Be With Me by Jules Bennett (1)

Chapter One

You’re allowed to scream, you’re allowed to cry,
but you’re never allowed to give up.

—Mel’s Motivational Blog

 

 

If there was ever a time for cocktails, it was now. On the flip side of that, Melanie Ramsey couldn’t drink. Her drinking days were over . . . at least for the next seven months and two weeks, because this morning she’d had two thin blue lines staring her in the face.

Still, she found herself in the wine aisle of Quicky Mart choosing a bottle for her best friends because they were certainly going to need it when she broke the news to them.

What paired well with dropping a bomb like an unplanned pregnancy? Blush? Red?

Considering she’d had white the night of the greatest sexual experience of her life, which had landed her here, she chose the only white that was available from this dismal selection.

“Mel.”

Her fingers curled tighter around the neck of the bottle. She knew that voice. She’d replayed over and over how he’d whispered it in her ear as he’d had her pressed against the door in the foyer of his house. For the past six weeks she’d done a remarkable job of dodging him after their one-night stand. What had she been thinking? She wasn’t a one-night stand type of girl . . . then again, if they all were with men like Officer Tanner Roark, she might have to reconsider. Holy smokes that man knew how to pleasure a woman.

But playtime was over . . . and now they both would have to face the consequences.

However, now was not the time to tell Tanner that he was going to be a daddy. She was still grasping the life-changing fact herself.

After their night together she hadn’t known how to handle a situation so foreign to her. Unfortunately, avoiding him had become her go-to method until she thought of something better.

Dodging Tanner had been quite a feat considering her best friend was marrying his cousin, but Melanie had been busy and apparently so had Tanner, because he’d done little more than text. Maybe he’d only wanted one night, too. She’d heard of his widespread reputation as Haven’s most sought-after bachelor.

Melanie had thought for certain they’d been on the same page. She’d only wanted a safe man, someone she could have fun with, and prove to herself that she was in charge of her life and if she wanted to have a fling, then she sure as hell would.

Tanner was a ladies’ man. Oh, he might not exploit his bedroom talents, but Melanie had been in town long enough to see how women looked at him, what they whispered through hushed gossip at the Curl Up and Dye salon.

She’d been so certain she was ready to take full control of her life, including taking a lover of her choice, and afterwards she would go on her way.

The irony of running into Tanner only hours after her world had tilted on its axis wasn’t lost on her. She firmly believed in fate and signs.

Melanie pulled in a breath and pasted a convincing smile on her face—at least she hoped it was convincing. For the first time in two years, her nerve and courage faltered. She’d been shaken from the solid foundation she’d recently rebuilt for herself.

But she wasn’t going to fall. Never again. This moment might shake her stability, but that was life, and she’d discovered long ago as a child growing up in poverty that the more obstacles life threw in your path, the stronger you were from dodging them.

She’d developed a strength she’d never thought possible.

Clutching her cheap wine, Melanie spun around. “Hey, Tanner.”

Try as she might for a casual greeting, her heart sped up and her mouth nearly watered at the sight of him in uniform. She took in his navy uniform, how well his broad frame filled out every piece of that material, and the aviators he had tucked into the top V just above a glossy black button.

The knots in her stomach tightened. He was just as sexy and intriguing as she’d remembered . . . damn it. She’d been hoping her imagination had just conjured up how amazing they’d been together. But one look at him now only had each and every touch rushing back in glorious detail. The tingling she’d felt from his simple touches, the tickling from his warm breath along her bare skin, the passionate way he commanded her.

“What are you doing here?”

Dark eyes raked over her, giving her chills and even more flashes of their night. He had dark and sultry down without even trying.

After her less than storybook marriage ended, it had taken her a hell of a long time to get up the courage to approach another man. For reasons she couldn’t comprehend, Tanner had been the only man in the past couple years to interest her in any way. And by interest, she meant he drove her absolutely crazy with a want she barely recognized.

“I just stopped in to grab a sandwich,” he explained. “I didn’t see your car out front.”

Yeah, her silver Beemer had stood out in this tiny town of minivans and pickup trucks. Haven was a far cry from Atlanta.

