Incineration (Heart of Stone) (21 page)

Mason smiled again “Listen, I’m sorry about last year. It
took Sam ages to find him and then…you know” Mason said and frowned. Nate
patted his back “Hey mate, no problem. She got through it so we’re good” Mason
nodded his acknowledgement and I stood looking at the pair curiously but Mason
shrugged at me “Business” he said shortly and I raised my eyebrows at his tone “Okay”
I snapped back and held my hands up in surrender.

Nate gave Mason a funny look and then turned to me “You okay
Ava? Liv said you were a bit rough this morning?” I nodded and smiled at him,
grateful for the subject change “Yeah, I’m good now. Thanks though” he grinned
in understanding to my appreciation of his diversion, he obviously knew what
Mason was like.

Nate went in search of Olivia as Mason stood glaring at me
“What?” I said and he shrugged “Tony” he said simply and I rolled my eyes “Not
here Mason, I’m at work” I huffed and he glared at me “Fine, we’ll discuss it
when you get home” he snapped, turned and walked off.

I plonked down in my chair and rested my head in my hands,
releasing a slow breath. My life, emotions and hormones had changed
dramatically since I had met Mason and I wasn’t sure I could deal with his
suspiciousness, possessiveness and aggression, constantly walking on eggshells
around him.

I picked up my phone and dialled Courtney, needing a
friendly voice “Hey Babe” she chirped as she answered “Hey you” I sighed “Okay”
she said “Drink after work? Yellow lion at 6.30?” she could read me like a book
“Thank you” I grinned “Mason?” she probed and I snorted “Sort of but I’ll
explain later” I sighed and she was silent “Ava, has he…has he hurt you?” she
asked hesitantly “No! No nothing like that” I reassured her. “Okay Babe, see
you later” I texted Mason and told him I’d be late because I was meeting Courtney,
secretly pleased I wouldn’t have to face Mr Grumpy. It wasn’t long before I got
a reply

MASON

Avoiding our conversation? How are you getting there?

ME

It’s not far; it will be a nice walk. Don’t worry I
definitely want to talk when I get back!!

Xxxx

I was adamant I put kisses on the text just to piss him off!

MASON

YOU ARE NOT WALKING ALONE!!!
 I will pick you up and
drop you off

Xxxx

Ha-ha, I won! I got kisses but I was still pissed at the
order

ME

I will be fine. I don’t want to be disciplined before I
have a drink with my friend. I will get a taxi back from the pub!

I didn’t receive a reply and I spent the rest of the
afternoon, ignoring Tony’s snide remarks, secretly envisioning my fist smashing
his teeth in but wondered if I would get sacked, and when his hand rested on my
shoulder I spent an hour thinking it would be worth getting the sack.

I exited work at 6 O’clock and wasn’t surprised to see Mason
waiting for me and bracing myself for the interrogation I climbed in. “Hi Sweetie”
I greeted with a sickly smile and he narrowed his eyes on me.

I see Mr Bad-tempered was playing this evening so I ignored
him and looked out of the window “Where to?” he huffed and I stifled a giggle
at his crankiness, thinking he was like my own personal taxi “Yellow Lion
please Darlin’” I winked dramatically at him and I was sure I saw a slight
twitch on his lips “Been busy this evening guvnor’?” I mocked and there it was
again “Ah ha, it’s coming” I teased and he growled at me “For god’s sake Ava,
it’s not funny!” he slammed the gears and spun round the corner at speed “Hey,
pregnant lady!” I reprimanded and he slowed down but didn’t say anything. I
gave up and looked out of the window, watching everybody’s life go by and
sighed when he pulled up at the pub, still in a mood.

As I reached for the door handle he grabbed my arm “Ava” he
started and I huffed “What Mason? What are you going to tell me off for now?” I
snapped and he let go and sighed “Just let me know when you’re done and I’ll
fetch you” he sighed and I rolled my eyes again and climbed from the car,
slammed the door and entered the pub without looking back as I heard him speed
off.

As I stood at the bar waiting to be served Courtney came up
beside me with her eyebrows raised “You look like shit Babe” she said honestly
and I laughed “You’re such a good friend” I grinned at her and she put her arm
around my waist “I saw Mr Grumpy speed off, I take it you’ve had another row” I
sighed and shrugged “We’re always fucking rowing” I said sadly and she squeezed
me “That bad?” I nodded “Let’s sit down first”

The barman came over to us “Ladies?” he asked and winked at Courtney
and I stifled a giggle “Not my type mate sorry” she told him bluntly, he looked
at her arm around me and I grabbed her hand and leant over for a kiss. Courtney
turned to look at me and I gave her a full snog on the lips.

