Be with Me

by Jules Bennett

  “Most Southern guys are,” Livie chimed in. “It’s how they were raised.”

  Jade patted Melanie’s knee. “Why don’t we start dinner. Tanner is going to be tired and hungry when he gets home.”

  Melanie stared at the television. “I should call his mom,” she muttered. “I’m sure she’s heard, but I feel like I need to call her.”

  “You go call her.” Livie came to her feet. “Jade and I will start dinner, and you need to remain calm. Okay? Everything will work out and Tanner will be home before you know it.”

  Melanie nodded. At least there was a plan.

  Jade stood up and extended her hand to help Melanie to her feet. “Thanks, guys,” Melanie said, looking from one concerned friend to the other. “I’m glad I’m not alone.”

  “We wouldn’t let you be alone,” Livie told her. “Now go call his mom.”

  With Teresa living an hour away, Melanie wasn’t sure if she’d heard the news or not, but she needed to be informed. Melanie used her cell and sat on the sofa, making sure to keep her eyes locked on the television for any new updates.

  She waited, but the phone just kept ringing. Ultimately, Melanie ended up leaving a message to call back. She really didn’t want to discuss the situation over voicemail.

  Soon, tempting scents started wafting from the kitchen. A news anchor stood in front of the camera and gave an update that the cops were in negotiations with the gunman. Moments later in the background, Melanie saw two women running from the front of the bank. Tanner and another officer ran up to meet them and escorted them to safety.

  The sun was starting to set. Who knew how much longer this would go on, but Melanie would be right here waiting for Tanner to come home. Because as soon as he walked through that door, she was going to tell him she loved him. There were no doubts and there was no promise of another day. If she wanted him to know how she felt, she couldn’t hold off any longer.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Broken crayons still color.

  —Mel’s Motivational Blog

  “She’s asleep.”

  Jade whispered as she came to her feet from the oversized leather chair and folded the throw blanket.

  Tanner wasn’t a bit surprised to walk in and see Jade and Livie in his living room. Livie sat on the sofa with Melanie’s feet in her lap. Livie’s head tipped back against the cushion as she slept, Melanie’s head rested on the arm of the couch, and Jade rubbed her eyes and shoved her hair back from her face. This had definitely been a long night for everyone, and he was relieved to know Melanie hadn’t spent it alone.

  The muted television flickered, showing some late night infomercial about knives.

  “She’s been rooted to this spot all night, but she finally couldn’t take it anymore,” Jade explained, then placed a hand on his arm. “How are you? You look ready to drop.”

  Tanner rolled his shoulders and blew out a sigh. “I’m exhausted, but relieved the events turned out the way they did. Things could’ve gone so much worse.”

  When the gunman’s wife had come onto the scene, she’d called her husband and hours later she finally managed to talk him into giving himself up. He was now in custody. His poor wife and children not only reeled from their main source of support losing his job, but now he also faced criminal charges. It was a tough situation, but all in all the day could’ve ended tragically. At least everyone was safe.

  “Thanks for staying with her,” Tanner whispered. “I worried she’d be stressed, but there was no way I could call her.”

  “She knows.” Jade reached around to the table by the door and grabbed her keys. “Livie and I will get out of here and let you get some rest.”

  Jade walked over and nudged Livie awake. When she glanced up and saw Tanner, she smiled and then eased out from under Melanie’s legs. Livie crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him, giving him that brotherly squeeze he’d come to love from her.

  “Glad you’re safe,” she murmured before easing back. “If you’re hungry, dinner is in the fridge.”

  “Thanks, guys. I mean it. I don’t know where Melanie would be without you.”

  Jade smiled. “We think the same about you.”

  Tanner didn’t question her reply. Melanie definitely didn’t need him, but he sure as hell needed her.

  After Melanie’s friends left, Tanner locked the door and reset the alarm. He turned back to look at the woman on his sofa. Even in her sleep her brows were drawn in, her fist clenched up by her cheek. The worry she must’ve experienced had obviously carried over into her nap.

