Keep My Heart (Top Shelf Romance Book 7)

by Lex Martin

  That giant hand wraps around the finger I’m poking him with, and he pulls me close.

  “So fucking feisty.” He laughs and leans down to whisper in my ear, “My divorce goes through in less than a week. I’ve been separated for a year, but things between my wife and I crashed and burned long before that. And I promise I’m not on a date, sweetheart. I’m here for you.”

  “What?” I’m so confused.

  But he doesn’t answer my question. He merely takes my arms, winds them around his neck, and tugs me flush against his body. His big, hard body. Mmm. That deep voice rumbles in my ear. “Your sister told me where I could find you.” He kisses my temple. “I came for you. To find you.”

  Those sick, drunk butterflies are back and battle around my stomach. I peer up to find myself nose to nose with him. “You came here for me?”

  He smiles.

  He came here for me.

  I smile back like a loser.

  The music shifts to something sultry that heightens my lust-filled fog. “You’re not here with Sandra?” Because buzzed Tori needs everything to be crystal-clear.

  Ethan’s eyes soften as he nestles me closer until our lips are a breath apart. “I swear that was more a misunderstanding between me and Logan. Why would I be here with another woman when you’re all I’ve thought about since you barged into my life like a damn tornado?”

  I laugh, and it feels so good. So warm. Like I’ve stumbled across a sliver of sunlight on a rainy day. “You must be a glutton for punishment.” With Lana del Rey’s “Burning Desire” swelling around us, I’m ready to scale up Ethan’s delicious body.

  Sweet delight pulses through me at the thought.

  Until a faint voice—one that’s thrashing around in my head, trying not to drown from the alcohol—cautions me against doing anything rash.

  Against doing anything naked.

  Because naked gets my heart in trouble.

  Plus, don’t I deserve a better explanation for what happened at the diner last night? Even buzzed, I know this.

  But then his lips brush against my ear and he whispers, “I’m a glutton for anything that involves you.”

  Just like that, my resolve to keep some distance snaps.

  Ethan

  Tori’s smile gets me every time.

  I’m not sure I even deserve it.

  Soft, smooth skin greets my rough palm when I drag my hand over her slender shoulder.

  “Let’s get out of here,” I rasp in her ear, hoping she hears me over the music.

  The way those gorgeous hazel eyes heat beneath my stare makes the trek to the city worth it.

  I hate clubs. Loathe them. But I’d haul my ass to Austin again to have her look at me like this. With fondness and vulnerability and desire. With the kind of intensity that makes my blood heat and my fingers itch to delve beneath the teasing hem of her skirt.

  She nods but holds up a finger and motions for me to follow her through the crowd. We stop in front of a group of people, and she leans over to whisper to another girl, whose eyes dart to me. Then Tori grabs my hand and leads me to the exit.

  A bouncer opens the door to let us out to the back parking lot. Warm air and the scent of barbecue and cedar hits our faces as we stroll into the dark.

  “Guess I should’ve asked where you parked,” Tori says, turning toward me.

  She starts to let go of my hand, but I tighten my hold. “This way.”

  After having music blare in my ear for the last hour while I scanned the crowd for her, the quiet seems more amplified, making me feel like tonight, this moment, is important.

  I keep stealing glances at her. She’s almost too much to take in at one time. Stunning is the word that comes to mind. All that crazy hair. Those long legs. Her big, golden eyes. That playful personality.

  She sneaks a peek at me and gives me a shy smile.

  Damn it, I like this girl and how she’s all bluster and ball-busting when she’s pissed, but sweet and vulnerable at other times. Like now.

  It’s written all over her face. How glad she is that I came for her. And fuck, that does something to me.

  Once we’re along the edge of the lot, my truck comes to view.

  “Darlin’, how much’ve you had to drink?” I trace her knuckles with my thumb, not willing to let go of her.

  We meander a few paces, our steps crunching on the gravel, before she answers me. “A bit.”

