The NSC Boxset: Heart of Stone (42 page)

Hey Babe

We’re going to ‘the loft’ tonight, you in?

XXX

ME:

Definitely, I plan on getting slaughtered, you in?

Xxx

COURTNEY:

God yes! We’ll be at yours at 8

Xxx

I smiled to myself, just what I needed; a night out with my girlies and plenty of alcohol.

At 6 O’clock I tapped on Mason’s office door and received the usual greeting so I popped my head round. “I’m off now, Mason. I’ve popped some meals in your freezer and I’ve written the instructions on the packets on how to reheat.” I gave him a wry smile, knowing he would be stumped if I hadn’t done that and was rewarded with a huge grin.

“Thank you, Ava. You up to much this weekend?” he asked.

“Not much. Me and the girls are off out tonight but other than that I’ll be cleaning up my own shit instead of yours.”

I grinned, and he tipped his head back with a full on laugh. “Ah, I see, well enjoy and I’ll see you Monday.” He winked and I smiled, closing the door behind me, feeling happy that our relationship had evened out and we were once again comfortable with each other.

* * *

8 o’clock saw Courtney, Sally, Kim and me piling into the hottest nightclub, ‘The Loft.’ It had been open for about 6 months so was relatively new and was always jammed packed.

We purchased our drinks and claimed a tall round table with stools close to the dance floor and bar . . . perfect.

I was feeling a little self-conscious in a short, tight black leather skirt and red halter-neck top which Courtney had been adamant I wore but luckily my knee high black boots covered most of my legs and I had left my hair down so it covered most of my back.

My hair was the one thing I really actually liked about my appearance; it was copper coloured with red and blonde highlights and the natural curls swept down to near my waist.

Within 3 hours I had already been approached by 7 men, each staring at my chest as they asked if I wanted a drink.

I had just given another man the brush off when a drunken Sally leaned over. “Jesus, I need your boobs, I never get any attention.”

She giggled and I placed my hand on my chest in mock offense, “Are you saying it’s my tits that they’re after not my pretty face?”

I feigned upset, now a little drunk and she laughed again. “Seriously Ava, I’m so jealous. I look like a boy naked” she grumbled.

I laughed loudly at her. “Sally Hun, you know what they say, ‘more than a hand full is a waste,’” I winked.

A sweaty hand settled on my back and a mouth came up to ear, “I have big fucking hands, love; yours won’t be wasted on me.”

Recoiling, I turned to meet a red faced sneer on a very drunken man. “No thanks, mate.” I brushed him off and tried to turn back to my friends.

“Oh come on darlin,’ let me get you a drink and we can discuss those pretty things under your top.”

I grimaced and turned to him. “Seriously?” I scoffed.

His smile faltered at my mockery of him. “Yeah, seriously” he snarled, his leer aimed at my chest. One of his sweaty hands reached out and grabbed at my breast, but as he gripped me in his intoxicated state his fingers caught in the neckline of my top and as he stumbled he ripped my top, tearing a huge rip in the front, displaying my bra to everyone in the room.

The familiar rage surfaced and I swung my legs off the stool, pulled my fist back and slammed it into his face, knocking him to the floor and splattering his nose.

The crowd parted and Courtney jumped off her seat to grab me but I leaned over the man before she got to me. “DON’T EVER TOUCH ME AGAIN, YOU FUCKING ARSEHOLE!” I fumed, as Courtney managed to grab me and hold me back.

“Whoa, Ava.” She pulled at my arms, struggling to keep hold of me as I tried to release her grip from me.

Sweaty guy managed to get to his feet and lunge at me but just as he got close he was whipped back, his body slamming backwards with force.

A couple of bouncers ran over as Mason flung him to them. “Get this fucking prick out of here,” he bellowed at one of the bouncers.

“Sure, Mr Fox.”

I stared at Mason.

What the hell?

He grabbed my hand and pulled me. “Ava, come with me” he snarled as he pulled me across the room, through a door and then up some stairs leading to a corridor and into an office.

As he shut the door behind us I just stared at him. “Are you supposed to be in here, Mason?” I asked as my eyes shifted around the room.

He scoffed. “Well, seems as though I own the club, yeah I’m good.” He then turned back to me, his eyes glaring at me angrily.

“Oh,” I replied, shifting nervously as my finger rose towards my mouth.