  To know she had been here pretty much holding vigil for him, worrying for him, had Tanner feeling so . . . well, relieved. He’d never had someone waiting like this. Oh, his mother always fretted about his job, but to have Melanie in his life was something he couldn’t explain.

  He removed his holster and his gun and took them upstairs to his room, placing them in the safe in his closet. He grabbed a quick shower and threw on a pair of shorts and came back down to the living room. Melanie slept on.

  The soft light from the television flashed shadows onto her face. Her long lashes feathered over her porcelain skin. The worry lines between her brows remained and he wished he could’ve shielded her from any stress.

  After all she’d been through this evening, would she even want to be with him? Would she see this as a reason to push him away and safeguard her heart? Would she want to have a family life with a man who put his life on the line? He’d never thought about it until now, but there were no guaranteed days of ease on his job. Yes, the crime rate in Haven was low for the most part, but that didn’t mean there wouldn’t be danger.

  Had this night changed Melanie’s heart? He knew she was falling for him. There wasn’t a doubt in his mind. She trusted him, she stayed with him, they were having a child. Their bond had only grown stronger over the past month. Hell, his mother was in love with her. Every piece of the puzzle lined up perfectly for a dynamic future if she was ready to discuss their future.

  Tanner couldn’t imagine coming home without her here now. He’d gotten so used to her, had gotten in the routine of making sure her water and crackers were on the nightstand before he left for work. He’d gotten used to discussing their days when he came home in the evenings.

  Still, she brought one outfit at a time in her little bag, claiming just one more night. She slept in his shirts, in his bed . . . and took up a heavy portion of his heart.

  Tanner bent down and scooped her up into his arms, careful not to jostle her too much. Her head lolled over to his shoulder. Her bare cheek rested against his chest and her soft, warm breath tickled him as he carried her up the staircase.

  Never before had he been one to think poetic thoughts, but he literally felt his heart clench at the idea that he was carrying his entire world right here. The baby, Melanie . . . he’d do anything for them and he wanted them to stay here. Forever.

  Hell, he hadn’t even told her he loved her yet and was already wanting to put that ring on her finger.

  Between Livie and Jax’s wedding and the turn of events today on the job, Tanner looked at life in a whole new light. He wasn’t waiting any longer to go after what he wanted.

  The moonlight cast horizontal slivers through the blinds in his room. The pale glow slashed across the bed like stripes as he laid Melanie on the covers. The moment he let go, she stirred, her lids fluttered and he waited as he watched her come to.

  When she focused in on him, she shot straight up and came to her feet. In an instant, she threw her arms around him. Tanner took a step back as the weight of her body knocked him off balance.

  “Hey, I’m fine,” he assured her, squeezing her tight.

  Relief radiated off her as she turned her head toward his neck, needing to inhale that familiar, masculine scent that only belonged to Tanner. Her fingers lacing through his hair and trembled against him.

  “You scared the hell out of me,” she muttered.

  “I can take care of my
self,” he assured her. “Nothing to worry about.”

  Melanie eased back, her hair an absolute mess around her face, but she was stunning and he loved her. Damn, he didn’t want to wait another moment.

  Pushing her hair back, Tanner framed her face with his hands and forced her eyes on his. “I want you to move in,” he started. “None of this just one night at a time. I want you permanently in my bed. I love you, Mel.”

  She pulled in a shaky breath and gripped his wrists. “As in, you love me or you’re in love with me? Or that you want to love me so we can try to make this family work?”

  Tanner laughed and kissed her hard before releasing her. “All of the above. I love you, I’m in love with you, and we will make this family work.”

  She slid her hands over his shoulders, trailing the tips of her fingers down over his pecs. Instantly his body stirred. Moments ago he was ready to fall into bed. Now, well . . . he was definitely ready to fall into bed.

  “I have a secret I’ve been keeping,” she whispered.