She looked back at him and shrugged “But she’ll have a vodka
and cranberry and I’ll take a rum and coke please” she smiled sweetly and then
leant in to my ear when he walked up the bar to prepare the drinks “You are so
bad” she giggled.

He placed the drinks in front of us “You know” he said with
a slow smile “I’m into that too if you’re both game” My eyebrows shot to my
hairline as my jaw dropped. “Gimme your number then sweetheart and we’ll let
you know but only if you can manage the pair of us. My friend here is a little
wild between the sheets” Courtney said seriously and I coughed slightly and she
waved her hand about under the bar. He turned to me and gave me a wink “Oh I’m
sure I can handle her” he grinned cockily and Courtney leaned over the bar and
whispered something in his ear. His grin got wider and he looked at me, a gleam
in his eye and nodded at Courtney “No problem sweetheart. I’m game” he licked his
lips. I could see her stifling a giggle but winked at him and picked our drinks
up, taking them over to a table in the corner.

I sat opposite her “Okay Missus, what did you tell him?” she
shrugged and chewed the inside of her cheek. I narrowed my eyes “Courtney” I
persisted and she started laughing “Well I thought he wouldn’t take the bait
but apparently he did” I pursed my lips and glared at her “Okay” she laughed “I
told him you were into the hard stuff, you know, tying him up and whipping him…full
on BDSM” she laughed at my shocked face “What the hell did you tell him that
for?” I scoffed and she had tears rolling down her face “Well I thought it
might frighten him but…seems he likes that sort of thing” I stared at her and
then cracked up “OMG! What a pervert” we both hid our laughter as he approached
our table with two more full glasses

“Ladies” he placed them down on the table and smiled
suggestively, looking me over. I tried to give him a smile but I was trying to
control my giggling at the same time so it kind of looked like I gave him a
snarl and he groaned, adjusted his trousers and winked “God! I can’t wait” he
rasped and walked off. “Jesus Ava!” Courtney was in hysterics and I kicked her
under the table “I am so gonna kill you when we get out of here” I snorted and
then joined her laughter. Trust this girl to cheer me up; she always knew
exactly what I needed.

We settled down and relaxed with our drinks “So?” she
prodded and I sighed “I love him” I started simply and she nodded “I know but…?”
she cocked her head, waiting for me to continue and I took a deep breath “I’m
pregnant” I cringed and squinted as I looked at her. Her eyes widened and she
sighed and pursed her lips “Oh Ava” she looked sad, stunned and happy
simultaneously “I know, I know. We just got carried away” I shrugged “Ava” she
glared at me “It takes two seconds to saddle up” she scolded and I shrugged
again “I know but…it’s different with Mason. He’s amazing in bed and the
passion is…is mind-blowing” I shrugged again, finding it difficult to explain
how it was with him.

She looked thoughtful for a moment then closed her hand over
mine on the table “Babe, are you gonna keep it?” she asked and I recoiled at
her openness “Of course I am!” she held her hands up “I’m just making sure you
know there are other options, that’s all. It’s entirely your decision Ava, not
mine, not Masons. Yours” I nodded “I know” I smiled at her “And what’s Mason
said?”

I finished my first drink and reached for the fresh one and
as I took a sip she raised her eyebrows “You shouldn’t be drinking that Ava”
she cautioned and my eyes widened “Oh God! I forgot” I scowled and pushed it
away, thinking it tasted a bit bitter anyway.