  When we arrive at my truck, I slide my gaze to her as I fiddle with my keys. “What does that mean?”

  “It means I’m happily buzzed and not shit-faced.” She laughs and rocks back, tucking her hands behind her. “I stopped drinking half an hour ago. Why?”

  I reach around, wrapping her wrists in my palm before I crowd her against my truck. “Too buzzed to do this?”

  Lowering my head, I hover near her and wait for her to ward me off, but instead her breath catches and she arches toward me. Lightly, I brush my lips against hers.

  When I pull away, she exhales. “More.”

  I smile and lean in, except this time I graze her neck and breathe her in. Breathe in the sweet scent of coconuts and something floral.

  Goosebumps break out on her skin, and I nibble the curve of her shoulder and suck.

  She swallows. “Let go of my wrists.”

  The urgency in her voice makes me comply immediately. I’d never want to force her to do something that makes her uncomfortable.

  But before I can step back, her arms wind around my neck, and she pulls me closer, lifting her leg to my hip to fit our bodies together.

  I don’t have time to be surprised before her hand tangles in my hair and yanks hard to line up my mouth in front of hers.

  “You owe me a kiss from the other night,” she whispers. A sexy-as-hell smile teases her lips before they sweep against mine.

  Fuck, nothing turns me on like a woman who knows what she wants.

  Her mouth opens to me on a soft sigh. My tongue slides against hers, and she moans, the sound making me rock-hard. I run my palm against her thigh, which she squeezes against me.

  For a tiny thing, she has long damn legs, legs I’d like to wrap around my face. She tastes sweet, like sugar and lime and tequila. So it pains me to stop and untangle myself from her. When the tips of my fingers reach the curve of her perfect peachy ass, I do just that.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks quietly.

  “Just meant to kiss you, honey.” Clearing my throat, I slide her leg down and fix her skirt. Even though I really want to acquaint myself with what she has going on under that particular clothing item.

  As gracefully as I can, I rearrange my hard-on. “Doesn’t mean I don’t want to get you all kinds of naked, but not tonight. Not if you’ve been drinking.”

  She glares at me. “Seriously?”

  I kiss her again. “Seriously.”

  Her eyes lower to my groin before she grins and palms me. “This for me?”

  Her grip is perfect. So is that stroke.

  Clenching my eyes, I let out a breath. God grant me the patience to not fuck her against my Ford. Please and thank you.

  “One hundred and ten percent,” I groan before taking her hand from my dick, who’s cursing me out and calling me a traitor. I skim my lips over her wrist. “Besides, I wanna explain what happened last night at the diner.”

  Her eyes soften, and she nods and leans up to kiss me. “Your place or mine? Oh, wait, they’re the same.”

  I chuckle, relieved, turned the fuck on, and grateful to have another chance with this woman. I hope I don’t blow it this time.

  About an hour later, with our legs dangling off the tailgate of my pickup truck and the view of my barn looming before us, she nudges me with her elbow.

  “Pancakes after a night of mojitos was the best idea ever.” Tori licks her finger. “I’m sticky, though.”

  I ignore the dirty thoughts that spring to mind when she says the word ‘sticky’ and reach for my water bottle. “Glad you enjoyed it. Wasn�
�t sure if they’d be any good.”

  On the way home, I pulled into an all-night truck stop and got us two orders of pancakes and bacon because I thought she might want some food to soak up that alcohol.

  Needing to get this off my chest, I blurt out my apology. “I’m sorry about last night. For not clearing up the confusion with Sandra.” This might’ve been easier when Tori was buzzed, but I like knowing she’s probably not at this point.

  I explain my brother’s good intentions and how I must’ve done a decent job of keeping whatever was happening between me and Tori a secret, so Logan hadn’t known I didn’t want to go on any blind dates. “I called Sandra last night and cancelled our plans.” Rubbing the back of my neck, I tell Tori how I hadn’t wanted to embarrass the woman and back out of the date in front of everyone, but knowing how things played out, I should’ve done things differently.

