The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (155 page)

I pushed the thoughts to the back of my mind and snuggled back into Ethan, taking the opportunity of a cuddle while I had one and wiping away the stray tear that had trickled from the corner of my eye.

“I love and miss you,” I whispered into the darkness just as I did every night.

CHAPTER 33

MY BODY WAS on fire, my stomach pulsing and my pussy throbbing. I rolled my hips against the pleasurable friction that was happening between my thighs. I slid my hands down and gripped Ethan’s hair before I even opened my eyes. “That’s good,” I murmured, “Just there,” I told him as he licked my clit with the flat of his tongue.

He slipped a finger inside me and swirled it round before he removed it and slipped it in my ass. I arched my back and cried out as my climax took hold, my fingers tightening in his hair and holding his mouth to me trying to prolong the pleasure.

Before I had took a steady breath he was sliding into me, his mouth now sucking and licking one of my nipples. “Oooh Goddd,” I groaned as he filled me completely, stretching me past my limits.

“Good morning,” he grinned as he looked down at me.

“Hi,” I grinned back as he rolled us over so I was straddled over him.

“Ride me Ava, take all of me,” he moaned as I ground myself against him.

Placing my palms on his chest, I lifted myself to the tip of him before slowly sinking back down on him, taking his entire length inside me. “Christ you’re huge,” I choked out, my eyes watering at the pain but my arousal intensifying at the pleasure.

He sat up and kissed me, his fingers twisting around my hair as he pulled my head back. “Fuck me damn it,” he growled and I groaned at his dominance. I rested my hands on his knees behind me as I moved faster, my plunges and lifts becoming frantic and harder.

He sucked in a nipple, pulling it with his teeth and I cried out. “Bite me,” I demanded and he groaned as he pulled on my hair and clamped down on my sensitive nipple. “Fuck yes!” I screamed but his bite wasn’t the same as Mason’s and it didn’t trigger my climax, yes, it intensified my lust but didn’t have the effect I was hoping for.

He grabbed my hips and lifted me off him. “Turn around,” he ordered. I swung my legs round and faced the other way, my back to his chest. “Now fuck me harder,” he snarled as he took my breasts in his large hands and squeezed.

My eyes were still closed; I don’t think I had opened them the whole time he was inside me as I tried to accommodate his size. He gripped my hair and yanked my head back as he latched on to my neck. “Yes!” I hissed as his teeth sank into my neck.

I opened my eyes and my lungs froze. “Fuck Mason!” I cried as I scrambled off Ethan.

He was stood in the doorway, watching us, I couldn’t determine the expression on his face but I could see the hurt and pain in his eyes. His eyes met mine as I just sat on the bed looking at him. “What are you doing here?” I asked him as I reached under the bed for Mason’s t-shirt, the soft blue one I always slept in.

“I brought Georgie and Katie home,” he said flatly as his eyes perused my bare body and I frowned.

“Why? I always pick them up from Kerrie’s,” I mumbled as I slipped the shirt over my head.

“You obviously forgot that I was bringing them home early because I’ve got to take Kerrie to the airport.”

I groaned and raked my hands through my hair. “Shit, yes, I’m sorry,” I bumbled as I climbed off the bed.

“That’s okay, I can see you had other things on your mind, Ava,” he growled out. I closed my eyes as he turned and bounded down the stairs.

“Mason, wait!” I shouted after him but sighed as the front door slammed shut. “Fuck, fuck, fuck!” I slumped onto the bed as Ethan moved to sit on the edge beside me.

“I take it things aren’t over for him?”

I shrugged, biting my lip as the image of his face swan into my mind. “Oh Christ,” I huffed out. Ethan was now pulling on his t-shirt, his jeans already encasing his legs.

He stroked my cheek. “I’ll get off, you gonna be okay?” he asked as he crouched in front of me.

I smiled and nodded, “Sorry,” I whispered but he shook his head.

“Nah, don’t be. I had a good time.” He kissed my forehead and left, leaving me sat with my face in my hands.

* * *

“Okay out with it.” Courtney glared at me while I pushed my food around my plate. I shrugged, refusing to look at her and let her see the pain in my eyes. Her hand settled over mine. “Did Ethan . . . did he hurt you?” she asked quietly. I looked up at her and frowned.

“No! No, it’s nothing to do with Ethan,” I told her as my eyes flicked to Greg, who lowered his.

