Keep My Heart (Top Shelf Romance Book 7)

by Lex Martin

Courtney: Perfect. I’ll pick you up.

  I laugh and poke fun at her.

  Viola: Oh, now we’re going on a date?

  Courtney: LOL! No. You know I’m so over experimenting with girls. Not that you aren’t hot because you’re a ten, baby.

  I can almost hear her voice as I read it over and burst out laughing.

  I’m not sure how good my company will be, but it’ll be fun to dance and lose myself in the music. Without another thought, I go to the bathroom and turn on the shower without worry. I step into the warmth until the water goes cold and smile when I grab the towel from where I left it. I dry off, blow-dry my hair, and walk to Drew’s room with a towel wrapped around me, replaying the moment when I took the trek butt naked.

  I go to the extra drawers Drew left for my clothes, and my mouth falls open.

  “What the hell? TRAVIS!” I scream out in frustration.

  My jeans and shirts are missing. The handful of things I brought for something unexpected or a girls’ night out is all I have, and that’s not much. I lock my jaw in anger. If he wants to continue with this little game, fine. Maybe I’ll pick up a date tonight after all, because he left me with skirts, cropped tops, and a tight-fitting dress. My brother would straight-up shit his pants if he saw me in any of this. I slip into a black dress that barely hits mid-thigh and has a revealing scoop neck. I huff in annoyance because I don’t have much to work with. I choose a pair of high heels that make me three inches taller and accentuate my ass. After I’m dressed, I halfway wished Travis would walk through the door and see me leaving like this. He’d probably give my T-shirt and jeans back and lock me in Drew’s room. But I won’t be held hostage by him tonight, or ever.

  I check my phone and realize I don’t have much time, so I hurry and apply some smoky eyes and red lipstick. I’m pure sass and almost don’t recognize myself when I catch a glimpse in the hallway mirror. Who is this woman who’s taken my body and transformed it into a sex kitten? I’m almost unrecognizable, even to myself. I’m sure Travis thought this little joke would work, but I have a feeling wearing these clothes gives me the advantage, not him. Another minute passes and I hear the doorbell ring. Of course, Courtney is punctual; it’s actually one of her best qualities.

  I grab my phone and stuff my credit card and ID into my clutch. I open the door, and Courtney’s mouth falls open. “Damn, woman. You took this date thing seriously!” She flashes a cheeky smile.

  I give her one of my looks with narrowed eyes. She has no idea.

  “Uh…where’s the T-shirt and blue jeans?” She laughs. “What have you done with my best friend?”

  “This isn’t by choice,” I mutter, not even wanting to explain myself or admit the little tiff Travis and I have going on between us.

  “You’re rocking it,” she says as we walk toward the Jeep and head to Good Times.

  “I invited Marcus to join us!” Courtney says over the music. Marcus is one of her gay guy friends, and I actually like him a lot. He’s super friendly and hilarious. Once we get closer to the venue, I finally relax because there’s no turning around now. Courtney wouldn’t let me back out of a girls’ night out anyway.

  We circle around the parking lot several times before finding a spot, and the crowd kind of surprises me.

  “If you need me to scare off any weirdos, let me know,” Courtney says, giving me a wink with a big smile. She’s ready to drink and dance, and I’m ready to lose myself in the music, too.

  I start laughing. “I’m sure I can do that myself.”

  “Offer still stands.” She nudges me.

  We step out of the Jeep and walk toward the entrance. Marcus pulls up in his BMW convertible and walks over to us with a big smile.

  “Ladies, damn. If I weren’t gay…”

  Courtney squeals and gives him a hug, then walks in first. Marcus and I get ID’d, and the bouncer makes some comment about my sexy legs. I turn around to laugh at him and wrap my arm around Marcus’s. The beat is hopping, and the dance floor is full.

  “Come on.” Courtney grabs my hand.

  “Drinks first,” I say to her and walk across Good Times with a little pep in my step. I order a martini because I’m dressed way too fancy for beer, and open a tab. Marcus follows me, and we chat while he scopes the place for someone who’s actually his type. It doesn’t take long.