Melanie swallowed. She’d sold her car recently to help her best friend, Olivia Daniels, with her goal of renovating the small-town airport. Besides, ridding herself of the last shred of material things from her ex and assisting such a good cause all in the same whack had been so rewarding, so freeing.

If Neville Prescott knew where his precious BMW SUV had gone, he’d somehow spin things to the media that he was helping those less fortunate. Egotistical jerk of a politician.

Not that she’d ever wanted anything he’d given her, but when Melanie had left, she’d taken the only car she had. She’d been owed that much, to say the least.

Since selling her car she’d used the little in her savings and bought a gently used two-door sporty model. By gently used, she meant the seat didn’t move and she had to shove a pillow behind her back to reach the pedals, but it ran and got her from point A to point B. Oh, the horn might sound like a cat whose tail got run over, but other than that the car was in tip-top shape. Plus, she’d purchased a nice bike for exercise and roaming around the quaint town, so it was still a win.

Considering her childhood and teen years, having a less-than-impressive vehicle actually felt right at home. But her marriage and her childhood were not areas she wanted to explore now—or ever, really.

“Oh, I’m driving something else now.”

That’s right. The black heap in the lot, with a rusty bumper and a shorted out horn, was all hers.

Tanner propped his hands on his hips and scanned both directions of the aisle before zeroing back in on her. “You’ve dodged me for weeks.”

She’d rather talk about the sad excuse for a car than get into why she’d avoided him. In her defense, he’d not been around much, either. “I’ve been busy.”

Not a total lie. She’d been working on all of the permits and discussing renovations for the airport Olivia was revamping with the help of her fiancé, Jax Morgan. Her law degree was coming in handy in ways she never would’ve guessed a few years ago.

To turn a small-town airport into a grand, high-concept business that would draw high-dollar clients took time and patience and a hell of a lot of paperwork and funds.

Celebrities were rolling through like clockwork to film in and around Haven, Georgia. Savannah, only a short twenty-minute ride away, had definitely become a hot spot for filmmakers. Melanie planned on making sure her friends were legally covered and protected in their endeavor. She wanted this next chapter in Olivia’s life to be successful and a tribute to her late father and former owner of the airport.

“Too busy to talk to me after you slept with me and left the second your clothes were straightened out?”

That would be because their clothes never fully came off. They’d been too hot, too hurried to worry about getting completely naked.

Heat flooded her, as well as a nice dose of guilt. “Keep your voice down,” she whispered through gritted teeth. The last thing she needed was people in the Quicky Mart to hear the fairly new girl in town was getting it on with the hottest bachelor officer. Well, she had gotten it on, they weren’t doing anything now.

Except the memories that kept replaying in her mind like a silent movie.

Tanner took a half step forward and tipped his head down as he lowered his voice. “I know we didn’t agree on anything beyond that night. Hell, we didn’t even talk much. But, considering our circle of friends, I didn’t take you for the type that would brush me aside.”

She hadn’t, not exactly. She’d been completely out of her element when they’d torn each other’s clothes off in a frenzy. Melanie had gotten swept up in the moment, in the man. She’d gone into the one-night stand with her eyes wide open, teetering on the edge of fear and exhilaration all rolled into one giant ball of emotion.

Then afterward, she’d had no words. How could she know what to say or do when she’d experienced something she’d never done before? The instant retreat had been the coward’s way out, and she’d prided herself on becoming stronger than the woman she used to be. But she just couldn’t face him. Not until she knew where her head was where he was concerned, because Tanner Roark made her feel things she shouldn’t, things she’d never felt before.

After her failed marriage . . .

No. Just no. She didn’t trust her judgment—especially now. Besides, the one-night stand and the changed dynamics of their friendship weren’t of the utmost importance at this point.

“I’ve just been busy,” she repeated. “Livie is planning a cookout and bonfire soon, though. Friday, I believe. I’ll see you there?”

Tanner’s brows drew in. “Is everything okay, Mel? You seem, I don’t know, jittery.”

Jittery? More like scared out of her mind and no clue what to do next. Her life was one giant roller coaster, and she’d really like to slow down and hop off the emotional ride.

“I’m fine,” she lied with a smile.

