Keep My Heart (Top Shelf Romance Book 7)

by Lex Martin

  Travis: I’m taking a nap now. Nurse’s orders :)

  Viola: Sweet dreams.

  I send the text quickly as I throw my bag in the back of my car.

  Travis: Only if you’re in them.

  Viola: Gag. You’re laying it on thick.

  Travis: You like it thick.

  Shaking my head, I should’ve anticipated that response from him.

  Viola: Shut it and go to sleep! Your meds have made you delirious.

  I respond before starting the car and driving to Courtney’s in complete silence. My mind is racing a million miles per hour as I replay everything that’s happened.

  “I guess my bribe texts and dick pics worked,” she says with a wide smile when she opens the door.

  “Of course! Nothing like soft penises that hang over balls like waterfalls!” I lay on the sarcasm, laughing at the thought of those horrific pictures.

  “I needed someone else to be scarred for life, too. Just sharing the love.”

  “What would I ever do without you?” I ask.

  “Study twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, probably.” She stuffs her phone inside her pocket and smiles back at me. She’s in a much better mood than last week. Court’s almost herself again, and I’m so happy to have her back.

  “Come on, we have somewhere to be.”

  I narrow my eyes at her as we walk out of her apartment toward the Jeep. After unlocking it, she pulls her long blond hair into a high ponytail. Before she reverses, Courtney gives me a wink, then slams on the gas, causing the wheels to squeal out in protest. Soon we’re cruising through neighborhoods, and she turns down the music and begins with her questions.

  “So…” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.

  “Things are great,” I say with a big smile.

  “You’ve already had sex, haven’t you?”

  My mouth drops open. “Well…”

  “I love the two of you together. Did he ever say why Mia was with him?” She looks over at me, hoping I’ll give her all the dirty gossip, but there’s nothing to say.

  “He said nothing happened, so I’m choosing to believe him.”

  Courtney pulls into the mall parking lot. “Where is Viola Fisher, and what have you done with her?”

  “If Drew trusts him and believes nothing happened, and Travis says nothing happened, all I can do is follow my heart and trust him, too.”

  She gives me a big smile. “Good. Because I saw the way he looked at you last week. He’s got it bad. Almost love-sick puppy love shit. Plus, he’d be an idiot to mess that up. You’re a ten, Lola.”

  I roll my eyes at her and shake my head, and she gives me a quick wink.

  “Now let’s go buy tons of sexy lingerie. It always makes me feel better.”

  I laugh. “I can’t afford it. It’s too expensive.”

  She smiles and flashes her credit card. “My treat. Well, my parents’ treat, but the same thing. You’re the Selena to my Taylor.”

  We walk through the mall and stop inside Victoria’s Secret. The lace is so pretty and soft, and it’s been way too long since I’ve splurged on myself. Between tutoring, paying for what groceries I can afford, and my ridiculous Starbucks habit, I’m just a broke college student, scraping by. Courtney doesn’t act entitled like some of the other rich girls at school, but her parents do support her shopping habits. I pray to the retail gods that she finds a job that pays her well or she marries a man with deep pockets. I laugh at the thought.

  Courtney starts picking up pretty bras and panties in all sorts of colors and shoves them into my arms. She’s lost her damn mind, and I’m not complaining, but I feel guilty. It’s too much to accept.

  “Court, you don’t have to do this.”

  “Shut it, sister.” She finds some scandalous thongs and adds them to my things. “You can’t look like a frump for Travis.”

  If I didn’t know better, I’d say she and Travis were on the same team.

  “Whose side are you on, anyway?” I ask her as she snatches up more panties.

  “What do you mean?” She’s not even really listening to me. She has this wild look in her eyes like she’s unstoppable.

  “I’m team Traviola. Ha! All the Hollywood power couples have nicknames, so we’ll have to work on that. Bennifer, Brangelina, Kimye, Jelena...” She drops the panties in a wire basket, not even paying attention to my reaction.