  He thought for a second she was going to fill him in on something about her ex. That was the only gap between them, but he was determined to close it.

  “I love you, too.”

  Tanner reached around and gripped her backside, pulling her flush against his body. “Is that right? I’ve known for a while.”

  “You have not,” she stated, swatting his chest. “I just figured it out the other day.”

  “Maybe you just came to the realization, but you wouldn’t be here with me if you didn’t.” He nipped at her lips and spun her around so the back of her knees hit the bed. “You don’t trust easily. You were heartbroken and left wondering if you could open your heart again. So the fact that you’re with me told me all I need to know about your feelings.”

  “You think you’re so smart,” she murmured against his lips.

  “It’s my job to assess the situation.”

  She rubbed her body against his before pulling him down with her onto the bed. “Then what am I thinking now?”

  “That you have on too many clothes.”

  Melanie laughed and raked her nails over his back. “You are good at your job, Officer.”

  “I’m about to show you how good I can be.”

  Tanner stripped her of every shred of clothing and removed his shorts. She reached up for him, welcoming him into her arms. This turning point in their relationship was everything to him, to their future.

  Tanner traced his lips over her collarbone and up her neck to finally land on her parted lips. Melanie wrapped her legs around his waist and he didn’t hesitate to join their bodies. He swallowed her groan, welcomed her arched body against his, and took his time in pleasuring her.

  He didn’t care that he had to be up in a few hours for work. All he cared about was that this woman he loved, loved him right back.

  When her fingertips bit into his back, he thrust fast, harder. Her heavy panting against his ear had him turning to capture her mouth once again. He couldn’t get enough, didn’t think he’d ever have enough of Melanie.

  Her body tightened all around him as his own release hit. She trembled beneath him, letting out a soft moan when he slid his lips from her mouth along her jawline. After a few moments, she’d gone lax and Tanner’s body calmed. He shifted to the side and pulled her right with him into the crook of his arm.

  “I was scared for you tonight,” she said, breaking the silence.

  Tanner trailed his fingertips up and down her bare arm. “I knew you would be. I’m trained for situations like that. I can honestly say Haven doesn’t have much major crime, like robberies, but we are ready when it happens. The waiting is the hardest part, for everyone.”

  “I was so afraid something was going to happen on live TV and I’d have to see it . . .”

  Her last word came out on a hiccup as he felt moisture on his chest. Tanner rolled her onto her back and hovered above her, swiping away at her tears. The moonlight slanted right across her face.

  “We had the situation under control.” Tanner kissed her tear-tracked cheeks. “You need to know that I also work some evenings that aren’t with the precinct. I’m not supposed to tell anyone, but I don’t want you to worry when I have to leave.”

  Melanie blinked away the moisture. “I know you disappear randomly. Do you have a second job?”

  Tanner pulled in a breath and rolled over on his back. Resting his arm across his forehead, he stared up at the ceiling.

  “I’m part of a small operation that consists of former military and former law enforcement. We work undercover to pull women and children out of abusive situations and set them up in a safe place until they can get on their feet and move on.”

  Melanie lifted up onto her elbow and stared down at him. “That’s where you’ve been all those times we had no idea?”

  He nodded and glanced her way. “This is all top secret, so you can’t even discuss this with Jade or Livie. Even Cash and Jax are unaware. They’ve speculated it’s for work, so I just go with it.”

  Melanie’s hand settled over his heart. “And you trusted me with this?”

  “I trust you with everything.”

  Please open up, Mel. Tell me about Neville and the calls.

  She fisted her hand on his chest and rested her chin. “I’ve never known anyone like you, Tanner. You’re constantly giving and caring. Our baby is so lucky to have you as her father.”

  “Her?” he asked, though part of him cracked a little that she still wasn’t giving him 100 percent of herself.

  “Until we find out, I’ll be referring to the baby as her.”

  He slid his hand up her back. “Fine by me. Who knows, maybe the next one will be a boy.”

