The Heir Affair

“You’ve been here before?”

“A couple times.”

“So, you are planning to have the baby in Las Vegas.”

Melody’s mouth opened, but no words came out. She bit her lip and stared down at her hands. “It makes sense.”

“But your life is in LA. With me.” Or at least it had been before she’d gone on tour.

“We haven’t really lived together these last nine months,” she said.

“When I encouraged you to go on the tour, I thought you’d be coming back. All your stuff is still in my house.”

“I just need a little time.”

“How much time?”

“I don’t know.”

Kyle parked the car before responding. “I don’t like living in limbo.”

“Then maybe we should break up.”

This wasn’t at all what he expected her to say. “Where is this coming from?”

“I just don’t know where we stand anymore. We’re not dating. We’re not living together. Are we even still friends?”

Her bald statement of the facts as she saw them swept his feet out from under him. It was as if his world had tilted and his head connected with the pavement. His thoughts grew foggy and indistinct.

“My feelings for you haven’t changed.”

“You can’t seriously believe that’s true.” Melody opened her car door and slipped out, leaving Kyle staring at nothing.

She was halfway to the building before he roused himself and chased after her. “Okay,” he said as he caught up with her. “Maybe we’re not in the same place as we were before you left on the tour, but that doesn’t mean I’m done. I want you in my life. I want to be there for our baby. How do you see your future?”

“Honestly, I sort of go back and forth between wanting us to be a happy family and thinking it might be better if I raise this baby on my own.”

“That’s not going to happen.” His father hadn’t been there for him. Kyle intended for his child to have a loving, attentive father.

“Because it hurts when I think how much I love you and wonder if you’ll ever feel the same about me.” They stopped before the elevator and she gave him a long searching look. “I’m afraid to have my heart broken.”

Kyle wished he could tell her he’d never hurt her, but he already had when he’d assumed she’d hooked up with Hunter that night in New York City. And again just yesterday when he jumped to the wrong conclusion about the baby’s paternity. Why couldn’t he just put his faith in her and in their relationship?

Because he didn’t know how.

His parents hadn’t given him the emotional tools to be successful in a romantic partnership. His father had ruthlessly controlled all feelings good and bad, preferring to navigate through life’s up and downs with logic. Kyle’s mother on the other hand was a fearful, anxious woman who loved her son almost too much. Trapped between an emotional storm and an impassive granite wall, Kyle had stopped expressing how he felt and let everyone think he was okay all the time.

His teammates in school and then in the major leagues called him the Iceman because he was always chill. But it was a mask, not a true representation of how he felt. No matter how relaxed and unaffected he looked, inside he seethed with doubt, desire and sometimes disappointment.

But thanks to his father’s tutelage, Kyle’s first reaction to everything life threw at him was to slide on his aviator sunglasses and summon an enigmatic smile. No matter what the stakes, how bad the loss or how well he pitched, he was the Iceman. Even after his first no-hitter, he’d given only a sly smile to the mass of reporters who’d come to interview him in the aftermath.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” Kyle said and meant it, but he knew he didn’t always behave the way she needed him to.

Sometimes it was as if what made him so happy in their relationship was the exact thing that caused him to regress back to the self-protective behaviors he learned in childhood. He retreated from strong emotion instead of owning it. These last few months since he’d thought he lost her to Hunter had been some of the worst of his life.

Instead of reaching out and telling her how afraid he was to lose her, he’d shoved down his fears and made it seem as if he was okay. But he wasn’t okay. In fact, he was a mess, which was why he’d jumped to the wrong conclusion about her feelings for Hunter.

While Melody checked in with the receptionist, Kyle glanced around the waiting area, seeing women in various stages of pregnancy. This was really happening. He was going to be a father. Time to step up and take care of the mother of his child. Whatever that meant.

“I think we should get married,” he said as she took a seat beside him.

Her eyes widened. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Not at all. It makes sense. I don’t want to be a part-time father and we are good together.”

“Good together?” She looked at him as if he’d sprouted a second head. “We’ve barely spoken to each other these last few months. Neither one of us is very good at communicating how we feel.” Like Kyle had, she regarded the other expectant mothers in their various stages of pregnancy. “I don’t think we’re ready for marriage.”

Although her answer frustrated him, Kyle reminded himself that it wasn’t always going to be like this between them. He would find a way to make things all right again.

“So we work on our communication,” he said, hoping she grasped how determined he was to make things work.

“How are we going to do that?”

“We’ll go see a couples counselor. Someone who can teach us how to express ourselves in a positive way.”

Her stiff posture highlighted her discomfort. “I don’t know.”

“Look,” he said. “We might have been able to walk away months ago, but things have changed. And I’d like to point out that while we’ve hit a rough patch, I don’t see either one of us calling it quits.” He chose to ignore that not ten minutes earlier she’d suggested they break up.

