Resolution (Heart of Stone) (20 page)

Nate turned
off the bathroom light but I shot up, “No, leave it on” I panicked and he
scowled at me but flipped it back on.

He bent over
me and kissed my forehead. “We’re just next door, sleep” he said sternly and I
nodded and rested my head back down as Nate closed the door quietly behind him.

A sudden
thought occurred to me and I sat back up in bed. Where the hell was I going to
live? I couldn’t stay at Mason’s now and I wasn’t sure I could go back to the
cottage with Frank’s gruesome death still fresh in my mind.

“Fuck!” I
hissed to myself as I curled back up. There was nothing else for it… the
cottage it was!

I walked
into the kitchen the next morning to hushed voices that rapidly quietened on my
entry. Smiling at everyone I grabbed a coffee from the percolator and plopped down
next to Helena, Nate and Livs one year old daughter. I let her play with my
fingers as I made one way conversation with her.

“Okay, out
with it” I sighed without looking at anybody. Everyone remained quiet but Jay
flopped down beside me. “They’re afraid to tell you that your boyfriend’s
camped out by the front gates blocking your getaway route” he smirked.

I rolled my
eyes and looked at Nate. “Don’t tell me you didn’t expect it. Is there another
exit?” I asked as I picked up some toast from the rack on the table and smeared
it in butter.

“Yeah, I’ll
take you on the bike, I can fit that through the rear gate” he explained.

I nodded. “I
need you to take me to Kerrie’s, she has George and Katie and I need to pick
them up to take them to nursery” I informed him as I took a large bite of the
toast.

Nate
chuckled, “Ava, I don’t think I’m gonna get them on the bike as well.”

I rolled my
eyes and shook my head. “Just drop me at Kerrie’s and Elijah can pick me up
from there.” I stood and looked at Elijah, “That okay with you?”

He nodded as
he finished his coffee, “Yeah, that’s fine, I’ll get over there now and put
George and Katie’s seats in incase we need to get out of there fast.” I smiled
my appreciation but he didn’t look at me and I blew out an exasperated breath.

I saw his
eyes flick to mine and anger flash across them and I quickly stepped back and
held my hands up to him. “If there’s gonna be a problem here I can always find
Ava some alternative security” Nate barked at Elijah and I realised Nate had seen
Elijah’s reaction too.

Liv and Jay
were looking at us all in confusion. “No problem here” Elijah snapped and
stormed from the room, slamming the front door behind him.

“Arghhhh” I
screamed in frustration and Nate squeezed my shoulder.

“I mean it Ava;
I can sort something out for you if he gets too much.”

I shrugged,
“We’ll see.”

“Will
someone tell me what’s going on?” Liv asked.

“Elijah
seems to have developed a bit of a crush on Ava” Nate explained as he pulled
some keys off a hook.

 “Well
that’s not surprising, she’s one hot babe” Jay nudged me with his elbow and I
laughed at his wide grin.

“Do you ever
stop?”

He winked at
me and planted his cup on the side. “I’ll run you in mom, he won’t recognise my
car” Jay said as he bent to kiss my cheek. “You take care Ava, I’m sure I’ll
see you soon. Just as soon as my dad lets me have your number” he smirked and I
rolled my eyes at him.

“See ya” I
called out as Nate grabbed my hand and pulled me into his garage.

“You rode
before, Ava?” he asked as he passed me his spare helmet and I smirked.

“Why Mr
Carter, what are you insinuating” I pursed my lips at him and he chuckled.

“Have you ridden
a
bike
before Ava?” he rephrased.

I nodded.
“Yeah, Mason has one” I informed him as I donned the helmet, flipped down the
visor and grinned widely at him.

“Let’s ride,
Mr Carter” I smirked.

“Hold on to
your knickers, Miss Stone” he grinned as I settled behind him and my arms
gripped his waist and we pulled off.

Managing to
escape without alerting Mason we pulled up at Kerrie’s house twenty minutes
later to see that Elijah had already fixed the baby seats in the car and Kerrie
was strapping them in.

She looked
up at me as I dismounted Nate’s bike and pulled my helmet off. “I’ll see you at
work, be careful” he said.

I nodded.
“I’ll bring the helmet with me” I told him and he put his hand up in
acknowledgement as he roared off.