I narrowed my eyes as I regarded him. “Greg?” I asked but he shook his head.

Courtney turned her attention to him, her own eyes narrow and glinting. “Greg?” she urged. He sighed as he pushed his hands through his hair.

“Mason came into the club this morning before I came home.” He grimaced as he glanced at me and I sighed.

“Was he high?” I asked but he shook his head.

“No! No he was . . . he was just spouting off his anger at everyone until I pulled him into the office and demanded to know what was eating him.”

I dropped my eyes to my plate and nibbled my little finger.

“It hurt him, Ava” he said softly and I nodded.

“I know.”

I peered at my potatoes behind the layer of tears in my vision. Slamming my fork down, I leant back in my chair. “Why can’t he fucking knock instead of walking in all the damn time?” I declared and Courtney groaned.

“Oh no,” She glanced between Greg and I when she realised what had happened.

“Damn him,” I seethed as I shot up from my chair and walked over to the kitchen window. “Where is he?” I asked Greg without turning round.

“The club,” he answered and I nodded.

“Go, we’ll watch Georgie and Katie,” Courtney offered.

I remained still, my heart pounding in my chest. “I dunno . . . I don’t know if I can, what the hell does he want from me?” I sobbed. Courtney’s arms gripped my shoulders. “I miss him damn it, I miss him so fucking much I can’t seem to move on and its killing me cause I know I can never be with him.” I wept into her shoulder.

“Shush, babe,” she whispered.

“It’s killing me without him but I know he’ll crush me if I go back.”

Greg frowned. “He loves you, Ava,” he shrugged, “What more do you need?”

I stared at him, my brow deep and furrowed. “It’s not that easy, Greg” I said but he shrugged and popped a slice of meat in his mouth.

“Isn’t it?” he said simply.

* * *

“Hey Ava,” Sam grinned and pulled me into a hug before letting me into the club. “How you doing girl?” he asked and I smiled.

“Good.” He frowned at me but smiled and nodded. “Is he here?” I asked as we entered the main floor.

He sucked on his lips as though debating whether to tell me. “He’s in his office but Ava . . .” he said as I started to make my way up the stairs. I turned to him and he looked troubled. “He’s not in a good place right now.” He held my eyes, telling me everything I needed to know.

I smiled sadly and nodded but continued up the stairs, my gut clenching at what state I would find him in. I took a huge breath and knocked on the office door.

“I SAID FUCK OFF!” Mason bellowed through the door. I cringed but opened it. Before I had it fully open something hit the back of the door and shook it in my hand. “FUCK OFF!” he screamed.

I closed my eyes, inhaled sharply and pushed the door further. It swung back and a fist careered towards me, slamming to a stop an inch from my face.

Mason’s eyes widened in shock, “Christ Ava, I’m sorry.” I stared at him as he stared back.

“I was gonna ask if you were okay but I guess I don’t need to ask.” I frowned at the state of him. His clothes were crinkled and dishevelled, his eyes were rimmed and bloodshot and he had lost weight. “You look like shit,” I told him and he blinked at me.

His lips twitched and he grinned, then he flung his head back and laughed heartily. I smirked at him as I pushed past him and scanned the room, immediately swiping the bottle of whisky from his desk and walked over to the sink, upending it and emptying its contents down the sink.

“Christ Ava, what the fuck have you done that for?” he exploded behind me. I knew if I had been anybody else I would have already been on the end of his fist.

I turned slowly to look at him. “You don’t need it,” I said simply as I scooped up some dirty clothes off the floor. “Fuck Mason, have you been living in here?” I asked and he looked away guiltily. I caught a breath and stared at him, “Oh my God, why?” I asked in disbelief. He shrugged and turned towards the kettle. “Please don’t tell me you bring the twins here when you have them?” I implored and he spun round, glaring at me.

“What the fuck do you take me for? Of course I don’t bring them here. When I have them I take them home.”

He lifted a mug. I nodded and started collecting the dirty plates from around the room. “Then why have you been living here when you don’t have them?”

He shook his head and refused to answer.

I grabbed his arm and swung him round. “Talk to me,” I begged. He bit his bottom lip, his face now angry and dark.

“Because you’re everywhere Ava; you’re in the kitchen, you’re in the room and you’re still in my damn bed. I can’t get past you and I can’t get you out of my head!” he yelled at me. I stumbled backwards at the rage flowing out of him. “But you’re obviously not having the same problem I am,” he spat and I slumped onto the couch.