  I smile. “Go. He’s giving you the eyes,” I say, pushing him forward.

  He turns and looks at me, and I nod my head and shoo him off. “Dude. I’m fine and can totally handle myself. I’ve got bark and bite.”

  “You’re the whole package, Lola,” Marcus says and shakes his little butt across the dance floor.

  I finish off my martini and feel someone standing way too close to me. I turn and see Jason, a friend of Drew and Travis, leaning in. “Viola, babe! You look…hot,” he says.

  I burst into a laugh. “Yeah? Thanks, I guess.”

  “I mean, you always look great but this…” He freely roams his eyes up and down my body. “Wow.” He licks his lips, trailing his eyes down my face and stopping at my breasts. I want to interrupt his lustfest and tell him my eyes are up here, but I clamp my mouth shut for now.

  I smile at him, then turn my body and flag the bartender for another drink, this time a shot, because God, I need one so bad right now. Jason pulls out his wallet and pays for it and orders one too. “Cheers.”

  “Thanks,” I mumble and take the shot willingly. It burns and coats my throat, and after two drinks, I’m ready to dance. As if he read my thoughts, he asks with a smile. It’s a cute smile, but he’s not my type.

  “Yeah, I’d love to,” I say, and he grabs my hand and leads me across the room. The song that’s playing is fast, but it soon changes to a slow, sexy song. Jason grabs my hips and pulls me close, and we both know if Drew was here, his nose would be broken, but the reality is Drew is far, far away.

  I swear, dancing is like having sex with your clothes on. When I turn around and rub my ass against him, I can feel the hardness in his pants. Well, that’s unexpected, but the song is still going, and I’m determined to let loose.

  I turn back around, our eyes meet, and his hands run the length off my body until they rest on the top of my ass. The song ends, and another one starts.

  “Want to go out for a drink sometime?” Jason asks over the thumping bass.

  “Maybe,” I say.

  “What’s your number?”

  I tell him, and he programs my number into his phone while still moving to the beat of the music.

  “All right. I sent you a text, so you have my number now.” He tucks the phone back into his pocket. “What are you doing tomorrow?” Jason asks, pulling my body close to his again.

  Before I can even open my mouth, a deep voice growls from behind me, “That’s enough.”

  His rough tone and the closeness of his body to mine make my skin prick with goose bumps. But I already know who it is before I even turn around. Travis fucking King.

  And he’s livid.

  “Hey, man!” Jason’s face lights up briefly before noticing Travis’s tense expression. “We’re just dancing.”

  “And now you’re done.”

  Jason backs away from me and raises his hands up in defeat. “Okay, okay. Whatever. Chill, man.”

  I suck in a deep breath and narrow my eyes at him. I should’ve anticipated that he’d arrive. He’s inescapable.

  “To what do I owe this pleasure?” I snarl, shaking my head at his audacity for scaring Jason away.

  He doesn’t say anything as he grabs my hand and leads me to the center of the dance floor while the slow mesmerizing beat plays on. He grips his fingers around my waist and pulls me in against his chest, claiming me for everyone to see. Our bodies mold together like puzzle pieces, and as much as I want to remove that thought from my mind, it’s front and center.

  Dammit to hell.

  He leans his head down and speaks over my ear, “I’m not going to watch another guy practically fuc
k you on the dance floor. You’re off-limits to every guy in this place. Got it, princess?”

  He pulls back, his expression cold and firm. His jaw is set, and there’s no playing around in his tone. His eyes search my face before finally meeting mine.

  Between the alcohol and the intense beat of the music, I’m ready to dish it right back to him.

  “Even to you?”

  His jaw clenches. “To everyone. Especially dressed like that.” He trails his eyes down my body, emphasizing his point.

  He’s treating me like I’m a little kid again, acting overprotective as if he has any say in what I do. But I know he has an ulterior motive.

