The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (84 page)

The waitress placed our plates on the table in front of us, my many dishes balanced all the way up her right arm and the peanut butter wedged under her arm pit.

“Enjoy,” she smiled and wandered off.

My stomach rumbled in anticipation and hunger. I immediately unscrewed the butter and dipped a fried potato slice in it. As soon as it hit my tongue my eyes closed and my mouth watered around it.

“Good?” Courtney asked with a grin, her head cocked to one side. I nodded enthusiastically and dipped another one.

“I have another confession.” She winced severely now and I raised my eyes over my coffee cup sceptically.

“Go on.”

She swallowed slowly, “Well, he’s taking me to France for the week and I won’t be able to make your scan on Monday. I’m so sorry Ava.”

“God girl, I thought there was something seriously wrong then. It’s fine, don’t worry. I’ll go alone or ask Kerrie to go with me,” I told her around a mouth full of bacon and beans.

She smiled and gave a relieved sigh, “Thanks, babe.”

I nodded. “Enjoy yourself and don’t kill him you horny tart.” She grinned at this, her eyebrows waggling enthusiastically.

I demolished all my breakfast and half of Courtney’s pancakes and sat back in my chair, stuffed to an extreme.

“Oh my God, I hope my little peanuts appreciate your discomfort Ava.” Courtney laughed, “You are gonna be in pain for at least an hour.”

I puffed. “
Your
little peanuts are devouring everything as we speak, give me an hour and they’ll be ready for more,” I said frankly and signalled for the bill.

Our friendly waitress brought us the slip. She stared at the plates. “My goodness, well done,” she said wide eyed at the empty plates, I think she thought the amount of food would challenge me.

Silly girl!

CHAPTER 2

AT 1 O’CLOCK I pulled up in front of Mason’s with my stomach round my ankles and my heart in my throat. I was so nervous I was actually trembling, not knowing how he would act towards me. Our last encounter still made me shiver and I touched my neck instinctively in the place where he had bitten me hard enough to draw blood.

I peeled myself from the car and approached the door on wobbly legs. Taking a deep breath I knocked quietly. The door swung open almost immediately. My lips parted to pull in a deep breath at the sight of him, my heart soared in response to being so close and the vision of his hard muscled perfect frame had my insides clenching in desire.

We silently studied each other for a few moments, both seeming to appreciate the vision in front of us.

“Hi,” I said timidly.

His face darkened and there was a flicker in his eyes. “You look like shit Ava,” he said sternly and I nibbled furiously on my fingertip.

Hey, nice to see you too!

He frowned deeply when I didn’t give him a response. “Are you sleeping?”

I just shrugged. God damn him! He didn’t have the right to bark questions at me anymore but I couldn’t help cowering down to him, even after the end of our relationship.

“Can I come in to get my stuff?” I asked quietly.

He bit his bottom lip furiously. “I asked if you are sleeping Ava, why won’t you answer me?” His forefinger swept across his bottom lip and I tracked it with my eyes.

“Mason please,” I swallowed heavily and he huffed.

“Sorry, come in.” He moved aside, finally allowing me to pass.

His unique scent assaulted my nostrils as I passed him and I inhaled deeply, locking the aroma into my memory. I was sure I heard him sniff up at the same time and the thought made my insides warm.

I stood timidly in the hallway, still chewing on my finger. I heard him swallow and take a deep breath. “I’m afraid I haven’t had time to bag your things.”

I nodded. “I’ll . . . go and do it then . . . if that’s okay?” I asked tentatively.

He scowled at me and sighed. “Of course,” he near barked and I gulped.

“I’ll go then . . .” I trailed off as I saw his eyes drop to my stomach and widen when they took in the swell.

“Wow, you’re getting big.” A small smile tugged at his lips.

I shrugged. “Twins.” I stated simply as though that one word was all that was needed to explain, which of course it was.

He gulped and his hand lifted as though to reach out to my bump but he dropped it back down as a painful expression flittered across his face.

“I’ll just . . .” I continued and gestured to the stairs. He nodded once and I dragged my trembling legs up the stairs and into the bedroom.

My heart slammed against my chest and the damn wedge developed in my throat, the one that struggled furiously to keep the tears at bay.

I bit my bottom lip and walked over to the bed; the bed we had shared together wrapped tightly in each other’s arms and had made love so beautifully and passionately in.