  I can’t stop laughing. Courtney’s crazy. But it makes me feel good to know she’s on our side. Before dragging me to the counter, she grabs a few bottles of perfume. The woman at the checkout gives us a smile.

  “I’m a sucker for a panties sale,” Courtney says, leaning against the counter like she just bought the place, which she practically did by the amount of clothes that’s piled up high.

  The woman smiles. “Your total is five hundred forty-two dollars and thirty-six cents.”

  “Courtney, seriously,” I whisper, but she brushes me off.

  She hands over her credit card without batting an eye and signs the screen. “Oh, can we have two separate bags?”

  The woman hands us their signature pink bags with Victoria’s Secret written across the front in shiny, silver letters, and I’m so excited about my new things.

  Completely giddy, I take a quick picture of the pink bag and send it to Travis.

  Travis: Damn!

  I read his text message and shove my phone back in my pocket.

  “I think I love you. Thanks, Court.”

  She gives me a hug. “I love you too, Lola.”

  We walk out of the store, and all I can do is smile.

  “Buying lingerie always makes me happy. And my mom totally supports my habit. She’s a firm believer that a woman should splurge on panties and bras. But I’m sure it’s going to trigger a phone call when the statement comes in. It’s a dead giveaway that I’m upset about something, and I haven’t told her about Toby yet.” Courtney laughs it off but her voice slightly cracks, and I can tell she’s thinking about it, which upsets her. I try to change the subject before she gets lost in Toby thoughts.

  “When I’m a millionaire, you’re getting tons of gifts.”

  She perks up. “The only gift I want is your brother wrapped in nothing but a bow.”

  I playfully nudge her.

  “Hey, I’m just being honest.” She smiles.

  On the way back to her townhouse, I look down at my phone as another text message from Travis flashes across.

  Travis: Drew’s home a little early, and he’s stinking up the kitchen with his special tofu recipe.

  I reply, knowing exactly what Drew’s making. It’s this Asian dish with broccoli and soy sauce. For some reason, he thinks it’s the most delicious thing on the planet although we all tell him it’s disgusting.

  Viola: Gross. Enjoy that.

  Travis: I’ll smile and pretend it’s chicken, like always.

  I laugh because I do the same thing.

  Travis: So about that lingerie? When will I see?

  I can’t wait to show him.

  Viola: I dunno. I like keeping you on edge.

  Travis: Tomorrow?

  Viola: Tuesdays and Thursdays are usually booked to the max with tutoring and classes, so I’m stressing just a little.

  Travis: Don’t worry about me, princess. I’ll be just fine. Drew’s making enough of this crap that I’ll be eating it until my ribs heal.

  I feel bad for not being there for him, but I don’t see how I could work it in. I’ll have to make it up to him.

  Viola: If you need anything, I’ll be your on-call nurse.

  Travis: Anything? :)

  Viola: Well not anything, but you know!

  Travis: Damn. I’ll keep you in the loop. Promise.

  Viola: Sounds good :)

  Travis: I’ll be thinking about you naked all day tomorrow.

  I read his message over and over again. Sometimes, seeing this side of Travis doesn’t seem real. But I have to remind myself that it is, and for once, I’
m getting exactly what I’ve always wanted.

  Viola: Shut up! :)

  Chapter 7

  Travis

  Knowing Viola wouldn’t be around to keep me company made Tuesday drag by extra slow, and my night was just as restless. Wednesday arrives, and I wake up exhausted even though I’ve been lying around for days. I’m not used to this laid-back lifestyle, and while I’m mentally ready to get back to the gym—and even back to work—it’s physically not an option. On top of the meds that kick my ass anytime I do decide to take them, I wouldn’t be able to sit in an office chair for longer than an hour.