  I can’t deny how being this close to him makes my mouth dry. I need a strong drink and to run away because the emotions that course through me are dangerous. Our bodies slowly rock together, and for a moment, it’s easy to forget it’s Travis because he doesn’t speak. He just takes control, and we dance together as one. It’s seductive. I feel the pulse between my legs, and I promise myself after this next song, I’m walking away. But I don’t, and neither does he, and we are lost in a trance of unspoken words and baby-making music.

  A busty blonde walks to his side and pouts out her bottom lip. “Travis, baby. Is it my turn yet?” Travis turns and looks at her but not in a lust-filled way. He’s annoyed that she’s interrupted. However, I take that as my cue and snatch my only chance toward freedom by stepping back and allowing her to take my spot.

  As I walk toward the bar for another drink, I look over my shoulder and see Travis’s eyes glued to me. I look away, needing to clear my head, which means I order another drink; a bigger, stronger one that can help me make sense of what the hell just happened out there.

  Courtney walks up with a huge smile on her face. “Uh, did you just practically fuck your brother’s roommate or rather, your archnemesis on the dance floor, or was I imagining that? Seriously Lola, every dude in this place wants to take you home right now.”

  I scoff. “That would never happen.” I take one big gulp of a double vodka and cranberry as my skin tingles from the remnants of Travis’s touch. “You must’ve been imagining it.”

  “Oh, right, okay,” she agrees, sarcasm thick in her voice. “Hey, I think I’m going to head out if that’s okay. I thought I was in the mood to dance, but without Toby, it kind of sucks.” She has those sad puppy dog eyes, and as much as I want her to stay, I can’t beg her when she gives me that look.

  “Do you want me to go with you?” I ask.

  “No, you stay! Marcus isn’t leaving so you guys can Uber together if you want.”

  I take another sip. “Okay, well text me if you need anything.” I flash her a giddy smile, the alcohol running through my veins.

  “I will.” She gives me a quick hug and walks toward the exit.

  I glance across the bar area for Marcus and finally spot him cozying up to a dark-skinned hottie. With a smile, I turn back to my drink.

  When I check my phone, I realize it’s been almost three hours since we arrived. The club will be open for another two hours, but I’m not sure I’m going to make it that much longer. Travis is still on the dance floor with blonde bimbo, and I don’t want to stick around to watch it unfold.

  I finish my drink and just when I’m about to close my tab out, Patrick, a guy I tutored last semester, sits down next to me.

  “Are you here alone?” he asks.

  I shrug, sparing him the details. “My friend left, so I guess I am.”

  “Some friend.” He chuckles.

  “Nah, it’s fine. I was just about to head out anyway.”

  “Well, wait. Let me get you a shot or something first.”

  I look at him, trying to read his motives. “Why? Because I don’t look drunk enough?” I chuckle and he laughs with me.

  “No, you look like you need some cheering up. C’mon, I don’t bite.”

  “All right, fine. I can’t deny free liquor.”

  Patrick lets me pick, so I order us two Jelly Bean shots.

  “This is such a pussy drink.” He groans and slams it down, pursing his lips together as the sour flavor fills his mouth.

  “It’s dangerous, is what it is.” I lick my lips. “It tastes like candy, which means you end up taking more shots than you can handle and end up puking in your roommate’s bed.”

  His eyes widen and his lips turn up into an impressed grin. “Speaking from experience.”

  “Yes.” I deadpan, remembering the night it happened. “It was my bed.”

  His head falls back with laughter. “Sounds like the true college experience then.” He motions for the bartender and orders another round of shots. “Okay, my turn to pick. You ready?”

  I cringe when I see the bartender reaching for the hard stuff.

  This goes on and on until I’ve shared more embarrassing stories about myself. Apparently, alcohol frees the humiliation file. I don’t normally drink much or go out, really, but this is what Travis has done to me. He’s flustered me to the point that I need to numb all memories with booze.

  “Now that you know my bra size and my first kiss’s name, I think it’s time for me to go.” He’s just a tipsy as I am, so I don’t worry too much about him remembering any of what I said. “I need to schedule an Uber.”

  “Yeah, me too. Future, Patrick is going to be kicking my ass in the morning.” I snort at the way he talks about himself. “We can do the carpool one if you want.”

