The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (43 page)

I grinned snidely at her, “I’ll take coffee and blueberry pancakes, please.”

I pointedly looked at Courtney, raising my eyebrows in query, she also grinned at the waitress. “I’ll have tea and a breakfast roll . . . please,” she added the please with a smirk. The waitress nodded and made a hasty retreat.

Courtney laughed and winked at me. “Wonder if we get a different waitress now? That glare of yours could kill a rhino,” she mocked. “By the way, you are gonna have to stop punching blokes. One day they’re gonna thump you back,” she insisted seriously but I shook my head.

“The fucking knob grabbed my breast and ripped my top, he deserved it.” I shrugged, not in the slightest bit worried that I would one day get myself in trouble.

Her mouth quirked on one edge. “Do you know the bouncer gave him a right thrashing on your
boss’s
orders and you’re telling me nothing’s going on between the two of you?” I shrugged again, nibbling on my finger. Courtney’s eyes zoned in on it. “See; now I know you are lying. There’s something going on.” She crossed her arms and glared at me.

“Okay,” I conceded. “We kissed and he felt me up. That’s all.” I glanced away; the blush creeping up my neck.

“Ah ha,” she jumped excitedly. “I knew it.”

I rolled my eyes at her exhilaration. “Judging by his demeanour afterwards, I take it you ran?” she probed.

I nodded sadly. “I can’t do it, Courtney. It’s not just the sex before you start; it’s the whole relationship thing. I can’t let him in.” I lowered my eyes, desperately wishing I was a different person, one who grabbed life by the horns and lived it.

“Oh, babe” she sighed and covered my hand with hers. “Relax and go with the flow. I presume you escaped your shell last night and gave in to him. If you can do that then who knows?” She shrugged, giving me an encouraging smile.

“I don’t know what came over me? He turns me on something bad, but he also frightens me. His mood swings are ferocious; one minute he’s gentle and the next he’s barking orders at me. It just confuses me.” I revealed as a different waitress brought our order and my phone beeped again.

MASON

What temp do I need the oven on for the pie you made me? I can’t read what it says.

I squinted at his request, sure that I had written it down legibly.

ME

Gas mark 4, 30 mins.

Courtney leaned over to sneak a look at the text and I glowered at her, “Nosy.”

MASON

Thank you. What you up to?

I huffed at Courtney who scoffed at his inquisition and raised her brows at me.

ME

Having brunch with a friend, be careful she nosing at your texts.

MASON

Lol, tell her I’m just useless without you.

Courtney coughed and gave me a wry grin at this. I shook my head at her. “He is actually useless with the oven. I don’t think it had ever been used before I started working there,” I told her. She laughed loudly at my explanation.

“Ava, babe, I don’t think he means the oven.” She pursed her lips at my glare, “And I think it’s just an excuse to text you.”

I shook my head, now agitated. “Don’t be stupid Court, he’s only known me for a couple of months. Now can we just drop it please,” I snapped and she took the hint.

“Tracey phoned me,” she declared and I bit my lip.

“What the hell? I told her to leave you alone!”

“Relax, Ava. She just wanted to apologise . . . and apparently blame it all on Adam of course. I told her she’s welcome to him.”

I raised my eyebrows at her but she giggled, “So she said thanks.” She laughed harder as I sat there open mouthed at her disclosure until I was also laughing with her.

“The cheeky bitch!” I rolled with laughter as my phone rang.

“Hello.” I laughed down the phone, trying to catch my breath.

“Ava?” Mason asked apprehensively and I rolled my eyes.

“Yes Mason, it’s me.” I giggled at Courtney’s waggling eyebrows. “I do laugh sometimes you know,” I added as I heard his silence and then his laughter.

“Sorry for spoiling your fun but I can’t get the oven to light.”

I rolled my eyes again. “Seriously, Mason?” I asked, perplexed.

“Uhh, yeah.”

He seemed embarrassed now and I felt a pang of sympathy for him. “Right okay. Turn the oven knob to full and then click the ignition switch.”

I waited while I heard him clicking away. “Nope, it won’t light” he said grimly and I huffed.

“Are you sure you’re using the right knob?” I asked. Courtney’s’ eyes widened but I just stared at her.

“Well, I’m sure I have the right knob, would you like to come and check it?” Mason chuckled and I could picture the sly grin on his face.