He eyed her once again. Tanner wasn’t stupid and he wasn’t buying her quick brush-off. Today of all days was not the time to get into this discussion. Delivering baby-daddy news in the middle of a gas station/convenience store was teetering too close to the lifestyle she’d tried to escape when she’d married Neville. She’d thought he was the way out of her impoverished life. She’d thought he would take her down the path to make something of herself and maybe make her parents proud.

She’d wanted their approval; she’d wanted to be proud of herself, too. None of that happened. Hindsight only proved she would’ve been better off in that trailer park working her ass off, with her scholarships to get through school, and then moving on to a law firm like she’d first planned. Thankfully, she’d been smart in school, had graduated early, had pushed through college before marrying. After that, though, her life had fallen apart.

Melanie had quickly discovered she was going to have to be her own ticket out of hell.

Too many emotions threatened to overtake her. She just wanted to get the wine and get out. There was no way she could go empty-handed to Livie and Jade and tell her two best friends about this pregnancy. Melanie needed a buffer, and wine, no matter how cheap, was always the answer . . . unless you were pregnant.

“Mel.”

She jerked from her thoughts. Neville hated when anyone called her Mel—which was precisely why she’d named her successful blog Mel’s Motivations .

Her ex had claimed that he’d taken her from the slums and she needed to remember that. Her name was Melanie, she was his wife, and his appearances mattered, so by default hers did, too. Considering she was a branch of him, she needed to always have those pretenses in place. Perfect clothes, perfect hair, always smiling with just the right responses when she was allowed to speak.

She’d failed in so many areas. Smiling in public had been so difficult when behind closed doors she’d been living a nightmare. Some wouldn’t understand because she’d had money, cars, a big house. But none of that had ever mattered to her. Not once did she ever care about material things. She just wanted to be with a man who loved her.

Neville had been the complete opposite. He’d hated quite a bit about her, looking back. She’d mistook his attention when they first met for affection. She’d thought the grass was greener on the other side when her parents urged her to jump at the possibility of a life with such a powerful, charming man. Little did they all know . . .

Unfortunately, Melanie couldn’t change the past, and her future required all of her attention at the moment.

“I’m running late.” She gripped the bottle with both hands as if drawing strength from the inanimate object. “We’ll talk at the cookout.”

Again, probably not the best place to inform him he was going to be a dad. She’d have to tell him soon. Before Friday, because she wasn’t going to be able to keep the secret from her friends. She needed them now more than ever, and it wasn’t fair to let them in on the secret when Tanner was so unaware.

Melanie despised secrets and lies and swore never to be that person. Right now, though, she needed to gather her thoughts, her fears, her nerves, and figure out the best time and way to tell him.

Tanner propped his hands on his hips as he took a half step closer. Her body instantly tingled. Despite everything she’d been through, even what she dealt with now, Tanner Roark was one impressive man and demanded attention. Oh, he didn’t do so with words or fists.

Tanner’s strength and power had her captivated, though she’d fought it for months until six weeks ago, when she’d given in. She’d gone to Taps for a girls’ night out with Livie and Jade. A little flirty banter led to a little more, then to a harmless dance . . . well, she’d thought it had been harmless.

Being torso to torso with Tanner hadn’t been harmless in any way whatsoever. That moment had awakened something inside her, something she hadn’t even known she possessed. She would’ve been a fool to ignore the burst of emotions that had spiraled through her.

They’d gone from dancing to long glances to featherlight touches. Then she’d been in his house, plastered against his front door as he’d held her wrists above her head and given her a night that would fuel her fantasies for the rest of her life.

And right there in the Quicky Mart her body betrayed her and started heating all over again. Damn hormones were all over the place.

Everything about the man was dangerous. Not in the sense that her ex had been a danger. No, Tanner made her think too much about what she wanted, what she’d finally taken. He made her crazy with that devil-may-care attitude. And he was dangerous because those lips could drive a woman out of her mind with need.

But she had no idea how he’d react to the news of a baby. Sex was one thing, but entering into a bond that would forge them together for life was a whole other level. It was that bound for life thing that had Melanie more terrified than anything. She’d finally gotten control for the first time, but now everything she’d built for herself, every decision she’d made in the last two years, were threatened. Not because of the innocent baby, but because of the man who stood before her.

She would not fall prey to another man again. And once Tanner found out about the baby, Melanie feared he’d become all too hovering and controlling.