  We stand from the barstools, and my head begins to spin. “Whoa,” I say, grabbing the back of the chair.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Yes, just stood too fast.” I blink my eyes a few times. “And drank way too much.”

  “Yeah, I guess you were right about those Jelly Bean shots.”

  “I told you!” I giggle, reaching for my phone and looking for my Uber app.

  Just as I schedule the pickup, I lose my footing and stumble back against the person sitting next to me. Patrick grabs my elbow and pulls me back before I can fall any farther. “Maybe you should sit while we wait.” He pulls the stool back out, but before I can sit back down, an arm wraps around my waist and possessively pulls me away.

  “Viola…” I hear my name on Travis’s lips and shiver. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

  “She was with me.” I look up at Patrick and see his hard expression. Shit. They’re both trying to intimidate each other.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?”

  “Travis,” I scold, shifting out of his grip, but he doesn’t release me. “Do you have to be an asshole all the damn time?”

  “Do you even know who this is?” he asks me.

  “Yes. His name is Patrick. I tutored him last semester, so put back your pitchfork.” I look up at Patrick and give him an apologetic look.

  “Wrong.” His voice is jolting. “He was put on probation his freshman year for sexually assaulting a girl at a frat party. She pressed charges and since Daddy’s a lawyer, he got a slap on the wrist.”

  Patrick’s jaw clenches, and I can see the hardness in his eyes. I had no idea. Patrick is a year older than me, so Travis would’ve been the one in school with him back then.

  “It’s time to go.” Travis links our fingers together and pulls me away. I can’t even be mad at his caveman behavior after learning about Patrick’s history.

  “We were just going to share an Uber,” I start explaining although he hadn’t asked. “I wasn’t going to go home with him.”

  He doesn’t say anything as he sets his mouth in a firm line.

  We walk out into the parking lot of the club, and the cool night breeze begins to sober me up, although those last set of shots were really a bad idea.

  “You should’ve never been drinking that much with a guy you hardly know and especially never Uber home with him. He’s dangerous.”

  “Well, I didn’t know that at the time. He’s always been nice to me.”

  “They’re always nice, Viola. That’s how they ge
t girls to go back home with them.”

  Clearly, I hadn’t known that.

  “Well, he wouldn’t have had to try really hard. I’m practically naked already.”

  He walks me to the side of the club, and as I lean up against the building, he paces in front of me, brushing his hands through his hair. “You shouldn’t say shit like that, Viola. Guys see you, and they see a good fuck. They don’t see the real you.”

  “Well, you would know, right? You don’t hook up with girls to get to know them. You go for the quick fuck and kick them out before the morning coffee is done brewing.”

  His head is bowed, but he looks up at me, his eyes locked on mine. “I’m only going to say this because I know you won’t remember it. Guys like him don’t want a one-night stand. They don’t find girls to hook up with just for the thrill. They want power and control. My bet is he was hoping to get you back to his place and give you his special cocktail that would make you pass out just enough so he could take full advantage. Guys like him are cowards and a pathetic excuse as a man, so don’t put me and him in the same category. I might get off on having a sexy little thing like you under me, but it’d be completely mutual. I get off on getting girls off, not on taking something they’re not willing to give.”

  His breath is ragged, and I can see how tense his mouth is as he confesses that to me. I’m not sure where it came from, but it was a side of Travis that actually sounded genuine.

  “So, what you’re saying is the real me isn’t good enough to be someone’s one-night stand? I’d only be good if I were unconscious…?” I know I’m testing his limits, but liquid courage is making me bolder than usual.

  He mutters curse words under his breath, and I know I’ve pushed too far. I hear a car driving up behind him and look to see it’s the Uber driver.

  He wraps a hand around my elbow and leads us to the back door. “Get in the car.”

  I blink. “What?”

  He reaches behind me and grabs the door handle. “Get in the car, Viola. We’re going home.”

  I do as he says and buckle myself in. His silence is deafening, and I’m sure I’ll wake up filled with regret.