  Tori’s quiet for a minute. “I understand. That was thoughtful of you. I wouldn’t want you to bail on me in front of everyone either.” She worries her bottom lip. “I’m sorry I stomped off.” With a shrug, she glances out over the pasture. “I’m not great at communicating when I get upset. I tend to overreact, as you well know.”

  My heart does this trippy little thing in my chest.

  “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” My words are a whisper, but I’ve never meant anything more. “I’d like to make it up to you.”

  Turning, she looks up at me with those big doe eyes, a smile playing on her lips. “You mean by doing more than driving to Austin in the middle of the night and feeding me pancakes?”

  “A small price to pay.”

  I don’t know what it is about Tori that makes me want to take risks when I was pretty sure getting into something with a woman was the last damn thing I’d ever want again a few weeks ago.

  “Thanks for feeding me. I love pancakes.” Scooting back and reclining on the thick blanket I situated before we hopped up here on the flatbed of my truck, she lets out a contented sigh. “You can make up almost any offense with a good helping of sugar and carbs.”

  “My pleasure. Before I forget”—I pause to reach into my back pocket—“thought you might need this.”

  “You found my phone.”

  I think she’s reaching for it, but instead she grabs my wrist and pulls me down onto the blanket next to her.

  Chuckling, I brace myself on my elbow. “You make me laugh,” I whisper as I brush a strand of mermaid hair out of her face.

  “Yeah?”

  Nodding, I dip my finger down her neck and over the delicate strap of her top. “Logan says I never laugh anymore, but you make me laugh.”

  “I’ve just put you under my spell with my cooking. It’s been my evil plan all along.” She blinks up with playfulness tilting her lips, and I’m overwhelmed by how right this feels.

  For some reason, I want to remember every detail of this moment.

  How she glows in the moonlight.

  How the chirp of crickets swells in the meadow around us.

  How the scent of cedar and wet earth permeates the air.

  And, for the first time in years, how alive I feel.

  With her wild hair going every which way, her sleepy, dreamy eyes staring up at me through those thick lashes, and her skirt barely clinging to the tops of her thighs, I’m inclined to agree—this woman is wielding some powerful magic.

  Clearing my throat, I lean in closer. “Whatever it is, I think I’m addicted.”

  She hums in the back of her throat. “I like the sound of that.”

  Our eyes meet. “Do you do this often? Hypnotize men with your spells?”

  It’s her turn to laugh. The soft, sultry sound hits me square in my chest. “I haven’t had great luck in the relationship department, so my spells might need some work.”

  Her confession surprises me. Tori is a drop-dead beautiful woman. Feisty as all get-out and playful as sin. I’m not sure why men aren’t falling at her feet, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to change her luck.

  And maybe mine too.

  She toys with the button on my shirt. “Have you wooed many women in the back of this truck?”

  “Can’t say that I have. If anything, I’m pretty rusty when it comes to all this. Been outta the dating scene for a long time.”

  “I thought country boys were all about seducing women with their big trucks and Southern charm.”

  I drag my finger along the hollow of her throat, loving the way her breath picks up. “You looking to test out my stick shift?”

  Her sexy laugh draws me closer. “If you think you can handle my speed.”

  I’m pretty sure we’re not talking about my Ford.

  When my lips graze hers, I tell her the truth. “I’d love to find out.”

  Tori

  Above us, ten thousand stars shine bright in the night sky. Parked in the pasture, with my arms full of this man as we make out in the bed of his truck, I’m a bundle of contradictions.

  Burning hot but shivering.

  Terrified but trusting.

  Overwhelmed but wanting.

  The stubble on his square jaw tickles my skin, and I lean into the kiss, needing to feel everything he can give me.

  I don’t care that the rigid steel beneath me bites through the quilt and into my back. I don’t care that this thing between us could go wrong in a hundred different ways. I don’t care that I could fall way too hard for him.