“Don’t even think about it!” he warned and I dropped my hand back down to my side.

His intense gaze shifted to my chest and he swallowed heavily, a small moan escaping from his lips. I looked down and discovered everything on show. I had forgotten about my torn top in the excitement. “Shit” I exclaimed and crossed my arms across my chest.

Mason’s eyes shifted and he walked to a cupboard at the other side of the room.

Now that the adrenaline was dropping I felt myself sway, the alcohol overtaking me and I leant against the wall giggling.

Mason turned back to me, a bemused look on his face. “Something funny, Ava?”

I shook my head adamantly. “Nooo, sir” I giggled again, taking in his stern expression. “Are you always so cross, Mr Fox?” I asked, feigning seriousness but swayed a little too much.

“Whoa, Ava” he said and rushed over to me, holding me upright.

He narrowed his eyes on me and then down at my top again as I continued to titter to myself. His hands swept up my arms and landed on my shoulders. “Lift” he commanded as he pushed up my arms. I frowned at him. “I said lift, Ava.” He cocked his head and quirked an eyebrow, daring me.

I gave him a sly smile and slowly raised my arms above my head, locking on to his eyes now daring him. A lazy grin turned his lips as he grasped the hem of my ruined top and swept it up my arms and over my head, his eyes never leaving mine.

I was now stood in just my skirt and red lacy bra, his eyes boring into mine as his breathing slowed to match mine.

We gazed at each other for a moment and then his eyes dropped to my chest. A small growl sounded in his throat as his eyes darkened and hooded over. He lifted his finger and traced the edge of my bra along the swell of my breast. “So beautiful,” he breathed. I closed my eyes, trying to suppress the small groan that refused to stay hidden.

As soon as it left my lips his mouth crashed down on mine, kissing me with a ferocity and passion that left me breathless. His hand reached into my hair and he wrapped it round his fingers, tilting my head back as his mouth lowered to my neck; his teeth grazing me as he sucked my skin savagely. His hand reached up and cupped my breast, caressing it tenderly; a sharp contrast to his mouth which had now found mine again, our tongues were clashing feverishly.

Another groan escaped me as his thumb brushed over my hard nipple. My breasts felt heavy and I arched my back, pushing them further into Mason’s hand.

“God, I want you so much Ava,” he groaned against my lips. I clasped his head, pulling his mouth back to mine. He pushed me up against the wall, thrusting his groin into me and grinded his erection against me.

“Oh God,” I whimpered as he started grazing my jaw.

“You want me too,” he growled, a statement not a question and I nodded.

“Yes!” My arousal was intense as his fingers delicately edged up my outer thigh.

I was panting now, way past the point of retreat when a knock came to the door and my mind cleared, pulling me back. I stared at him, not understanding what had just happened.

“Wait” Mason barked at the intruder as he placed a shirt around my shoulders and I slipped my arms through it, quickly buttoning it up.

“What?” he snapped.

The door opened before the club security guy from the floor entered. “Just to let you know boss, we sent him on his way.”

Mason nodded. “Did you give him the usual send-off?” he asked, his lip curling.

Bouncer nodded, “Although the lady here broke his nose first.” He turned to me then, an amused look on his face. “You have a fine right hook, Miss,” he winked.

I nodded and scurried towards the door, mortified by my actions with Mason.

“Ava?” Mason called out.

I turned but kept my eyes lowered. “I’ll see you Monday, Mr Fox” I murmured and exited the room quickly, having to hold on to the hand rail to navigate my drunken self down the stairs.

I spotted the girls and grabbed Courtney and my bag. “I’m going” I informed her.

She frowned at me. “You okay?” Her eyes skimmed down to Mason’s shirt, now covering my modesty.

I nodded. “Just a headache. You stay, I’ll text you the taxi reg and when I get home,” I shouted to her over the music and left before I got her response, desperate to leave before Mason caught up with me.

Running out of the exit I was relieved to see a group of taxi’s already lined up. I jumped in the nearest, garbling my address and then telling him to step on it as I saw Mason exit the club. “Quickly” I shouted to the driver. He sped off, leaving Mason stood by the roadside pushing his hands through his hair in agitation.

Pulling in a deep breath, I leant my head back against the headrest as the driver eyed me through the mirror. “You okay, darlin’?”

