Incineration (Heart of Stone) (5 page)

I had only known this man three days and he was bringing out
feelings that had been buried long ago and I didn’t like the intense attraction
between us; it frightened me and I couldn’t deal with these emotions at all.
“Nothing! I just had a bad night, that’s all” he continued to glare at me and I
nibbled my finger, averting my eyes. His hand lifted, pulled my finger away
from my mouth and then he brought it to his lips and kissed it. My knees
trembled and my chest pounded as my eyes shot up to his and I gasped. The
desire in his eyes was overwhelming and it took my breath, my own arousal
threatening to spiral out of control as my breathing deepened to match his.

I had to stop this before it went beyond my boundaries so I
pulled my hand back “If that’s all Mr Fox, I’ll make a start with the documents
in your office” I said, looking away. He continued to glare at me and then
grumbled something and disappeared through the door back to his meeting.

I leaned against the wall, once again bringing my gaze up to
meet my own in the mirror “Jesus Ava, pull yourself together” I ordered myself
“It’s gone, it’s in the past” I pushed off from the wall and making myself a
coffee, I dragged myself up to his office and started work, pushing all the
horrific thoughts back where they belonged, to the back of my mind and locked
them away again.

About an hour later the office door flung open, Mason
stormed in, picked something up from the shelf on the bookcase “I’m going out”
he barked and slammed the door behind him. “Okay” I said quietly to the door,
hoping it was the meeting that had darkened his mood and not my stupid emotions
but I carried on with my work.

As I left at 6 O’clock Mason hadn’t returned so I left him a
note

Mr Fox

There is a lasagne in the oven for your dinner and a
chocolate cake in the fridge; an apology for my emotional state this morning.
It wasn’t very professional and I apologise. I shall be back to my normal
proficient self tomorrow.

Ava

At 8pm I received a text message

MASON:

Ava

Please do not apologise for who you are. I was just a
little concerned at your obvious distress; I am not the heartless bastard
people say I am…well not always.

Your culinary delights were delicious again, thank you

Mason

 I was a little stunned by his statement but was glad that
things would not be awkward between us the next day. I needed to put this
behind me and concentrate on work but at the same time pull myself away from
the feelings that were stirring for Mason, knowing that they would never amount
to anything.

The next couple of months flew by without incident and Mason
and I settled into a relaxed routine. He still continued to flirt but I put it
down to his personality and once I got used to his mood swings we seemed to
shift into ‘friend’ stage. He was beginning to edge me into the business side
of things and I couldn’t be happier.

It was a Friday and a hot one at that. Mason was locked away
in his office for most of the day and I was freezing some dinners for over the
weekend for him when my phone alerted a text:

COURTNEY:

Hey Babe

We’re going to ‘the loft’ tonight, you in?

XXX

ME:

Definitely, I plan on getting slaughtered, you in?

Xxx

COURTNEY:

God yes! We’ll be at yours at 8

Xxx

I smiled to myself, just what I needed; a night out with my
girlies and plenty of alcohol.

At 6 O’clock I tapped on Masons’ office door and received
the usual greeting so I popped my head round “I’m off now Mason. I’ve popped
some meals in your freezer and I’ve written the instructions on the packets on
how to reheat” I gave him a wry smile, knowing he would be stumped if I hadn’t
done that and was rewarded with a huge grin “Thank you Ava. You up to much this
weekend?” he asked “Not much. Me and the girls are off out tonight but other
than that I’ll be cleaning up my own shit instead of yours” I grinned, and he
tipped his head back with a full on laugh “Ah I see, well enjoy and I’ll see
you Monday” he winked and I smiled, closing the door behind me, feeling happy
that our relationship had evened out and we were once again comfortable with
each other.

8 O’clock saw me, Courtney, Sally and Kim piling into the
hottest nightclub ‘The Loft’. It had been open for about 6 months so was
relatively new and was always jammed packed.

We purchased our drinks and claimed a tall round table with
stools, close to the dance floor and bar…perfect. I was feeling a little
self-conscious in a short, tight black leather skirt and red halter-neck top
which Courtney had been adamant I wore but luckily my knee high black boots
covered most of my legs and I had left my hair down so it covered most of my
back. My hair was the one thing I really actually liked about my appearance; it
was copper coloured with red and blonde highlights and the natural curls swept
down to near my waist.