“I agree we should make an effort to be friends again for the sake of the baby.” She looked flustered and unsure what she planned to say next. “But marriage is a huge leap.”

“Let’s table that for now.” Now that he’d suggested they marry, he was convinced it was the best idea. He didn’t want to be his child’s part-time father. “We’ll have dinner tonight and talk about it.”

She shifted on the cushioned chair as if it was made of hard plastic. “I can’t tonight. I’m working late. Nate has given me until the fifth of December to finish my album.”

“Good for him. You’ve been working on it on and off for a year. I know you’re a perfectionist, but at some point you have to let it go.”

And maybe then he’d be able to refocus some of her attention on their struggling relationship. He knew her music was important to her, but there had to be a way for her to be a success in her career and still have room for her personal life.

“I know, but it’s my first album and I want everything to be the best it can.”

He understood her quest for perfection. As a teenager he’d spent hours learning how to place a pitch over the center of the plate. The familiar repetition of wind up and throw allowed him to forget his troubles and focus on the here and now. Watching Melody get lost in her songwriting process, he’d recognized the same need to make something flawless and beautiful.

“And yet you won’t know how good it is,” he said, reaching for her hand, offering her both support and encouragement, “until you put it out there.”

She squeezed his fingers and gave a little laugh. “Or how much people are going to hate it.”

“Stop channeling your father. If the man knew good talent when he heard it, he wouldn’t have run his label into the ground.”

“You’re right, but it’s hard to ignore all the times he told me to stick with the violin because I didn’t have what it took to be a songwriter or a singer.”

Kyle wondered what it would take for her to believe she deserved to be successful. He’d tried to reassure her, but often felt as if she couldn’t accept his uplifting words because he didn’t have any musical cred.

“And yet you’ve proved him wrong so many times,” he reminded her. “This album is going to do great. You’ll see.”

“You’ve always supported me and I really appreciate it.”

The warmth in her eyes aroused a pang of longing so acute he almost couldn’t breathe. Damn. He missed her.

“Melody?” A blonde woman in pale blue scrubs appeared in the doorway.

Melody practically sprang to her feet and shot him a worried look. “Are you ready for this?”

Kyle gave her a reassuring smile as he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm. “Absolutely.”

* * *

Melody followed the nurse into the patient room. Kyle’s broad shoulders and strong presence filled the small space. He sat beside her in attentive silence while the nurse took her blood pressure, frowning over its elevated status, and asked routine questions. She answered automatically, trying to ignore the doubts that flickered on the edge of her awareness brought on by his shocking proposal.

What was he thinking to ask her to marry him without forethought or fanfare? Not that she needed a whole huge production made out of getting engaged, but it would’ve been nice to be proposed to in a romantic setting by a man who adored her instead of in a clinical setting by a man who just learned the day before that he was going to be a father.

I think we should get married.

His blunt declaration had been more practical suggestion than impassioned plea. Once the shock faded, her first impulse had been to hit him. How dare he presume she would agree to marry him because she was pregnant? And then tears had threatened and she’d had to grip the edge of her chair to keep from bawling her eyes out in reception.

“Your blood pressure is a little high,” the nurse said, glancing at her with a thoughtful look.

“I’m nervous about the ultrasound,” she lied. It was the conversation with Kyle that had upset her.

He might not have told her he loved her, but she knew that he was committed to her and their baby. Whether that meant they would find their way back to being happy with each other was the big question.

“That’s not unusual, but we should check it again before you leave.”

The nurse finished adding Melody’s data into the computer and then showed her the gown she needed to don for the ultrasound. Kyle’s stoic expression gave away none of his thoughts as he watched the nurse exit the room.

“Close your eyes,” Melody told him as she began to work the buttons free on her shirt. She was already feeling vulnerable enough without adding to her stress by stripping in front of him.

One corner of his lips rose in that sexy half smile that made butterflies erupt in her stomach. “I’ve seen you naked before.” His heavy-lidded gaze slid over her body, cataloging her curves with deliberate possessiveness.

Melody ignored the ache that flared between her thighs. Over these last few months, she’d deluded herself into thinking she was a practical woman who didn’t need a man. She was perfectly capable of making rational decisions about her future and sticking to them.

Yet, a single flirtatious grin from Kyle swiftly showed her how erroneous her assumptions had been. She actually took a half step in his direction, intent on cupping his strong face in her palms and sliding her open mouth against his in a sizzling kiss.

“Just do it,” she told him, wrenching her wayward hormones back under control.