  Melanie stilled. “The next one?”

  Tanner smiled into the dark and wrapped his arms around her. “Get some rest, Mel. We’ve had a long day.”

  * * *

  “Well, this looks like shit.”

  Tanner stepped over the boxes of still-wrapped flooring in the lobby as he attempted to get into the front entrance of the airport.

  Dripping sweat and holding a crowbar, Jax looked up and flipped him the finger. “Shouldn’t you be working and actually earning the taxpayers’ hard-earned money instead of harassing me?”

  “I already earned my paycheck.” Tanner watched as Jax took the crowbar and hammer and tapped at the old tile on the floor. “I have a bag of clothes in the car if you need help. But if you’re going to bitch about my job, I can just go home and have a beer.”

  “Kiss my ass and change your clothes.”

  Tanner laughed. “I knew you couldn’t do this without me.”

  He headed back out to his truck and grabbed his bag. Within minutes he was changed and had his own crowbar and hammer, working on the other end of the lobby area.

  “Where’s Cash?” Tanner asked.

  “He has a date.”

  “When doesn’t he?” Tanner tapped at another tile, cursing when only the corner piece chipped away. “He may have to reschedule that social life until we make some headway here.”

  “He swears he’ll come by on Sunday and Monday.”

  “He’s also buying the beer for the workdays.”

  Jax laughed as he tapped away at more of the tile. Thankfully the lobby area wasn’t overly huge. They were opening some walls and changing out the flooring to provide a better flow and definitely something more updated for their future high-class clientele.

  “What do you think about me asking Melanie to marry me?”

  Jax’s tapping came to a halt. He stood straight up, wiped his forehead with the back of his arm, and stared at Tanner like that was the last topic he ever thought would come up.

  “What?” Tanner asked, tapping the hammer lightly to the curve on the crowbar to chip at the tile. “It’s a legit question. How did you know when you wanted to ask Livie?”

  “Hell, I don’t know.” Jax held both tools in one hand and swiped his hand over the back of his neck.
“The thought of her leaving and going back to Atlanta made me so angry. I couldn’t just let her leave without a fight.”

  Melanie hadn’t mentioned leaving; she actually went on and on about how much she loved Haven.

  “Are you only thinking of asking because of the baby?” Jax asked.

  Tanner set his tools at his side and shook his head. “No. What Melanie and I have is completely different than what I went through before. Mel and I have both been through hell, but she’s so strong and resilient. I just—I want her to always be there, you know?”

  “So when are you asking?”

  Tanner sighed and wished like hell he had all the answers or someone to give him clear insight. “I’m not sure now is the time.”

  Jax’s brows drew together. “Why not?”

  “I know she’s had contact with her ex,” Tanner explained. “Not that she’s getting back with him, but I think he’s still a threat and she hasn’t opened up to me about it. It’s like she hasn’t trusted me with that final piece of her life.”

  “I can’t believe you haven’t called her on it.” Jax crossed the room and opened a cooler, pulling out two bottles of water. “You afraid she’ll lie about it?”

  Tanner took the bottle Jax offered. “I don’t think she’d lie if I said something, but I want her to come to me on her own. I know her well enough and she thinks she’s protecting me. She’s mentioned several times how powerful her ex is and how she doesn’t want me to have any involvement with him. She’s not afraid for herself at this point, she’s afraid for me.”

  Jax twisted the cap off the bottle and tossed it into the large trash bin in the corner. “You need to confront her, man. This has nothing to do with her not trusting you. That may be how you see it, but as an outsider, I’m telling you she’s afraid. She wants a future with you, that much is evident. But she’s worried her powerful ex will ruin it.”

  That’s exactly what she thought, no doubt. He would have to confront her, but he didn’t want her to feel like he was accusing her of anything.

  “Livie has told me some about him,” Jax went on. “The guy is a certified asshole. You need help with anything, you know Cash and I have your back. Mel is like family to us, too.”