“Hold up, Pip.” Melanie stopped just outside the side entrance. “If your daddy needs you, I’m sure Tanner and I could take you another time.”
Tanner didn’t bother hiding his smile or flashing Melanie a glance. Her implication that there would be another time thrilled him. Knowing she was eager to fly was definitely an added bonus to their attraction, the pull they had going on, whether she wanted to admit such a thing or not.
The baby would obviously bind them together, but Tanner wanted to get to know Melanie. He wanted to see where they went together, because he was absolutely on board with spending more time with her, in the bedroom and out.
“Piper!”
Jax’s yell had Piper cringing. “Oops, gotta go.”
She took off running back toward the office. Once she disappeared behind the rusty office door, Tanner reached for Melanie’s hand. She turned and attempted to pull back, but he gave her a gentle squeeze.
“Don’t do that.”
Adjusting his shades, he asked, “Do what?”
“That smiling thing when you think you’re getting away with something.”
He hadn’t even realized he was smiling, but now he couldn’t stop himself. “I’m holding your hand, Melanie. I’ve gotten away with far more.”
Her eyes widened a fraction before she tipped up that defiant chin in her signature move. Damn if he didn’t find that attractive, too. A woman who challenged him, who made him smile more than he had in a while, how the hell could he pretend he didn’t want her?
“Let’s go,” he stated, tugging her hand and leading her toward the far hangar. “If you’re a good girl, I might even let you fly the plane.”
“What? I’ve never flown a plane.”
“Relax. You can take the controls once we’re airborne and I promise to talk you through everything. You think I’d let something happen?”
“I’m a little cautious when it comes to trust.”
“No kidding. I hadn’t noticed.”
She glanced his way with a half grin. “You’re a smart-ass.”
Tanner shrugged. “I’ve been called worse.”
He released her hand and slid the large hangar door open. Melanie squealed and ran inside to the Cessna. Just as he was about to follow, his cell vibrated in his pocket.
Please, please, don’t let this be work.
He loved his job, loved helping where he could, but today he wanted to be completely selfish. After all the years he’d worked and put his personal life on hold, he deserved to take these stolen moments with Melanie.
When Tanner pulled his phone out, relief settled as he swiped across the screen to answer. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, sweetheart. Is this a bad time?”
Tanner kept his eyes on Melanie as she slowly circled the plane. When she reached up and stroked her fingertips along the edge of the wing, he had to shut his eyes and focus on the fact that he was on the phone with his mother.
“No,” he replied, turning away from Melanie and her tempting fingers. “What’s up?”
“Thanksgiving.”
That one word had him holding back a groan. Holidays were always a bone of contention. He worked and let someone else stay home with their family. Why should he take those days off when he didn’t have a wife or children to spend time with?
This time next year would be a whole different scenario, though . . . and his mother still had no idea about the baby. Perhaps Thanksgiving would be the time to tell her she was getting a grandchild. Of course, he’d have to discuss that with Melanie and he wasn’t so sure how she’d handle the whole “meet the mom” scene.
Raking a hand through his hair, Tanner sighed. “I’ll be there.”
Silence.