“I want to see you, Mel. I never chase women and I don’t intend to start now.” His lips thinned slightly, the muscle in his jaw clenched. “If I thought you didn’t have a good time, then I’d back off, but I know you did. My shift ends at seven. You know where I live.”

So many emotions curled low in her belly as Tanner left her standing alone holding a bottle of Quicky Mart’s best white wine with a twist-off cap that money could buy.

Tanner had thrown out that invitation for one reason and one reason only.

What he didn’t know was that the girl who had gone home with him over a month ago was not the same girl she was on an everyday basis. She’d been in town long enough to get to know him through their friends. From the get-go she and Tanner had butted heads, they’d argued, they’d ignored each other, and finally shared witty banter. But beneath all of their heated exchanges, the sexual tension had been brewing.

Melanie had fought the good fight until she hadn’t been able to deny herself another second. Wasn’t that why she’d left Atlanta and her old life? Hadn’t she wanted to be free to make her own decisions? Free to live as she wanted and not be ashamed of herself or her past? More importantly, free to be out from underneath such a controlling thumb. For once in her life, she was finally in charge . . . and she wasn’t doing a very good job of things.

Turning to head to the register, and praying she wouldn’t run into Tanner again, thoughts swirled through her head. What was she going to do? She obviously had to tell him about the baby, and he’d just presented her the perfect opportunity.

Melanie knew the type of man Tanner was. Which was exactly why she’d chosen to give in to her desires and have a one-night stand. He was safe, he wouldn’t want a relationship. She’d been through enough hell to know that committing herself to another man might never happen and she was just fine on her own, thank you very much.

Oh, she still wanted that family with a devoted husband. She was just enough of a romantic to believe such faithful, loving men still existed, but she had also learned enough about herself to know she didn’t have to have a man to be complete.

And trying to form any type of a relationship with the first man since her marriage, was not smart. Getting pregnant by a rebound guy wasn’t either, yet here she was.

Melanie blew out a sigh and quickly paid for the wine. She headed out to her new-to-her car and brought the engine to life, then cranked up the A/C. Despite being the middle of November, Haven, Georgia, had delivered a warm afternoon with the sun shining bright. Of course the heat in her body wasn’t only because of the unusual weather. Running into Tanner when she hadn’t been prepared had set her body into all sorts of heated emotions.

Before they’d ever been introduced through their mutual friends, Tanner had pulled her over and given her a ticket. She’d hated him at that moment. Her life had been in a bad spot, she’d been struggling to find that strong woman within.

The similarities between her ex and him had been too close, her memories too raw. Even then, though, she hadn’t been able to deny the instant attraction. Something about a man who put himself out there to protect others was so attractive, but she and Tanner weren’t in a spot that led to happily ever after. They were friends at best.

Melanie drove through the main part of downtown Haven, past all the little specialty shops with colorful flowerpots outside their doors. Tourists milled about on the sidewalks, couples walked hand in hand, a family headed into the park with a picnic basket.

This is why she stayed. Even if Livie hadn’t decided to settle down and enlist Melanie and Jade’s help in renovating the airport, Melanie would’ve still planted roots. Haven was absolutely perfect. It was impossible to live here and not be happy, and she deserved happy, damn it.

Besides, where else did she have to go? Going back to Neville was a big hell no . They’d been divorced for two years, but now that he was gearing up to run for the senate, he was determined to get her back, to use her as his big publicity angle.

In his warped world, he’d have the paparazzi in his pocket to spin this as the happy couple coming back together as a united front—and he’d no doubt get her stylist back. Melanie’s hair would have that perfectly coiffed look, her suits would be tailor-made in red, white, or blue, and she’d have to fake the smiles everywhere because you never knew where the media were hiding.

Melanie had changed every aspect of her life. While she had her law degree, she’d quickly discovered that wasn’t her passion. Over the past two years, she had become an extremely popular social media motivation speaker and blogger. Neville thought she was perfect to play the role of wife once again. He figured their united front and faux romantic reunion was something from a fairy tale.

That deranged man clearly had a different view of their marriage than she did if he thought for one second she’d ever go back to him. And being a politician’s wife sounded like another level of hell she didn’t want to get into. Being married to the mayor had been enough. A senator? No, thanks.

