Keep My Heart (Top Shelf Romance Book 7)

by Lex Martin

  Drew takes the carton of milk out of the fridge and drinks it straight from the jug.

  “Please tell me you don’t do that all the time,” I say, disapproving.

  “Have been for about six years.” Drew chuckles and rubs his face. “I didn’t sleep very well last night.”

  “Sorry, that sucks.” Work must be stressing him out again. He goes through these cycles where everything is great, then some days he’s so stressed, I know to stay out of his way.

  “If you only knew.” He pauses. “Well, you might eventually,” he mutters under his breath, but I don’t give it a second thought. After he yawns, he heads back to his room. I brush off his weirdness and rip open the FedEx box to pull out the gift box wrapped in silver paper and take it with me to the office. I have my first interview with a prospective employee today, which makes me realize this is really happening. I’ve always heard that when a person finds a job they truly love, it will never feel like work. Each day I see my name on the sign, I understand that saying more. My name, my reputation, my money is all on the line, and the closer we get to opening, the more nervous I become, but I love the anticipation.

  Before I unlock the door to the firm, I receive another text from Viola.

  Viola: Can you meet me at Courtney’s?

  She attaches the address.

  Travis: I’ll be there as soon as I can.

  After an hour of an interview from hell, I lock up. I’m anxious and nervous as fuck to see her again. It’s been so long since I’ve seen her, I just want to wrap her in my arms and kiss the shit out of her. I want to forget everything that happened in our past and beg her to give us a second chance. Not knowing what to expect or what she’ll say makes me the most anxious. There are so many different things she could say. The unknown suffocates me all the way to Courtney’s place.

  There’s slow-moving traffic on the bridge, and I wait at least half an hour for them to clean up an accident. At least it gives me time to run through everything I want to say to her. There’s so much I need to say; it’s just finding the right words that make it nerve-wracking. I know I’ve fucked up so many times over the years, and I have to take her being back in California as if I’ve been given another chance. I refuse to fuck this up again. Truth be known, she might have to put a restraining order on me to keep me away.

  Once I pull up next to Courtney’s Jeep, my nerves take over. I rub my hand over my face and take in a deep breath before I grab the gift and get out. It will be the first time I’ve seen her since her graduation. As soon as I head down the sidewalk, I see Courtney getting ready to lock the door. Walking a little faster, she sees me and waits.

  “She’s asleep,” she whispers.

  “Should I come back later?” I ask.

  “No, the time change has messed with her. I’m sure she’ll be up soon.” She opens the door, and when I step in, she waves goodbye and closes it behind her.

  I stand there for a moment, watching Viola sleep on the couch, snuggled with a blanket around her body. She looks so peaceful and beautiful, and it’s hard for me not to immediately go to her, pull her in my arms, and tell her I’m never letting her go again.

  I sit in the chair next to the couch and wait for her. She looks way too comfortable for me to interrupt her sleep. Ten minutes later, she stirs, and her eyes flutter open.

  “Travis?” She looks confused.

  “Yeah, princess.”

  “Why didn’t you wake me up? How long have you been here?”

  “Long enough to know you’re exhausted. I can come back later, if you want.”

  “No, that’s okay.” She sits up and pulls the blanket over her arms and crosses her legs. After putting on her glasses, she tucks hair behind her ears and nervously smiles. Her cheeks are rosy, and she looks as if she’s glowing. Fuck, I’ve missed her so damn much, and I hope what she has to say to me isn’t bad news.

  “So…” she says. And it’s immediately awkward, but I don’t want it to be.

  “So,” I echo her words. I hate that there’s a big elephant in the room, and I just want to get it all out so we can get over it and move on.

  She tucks her bottom lip into her mouth and takes in a deep breath. “I’m really sorry for leaving without saying goodbye. I’m so sorry. You have no idea how much it hurt me to know that I hurt you. Even though I was pissed at you, I don’t think I would’ve ever left if I didn’t leave right then. I know I wouldn’t have been able to go.”

