Keep My Heart (Top Shelf Romance Book 7)

by Lex Martin

  “I’ve made recommendations for several of you for the position. I’ve spoken privately with a few of you over the last few days. I’d suggest signing on to the back office portal and submitting your resume if you’re interested in the opportunity.” Blake’s eyes gloss straight over me, making it apparent that he isn’t speaking to me. Fuck him too. He ends the meeting, and everyone is offering their congratulations, but I walk out. Alyssa trails behind me, heels clicking on the tile floor, and all I can think about are the pictures burning a hole in my pocket. I walk into my office, and she follows. Once she enters, I shut the door and lock it. I rush to her, pinning her against the door, and she smiles.

  “Oh, Travis. You’re going to fuck me against your office door? So hot.” She begins to unbutton her shirt and pull up her skirt, but I grab her hands.

  “We’re done, Alyssa. I’ve had enough of your bullshit.” I pull the pictures from my pocket and throw them at her. Even if Viola wasn’t consuming my mind, I’d be ending this little arrangement anyway.

  She glances down at the images and tilts her head back and laughs. “So, you didn’t like my present? I’m so sorry. Let me make it up to you.” Alyssa continues to undress until her breasts are out. She walks toward me and runs her fingers down my arms. I grab her wrists and hold them tight at her side.

  “Are you fucking insane? I don’t want what you have to offer. You don’t know how to listen. That’s your problem.”

  “I hear you loud and clear,” she says with menace in her tone.

  I release my tight grip and suck in a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. I hate how she pushes me to my limit, causing all control to slip through my fingers. I’m two seconds away from picking her up and tossing her ass out. I don’t care if her daddy owns the company or not. Instead, I inhale a deep breath and try to regain my composure although I can feel it seeping through.

  “I hope you love your job, King. Because after I tell Daddy how you took advantage of me, I doubt you’ll have anything left.”

  “Not even your father would believe your sick lies. Now get the fuck out of my office.”

  “He doesn’t have to.” She bends down and grabs the pictures that are scattered across the floor. “I’ll just show him.”

  My adrenaline spikes, and I’m so mad she’s threatening me that I grab her by the arm and pull her out of my office. At first, she struggles, but the closer we get to the door, the more she realizes she’s not going to win. I throw her out and shut the door in her face, giving no shits that I’ve just started a battle I’m sure to lose.

  Though I’m somewhat worried about what she’ll do, I feel as if I can finally breathe for the first time in weeks, knowing I’ve left no room for misunderstanding. Being around her will get worse before it gets better, so if I have to finish this project alone, I will.

  Fuck her.

  No one controls me.

  No one threatens me either.

  I’m so pissed I can barely work. I open the project, knowing damn well that I’ll be here later than usual again and that doesn’t make me happy.

  I can’t focus for shit and that just adds to my frustration. This is exactly why I stayed away from relationships of any kind. Watching the way my father acted toward my mother tainted any feelings I had about being a “couple.”

  I grab a stale bag of chips from the vending machine since I skipped lunch, and my appetite has pretty much evaporated. As I sit behind my desk, staring at my screen and shoving the final crumbs in my mouth, I think about Viola, and my mood instantly lifts. I fight the urge to text her, but hell, I need a pick-me-up, so I grab my cell and send her one anyway. I know anything that comes out of her mouth will make me smile. I know things didn’t end in a fairy-tale fashion last night, and that she was seething, but that’s not going to stop me.

  Travis: So, on a scale from one to ten, how jealous is your vibrator?

  I smile after I hit send. It’s actually the first time I’ve really smiled all day.

  Viola: Not jealous at all. It’s been places you can only dream of and I HATE YOU!

  How sweet. Just the response I was hoping for, and now, I’m definitely intrigued.

  Travis: Is that so? Guess you’ll have to draw me a picture since it’s only something I’ve seen in my dreams.

  Viola: Don’t be an idiot. It doesn’t look good on you.

  Travis: Does that mean you think I look good normally then?

  Viola: Shut up.

  I chuckle, setting the phone down and getting back to work. My body is exhausted, and as much as I fight it, I pull through for another hour. Once I call it a night, I back up my files and turn everything off. I walk out to my car, relieved to finally be heading home for the night.

  The parking lot is practically empty, and the warm glow of the setting sun reflects off the shiny black paint of the Challenger. As I unlock the car, I see FUCK YOU written across my back windshield in dark red lipstick. I’m fuming at the way she’s marked my car, but all bets are off when I notice every tire is flat. Alyssa wasn’t stupid enough to slash them, only angry enough to let the air out. Either way, it’s a big fucking inconvenience.

  As soon as I blink my eyes open, I feel my muscle ache, reminding me exactly what happened last night. I reach back with my hand and rub over the bruise on my shoulder. It’s tender to the touch, but nothing major. I know it’ll be visible if I wear my swimsuit this weekend up at the cabin, so I make a mental note to come up with an excuse beforehand. Tripping and banging into things aren’t really farfetched from my norm, so as long as Drew doesn’t suspect anything, all should be fine.

