Incineration (Heart of Stone) (8 page)

I was pummelling it, grunting and bearing my teeth. Courtney
was stood at the edge of the room watching me and eventually she grabbed my
arms “Ava, Jesus. Calm down” she said as she approached, pulling me away
“What’s wrong Babe?”

I shook my head “Leave it Courtney. I just need to get it
out” I told her angrily but she continued to hold me back “You need to talk not
knock the shit out of a bag. Talk to me Ava” I closed my eyes and nodded “Let’s
get a drink first” I resigned and she smiled at me “Good girl” she said and we
made our way to the onsite cafeteria.

We sat down with our coffee’s and she jumped right in
“Mason?” she asked and I nodded “We went further” I admitted and she nodded “I
gathered. How much further?”  I shrugged “We didn’t have sex but we did nearly
everything else. I can’t control myself around him. It’s like my body craves
him. Even now I can still feel his hands on me and the way he kisses me; Jesus
it’s so…so passionate. It’s like we want to devour each other. Even he admitted
he’s never climaxed so hard and it was the same for me” she nodded again “So
what’s the problem?” she asked, confused “It’s just sex for him Courtney, I
asked him and he didn’t deny it, just looked away. And I know I’m already
developing feelings for him. He’s gonna hurt me and I can’t risk it” tears
pooled in my eyes but I blinked them back, refusing to let them fall. Her hands
gripped mine “Oh Babe” she sighed and I shrugged “He keeps asking me about that
night and I so want to open up to him but I don’t know how to” she nodded
slowly “It might help though Ava, to talk” and I shook my head “I need to trust
him first and that’s never gonna happen. He has too many women and you’re
telling me he’s gonna drop them all for me cause I know it won’t happen, he
even has a woman’s name tattooed on his damn chest” my tears now finally fell
at the words I just spoke, the cold sharp pain driving through my heart when I
thought of him with other women “See look at me already and he only fingered
me” my voice dropping to a whisper to keep our discussion private. A small
smile played on Courtneys lips “Was it good though?” she asked quietly and I
smiled through my tears “The best orgasm ever. I’ll give him that, he knows
what to do” I laughed and she grinned when I added “And he’s huge, Jesus” I
rubbed the back of neck trying to discharge the memories of this morning, the
feel of him and the taste of him.

 We both started giggling like a pair of bloody teenagers
“Stop!” I cried “Don’t let me remember. I don’t have enough knickers to keep up
with the memories” we both belly laughed now and my phone rang. It displayed
Masons’ name so I ignored it, I couldn’t deal with him yet but a moment later I
received a text

MASON

I was just ringing to check you are okay. Please talk to
me Ava!

ME

I can’t Mason but I’m fine. At the gym with Courtney

Don’t worry. I’ll see you tomorrow

To be honest I was surprised by his concern.

MASON

God! I’d love to watch you work out. Your tight arse in
yoga pants, sweat dripping down your chest!!

Oh God! I closed my eyes and when I opened them Courtney was
leaning over, reading the text. Her eyes widened and she grinned “Wow, he
definitely has a way with words. He’s even making me horny” she laughed and I
slapped her arm

ME

 
Stop! Lol. I have to go, see you tomorrow

MASON

Okay, take care Ava

X

My heart lurched at the sight of the little kiss but I
swiftly pushed it back, it’s just something people did but Courtney got more
excited “A kiss” she squealed “there may be more to it than you think Ava” she
stated but I just frowned at her “Don’t Courtney” I warned and she sat back
down, lowering her eyes as she realised what she’d said.

Tuesday morning arrived way too fast, my stomach in knots
again as I entered Masons’ house. It was quiet and I shouted his name, wanting
to check on his injuries but it was silent.

I filled the percolator and as it spluttered to life I heard
the front door open and close “In here” I shouted, presuming it was Mason.

Footsteps sounded behind me and I turned to see Rebecca
stood in the doorway. She gave me a swift perusal, her obvious disapproval of
my clothes showing on her face. I was wearing my favourite green dress; a knee
length shift dress with a thin black belt and my knee high black heeled boots;
the dress  wasn’t designer but had cost me nearly a week’s wages.

“Hello Ava is Mason around?” she asked, her sneer evident
“Erm, I haven’t seen him but I only arrived 10 minutes ago” I said, turning
back round to the coffee machine, not wanting to look at her sour face anymore.
“I’ll take a look” she snapped and wandered off.