Without saying another word he let his lashes drift downward, but the smile didn’t drift from his lips. For a moment she stared at his familiar features with such longing she thought she might start to cry. Her hands shook as she slipped off her low boots and set them beneath her chair. Despite being confident he wouldn’t peek, Melody quickly stripped down and put on the front-closing gown.

“Okay,” she said, paper crinkling beneath her as she sat on the exam table.

“How about Amelia if it’s a girl?” Kyle’s voice was heavy with intent. “Austin if it’s a boy.”

She couldn’t stop the grin that twitched on her lips. “You’ve been thinking about baby names?”

“I didn’t sleep very well last night.” He pulled out his phone and stared at the screen. “I’m also fond of Aubrey and Addison.”

“Did you get out of the A’s?”

He scrolled down some sort of list on his phone. “Colton for a boy?”

Her throat locked up as she stared at him. Damn the man for driving her crazy with his unromantic proposal of marriage and then twisting her heart into knots with this sweet demonstration of how excited he was to be a dad. Before she could respond, the door opened and the doctor appeared.

“How are you doing today?” Dr. Sara Evans asked, advancing into the room and taking quick stock of Melody’s state of mind before glancing toward Kyle, who’d gotten to his feet. “And you are?”

“Kyle Tailor, the father.”

Dr. Evans gave a quick nod before getting started. Almost as soon as her doctor had entered the room, Melody had calmed down. She liked the obstetrician’s keen gaze and brisk manner.

“I’m going to spread a little gel here.” The doctor applied the clear goo to her belly and chuckled as Melody shivered. “It’s a little bit chilly. You’ll forget all about that in a second.”

Melody stared down at the slight bump just below her belly button where her baby lay. When she glanced toward Kyle, she noticed his eyes were glued to the monitor where an image had begun to develop. And there it was. Their baby. Head. Arms. Legs. A whole little person inside her.

While both she and Kyle had been gaping at the screen, Dr. Evans prattled on about the development of the fetus and the fact that the organs were developing.

“About this time,” Dr. Evans said, “your baby will begin to open and close his or her fingers and his or her mouth will begin making sucking movements. He—or she—is about the size of a lime. Do you want to know the sex?”

Kyle spoke up before Melody could even open her mouth. “Can we?” His eyes sought hers. “Do you want to?”

“I guess.” In truth she hadn’t really thought about it. Didn’t the pregnancy have to be further along? “Sure.”

It would make planning easier if she knew she was having a boy or girl. She’d have to get the nursery ready and buy clothes. Of course, this brought up something that Kyle kept asking her about. Where was she going to live? She’d given up her apartment in LA to move in with Kyle. Trent’s guest cottage was for guests. Up until now, she’d stayed for a couple days or a long weekend here and there when she took a break from the tour to work on her album.

She could justify living there while Trent was in LA with Savannah and Dylan, and she’d considered what would happen when they came back. They were family now. They would want their privacy.

When Kyle had asked her where she planned to live, she’d frozen up. With everything that was going on with her album and telling Kyle that she was pregnant, she’d been taking things one day at a time. Today, staring at the image of her baby on the monitor, decisions she had yet to make rushed at her.

Pressure on her fingers brought her back to the present. She winced a little at the bite of Kyle’s grip, but his eyes were glued to the screen and he didn’t seem to notice the way he was holding her hand. She squeezed back, bringing his focus to her.

“Looks like you’re having a girl,” Dr. Evans announced brightly, her smile broad. “Congratulations.”

Melody was numb. “Are you sure?”

Dr. Evans nodded. “No question. This little girl isn’t one bit shy.”

“Then she’ll take after her father,” Melody murmured.

Her head spun. A girl. She glanced at Kyle to see his reaction, half expecting his expression to reflect disappointment. Had he imagined himself teaching his son to pitch? Instead, he was staring at her stomach and looking dazed. And delighted.

She waited until Dr. Evans finished with the ultrasound and left the room before she voiced the concern burning a hole in her stomach.

“You’re okay with a girl?”

“Of course.” He blinked several times and seemed to have trouble focusing on her. A line appeared between his brows. “Why would you think it wouldn’t be?”

“Because you’re a guy, you love baseball. I bet you woke up this morning thinking you needed to run out and buy a mitt and a ball.”

“Actually, I woke up this morning thinking how empty my bed was without you in it.”

She hadn’t expected this angle of attack and wasn’t prepared with an evasive maneuver. Holding the gown closed as best she could, she sat up and spun so that her feet dangled. “Close your eyes. I need to get dressed.”

Kyle braced his hands on the exam bed and leaned forward so he could peer directly into her eyes. “We’re having a girl.”

Placing her hand on his cheek, she whispered, “We are.”