Within 3 hours I had already been approached by 7 men, each
staring at my chest as they asked if I wanted a drink. I had just given another
man the brush off when a drunken Sally leaned over “Jesus, I need your boobs, I
never get any attention” she giggled and I placed my hand on my chest in mock
offense “Are you saying it’s my tits that they’re after not my pretty face?”

I feigned upset, now a little drunk and she laughed again
“Seriously Ava, I’m so jealous. I look like a boy naked” she grumbled and I
laughed “Sally Hun, you know what they say ‘more than a hand full’s a waste’” I
winked.

A sweaty hand settled on my back and a mouth came up to ear
“I have big fucking hands love; yours won’t be wasted on me” recoiling I turned
to meet a red faced sneer on a very drunken man “No thanks mate” I brushed him
off and tried to turn back to my friends “Oh come on Darling, let me get you a
drink and we can discuss those pretty things under you top” I grimaced and
turned to him “Seriously?” I scoffed and his smile faltered at my mockery of
him “Yeah seriously” he snarled, his leer aimed at my chest and one of his
sweaty hands reached out and grabbed at my breast, but as he gripped me in his
intoxicated state his fingers caught in the neckline of my top and as he
stumbled he ripped my top, tearing a huge rip in the front, displaying my bra
to everyone in the room.

The familiar rage surfaced and I swung my legs off the
stool, pulled my fist back and slammed it into his face, knocking him to the
floor and splattering his nose.

The crowd parted and Courtney jumped off her seat to grab me
but I leaned over the man before she got to me “DON’T EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN YOU
FUCKING ARSEHOLE!” I fumed, as Courtney managed to grab me and hold me back
“Whoa Ava” she pulled at my arms.

Sweaty guy managed to get to his feet and lunge at me but
just as he got close he was whipped back, his body slamming backwards with
force.

A couple of bouncers ran over as Mason flung him to them
“Get this fucking cunt out of here” he bellowed at one of the bouncers “Sure Mr
Fox” he said. I stared at Mason.
What the hell?
He grabbed my hand and
pulled me “Ava, come with me” he snarled and pulled me across the room, through
a door and up some stairs leading to a corridor and then into an office.

As he shut the door behind us I just stared at him “Are you
supposed to be in here Mason?” I asked and he scoffed “Well seems as though I
own the club, yeah I’m good” he turned glaring at me “Oh” I replied, shifting
nervously, my finger raising towards my mouth “Don’t even think about it” he
warned and I dropped my hand back down to my side.

His intense gaze shifted to my chest and he swallowed
heavily, a small moan escaping from his lips. I looked down and discovered
everything on show, I had forgotten about my top in the excitement. “Shit” I
exclaimed and crossed my arms across my chest.

Masons eyes shifted and he walked to a cupboard at the other
side of the room. Now that the adrenaline was dropping I felt myself sway, the
alcohol overtaking me and I leant against the wall giggling. Mason turned back
to me, a bemused look on his face “Something funny Ava?” he asked and I shook
my head adamantly “Noooo Sir” I giggled again, taking in his stern expression
“Are you always so cross Mr Fox?” I asked, feigning seriousness but swayed a
little too much. “Whoa Ava” he said and rushed over to me, holding me upright.

He narrowed his eyes on me and then down at my top again as
I continued to titter to myself. His hands swept up my arms and landed on my
shoulders “Lift” he commanded as he pushed up my arms. I frowned at him “I said
lift Ava” he cocked his head and raised an eyebrow, daring me. I gave him a sly
smile and slowly raised my arms above my head, locking on to his eyes now
daring him. A lazy grin turned his lips as he grasped the hem of my ruined top
and swept it up my arms and over my head, his eyes never leaving mine.

I was now stood in just my skirt and red lacy bra, his eyes
bore into mine as his breathing slowed to match mine. We gazed at each other
for a moment and then his eyes dropped to my chest, a small growl sounded in
his throat and his eyes darkened and hooded over. He lifted his finger and
traced the edge of my bra along the swell of my breast “So beautiful” he
breathed and I closed my eyes, trying to suppress the small groan that refused
to stay hidden.

As soon as it left my lips his mouth crashed down on mine,
kissing me with a ferocity and passion that left me breathless. His hand
reached into my hair and he wrapped it round his fingers, tilting my head back
as his mouth lowered to my neck; his teeth grazing me as he sucked my skin
savagely. His hand reached up and cupped my breast, caressing it tenderly; a
sharp contrast to his mouth, which had now found mine again and our tongues were
clashing feverishly.