Pulling a face I poured myself a coffee, my body was craving
the caffeine and I started work on checking the fridge and writing down the
shopping that was needed.

A good half an hour passed and I didn’t see Rebecca again
and gathered she had just left.

I was in the hallway sorting the mail when I heard laughing
behind me; I turned to see Mason and Rebecca descending the stairs, laughing as
she clutched his arm as his hand rested on her backside, whilst he whispered
something in her ear. I froze, my stomach clenching and my chest pounding.

Mason looked up and when he saw me he closed his eyes slowly
and I saw him swear under his breath. Refusing to show any emotion, I plastered
a smile on my face and walked back through to the kitchen, desperately biting
my lip harshly to stop the tears that wanted to embarrass me. I could taste the
blood on my lip, when I bit down harder as I heard Rebecca whisper my name and
then laugh.

I was shocked that he could go from me to her in the space
of a day, he really had no scruples. This was not the kind of man I needed in
my life and  I decided there and then that I needed to move on, I couldn’t work
with him, he was already breaking me.

Gathering my bag and car keys and ignoring the love birds in
the hallway I walked to the front door, shoulders back and chin high then
looked Mason straight in the eyes “I’m going to do the shopping and run a few
errands. Do you need anything while I’m out?” I asked with no emotion. His gaze
dropped to my chewed lip and he frowned “Ava, your bleeding” he scowled at me
but I looked away “Yes I Erm…I Erm jumped when Rebecca came in and bit it. Do
you need anything?” I repeated bluntly, still avoiding his eyes but focusing on
Rebecca’s hand slowly stroking Masons thigh. “Erm no” he said, slowly and I
nodded briskly and left, softly closing the door. The need to slam the bloody
thing coursing through me and I was proud of myself when I controlled it.

I climbed in my car and left, slowly pulling out of the
driveway. I drove a quarter mile and after spotting a layby I pulled in, pulled
the handbrake on and sobbed, heart wrenching, racking sobs that tore through
me.

I couldn’t do this; I was in love with him. I finally
admitted it to myself and then the pain in my heart hit me and I doubled over,
my head resting on the steering wheel as I cried, draining sobs that wouldn’t
stop and I stayed in the layby, crying wildly as my heart refused to stop
bleeding.

I eventually simmered down after an hour and just sat
staring into a field, at the side of the layby for another half hour with the
image of Rebecca’s wandering hands burning my vision. Taking a deep breath,
determined to do what was needed I pulled off and headed to the supermarket,
picking Masons shopping up and some writing paper. I sat and wrote my
resignation in the car park, giving a weeks’ notice so he could find someone
else, slipped it the envelope and made my way back.

I pulled up outside Masons house and sat flipping the
envelope in my fingers, my courage now slipping. Gritting my teeth and mentally
preparing myself I placed the letter in my bag and got out of the car, took the
shopping from the boot and entered the house.

I walked into the kitchen to see Mason and Brian sat at the
island drinking coffee. Mason looked at me, a deep frown on his face as he
searched my eyes but Brian jumped up and walked over to me, enveloping me in
his strong frame “Ava Sweetheart. How are you? You look a bit peaky” he cocked
his head and studied me “I’m good Mr Cox, just a headache” I forced a smile
“How are you Sir?” I asked politely as I started emptying the bags and ignoring
Mason. “Oh I’m fine Darling. In fact I’m here to see you really. I’m having a
birthday party Saturday night and I came to bring your invitation. Brenda
insisted you came because she’s eager to see you” he winked and added “I think
she’s toying with the idea of being your surrogate mother now George has gone”
he smiled softly and I grinned at him.

I had really taken Brian into my heart and his wife sounded
as wonderful as he was “I’ll do my best Mr Cox but I can’t promise anything” I
said, not knowing what would happen with Mason when I gave him my resignation,
wondering if he would ask me to leave straight away. “Nonsense” Brian dismissed
“Brenda said you must come. She’ll kill me if you don’t make it” he said wide
eyed and I laughed “Fine, I promise” he grinned and passed me an envelope “All
the information is in there” he frowned and swiped his thumb over my cheek in a
fatherly gesture “Are you sure you’re okay Ava? You look like you’ve been
crying Darling” he asked sadly.
Shit really?
“Oh ignore me Mr Cox, I’m
just missing George” I shrugged and he pulled me in his embrace and stroked my
hair.