  Fuck, her words are like music to my ears, and I feel all the tension from my body begin to melt away. “You were hurt, too, princess. I understand why you did it. You’re here now, so who cares? Okay? We’ve both made mistakes, and I’m sorry for ever hurting you.”

  After finding out she left, I was upset with her for days, and the emptiness never subsided. Heartbreak feels like grieving, and knowing I put her through that countless times over the years made me feel like I deserved it. But I forgave her months ago.

  Viola gives me a small smile, and I can’t bare the gap between us any longer. I stand and move to the couch, closer to her.

  “I’ve missed you so damn much,” I whisper. The closeness of her body causes my heart rate to increase. We’re not even close enough to touch, but it’s the closest we’ve been in half a year.

  “I’ve missed you, too. And Gryff. He’s still so cute. He’s growing up too fast.”

  “He’s our baby,” I say with a laugh, but she doesn’t smile like I hoped she would.

  I can tell she’s upset about something, and all I want to do is pull her into my arms, but I won’t cross that line until she’s ready. I won’t rush this. “Is everything okay?”

  She shakes her head, and the smile fades from my face. This meeting is beginning to feel all wrong. “You can tell me anything, Viola. You know that, right? I’m not upset with you, princess.”

  She nods.

  My heart races, and I feel like I’m losing her all over again. Instead of waiting for her to tell me what’s going on, I just start rambling, hoping she will open up to me.

  “Are you seeing someone else?” I ask. That’d be the worst possible thing that could happen, but I’d still sit on the sidelines and wait for her. No, fuck that, I’d fight for her.

  She shakes her head, and I can see she’s becoming more emotional with each passing second. I move closer to her, wrap my arms around her, hoping to God she doesn’t push me away. Sinking into me, she leans her head against my chest, and I hold her.

  “I’m so scared, Travis.”

  I pull away and stare into her eyes. Now she’s really beginning to worry me.

  I don’t know what to say. As he holds me in his arms, I feel like nothing else in this world matters, but I’m scared shitless. As I let out a ragged breath, Travis grabs my chin between his fingers and stares into my eyes. Before I get lost with him, I move the blanket from my stomach and stand. At first, he doesn’t notice, but when he does, his eyes widen, and he sits there, completely silent. Silence like this is what nightmares are made of, and it scares me.

  “Please say something.” I’m trying to stay strong, but know I’m losing it when I begin to choke up.

  “Viola,” he finally says, swallowing hard. “Is it…”

  “Yours?” I arch a brow.

  He searches my face and nods.

  “Yes.” I flash a confident smile, wanting him to know that I’d never do that to him. I hate that he even had to question it, but I can’t blame him either. Travis King isn’t the kind of guy you just move on from. I should know. I hadn’t been able to in over ten years.

  Immediately, Travis stands up and cups my face and covers my mouth with his. It sends shivers down my spine to feel his lips against mine again. It’s been months since I’ve tasted him, and it feels so good and so right to be in his arms again. He slows the kiss, and after he breaks apart, he presses his lips against my forehead before falling to his knees.

  I watch as he places his palms against my swollen belly. I lif
t my shirt for him so he can feel my skin against his. He places a kiss right above my belly button before pressing his ear against my stomach.

  His reaction makes me light up inside, and as I run my fingers through his hair, I think about how this will forever change us. I know deep in my heart that everything will be okay now that he finally knows, and better yet that he’s not upset about it.

  He tilts his head up, and we lock eyes. “I want you and me and our baby to be a family, princess. I will go to every single baby appointment. You don’t have to do this alone. I don’t want you to do this alone.”

  I swallow, nerves brewing through me. “I know you’re busy with the firm, so you really don’t have to go to any trouble. I don’t want to be a burden to you with all of this.”

  He stands and wraps his arms around me and holds me. “Are you kidding me? Burden? Fuck that. I’ll be there for everything. I want to be there for everything. Appointments, shopping, baby classes—all of it. Even changing the shitty diapers.”

  I let out a laugh, and it’s the first time I’ve really smiled since telling Drew. “The baby has to be our priority. No sex, no...”