“Mason, please baby, calm down,” I urged softly but he threw his mug across the room and it smashed against the wall into tiny pieces.

“Calm down? Calm fucking down? I have just seen the woman I love, the woman who owns my heart and soul fuck . . . fuck . . .” he choked on the rest of the words.

“I came to apologise but if you didn’t just let yourself into my home, you wouldn’t have had to see that,” I told him quietly, trying to keep calm but my anger was bubbling away beneath my skin.

He scoffed and glared at me. “Well it obviously didn’t take you too long before you let somebody else in.”

My eyes widened and I stood up, furious at him. “And you never even stopped letting someone else in,” I spat and stomped to the door.

His hands grabbed my arms and I was pushed up against the wall, his sheer strength took my breath away and the look in his eyes brought forward a whimper. His eyes bored into mine and I gulped. “Let me go,” I choked out.

His face suddenly softened and he pulled me into his embrace, his nose nuzzling my hair as he inhaled deeply. “God, I miss you,” he whispered and I wasn’t sure if he knew he had said it aloud.

My lungs were screaming at me to breathe and my blood was singing inside my veins as my soul danced with excitement and my body flourished beneath him. I pulled away from him. “No, don’t do this again . . . I can’t . . .” I shook my head rapidly as tears welled and I spun around, determined not to let him see.

I grasped the door handle and pulled. His hand shot out and held the door before I could make my escape. I didn’t look at him . . . I daren’t look at him, knowing one look into his eyes and I would see his soul and crumble.

I heard his heavy gulp but he didn’t move or say anything for a while. “Ava . . .” he whispered and I tensed. He sighed and removed his hand, setting me free but all of a sudden I wasn’t sure I wanted to be free but I held my ground.

“You still okay for Saturday?” I asked him and he glowered at me.

“Of course, the caterers are coming at ten if you need to be there,” he told me bluntly.

It was the twins first birthday on Saturday and we had decided to have the party at Mason’s because his house was huge and much more suitable for a thousand kids tearing round screaming and screeching.

I nodded. “The entertainers should be there about 12ish, but I’ll be there for the caterers so you can . . . well you can get on with whatever you need to . . .” I trailed off as I saw his expression shift to something close to fury.

“I want to help, they are my children too, Ava,” he growled.

I nodded. “Yes, yes that’s fine I just . . . oh it doesn’t matter, whatever I say it gets twisted so . . .” I shrugged and stepped out of the door, quietly shutting it behind me and now filling my lungs with the air they needed as I closed my eyes and leant my head back on the wall.

I swiped a stray tear that was trailing down my cheek then my eyes shot open as I realised Mason had cameras trained to his door. I pushed off the wall and made my way downstairs, my heart tightening further with every step I moved away from him.

Coming to a halt at the top step my soul screamed at me to turn around.

I looked back, my foot inching back towards the office door.

Do it . . . Don’t do it . . . Do it . . . Don’t do it!

I was desperate to feel his lips on mine, to feel safe in his hold, to hear his laughter and see his twinkling eyes as they gazed at me; to feel the whisper of his breath against my neck and feel his fingers softly tracing every contour of my body, to feel him inside me, filling me with his very essence.

I heard a noise and looked up to see Mason stood outside his office door watching me, his eyes wide and bright with hope. I suddenly couldn’t breathe and my mouth was so dry I struggled to swallow.

He lifted his hand to me, reaching out and begging silently and a sob erupted from me. “Ava . . .” he breathed as he pleaded with his eyes.

I took a step nearer to him but he remained immobile knowing that if I wanted to do this I had to do it myself.

Another step towards him and I heard his soft whimper. I gulped and exhaled heavily as another step became another step and before I blinked I was in his arms, his mouth over mine in a needy and desperate kiss.

I choked out a sob as I heard him moan in anguish and delight as his tongue danced happily with mine. I was sure I felt my soul depart from my body to join his, relishing in its return and closeness once again.

“Ava . . .” he breathed as his lips settled against my forehead and he held me tightly. “God, baby.”

I tilted my head back and lifted my face to his again, needing to feel him again. I devoured and consumed him as he pulled me into him and pushed his erection into me. I was suddenly overwhelmed, needing him inside me before I collapsed without the feel of him.