Incineration (Heart of Stone) (27 page)

I had a happy feeling bubbling in my tummy, something good
was happening in my life and the happy tummy flipped even more when I returned
to my desk and found a huge bunch of flowers from Mason had been delivered
along with a note

Ava

A thank you for this morning. You amaze me more and more
every day. You have many, many talents Ava. I have a table for two booked at La
Roche for 8pm, don’t be late home. I love you my little warrior.

Mason

 Xxxxx

I smiled widely to myself and even when Tony condemned my
flowers it didn’t burst the happy bubble in my stomach. ‘La Roche’…Wow!!! It
usually took about 3 months advanced booking to get a table there. I presume
Mason just flashed his ‘Sex God smile’ and secured the table, even I would give
him anything he asked for that smile, it was utterly powerful to a woman, the
sight of it turned your legs to jelly, your heart to falter and your pussy
muscles to clench so severely an instant orgasm was nearly upon you.

I inhaled deeply as the smile came into my vision and I
picked up my phone, the need to hear his husky male voice had me in a cold
sweat “Hey Baby” he purred down the phone and I had to suck in a gulp of much
needed air “Hey” I returned the greeting and smiled down the phone “Hey” he
whispered huskily and there was that intake of air again “Hey” I rasped and I
heard a slight chuckle down the phone “Baby, Don’t get yourself worked up” he
said sadly, knowing that the damn throb I had for him couldn’t be placated “So
not fair” I breathed down the phone “I know Ava” he sighed woefully and I
brightened myself up “I was just ringing to thank you for the beautiful
flowers” I said cheerfully and I heard his chuckle again “You could have thanked
me tonight baby, you didn’t need to ring” he stated and I sighed “I know but I
wanted to hear your voice” I giggled self-consciously “I’m glad you did because
I needed to hear yours too” he admitted and I couldn’t contain my grin “Anyway
I’d better get some work done” I told him “Okay baby, try not to be late, we
have a car booked for 7:40” he said and I promised him I wouldn’t be late as I
ended the call.

Ten minutes later I received a text

MASON

I love you

My finger is twitching ;)

Xxxxx

I grinned like a fool and Tony caught me “Wow, somebody’s
definitely getting some” he smirked.
Definitely not you Dickhead!!!
I
just smiled and tipped my head 

ME

Would you like a re-run? If so, be careful Mister!!!

ILY

Xxxxx

The day flowed quicker and at 5 O’clock I left the building
and after a small conversation with Bert, the big, burly doorman at NSC main
entrance, I strolled across the car park to my car and settling behind the
wheel and turning the ignition I noticed an advert stuck to my wiper.

I got back out and grabbed the paper, and parked my ass back
on the seat. I opened the advert wondering if it was pizza, Chinese or a new
car wash but it figured to be neither

                                               
I AM
GOING TO ENJOY WATCHING YOU SCREAM

                                                       
IN PAIN YOU FUCKING WHORE!!!

Mason had fixed me a vodka and cranberry and settled me on
the sofa as Sam paced the room, shouting at someone through his phone. My head
was pounding against the initial stages of a migraine and the happy tummy had
turned into an anxious nauseated tummy.

Rubbing my temples with my fingers I felt Masons hands rest
on my shoulders, and his face rested against the top of my head “You okay Ava?”
he asked quietly and I nodded “I won’t let this bastard hurt you baby” he
promised and I nodded again, my brain was too exhausted to work my vocal
chords. He kissed the top of my head and started to give me a neck rub and I
closed my eyes and made myself relax a little

“That’s better, do you want to cancel tonight?” he asked
softly and I shook my head. He chuckled against my hair “has my little warrior
gone soft?” I grinned even though he couldn’t see me “Mmmm” I sighed and
slumped back into the sofa as his fingers worked their magic, digging out each
knot in my tight muscles “Jesus Ava, you’re wound so tight” he sighed angrily,
the day’s events pissing him off.

“SORT IT!” Sam bellowed down the phone and made me jump
“Sorry Ava” he said more softly and I opened an eye at him and grinned “No
problem, any joy?” I asked.