Kerrie
scurried around to me. “What the hell is going on?” she asked angrily and I
sighed and bit my lip with nerves at telling her.

“Mason’s
back…” I rolled my eyes and sucked on my lips as I tried to force the words out
that her brother was back on the drugs.

Elijah came
to stand beside me. “The bastard raped her and tried to rip her throat out” he
snarled.

I glared at
him, “For God’s sake Elijah!” I admonished.

Kerrie’s
eyes widened as she saw my neck and tears welled in her eyes, “Ava?” she choked
out.

I could slap
Elijah down the fucking road.

“It’s not as
bad as Elijah makes out Kerrie” I tried to console her.

“The fuck it
isn’t!” Elijah barked and I swung round to him.

“Will you
just stop! This has damn all to do with you, now I’d appreciate it if you could
wait in the car for me” I shouted and he shook his head in dismay but walked to
the car and climbed in.

I turned
back to Kerrie’s tear streaked face. “Kerrie, I’m fine. He just… he just…” I
shrugged, unsure how to go on.

I could see
the many emotions crossing her face. “He just fucking scored again didn’t he?”
she asked on a sob.

I nodded
sadly. “Yeah” I whispered.

“Are you okay?”
she asked as her fingers reached out and she touched my bandages.

“I’m good” I
reassured her as I took her hand in mine, “He’s having a few personal battles
at the moment. We’ll work it out” I told her with a smile but she looked away
from me.

“Did he… did
he rape you, Ava?” I could see every single muscle on her body tense as she
waited for my answer and I closed my eyes.

“I’m fine
Kerrie, don’t…”

“DID. HE.
RAPE. YOU?” she screamed and I reared back at the sheer malice in her face.

Swallowing
the lump that had formed in my throat I nodded slowly.

“
FUCK!”
She spat as she ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m gonna fucking kill him.
I’ll see you later” she snapped and turned, stormed up her path and slammed her
front door.

“Fuck, fuck,
fuck!” I seethed.

I stood
alone on the side of the road for a while, listening to the peaceful song of
the early bird as I willed away the tears from my eyes and took a huge breath
before climbing in the passenger seat of the car.

“Ava, I’m
sorry, I shouldn’t…” Elijah started but I held up my hand.

“Just
don’t!” I snapped at him, “We’re done!”

I turned to
my beautiful babies who greeted me to their happy smiley faces and squeals of
delight at the sight of their Mummy.

I closed my
eyes in distress, desperately trying to fight the shit load of tears that
wanted to fall.

 “Hey” I
choked out, the sudden realisation that these wonderful, bright and happy
children had fucked up parents.

One parent
that was so scared of life she was frightened of her own shadow and one parent
that couldn’t get through the pain of the day without having to blot it all
out.

“Ava…”
Elijah whispered beside me but I shook my head.

“I wasn’t
going to tell her what a monster her beloved brother is but I didn’t have any
choice in the matter did I? The brother she dotes on and loves more than
anything else in her life, the brother that protected her through her sorry
excuse of a childhood and her cancer and now you have just managed to splatter
all her love and adoration and everything she trusted and believed in all over
the fucking pavement outside her house” I spat at him, now finally turning my
hateful eyes on him.

His eyes
widened when he comprehended what he had done. “Now you have just succeeded in
breaking what little bit of life she had left in her.”

***

I stormed
over to my desk half an hour later with Elijah hot on my arse. My mood was
sour, dark and very, very black. I was livid with Elijah but I couldn’t bring
myself to terminate our contract after what had happened to Frank, still
blaming myself for his death.

“Ava” Nate
shouted and I walked into his office, slammed the door behind me and sunk into
the chair opposite him.

 “Okay,
what’s happened?” he asked after one look at my stony face.

“Elijah just
ripped Kerrie’s heart out” I exploded; my teeth were clenched along with my
fists.

Nate groaned
and passed me a coffee. “What the hell did he tell her for?” Nate asked as he
sat back down. I snorted and just eyed him over my cup “Jesus Christ!” he
huffed.

“How did Liv
and Jay get on?” I asked, referring to their escape from the house and Nate’s
eyes widened at me.

“Oh Shit” I
groaned.