She went back over to the bar and returned with a cranberry
and soda, placing it in front of me “Well, what’s Mason said?” she repeated,
taking a sip of her drink “He’s over the moon” I explained and she spluttered
into her glass “Really?” she asked gobsmacked and I nodded, talking a gulp and
grimacing at the non-alcoholic beverage, looking longingly at my un-drunk
vodka;  my body needed the stimulant to prepare for Masons’ fury “Yeah, he’s
really happy but I dunno…I can’t help wondering if it’s a bit too soon. I want
to enjoy our relationship and get to know one another first before we’re knee
deep in shit and nappies but on the other hand, it’s my baby and I already love
it” I explained and she nodded slowly “Talk to him Ava” she urged and I shrugged
“What for? It’s happened and there’s nothing I can do to change things now.
Telling Mason about my insecurities won’t help. The main problem is…” I
squirmed “I’m kind of living at his at the moment”

She narrowed her eyes on me “Ava; you have gone from being
scared of a relationship to falling in love, living with him and getting
pregnant” she looked confused by my actions and I held a hand up and took
another drink “I…my house…someone broke into the cottage” I told her and her
eyes widened “
WHAT!”
  She exclaimed and took my hand again “Someone
broke in and trashed my bedroom and wrote whore on my wall” I told her frankly,
there was no use trying to sugar coat things with Courtney.

Pursing her lips tightly she took a deep breath “But why?”
she asked “What have the police said?” I looked down “Ava?” she queried and
narrowed her eyes “Mason’s got his friend looking into it” I said and she eyed
me curiously but sighed and nodded.

“Are you frightened of him Ava?” she asked cautiously,
stroking her hand up my arm much to the barman’s delight and I frowned at her
“No, he would never hurt me, even though he gets angry” I shrugged “it’s just
how he is. He’s controlling and possessive but sometimes I like it, you know,
it makes me feel secure and strangely cherished but he just…just sometimes it’s
like I can never please him. He’s always mad at me for doing things without
discussing them with him first” I explained but carried on “You remember Tony?”
I asked and she nodded “Well, he works at NSC with me” her eyes widened and she
groaned “Oh God” she cringed for me and I nodded “Well, I didn’t tell Mason because…well
because it’s Mason and anyway he brought me some anti-nausea pills into work
this morning cause I’m having horrendous morning sickness and well…Tony was
there, so that’s why we’re rowing again” I finished with a sigh and looked at
her

“Okay, I can understand both sides here. I know why you
didn’t tell Mason but I can understand him thinking you were hiding something
from him. You did go on a date with the sleezeball” she shrugged when I sucked
on my lips “But” she continued “That still doesn’t give him the right to try
and control you Ava. You’re gonna have to be strong and stand up to him. Don’t
let him dominate you or this relationship isn’t going to work” she advised and
I nodded “I know, and I know he knows what he’s doing but he can’t seem to stop
himself. He says it’s because he worries about me but…it just grates sometimes.
I know I’m in for another bollocking when I get back” she looked at me sadly “It’ll
sort itself out Ava, but you need to lay a few rules out, and be strong” she
guided.

I smiled at her but as I did I felt my skin prickle and
turned round sharply, inspecting the pub “Ava?” Courtney asked and I shivered
when I didn’t notice anyone. I shook my head to her “Strange feeling that’s
all”

Laughing it off I pulled my phone from my bag “I better ring
a taxi and get back” I sighed and she smiled sympathetically “Ava, if it gets
too much you can always stop at mine” she said and I nodded  as my call
connected and I asked the taxi firm for a ring back on arrival, something in
the back of my mind warned me off waiting outside for the cab and as my phone
chirped when the car pulled up, I made my way across the room with Courtney and
noticed to my horror, the man from the NSC car park, perched in the corner and
his eyes shifted as I glanced at him.

I grabbed Courtney’s hand “I’ll drop you off first” I told
her “No, it’s the wrong way Ava, I’ll walk” she said but I shook my head firmly
“NO! I’ll drop you off” she gave me a quizzical look but nodded when she saw my
expression.

I knew the man was after me but I didn’t want to leave Courtney
alone, just in case. My stomach started fluttering as we exited and climbed in
the taxi but when he didn’t follow I questioned my suspicions, maybe it was
coincidence and he was just having a drink but somehow, somewhere in my mind I
doubted it.

I arrived back at Mason’s and grit my teeth before I opened
the front door, taking a deep breath and walking into the kitchen but relaxed
when it was empty.

Pouring a coffee from the glass carafe that was warming; I
sighed heavily and slid onto one of the stools, rubbing my aching neck as I
heard Mason approach behind me. He was silent but I could feel his anger
permeating the air in the kitchen “Out with it then” I said without turning
around but he remained silent “Oh fuck you Mason” I hissed and climbed of the
stool and stomped passed him but his hand shot out and grabbed my arm “Not so
fast Ava” he grated and I rolled my eyes and resigned myself to the reprimand I
knew was coming.