Sam had rushed the note through to one of his minions for
fingerprint tests “No, they’re fucking useless. You ask them to hurry and they
decide to go on a piss up, fuckin’ living it up at some bastard brothel” he
growled and punched the wall. I rose to my feet and placed my hand over Sam’s
fist “Sam, calm down. It’s fine” I said with a smile “I’m used to at least one bastard
trying to kill me, it’s getting quite boring now” I laughed bitterly and Mason
scowled at me “Ava! It’s not a fucking joke” he chided and I felt utterly
chastised.

“You need to get some new contacts” Mason barked at Sam and
Sam flinched against the ruthlessness in his voice but nodded his head in
agreement “Hey, don’t take it out on Sam, it’s not his fault” I defended and
Mason snapped his eyes to mine and glared at me but I refused to cower down to
him. I raised my eyebrows at him in a silent challenge and he pursed his lips
“Ava, it’s fine” Sam said to me, his obvious discomfort at me being on the
receiving end of Masons anger in his justification but I turned to Sam “No Sam,
I appreciate what you’re doing for me and so should Mason” I argued and Mason
scowled “Ava, I pay him enough to put up with my shit, so fucking leave it” he
snarled and I rolled my eyes and huffed but he continued to glare at me “Mason”
Sam said with a slight growl in his warning.

Mason turned his head slowly to regard Sam but the glint in
his eye made the hair on my neck rise “Mason” I warned, trying to get him to
snap out of his haze but Sam took a step towards Mason, willing to fight in my
defence “Whoa Guys” I panicked and stepped between them “Ava please” Sam
asserted “He shouldn’t talk to you like that” he professed and the two of them
stood glaring at each other, reminded me of a cowboy standoff, all they needed
were guns at their hips and a Stetson perched on their heads “Guys, honestly,
I’m not worth the argument. Please, there’s been too many arguments and fall
outs over the last few weeks” I pressed on as they still continued to glare at
each other so I tried a different tactic “Hey guess what, I got offered another
job today. In a few months I am officially Nathan Carters Personal Assistant” I
smiled to myself as Masons head snapped round to me “Oh hey, there you are my
darling” I joked and winked, trying to lighten the mood. His lips twitched but
he didn’t smile “Really?” he questioned with astonishment on his face and
frowned severely, and I was a little hurt at his reaction, his obvious surprise
at my news “Yes” I snapped “Don’t you think I’m good enough for a promotion?”
he narrowed his eyes at my tone but Sam jumped in “Hey Girl, that’s great, well
done” he smiled genuinely and hugged me.

Masons eyes never left mine as he studied me and I suddenly
became enraged by his behaviour “What Mason? I suppose you think I’m fucking
Nate because I got offered a promotion, like I’m not clever enough to get it on
merit or ability?” I snapped and Sam picked up his car keys off the table “I’ll
leave you guys to it” he said and as he turned to face me he mouthed “Good
luck” and rolled his eyes. He quietly closed the door behind him and Mason
stepped closer, his head tipped to the side “What did you say Ava?” he asked
quietly with a cold edge to his tone.

Okay, the rage was bubbling up rapidly now “I said… Do. You.
Think. I’m. Fucking. Nate?” I ground out each word slowly. He bit his bottom
lip and his fists clenched as I waited for his answer “Well?” I persisted but
he turned sharply and left the room.

Okay, he obviously thought I was screwing my boss in order
to get a promotion. I don’t know which hurt the most; the fact that he thought
I would sleep with my boss or that I wasn’t worthy of a promotion.

Tears hit my eyelids and I grabbed my keys, slipped on my
shoes and slammed the front door behind me.

As I climbed into my car Mason appeared on the doorstep but
I managed to start the engine and speed off before he got to me. I could see
the absolute fury in his eyes through my rear view as I sped through the huge
gates and headed out but I pulled up a little further down the road and dialled
Courtney’s number.

“Hey babe” her usual greeting settled me and I smiled “I
need to get pissed Hun, you in?” I asked “Hell yes, shall I gather the girls?”
she asked and I grinned “Even better. I’ll be at yours shortly” I disconnected
and floored the accelerator, the need for alcohol surging through my system.
The need to forget the last week of my life seemed so great I had to take a
deep breath against the anticipation of getting slaughtered and I grinned all
through the ten minute journey to my best friends.

