Page 30 of Fractured Frets

As I walked toward the front door, butterflies took flight in my stomach. I hadn’t seen Slip in four weeks. I placed my hand on my belly to settle my nerves and said a silent prayer. Can we just have a fun weekend? Please? I didn’t want to argue with Mom anymore. Or fight with Slip. Or stress. Or have everything we did this weekend splashed across the Internet. I needed time out from work, from Mom, and from my worries. I wanted to put everything aside and just be with my husband.

I opened the door, and my chest swelled. His smile lit my heart.

Yeah . . . everything had reset.

Slip charged forward in his velvet tuxedo. His long blond hair was pulled back into a neat man bun. So hot. He caught my face between his hands and crushed his lips against mine. The ability to breathe escaped me as he kissed me like he’d been craving, and begging, and dying to see me. Just like I’d missed him every day since he’d been gone.

“Hmm.” He licked his lips as if savoring the taste of my mouth. “Sorry I’m late. I’ve missed you so freaking much. My gorgeous, sexy wife.” He clutched my ass and drew me against his hard crotch. His other hand slid to my waist. His thumb drew lazy circles against the bare skin of my hip. “You look incredible in this dress. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

My pulse quickened under his intense gaze. “Don’t lie.” Pretty sure I wasn’t the most beautiful, but his compliments always made me blush.

“It’s the truth.” Heat flared in the depths of his eyes as he trailed up and down my body and slid his hands over my sides. “I’m gonna be hard all night unless we can sneak in a quickie before we go.”

My core clenched, begging me to let him have his way with me, right there in the hallway. But we couldn’t. We didn’t have time. This much fire simmering between us would make for an interesting night.

“We can’t. We have to get going.” I straightened his bow tie. “Why are you so late? Your flight landed two hours ago.”

“I’m sorry.” He smoothed his hand over my loose hair. “I had to go via my doctor and grab a prescription. It took forever.”

Doctor? “Doesn’t Jade get you your meds during the tour?” I could’ve sworn Slip had said Jade had gotten him his pain-killers. “Couldn’t you have seen him tomorrow?”

“He’s going away for the weekend. I was totally out.”

“Is your hip still playing up?”

“Yes, but it’s all good now I’m here with you.”

I rubbed my hands over his shoulders, the black suit soft beneath my touch. “You look very handsome.”

“And you’re fucking hot, Mads.” His gaze ran over me once again. “But if you don’t want me to ravish you, I’d better say a quick hi to your mom, then we’ll head off.”

“Yeah, best to make her happy.” I wasn’t sure Slip could do that, but I took his hand and led him into the open-plan kitchen.

Mom had graduated from the stool to her recliner in the living room and was watching some wildlife show with her large glass of wine in hand.

Slip walked over and kissed her cheek. “Hey, Valerie. How are you? Nice to see you again.”

“Hello, Sebastian.” Mom sighed and took another sip of wine. “I’m okay. How’s the tour?”

“Long. Tiring. Awesome.” He clapped and rubbed his hands together. “North Asia is done. We’re off to South America next week for a month.”

Mom’s head dropped back against the leather. “I’m exhausted just thinking about the thousands of miles you have to cover.”

“It’s not so bad in a private jet.” He shrugged off the perk the band had during the tour like it was no big deal. But it was freaking huge! So cool. He slid sideways and hooked his arm around my waist. “I might have to charter one to take Mads on a honeymoon once the tour is over. We need to have one of those.”

“Oh.” Excitement skipped in my chest. We’d never discussed a honeymoon. “That’d be nice. Where are we going?”

“Don’t know yet. Maybe a remote island somewhere like the one we always talk about.”

“I’d like that.”

Mom glared at Slip and shook her head. “I’m still upset you married my daughter.”

“I’m sorry, not sorry.” He grinned as he took my hand and kissed it. “I married Mads because I love her. I promise to make her happy.”

My heart fluttered but concern hit the center of my chest. Slip always put on his big smile and acted like nothing bothered him, but deep down he took everything on board. He’d stress until Mom approved. I didn’t want him to waste his time. She might be a lost cause.

Mom grunted. “There’s more to a marriage than love.”

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