  I’m so tired of protecting myself. I want one night, one night where I can feel him and touch him and let myself go and not be fearful of getting hurt.

  The breeze cuts through my poor excuse for an outfit, but Ethan’s warm body hovering so near heats my skin even though he’s leaning over me, bracing himself a respectable distance away. Keeping himself from tumbling into me.

  But his hot kisses make me desperate for more.

  “Come closer,” I mumble against his lips. He pauses, looking down at me with so much desire in his eyes, I could incinerate right here. “I’m not buzzed anymore, and I need you to come closer. Right now.”

  A smirk breaks out on his face. “Demanding little thing, aren’t you?”

  I let myself take him in. His disheveled hair that I’ve thoroughly finger-fucked. His five-o’clock shadow that scratches against my palm. Those perfectly sculpted lips, wet from my kisses.

  “I’m demanding when I know what I want, and at this moment, more than anything, it’s you.” The relief I feel from saying those words is immediate.

  I never used to be someone who held back, either with what I thought or felt, but the last year has messed with my head. Right now, though, in this dark field, wrapped in Ethan’s arms, I feel safe.

  And I have to take a chance.

  Just one.

  Leaning up, I graze his lips with mine. “I want you. So much.”

  He brushes his nose against mine. “Want you too, sweetness.”

  Emotion swells in my body, making me hope for things I probably shouldn’t wish for.

  One night, I remind myself. Take a chance tonight. Don’t think about tomorrow.

  Slowly, I pull back. Those blue eyes darken as he watches my hands work the buttons on my bustier that run from between my breasts all the way down to my waist.

  When I’m done, I return my hands to my sides and wait.

  An eternity passes as his eyes travel down me, lingering where my top barely clings to the crests of my curves, and back up again. His deep voice breaks the silence with a raspy whisper. “You’re just about the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen with your clothes on. Not sure how you’re gonna rock my world if I take this top off you.”

  A white-hot spark surges between us when I stare into his eyes.

  “Maybe we should find out.” I wonder if he can hear my heart beating against my ribs. “Touch me, Ethan.”

  He holds my stare as his rough palm wraps around my shoulder and slides down one strap of my top.

  Then the other.

  Until I f
eel the breeze on my bare skin.

  When he glances down this time, his hungry groan flares the delirium burning in my veins.

  “Fuck, you have an incredible body.”

  His fingers ghost over me, test the weight of me in one big palm, before he squeezes my breast.

  God, yes.

  Harder.

  Like he senses what I need, he complies until his fingers almost bruise, where his hold rides that border between pleasure and pain.

  Perfection.

  I let out a sigh of delight and pull him closer. His powerful thigh wedges between mine, and everything pulses in me when I feel him hard and thick against my hip.

  Wordlessly, I undo the buttons of his shirt because I need to feel his heat against mine. When his shirt is off, all I can do is admire his strength that doesn’t come from obsessing in the gym but from long hours working on his ranch. From his dedication to his family business. And damn if that doesn’t make me like him more.

  Strained muscles bend and flex over me as he settles himself fully between my legs, the weight of him nearly making my eyes roll back in my head.

  Which is when I realize how much larger he is than anyone I’ve ever been with.

  Above me, his beautiful broad shoulders blot out the stars and sky. His hand stretches across the expanse of my stomach. I have to wiggle my hips to make him fit between my thighs.

  Who says you can have too much of a good thing?

  It’s not possible.

  Because Ethan feels divine.

  Hard to my soft. Rough to my smooth.

  I breathe in his cologne and the scent of leather that clings to his skin before our mouths connect, and I indulge in languid, deep kisses that turn fierce and desperate.

  When we break apart, he dips his head to my neck and takes one long suck that has me moaning into the quiet night.

  It’s too much and not enough.

  I writhe beneath him, out of my mind when he palms my thigh and thrusts against me. Out of my mind when he sucks my nipple into his hot mouth. Out of my mind when he reaches between my legs.