I sucked in my lips and trailed my fingers over the duvet . . . the new duvet. It was now a slate grey one, the dark blue one we had shared had been replaced. That saddened me and I wondered if it was Mason’s or Rebecca’s undertaking.

I walked to the wardrobe and pulled off my suitcase that was still in its usual spot. Placing it on the bed, I went back to the wardrobe and as I opened it I gasped. My clothes were still hung at the side of Mason’s; still in the same position I had left them in ten weeks ago.

I ran my fingers down one of Mason’s shirts, the need to touch something of his encompassing me. I sighed and ordered myself to do what I came for so I grabbed a handful of my clothes and rammed them angrily into my case then repeated the process until I had removed them all.

Entering the bathroom I frowned when I saw all my toiletries still in their original place; my shampoo and conditioner was still on the shelf in the shower cubicle, my perfumes, creams and cotton balls were still on the vanity. I sighed as my eyes fell on my toothbrush, still sat next to Mason’s in the holder.

I breathed out on a huff and reluctantly removed it from its spot, detesting the idea of separating the touching items, items that had been inside Mason and had been inside me.

As I took hold of it my nostrils twitched at something that excited my senses and stomach.

Soap!

I groaned in appreciation as my mouth watered at the sight of it. Quickly snatching it up I took a huge bite. “Oh God, Yes!” I rumbled in pleasure, the taste of it calming my craving immediately.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?” Mason demanded. My eyes flew open as I cringed and swallowed noisily.

“Well . . .” I spluttered around the mouthful of soap. His eyes were wide and fixed on my mouth. “Uhh . . .” I whispered guiltily but slowly sneaked it up to mouth.

I saw him step forward so I hastily took another mouthful.

“God dammit Ava,” he bellowed as he tried to wrestle the soap from my hand. “Why the hell are you eating soap?”

We both struggled to keep a hold of the bar. I scowled and tried to stop him from opening my fingers. “Ava! Give me the bloody soap,” he growled.

I shook my head, pouting and sulking. “No, I need it.” I snarled at him, pulling at it again as I tried to force his hand that still had a grip on it up to my mouth.

He growled and whipped it out of my hand and held it behind him. “Give it me,” I pleaded as I tried to reach around him.

“What is wrong with you?” he scowled and moved it away again.

I stood still as my bottom lip actually stuck out and trembled and I started crying; I needed the damn soap, my body was screaming out for it.

Mason gasped at the sight of me, his features softening immediately. He gently took hold of my arms. “Ava, what’s wrong?”

My heart rejoiced at his touch, my pores and skin thrilled with his contact but my hormones and taste buds were crying out for the soap. The emotions clashed and I let out a huge shuddering sob. “I need the soap Mason . . . please.”

His jaw dropped open and his eyes widened. “Ava . . .” Another sob broke free and the tears flowed freely.

He ushered me into his arms and kissed the top of my head. “Don’t cry baby,” he soothed. “Ssshhh.”

My eyes closed as I sagged against him, tentatively slipping my arms around him, allowing myself a little bit of pleasure from his embrace. His face settled in my hair and we both let out a hefty sigh, as though our bodies had been needing this moment for a long time. Our souls revelled at the reunion and our bodies hummed in delight at the connection as my libido soared, arousal already seeping into my knickers at his touch.

I closed my eyes and silently reprimanded myself. I shouldn’t be doing this, I was letting myself get carried away and it would be heart wrenching to break free but I knew I had to do it.

I noticed Mason seemed reluctant to let me go as I gently pulled away. His eyes flinched as I stepped back. He looked in pain and my eyes flicked over the huge swell at his crotch, very evident against his grey joggers.

I was overjoyed; No! I was damn delighted to know he still desired me as much as he used to. My lips twitched and I bit my bottom lip to stop the smile that was threatening to lift my lips.

He coughed slightly and looked away. An angry expression marred his beautiful face and my stomach plummeted at his obvious annoyance that his body had reacted to me.

“If I could just have the soap, I’ll be going,” I said sadly, still hurt by his resentment.

“Why do you need the bloody soap Ava?”

“Because Courtney won’t let me have any,” I snapped, now infuriated with him. How dare he keep me away from the soap!

“Well isn’t that fucking obvious. Why the fuck are you eating the stuff anyway?” he snapped back, his fury rising.