  The more I think about Travis and what we did last night, the more I begin to mentally freak out. I still don’t believe what happened. The electricity of he and I together stream through my body. It’s a low hum, and as much as I try to ignore it, I can’t. Even after I force myself to study into the afternoon, I can’t get the feeling out of my body. I’ve read the same sentence over and over. Each time I close my eyes, I see him hovering over me—fucking me like he owns me, like I’m one of his whores—and while I love it, I also hate it. It’s so frustrating.

  Needing a distraction, I decide to text Courtney and ask how she’s doing, but she doesn’t respond, which can only mean she’s too busy with all her hot cowboy friends.

  I walk around the house, feeling his hands and lips with every step I take. Finally, I force myself to sit down because I can’t take it any longer. My body is aching, desperate to feel it all again. The sex was everything I’ve imagined it would be with him. Girls at my school hadn’t exactly kept it a secret of how good he was and how they craved more, but he wasn’t as willing for a round two. He didn’t get his reputation as a sex god for nothing. And the bastard knows it.

  However, it can’t happen again. No matter how much I really want it to, I know it wouldn’t end well. I can’t separate my emotions to justify a fuck-buddies kind of relationship. The fact that he’s Drew’s best friend makes it complicated enough. But I’m only halfway regretting I let it happen. I know him well enough to know his history. It’d be better for my emotional well-being to get out while I can, before I get hurt by him again. Having zero expectations is the only way I’d come out of this alive. I’m just another notch on his bedpost. Before he can crush me, I have to consider him as nothing more than a check on my to-do list.

  Hello player, meet the game.

  I grab a bottle of water and sit on the couch right as my phone dings with a text.

  It’s Drew. Oh shit. If he finds out, he’ll flip his shit.

  Drew: What the hell?

  I stare at his message for a minute.

  My heart drops. Does he know? Did Travis tell him? I would deny it until the day I died.

  Viola: What’s your problem?

  Drew: What the hell happened to you last night? Did you fall and get a concussion that would cause you to bring a random dude back to the house?! I’m just glad Travis was there to protect you.

&nbs
p; I roll my eyes, knowing he doesn’t even know the half of it.

  Viola: I’m grown, Drew. You can’t protect me from the penis forever.

  If he only knew what was really happening while he was away. It just confirms that he must never find out. I’d feel horrible if their friendship of over ten years was jeopardized because of me.

  Drew: We’ll see about that. Excited to see you guys Friday! No more company in the house, you hear?

  Viola: Does that go for your slutty roommate, too?

  I have to remember to act the same as I normally do, or he’ll suspect something.

  Drew: I don’t have control over that one, sorry.

  Viola: So, how’s the Future Mrs. Fisher doing?

  I tease him because I know Mia’s been pushy about it, and Drew isn’t ready for that yet.

  Drew: That’s not even remotely funny.

  I chuckle to myself, not even feeling bad after all the shit he’s given me.

  Viola: So, I guess not so good?

  Drew: Things are fine.

  I drop the conversation and lay my head back on the couch. I take a deep breath and before I can even exhale, my phone dings again.

  This time it’s Travis.

  He thinks he’s funny and that he’s going to win this little battle we have going on, whatever the hell it is. Either way, I’m not claiming defeat, no matter what he does or says.

  Flashbacks to my thirteenth birthday come surfacing and the memories of how Travis’s gift changed everything.

  Spending alone time with Mom and Dad was becoming a rare occasion with everyone’s busy schedules, but for my birthday, we all went out to a movie and stopped for a late lunch afterward. My mom had even taken me shopping the day before to get some new clothes, so when we arrived back home, I headed up to my room to try them all on again.

  I didn’t really have any girlfriends to hang with, but I actually didn’t mind that much. I had my books and knowing Travis was across the street was reassuring.

  As I began digging around in my shopping bags, I noticed something peeking out from under my pillow. I grabbed it and saw my name written on the top of the small box. It was in Travis’s handwriting, and a wide smile spread across my face. I couldn’t believe he got me a gift.

  As I peeled the box open, my eyes widened in shock. It was a heart-shaped locket with my initials engraved on the front: VF.

  I took it out of the box and clasped it around my neck. It fit perfectly, and I was so excited for him to see me wearing it. I’d never owned a locket before and getting this one from Travis made it absolutely special.

  Once I was finished putting my new clothes away, I tucked the locket inside my shirt and headed back downstairs. Mom was making me my favorite dish for dinner, and I couldn’t wait to see Travis and thank him. He’d be coming for dinner like he did every Saturday.

  After a couple reruns of Gilmore Girls, I heard the front door open, and I knew it had to be him. Drew had jumped off the sofa before I could, so I sat and waited for a private moment alone with him. I didn’t want to say anything in front of my brother because I knew he’d say something snotty like he always did. Drew didn’t like me hanging around him when he was with friends, but Travis never minded.

  I walked to the kitchen to see if Mom needed any help setting the table, and just as I went to walk into the dining room, I overheard Drew and Travis talking.

  “She has no friends. She’s a loner. I feel sorry for her…” It took me a moment to realize those were Travis’s words.