  “More rules?” He gives me a sly grin.

  I flash a guilty smile. “I just think we should stay focused on the baby, is all. It’s been a long time since we’ve been together, and I don’t want you to think I expect anything from you.”

  Travis tilts my chin until our eyes are locked. “I would never want you to go through this alone—no matter what. I want to be with you, and I want to raise this baby together. I’ve been waiting for you. I’ve never stopped loving you, and I never will. I don’t know how to make it any clearer, princess. You’re it for me.”

  I choke back a sob because his words are pure perfection. I feel like the worst person in the world right now, and all I want to do is give him everything.

  “I just wish you’d told me sooner.” I can hear the change in his voice now, and it’s coated with sadness. “Were you even going to tell me if you didn’t plan on coming back?”

  Guilt washes over me, and I can’t look at his sad eyes. “I didn’t think you’d want anything to do with me after the way I left, and I couldn’t bear it. I wanted to tell you as soon as I found out, but I was scared.”

  “Princess…that really hurts to hear you’d ever think that. I’ve wanted you since before I even knew what it meant to need someone that much. It would ruin me to lose you for good.”

  I can’t hold back the tears anymore, and he catches them with his thumb over my cheeks. “I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

  “I would’ve been there for you every minute you needed me. I would’ve flown to Boston in a heartbeat. You aren’t alone, Viola.”

  “Travis, I’m really sorry. I’m an idiot. I know I should’ve told you sooner, but I was so scared how you’d react, and it didn’t really hit me at first. I know that’s not a valid excuse, but I’m so sorry for hurting you. I don’t ever want to do that again,” I tell him, and I mean every word.

  “Princess,” he says, brushing a strand of hair off my face. “I understand you were scared, and it’s okay now. It’s all going to be okay. I’ll always be here for you. I’m not going anywhere.”

  He kisses me again, and it feels so natural and right. I didn’t expect him to be this understanding. I played every scenario over in my head, and worst case, I’d be alone. I’d be a single mom, and he’d never want to see me again.

  “Does Drew know?” he asks with a pointed look.

  “Yeah, he does. I told him yesterday.”

  “Oh, okay. Good. I wasn’t sure if I should expect him to punch me in the face sometime soon.”

  “Well, maybe. But it wouldn’t be for this,” I say with a smirk.

  “Then he took it well?”

  I shrug and purse my lips. “Minus a few choice words, yeah, I’d say he did.”

  “And your parents?”

  “Not yet. Soon, though.”

  “We can do it together,” he says confidently.

  I wrap my arms around him and pull his face to mine so I can kiss him once more. I tell him I’ll be right back and walk toward the kitchen because I’m in desperate need of some water.

  As I glance over my shoulder at him, I see him watching me and admiring my new waddle. I study him and no longer see the boy I fell in love with all those years ago, but a man who will be the father of our baby. An amazing father.

  “Damn, your ass looks great.”

  I glare at him. “I feel huge and disgusting.”

  “Are you kidding me? You’re beautiful, princess.”

  Once I reach the kitchen, I grab a bottle of water and walk right back to where he’s waiting for me on the couch.

  “So, do you know if it’s a girl or a boy yet?”

  “No, I didn’t want to find out until you knew.”

  He smiles and brushes his hand over the stubble on his chin. “Okay, good. When is your due date? Do you know when you have your next appointment? Oh my God. I just realized I’ll need to tell my mother.”

  I let out a chuckle at all his questions, but I understand it’s all a little overwhelming.

  “Well...I’m due in late February. I made an appointment for Wednesday at three, and then the ultrasound will be right after that, but if you can’t make it, it’s totally fine.”

