The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (113 page)

“Ava . . .” he sighed and fell back into a fretful sleep.

Another hour later and he started again, fidgeting and moaning. I sighed as I made my way over to him and sank down beside him, gripping his hand firmly and stroking his hair off his forehead. “Sshhh, baby,” I breathed.

“Ava . . . Ava . . .” he moaned. I closed my eyes against the pain of hearing his wretched cries. Why the hell would anybody want this? It was breaking me listening to the anguish and desolate whimpers coming from him.

“Ava. . . . please . . . Noooo” he cried. He started to sob in his sleep. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to wake him so I sat there, listening and weeping as his grief-stricken cries got louder and more heart breaking. “Please, Ava. . . . Noooo, Ava . . .”

I placed my lips against his head again and stroked my thumb across the back of his hand. This seemed to settle him and he drifted back off.

I stayed beside him this time, waiting for the next onslaught. He was sweating profusely and I reached over, his hand still in mine as I pulled a towel from the cupboard and wiped it over his brow and face. He was burning up so I placed his hand down. He immediately began moaning and mumbling but I scurried over to the sink and doused the towel in cold water and settled back beside him again, cooling him with the wetness from the cloth.

His eyes flicked open for a second and he seemed to focus on me. I held his gaze, telling him without words that I was here for him.

He sighed deeply. “I love. . . .” He went again, his eyes rolling to the back of his head as he passed out.

This was gonna be a long night and my phone alerted a text:

SAM

How you doing sweetheart?

ME

We’re both good, he keeps coming round and drifting back. He must have taken a lot of the fucking filth this time!

SAM

He did seem uptight earlier and I’ve never seen him this high. He usually dabbles but tonight he appeared completely spaced-out! Let me know if you need me, I’m sleeping in one of the overnight rooms tonight so you won’t be alone with him.

ME

Thanks Sam, is Greg okay?

SAM

Yeah, he’ll live Lol.

ME

Don’t laugh, it wasn’t funny!!

SAM

It WAS funny how you jumped in to guard Greg, he should be there to protect you. We all think it’s hilarious how you laid Mason out! Greg is never gonna live this down Lol

ME

You rotten bastards! Lol, better go, he’s stirring again.

SAM

Okay, if he starts put him down again! ;-)

“Ava,” he groaned again but this time his eyes were open and he was staring at me. “Ava?” he frowned at me. “What are . . .”

Shit!

His face went green and he was looking around desperately. I spotted the waste paper bin and grabbed it just in time; I flung it under him as he vomited violently. “I’ve got you, baby” I said gently. He continued to be sick into the basket and I held onto his arm for comfort.

He groaned and rolled over as he flung his arm over his face. I stood up and his hand shot out, “Don’t go” he pleaded and I smiled softly at him.

“I’m just gonna wash this out, you gonna be okay while I do that?” I asked and he moaned but nodded.

“Lay on your side while I’m gone, Mason,” I implored, the last thing I needed was him choking on his vomit.

He pointed to a door at the back of the room. “Bathroom,” he rasped. I nodded and stepped through the door to find a toilet, shower and sink.

“Cool.” I smiled as I eyed the shower, I would kill for one right now, the need for the refreshing water pounding and invigorating my skin but I knew that would have to wait.

I emptied the basket and rinsed it out in the shower and then returned to Mason. He was asleep again and I took the opportunity to make a coffee.

Sitting down on the floor beside him again I sipped on the hot liquid and studied the beautiful creature that was so hell bent on destroying himself. He was an absolute God, he could have any woman he wanted and I struggled to wonder why he so desperately wanted me, plain old me that had a more fucked up life than the average person but Mason had held my hand and helped me rid myself of the demons that plagued me.

Could I do that for him? I owed it him, I knew that but would I survive it?

He had helped me get vengeance for Katie and helped to crack the hard shell I had built around myself. He had given me the courage to open up and talk, and he had made me feel confident, sexy and beautiful.

He had given up his life and freedom to let me keep mine and most of all he had given me his heart so freely as I had given him mine, and I knew without a doubt he would protect me and his children with his last breath.

