Keep My Heart (Top Shelf Romance Book 7)

by Lex Martin

Her hands fumble with my fly until she’s pulling me out and stroking my cock that juts out to greet her. With a grunt, I shove my jeans down to make more room and then I’m tugging her shorts and underwear to the side so we can rub, without any barriers.

  The feel of her, hot and slick, makes me clench my eyes shut. “Baby, you feel so good.”

  “You’re about to feel better.”

  I’m reaching for my wallet when it hits me. “Damn it. I don’t have any condoms.” I gave the last one in my wallet to my brother the other night when he had a date.

  Tori and I are panting and out of breath, but then she caresses my face. “You know I’m on the pill, but on a scale of one to ten, if I were to get pregnant, how freaked out would you be? Not that I’m looking to make this happen. Just asking as a barometer.”

  An automatic smile stretches across my face. That’s an easy answer. “I wouldn’t be freaked out at all. I’d love to have babies with you some day.” God’s honest truth. Never thought I’d be in a place to make long-term plans with another woman again, but when I look at Tori, I see my future stretched out before me, and I want it all with her.

  Her eyes get shiny, and she gives me a soft kiss. “And you love me, right?”

  “So damn much.”

  “Then maybe we don’t have to use condoms.” She studies me, her words cautious. “It would be a first for me, but I want to feel you.”

  “Fuck, yes.” The idea of taking her bare is too intense, and I can’t hold back.

  Like an explosion of light and energy, we slam back together. Kissing and biting and grinding against each other like we might die if this doesn’t happen.

  Sweat builds along my back and chest, the steam from our bodies making the windows opaque against the rainstorm outside.

  Reaching between us, she guides me into her tight heat, sliding her hips back and forth and wedging me in. It’s a snug fit because I haven’t done much to prepare her, but based on her moans, she’s loving this as much as I am.

  “Ethan. Oh, my God.”

  “I know, baby. You feel so good.”

  Finally, her ass hits my thighs, and she grabs on to the roof handle with one hand and my knee with the other. I shove her bra down so her swollen tits spill over and suck her nipples to the same rhythm she’s using to impale herself on my cock. I help her glide up and down, the friction so insane, I’m outta my mind for her. For this.

  “Need you to come,” I grit out, pushing my hand into her panties and rubbing her clit in those tight circles I know she loves.

  I make the mistake of looking down, of seeing how we’re connected, her bare mound moving over my glistening length, taking me in, and I almost lose control.

  Dragging my other hand into her hair, I pull her face to mine and kiss her. Bliss is sizzling at my spine, and I’m so damn close that when she starts to contract around me, I can’t hold back any longer. My orgasm barrels through me like a cannonball. Pretty sure I curse or yell, but for the life of me, I can’t make sense of the words coming out of my mouth because I’m coming so hard.

  Tori’s whole body arches, and I tuck my forehead to her chest as we pulse together, her body milking mine until she collapses against me.

  Dear Jesus, that was awesome.

  Drowsy and near delirious with endorphins, I hold her to me and try to catch my breath.

  “Think I died and went to heaven,” I pant with a laugh.

  She makes a sleepy, contented sound against the crook of my neck. “Let’s just stay here like this and not move.”

  “M’kay.” Pretty sure we’re making a mess all over our clothes, but I can’t bring myself to care. I run my palm along her back. “Love you, baby.”

  Her lips tilt into a smile along my skin. “Love you too.”

  She snuggles on top of me, and I let my eyes fall closed, too content to move. “Got any plans this weekend? Been wanting to take you on that date.” My voice is dry and a bit hoarse. “Sorry I’ve done everything ass-backwards, but I’d like to take you out.” And make you mine. Permanently.

  “I’d like that.” She kisses my neck. “Will it be chaperoned, Mr. Carter?”

  “Mmm.” I rub her round bottom. “Not sure you can control yourself around me, huh?” I give her a hip thrust, seeing how I’m still nestled deep inside her.

  A half-moan, half-giggle escapes her. “Where you’re concerned, definitely not.”

  “Darlin’, that makes two of us.”

  Epilogue

  TORI

  One year & four months later

  There are a lot of should’ves in this world.

  Like…

  I should’ve studied harder in school.

  I should’ve listened to my parents more growing up.

  I should’ve partied less in college.

  But I wouldn’t change any mistake in my past because they’ve brought me here, to this point, with the people I love the most in this world.

  “Guys, squish in closer,” the photographer yells.

  My family jostles together, my mom shivering in the chilly air. I wanted to do official family photos for the holidays, and since everyone loved the idea, we’ve all trekked down to San Antonio to do a special shoot at the River Walk. It’s lit up with twinkle lights for the holidays. Every branch of every cypress tree that lines the sleepy waterway is glowing bright. The festive air grows as the late afternoon sky turns to dusk and more tourists bustle along the cobblestone footpath.

  Brady’s parents and Ethan’s brood stand off to the side, watching my sister and me pose with our mom and dad in an alcove that extends over the water. Behind us, another tourist barge floats by, the sound of laughter and merriment spilling over.

  The flash goes off. Holy crap, that’s bright.