“Mmmm, Jay
almost pinned him up against the car” he informed me and I closed my eyes in
despair and yanked at my hair.

“For God’s
sake!” I cried. “I am so sorry Nate; I shouldn’t have involved you in this.”

Nate shook
his head and scowled at me as a tap sounded on the door and Jonathon poked his
head around the door.

“Trouble in
main reception” he informed Nate and we both shot a look at each other.

“God damn!”
I hissed and stood up.

Nate shot
out of his chair. “Don’t you dare!” he roared but I shook my head.

“Let me deal
with him Nate. The mood he’s in he’ll rip you apart” I said sternly but Nate
snorted.

“And he
won’t you; he’s already tried once.”

Jonathon was
stood staring at the pair of us with confusion on his face. “I’m coming
Jonathon” I informed him as Nate growled at me.

“Ava, don’t
do this” he pleaded.

“I need to
Nate, we both know he won’t stop until he’s seen me. Don’t worry” I smiled
wearily, my body now running on reserves as I walked slowly to the door.

“Ava,
please. At least let me come down with you to see what mood he’s in” he
appealed and I sighed and nodded.

“Fine” I
huffed, tired of arguing with everyone.

I walked
slowly and calmly to the elevator, finally ready to face him and sort out the
demons that were plaguing him and I knew this was going to be our toughest
conversation ever.

We stepped
from the elevator to chaos. Mason was pinned on the floor under three security
guards, shouting, swearing and struggling whilst four more were stood round
them, stances wide and protective.

I puffed out
and stepped into the foyer. “Okay, let him go” I said and Mason’s head shot up.

Our eyes
locked and I stumbled backwards at the sight of him. His face was bloody and
bruised, both of his eyes were blackened and puffed, his lip was split and his
nose and cheek sported stitches.

 “Jesus” I
breathed. Nate’s arms slid around my waist to support me as I stepped closer to
him. Nate nodded to the guards and they all moved away from Mason, leaving him
to pick himself up off the floor.

We both
stood frozen in place as we feasted on each other. Nate moved from beside me
and before I could take another breath he had floored Mason and had his hands
around his throat.

Oh
Jesus!!

“Nate!” I
screamed as I rushed over to them.

“YOU FUCKING
EVER TOUCH HER AGAIN AND I’LL TEAR YOU TO FUCKING SHREDS YOU PRICK!” Nate
thundered as he landed another blow to Mason’s face and then another in his
ribs.

“NATE!” I
grabbed his shirt and tried to drag him off but I couldn’t shift him as he
landed another slam to Mason’s stomach.

I spun round
and eyed the guards. “Will you fucking help me?!” I screamed at their wide eyes
and they all seemed to blink at once and shoot over, pulling Nate away from
Mason.

I stood
rooted to the spot as it dawned on me that Mason hadn’t even attempted to fight
back, not even one hit.

I crouched
down beside him. “Come on” I said softly as I helped him up. He grabbed on to
me, even though I knew he didn’t need any help getting up but his hands
remained on my arms as he stood and looked at me.

His eyes
lowered on to my neck and I heard his breathing become erratic as his fingers
reached out and touched one of the bandages. A strangled choke erupted from his
throat and I watched his face shut down in pain and repulsion. His fists
clenched as he swallowed and his eyes rose back up to mine.

“I’m so…
fuck!
”
he bit his lip severely and turned away from me, ran his hands through his hair
in desperation as his shoulders heaved with each heavy intake of air.

He turned
back round to me and the inner turmoil and desolation made my heart bleed “I… I
can’t…” he sobbed and took a step towards the door.

 “You dare
walk out on me to score then we are through!” I said calmly. He spun back round
to me, the desperation and pleading mixed with his utter aching need to get
obliterated tore at me but I took a deep breath.

His brow was
sweaty and his skin was pale as he trembled violently and he closed his eyes.
“Ava I need….”

He growled
loudly and I could see his urge to bolt winning. “Please” I choked out in
hopelessness. His eyes shot open and they found mine; the pleading, the misery
and the dejection I felt were reflected back in his.

“Baby I… I
need you right now, Ava. Right fucking now!” he sobbed and I understood
immediately what he meant so I did what I had wanted to do since he walked out
on me Saturday night to score… I opened my arms to him.

