Be with Me (Return to Haven 2)

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.