  Ethan winks at me, and I smile a big, goofy grin, my heart doing a twirly-whirl in my chest.

  He and I have been going strong since the summer I took that nanny job. After Cody’s disastrous birthday party, even though Ethan and I were on the same page about moving forward in our relationship, we also decided we needed to take things slower. For the sake of the kids. For the sake of his divorce. For my own sanity.

  Anyway, I thought it would be easier for him to fight for custody if he didn’t have his new girlfriend shacking up with him. So I stayed with my sister and helped her with baby Annie and Izzy and took classes two days a week in Austin for a semester to finish my degree.

  Living with my sister had its advantages. Besides being able to spoil my nieces, Kat tutored me, and I totally aced my classes. She also taught me how to balance the books for her lavender business, and with the right training, I found I was pretty decent at it.

  When Ethan heard I was doing my sister’s accounting, he wanted to hire me to do the same for Carter Cutting Horses. Tori Duran, decent at math? Who knew? I sure as hell didn’t. But since bookkeeping is largely done on the computer, I’m not taxing my big brain too much.

  Working for him also gave me an excellent reason to be at the ranch several days a week.

  But Ethan was serious about taking me on dates. About wooing me like some hero in an old black-and-white movie. Even if some weeks he was so tired all he did was make me dinner, he made me feel special.

  My favorite nights, though, are the ones where he wraps me in a blanket under the stars.

  Our first “big” date was here, actually, at the River Walk, so today, as I look around this beautiful setting, all I can think about is how he kissed me right in this very spot and told me how much he loved me. It’s pretty sweet that he suggested we take our photos here.

  “Great! Let’s switch things around.” The photographer motions for Brady and his family to move in, so he and Kat can get their family’s pic.

  I’m stepping out of the shot when Brady calls my name. “Where you going? Get back in here, doofus.” He’s holding a slobbery Annie in one arm, and Izzy with the other. “We can’t do a family portrait without my little sister.” I smile like an idiot and squish back
in.

  Nerves twist in my stomach. Ethan’s family is up next. Will they want me in their photo? Logan is hugging his mom to keep her warm, and Joey is holding everyone’s coats when they step into the photo, poor girl. I’m really hoping Logan offers to take a pic with her because if he just brought Joey along to be our bellhop, I’ll throttle him.

  Next to them, Cody is climbing up his dad. Cody’s almost three and a half now, all rough-and-tumble boy, and still one hundred percent adorable. His arm healed well, thank God.

  Mila smiles at me over her cup of hot chocolate. She and her brother have had a tough time with their mom, who finally admitted to Ethan she stood to gain a substantial inheritance from her late grandfather, but the stipulation in the will required her to be married. Which explains why Allison wanted to reconcile with her ex-husband all of a sudden that summer.

  Ethan didn’t have to rake her through the mud to maintain sole custody of the children. She met a guy, got married—probably to inherit that money—and lost what little interest she had in her kids.

  As for the money Ethan owed her, since she had her grandfather’s inheritance, she was less dogged about the situation. Ultimately, she agreed to getting repaid within three to five years, which meant she and Ethan would save the massive fees they were forking over to their attorneys because they didn’t drag it out in court.

  The day that was settled, Ethan asked me to move in with him, which I did in a heartbeat. My parents weren’t thrilled, but where’s the fun if I’m not keeping them on their toes? They do love Ethan and his kids, though, so they’ve been supportive and not too judgy.

  The photographer claps and motions for Ethan’s crew to move in. I step out with my family, but a hand wraps around mine and tugs me back.

  “C’mon, sweetness.” Ethan’s voice, low and raspy in my ear, sends chills down my arms. “You know you belong in this one. You’re my family too.”

  If there was snow on the ground, I’d be making snow angels. Instead, I bite my lip to contain my smile a smidge, but he’s laughing, so I know he sees it.

  He’s exhausted from his trip to Fort Worth, but you’d never know it by how chatty he’s been today with my family. I guess it helped that he did so well at the Futurity, nabbing first place in his division. It’s been a team effort to help him and his brother attend the contests, and I have to be honest—I like being on a team. Especially his team.

  Between his winnings and how business is booming on the ranch, Ethan has been able to hire more help. That means we always have time to take the kids to the zoo or enjoy a late-night baseball game on TV.

  After several more pics, the photographer tells us we’re done, but Ethan waves at her. “I’d like to get a group shot of all of us if that’s okay.”

  It’s a tight fit, but Brady, Kat, and their kids stand on one side, both sets of parents on the other. Then Ethan’s clan all get on their knees in the front. I start to move down too, but my sister tugs on my hand.

  “What? Should I stand?”

  She gives me the strangest smile. “Yes, I think you’re supposed to stand for this part.”

  But I’m in the middle of the front row. Won’t it be weird?

  Except…

  I look down and…

  Whoa.

  The flash goes off.

  Ethan is on one knee holding up a small, velvet box.

  “Oh, my God!” I jump up and down. “YES!”

  Our families laugh, and Ethan gives me a wide smile. “Baby, I think you’re supposed to wait until I ask.”

  I laugh, my pulse racing. I can be quiet. I think.