  The doctor has refused to release me for an indefinite amount of time, and I’m worried Crawford Marketing will find a reason to let me go, but luckily, I’m covered by short-term disability. Though it’s only been two weeks since the accident, Alyssa has already threatened to have her daddy fire me, but she’s not stupid and knows she’ll face a lawsuit, which is bad PR for the firm. Thankfully, I’m not dealing with Blake and Alyssa’s bullshit for ten hours a day on top of the pain, but the stress of working there still haunts me daily. I’m sure my work is stacking up, waiting for when I’m able to return. I’m positive it’ll be Blake’s way of legally retaliating against me for being out of the office. If it weren’t for that place, I would’ve never gone on that drive, and I’m not sure I can ever forgive or respect Blake and Alyssa for that. My body aches just thinking about it.

  However, the biggest reason for being extra sore today is a five-foot-five sassy know-it-all who’s been making every ounce of pain worth it. Although those are moments I’ll never forget, my body is kicking my ass for it.

  The rain pounding against my bedroom window makes me want to stay in bed all day, but the growling in my stomach lets me know it’s time to get up and eat something. The gloomy sky makes it extra hard to get up, but knowing I’ll be seeing Viola today gives me strength to get moving.

  I make a pot of coffee regardless of how hard it is to lift my arms and sit on the couch while it brews. I’ve had no appetite, and I know I need to eat before I wither away. Once the coffee maker beeps, I shuffle to the kitchen and pop two pieces of toast into the toaster. The smell of that fucking tofu lingers in the house, and I’m a little pissed I ate it. Never again.

  As soon as the toast pops up, I smear butter and strawberry jelly on top and throw it on a plate. As I’m walking out of the kitchen, the front door opens and slams closed. Viola comes in, drenched, her hair flat and sticking to her forehead, while the rest is up in a messy ponytail. Her jacket and pants are wet. My eyes widen as soon as she looks at me. She’s sexy as fuck regardless of how she looks, but today she’s in hot mess mode.

  “I hate it when it rains! My damn umbrella broke! Gah!” She drops her bag, and it makes a loud thud on the floor.

  “Did you feel that?” I joke with her, trying to lighten the mood.

  “Feel what?” She stops and looks around.

  “I think your bag of books just tripped the Richter scale.” I sit at the table, take two bites of toast, and I’m done. I seriously need to get over this bullshit.

  She sits in front of me, exhaustion covering her.

  I study her face. “Everything okay?”

  “I’m having a small freak-out. There are only five more weeks of class left. Finals are coming up. I have to keep up my GPA. I’m not ahead with my reading, and I’ve been showing up late. Everyone that I’m tutoring thinks I can guarantee them an A when they aren’t putting in the work to make that shit happen. I’m concerned about telling Drew about us, and I’m worried about you and–”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Princess, don’t add me or us to your list of worries. Okay?”

  She doesn’t look me in the eyes.

  “Viola,” I say sternly, and she finally looks up at me. The stress is written across her face.

  “It’s just…” She sighs. “School and graduation. It’s a lot to think about. My life afterward. A job. Moving out of the dorms. It’s a huge change. School has consumed my life for so long that I’m not sure I know who I am without my books and class, so I’m freaking out just a little bit.”

  I lean across the table and grab her hand, offering her some comfort. “It’s a normal reaction. When I graduated, I didn’t know what I would do afterward. I didn’t have a plan—just a piece of paper, a shitty job, and average grades. You’re so smart and have nothing to worry about. Opportunities will fall in your lap when you least expect them. Don’t worry about life after school yet. Just be concerned with what’s going on right now. I’m always going to be here for you, okay? Not sure if you realize this or not, but I’m not going anywhere. So, if you need to focus on school and yourself, I understand. We can tell Drew closer to graduation, so then you don’t have that extra stress. Don’t worry about us. Don’t worry about me. I’ve waited over a decade for you, so five weeks is nothing. It will fly by, and when you’re walking across that stage with your perfect grade point average, you’ll laugh at how you feel right now. Trust me, princess.”

  She sighs and her shoulders relax slightly. “Thank you.”