  “February,” he repeats, nodding. “I’ll pick you up, and we’ll go together. I will never be too busy for you.” He reaches for my hand and pulls me closer until I’m against his chest. He closes the gap between us with his lips, and when he kisses me, it’s so easy to close my eyes and be transported back to six months ago—before our blowout, before Boston, and before the pregnancy. Travis and I have never had a normal relationship, and now with a baby in the picture, it could get even more complicated, but as I feel his body pressed against mine, I feel nothing but happiness. Complicated or not, I know he’ll keep his promise to me. He’ll be there for the baby and me and won’t allow me to do this by myself, even if I begged him because he’s stubborn like that. Travis King is going to be a wonderful dad, and I’m going to be an awesome mom, and we’re going to have a beautiful baby together. It still feels surreal. Even with him here with me—elated—it doesn’t seem real.

  “I’ve missed your lips,” he says, pulling my lower lip into his mouth and releasing it.

  “Oh, yeah?”

  He presses another kiss on them. “Oh, yeah. Even these lips, too,” he teases and smiles as I finally get what he was implying.

  “I should’ve known you’d already be trying to break the rules.”

  “Fuck the rules. Your rules never stood a chance anyway.” He grins, and I know he’s right, even if I won’t admit it.

  “You’ll need to tell Gryff he’s getting a sibling.”

  “Why don’t you come over and tell him yourself?” He arches a brow, and I know where this is going.

  “Fine, I will.”

  “Maybe stay and have a sleepover.”

  I give him a pointed look.

  “What? It’s not like you can get pregnant again...”

  “Are you seriously talking about getting me back into your bed already?” I frown and look down at my huge belly. “Like this?”

  “Are you really that surprised?” He chuckles.

  I sigh, knowing I really shouldn’t be. “Some things never change, King.”

  I look down and take notice of the impressive tent in his pants. “Oh, God. You’re serious.”

  He shrugs. “They say the heart doesn’t forget, but I think what they meant was the dick...”

  The door opens, and Courtney walks in with her purse that’s the size of a small suitcase swung over her shoulder.

  “Hey, boss,” she says to Travis, drops the bag with a loud thud, and walks to the kitchen. He quickly adjusts himself when she’s out of sight.

  “Did you really hire her?” I whisper.

  He laughs. “She kind of hired herself.”

  “I can he
ar you two!” she yells from the other room, and we both crack up laughing. It feels good to be with him again. I might actually be able to get some sleep now without the anxiety of telling Travis weighing on me.

  Courtney changes into a pair of leggings and a T-shirt. “Congrats on the bun in the oven, boss.”

  “Court!”

  “What? We can start talking about it now that Travis knows, right?” She winks at me, but I glare at her. I made her promise me she wouldn’t say a word until Travis knew, so I guess it’s fair game now.

  “I think that’s my cue to get going,” Travis says with a smile as he stands. “Oh, I almost forgot.” He stops before making it to the door. Travis picks up a package and hands it to me. I glance down at it, and then back up at him before I tear the silver paper from the small box. I lift the lid and see a black velvet jewelry box inside.

  “What’s this?” I’m confused and kind of nervous to open it.

  “Go on,” Courtney says, her face all lit up. She’s on the edge of the couch waiting. When I open the box, I immediately gasp. It’s a set of heart-shaped diamond earrings, similar to the necklace he gave me for my thirteenth birthday.

  “Oh my God, Travis. They’re beautiful,” I gush. “But it’s too much.” I watch them glimmer in the light.

  “I’d buy you the world if I could, princess,” he says, dismissing my reluctance to accept them. “Go ahead, put them on.”

  After I put them in, I tightly wrap my arms around his neck and bury my face in his neck. “Thank you so much.”

  He wraps his arms around my waist and presses a kiss under my ear. “Happy Birthday, princess. I love you.” He then presses his palm to my stomach. “I love you too, little one.”

  Travis flashes me an overjoyed smile, but before he can walk away, I grab his hand and pull him back to me. “I love you, too, Travis.”

  Saying it feels so right, and when the words finally leave my mouth, I mean them. I love him. I’ve always loved him, and it’s time he knows. Travis leans in and gives me the sweetest, softest kiss on the lips.

  He tells me he’ll call me later before walking out, and I’m left reeling. The only thing that brings me back to reality is Courtney’s high-pitched aww. I forgot she was still here because when his lips touched mine, the only two people who existed at the moment were us.