He took two
wide strides to me and I enveloped him, pulling him to the ground with me as I
rocked him and planted kisses in the softness of his hair, inhaling his
muskiness, his own unique scent that always made my blood burn and my pulse
quicken.

“Shush baby,
we’ll fix it” I whispered as he continued to cling to me in grief and sorrow.
“Shush” I whispered again as I saw Nate squat down beside us.

“Ava, you
wanna take him home?” he asked softly as his hand rested in my hair. I smiled
and nodded. “I’ll get Blake to take you home. Ring me later” he said and I
nodded again as he pulled his phone from his pocket.

“Baby…”Mason
wept into me as his fists wrapped around my shirt, pulling me further into him,
his need to be as close as possible wrenching at him.

“I’m here
Baby, I’ve got you” I breathed.

Liv looked
down on us, my bag and coat in her hand. “Thanks” I smiled as she placed them
beside me.

“Be careful”
she mouthed and I nodded.

“It’s okay”
I mouthed back and she patted my arm and walked off.

Nate helped
me get Mason to his feet and into the waiting car outside and as soon as I
climbed in he was back in my arms, clinging and pulling at me. “Mason, I won’t
let you go, I promise” I soothed as I held him tightly.

“I really
need… fuck! I need it, baby” he rasped and I tilted his head back to look in
his eyes.

“No you
don’t, Mason. I’m here now” I told him firmly.

He
straightened a little and reached out to stroke my cheek with the back of his
fingers. “What have I done?” he breathed and I stroked my thumb across his
cheekbone.

“Shush” I
scolded softly.

He swept a
finger across my bottom lip as he studied me intensely. “I hurt you” he
whispered as he leaned slowly closer, his gaze flicking from my eyes to my lips
and my breathing slowed as my heart rate peaked.

“Kiss me” I
whispered.

He gasped
before his lips hovered softly over mine as his fingers wrapped around my hair
and he pulled me closer. “Baby?” he breathed over my mouth, suspended and not
daring to touch.

“Kiss me
damn it” I snarled.

He took a
deep breath then his mouth found mine and my body sang in joy as my hands
gripped his hair and pulled him deeper. He moaned low and I gave him a groan of
my own as he sat back and pulled me onto his lap, never breaking the kiss and
never extending the gap between us.

His lips
feasted on me as he controlled me, devoured me and claimed me back. “I love
you” I whispered against his mouth as he broke the kiss.

He looked
pained for a moment before he cupped my cheek. “Ava I… I’m no good for you,
baby” he breathed as he settled his forehead on mine.

We remained
silent and motionless until we pulled up outside Mason’s house. I took his
hand, thanked the driver and pulled him up to the front door as I fiddled with
my keys and let us in.

We both
stood still, staring at each other with heavy breaths until I took a step
closer to him. “Love me, Mason” I near damn begged. “I need your passion, your
tenderness and I need you to fill me with your love” I whispered as I brushed
my mouth across his jaw. “I want you to make me forget and I want to make you
forget.”

I nibbled on
his bottom lip as a low groan escaped him and he closed his eyes. “I want to
make you scream in ecstasy, Mason” I grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and pulled
it over his head.

I placed my
palms over the angry bruises marring his glorious hard lean chest, “God! You
take my breath away” I hissed as I stroked my tongue across his pectoral muscle
and over his small brown nipple.

He pulled in
a sharp breath and his hands rested on my head as I continued to lick down his
magnificent abs and down to his man trail, nibbling and sucking my way. “You
make me come apart, Mason. I crave you, you’re like my own drug, I need you and
I die inside without you.” I looked up at him through hooded eyes as I loosened
the belt on his jeans and pulled it out of the loops.

 I pulled
over a chair. “Bend over it” I said and his eyes shot from me to the chair. I
tipped my head and raised my brow in a challenge, “Over – the - chair” I told
him slowly.

He bit his
bottom lip but then leaned over. “Grip the back of it” I informed him and he
grasped the last rung of the back of it. I looped the belt around his wrists
and secured it to the chair.

“
Fuck!”
he hissed.

Leaning over
the back of him I whispered in his ear. “Does this make you hard, Mason?”