Even if Neville left her alone, being part of the big-city life, the fake smiles and the air kisses, all of that had been so depressing. She didn’t want to be back in Atlanta. She’d choose her ratty childhood trailer park over the hoity-toity lifestyle she’d lived for years.

Haven had been exactly what she’d needed at precisely the right time. The name of the quaint town itself seemed to welcome her with open arms. Granted she hadn’t liked the circumstances that brought them all to town.

Livie had lost her father and had come to try to sell his dilapidated airport. But she had ended up falling in love and getting engaged to Jax Morgan, who owned the other half of the airport.

Jade had come along because her personal and professional life sucked and she’d desperately needed the getaway. The three of them had formed a strong bond a few years ago and hadn’t looked back. They were closer than sisters could ever be.

When Melanie first filed for divorce, she’d started training for a marathon. She’d wanted to prove to herself that she was strong, that she was able to do something so great with her body that had been beaten down for too long. But less than a mile from the finish line, she’d tripped and twisted her ankle. Livie and Jade had come along and flanked each side of her, carrying her to the end so she could finish.

Friendships and a bond deeper than sisters was instantly born.

So, yeah, there was nothing they wouldn’t do for each other. When Livie was dealing with the loss of her father and the up-in-the-air decisions about the unwanted airport, they’d come right along with her.

Melanie thought she’d been strong by leaving Neville and pushing forward with her new life, but even since moving to Haven, she’d evolved so much more. Each day she became more and more determined to cling to the woman she’d become.

Thanks to her booming social media accounts and her popular blog, Melanie had reached so many women who were striving to become a better version of themselves. She’d taken time off from working as an attorney, focusing on herself and the airport renovations. At least with her law degree, she could guide Livie and Jax in the right direction and still do the work she loved with her online sites.

Now, though, she had a more pressing matter. Melanie came to a stop at a red light and settled a hand on her flat belly. She had so much rolling through her mind, so much she needed to sort through before she went to Tanner’s house tonight.

How did one make this announcement? There was no good way to drop such a life-changing declaration. Tanner wasn’t the type of man, in her opinion, that wanted a family. Not that she knew him really well, but she’d never heard mention of it. He seemed too content with where he was with his career and social life to entertain the idea of something familial.

To her knowledge, he hadn’t dated since she’d been in town. Or at least he hadn’t mentioned another woman.

Livie had discussed how Jax and Cash were divorced, but their cousin Tanner had vowed against marriage after seeing what those two had gone through. So Tanner obviously wasn’t looking for long-term and was just fine living with his bachelor status.

What was Melanie even doing thinking about marriage? She certainly didn’t want to venture into that territory again either, not until she was absolutely positive the man was worthy of her and her awesomeness. There was nothing wrong with loving yourself enough to wait on the best. That was something she’d had to work on since her divorce, but she was happy to admit she deserved love and devotion.

Yes, she was pregnant, but that didn’t mean she had to marry Tanner. She’d prided herself on becoming independent since leaving Neville, and so far she’d excelled at it. There was no turning back for her.

Melanie headed out of town, toward the old home she shared with Jade now. Livie moved out, which was strange since they’d all been staying in her childhood home, but she now lived with Jax and his adorable little girl, Piper. They weren’t only working on renovations for the airport, they were figuring out when to get married and living as one happy little family.

Melanie knew she needed to tell Tanner the truth tonight, then she could call a girls’ meeting and break the news to her friends. The cheap wine should cushion the shocking blow. Now more than ever, she was going to need her friends to help guide her through this scary time. Not that they had any experience with pregnancies, but at the same time, they could at least hold her hand and give her that shoulder she would no doubt cry on at some point over the next several months.

Gripping the wheel tighter, Melanie formulated a plan in her head. At least if she was trying to prepare a speech she felt like she was doing something and moving forward instead of just settling in with her thoughts of fear and unknowns.

Worrying wasn’t going to get her too far, but it was an inevitable by-product.

As she turned into the drive of the charming white two-story with wraparound porch, Melanie eyed the glowing clock on the dash. She had five hours to relax, stay calm, prepare a plan . . . and stare at the clock worrying about Tanner’s reaction.