His grin was infectious and she found herself smiling back. He was close enough that all she had to do was lean forward a few inches to bring their lips into contact. He covered her fingers with his. The connection made her heart race. It would be so easy to just forget how hurt she’d been these last few months. Through passion and desire, they could start again. She didn’t really need to return to the studio today. Instead, they could go to his house and make love all afternoon. Her toes curled at the thought.

She gathered breath and summoned her courage to suggest they do that, but the opportunity was lost when his phone began to ring. He pulled it out and frowned at the screen.

“It’s the club. I need to get this. How about I meet you in the lobby.”

“Sure.” With a sigh, Melody watched him go, and then got dressed once more.

It was for the best, she decided. Part of the reason they were in this mess was because they’d rushed in before determining if they were really compatible. They’d been dating for too short a period of time before she’d moved in and the decision had been made out of convenience rather than a thoughtful evaluation of whether they could work as a couple.

And why was that? Because Melody had been afraid to put the brakes on. To ask the questions that might drive Kyle away. Now she realized that had been a mistake. And no matter how hard it might be to keep from falling back under Kyle’s spell, until she knew for sure that he truly loved her, she couldn’t move forward with their relationship.

Four

Kyle caught himself grinning as he negotiated the Las Vegas traffic on his way to Ugly Trout Records. The entire afternoon, since finding out they were having a girl, he’d been floating in a bubble of optimism. Now that the initial shock of his impending fatherhood had faded, he was feeling as if everything that had gone wrong with his and Melody’s relationship was just a series of misunderstandings that they could sort out with a little work. They were going to be parents. Their daughter deserved to grow up in a secure, loving environment and he intended to provide that for her whatever it took.

Which was why he’d decided to start his campaign by bringing dinner to Melody at the recording studio so she could see he intended to take care of her. On the passenger seat sat a bag filled with several items that topped Melody’s favorites list. It would have been better if they’d been in LA and he could’ve gone to Mama Rosa’s for the Bucatini Alla Carbonara, but he thought what he’d found would pass muster.

He’d also discovered a place that made the most fantastic cheesecakes. He’d brought a sampler for her to gorge on. She’d lost weight these last few months and he couldn’t imagine that was good for the baby.

Ever since seeing that tiny profile and hearing that his daughter was now moving her fingers and toes, he’d been filled with optimism. He was going to be a dad. The thought held nothing but joy. Sure, he had no idea what he was doing, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t learn. After all, he’d seen the way Trent had taken to being Dylan’s father.

Trent, who’d sworn all his days that he’d never get married and have kids. His best friend had grown up with a terrible role model for fatherhood. Siggy Caldwell’s ruthless tyranny in business carried over into his personal life. He had picked favorites among his children, choosing to lavish praise on his firstborn while criticizing both Trent and Melody. No matter how successful they were, neither one could do anything right in Siggy’s opinion.

And yet both of his younger children managed to become affectionate, caring people. In Trent’s case it had taken becoming a father and admitting he was in love with Savannah before his true nature emerged.

Melody hadn’t learned to guard her emotions the way her brother had. She was more inclined to throw herself into a relationship with little regard for her self-esteem. That was how she’d been with Hunter. While she’d been dating the DJ, it had driven Kyle crazy to see her always making excuses for the way Hunter treated her. And yet that was not how she’d reacted when faced with problems in her relationship with Kyle.

Instead of laughing off his assumptions about her and Hunter, she’d been furious and they’d had a terrible fight. He couldn’t remember her ever arguing with Hunter. Was that because her feelings for the DJ had been deeper and more profound? If so, why had she chosen Kyle in the end?

The driveway leading into the record label’s parking lot appeared just ahead of him. He couldn’t wait to see the look on Melody’s face when he surprised her with dinner. She loved it when he was spontaneous.

Grabbing a parking space near the front entrance, he exited the car. It was close to six o’clock, and the lot was half full. Nate made the studio available twenty-four hours. The rate for off-peak hours was significantly cheaper, which made recording sessions affordable for up-and-coming artists. Melody took advantage of the quieter evenings to work on her album.

Kyle was reaching for the glass front door when he spied two people approaching through the lobby. His chest tightened as he recognized Hunter’s tall form alongside Melody’s slim figure. They were engaged in an animated conversation and hadn’t yet spied him. He yanked open the glass door with more force than necessary.

“Kyle.” Melody’s eyes widened as she noticed him entering the building. “What are you doing here?”

He held up the bag. “I brought you dinner. I thought you’d be working.”

His gaze flicked to Hunter. The DJ’s lack of concern caused Kyle’s annoyance to spike. Why was Melody leaving with him?

“Oh that’s so...nice.” She glanced at Hunter. Was it guilt that flickered in her eyes? “We were just going to grab something.”

“And now you don’t have to.” Kyle pushed down his irritation and smiled. “I brought all your favorites. I thought you could show me what you’ve been working on while we eat.”

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