  Taking my hand in his, he clears his throat. “Tori, in such a short time, you’ve become everything to me. My best friend, my soulmate, my confidante. Thank you for bringing me back to life. For showing me how to take challenges in stride. For believing in me. I love you like I’ve never loved anyone else, and it would be my greatest honor if you’d be my wife.”

  That sound? That’s the sound of my heart melting all over the pavement. “I love you too, Ethan.” He blurs through my tears. “Can I say yes now?” I whisper. When he nods, I tackle him in a hug. “YES!”

  The flash keeps going off, and there’s a crowd of tourists oohing and awwing, and I’m crying all the tears.

  His strong arms wrap around me, and he sits me on his knee. “You might want to see the ring before you say yes,” he jokes.

  I grab his handsome face in my hands. “You could give me a trinket out of a vending machine, and I’d still say yes.” Truth.

  Those baby-blue eyes on my rugged man mist a little. “But my girl deserves diamonds.” He opens the velvet box and pulls out a blinding ring with a stunning rock in the middle and a gazillion small diamonds all around. “It’s an eternity setting because that’s how long I plan to love you.”

  Sniffling, I tuck my face into his neck because I’m overwhelmed. “Love you too. So, so much.” I breathe him in and take a minute to count my blessings. “Does this mean we get to ride off into the sunset?”

  Gently, he lifts my face to his and wipes away the tears. “Absolutely. You’ll be mine,” he whispers. “Always and forever.”

  I smile against his kiss. “Always and forever.”

  Once upon a time, I didn’t believe in fairy tales.

  But then I found my prince.

  And we saved each other.

  Loving this collection by Top Shelf Romance?

  Check out the other Top Shelf Romance Collections available now:

  Kiss Me Slow

  Featuring: Tijan, Willow Winters, Corinne Michaels & Louise Bay

  Need You Now

  Featuring: Skye Warren, Annika Martin, Claire Contreras, Sierra Simone & Laurelin Paige

  Promise Me Forever (Free with Kindle Unlimited)

  Featuring: Kate Stewart, A. Zavarelli, Kennedy Ryan & BB Reid

  Make Me Yours

  Featuring: Devney Perry, Amo Jones, Chelle Bliss & K. Bromberg

  Don’t Break This Kiss

  Featuring: Jessica Hawkins, Kylie Scott, Marni Mann & Carrie Ann Ryan

  Never Let Go (Free with Kindle Unlimited)

  Featuring: Tijan, Kandi Steiner, Alessandra Torre & Ella James

  Thank you

  Thanks for reading RECKLESS! If you enjoyed Tori and Ethan’s story, I hope you’ll leave a review. I try to read them all!

  Do you want to read Joey and Logan’s book? You can purchase BREATHLESS here.

  Are you interested in Kat and Brady’s story? You can learn more about SHAMELESS here.

  Would you like to read about Tori’s bachelorette gifts for Kat accidentally landing in the wrong hands? Here’s the free short story.

  Be sure to subscribe to my monthly newsletter OR my new release alert to stay in touch!

  Also by Lex Martin

  Texas Nights Series

  Shameless (Kat & Brady)

  Reckless (Tori & Ethan)

  Breathless (Joey & Logan)

  The Dearest Series:

  Dearest Clementine (Clementine & Gavin)

  Finding Dandelion (Dani & Jax)

  Kissing Madeline (Maddie & Daren)

  Cowritten with Leslie McAdam

  All About the D (Josh & Evie)

  Surprise, Baby! (Kendall & Drew)

  About the Author

  Lex Martin is the USA Today bestselling author of the Texas Nights series, the Dearest series, and All About the D, books she hopes her readers love but her parents avoid. To stay up-to-date with her releases, subscribe to her newsletter or join her Facebook group, Lex Martin’s Wildcats.

  www.lexmartinwrites.com

  Long Shot

  By Kennedy Ryan

  Author’s Note

  Author’s Note

  I started writing this book out of righteous indignation on behalf of a young woman whose journey I didn’t understand. I write when I have something to say, and I knew I couldn’t say it from a place of judgment and hypotheticals . So over the course of two years, I
talked with women who had walked that path. After many interviews, much research and some soul searching, I hope I understand better. I hope I wrote this story from a place of grace and compassion that wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity and vulnerability of those with whom I spoke.

  With that said, there are aspects of this story that may be sensitive for some readers.

  For Natalie, Paula & every woman who ever

  rose from ashes to tell her story.

  FIRST HALF

  “The heart speaks in whispers.”

  Corinne Bailey Rae

  Prologue

  I was there when the levees broke.

  Though I was safe in my ward when the monster lost all restraint and unleashed watery havoc on New Orleans, I lived in the city.

  I later saw the devastation left in the wake of the beastly storm. We frantically gathered our things, fled our home for higher ground. My family left to survive.

  There were those who stayed too long. Remained when they should have fled.

  They did not live to regret it.

  Now, I’m making the same mistake. I’ve remained when I should have fled.

  I witness the exact moment when this monster loses all restraint. His fury, his rage rush at me like a wall of water. Like a gale-force wind, he blows over me.

  I am the devastation left in his wake.