  “That doesn’t mean you have to be her pity friend. She’s thirteen; it’s time she grows up and realizes she’s a dork.”

  “Well, she’s always around. What am I supposed to do?”

  “Just ignore her like I do.” He laughed, and Travis laughed with him.

  “I guess being your friend comes with consequences.” He chuckled again.

  I couldn’t believe what I had heard. Travis never talked to me like that, and he gave me no reason to believe I was annoying to be around. Sure, he was a couple of years older than me, but all those moments on the rooftop, hadn’t they meant something to him like they had for me?

  “Nah, don’t pity her. She’s the one that chooses to be a dorkzilla. Plus, hanging out with a girl like Viola will bore you to death.”

  “Dude, I don’t hang out with her. She follows me around like a lost puppy.” His words stung, shooting a dagger right through my heart.

  I’d heard enough. I turned and walked the other way, ripping the necklace from my neck and tossing it into the trash on my way out of the kitchen.

  For my thirteenth birthday, I’d learned a harsh lesson.

  Travis King was the worst kind of asshole, and I’d never forgive him.

  He broke my heart that day. I never did confront the jerk for what he said. He didn’t deserve a chance to explain. A couple of weeks later, school started back up, and I didn’t have to see him as much. It helped with the heartbreak, my young heart healing from the only pain it’d ever felt before.

  Too bad it didn’t last.

  The following year, I went into high school and had to watch my friends hang out with him. He loved it, of course. He always found a way to make my life hell, so I gave it right back. I wouldn’t allow myself to be around him for very long. I may come off as a book-loving nerd, but I’m no one’s pity friend.

  Although he never found out that I had heard him that day, the reminder was always there. He’d ignored me, dated my friends, and had acted like a total showoff. He’d taunt me about my good grades and proper manners. I didn’t need to pretend to be someone I wasn’t just to get his approval. I wouldn’t allow myself to fall for his charm like the rest of the school seemed to.

  I decide I can’t let myself dwell on him any longer. I shower and barely have time to wrap the towel around my body before the doorbell rings. The annoying ding-dong is followed by knocks on the door. What the hell? I walk through the house leaving puddles with each step. When I move, I can feel the places Travis has been, but it’s not something I’ll ever admit. He would just rub it in my face and say I told you so, and I can’t have that. I may have given him my body, but I refuse to give him my heart. That’ll never happen.

  I look through the peephole and see Courtney standing outside with a huge purse plopped over her shoulder. I open the door, practically naked and in complete shock when I see it’s really her.

  “Viola!” she squeals, wrapping her arms around me. “Surprise!” She releases me and smiles wide.

  “What are you doing home already? I thought you weren’t getting in until tomorrow?”

  Courtney lives off campus in a really cute apartment right next door to a used bookstore, so she doesn’t have to go home during breaks, but flies out when she has the chance.

  “I’m all about family time, but three days was plenty. I can only do so long at a Bishop family reunion.”

  “Weren’t Jackson and John there?” Those are her super hot twin brothers.

  “Yes, but Jackson brought his girlfriend, and John was super busy showing the new foreign exchange student around the farm.” She rolls her eyes, and I laugh. “Plus, Toby will be back soon, so I figured I’d come back early and wait for him.”

  “Wait for him meaning I won’t see you until school starts because you’ll be shacked up next week.” Toby is her high school sweetheart that she bangs every chance she gets.

  She drops her bag on the kitchen table and sighs. “I’ll text you when he lets me up for air.”

  “Please, spare me the details.”

  She purses her lips and shakes her head at me. “Sometimes I wonder how the hell you even managed to lose your virginity.” Her mocking tone doesn’t go unnoticed even though I know she’s only teasing.

  “On my back with my legs behind my head, thank you very much,” I sass right back.

  Her eyes trail down my body, studying me. “Speaking of being on your back, you have sex bruises all over your thighs and arms.” She
arches a brow. “Care to explain?”

  I pinch my lips together and turn away from her, walking toward the living room.

  “Viola Annabelle Fisher,” she scowls in a motherly tone, following quickly behind me. “If you’re getting laid, I deserve to know.”

  I sit on the couch and grab the remote. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  She sits next to me, focusing her attention on my legs. “It looks like thumb bruises to me. So not only was it sex, it was really hot, rough sex.”

  After a moment of silence and not answering her, she grabs the remote out of my hand, forcing me to look at her.

  “Fine, I got laid. Happy?”

  The corner of her lips curls up. “Not as happy as you should be.”

  I roll my eyes and look away again.

  “C’mon, I have to pee.” She grabs my hand and pulls me up with her. “You can tell me all the dirty details.”

  “I’m not telling you about my sex life while you pee!”

  “Oh, so now you have a sex life? I want all the details.”

  She drags me into the bathroom with her, not minding that I’m right in front of her as she drops her shorts and sits.

  “You know you aren’t in hillbilly country anymore.”

  “Oh please. You’ve seen my bare ass before. Peeing is nothing. Don’t be a prude.”

  I burst out laughing because she’s absolutely ridiculous. She flushes, washes her hands, then checks to see if anything is in her teeth.