  “And I have the perfect remedy to get rid of that extra stress,” I say slyly, taking a drink of coffee, and she smiles for the first time since she opened the front door.

  “Actually,” she says with a cute little smirk, “I have a surprise for you.”

  I lick my lips, intrigued by her words. “A surprise?”

  She nods her head, stands, and walks to me. Leaning over, she grabs my face and kisses me. It takes everything I have not to bend her over the kitchen table and fuck her right there. My body says no, but my dick says now. I stand, meeting her intensity, and she wraps her arms around my neck. I wince, and she pulls away.

  “Are you feeling okay?”

  “Actually, all the gymnastics have caught up to me.”

  She smiles. “Then my surprise is perfect for you.”

  Viola takes my hand and leads the way to my bedroom. I already love where this is going.

  “Sit here,” she demands and pulls the office chair from under my desk. I don’t even argue and just follow her directions. She turns on the lamp in the corner of the room and sets her phone on the docking station on my nightstand. She smiles before she presses play. After a second, she flips the light switch. Since it’s rainy and gray outside, a warm glow fills the space. I don’t know what the song is and give absolutely no fucks about it until Viola starts slowly moving her hips to the beat of the music.

  Her eyes don’t leave mine as she slips her jacket off her shoulders and drops it to the floor. One by one, she unbuttons her shirt, turning and teasing me with her perfect little ass in those tight jeans. A few moments pass and she drops her long-sleeved shirt to the floor next to her jacket. If ever I thought Viola had cast a spell on me, it’s right now at this very moment, because I can’t take my eyes from her.

  Slowly, she unbuttons and then unzips her jeans, taking her time as she moves them down her hips and off her legs. She makes sure to bend over, showing me her ass in a black thong that matches the bra that barely covers her beautiful tits.

  “Sweet Jesus,” I growl, and all she does is smile, taking her wet hair out of that high ponytail and allowing it to cascade around her face. Viola is a vixen, a little sex kitten, who has her fingers hooked at the edge of her panties, but she doesn’t remove them. I’m on edge, watching as she spins in circles, showing me that bare ass. She moves closer, rubbing her ass against my dick while still dancing to the beat of the music.

  She rolls her head on her shoulders and stands right in front of me before she places her finger in her mouth and sucks. One bra strap slides off her shoulder, then the other. Moving her hands behind her back, she unhooks the black bra and allows it to fall to the floor. Her breasts are perfect, and her nipples are at full attention. She’s standing in only a black thong, with eyes closed, dancing to the slow erotic music—just for me. I swallow hard, and I’m not sure how much longer I can watch. Surprise is an understat
ement; this was a fucking gift.

  The song finally ends, and she opens her eyes, looking at me with a burning desire. She strides toward me and straddles me in the office chair. I grab her face right before our lips crash together. It’s as if we’re both lost at sea, being pulled and pushed together by the undercurrent of one another, and there’s no rescue in sight. Being with Viola is so intense that it’s easy to forget about everything. It’s just me and her, and it’s all that matters. She’s all that’s ever mattered. And at this moment, I fucking need her as much as I need air.

  The way Travis is slowly kissing me is almost too much for me to handle. I can feel him through his pajama pants and my panties, and it’s so hard for me to restrain from pressing against him. My skin is on fire while his mouth and hands encapsulate my body and soul. I remember dreaming about this when I was a stupid teenager with a crush that almost destroyed me. Having Travis wrap his arms around me and steal my breath away doesn’t seem real, and I keep wondering when I will wake up. But as he grabs my nipple between his teeth, I’m brought back to reality—to the here and now—and being together is more real than it will ever be.

  I know where this will lead if we keep going. “You should be resting. No more gymnastics, remember?”

  Travis threads his fingers through my hair and holds my face in the palm of his hand. “This isn’t the time for logic, princess.”

  I allow a small smirk to cross my lips. “Why do you think these panties are still on?”