by day. They were both shaken up, clearly dealing with the struggle in their own way.
Melanie looked back over her shoulder. “Are you close with your parents?”
“My mother just remarried a few years ago. My dad was a real bastard, but my stepdad treats her like a queen. They met at some charity event and to listen to them, it was love at first sight.”
Tanner stood only a few feet away, his eyes assessing her as if he was weighing his next move or how much he wanted to share from his past.
“They travel quite a bit. My stepdad has a few vacation homes, but they’ll be home for the holidays. My mom will be excited. She wanted me settled down and producing children years ago.”
Oddly enough, Melanie had wanted that very same dream for herself. Yet here she was, not married or even in love, which was fine considering what marriage had presented to her.
One day, she vowed. She’d find the man who made her jittery in all the right ways, who made her want to give up her single status and return to joint everything. But that man would have to be a hell of a special guy.
“I’m not settling down again until I find a someone I want to be with forever,” she told him as she searched out the window for the playful little girl. “One failed marriage was enough and now with a child in the mix, I can’t afford to trust my heart so easily.”
“I’m not proposing,” he amended. “But you do deserve someone who’s not a dick.”
Melanie couldn’t help but laugh as she turned back to face him. “You don’t even know him.”
Tanner shrugged as he took a step closer. “I’ve heard enough and I see the look on your face when he’s mentioned. Which is exactly why you need to quit comparing me to him. I have my reasons for wanting to stay close to you and the baby and none of them have to do with control.”
Tamping down the juxtaposition of emotions, Melanie turned from the window and smoothed her hair back from her face. Neville had no place in this conversation . . . or in her life.
“If you wouldn’t mind keeping this to yourself for now. I want to go to the doctor and make sure everything is okay. And if word gets back to Neville . . .”
Fear rippled through her. He would be furious. He was already mortified that his wife left him, but her overwhelming stash of blackmail had left him little choice. At least she’d been strong enough, and smart enough, to keep evidence against him.
“Hey.” Tanner closed the distance between them, concern etched over his face. “This can stay between us as long as you need, but Neville won’t be an issue. I’ll make damn sure of that.”
The intensity in Tanner’s eyes, the hard set of his jaw, and the stern tone of his voice almost had Melanie believing him. But he couldn’t know the type of man her ex was. Nobody did. Neville’s arms reached wider than even Melanie likely knew about. He had corrupt people in his pocket in nearly every town in this state.
Tanner might think he could take on Neville, but Melanie knew nobody could take on that monster if they didn’t have a good amount of ammunition.
Even though Melanie had blackmailed him—that was the only way she’d been able to leave—she still wasn’t going to get too comfortable in her new life. Neville had made it clear he’d get her back. His assistant had also warned Melanie that he meant what he said. Melanie needed to be on guard . . . always.
There was no need to concern Tanner with all of her ugliness or the secrets she kept to herself. They already had enough worries between them.
“I’m hoping to get in to see the new doctor soon,” she told him, needing to circle the topic away from her ex.
“I’ll go with you.”
“No.” Melanie held out her hands, worried he’d step closer. It was difficult enough to think with him across the room, let alone right up on her. “I promise to call you and tell you everything, but if you’re there, it’s just too . . . I don’t know.”
Yes, she did. She knew exactly what it would be like. Like they were a couple and the idea of trusting another man with her heart again scared her more than the pregnancy.
“You don’t want a relationship, I get it. But I’m coming with you. I’m not asking on this.”
He did take a step forward and continued to do so as she stepped back. Finally, she was against the wall with him only inches from her. Nothing about this man scared her. Well, aside from her emotions and gut-clenching, toe-curling attraction. But when her ex would back her into a wall, he’d been in a fit of rage. When she looked at Tanner all she saw was concern . . . and desire.
“I know you’re scared. I have no idea the hell you’ve endured, but I won’t hurt you.” Tanner reached up, sliding one fingertip along the side of her face to remove the stray strand of hair. “That’s hard for you to believe, but this is my child, too. I want the very best for both of you and I intend to be there for every single step.”
Melanie couldn’t focus, not when she could still feel that easy slide of his fingertip, not when that simple gesture reminded her of how tender, yet passionate and reckless, he’d been. Why did she still have to want him? Why this man?
“I need space,” she told him, bringing her hands up to flatten her palms against his taut chest. “I can’t think when you’re this close.”
His eyes dipped to her lips, then back up. “It’s still there.”