I stroked his face as I amazed at the sheer magnificence of him, he turned my insides to jelly, my heart to beat faster and my blood to rage through my tight veins. He was stunning; his square stubbled jaw, his hard chiselled cheekbones, his full pink lips and his warm grey eyes and I longed to touch him. To feel him under my hands, from his hard pecs to his strong muscled abs and down to that exquisite ‘V’ and his perfect tight arse.

I slid my thumb across his bottom lip and his warm breath wisped across my skin. I smiled as his eyes flickered beneath his lids and his lips curved into a wonderful smile. I relaxed a little knowing that his dream was taking him away from his nightmares. “Ava. . . .” He chuckled and I smiled wider. It must have been a good dream.

He laughed again and let out a long, low groan. My eyes widened as I saw his cock twitch beneath his trousers. “Ahhhh,” he moaned. I felt my inside light up at the husky sound of the obvious pleasure he was dreaming about. “Ava. . . .” He breathed out.

I closed my eyes and stood, making myself walk into the bathroom. I did not need this damn throb at the moment, my sex life was over for a while and I had to distance myself from him in his high state of arousal.

I used the toilet, flushed and washed my hands before I timidly ventured back. He seemed to have settled and was sleeping soundly again. I settled back on the floor beside him and rested my head on the couch.

I felt him stroking my hair and I peeled open my eyes and peered up at him. “Hi there,” I smiled as I saw life in his eyes and a small smile on his face.

“Hey,” he whispered as his fingers slid down my face and he stroked my cheek with the back of his fingers. “Have you been here all night?” he asked, his voice low and throaty. I sighed and nodded, stretching my arms and legs and rolling my head around my neck. “Why?” he asked simply.

I shook my head sadly. “Why do you do it Mason?” I probed with sadness.

He let out a soft breath. “Because it’s the only thing that blocks out all the shit.” He shrugged as I huffed.

He sat up and let his head flop back on the couch. “But it makes you like this Mason! All night you have suffered agonised nightmares and sweats and sickness. I don’t understand.” I stood and walked over to the kettle as I felt his eyes on me.

“Why did you stay with me, Ava?” he repeated his question and I shrugged.

“Because it hurt me to see you like that, so . . . so utterly broken.” I gazed at him dolefully. He cocked his head and regarded me with narrow eyes but I turned around and made coffee, handing him the mug and sitting beside him.

“Drink up and then take a shower,” I ordered.

His lips twitched. “Yes ma’am,” he saluted.

“You stink.” I smirked and he nodded gravely.

“Yeah, I do,” he grimaced.

“And then you had better apologise to Greg.” I raised my eyebrows at him as his face dropped.

“What did I do?” he asked cautiously.

“Well . . . he was consoling me, you thought he was coming on to me and you . . . kind of hit him.”

He closed his eyes and groaned. “Shit!”

I nodded. “And now he’s getting ribbed because I had to jump in and put you out to get you off him.” He stared at me and then sucked on his lips.

“Really?” He laughed and I shook my head in dismay.

“It’s not funny, Mason,” I scowled.

He nodded with fake seriousness. “No, it’s not,” he sighed.

I took another gulp of coffee, then walked over to the sink and rinsed it out before picking my bag up from the floor. “Please stay off the coke, Mason,” I pleaded as I bent down to kiss his head. His arms enveloped me and he rested his head against my stomach. I settled my hands in his hair, enjoying the feeling of being close and intimate with him once more.

We remained silent as we clung to each other, both of us lost in our grief and heartache for the state of our relationship.

I eventually reached down and planted another kiss on his head and pulled free. “I’ll see you,” I said softly as I stroked his cheek with my thumb. He nodded but didn’t look up at me as I walked across the room and opened the door.

“Ava . . .” he choked out. I turned to look at him. His eyes bore through me, right into my soul. “Just . . . just, thanks.”

I smiled tenderly and nodded. “Take care, Mason,” I said as I left.

CHAPTER 35

I WALKED DOWN the corridor and into the main bar, spotting Sam sat on one of the stools talking to Harvey. “Hey sweetheart,” Sam smiled and kissed my cheek as I settled beside him on the stool he had just patted. “How is he?”

I shrugged and pulled a face. “I don’t know what to do with him, Sam? I’m frightened every time I say something to him he’s gonna react like this.” I sighed and rubbed my weary face.