I glared at him. “Isn’t it obvious? I need it. I crave it Mason. It’s called being fucking pregnant. Not that you could give a shit!” I cried, so bloody angry that he hadn’t the slightest interest in his babies, yet here he was telling me what I could and couldn’t eat.

He grit his teeth at my outburst, the fire in his eyes was blazing and his fists were clenched severely at his sides. “Of course I fucking care,” he growled.

I scoffed, “Oh really, then where the hell have you been so far?”

“Ava . . .” He warned and my fury snapped.

“Oh, I’m sorry, my names not fucking Rebecca is it” I threw at him and stomped over to my case.

He sucked in a hiss of air. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

I shook my head in despair. “It means . . . that you attended each and every one of Rebecca’s antenatal appointments but where the hell have you been for mine, eh?”

He scowled furiously. “Well maybe if you hadn’t been a whore and screwed Kade I would be there!” He roared.

I recoiled as though he had slapped me. Wow. That hurt. I swallowed harshly as the tears welled again. I nodded sadly and refusing to look at him, picked up my case and walked away.

“Shit Ava. I shouldn’t have said that, I’m sorry.” He grasped my forearm and I halted but refused to look at him.

“I know Mason and believe me nobody fucking hates me more than I do for what I did to you but . . .” I gulped back the pain of his words, “but it’s not your babies’ fault their mother is a fucking whore!” I yanked my arm free and hurried down the stairs.

“Ava . . .” he choked out as I reached the front door. I turned and lifted my eyes to his. “I really am sorry,” he breathed.

I nodded softly. “Me too Mason,” I said sadly and walked through the door.

I needed my best friend, her comfort and love to wipe away the hurt of Mason’s words. I quickly scrambled into my car and made it to her house in record time, flinging myself through her front door, in a mixture of rage, pain and hurt.

“Hun?” I shouted to her as I threw open her kitchen door. “Shit, shit, shit!” I wailed, swiftly turning on my heels and re-entering the hallway. The vision of Courtney being nailed on her kitchen table by Greg will never leave my retinas, scorched on for the rest of my life.

I heard their laughter from behind the door.

“I am so sorry guys, I’ll just wait in the room,” I shouted as I turned towards her lounge. “Don’t be too long though, I’m hungry.” I added on a huff. I heard another eruption of laughter.

Plonking my weary body on her sofa I let out a huge sigh.

If you hadn’t been a whore.
His harsh words resounded in my head.
If you hadn’t been a whore.

A tear trickled down my face, slowly and solitary. Oh that had hurt! I already knew he hated me but to push his babies away because of what he thought of me was so painful. “I’m so sorry peanuts” I sighed, rubbing my tummy.

The room door opened and Courtney came in with mugs of coffee, Greg followed with a jar of peanut butter and a family size can of gherkins.

She narrowed her eyes on me than sighed deeply. “I take it didn’t go well then.”

I shook my head and reached out for the goodies Greg held. He eyed me curiously as I whipped open both jars with speed and dug in.

“He called me a whore,” I grumbled as I took a large bite of my ultimate comfort.

“HE FUCKING WHAT?” Courtney exploded, both Greg and I flinched.

I snorted, “Well I am, aren’t I?”

She growled, I had never heard Courtney growl, even Greg looked scared at that moment. “You are not a fucking whore Ava!” she expressed loudly and I shrugged again.

“What exactly did he say, Ava?” Greg asked, looking dumbfounded.

“I asked him why he didn’t want anything to do with his babies and he said, and I quote, if you hadn’t been a whore and fucked Kade then I would be there for you.” I gave up with the gherkins and just dipped my finger into the butter.

Greg seemed genuinely shocked. I finally raised my eyes to Courtney as the tears flowed. “I
am
a fucking whore.” I sobbed.

She huddled me up tightly. “No babe, you’re not,” she whispered gently as I wept.

Greg stood abruptly and left the room and I looked at her. “I am so sorry Courtney, if I’d have known, well I wouldn’t have . . .” I trailed off.

She grinned at me. “Don’t worry Ava, I’ll have him to myself for a whole week,” she smiled happily.

Greg returned, looking a bit flushed and angry. “You okay?” Courtney asked. He clenched his teeth but nodded and she narrowed her eyes on him.