Page 32 of Fractured Frets

But as I turned Britney, my Audi, onto Cole’s street, my stomach twisted into a pile of nerves and nausea. I looked forward to seeing everyone...but I wasn’t excited about meeting Harper. The strain embedding grooves into Slip’s forehead and forming creases around his closed eyes didn’t help.

I reached over the center console and patted his thigh. “Hey? Is everything okay?”

“Uh-huh.” He grabbed the handle above the door, using it to hoist himself up, turn on the seat, and lean toward me. Agony hovered in his low murmur. “Just needing my pain-killers to kick in. Dancing around at the after-party must have aggravated my hip.”

“We didn’t dance that much and most of it was slow, dirty, and hot.”

“I’ll never complain about you gyrating against me.”

“Good thing I’m happy to do that.” I pulled into Cole’s driveway, checked in with security, and parked next to Flint’s Ferrari. After killing the engine, I let out a slow breath. Time to meet Harper. I was being stupid, right? Surely I had nothing to worry about.

I grabbed the present bag for Ava off the back seat and hopped out of the car. Slip came around to my side and took my trembling hand. At the top of the steps, concern flashed in his eyes. He drew me to a halt outside the front door. “Why are you shaking? You know the guys.”

“I’m not worried about them. I’m not looking forward to meeting your ex.”

He half-grinned, shook his head, and kissed my forehead. “You have nothing to worry about. Trust me.”

I tugged on the center of his sweatshirt. “Don’t leave my side for a second.”

“I won’t.”

Slip rang the doorbell. He waited a few seconds before he entered his access code and opened the door. Taking my hand, he drew me inside Cole’s enormous home and into the living room with its towering double-story windows, open-plan kitchen, and long dining room table that overlooked the garden and pool. I didn’t miss the small limp in Slip’s stride. I hated he was in pain. If he rested it might get better. But Slip and rest didn’t go together. I’d just have to give him a good massage when we got home.

As we headed over to the band and their girlfriends, sitting and standing around the kitchen island with drinks in hand, the aroma of roasting meat filled the air, making my mouth water. Pity I didn’t eat red meat. It smelled so damn good.

I placed Ava’s gift of a Gucci purse on the bar next to some flowers and joined our friends.

“You finally made it,” Flint hollered and waved his beer toward us.

“Yep.” Slip nodded. “We had a busy day, and lost track of time.”

“Is that why you’re limping?” Lewis chuckled as he grabbed a beer from the fridge and handed it to Slip. “Was Mads too rough with you?”

“He likes it when I am.” I winked at Lewis as I took the glass of champagne Tia had poured me.

Lewis and Tia lived with Slip at present. His home was so big, I doubted they heard anything from down the other end of the house. I’d never heard them.

“Babe.” Slip’s eyes glinted as he kissed my cheek. “I like it hard, fast, slow, sweet, hot, kinky...just any sex with you really.” We’d made love every one of those ways and more. Compatibility in the bedroom wasn’t one of our issues. Not seeing each other often enough was. But time apart made our catch-ups super-hot. He turned and raised his beer toward Ava. “Happy birthday, Ava.”

I gave her a big hug. “Congratulations. You made it to twenty-seven.”

“Thank you.” She rested her head against Cole’s shoulder and patted his stomach. “Some days, I don’t know how I’ve survived.”

Cole hooked his arm around Ava’s back. “Good thing I’m keeping you in line now—not the other way around.”

“Don’t be delusional.” She smiled and jabbed him in the ribs. “The kids and I will always keep you in check.”

“I hope so.” A new contentment I’d never seen before shimmered in Cole’s soft gaze. “It’s life-changing and worth it.”

“So is getting married, right?” Sutton hugged me extra tight. God. I’d missed her.

“Yeah. I’ll keep you posted on that one.” I giggled and glided back to Slip’s side. With so little time together, I didn’t want to waste a second being apart.

“Daddy?” Charlotte, Cole’s daughter, called out from the top of the staircase. “I’m ready.”

Dressed in a frilly pink dress, she scooted down the stairs holding her teddy bear, Barney, in one hand and clutching the railing with the other. She reached the floor and charged across the room to Cole and crashed into his legs. “Up.”

Cole lifted her into his arms. “Hey, sweetie. Did you leave Josh and Harper behind?”

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