I smiled and nodded, “Yeah thanks, just an overfriendly bloke.” I laughed to disguise my panic.

What the hell had happened in there? I had never in my whole life acted as I did like that, I was ready to rip his clothes off and ride him to oblivion. The thought made me wet, and the vivid visions refused to leave my head. “Jesus, Ava” I sighed to myself as I rubbed my eyes.

My phone rang but I ignored it, then a text alert beeped on my phone.

MASON:

What the hell Ava? What did I do?

Text me when you get back so I know you’re home safe. That is an order not a request! By the way, you need to sanitize your knuckles, they are bleeding! We will talk Monday.

Shit! I groaned as I looked at my hand. “That looks nasty,” the driver remarked. “Do you want to divert to the hospital?” I was growing to like this guy.

“Nah, I’m okay but thank you.” I gave him a gentle smile. He nodded, and then took me the rest of the way in silence, sensing my reluctance to talk.

After bathing my hand with a swill of vodka, I sat on the sofa and finished the rest, falling asleep drunkenly on the couch.

* * *

There was a ringing in my ears. I grumbled at it, trying to drift back to the peacefulness of sleep and it rang off. I smiled to myself and snuggled deeper into comfort but the ringing started again.

I reached on to the floor and rummaged through my bag blindly, answering my phone without opening my eyes. “What?” I slurred.

“Ava?” Mason growled. My eyes snapped opened.

Shit!

“Uhh, hi,” I replied rather hesitantly.

“Are you home?” he asked firmly.

“Yup.” I grimaced as I heard him huff.

“You were supposed to let me know.”

I recoiled into the sofa at his tone, as though it would shield me from his anger. “Yeah sorry, I kind of just flaked out.”

I heard him huff again. “Did you clean your hand?” he probed and I groaned.

“Yes sir, I gave it a drink of vodka.” I smirked, trying to hold in the laughter at the silliness of the conversation.

“Don’t be facetious, Ava” he snarled.

Oops!

“Sorry,” I whispered back.

I heard his resigned sigh and then silence for a moment. “Where the hell did you learn to punch like that?” he asked, now in a lighter tone.

I groaned and rested my head back; rubbing at my temples, “You need to be tough when you grow up in foster care, Mr Fox.”

I heard his growl through the phone; Mr Cross was back and I rolled my eyes.

“Will you stop with the Mr Fox, I think we got to the first name stage tonight, don’t you?” he demanded and I gulped.

“I really should go Mr . . . Mason, I’ll see you Monday.” I hovered on the disconnect icon as he shouted my name again. “Yeah?” I asked quietly.

“Make sure you keep your hand clean and yes, I’ll see you Monday. Take care Ava,” he replied softly.

I frowned, his mood swings were perplexing. “Okay Mason, bye.”

I heard his soft bye as I ended the call and quickly remembered to text Courtney before I climbed the stairs and climbed into bed with a groan. I was going to have a killer headache tomorrow.

CHAPTER 7

I HAD ARRANGED to meet Courtney for brunch in our favourite restaurant and as I was sat waiting for her at our table my phone trilled.

MASON:

Headache?

Was that it? The extent of a conversation down to one word? Puzzled I replied;

ME:

Nope, fresh as a daisy.

I grinned when he sent back a smiley face.

“Boo,” Courtney shouted behind me and I jumped in my seat, snarling at her. “Headache?” she asked.

Seriously?
It must be the new one word craze.

I shook my head and grinned at her, poking my tongue out. She plopped into the chair opposite me, narrowing her eyes on me. “Spill” she ordered. I retreated into my chair a little and shrugged as I scanned the menu. “Spill” she repeated more firmly, kicking my shin gently.

I glared at her. “That was just my boss” I informed nonchalantly. This time she raised her eyebrows instead of lowering them. “He owns the club, he just took me upstairs to get me a shirt,” I told her.

She nodded slowly. “So why did you do a runner and then he came demanding to know where you had gone?” She cocked her head, obviously not believing a word I was telling her.

I was saved by the arrival of our waitress. “Orders?” she snapped and I raised my eyebrows at her.

“Please . . .” I encouraged. She stared at me, remaining silent. I folded my arms and leaned back in my chair, noticing the twitch on Courtney’s’ lips; I cocked my head at the waitress and gave her my death glare.

She shifted uncomfortably on her heels and softened her expression. “Order please,” she rephrased.