I coughed at his comment and rolled my eyes as Courtney winked at me, obviously knowing what Mason had said. “Does it say main oven?” I asked again.

“I
can
read, Ava” he laughed, clearly in a good mood for a change.

“Well you couldn’t read the instructions on the packet I left you,” I ridiculed and he coughed slightly.

“Are you mocking me, Miss Stone?” he breathed, his husky voice igniting my insides.

It was my turn to cough. “Never, Mr Fox” I muttered back. Courtney’s eyebrows now were in her hairline.

I heard Mason groan a little and then clear his throat. “You’re going to have to come and do it for me,” he said slyly and my lips twitched.

“No, no, it’s fine Mason. There’s a microwave on your worktop. Place the pie in and cook on half power for 8 minutes then 4 minutes on full power.” I grinned and winked at Courtney as she gave me the thumbs up.

“Oh,” he said quietly and I had another surge of sympathy.

“I suppose I could dump my friend and come over if you are desperate.” I relented with an exaggerated sigh.

“No it’s fine, Ava. Enjoy your brunch.” He ended the call abruptly.

I was gobsmacked but Courtney just laughed. “Oops, I really think he wanted you to go round” she chuckled.

“But why? I’m sure he can work a bloody microwave.” I was stunned.

“I think he can actually work the cooker as well, Ava.” She laughed but I still felt bad so I texted him:

ME

Are you sure you don’t need me? I can come over if it’s a problem.

His reply was not what I was expecting.

MASON

No it’s fine Ava, enjoy your brunch. Rebecca’s coming round to do it.

His words were like a punch in my guts and I was shocked at my reaction.

Courtney grabbed my phone when she saw my face and scowled. “What a bastard. Does he think that’s funny? Who’s Rebecca anyway?” she asked, fuming.

“Apparently ‘they just fuck.’” I told her, doing the air quotes.

“Well, let him ‘just fuck,’ you don’t need to play mind games like that.”

She was mortified for me and I decided not to text him back.

I couldn’t fathom my reaction to this, I had never felt jealousy before and it made my mind up to quit all personal rapport with Mason, leaving it strictly business between us.

* * *

I was still reeling Sunday morning as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, nervousness has settled on me like a lead weight about seeing Mason Monday and I was starting to think it might be better if I quit and found a different job. Mason had got under my skin like nobody else and I couldn’t give in to it.

He texted me Sunday afternoon, asking me to bring in a few items of shopping on Monday, but I didn’t reply, not wanting to get into another text conversation with him.

He texted me again a little later asking if I was okay but I still didn’t reply, figuring I would just tell him I had left my phone at Courtney’s when he quizzed me Monday.

CHAPTER 8

MONDAY MORNING FINALLY rolled round after a restless night and I crept in again, knowing it was the usual Monday morning business meeting.

Preparing the coffee and muffins I had baked yesterday I placed them on a tray, drew my shoulders back, knocked and entered, refusing to look at Mason.

“Good morning, gentlemen” I greeted chirpily, they all greeted me back as cheerfully. I placed the tray on the table, furthest away from Mason.

“Good weekend, Miss Stone?” Dane asked with a sly smile on his face making it obvious Mason had filled him in on my fight at the club.

“Yes, great thanks. You?” I replied with a smile.

He narrowed his eyes and his lips twitched. “I heard you can hold your own” he chuckled but I just gave him a coy smile. “You can hold mine as well if you want?” he winked and I winked back, slyly smiling as I heard Mason growl at Dane as I closed the door behind me.

Up yours dickhead!

I was rather pleased with my flirting with Dane, let Mason stew on that! I never flirted with anyone but it felt rather good.

I quickly got down to business after checking the oven to see if it lit, which of course it did.

I had bought some flowers to place in the hallway to brighten the place up and was arranging them when all the men exited the meeting room but I kept my back to them.

An arm slid round my waist, making me stiffen. “Ava, Sweetheart. Just wanted to thank you for the muffins, they were delicious. I’m a huge fan of muffins,” he drawled. I couldn’t miss the innuendo in his statement.

I turned to look at him and saw Mason glaring at us from the other side of the room. “It’s my pleasure, Mr Winters. I enjoy the odd muffin or two as well.” I quirked my lips and dropped my gaze to his mouth in an obvious flirtation.