I traced his
spine with my tongue. “Yes!” he whispered and groaned when I dipped my tongue
into the crease of his backside that was showing above the waist band of his
jeans.

Sliding my hands
around the front of him I popped the buttons open and slid them painstakingly
slow down his legs, kissing and licking my way down with them and smiled when I
noticed he had no shorts on

 “Mmmm” I
murmured as I reached around him and took his impressive cock in my hand,
squeezing tightly.

“Christ,
Ava” he groaned and I was beginning to think I would orgasm just at the sight
of my man, bent over and tied to a chair.

“God I love
your arse.”

I flicked my
tongue over his muscular buttocks, relishing the taste of him as I pressed my
palm into the base of his back and pushed him further down, making his arse
raise higher in the air.

His breath
hitched and I wondered if he knew what I was planning but before he could back
out I reamed his anus with my tongue and he bucked and jerked wildly. “
FUCKKKK!!
”
he growled primal and loud.

“You like
that, baby?” I asked as I sneaked a hand round to his front again and started
to work his impressive erection.

“Ava…” he
groaned as I slipped a finger into him.

“You like
this Mason?” I asked as I continued to lick around my finger. He didn’t speak
but groaned loudly.

I removed my
hand from his cock and slapped his arse harshly. “Answer me!” I growled as he
jolted at the impact.

“Yes!” he
shouted. Smiling to myself I took him in hand again as I plunged another finger
into him and flicked my tongue back over him applying as much spit as I could.
“Oh Goddd” he hissed through clenched teeth.

“Do you want
to make love to another man, Mason? Or do you just wanna know what it feels
like to be fucked up your ass?” I finally asked the question as I worked him
rapidly in my hand and pounded into him with my fingers.

“Fuck, Ava”
he jerked against the belt. I stopped my actions immediately and he moaned and
pushed back onto my fingers, making me grin widely.

I smacked
his backside sharply. “Answer me!” I yelled again as I flicked my tongue over
his tight hole. “Answer me, Mason” I demanded with another spank.

“Fuck, yes!”
he shouted as he pushed back again.

“You wanna
make love to a man or just experience the fuck?” I shouted at him as I slapped
his arse again.

He was
practically pumping himself on my fingers. “Answer the question and I will make
you come so fucking hard you’ll pass out screaming my name” I snarled at him as
I took his pulsing swollen erection in my hand. “Answer me” I growled.

“I just
wanna be fucked in my ass” he shouted and I smiled and then blew his mind. I twisted
and curled my fingers inside him to find the sensitive gland that controlled
his sperm as I pumped his cock rapidly.

He screamed
and bucked wildly as his mind exploded and he ejaculated fiercely on the seat
of the chair as he growled and grunted my name savagely. His knees buckled and
I slid my arm around his waist so he could lower his knees onto the chair.

He rested
his head over his restrained hands and panted heavily as I undid the belt.

“Come on” I pulled
him to his feet and helped him up the stairs while he clung to me with wobbly
legs.

I laid him
gently on the bed, stripped off and climbed in beside him. I pulled the duvet
up over us as I enveloped him into me. “Sleep baby” I whispered into his sweaty
forehead.

“I love you
my little warrior” he whispered and then passed out.

***

“Hey Baby”
he whispered in my ear as my eyes flickered.

“Mmmm” I
mumbled when I opened my sleepy eyes and smiled up at Mason as his frame
surrounded me possessively on the bed. We were silent for a long time until he
tipped his head back and rested his chin on my breastbone to look up at me. “Am
I squashing you?” he asked and I shook my head and smiled softly at him.

His eyes
furrowed and he looked ashamed. “What?” I asked gently as I palmed his cheek.

“How did you
know?” he asked seriously and I smiled at him again.

“I can
understand you better than you can” I told him.

He chuckled
and nodded faintly. “It… it doesn’t… you know?” he asked as he turned away.

I rolled
from under him and pulled him up to face me as we lay on our sides. I took his
hand in mine and stroked his cheek. “Baby, everybody has different fantasies
and desires. Hell, I like to be fucked roughly and bitten” I shrugged. “But
what I’m angry at, is that you couldn’t talk to me. Why?” I asked softly and he
nibbled on his lip.