I caught Masons’ confused expression over Brian’s’ shoulder
but quickly looked away “Ava call me Brian. I’d say were friends now. Listen
come over for dinner tonight, Brenda would love to meet you before Saturday” he
asked, leaning back and regarding me and I sucked on my lips, debating his
invitation “Come on, it will do you good” he persevered “Okay, thank you” I
smiled “Excellent!” he exclaimed and grabbed a piece of paper from the phone
pad and scribbled something down “Here’s my address. Shall we say 7 O’clock?”
he asked and I nodded “That will be fine, thank you again Brian” he grinned.

I turned to Mason “I’ll go make a start on some paperwork” I
said flatly and he cocked his head at me “Okay Ava” he narrowed his eyes but I
ignored him “See you tonight Brian” I smiled genuinely at the older man. He
nodded and I left the room, climbing the stairs quickly, eager to get away from
Masons’ stare and scurried into the office, leaning on the closed door and
taking a deep breath. Mason had brought in a small desk and computer for me so
we didn’t need to share one and I placed my letter on his desk and sat down at
mine and started work.

I was on the phone to Mason’s insurance company, sorting out
cover for his new motorbike when he entered the office. He stood silently at
the doorframe, watching me for a moment making me squirm under his intense gaze
and then walked to his desk and sat down.

I saw him take the envelope, open it and start reading as I
turned away from him slightly, lowering my head and writing down some details
the insurance agent was giving me. He inhaled sharply and then  stood, flung
the letter on my desk and stormed out of the door, slamming it hard behind him,
making me and the agent on the phone jump “Sorry, something fell off the wall”
I lied, confused at his behaviour.

After this morning’s obvious love fest with Rebecca I would
have thought he’d be eager to get rid of me. I finished my phone call and
decided to find him to sort it out but as I reached the bottom step I heard him
roar off on his bike, gravel spinning behind him.

I stood frozen to the spot for a while and then decided to
bake, I needed something to relax me and keep me busy.

An orange cake, cranberry muffin pie and white choc chip
cookies later the phone rang “Hello Mr Fox’s personal assistant speaking” I
answered “Hi Ava, this is Kerrie. Is Mason there?” she sounded a little worried
“I’m sorry no, he’s out at the moment can I take a message?” I asked, establishing
that Kerrie must be a popular sexual partner of his as she had rung a few times
now “Oh” she said simply “I just received a garbled message off him but I’ve
rang his mobile and he’s not answering. Strange.

 Has he said anything to you Ava? I know you are a bit more
than friends and he talks about you non-stop” I frowned “Oh” I answered “Erm
not really” I was stunned that Mason spoke about me to this woman.

I was silent for a while “Ava? Has he told you who I am?”
she probed, concern in her tone “Erm No, sorry” I cringed, hoping she wasn’t
someone who would be offended that Mason hadn’t mentioned her. “I’m an idiot; I
bet you think I’m one of his girlfriends. I’m his sister sweetie” she divulged
and I sighed loudly “Are you okay Ava? Have you and Mason had a row?”

I stayed silent, not knowing if to open up to her “I know he
can be an arse but his hearts in the right place” she said softly “What’s he
done?” she probed gently “I Erm…” I stopped myself, aware that Mason might not
like his private life divulged to his sister “Listen Ava, he told me about what
happened between you two and believe me, you must be special if he’s spoke to
me about you. He doesn’t ever mention any women” I swallowed heavily and I
heard her sigh again “Okay Ava, what’s he done?” I closed my eyes; I really
wanted to open up to this sweet woman. She seemed to be close to Mason and
might understand what went off in his head “He Erm…well he obviously told you I
have trouble opening up” I inquired to see how much Mason had told her about me
“Yes sweetie” she confirmed softly “Well I gave in yesterday and we Erm…we Erm,
well we got closer” I stated “I know Ava, he told me” she encouraged softly
“Well it was hard for me to let myself go but I started to trust him but this
morning he didn’t know I was here and he was upstairs with Rebecca for an hour
and when they came back down he was all over her and vice versa” I gulped back
my tears, forbidding them to surface “Oh for fucks sake! What does he see in
that bitch?” she fumed “Listen Ava, I know he has feelings for you, he just
can’t understand what he’s feeling. Mason has issue’s trusting women; most of
them are after his money and status. I know you’re not like that, I can tell by
the way he talks about you but you have to believe me when I say he
never
ever
talks about a woman, but he can’t seem to stop telling me all about
you” I could hear her grin on the other end “Ava, do you think we could meet
for lunch tomorrow? We don’t have to tell Mason” she asked and I immediately
agreed.