He grinned at me and squeezed me tighter, a cold shiver ran up my spine and my stomach rolled but I gritted my teeth.

“Dane!” Mason barked, “My office!” He turned harshly and stomped up the stairs, slamming the office door behind him.

Dane grimaced. “Oops” he winked and stalked off.

“How are you settling in, Ava?” Brian Cox asked politely.

I gave him a small smile. “Okay” I nodded but he cocked his head, questioningly.

“You want me to have a word with the brute?” he asked, winking slyly at me.

I feigned ignorance and furrowed my brow. “I’m sorry, Mr Cox. I’m not sure what you mean?” I said, swallowing harshly.

He just nodded slowly and smiled softly, resting his hand on my arm. “Ava, I think you’re a lovely sweet girl, George always spoke highly of you and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

Too bloody late!

I gave him a smile, resting my hand over his and squeezing it, “Thank you, Mr Cox. George always considered you a friend and I appreciate you looking out for me in his absence. It means a lot.” I brushed his knuckles with my thumb in a silent gesture to placate him.

He smiled widely and nodded. “You must come for lunch soon with me and my better half. She’s dying to meet you.”

I grinned appreciatively, happy that I was making new friends. “That would be lovely, thank you.”

* * *

They all left except Dane who was still holed up in Mason’s office. I had just started on lunch, busying myself when Dane popped his head in the kitchen. “See you later Ava, sweetheart.” He grinned and blew me a kiss and I gave him a fake smile, shuddering when he left the room.

As I started the dishwasher there was a clang under the sink and I groaned, clambering under the unit to find the problem.

“What the hell are you doing?” Mason shouted. I shot up, banging my head on the cupboard roof.

“
Fuck”
I hissed and scrambled up.

He shot over to me and grabbed my head, pulling my ponytail to one side. “Shit you’re bleeding, Ava. What the fuck were you doing?” he snapped and I wriggled free from his grip.

“There was a funny sound under the sink when I started the dishwasher, I didn’t want to flood the kitchen,” I grated between my teeth.

Mason glared at me and my finger edged its way up to my teeth, easing my discomfort slightly at the familiar habit. His gaze shot to my mouth and he bit his lip. I pulled my finger away and shot it to my side.

“Why didn’t you answer my texts yesterday, Ava?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

“I left my phone at Courtney’s, so I didn’t get your message.” I lied, not catching his gaze.

He looked around the kitchen and cocked his head at me, quirking an eyebrow in disbelief. “Yet you seem to have bought the shopping I requested.”

Shit!

I swallowed. “Yes I . . . I picked up my phone this morning and saw your texts before I came in.” I smiled inwardly.
Good save, Ava!

He shook his head slightly, “Ava . . .”

He didn’t finish the sentence as Sam came storming in. “I need a word, Mase,” he gestured rapidly to the hallway and Mason went over to him.

They were whispering frantically and I heard Mason hiss and swear. “Ava, I’m going out. We’ll finish our conversation later,” he snapped and was gone with a slam of the door, both of them speeding off in Sam’s car.

I was used to these moments with George so I just carried on with my usual chores, feeling proud when I found the leak under the sink and fixed it.

* * *

About three hours later I heard the front door open and close and a grunt in the hallway. I froze, my instincts telling me something was wrong.

Walking into the hallway I gasped. Mason was leaning against the table in the hall, blood dripping down his face, a black eye and his hands grasping at his ribs. “Jesus Christ, Mason.” I hissed rushing over to him and helped him over to the sofa.

“Sit and stay there,” I ordered and scurried to the bathroom for a first aid kit.

Filling a bowl with warm water and finding some cotton balls I hurried back to the room. Mixing the water with an antiseptic I dipped the cotton ball in and squeezing it, started to clean Mason’s wounds.

“What the hell happened?” I asked, gritting my teeth whilst he sucked in air as I cleaned his face.

He cocked his head. “You really want to know?” He scoffed and I bit my lip at his dismissal.

I ignored him and bathed another ball, gently swiping at his cheek. I could feel his eyes on me as I tenderly cared for his injuries. I was also aware of his heavy breaths against my face.

I caught his eyes and bit my lip at his intense scrutiny. My hand stilled on his cheek. His thumb came up and gently pulled my lip away. “Don’t bite your lip, Ava” he whispered as his gaze dropped to my mouth. I could see him slowly leaning forward and my breath hitched.