“Coffee?” Harvey asked kindly and I nodded, the thought of a proper coffee excited my blood.

“I dunno what set him off this time, Ava?” Sam said as he took a gulp of his own drink.

I glanced at him. “I do.” I cringed. “I’m moving to Portugal.”

Sam’s eyes widened, “Oh!”

“I can’t do this anymore Sam, I need to be away from him, and while I’m here I let him crush me. I just can’t seem to stop him,” I grumbled, trying to explain how I felt to Sam.

He nodded sadly. “I know, Ava,” he sighed and pulled me into a side huddle as Harvey placed my cappuccino in front of me and I smiled gratefully at him.

“Sam . . .” Mason’s growled warning came from behind us. Sam immediately dropped his arm from my shoulder. I rolled my eyes as Harvey’s gaze shifted between the three of us.

I swung round. “Problem?”

Mason narrowed his eyes on me, his hair still dripping wet from his shower. “No,” he smirked and I grit my teeth.

“Oh, fuck this!” I slid off the stool and kissed Sam’s cheek. “You take care, Sam.” I hugged him tightly.

“And you Ava, you look after those babies.” He smiled sadly. I nodded and walked away pulling my phone from my bag and dialling a taxi.

I sat on one of the benches as I waited for the cab and shivered as it was early morning. I was still wearing my little black dress from last night.

I heard the door open and close behind me and cringed, hoping it wasn’t Mason.

“You okay?” Harvey asked as I turned to look.

I smiled and nodded. “Just waiting for a taxi.”

“You want a lift?” he asked as he unlocked a car next to him.

“No, I’m good thanks.” I smiled.

“Come on Ava, you could be waiting hours,” he urged and I sighed.

“Okay, thanks,” I smiled appreciatively and redialled the taxi company to cancel the call before climbing into Harvey’s car.

“Where to?” he asked as he inserted the key into the ignition. I started to give him my address as my door opened and a hand gripped my upper arm.

“Out!” Mason barked at me and I shrank back.

“What the hell Mason?” I gasped as he pulled me out of the car.

“What the fuck are you doing with him, Ava?” he snarled. My eyes widened as Harvey climbed out the car.

“Mason, I was just giving her a lift home,” he defended angrily but Mason scoffed.

“I know you Harvey. You’d have had her knickers round her ankles and your cock in her cunt before you even got through her front door.”

I gasped as my jaw dropped. “WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?” I yelled.

Harvey shook his head and held up his hands, obviously figuring I wasn’t worth losing his job over. “You take care, Ava.”

I smiled at him. “Sorry for the dick of the year, Harvey.” He chuckled and got back in his car and took off.

I shook my head at Mason and pulled out of his grasp. “Get your hands off me you fucking arsehole,” I spat and stormed off, wondering where would be a safe place to call another taxi.

His large hand wrapped around my arm again. “I’ll take you home.”

I glared at him. “For one, I don’t wanna be anywhere near you right now and for two, you’re probably still fucking high, so no, thank you!”

God! I was livid with him! How dare he? Even if I wanted to sleep with Harvey it was none of his damn business.

“Ava . . .” he warned but I pulled away and headed towards the city centre.

His arms circled me as he lifted me off my feet and turned back to the club. “Will you put me down?!” I screamed but he held firm and approached his car, flicked the remote locking and bundled me in. He slammed my door shut and as he strolled round the car, I waited until he reached his door and scuttled out.

“JESUS AVA!” he thundered.

I started running towards an alley way down the side of the club, a near impossible thing to do in four inch spike heels. He quickly caught up with me and slammed me against the fencing.

“Mason, please let me go” I bit my lip angrily. “I am NOT getting in your car . . . end of!” I struggled against him, pushing him backwards but he was too strong and shoved me up against the fence again.

We stood glaring at each other and I silently cursed myself for the thrills that were running through my body as he pressed hard against me.

I gulped and took a deep breath. “Move!” I slapped at him.

“No!” he bit back.

I sighed heavily as I knew what my treacherous body was about to do. Opening my eyes, I glared at him angrily as his eyes burnt into me, the fire and lust in them scorching me.

“
Fuck!”
I hissed and kissed him, needy, hungry and hard. His tongue crashed into my mouth as he kissed me back with as much want and energy.