Another groan escaped me as his thumb brushed over my hard
nipple. My breasts felt heavy and I arched my back, pushing them further into
Masons’ hand. “God, I want you so much Ava” he groaned against my lips and I
clasped his head, pulling his mouth back to mine.

He pushed me up against the wall, thrusting his groin into
me and grinded his erection against me. “Oh God” I whimpered as he started
grazing my jaw “You want me too” he growled, a statement not a question and I
nodded “Yes!” my arousal was soaking my knickers as his fingers delicately edged
up my outer thigh.

I was panting now, way past the point of retreat when a
knock came to the door and my mind cleared, pulling me back. I stared at him,
not understanding what had just happened “Wait” Mason barked at the intruder as
he placed a shirt around my shoulders and I slipped my arms through it, quickly
buttoning it up

“What?” he snapped and the door opened before the bouncer
from the floor entered “Just to let you know boss, we sent him on his way”
Mason nodded “Did you give him the usual send-off?” he asked, his lip curling.
Bouncer nodded “Although the lady here broke his nose first” he turned to me
then, an amused look on his face “You have a fine right hook Miss” he winked.

I nodded and scurried towards the door, mortified by my
actions with Mason “Ava?” Mason called out and I turned but kept my eyes
lowered “I’ll see you Monday Mr Fox” I murmured and exited the room quickly,
having to hold on to the hand rail to navigate my drunken self down the stairs.

 I spotted the girls and grabbed Courtney and my bag “I’m
going” I informed her and she frowned at me “You okay?” she asked, glancing
down at Masons shirt, now covering my modesty. I nodded “Just a headache. You
stay, I’ll text you the taxi reg and when I get back” I shouted to her over the
music and left before I got her response, desperate to leave before Mason
caught up with me.

Running out of the exit I was relieved to see a group of
taxi’s already lined up and I jumped in the nearest, garbling my address and
telling him to step on it as I saw Mason exit the club “Quickly” I shouted to
the driver and he sped off, leaving Mason stood by the roadside pushing his
hands through his hair in agitation.

Pulling in a deep breath I leant my head back against the
headrest as the driver eyed me through the mirror “You okay love?” he asked,
frowning at me. I smiled and nodded “Yeah thanks, just an overfriendly bloke” I
laughed to disguise my panic.

What the hell had happened in there? I had never in my whole
life acted as I did like that, I was ready to rip his clothes off and ride him
to oblivion. The thought made me wet, and the vivid visions refused to leave my
head “Jesus Ava” I sighed to myself as I rubbed my eyes.

My phone rang but I ignored it and then a text alert beeped
on my phone

MASON:

What the hell Ava? What did I do?

Text me when you get back so I know your home safe. That
is an order not a request! By the way, you need to sanitize your knuckles, they
are bleeding! We will talk Monday.

Shit! I groaned as I looked at my hand “That looks nasty”
the driver said “You want to divert to the hospital?” he asked, I was growing
to like this guy “Nah, I’m okay but thank you” I gave him a gentle smile and he
nodded, then took me the rest of the way in silence, sensing my reluctance to
talk. After bathing my hand with a swill of vodka, I sat on the sofa and
finished the rest, falling asleep drunkenly on the couch.

There was a ringing in my ears and I grumbled at it, trying
to drift back to the peacefulness of sleep and it rang off. I smiled to myself
and snuggled deeper in to comfort but the ringing started again. I reached on
to the floor and rummaged through my bag, answering my phone without opening my
eyes “What?” I slurred “Ava?” Mason growled and my eyes snapped opened. 
Shit!
“Erm hi” I said hesitantly “Are You home?” he asked firmly “Erm yup” I grimaced
as I heard him huff “You were supposed to let me know” he said grimly and I
recoiled into the couch at his tone, as though it would shield me from his
anger “Erm…yeah sorry, I kind of just flaked out” I heard him huff again “Did
you clean your hand?” he probed and I groaned “Yes sir, I gave it a drink of
vodka” I smirked, trying to hold in the laughter as the silliness of the
conversation “Don’t be facetious Ava” he snarled.
Oops!
“Sorry” I whispered
back and I heard his resigned sigh.