Three hours later saw me intoxicated and dancing with my
girlies in ‘Pulse’ a popular nightclub and one that didn’t belong to Mason. It
was unusual to party on a Monday night but to our pleasure it was packed to the
rafters and a happy party atmosphere enveloped us as we ground our bodies to
the beat of the music.

Mason had sent many texts and called me numerously but I had
ignored each one…sod him!

 Courtney was being hit on by a nice looking bloke and I
smiled as her seducing kicked in and I watched in awe as she worked him, I
giggled when she pulled me to one side “Ava, you gonna be okay if I take off?”
she asked with a gleam in her eye “Go for it Hun. Text me his reg number” I warned,
this was something I always made her do when she went home with someone; It was
either his car reg number or the taxi drivers badge number. She winked, kissed
my cheek and took off “Love you babe” she shouted over her shoulder. I raised a
hand in acknowledgement as I continued to party with Kim and Sally.

It was late and the place was starting to clear but we were
far from ready to retire for the night. Sally had hit it off with a bloke and
they were currently squashed against the wall, eating each other’s faces and
Kim and I were still dancing.

The hairs on my neck and arms stood to attention and I
whirled round, scanning the room through blurred eyes, the familiar feeling of
being watched had me on high alert. I perused the bar but a tall raven haired
bloke smiled at me from a stool, and then lifted his glass in query. I smiled
but shook my head and turned back around to Kim. She leaned into me “That bloke
at the bar hasn’t took his eyes of you” she winked and I rolled my eyes “Not
interested” I shouted back as we moved our bodies to the music.

The track ended and I shouted to Kim that I needed a drink,
she nodded but carried on dancing with a bloke that had wormed his way into her
space. I approached the bar and as I leant over to tell the barman my order and
the man that had been watching me slid into the stool next to me “Let me get
you that” he said and I turned to look at him.

If I wasn’t currently with Mason I would have grabbed him by
the hair, stripped him naked and rode him hard. He was lean and hard with a
gleam in his bright blue eyes that said he could take me how I wanted to be
taken, hard and fast.

My body’s reaction to him caused me to slam up my defence
walls and I shook my head “Thank you anyway but I’d prefer to get my own” I
told him and turned back to the waiting barman “Vodka and cranberry please” I
shouted above the music and tried to ignore the blokes eyes on me.

The barman came back with my drink and before I could
retrieve my purse from my bag the bloke slapped a tenner on the bar and
gestured to the barman that he was paying. I scowled at him “I said no” I told
him and his lips curled “Calm down hot stuff, it’s just a drink” he lifted his
eyebrows and nodded towards the glass. I sighed but accepted the drink “Thank
you” I said quietly “See, well done” he grinned and I couldn’t help but smile
back, his grin was contagious as well as stunning and my core sparked “Kade” he
introduced and held out his hand “Ava” I smiled back and returned the handshake
but as his hand clasped around mine, I noticed how cool they were against the
heat radiating through me and it forced a slight gasp from my throat at our
connection.  
Jesus Ava!!

He held my grip and brought my hand to his mouth, placing a
soft kiss on my knuckles “Pleasure to meet you Ava” my eyes shot to his and I
pulled my hand back “I don’t want to give you the wrong impression but I’m in a
relationship” I informed him quickly but forcibly. He cocked his head
“Happily?” he asked with a raised eyebrow and I nodded, even though at the
moment I was far from happy with Mason “Well more fool him for letting you out
of his sight. That says open season to me” a slow grin crept over his face as
he did a swift perusal of me. I coughed slightly and swallowed, my instincts
were slow in my drunken haze but this man did something to me, to my libido and
I had to close my eyes momentarily to stop the onslaught of images of me and
Kade clung together, sweaty and grunting. I swallowed harshly and squirmed on
the stool to try and get some relief and then put on my best bitch face  “I’m
afraid I’m not open for hunting” I said slowly and he grinned but leant into my
ear “Is any prey sweetheart?” he breathed huskily, taking a lock of my hair and
twirling it around his finger “The fun is in the hunt Ava” and I struggled to
keep the moan in my throat but the damn thing fought against me and released
itself in a throaty huff. His warm lips wrapped around my earlobe and I was
suddenly struggling to breath. It was just my hormones, I told myself. I hadn’t
had sex in a while so my body was just telling me it was ready…that’s all!